tigra

Oh, there's lots to do in that area, but if all your friends are jumping and you're on the ground- well, OK, the beach- I'm just saying maybe its not so fun to go to a skydiving boogie if you aren't jumping. Just something to think about, that's all. Maybe you're better off bringing a friend along so you've got someone to hang out with while everyone else is jumping. (That solves the roomie problem too!) And, I WAS referring to Skydive Chicago's website and bulletin board. They have a lot of information posted about the boogie and its a great place for a newbie to connect with another newbie interested in going. (Anyone really, but once you've hung out at the dz for a while, you'll know who to call or ask, or who might want or need a roomie just from TALKING to people.)

Exchanging vows in front of our family, friends and God, and sharing our home and our lives is enough "symbolism" for me. And about dated traditions, we've even joked about the whole "giving the bride away" part of the ceremony. I said his ex and his daughter should walk HIM down the aisle and give him to me!

I'm in shock over how much attention this is getting, I really am. Although I shouldn't be. Look how much coverage American Idol got last year with their controversial "votes"!

My fiance has a daughter with a woman he never married. His daughter has HIS last name, something he insisted on and her mom agreed to. Now, whenever we get around to getting married, I'm pretty sure I WON'T take his name, even in some hyphenated combination form. I have some very real practical reasons for that which go beyond the obvious inconvenience of changing IDs and professional identification, but I also never fully liked the concept. Its dated. By taking first your father's name, then your husband's, its like "ownership" is being transferred from one to another. Sorry- no one "owns" me. (Since I have father issues too, I've seriously considered taking my mother's maiden name! But all that name changing is too complicated for me anyway! IDs, credit cards, passports, title to my home? Major PITA!) You very seldom hear of men changing their names after they get married. To me, it would be more symbolic if both the husband and wife changed their names to a combination of the two.

How does he answer her questions about the Viagra ads? Or the twins ad? This whole thing is beyond stupid! Shouldn't we, as a nation be more concerned about other issues? War, hunger, poverty, education, cancer, aids- all just off the top of my head! A spot promoting the TV show that put ABC back on the map? Get over it!

Oh yeah, he was devoted, all right! He'd fill that frosty tumbler with gin, then add a splash of vermouth! I don't even think he bothered with olives! One or two of those, then he'd move on to beer until he fell asleep on the couch! I haven't seen him in years so I have no idea if he still drinks like that or not!

I like the idea, and I see nothing wrong with wanting a card that stands out a little bit. Personally, I can't stand the ones with the glossy color photos on them! I know they're meant to be more "personal" but to me they come across as pretentious and kind of cheesy! The parachute (I do agree it should be smaller, not take up so much space on the card) is unique and personal without being a cliche, IMO! Its a tough market and everyone needs a hook! I bought a house last year, actually started looking in the fall of 2002. If you think it will help your presentation, PM me and I'll share my experiences with you. maura

My dad kept a tumbler in the freezer and he'd load it up as soon as he got home!

My dad used to do that! I always wondered why he changed jobs so often too! For people in his generation (and he's in his late 60s now) it seemed pretty common! I can't remember the last time I had a beer or glass of wine with lunch and then went back to work! If I tried it now, there is no way I could function!

She said wood!

That guy was preying on low income women in need of housing- despicable, really! The car salesman was just creepy! Yuch! Where's the "hurl icon" when we need it!

Lisa, You should probably post a message on the SDC bulletin board! You'll have better luck finding a roomie. The Ixtapa trip probably will be loads of fun, but you should verify that you'll be able to jump if you're still a student! You won't rack up that many jumps in Illinois between now and February, I'm sorry to say! (Beach jumps with no license? Doubtful!) Have a plan B if you won't be jumping! I'd hate to see you bored in Paradise! maura

Hey, if you are fortunate enough to have a means of support while you are fighting this, then go for it! I hope you win! If I were in a similar situation, that's an option I wouldn't have, unfortunately, and I think that's true for a lot of people who are unfairly terminated. That's how employers get away with it- its too costly and time consuming to fight.

Michael, OK, easy there! YES, I'm saying under those circumstances, having already been told I'd lose my job if I expressed the intention of ever jumping again, (And you posted a while back that you did have that conversation with your boss!) I would have lied. HELL YES! I would have lied because unfortunately, my employers would have backed me into a corner and given me no other options. Me personally, I can't afford to lose my job just to stand on principle. I wish I could, but in reality, I cannot! Even if I am legally in the right, I couldn't afford it! In the US, these types of lawsuits take YEARS to settle, and there is no guaranty I would walk away with anything! How am I supposed to live in the meantime? How easy is it to find a job when I'm on crutches facing still more PT and surgery? So, absolutely without a doubt, I would have lied and kept my mouth shut until I was healthy enough to pursue other options. Your boss/ FD as a friend came you you a while back and gave you an opportunity to keep your job. (LIE about your intention to jump again.) You didn't take it. Now you have to deal with the consequences, and whether your employer is right or wrong, you are still screwed. And I sincerely wish you luck in your recovery and everything else. And, I do have some experience and insight! I've broken both my ankles in the past 6 years and my employers were NOT happy with me! The first time, I hated my job and was ready to quit before the accident. I stayed there because I felt I had no better options until I was healthy! And, I have no doubt IF I had been unable to return to work as quickly as I did, my job would have been in jeapardy. I've also seen previous employers fire people while they were on leave being treated for cancer! Legal? Doubtful! In once case, they knew the woman wouldn't make it and had no one to sue on her behalf so they got away with it. In another case, they had their lawyers do everything possible to defend their actions, and also got away with it. It sucks, and its unfair, but thats the way it is. You want to talk about principle? Your employers are wrong. But the reality is, you've got bills to pay! That's just how I see it and I'm sorry if that offends you. And I do sincerely wish you all the best!

Just a question- Realistically, with your injuries, aren't you months away from jumping even being a possibility? Since you need your job and are still waiting for more surgery, why couldn't you just keep your mouth shut or make a non-committal answer? They made their position pretty clear! Under those circumstances, standing on principle would NOT be an option for me financially- I'd need to suck it up until I was healthy and then look for something else. You DID bring this on yourself, and I'm not talking about the injury, either. You had an opportunity to keep your job and you blew it. Suck it up, take the money, cut your losses and focus on healing and finding another job! I'm not "siding" with your employer, because I think its wrong to fire someone for being ill or injured, and I also think its wrong to single you out for participating in an "extreme sport" since bad things also happen to people who don't base jump or skydive. But there are a lot of things in life that aren't fair, and as adults we have to deal with that! Best of luck to you! maura

I've heard that birds have extremely long life spans. I don't think you should take one in unless you are prepared to make a long term commitment to it. Of course the same can be said for adopting any pet, but birds can live far longer than most other pets.

Honestly, it depends on what I drink. Lately, anything with vodka pretty much guarantees a hangover for me, even if I only have one or 2. And cheap draft beer gets me every single time too! I've had nasty hangovers when I wasn't even drunk the night before! And other nights when I really over did and felt just fine the next day!

Yup, Pita Inn. Its been a while. That's a good carry out or sit down place. Very reasonable prices if I remember correctly. Excellent falafal.

Zute Sute!

Skokie is easy, BUT you need to go to Dempster street- west of McCormick. There's a mideastern place with the best falafal (near the Dunkin Donuts and Burger King), and a couple of great hamburger/ hot dog joints- Herms comes to mind. Plus Hubs, THE place for gyros, and a Boston Market! Yeah, that's all fast food, but then for dinner you could go to Evanston. Barcelona has the best tapas, and of course, for Chinese food, the PineYard is one of the best in the area. I'm kind of jealous! (except for the commute!)

There actually are good restaurants in the northern suburbs but where you are (if I remember correctly) there are 3 shopping malls close by, so if you take the major roads, you'll see the Olive Garden, Chilis, etc. first. And, yes, you're definitely more limited out there and you pretty much have to drive where ever you go, which sucks. Is there a Dominicks or Jewel nearby? The Dominicks stores have great salad bars and serve stuff like sushi. Most of them have a lunch area and serve a variety of hot entrees, too. Most of the Jewel stores are doing something similar. When I was working in the burbs, Dominicks was a life saver! I don't envy your commute, thats for sure!

I am engaged, and holidays are STILL an issue with us! Always seems like a battle deciding where to spend the holiday!

They're fun to do 4 way with too!

I got myself an early Christmas present this year- the best coffee maker ever! A Hamilton Beach Brew Station! The coffee doesn't sit on a burner, so it doesn't cook and get bitter! The last cup is as good as the first! Just thought I would share.........

I'm sorry this happened to you. Having had my apartment broken into before, I know what a horrible feeling it is, and no matter what you do, or what your building does for you, its going to take a long time before you feel safe there. That's totally normal! Do make sure the security light is repaired right away, and look into what additional locks or deadbolts can be installed. You're building office should have an emergency number, and you should feel free to use it whenever! I know you had to get to class, but really, you should have called them and the police as soon as you saw what happened. If your building is not cooperative or doesn't seem suficiently concerned about your safety, consider moving someplace else. Under the circumstances, I think they would have a hard time enforcing the lease and would probably prefer to let you move than have you tell all the neighbors about the break in attempt and their insufficient reaction to it! When I came home to find my apartment had been broken into, my landlord was the second call, immediately after the police, and it was late! I had a locksmith in first thing the next morning and a lot of changes made. And I still moved as soon as I could! Good luck to you! maura