Walking With Nora

I played the part of a rebel tonight. I spent approximately 30 minutes on my Operations & Project Management homework before I succumbed to the temptation of the movie Into the Wild.

ManMate and GF have been ranting and raving about what a spectacular movie it was, moving them both to tears, so I figure I might as well give it a try.

As of late, Nora has been thinking about giving up her life as it stands today for the life of something more carefree. Less materialistically driven. No Coach purses and Kenneth Cole heels. No shopping sprees and cosmos with the girls. No money-grabbing job. Less 9-5 office work, less of a scheduled week and weekend. Maybe a little more of me and a little less of the Americn society; I feel like I am exactly the kind of person America, our society and our government want us to be. As cliche as it may be, there is so much that I want to experience and it will be incredibly difficult to do from behind a desk. I’m not unhappy with things as they are, but know there is more to it (life) than this… one quote I won’t forget from the movie: “I know that good gets better.”

Watching this movie didn’t do much to change my train of thought. I think I’ve said before if you had asked me after graduation what I would be doing today I figured it to be much different:

Working to change and help the lives of others, most likely living at home as whatever job I had wouldn’t cover much other than the bare necessities. Shopping at second hand shops in the Loop. Maybe have my hair in dredlocks.

(Side Note: Darling, don’t worry, I won’t pull an Alex Supertramp and disappear into the wilderness of the U.S. Maybe Italy, but not the U.S. and of course, I would invite you along and send you compelling postcards every step of the way.)

I talked to my dad about this the other day… turns out he did what I want to do and said he felt trapped and constrained by lack of money in the sense that he couldn’t travel when he wanted, buy presents for those he loved, etc, etc.  He loved what he was doing (teaching in NYC for a pittance of a salary at $12,000 a year) but longed for something more. Today, I’m more than proud to say he has accomplished many great things, including starting his own company after the age of 50. So my wonderment increases: where is the happy medium? How do I find it? If it comes from within, where can I go to get in touch with it?

While the movie itself was filmed beautifully, I found myself extremely aggravated with Mr. Supertramp. How horribly ironic that a guy who loves to read would misread the most important thing in his life, leading to his inevitable demise, alone, in the wild, with no one to comfort him. Tragic. Heart-breaking. Tear inducing. My favorite part of the movie is Eddie Vedder’s remake of “Hard Sun.” Well, and one other scene which is what made ManMate and GF cry, but I won’t spoil it for those of you who wish to sit through the 148 minute feature film.

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Follow-up to Friday’s post:
I didn’t intend to insinuate that Man was crazy, creepy or stalking me. Not in any way, shape or form. I wrote as a knee-jerk reaction to my fear at the moment (there was one other person in the office, way in the back compared to me), my surprise and I suppose my confusion. I have, since Friday, been able to laugh about it, see a small degree of flattery in it, and do a bit of research. Thanks to a friend, she suggested I see if he’d been convicted of stalking in the past courtesy of the open court system & website in MO. Unfortuantely, he has. I’m keeping my eyes open and looking over my shoulder now a bit more than before, but mostly hoping it will just go away.

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I have left the castle and am back to city living. I forgot how much I do like my apartment yet can’t wait to move to new, improved, uncramped quarters with a closet large enough to hold all my clothes for all seasons, shoes included.
ManMate and his GF are glad for my presence in the apartment… they met HB on Saturday night and that, of course, as has everything else with HB, went well.

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Posting will be light this week as the many events for Siri’s wedding are drawing near and have 10,001 things to do before then. (Okay, well maybe only ten.)

Remember the man who came to my office and informed me he needed help going to the bathroom? (It should be noted that he’s middle-aged, with glasses, beard & balding, wears a backpack when he comes in. I think he might be, without this sounding mean, special.)

Well, he came back today. But he wasn’t scheduled for a test. Instead, he was holding a dozen white roses, wrapped with a ribbon and gold foil. This is what happened:

Man: Hi.
Me (working at my desk, head down): Are you here for a test today?
Man: No. These are for you. These flowers are for you.
Me(I look up and see a dozen white roses staring at me): Oh. Well. Thanks.
Man: I can’t stop thinking about you. You are so nice and so pretty and I wanted you to know that I can’t stop thinking about you.
Me: Ah, well that’s nice.
Man: I want to be your friend. (Sticks out his hand). My name is Al.
Me (reluctantly shaking his hand): Hi, I’m Nora. (Had I been thinking I would have made up a name.)
Man: So are you busy right now?
Me: Well I am at work, so yes.
Man: Well I don’t want to interrupt your routine. So can I call you at work?
Me: I don’t think that would be a good idea.
Man: Do you have a cell phone?
Me: I have a boyfriend. (honest, it just tumbled out of my mouth).
Man: That’s okay. I can still be your friend.
Me: I’m not sure that would be a good idea.
Man: Well, it was nice to meet you. (Sticks out his hand again).
Me: Have a nice day.
Man: I’m leaving the flowers here for you.

****
I won’t lie. I’m kind of weirded out by the whole thing. The first thing I did? Text HB to tell him I have a funny story to tell him. Second thing? Gave the flowers away. Third thing? Wrote this blog. And now I’m going to wash my hands.

I’m still shaking.

Siri’s wedding is a week… the list of things I need to do before then is astounding (and I’m not even the bride!):
- Find gold eye make-up that isn’t tacky, to match the colors of the wedding
- Figure out how I will do said make-up for maximum “staying power,” through the day
- Buy Siri & Jas their presents and wrap beautifully
- Make the ribbon bouquet for the rehearsal
- Write a riveting, heart warming speech for the rehearsal dinner
- Practice my hair for the wedding
- Get nails done (red nailpolish only so as to not clash with the mehndi that we are having stained onto us next Thursday.)
- Remember to charge camera battery

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I’m hooked on a new kind of movie lately: the classic movies. I’ve spent the last two nights staring at my laptop, courtesy of Netflix and their “watch instantly,” feature, making my way through Funny Girl. I am in constant awe of Streisand’s dresses, make-up, her range of talent, and of course, Omar Shariff and his fabulous eyes. I have about an hour left to watch before I proceed to Unforgiven, which I know is more of a modern-day classic. My guy friends all have informed me I must watch it, even if I don’t like it.

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Trivia night went very well on Wednesday night…thankfully HB has a head for sports, since the theme was “NCAA Basketball,” meaning the girls were totally left out of the question answering except for this question: What is the best selling album of all time? The friend reviews were all positive with requests for repeat appearnces by HB.

The cute, totally makes you want to gag thing that HB said to me on Wednesday: he’s glad that his basketball team lost in their playoff game as it means he has more time to spend with me.

Next up with HB? Blues Game tomorrow night.

And the answer to the trivia question is…. (courtesy of Jennifer Garner & Mark Ruffalo):

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/wO0810JIF4Q&hl=e]

I know that according to the Bible, common sense and the A.J. Jacobs book I’m reading, coveting is forbidden. However, it’s hard to avoid coveting the fabulous castle (aka mansion) I’m house sitting for. A steam bath every day? A bubble bath in a jacuzzi? A California King for me to sleep on, even though I use less than 1/3 of the bed? A huge vanity to spread my girlie stuff onto? Reclining chairs in front of a big screen? Yeah, I’m coveting.

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Today was probably the longest day I’ve had in forever: wake up at 5:45 after night of fitful sleeping thanks to nightmares that seemed much like a real horror film, work from 7 until 4:30, class from 5:30–9:30, then back to the Castle for cat duties. I spent half an hour frantically searching for one of the two cats, and it finally snuck past somehow and landed itself in front of the fire. It eyed me suspiciously as I refilled the dry food and wet food bowls, microwaved their heating disc and finally settle itself in front of the water bowl. Lying down in front of the water bowl. Cats are interesting creatures.

Unlike dogs they want their solitude, ignore people as much as possible and flinch when you try to pet them.

If Jack hadn’t seen me in over 12 hours he’d follow me from room to room to make sure I’m not leaving again, wag his tale while eating, sloppily drink his water and then run over to me, toy and drool hanging out of his mouth. I’m most definitely a dog person.

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Dating update….
Another T: The last date, you know, the one where I was told I couldn’t have my own opinion, discovered his affinity for Sci Fi (did you know he could find me the authentic Princess Leia gold bikini, in case I was interested?), and had a (un)fortunate allergic reaction to guacamole seemingly ended the dates. Which I’m pretty sure is okay with me. He did come into the office today and said that he was joking when he mentioned the anti-feminist jokes, but I’m not sold on that. And he said I make him nervous, in a good way. (Moment of guilt on my side.)

HB: Very unlike the above. He’s meeting my Trivia Group friends tomorrow night (I’m nervous!) and then Saturday we are going to a hockey game. He met TLo and her boyfriend on Saturday night and passed with flying colors. You never can really be sure about a guy until he meets one of the friends you spend the most time with. The spark is very much alive.

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If you haven’t seen the Jane Austen Book Club, I highly recommend it. Enough substance to make you think but just enough jokes and lightheartedness to qualify itself as a chick flick. And a few cute guys to look at, a great mix of fashion, and a plot to make you smile, and maybe tear-up.

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Lent is officially over. I broke down today and went to Lion’s Choice, my whole reason for giving up soda, fast food and fried food in the first place. The result? My stomach hurts! This is good news. I hope to continue my anti-soda, anti-fried & fast food diet (with a few other changes, as I’ve been bad lately) for as long as I can.

In the meantime, I have plenty of chocolate to enjoy thanks to Darling and my bro’s girlfriend, because, you know, that’s healthy.

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I grew up singing this song with Darling in the car and as I get older and do the Working Girl thing, this song has more meaning to it than ever. I couldn’t say it better if I tried.

• Attempt to give the cat (named after wine) his pill for his recent surgery. Fail and have claw marks on your new Banana Republic khakis
• Check out the fully-stocked freezer with food to make the tastebuds dance: chicken cordon bleu, pie, pasta, cookie dough, pizza, chicken strips and more
• Fight with the oven when you are making green & black olive homemade pizza for you and HB (yes, we had another date last night.)
• Laugh as you attempt to decipher the remote that looks like a calculator… and finally get the right input for DVD watching (Side Note: Don’t watch We Own the Night. It dragged. Mark Wahlberg isn’t looking his best, and Eva Mendes gives a poor performance.)
• Learn to stop jumping every time the grandfather clock reminds you that another 15 minutes of your life have passed
• Ooh and Ahh over the wine gift basket the Castle Owners left you. And immediately eat the dark chocolate filled with caramel squares
• Marvel over how cute the cats are when they sleep
• Run six miles on the flat lands by their house
• Take a long jacuzzi bath due to the slight muscle soreness induced by running six miles
• Try again to feed the cat its pill… almost get him to swallow it before he spits it back out. I have resorted to hiding it in wet cat food to see if that works.
• Enjoy cable TV, even though you’ve seen all the movies on the 100+ channels you have access to
• Bravely weigh yourself on their scale, to compare. Smile when you realize your only four pounds away from your high school weight
• R.E.L.A.X.

Love: Rain… for the most part.
Hate: We received so much rain this week that my friend M had to cancel the bowling/pizza date last night as her office went into emergency crisis and had to evacuate the office as the flood waters were coming into the office.

Love: The aforementioned group date cancellation allowed for HB and I to have some face time. Just us. His couch. A movie. And an awesome view of downtown from his loft windows.
Hate: Being tired. Was having a great time at HB’s but had to leave to go home to sleep, so I could function at the office today.

Love: My Wednesday night trivia team informed HB that he’s going with me next week, so as to not “steal,” me away from another night with the gang.
Hate: That I didn’t get to invite him myself!

Love: I start house-sitting for a friend tomorrow. Their house, compared to my apartment, is like a castle. They also informed me they have a freezer full of food for me to enjoy.
Hate: MODOT and their ridiculous highway construction projects. I’ll have to leave by 6:45 am every day to get to the office at a reasonable hour.

… Another T?
We had our third date last night. Low-key, Mexican restaurant on a rainy night. He’s turning out to be interesting. He has many macho ideas (read: men are superior to women). There have been one too many “I’m the boss of you,” comments and a few too many eyebrows raised if I have an opinion that differs from his own that he doesn’t agree with. Oh, and Nova- remember you asked what he does in his spare time since he doesn’t read much or own a tv? He informed he built several model rockets over the weekend, even on Saturday night. Our interests aren’t as in line as I once thought they were.

…HB?
We have a double date planned with my friend M and her new propsect tomorrow night. Pizza and bowling and I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully I can bowl as well as I can with Little Man and the fantastic Nintendo Wii and not have to request that the bumpers be put down on the lanes.

…Nora?
Gearing up for my next class, which begins tonight, and totally ignoring the fact that I haven’t even so much as looked at what book I need nor purchased the fresh notebook I look forward to with each class. Siri’s wedding is in less than 18 days, so bridesmaid dress fittings abound, last minute make-up/hair and nail plans must be made, and a fabulous present(s) must be bought, wrapped and presented. After her wedding? I have no bridesmaid duties until August and frankly, I’m euphoric about it.
I’m totally loving the A.J.Jacobs book I mentioned a few posts back and I’m managing to successfully ignore the gym lately (that trend ends tomorrow). I looked at my calendar last night and realized I don’t have a free weekend until May 2nd, so I have my eyes on the prize for a weekend of relaxation and slumber as soon as May rolls around. In the meantime I have many happy events to focus on, including VEGAS, and of course, those wonderful work projects, too.

Love: Planning Darling’s Surprise Party and realizing that when she walked in to the room she really didn’t have a clue about the event.
Hate: That it takes a special event- birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, to gather with your truest and closest friends. Are we all really that busy?

Love: Venturing out with HB to a group gathering, after Darling’s party, to celebrate my friends who were getting married on Saturday.
Hate: The numerous questions that followed as a result of his attendance at said party.

Love: Justin & Meg tied the knot last night; their wedding was incredibly fun and was a semi-high school reunion.
Hate: There were two girls at my table who kept calling me by the wrong name (Layla) rather than my real one. Kind of funny.

Love: Live music at aforementioned wedding.
Hate: The wood floor at this particular venue wasn’t finished so removing our shoes was a no-no… which resulted in a few blisters on the feet this a.m.

Love: Adult sleepovers; myself and two of my best friend couples crashed at the home of the bride and groom since they weren’t using it last night. Doing the post-party wrap-up the same night as the party (and with a tad of alcohol in the system) is lots of fun especially when sub sandwiches from McAllisters deli are in the fridge with potato salad.
Hate: That we don’t have more adult sleepovers.

Love: Allowing myself the day to clean the apartment from head to toe, resulting in a splendid lemon-fresh scent in the apartment. (I know the word choice of “Allowing,” is odd, but cleaning is my stress relief. Yes, I know… weird.)
Hate: Emptying the mop bucket. It’s always so gross.

Love: Talking to HB on my way home from Darling and Dad’s (final birthday celebration for Darling at Cheesecake) about our weekends. We made plans for Friday night.
Hate: Four days until it’s Friday.

Love: That I had such a glorious weekend…two days of parties, friends, cameras, top notch food and wine, music and dancing.
Hate: My writing skills aren’t fantastic enough to express how wonderful everything was.