Happy Bday, Steph!

Birthday girl Stephanie and me sporting some stylin' sombreros

Hope everyone is enjoying the gorgeous weekend we're having here. This is going to short post...


Thanks to everyone for the well wishes for the GRE. It went all right. I wanted my verbal score to be higher, but what can you do? Once I see how I did on the essay section I'll decide whether or not to retake it to get my verbal a little bit higher. All things considered, I'm just happy it's over. We didn't get to celebrate yet because I'm a little under the weather right now. We'll get to the celebrating later. The upcoming Derby Delayed party and Beth and Jeff's engagement bash sound like the perfect places to do just that!


For now, though, I want to wish Stephanie a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY today! I'm so sorry we're missing the party tonight. Have a great time!

Aren't I Too Old for Tests?

I had trouble with the whole 30th birthday over a month ago. I didn't like leaving my 20s behind. I mean, it was a really good decade for me. I didn't like saying that I was now in my 30s. I didn't like that on the treadmill I had to refer to the heart rate range for ages 30-35 instead of the range for ages 25-29. So what did I do to make myself feel young again?

Well, I whipped out my number 2 pencils, flashcards and mad Scan Tron-bubble-filling skills and decided to take the GRE. Nothing makes you revert back to the uneasiness of your youth quite like a standardized test. Too bad the test is now computerized, so my Scan Tron skills (not to mention those valuable number 2 pencils) are moot.

For the past month or so, I've been swimming in flashcards and trying to remember high school math (which I was never good at in the first place), and I am finally taking the test tomorrow morning. I'm excited to get it over with and just really hoping that all my studying will pay off.

Although I don't really feel younger because of this test, it has helped me regain that feeling that I am still young enough to pave a new way career-wise. So it has been worth the effort--and cheaper than wrinkle creams.

Are You A Dog or Cat Person?

Much like starting the blog, I was resistant to getting a dog at first. It just seemed like too much responsibility and all that. But after having Charlie for more than a year now, I can't imagine not having him and hanging with him every day.


In fact, since getting Charlie I am an even bigger dog lover than I was before. Really. I even like pugs now.


My dog love made this hilarious email I received today from my friend Jenny even more funny to me. I normally really don't like forwards (and honestly, I rarely read them) but this one had me cracking up. Enjoy!


EXCERPT FROM A DOG’S DIARY...

8:00 am - Dog food! My favourite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favourite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favourite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favourite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favourite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favourite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favourite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favourite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favourite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favourite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favourite thing!

EXCERPT FROM A CAT’S DIARY...

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.


The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.


Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards.


There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.


Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.


I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.


The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe, for now...

We Have Arrived

Welcome to the blog, Little E. (For those who don't know her, this is my 2-year-old niece, Edin. She'll be making many appearances on here 1) because she's too cute not to post and 2) because she is one of my two favorite people under 3.)

Today was a fun day in the blogosphere for us ... We got our first anonymous commenter. I was all excited/creeped out that some random anonymous person found the Schirel blog--and commented. Unfortunately, it didn't take too long to figure out the identity...

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day everyone! This is going to be a short post mostly because it's about 85 degrees in my house right now, which makes it especially tough to write anything fun. I'm all for going green, but we really need to get our air conditioner fixed.

I hope you're all enjoying your long weeekend to the fullest. It's finally feeling like summer here in Chicago. We had a good weekend relaxing, seeing Iron Man, and hanging out with friends. Thanks for the fun barbecue (brown alcohol and all!), Stierwalts. It was fun. I got plenty of blog feedback and ideas from everyone, so stay tuned.

This weekend also kicked off Jody's beach volleyball season. He was happy as can be to scoot down to the beach and play away. Let the life of a volleyball widow officially begin...

Fist Bumps 4-Eva

I love fist bumps. They are such a natural evolution from the high-five, and I was always a big fan of those. Five, up-high, to-the-side, and, my all time favorite, down-low-too-slow.

But fivers are so '90s. Today it's all about the fist bump. And I'd like to think that Jody and I have done our part to bring the fist bump to the masses with our original fist bump (bump up, bump down, front bump, jazz hands). We have since tweaked the bump to fit the occassion.

* Tax refund check: front bump, explosion (a.ka. Stierwalt-style and/or The Office-style)

* Cute haircut: bump followed by air scissors

* Just for fun: full body bump. Double fives in the air, belly bump, twirl, butt bump, twirl, fist bump, boogie. (This one is pretty advanced, but we're happy to demonstrate.)

I actually found a list of fist bump rules from the folks at tastybooze.com that may help in your own quest to bring on the bump. I don't agree with all the rules, especially the one about not fist bumping children. They love it. Even though my niece, Edin, didn't quite get the bump, but she had a great time slapping my fist when I tried to teach her.

The Rules of Fist Bumping

1. If sports are involved, fist bumping is always acceptable.

2. If you are wearing a suit, you may only fist bump if you are drunk. Or if you have just wrapped part of your suit around your forehead.

3. You may not fist bump under any circumstances, in a hospital. Unless Rule #1 (or Rule #2) applies.

4. Do not fist bump someone else’s misfortune, even if it helps you. Just look down, furrow your brow, and nod sternly.

5. No fist bumping between the hours of 7am and 10am. And if you’re watching sports at this time, it’s probably soccer or NASCAR, and then you should really not be fist bumping. High fives will suffice for both.

6. Do not fist bump in a meeting. Even if you are drunk.

7. Do not fist bump your children. Unless you’re drunk, then it’s OK.

8. Girls can fist bump anytime they want. And yes, guys think it’s cute.

9. Do not refuse a fist bump. If you, as a bumpee, believe the bumper is violating a rule, speak to him afterwards. Refusing his bump is not going to help anything.

10. Do not fist bump yourself.

Top 3 Reasons for us to Blog

Could this be the new face of Purina?

1) I interview people and write stories about people for a living. I love talking to all these people, telling their stories and learning about so many random things. But you know what? Sometimes I want to talk about my life too!

2) We need to get Charlie's picture out in the world to help fulfill Jody's dreams of turning him into a doggy supermodel.

3) To finally start using Schirel in print. Long before Brangelina there was Schirel. When I suggested combining our last names when we got married almost 5 years ago, it got nixed by pretty much everyone. Now Schirel has a 2nd chance...maybe.

Welcome

So, as some of you may know I've been down on blogs. It's not all blogs...just the blogs and bloggers who claim to be journalists simply because they have a blog. Obviously, I'm biased. It just bugs me when someone skips all the journalistic training about responsibile reporting, ethics and all that good stuff just to become a self-proclaimed journalist simply because they know how to set up a blog. Who knows, maybe I'm just jealous!

All that aside, I finally caved. I've liked reading friends' blogs, their dog blogs (you know who you are!) and I am a full-fledged Perez Hilton addict, so I admit blogs aren't all bad. They're actually pretty cool. Plus, whenever I hear from people the first question I get is usually, "What's up with you guys?" So, here we go... A blog to fill in anyone who cares what's going on with us.