No!!!

The title of this blog is a word I strive to say more often. It is a word that I need to become more familiar with, a word that would save me from much angst and agitation. It would free me from many trials and tribulations. This one word would have made my entire Christmas break better and more relaxing. Unfortunately, I'm apparently not familiar with this word and it refuses to roll off my tongue with anywhere near the ease that it cascades from others' tongues with on a daily basis.

Why am I incapable of saying this word? I came close today, but failed. I nearly told my niece's boyfriend that I couldn't work in his absence from my dreaded place of employment. Much to my dismay he has learned the awful tactic of awkward conversation and stalling from hanging up a phone at a young age. The longer one stalls the greater the likelihood of the other party losing the will-power to say NO NO NO. So I will be working tomorrow and while it's only 4 hours of my day, it is the principle of the issue, I've never worked on Sundays and have informed the company that I cannot on countless occasions, yet, there I will be tomorrow, wasting my time for very little money.

Of course, tomorrow wouldn't be a concern at all had I been able to simply utter the word "no" at Thanksgiving when I was asked to come back and work Christmas. I didn't go seeking employment over my vacation. I, in fact, had very little desire to give up my days that were originally going to be relaxing and fulfilling for my last Christmas home as a student and with this as my official residence. Oh, and this word troubles me much more often than you know. Many a thing have I done which I would rather not have and did not need to simply because I lack the ability to say...no.

So to make myself feel better...

I would continue this blog and give my readers an update on what's really been happening in my life over the past few weeks, but....

NO, not tonight, perhaps some other night.

classy

I must be on the road to becoming classy. I went to the Art Museum in downtown Chicago yesterday and that makes two art museums in about 2 months. I was slightly depressed that most of the Monet and Van Gogh were currently not available for viewing, but there was a lot of other stuff that was well worth checking out. I am always fascinated by pointilism such as this wonderful work.

The reason for this visit to the art institute was to celebrate 3 wonderful years with Kristin. We realized that looking back on the three years, Chicago has been a spot we love to visit for some of our exciting "dates" so there was no place better to go to celebrate. A walk down Michigan ave in the winter, seeing ice skaters and all the lights and displays made for a romantic evenign as well. We ended up returning to the Grand Lux Cafe to dine. This was a great choice as well. We shared an entree of melt in your mouth shrimp and top sirloin and topped it off with wine and white chocolate rasberry truffle cheesecake. The atmosphere was also quite good for our purposes. You are all encouraged to check facebook for a few photos of our day.

Santa

My health has finally improved, let's hope this continues. My voice appears to be back to about 90%. I have 2 concerts and no one knows how much rehearsal time in between and you know what that calls for...consumption on Saturday after the last of it is over.

I watched The Santa Claus tonight with Tim Allen...it's hard to believe I watched that in the theaters when I was in elementary school. It's still just as amazing now as it was then, I should really purchase that movie.

I'm becoming addicted to mochas and lattes. This probably isn't a good thing as I plan to put very little money onto a meal card next semester and will therefore shift my coffee purchasing to Starbucks which is considerably more expensive and likely more addicting (because it's actually good). I guess I know where my gigging money will be going. Now I just need to purchase some peppermint schnapps to go into my espressos and I'll be all set.

And to continue my stream of consciousness blog, I am pleased to report that, as of this week, my heat is again working and I therefore can hang out in my room and sleep without freezing to death. This is a wonderful development and I fully intend to take advantage of it.

One final, unrelated point: I watched Butler pull another ridiculous victory they didn't deserve out of their collective *** on ESPN U tonight. Cleveland state was up about 7 in an extremely low scoring game with 2 to go. It took Butler hitting a 3 pointer with time expiring to have either team break 50 points. Final score 50-48. Butler opened the game 3-3 from 3 point territory and then hit one of their next 14 from behind the line, only to close with several 3s in a row and steal a game they looked awful in. Sound familiar?

voice

So, since I barely had a speaking voice yesterday and am uncertain of what today will bring on that front, I'm going to use my written voice this morning. First off...the drive back to campus on Sunday was a pain. 6 hours when it should take 5 due to poor weather conditions and a major accident causing at least 6 miles worth of back up on 80/90. Secondly...once I got back I had to attend a 3 hour rehearsal for the Christmas concert. (btw, you should come hear me play with the VUSO. There's a cool brass fanfare composed by one of our own, Trevor Castorline. The concerts are Friday at 7:30 and Saturday at 5:00) Those rehearsals are always such a joy. And to top all that off, I woke up Monday without a voice to start Hell Week. We have so many rehearsals this week...it's nuts.
On a lighter note, it is good to be back with friends and most importantly, Kristin.

I drove to Noodles and company yesterday and at the intersection next to TGIFridays here in Valpo I slid straight down the hill while trying to break and hit my front bumper pretty good because they had decided not to put salt on that dangerous spot at all apparently. I was incredibly fortunate and blessed that the light was green so I didn't slide into the crossing traffic and instead just had to make an extremely awkward turn and go on my way.

One final thing...I was confused and perplexed by President elect Obama's Cabinet choices yesterday, but upon further thought, I actually respect him for choosing a panel that seems to have differing views from his own. This is a mark of someone who truly wants to lead, he wants to hear all the sides before making major decisions that affect all of our lives.