Insecurity

One of the things I like most about my job is chatting with the afternoon security guard. We'll call him N. He's hilarious and friendly and puts a smile on the face of everyone who comes in and out of the building. A few months ago I asked N where he's from originally, which then led to me settling in on the bench in the lobby while he told me about his horrifying experiences as a Bosnian refugee. After detailing how he lost his home and community and everything he knew, he smiled widely. "But I am very happy now! I love America! I love Chicago! I have friends and a job and a home! I am very fortunate!" Way to turn that frown upside down. As usual, I left the building with a smile on my face, feeling fortunate to know someone who is clearly such a good, honest person.

Today he came up to my office. He never comes to my office.

He said, "Hello Mary. I come to say goodbye." Then he started to cry. Oh my god. My heart melted.

He got laid off. The building switched security companies. They were told this yesterday. N was told that he would be hired by the new company and could stay here. He called them this morning to make sure. They said- yeah- go fill out an application. He did that. He was told he was all set and could just report to work. He got here and someone else from the new company was at the desk. He called his boss and she won't answer. He thinks she's in the office but the door is locked.

The morning guy was hired by the new company. Something is very fishy.

N said, "I am good employee. I treat this company like my home. Why do they do this? She act like I kill her mother." True dat, N.

I gave him tissues, a hug and a typical pep talk that I truly meant, but it just sounded lame and unhelpful. Especially after he said, "Thank you, Mary. But I just don't know what am I going to do." How's about you hand me one of those tissues I gave you.

I might need to organize a building-wide protest. I'm pissed.

Lions and Turkeys and Foofys, Oh My.

As predicted in my last post, a lot of overeating happened this weekend. A great time was had by all. Thanks to help from Jim, dinner was delicious. And colorful. Nicey and Colleen joined the festivities, and my apartment wasn't nearly as cramped as I predicted. Dinner was followed by the usual sing-along and Catch Phrase (not necessarily the usual but it's a fairly common occurence).

Here's something I like to call "Crouching Collerans, Hidden Stuffing."







On Saturday the fam and I went to The Art Institute. Great time until Tom and I got museum head at the same time. I think we figured out that it sets in at an hour and a half, so next time I'm at a museum I need to begin my departure at an hour and fifteen minutes. Museum head is the point at which my brain has appreciated all the art it can possibly appreciate, so much so that a mere glance at a painting results in an instant headache and nausea. Thanks for nuthin, Picasso! I ate my weight in delicious Italian food that night which didn't exactly help the nausea. But that cavatelli and cannoli hurt so good.

On Sunday morning, Jim, Tom and I went for a long walk at the lake. It felt good to get some semblance of exercise. That was of course followed by gorging on leftovers. Wouldn't want to have to say goodbye to the new holiday love handles just yet. After dinner we played some Scattergories. I think we were all a little high on tryptophan because it was a paricularly ridiculous game. My favorite answer was an F word for "Term of Endearment." Tom got double points for: Foofy Foofy. Foofy Foofy, for those living under a rock, was what Brigitte Nielsen called Flava Flav on the hit show "Strange Love."

Other weekend highlights: Dan in Real Life Cute movie worth seeing. What's not to love about Steve Carrell?






Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. Most definitely worth seeing. If/when you're in Chicago, check it out. Live theater that is hilarious, creative and affordable.


That about wraps up the weekend. I'm too exhausted to put forth anything else that might be coherent and/or interesting. I hope y'all had a fantastic Thanksgiving.

Thanks

If this little niece of mine isn't someone to be thankful for, then I don't know who is. Unfortunately, I have to hold out until Christmas to see her and her branch of the family tree, but I'm looking forward to hosting the rest of my family for Thanksgiving. I love every element of the Thanksgiving meal. My kitchen is packed with tasty ingredients waiting to be whipped, mixed and baked into delicious treats. I can't wait for the overeating to commence.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Thanks for reading this silliness.

The Family Band, circa 1978

I'm in Jersey for the weekend to see family and cheer Jim on in the NYC marathon tomorrow. My dad scanned a bunch of old slides, so I've had a funny/scary trip down family photo memory lane. Here's one that is amazing on more levels than I can count.


First of all, we. are. LOOKERS.

Second, what on earth is going on with the decorations? Star Wars. A fruit still life painting. Maybe some paint by numbers? Lots of crazy vampire figurines. And, of course, a giant cross. Just to keep the vampires in line, I imagine. And those curtains with matching bedspread...wow. As for the band members- where to begin? Jim's overalls? Tom's hair? Joe's expression? My xylephone?

I'm sure we sounded AWESOME.