NYEstimate.

Its 6:45p.m. on New Year's Eve. I am not a fan of this holiday, particularily in a city like Chicago where the norm to go out is $150 cover to fight for drinks. I considered going out of town to do something smaller and different but that didn't work out. So, my backup plan for the night was a bottle of bubbly and movies on my couch. The only problem is that I generally call that a Sunday. Despite NYE being an entirely arbitrary forced bit of festivity, I still feel like the night should be at least something. Missy and I caucused and came up with a plan.

The plan is amalgam of some of my favorite low-key things to do during 2009: sushis, prosecco and Theory. We are ordering some sushi (with mochi, of course) and then heading over to Theory. It is one of those annoying cover, fight for drinks things. For most people. Due to our loyalty, I emailed the owner and asked if they were sold out on tables. Despite the late notice, he is saving us a table (I suspect creating it out of nowhere) and wants to charge us only 1/3 of the normal price. That, we won't allow.

In the abstract, my estimate is that this NYE will be the perfect way to ring in the new year and the new decade. I think knowing what you like and doing it is a way to start the year off on the right foot. Fingers crossed, the night works out according to plan.

Drama Drag: This Time With Pictures!

Its been over a month but I finally received pictures from Drama Drag: Africa. First, these were my Thanksgiving guests in their drag personas, Angelina and Kiera:

When I stopped by to see my brother before heading to the airport, I got a tour of their house. Last time I was there, they were in the process of moving in. Now, they are settled. Part of the tour was the garage, or as Joel called it, "the gay-rage." (Yes, I was mad that I didn't come up with that one myself.) Instead of storing a car or other such things in the garage, Joel turned it into a giant drag closet. Now that Walter is living there, the gay-rage is complete. They have far more women's clothing than me, probably more than my mom and my wardrobe's combined actually. Without a doubt, more sequin, fringe, feather and fake fur than I have seen in one place in my life. Ditto with the shoes.

This is my all-but-brother-in-law, Angelina SX:

A close-up is helpful. Note that even the contacts are Zebra-like.

My family, minus the males: me, Angelina, mom, and my cousin (who, I will note that now lives with my parents but I never met until Thanksgiving. Putting the fun in dysfunction):

This is an awful picture of me. As you can tell from my expression, I knew there was no way that I, a mere straight girl with only the slighest grasp of make-up could compete with these. Nonetheless, this is me with la Nina Flowers and Angelina. The scary make-up belies the super nice person beneath when it comes to Nina. That said, I have no idea how she fit the Africa theme that she set.

Finally, a picture of me and the photographer. I only realized tonight that her maiden name could easily be a drag name: Amber Wood.

Achoo-ho-ho!

In what I fear may be a pattern, I came down with a cold on Tuesday. As I walked to court that morning, I told my mom that I was feeling fine. And, it wasn't a lie. However, by 3:00 p.m, I had a cold. From fine to sick in 6 hours. A similar thing happened to me right before Thanksgiving. However, this time, I wasn't flying anywhere. The plan was to drive up to Wisconsin on Christmas Eve and return on Christmas night, depending on the weather.

Instead, I was sneezing and coughing on Thursday morning so all parties agreed it was best I stay in Chicago. So I spent Christmas alone with my germs. And, surprisingly, it wasn't bad. It wasn't festive but it wasn't bad. We weren't planning on exchanging gifts so all I missed out on were a few meals. For example, rather than our traditional roast, brussel sprouts and baby Jesus birthday cake (angel food cake), I had nothing but mimosas on Friday. But, I made the most of it, at least from a productive perspective: I did some work, cleaned out my guest room, did my laundry, and generally made things tidier than they have been in awhile.

I'm just hoping I don't get another cold on Tuesday before the New Year.

Ho-Ho-Holiday Week.

Today was a good day. Work was fairly quiet. The partners are partially out of town which means the potential for an unexpected meeting was less. So much so that I was able to join a friend for a late lunch.

The quiet was broken by an email reminding me of some outstanding memoranda and setting an unfortunate deadline -- Christmas day -- for their completion. 12-25 is a Friday and the person who set the deadline does not celebrate the holiday so not entirely crazy.

Today was also the day that new partners were announced, including a couple of my friends. Good for them. In a celebratory mood, Missy and I decided to play Santa and deliver our gifts to the staff of our gym. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we got everyone a bottle of prosecco. My old cheerleading skills came in handy this morning as I made the labels for each of 20 bottles. I think the bottles were well-received but I guess its the thought that counts if anyone doesn't like it. At least, I hope.

After playing Santa, it was only 6:30. We could have gone to Theory but Missy suggested an old favorite that has fallen to the wayside during the past months due to house guests, friends and other commitments. We drank a bunch of prosecco, ate a bunch of sushi (including my fav, mochi, for dessert) and watched two movies: Four Christmases (very funny, highly recommend) and The Holiday (not as funny but nonetheless cute and recommended).

Ho ho holiday week.

P. S. Happy Solstice.

Masquerade.

Tonight was a masquerade party honoring one of my friend's 40th birthday. The party was at Le Passage in the Triangle, beginning at 10pm. I don't like the Triangle and I certainly don't like starting at 10pm. I'm too old for that. In college, if I went out before 11, it was "so early." But, I'm 30 now and if I stay out past 10 its notable. But it wasn't my birthday. I decided to make the most of it.

I'm not the best with make-up. I wanted to do something more fun than usual -- it was a masquerade after all -- and for that, I needed help. As my drag queens were unavailable, I made an appointment at a makeup counter at Nordstrom. The girl kept warning me it would look like a lot of makeup (because it was) but I didn't care. From there, it was off to Theory to kill time until it was closer to party time. As we were walking and watching football, we got quite a few looks, including some disapproving mothers. We took that as a sign of mission accomplished.

We got to the club on-time. There is nothing worse than hosting a party and waiting for guests to make their entrance, fashionably late. The place was so empty at first that the only people there besides our group were two tranvestites. I'd call them drag queens but that would be an insult to the craft with the bad wig, clothing choices and the like. Maybe they were drag queen wannabes, judging by the dance moves. One was wearing wedge boots. I'm pretty sure that's training wheels for transvestites, easing into heels. Anyway, the night was fun and I think our birthday girl really enjoyed herself. Especially a video Heather made, collecting clips from our British birthday girl's family across the pond.

The only negative for me was around 3 am when I swear that I saw the ghosts of Christmas future. It was about five Real Housewife-looking, divorcee-looking, cougar-looking women dancing around, trying to attract some male attention. I know that doesn't sound bad but it was just so awful to watch. Women don't become That Guy at the bar. They turn into Those Women. My friends, Heather and Todd, witnessed the ghosts too. As a couple, they didn't have the same reaction but totally understood mine and offered to put me out of my misery if I ever became anything like that. That's what I call good friends.

Goodwill Hunting.

As I was growing up, my mother always dictated that if I had not worn something in a year, I needed to donate it. Its a good rule of thumb for me. I usually wear things to death so if I haven't worn them in awhile, its unlikely that I will be wearing it in the future. Its a habit that stuck with me even after moving out and my mom could no longer forcibly enforce it. So every six months or so, I clean out my closet and gather my goodwill pile. Unfortunately, I've lately suffered from execution issues -- actually getting the bags to goodwill to donate. In past years, I've been so lazy, I have actually donated the bags when I was in Wisconsin because I was going to be in the car anyway and knew where the place was.

After five years, I really have no excuse though. In anticipation of my mom spending more time in Chicago in 2010, I decided to clean out my guest closet, aka the place where my goodwill pile lives. My delay in donating meant that I had 7 rather full bags to donate. After taking a bag every day when I went to the car, I was finally ready to take it to the store. Google did the hunting for me. And, would you believe, a Goodwill store is just a few blocks from one of my friend's places. Now, I feel even worse for letting it collect so long. But, better late than never, right?

A Case of the Tuesdays.

Yesterday was a great day. Particularly considering it was a Monday. I started my morning with spin class for the first time in weeks due to sickness and travel and felt fantastic as I walked into work. I had cooperative opposing counsel and checked several things that had been annoying me off my work to-do list. I had lunch with a friend at N9ne and managed to be disciplined and not eat the delicious cheeseburger. Things were going so well, I decided to buy my Megamillions ticket early. And surprisingly, that did not jinx my day. The afternoon was fine and I even left work early at 6 to do some last minute holiday shopping before my holiday dinner with the Trump Girls.

Today, not so much. My workout was guaranteed sore muscles tomorrow. Turkish Get-Ups? Not for the weak of knee. I was PigPen getting ready: ran my tights (a tough feat in and of itself), found a hole in the side seam of my dress, and spilled my coffee repeatedly. Thankfully, I was wearing boots and a sweater that covered the respective holes but still. My work yesterday was undone when the client yelled at me for a mistake he made. (Totally fixable and the partner knew it was not my fault so no harm, no foul, but the tone!) I went to a lunch meeting only to be one of about 20 people who didn't get any lunch because they had under-ordered. I ended my day by revising a draft (no big deal) and more problematically, the draft's footnotes. I left work at 10:30 p.m., having revised 70 footnotes, only 430 to go. Something to look forward to tomorrow.

Unless, I wake up on Wednesday a Megamillionaire. $weet dream$ are mine tonight.

Holiday Cheers!

Tonight was the Trump Girls' holiday dinner. Given the various work and social commitments between the five of us, Monday, December 14th was the best we could do for a date that all of us could get together for dinner before the holidays. We will all be at a birthday party on Saturday together but tonight was just the five of us, doing what we do best: drinking, eating, talking and celebrating our friendship.

The Trump Girls are the best thing that happened to me during 2009. Girls who are unwaveringly supportive, diverse in their professional lives but similar in their upbringing and senses of humor. We've had so many great times over the course of the past year. In every life a little rain must fall but that never stopped us. After a rain delay, we kayaked the Chicago River. Despite torrential rain, we've attended the Chicago Magazine's Singles party honoring one of our own. Also in the pouring rain, we attended Glamorama and Fashion Focus Chicago organized by one of our own. In better weather, we had the Air and Water Show, brunch before the farmer's market, galas, happy hours, and, of course, where it all began, the gym.

We had dinner at Bistro 110 where just by virtue of being local -- rather than the normal tourists found on Michigan Ave -- we received an amuse from the chef (mushroom ravioli), an extra glass of wine, when my glass was the only empty but we didn't want to order another bottle, and free, delicious desserts. The conversation was wide-ranging, from an upcoming book, to holiday plans, to personal life updates, to Tiger. (What is a get-together these days without an analysis of Tiger? Holiday topic 2009, without a doubt.)

It was a wonderful dinner. And now, to assuage my yuppie guilt, the Greater Chicago Food Depository will get a donation. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is one of a handful of charities that I make an effort to support, given the good work they do to feed the hungry in the Chicago area. Whenever I go out for any sort of indulgent dinner, I make a donation at least equal to my portion of the bill. Having a delicious dinner and delightful time with my companions always feels even better when I know I've donated to allow others to have a meal they wouldn't otherwise.

Cheers to the holidays, good friends and good times in 2010!

How Suite It Is.

The Bulls stink. They have lost eight of the last eleven games by 20 points or more. I would not pay to attend a game with the way they are playing. I like basketball a lot but those type of games are hard to watch, especially for $50. Thankfully, I didn't have to pay last night to see the Celtics play.

One of my friends works for an investment management fund that has boxes at most of the Chicago sports venues. He was hosting the Bulls box last night. He had an extra ticket that I was lucky enough to get to use. The game was awful -- I've seen better ball handling by high school teams -- but I rather enjoyed myself. While my friend played the good host, I had all I needed for a good night: sports, snacks, and drinks.

Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Snow . . .

Despite Monday's snow in Chicago, I made it to New York without incident. While New York was not a tropical vacation -- or a vacation at all -- but it was much better than expected. There were long hours on Monday, but Tuesday and Wednesday were normal to short days. Partners, opposing counsel, and witnesses were all actually nice to me for the most part. Oh me of little faith.

The weather outside was a bit frightful though. On Wednesday morning, I decided to walk to opposing counsel's office. It was only six blocks or so. Unfortunately, it was pouring. My shoes got so wet that they didn't dry out until Friday evening. On my way, I passed Rockefeller Center and the tree. Despite it being 9:15 am, it was lit and festive which was a nice countervailing point to the pouring rain.

The interview went well and fast. So much so that I was able to get on a flight that was supposed to take off 1.5 hours early. Due to snow in Chicago, it was delayed a bit but I still made it back in time to raise a $1 glass of prosecco in celebration of Theory's one-year anniversary. I could show the Chicago post office a thing or two about fulfilling its credo when it comes to attending events.

S-NO-W!

I realize we're a week into December already but I just was not mentally prepared for snow. I read the forecast last night, my aching body confirmed it, and I woke up to maybe half an inch on the ground this morning. Its pretty but that's all it has going for it in my opinion today.

Today, I get to pay a visit to O'Hare. If only it was to go on vacation to a location with threat of sunburn and drinks with umbrellas. I'd even take a business trip to somewhere warm. Instead, I'm going to New York where this weather will follow me. On the positive side, I do like how festive New York looks during the holidays.

Being charitable.

This morning was the Jingle Bell Run, a 5K run/walk benefitting the Arthritis Foundation. I organized a team to do the walk and raise some money for the Arthritis Foundation. I woke up to see 20 degrees and flurries. Given that I am still not 100%, this was not ideal. But, it was my obligation and I was driving the bus this morning, stopping to pick up Laura, Missy and Heather on the way to the Field Museum, so there was no option to just stay in bed. As the girls said, they must love me because I don't think any of us, including me, had nice thoughts about me and my Jingle Bell Run idea this morning. But, we put on our Santa hats, had some coffee (thanks to Missy) and away we went.

For the record, I think that for an event benefitting people with arthritis, a run in December is just mean. Running and cold both aggravate my arthritis. I've said it before but my favorite thing about having arthritis is that it gives me an excuse not to do something I've always hated anyway. We decided that a better benefit for arthritis would be a spa day or bingo or something. Anything but a run in the cold.

This is the second charity walk that this group of girls has done together. And, this is the second charity walk that we have messed up the course. We are charitable cheaters. But not intentionally. We are smart women but we just can't seem to get it right. We are fast walkers and good chatters. Its a dangerous combination for actually following a course. Instead of a 5K, we probably ended up doing a 3K.

We were done by 8:45 am, in time for spin class. After dropping off one of my teammates, I was heading to the gym with the rest of the girls. By the time we got to the gym, we were convinced that breakfast would be a much better idea than spin. We walked over to Grand Lux Cafe, had ourselves some breakfast cocktails and omlets and continued our chatting and joking.

To call it a workout this morning, would be very charitable. To call it a good time, would be an understatement.