In which I become a contender

Most days I wouldn't even be considered for the Best Girlfriend in the World award, should such a thing exist. I'm moody, fiercely independent, high-maintenance, and never around. I hog the remote and the covers, I'm always cold, and I refuse to watch scary movies. I cry at the drop of a hat, I have to be right all the time, and I'm a stickler for good grammar (you'll notice I've picked sides in the Oxford comma debate). Most days, I'm a pain in the neck, I know I am.

But yesterday was not most days. Yesterday, I climbed the ranks in the Best Girlfriend in the World contest. Why, you ask? Because yesterday, in honor of CM's impending birthday, I surprised him with a behind-the-scenes tour of our favorite animals at the zoo: the sifakas. Turns out, not only are they incredibly adorable (look at those eyes!), but they are also sweet-natured, just as soft as they look, and very social. We got to hand-feed and pet them, and the baby sifaka even licked our fingers!



And then, when we got home, I gave him the rest of his present: an entire series he loves on DVD (I won't tell you the name of it because CM doesn't want people to question his sexual orientation). And after that I put on a slinky black number and let him take me out to dinner.

I think I'm just a little closer to that trophy now.

Love/Hate

Love: Chicago. I think I may have found MY city (although we can revisit this topic when the real winter kicks in). Living downtown is an incredible luxury—being steps away from Millennium Park, the river, the lake, and an easy walk to work is an unparalleled thrill, and I'm so glad I splurged on this apartment for what will most likely be a once in a lifetime experience.

Hate: Being so far away from CameraMan. At the moment we're 4 months into a 6-month separation, and though we've been doing really well up to now, we're both starting to feel the distance. Now that my show's open, I've had some time. I spent all last week being a tourist: museums, the aquarium, and an architectural river cruise (pictures to come, I promise). As much as I enjoyed it all, it made me miss CM something fierce, because I know it would have all been much more fun together. And it seems like every few days something happens with our Houston apartment, and I can't help because I'm far away. None of this is anything new to most people in our business, but it's new to us, and we're finding our way through it.

Love: Taking pictures. My camera has become my almost constant companion, and I might be finally learning how to really use it. And I'm having lots of fun exploring Lightroom and all its photo editing magic. For me, there is no better way to discover a new city than through a lens, and while no substitute for CameraMAN, my camera is doing a pretty good job keeping me company.

Hate: My 365 project. Yes, HATE. I know this is going to be a controversial decision (for the three of you who care), but I've decided to put the project on hold indefinitely. It already accomplished my primary goal, which was to get me into the habit of bringing my camera with me, and of taking pictures of the defining moments of my life. I suppose I could keep going just because I've come this far, but at this point I'm not getting any enjoyment out of it. It's become a chore, and I'm ending up with a lot of uninteresting pictures I'm not proud of. Also, I really miss writing in this space, and at least right now, I don't think I can maintain both. So... it's over. For now. I will still take lots of pictures, and I will still post some of them here. But probably not every day. And I'm happy about it.

Love: Laughing Cow cheese: seriously, how can this creamy amazingness be 35 calories? Boots. Jillian Michaels. Flowers from CM. My birthday. Cool, crisp autumn weather. Cashmere. Getting skinnier. Vanity Fair. Tanqueray and tonics. Glee. Janacek. Foodie dinner parties. Public transportation.

I think I might be back.

268-270/365

The inside of the opera house is absolutely gorgeous, and as I often do in my job, there are days where I have to pinch myself that I get to do what I love in these beautiful spaces. This picture didn't turn out quite how I wanted it to—good thing I'm here for a couple more months to try again.





Opening night of Animal Crackers at the Goodman was like a palate cleanser after lots of intense French opera. Tap dancing, silly gags, and THE MARX BROTHERS! I might have smiled for the entire show. Also, there was a cast party with yummy Italian food. So basically, heaven.





Sometimes there is nothing better than crawling into a bed of clean, sweet-smelling sheets. This is the best-smelling fabric softener I have found yet.

265-267/365

I am falling more and more in love with this amazing city every day that I am here, dreaming of ways to move here for real (no offense, Houston). My almost nightly walks in Millennium Park might have to end at some point due to cold weather, but for now I will enjoy the proximity of this unique park for as long as I can.




I missed another day, and I'm not even going to apologize about this one. The past couple weeks were so insane at work that it just wasn't happening. Instead, I'm linking you to an awesome video postcard that CameraMan made me. I've only watched it about 10 times.






Opening night at the Lyric is very glamorous. There was a red carpet, and a buffet of hors d'oeuvres, and lots of gorgeous gowns. I dragged The Best Friend along and we sat in incredible seats for a beautiful production of Tosca. And not a single boo was heard during the curtain call.

264/365

I'm attempting to combat my natural tendencies, the tendencies of an antisocial hermit. Saying yes to invitations, contacting friends, being proactive. It's mostly going well, especially when I'm not working crazy weeks like this one. Last week there was this party, on a gorgeous rooftop in the middle of this amazing city. The sun was shining, and the skyscrapers were all around us, and there was Leiny's Sunset Wheat, and I was very very happy. And then later that evening I had an interview via Skype, and it went well, and I got the job, and I took it.

So all in all, a good day.