Take That! My Own New Box of Crayons

I had my second advertising class this week, the first one that included critiques of our work and opinions. I had some winning comments and ideas and some losers, but the best part of all came from preparing for class. I got colored pencils. And crayons. Brand new.


Who doesn't love a box of freshly bought, never-used crayons? I distinctly remember owning oodles of crayons in every color -- burnt sienna, sea foam green ... you know the names -- that still had a lot of life left in them, yet I begged my mom for new ones, just so I could break them in. I was a goody goody and didn't steal when I was a kid, except for one thing: a brand, new bourdeaux-color crayon from our family friend's supply. Being the good child I was, I confessed even though I could have gotten away with it. Giving up the crayon was hard and embarrassing.

I can't remember the last box I bought, likely for 7th grade art. But at age 29, I've got a brand new set, no permission needed. And if I so choose, I can buy another box. It's not like the gently used ones would go to waste; I'd donate them to a program for the disadvantaged.

But it's been more than just owning a new box though, which is sweet but has its limits in excitement. Breaking open that box along the perforation made me excited to create things again. Draw. Color outside the lines. And not just the typical flower, balloon or barn I seemed to fall back on when I couldn't create anything masterful. This class is pushing me to draw out big ideas for new -- adult -- challenges.

So, might I suggest you buy a box of crayons, too? If you don't do it for the rush of breaking out the ol' cornflower or raw umber alone, I promise you'll have fun doodling.

(Note: If you look at the list of crayons I linked to, you'll see some of the color names I listed here were from editions beyond my birth year. But I swear I had those crayons in my box of Crayola! Perhaps they weren't discontinued. Or maybe I never had "new" crayons. Hmmmm.)

Give Indian Food A Chance (Specifically Chicago Curry House)

I came to work today excited to share my story about another successful Tuesday Night  at Chicago Curry House. But I didn't really get anywhere because I was immediately greeted with  the typical "I don't like spicey food" reply I hear when Indian food comes up.

Bor-ing. And frustrating, because half the time when I hear a comment like that, it's usually because people are equating using spice with being spicey, as in super hot on your tongue. Changes are, they ate a Hot Tamale, realized they didn't like their tongue to feel as if it were on fire, then swore off "spicey" food. Or maybe they did try a curry, but instead of its being a yellow curry or a dish simply made with curry spice, it was green curry, which I'm convinced could raise the dead.

The truth is I don't like foods that are so spicy they burn my tongue either. But I do like spice, and Chicago Curry House has got it. I wish I could convince these "spice haters" to try it! Pictured above is the delectable and oh-so-scrumptious Curry House Special Vegetable Dinner, with (and I'm going to cut-and-paste here)  Dal Makhunu, Palak Paneer, Aloo Ghobi, Navaratan Korma Served with Basmati Rice, Naan and kheer. That translates to spinach and cheese; lentils; chick peas; cauliflowr; raita (sp?); a vegetable jaipur thingy; and cold slices of tomato, lemon and cucumber. At right is the yummy chicken korma.

I can't talk about Indian food worth shit; I'm not an expert by any means and can barely pronounce the name, yet list the ingredients. But Brian is! And so is my friend Paula. And surely all the Indians we see eating there are experts as well. I can't speak for the strangers, but reviews so far are stellar from people who have taken my recommendation.

It's a winning place -- I give it 4 of 5 Zs -- because the food's great, the service is top (the manager personally has come around each time we've been there, on top the wait staff being on their game) and the atmosphere is still nice -- you won't find questionable floors or tables that don't look clean.

I hope people make a visit. They opened this year (bad economy!) and the location is a little off beat (South Loop, 1/2 block west of State street), which all spells trouble. But if the reviews and steady crowd in the dining room is any indication, they should be fine. Crossing fingers! I don't want to only have Devon as a solid Indian option.

***
I just realized I never explained Tuesday Nights. When Brian and I first started dating, we discovered Tuesday Night to be a perfect mid-week date night for both of us. When we'd make plans, we always wanted to a try a new restaurant, and that's our goal. Sure, there have been many repeats, but above all, it's our night out, so much so that we've scheduled anniversary or birthday dinners specifically on Tuesday nights. Another bonus: restaurants are better mid-week -- but that's merely icing on the cake.

Of note: Through June -- or at least until I'm in class -- Tuesday Nights are actually Wednesday nights because my class meets Tuesdays. Regardless, it's Tuesday Night to us, and that's how I'll refer to it here.

Pilates a Go Go

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually like pilates.

I'm surprised because I do not do well in yoga -- two totally opposite yet equally terrible yoga experiences and I swore never to go back to a class -- and pilates certainly has elements of it. But although you get the stretching and some of the poses as in yoga, there's no Sanskrit 'n' shit in pilates. There's no kum bah yah, and no talking in a soft voice, and no bowing. And thus, I'll likely be back.

My month off of working out is almost over, so I did the pilates thing and I signed up for my first run-only race -- a mere 5k -- since 2006 (it was actually three years ago this weekend at the Bucktown 5k that I met my boyfriend, Brian, and the last run-only race I've done because of my knees. But I digress!). The run also involves hot chocolate, which may or may not have anything to do with it, but basically, I'm pumped and ready to get moving again. One month off -- save for a couple runs and one 30-mile bike ride --and I feel "squishy." I'm stiff! I'm not toned! And I don't want to lose any more of my base.

This month has taught me that you can take a month off and should take a month for your body to heal and without fear of losing everything. But it's also a reminder of how quickly stiff joints and a lazy attitude can set in -- it took me about two weeks.

I'm ready to go!

***
Speaking of being ready to go, I'm toying around with the idea of doing an Olympic distance triathlon this coming season -- that's double what I'm used to. It's terrifying considering I can't train well on the run. But, I've got the stamina to do the bike and the swim (what I did in the aquabike this year), and I figure I can suck up the run. We shall see.

Glimpse into Transition Area

Ever hear a triathlete talk about trying to improve their transition time? Or never heard the word transition in context of a triathlon to begin with? Here's a shot of the transition area -- post race -- of the Chicago Triathlon, which is pretty much the largest you're ever gonna get (9,000 people registered this year; by comparison, popular local races have about 600, 1,000 or 3,000).

"Chicago" was my first triathlon ever. These rows of bikes freaked the shit out of me before the race, and I wasn't particularly fond of them during the race either. I vowed to never do Chicago again (although for more reasons than that). Now it's one of my favorites.

Yours truly navigating Bangs' Lake Multisport Fesitval (I did the aquabike)

Transition is the place where triathletes go in between each leg of the race. It's where you throw your wetsuit after the swim and collect your bike and gear, and it's where you dump your bike gear and pick up your running shoes. No matter how big the race, transition always looks the same: rows and rows of bikes squeezed in like sardines.

Before the race -- usually before the sun rises -- you get to transition, find a place for your bike, and set up your gear around your tires. The entire space is not more than 2 feet wide.

So yes, everyone's gear -- thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars worth of equipment -- is all in one place. Pretty nuts, but the triathlete community is a safe one. Hopefully, it'll stay that way for a long time (some of you might recall my bad experience. I'm the lone example with bad luck, so why tell it and scare everyone off?).

What We Eat at Home

Here's a sample of some of the dinners Brian and I have cooked together. I really love cooking with him, even if he is learning to give up control in the kitchen. :) Brian's schtick is fancy dinners; he prefers to cook gourmet meals and does a great job at it. I'm the middle-of-the-week gal; I like doing simple, quick but tasty and homeade (or mostly homemade) meals. It works well.

Seared black peppercorn crusted tuna with avocado, tomato, mushroom salad tossed with crushed, dry ramen noodles

Heirloom tomatoes with basil, mozarella and a little olive oil

Chicken sauteed with garlic and onions; cous cous with paprika-sprinkled poblano, green and red peppers with onion

Mmmm, chicken sandwich

It's funny, because Brian used to think that because I don't do gourmet that I don't know how to cook. I've showed him. ;)

Girls' Night: The Menu

I'm having a girls' night next weekend and am kicking around menu ideas. Here's what I'm thinkin':

Apps:
Cheese and crackers
Lil' Smokies
Guacamole or hummus
Maybe some fruit

Main:
Veggie, beef and chicken shish kabobs
Cous Cous
Tomato, basil and mozarella salad

Dessert:
Cookie cake!
Root beer floats

And drinks, too. It has to be simple and accessible for crowd with a full range of food interests.

Ideas? Creativity? YES, PLEASE

I never told you how my first day of school turned out!

It was awesome.

I did worry about my clothes and the people and the instructor -- blah blah blah. But that evaporated quickly when I remembered I didn't care what people thought of me (well, within reason -- if I had bad breath, YES; if I as just being me, no) AND when I was reminded that the class was about ideas and creativity and brainstorming and all these things lacking in my career these days.

We did get a warning that our ideas will be crushed, our egos shredded. But that's OK. I'm up for a challenge that I like.

I don't know where this will lead and am not anticipating becoming a creative director right outta the program -- or at all. But it will be a good challenge and something new.

Bring it on.