Thursday, August 21, 2008

What's Going On

Greetings, all. It's been a busy week--I had an awesome dinner with La Jude on Monday. She got so sick of hearing me go into detail about my delicious Tin Fish food, she demanded a little din-din with her baby girl. We feasted. Actually, it was more like gluttony: a dozen oysters, of course; bacon wrapped diver scallops, perfectly cooked; beef tenderloin wraps; tuna tartare, and some kind of delish ice-cream cake. All of this was paired with a flowing river of divine hooch, including a Grand Marnier anniversary blend that kicked my ass with its potent deliciousness. The highlight of that evening had to be when I suggested we step outside for a cigarette. My mother sniffed and said, "I feel like a hooker, smoking outside."

On Wednesday, the Mister and I took the I&M Canal to the Chicago River for our yearly pilgrimage. The sun was hot, the breeze was cool and Lake Michigan was the baptismal font it always is to me. I'll post some pictures as soon as I transfer them from my camera. I got some cool shots of the city from the river, but I had a few beers, which usually transforms me from a bad photographer to the absolute worst.

I noticed the trees lining the I&M are starting to subtly turn, and there were dried leaves skimming the surface amidst the floating aerosol cans and sundry refuse. We usually don't get to boat during the week, so we got to see some action. We saw scrap metal processing plants processing scrap metal. We saw barges laden with coal heaped onto conveyors that fed generating plants. There were times that I could feel particulate matter line my lungs and esophagus. As ugly as it sounds, it was actually kick ass to see what really goes down on the canals.

Being on the canal also reminded me that I need to get some steel toe Docs so I can go to work with Ratherto one day soon and write about it. He works in a river-rat/canal/barge/industrial capacity, and I want to see what the hell it is he does all day. In fact, I'm planning to start a series called "Take Nora to Work Day" and he's my first victim, because I am truly fascinated with that whole scene. I also plan to visit my husband in the building he works in downtown to see how elevator guys do their thing. He's conveniently located next to my cousin's building, who's a pipe fitter. So, basically, I'm trying to work it out so I get to see what people who work all day actually do.

Big plans, people, big, big plans. Take Nora to Work Day is just the start. I'm working on a rant right now that I'm going to try to sell to an actual magazine. It's in the "The Sky is Falling" tradition regarding microbial mutations of apocalyptic proportions. It's sure to bring terror to all who read it. Wish me luck; I hope hysteria sells to the publications I'm eyeballing.

Anyway, this is more of a monthly recrap since Mitchell and I have been remiss in our blogging duties. I have no clue what happened to that dude. The last I heard was something about going rafting down the mighty ArKANsas River. Hope he didn't get nabbed by banjo playing backwoods ... or ... backprairie folk. You know what I mean. Oh, and if anyone thinks they have a fascinating job that I should write about, or a dull one that could use a little nonsense to shake things up, let me know.I encourage you to Take Nora to Work!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh DAMN!!!! I wish 'til it hurts that I could take you to work, but they would never let me. They suck my fat ass, corporate asshats!

Nora said...

Maybe I can pose as an exterminator or a UPS guy.

Jude said...

Nora,I'm going to make an appt.to Take you to Work with me!!!No, it's not doing laundry(which you know never gets folded),it's a day in the Life of Jude....which can be fascinating if you take the time to appreciate all the tiny nuances involved in looking like a productive being!I've spent a lifetime of perfecting this art,and it is an art,and it's high time I share it with someone who can really appreciate the time and effort put in!

Jenn said...

That sounds likes an interesting escapade!
You could come to my work...ifyou want to watch me surf the net, go on myspace, check my email and occasionally get up and do some actual work! LOL!

Anonymous said...

I could take you to work Nora, it would be fun filled day. I'm sure. I'll introduce you as my biographer, it would be fun..

The Sky is Falling magazine...write up your alley.

Ratherto said...

As soon as you are ready to work the river, I'll make the appropriate arrangements.


In your Sky is Falling Magazine, can I have a question and answer column about how to handle the zombies that will no doubt be left after the asteroid crashes into the earth stirring up and ancient alien virus that mutates the corpses into the living dead? We can call it something clever like, "How to Deal With the Living Dead" or "Zombies Ate My Neighbors!" or "What to Expect When You're Being Chased by a Group of Undead Cannibals" but cleverer.

PS - If you haven't heard from Mitch it probably means the inbred zombie mountain folk got him. He will be missed.

Nora said...

Yes to all of you. The Sky is Falling Weekly will be part of my thank you gift to all who bring me toi work.

Jude, I am SO going to sit at your knee and learn the fine art of looking busy. I'll bring a notebook and everything, so as to look busy.

Anonymous said...

I sense a disturbance in the force, a feeling I have not felt in a while.

Chicken little is here.

Patrick Smith said...

"I feel like a hooker, smoking outside like that." - F-in brilliant.

Patrick Smith said...

By the way, anytime you want to come to my office you're invited. Thursday and Friday are better for obvious reasons...

Nora said...

Wow. I have so many places of employment to visit. Autumn, I should just pick you up for lunch and do a mini-episode.

Slippy said...

Okay Really Nora I am jealous! i have a hair appointment Thursday a Amato. So, I want oysters!!! Date????

I will even have a take a Nora to work day with me so you can see how bring my day to day is.