Great Moments For My Self Esteem, Part 1

The "Did he just ask me that?" look.

Fortunately, since I've been in a relationship for some time now, it has been a long time since I've gotten the DHJAMT. However, the blogging well has been dry for a couple of weeks now, so I thought I would share some of my past knowledge with those out there in Internetland.
When asking someone out for the first time, there is a microsecond of time in between the words leaving your mouth and her comprehension of those words. In this briefest of windows, you will catch one of three looks coming across her face.
The first look, the one you're hoping for, is a little sparkle in the eyes, and the tiniest of smiles before you get the "yes". Happy times ahead, because this is a genuine yes, not some pity-party yes. Life is good.
The second look precedes the pity-party yes. No sparkle, just the briefest hint of confusion, then her mind deliberating on an answer. Depending on how the committee votes, you might get your yes. Possibly happy times ahead, but maybe not. Uncertainty abounds.
Then, fortunately rarely, is the dreaded "did he just ask me that?" look. This is when you ask her out, and there is, however briefly, a look of abject horror that passes across her face. If she's good it passes so quickly you might even miss it. If you catch her off guard, though, it lingers long enough to take that self esteem down a notch or two.
Here is what you thought you asked: "Hey, would you like to go out with me Friday night to a movie/concert/dinner?"
However, judging by her expression, this is what she must have heard: "Hey, you want to go out back and watch me drown this sackful of kittens?"
Again, the DHJAMT look is fleeting, and momentarily some poorly improvised excuse will come forth explaining why she can't be seen with you in public. No happy times ahead with that one.

Randomisity

Rediscovered CD of the week: Sting, All This Time. This disc is a live performance recorded in Tuscany on September 11, 2001. If I remember correctly, with the time difference, news of the New York/Washington attacks came just a few hours before showtime. Much debate over whether or not to actually proceed, but they did, and the performance is intimate, subdued, and quite lovely. With all the horror of that day I can imagine being at that performance was a little oasis of calm and normality. Bonus points because it features a beautiful rendition of "Fields of Gold", which I would put high on a list of best songs of all time.

Completely uninteresting fact: I have not seen a movie more than once this summer season. Very unusual for me, since if I enjoy a movie enough I'll see it as many as three or four times in the theater (ummm, LOTR). Don't have a definitive explanation for this one. I've enjoyed many that have come out, and look forward to others (Lady in the Water, RickyBobby). I'm guessing Superman Returns gets the best chance of a repeat because I still want to see it on IMAX 3-D.

Perirectal Abscess: It is as disgusting as it sounds. You just wish your job was as glamorous as mine.

Another workplace jewel: Speaking of my glamorous job, I got punched in the face by a patient for the first time last week. He was still very sleepy, and as we were moving him from the table to the stretcher his arms involuntarily jerked and my nose just happened to be in the way of his left fist. It didn't hurt too bad, but for a half-second my gut reaction was to punch him back. No turning the other cheek for me, especially if the other guy is only semi-conscious.

Song of the week: "Beautiful Son" by a group called Without Gravity. Heard it off the satellite. The album is called Tenderfoot. They are an Americana band from Iceland. Go figure.

Chicago

Just in case you haven't visited Kate's, JT's, or FS's blog in awhile, here are some Chicago pictures for your edification. I had a great time there with Kate over the weekend. Ate well, near perfect weather, great town. I could just about live up there if there wasn't such a thing as winter. Just about a perfect weekend.

The view from the hotel room, looking out over the Chicago River towards Lake Michigan. Nice hotel. Extremely loud co-guests.

The Bean (officially known as "Cloud Gate"), in Millennium Park.

The obligatory Bean reflection shot.

Inside Wrigley Field. Cubs vs. White Sox (apparently they don't like each other very much). Very close game, back and forth scoring, with the Cubs up 8 to 6 in the 9th inning with 2 outs. Then the Sox hit a 3 run homer to win the game. As the crowd goes crazy, littering garbage onto the field, a few annoyingly loud (and by this time, extremely drunk) White Sox fans in our section go wild, and after falling headfirst down the stairs, start several fights with angry Cubs fans. It was a near-riot. It was fantastic.

The hazy skyline from the top of the Hancock Tower. FYI, the men's restroom is view-free.

The Sears Tower and other tallness from the architectural boat tour along the Chicago River. Our docent from the Chicago Architecture Foundation was architecturally omnipotent.

The Mormon Temple, nowhere near Chicago but in Salt Lake. These are left over pictures that made it onto my first Chicago roll. The Mormon campus is in the middle of downtown Salt Lake. It is beautiful, spotless, and full of freakishly friendly Mormons.

Again, nowhere near Chicago but out in Yellowstone. I had really high hopes for this picture as the view across the geyser basin to the mountains was very beautiful, especially just after sunset. However, something went wrong and it came out blurry. If you don't enlarge it and use your imagination it still looks alright.