Blah Blah Saturday Blah Blah Saturday Blah Blah Saturday Today is just a 'veg out' day. Time to take care of the things around the house that I've been neglecting. Like cleaning. When was the last time I talked about cleaning my room? Exactly. This place is a sty. Even for me! Yesterday I watched my Spiderman DVD. That's such a great movie. I can't wait til 'The Hulk' comes out. That should be awesome! I also watched 'Ghost' for the 50th time. What a sweet story. And every time I watch it, I still get a bit teary-eyed. Ahhh...he said he loved her! Since nothing's going on, I was thinking of putting up my favorites from the 'Name This Page' contest earlier - here's my favorites, you can either add more, or choose which one you like the best: The Beginning of the End (of my Social Life) Yano's World Yanoville Behold the Drama! Live from Chicago...It's Yano! Yano for Dummies Yano's Web Going Out of My Head It's All About the Yano The Many Faces of Yano A Little Yano Won't Kill You Between Dreams and Reality Who Needs Oprah, When You've Got Yano? A Yano A Day ¿Como se Yano? Yano What I Mean? The Funk Phenomenon Got Yano? A Little Less Conversation The Idiot's Guide to Yano How to Stalk and Be Stalked - Yano, 7:08 PM |

Friday, November 8 Friday, November 8

More Adventures with 'Medal of Honor' More Adventures with 'Medal of Honor' More Adventures with 'Medal of Honor' Played a little more last night. It's so much fun, but I die all the time. First I tried using a submachine gun, but it just wasn't accurate enough. Then I switched to the rocket launcher, but you've got to reload every time. I then went on to the sniper rifle, which I like, because it's good for long range shots, and you don't have to reload each time. But I still kept on dying. Maybe I should finish up the single player game before playing the multiplayer. Nah...I'll just keep playing online! - Yano, 12:38 PM |

Thursday, November 7 Thursday, November 7

What a busy day for my blog! Anyway, the protest didn't turn into a riot. Fortunately, it was quite peaceful. But the police were in downtown in full force today. On the two block walk back from lunch we counted 28 cops on the street. At around 2pm, the bicycle police started lining up next to the Tribune building (which my office overlooks). Unfortunately, I left my camera with Bryan to take pictures of the protest since he's working late, so I have no pictures of my own right now. I grabbed these off of the Chicago Tribune's site. I stayed after work for a little, thinking that it wouldn't take too long for the protesters to reach the Trib, but I had to go home (can't miss 'Friends'). But my path home actually came by the protest path, so I got to see them. It was such a bizarre sight. I stayed and watched for a little, then walked toward the station. Which was the same time that the police in riot gear were moving to the next block. So basically I'm walking along, right next to 100 cops dressed in riot gear, complete with visors, shields, tear gas and batons. For some reason, it felt like a scene out of 'V: The Final Battle', having all them walk in single file, all dressed the same, some with German shepherds, not saying a single word, people passing by taking pictures...It was kinda creepy. But then the serious mood was lightened a little when I heard one of them say, 'We need to get a band, you know, a drummer and a guy with a trumpet', which received a couple chuckles. Bizarre, I tell you, just BIZARRE! - Yano, 7:44 PM |

Welcome to Life, Jillian Jose Mendez! Welcome to Life, Jillian Jose Mendez! Welcome to Life, Jillian Jose Mendez! Just wanted to welcome Jillian Jose Mendez, who was born earlier today, to this crazy little rollercoaster that we call life. And congrats to her parents, Jane and Maui, for creating a little bundle of joy for me to run psychological tests on. - Yano, 12:33 PM |

Dream Interpretation Time Dream Interpretation Time Dream Interpretation Time It's really weird, but I somewhat vividly remember 3 dreams I had last night/morning. Kinda weird. Usually I only remember one, if I remember my dream at all. Must be because I got more than 4 hours of sleep last night. What a luxury. Anyway, here there are...feel free to interpret what my subconscious is telling me. I'm in school again, in Physics class. I realize that we've got a physics exam that I haven't studied for. I'm looking around the room in a mild panic, and I see a friend of mine sitting a few desks in front of me to my left, reviewing with the person in front of me. I have no idea what they're talking about. Then the girls that sit next to me ask me about my ring, and they start congratulating me. And one of them asks 'Girl, when did this happen?' and another girl says 'DOn't you know? That's what she wasn't here on Friday!' As I'm sitting there, I calm down and realize that I don't care about how I do on the test because I'm never going to use physics in my life. You know when you have a dream, and you just have a creepy feeling about it? There's just this oppressive, evil feeling. That's this dream. I don't remember much, but I remember standing outside of this house. It's got about 3 floors, and in a way, looks like the house from 'Charmed', but painted white and a little weather worn. So I'm looking at the house, and I have this immense feeling of dread. There are ghosts in the house, and they are looking out of the windows all over the house. I count them and think to myself 'I only see twelve, where is the thirteenth ghost?' I take this time to look at the people I'm outside with, and I realize that we all have luggage with us and that we're staying in the house for the night. Yep, that's about all I remember! I'm at a party, and I see an old coworker of mine. I greet him and his wife. WIth them is their baby girl (in real life they have a little boy with Down's Syndrome). She asks if I want to hold the baby, and I take her, and she warns me that the baby is very sick and has very brittle bones. As I'm handed over the baby, I can feel the bones grinding together, and I feel a mix of pity and caution. I'm holding the baby, and she's gorgeous. I look at her again, and she's suddenly 2 years old and healthy. She gets up from my lap and runs away. I go upstairs and see their other son and my little cousin playing videogames. The little girl is sitting there watching with them. That's it! So whaddya think? - Yano, 12:03 PM |

Wednesday, November 6 Wednesday, November 6

Get Your Riot Gear On Get Your Riot Gear On Get Your Riot Gear On Well, the annual conference for the Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue is in town and it looks like the city is in for some protesting. There's actually a parking ban in downtown Chicago, because the protestors are going to be marching on the street. They started the parking ban today (even though the protests are starting tomorrow) and there's police everywhere. I guess when the conference was held in Seattle, there were protests and riots and the city was in shambles. So it will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow. The protest is scheduled to end right across from my building, so I'll have to take some semi-aerial photos. Should be an interesting day! I had another script reading today, and let me tell you, my Marge Simpson voice sucks. I just can't get it raspy enough. I was never good with trying to imitate voices or accents. Maybe I'll practice for next week - I think we might do the Simpsons piece again. I played 'Medal of Honor' for the first time online today. It was tons of fun. I can see why Bryan is addicted to it. It's very 'Saving Private Ryan'. I think I suck really bad, I'm not used to playing games like that on my PC. I mean, if had to kill people with a skateboard, I would kick ass, but using a submachine gun, well, I'm not that great. But it's still a lot of fun playing war. And keep my cousin Jane in your prayers, she just went into labor. It's our first cousin-baby! The next generation starts here. I'm so happy for them. I hope everything goes well. You'll definitely get an update as to what happens with Jane and Maui's baby. We've been without a baby for such a long time! - Yano, 11:48 PM |

A Semi-Brush With Fame A Semi-Brush With Fame A Semi-Brush With Fame When I got to the train station this morning, there were a ton of news trucks there. As I was trying to get to the train I went to see what the ruckus was. It ended up being none other than Rod Blagojevich, the governor-elect of Illinois. So now I can say I've been within 5 feet of a governor. Exciting. I've discovered another annoyance with having an engagement ring - wearing gloves. When I wear my leather gloves, the ring migrates to the crevice between my pinky and my ring finger, which gets pretty uncomfortable and annoying. Not that I'm complaining, I'm just making an observation. Ok. I'm complaining. - Yano, 12:33 PM |

Tuesday, November 5 Tuesday, November 5

Excuse My Dust! Excuse My Dust! Excuse My Dust! Still playing around with different formats. Don't mind it if you come here and the site looks totally fucked up! Anyway, I bought 'Medal of Honor' to play with Bryan and Orlando. Bryan seems to be addicted to playing it online, which is funny because he always makes fun of Anthony playing Everquest online. So I welcome Bryan to the land of the nerds. I tried playing it, and my video card wasn't good enough. True, the thought of buying a new computer crossed my mind, but I just went out and bought a new card. I'm a software gal, I don't know hardware at all. So when I was at Best Buy, the salesguy was helping me pick out a card, and he asked me what I needed it for. So after I tell him 'Medal of Honor' his eyes light up and he gets all excited talking about playing games online. Now this guy is about 19 or 20. Then he asks me, 'So hey, how old are you?' I didn't come to Best Buy to get picked up!!! But I'm flattered, and I say 27. He looks a bit surprised (the ghetto hat takes off 10 years, I think) and then covers it up with 'Cool, it's good that you still play games at your age!' OUCH. Thanks a lot, kid. I've been addicted lately to McDonald's Steak and Cheese Breakfast Bagel. Those things are DAMN good. I was looking at the dollar menu, and I noticed that the medium drink, which is $1, is cheaper than the small drink which is $1.09. What's up with that? Why even bother having a small drink, then? - Yano, 8:08 PM |

I'm a 'Tard I'm a 'Tard I'm a 'Tard I've been trying to spruce up my site and I've messed it up. I admit it. I'm a 'tard. - Yano, 2:15 PM |

Monday, November 4 Monday, November 4

Tony Hawk is My Hero Tony Hawk is My Hero Tony Hawk is My Hero It was a good weekend, filled with a LOT of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4. Well, not a lot. After an hour or so, my head starts hurting. Maybe I shouldn't sit directly in front of the TV. But I've opened up a few levels already, and I'm loving the challenges this time around. Very inventive. What a great game! Saturday after napping to get rid of my THPS4 dizziness, we headed off to Emer's birthday shindig at Betty's Blue Star Lounge. If you're looking for a place that isn't too packed, that has great hip hop and ond school house, head on over there. There was a lot of good dancing to be done. It also helped that I had a couple drinks. After for not drinking for so long, my tolerance is really low. It's nice because it's a LOT cheaper. As I always see whenever I see everyone from school, I love going to these gatherings and seeing old faces. It was funny, because a couple didn't know that me and Dave were engaged yet. I was talking to Mariza about Dave being relocated when he does his residency, and she was like 'So are you guys going to do long distance again?' And I was like 'Uh, no...we're getting married', which after I said it we screamed like little schoolgirls. And yesterday, I watched the Bears lose again for the millionth time in a row. I was so angry I went to play Tony Hawk. Ha! Just kidding. Ok, I'm not. Anyway, I've got another game called 'Medal of Honor' that Bryan's been playing online that he persuaded me to buy. I'm not one for battle simulation games, but this one looks pretty cool. However, I've got to get a new graphics card to play it. Hmph. Thanks to all of you who've been giving suggestions for my site. Keep them coming! Now here's my answers for this thing called 'The Friday Five', where they ask you different questions on a Friday and you answer them on your blog. It's pretty interesting. I give it one month until I get really bored with it! 1. Were you raised in a particular religious faith? Yes. I was raised Catholic. Catholic grade school, Catholic high school, yup yup....that's me. 2. Do you still practice that faith? Why or why not? I still go to church, but I admit, I don't pay attention. But I do go and reflect on my life, the good things and bad things that I've done, and sometimes I have little conversations with God. He's a pretty cool guy. However, I don't know how much I have in the church as an institution with power. 3. What do you think happens after death? There's a place after this. There are too many instances of near death experiences and their similarities, there's something better after this. 4. What is your favorite religious ritual (participating in or just observing)? Midnight mass on Christmas Eve, with the choir in the loft singing Christmas carols and everyone all dressed up. 5. Do you believe people are basically good? No. I think that sometimes people are born bad. I can't really explain why I feel this, but it's a feeling... - Yano, 5:20 PM |

Sunday, November 3 Sunday, November 3

Name This Page!!! Name This Page!!! Name This Page!!! I was just thinking the other day that this page has nothing to do with a planet. Why the hell is it called Christine's planet? I don't know. For those of you who may have seen my page last year, it made a little more sense, when it was 'Christine's Purple Planet' and all my links kinda looked planetary. But now, no...I've just got my purple fluff. So I think it's time for a change. So...I'm looking for suggestions. Be as silly and stupid as you want. Just tell me what you think I should name it. The winner gets a prize. I don't know yet, but it'll be cool. If I don't get any good ones, I've got a couple in mind. Right now, the frontrunner for the title is 'The Bears Better Win This Game Or I'll Never Cheer For Them Again'. - Yano, 1:27 PM |