Those magical butterflies

Lately, I've been thinking about a question that my homey Alexa asked me when we dished about date #2 with JohnBoy one day on Gchat.

She asked me if I felt any butterflies when JohnBoy and I kissed (several times) and it took me a few minutes to respond.

My answer: I don't know.

Butterflies? Wow, I haven't really felt those in a LONG time. And do they feel different as a jaded adult trying to date?

I remember the old days of "butterflies," feeling totally lovesick, so much that you can't wait to see someone or just the thought of them makes me go all giggly inside. That feeling where when someone touches or kisses you, you feel like an explosion is going off in your stomach and the butterflies could just take you over until you see that person again. Or that feeling where you try to pick up the phone to call but you're so nervous you hang up after one ring. Done that.

But when you come from a divorced family, who has made the idea of love a little...difficult to stomach, can you still have that feeling?

I'm not saying butterflies won't be there one day with a guy or even JohnBoy but is it kind of weird that I don't feel those sparks?

It might be because it's been so long since I've kissed a guy (I know, lame), but I felt very....uncomfortable for a moment when we were on our date. But then again, I usually feel uncomfortable from male attention since...guys don't really go for me. And my friends, who are so sweet like all of you, who are excited for me, wonder why I'm not more excited about this and the reason is: I'm not used to it, I need to take it slow.

So after I told Alexa, "I don't know," I did say, "I didn't feel butterflies yet but he makes me smile, laugh, holds doors open for me and tells me that I'm pretty. And I like the way he makes me feel."

Maybe for now, that's something right there.

So I'm not ruling anything out, but are "butterflies" really important? Or do they come with time?

Note: I'm so glad I'm not the only one stocked with weddings this summer. Holy cow, there is something in the air. But I will try to stock up on "squeaky" cheese curds for everyone. Squeaky cheese, you guys crack me up!

Summer wedding fever

That's right, last week I got an invite wedding #3 this summer. I was incorrect in my previous tweet, this was invite #3 not four. I may have to tape them to my wall so I can keep track of which ones I'm declining and which ones I'm able to attend. I mean, traveling to three weddings, plus gifts, gas and possible hotel adds up!

It's still hard to believe I'm at the point where friends are getting married and some even are having babies. WTF is there something in the water?

Well if it is, I filter my water so I won't catch it. In fact, I have a picture at my desk that says "No Way Baby," I think my uterus status for babies is pretty clear.

But anyhow, back to weddings.

I had a sick feeling I was going to be invited to the latest wedding, set to take place a week before my big birthday. Awesome. But it's in Madison so I can pick up some cheese curds before the reception.

Don't mock the cheese curds, that stuff is awesome.

And while I had a momentary twinge of, well maybe I won't go, I opened up the invite and it was SO gorgeous, OMG. Definitely one of the nicer invites I've received lately.

The bride/groom are two good friends from college and between the Internet and me, the groom is my "one that got away." But I'm thrilled for both of them, honestly.

Plus, the reception is bound to be open bar and crawling with the groom's former frat boys.

And let's be honest the math is pretty simple:

Ex-frat boys + wedding + open bar = someone for Jess to make out with

Ka-ching!

I like those odds. And to quote my buddy, they'll be "clean" so they're my kind of guy. I smell the opportunity for a tie to be tied around my waist, bosom or head.

Let's party!

Am I the only one getting slammed with wedding invites this year? How many do you have or what is the busiest wedding summer that you've ever had? Do you say yes to all of them?

Weekend recap: True Blood and No Doubt

Happy Sunday! First, I cannot believe BlogHer is two weeks away, um where did summer go? I'm so excited about it and spending time with some of my awesome bloggy friends.

Well let's get started with the weekend recap!

Red Wine and Vampires

Because I don't have HBO (stupid cable companies), I don't get to watch and enjoy the "cool" shows, like True Blood, so Friday I met up with Sarah and Liz to indulge in this guilty pleasure with pizza and red wine (or beer for me). To be fair, I was pretty beat after a long day at work, so my mood may have been off but the show was...meh okay. Sookie kind of got on my nerves.

I may be tarred and feathered for these comments, but from what I've seen of the show, I give it a C. Maybe it has to just grow on me more.

NO DOUBT!!!!

I don't talk a lot about music here because well, I'm not very "cool" when it comes to music. I like my iPod classic rock mixes and mostly mainstream hits. I don't know a lot of indie/alt rock bands and I would be awful to have on your musical trivia team. Honest.

But like everyone else, I have 2-3 bands that I go ape-sh*t crazy for, and one of them is No Doubt.

No, not Gwen Stefani via Hollaback Girl, I'm talking about No Doubt, her group before she came a solo star.

I have fond high school memories of Tragic Kingdom, dancing along to "Just a Girl" and screaming (privately) "F*CK YES I AM" along with those lyrics. Yes, there is a little punk/ska girl buried behind my preppy/clean cut exterior. I still daydream about dying my hair pink or wearing a crapload of heavy make up for no reason than to show I'm pissed off and rebelling against "the man."

So when I heard No Doubt was going on tour this summer, for the first time in almost seven years, I nearly lost my mind with excitement. But my indecisive nature kept me from doing anything because the venue was in the suburbs...and I have no car. FAIL. But after some very good blog karma, I got a ride thanks to Rachel and her friends and a ticket off of Craigslist for a very good price. I even got to see Molly there too! Hey, hey Chicago bloggers represent.

As you can see, everyone was excited to be there (I'll be wearing that next time)

And with the help of a 22 oz. beer (which I could legally buy, as opposed to last time I saw No Doubt), I was a screaming, dancing, hip-shaking, arms waiving, jumping up and down fool. For real. You would have been SHOCKED by my actions, given that I'm a pretty reserved, laid back person. My hips were shakin' like Shakira on a good day.

I love you Gwen!!

Oh and the girl I bought the ticket from, yeah we got upgraded VIP seats from a drawing we entered at the venue on a whim. I completely had a holy-shit-I-think-I-might-pass-out moment. And I got to see Gwen really close, and scream my love for her. GREAT NIGHT.

Fall into the Gap

Oh and my final piece of good news for this weekend, I found out I was selected to be a Gap brand enthusiast from Brand About Town. My super awesome "Born to Blog" shirt that the other ladies have been posting pictures of isn't here yet :( but my inner event planner is out in full force getting logistics set up for the party. I'll keep everyone posted on the details!

How was everyone else's weekend? Anything fun or exciting happen? Or what performer/band would you LOVE to go see if you had the chance?

I am SO excited that 500 Days of Summer comes out next weekend. I have already texted TC to discuss getting tickets.

Note: Thank you everyone for your sweet comments about my second date with JohnBoy. Really you guys are so sweet and I'll definitely keep you posted about date #3!! We've been texting while he is on vacation so we're staying in touch :)

Join me on a recap of my date

Normally, I'm not a nervous wreck before dates, but before date #2 with JohnBoy, I was seriously freaking out.

Yes, our first date went well and yes, I do like him, but I haven't made it to date #2 with a guy in a long time so the fact that we made it to the second round, made me feel a little self-conscious.

So I obsessed over the weather all day, wondering if our wine/cheese picnic in Millennium Park with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as the background music would be ruined and what was a suitable plan B. The reason I also obsessed over plan B is because JohnBoy told me he had one but wouldn't tell me what it is, which of course makes me want to know ALL THE MORE.

And despite some drizzles, we still picnicked for a while, enjoying good conversation and some nice music. Seriously the concerts at the Pritzker Pavilion are nice.

Oh and I happened to accidentally spill wine all over my flip flop (classy) and JohnBoy decided to just kiss me early so it wasn't awkward at the end of the nice. Um.......yeah I'm okay with that. And it was nice. So I went back for another one and then grinned like an idiot when he said he'd been thinking about that all week.

OMFG who says stuff like that? I've never had a guy be this nice and respectful to me....ever?

So when the rain picked up, I took my Chardonnay-soaked flip flop with me and we headed to Gioco in the South Loop for dinner. More good conversation, plus ricotta and spinach tortellini followed and then suddenly it was 11 p.m. and I couldn't see out of my left eye because my contact lens decided to quit working on me, without notice.

That was the sign that it was time to go home. And after another awkward moment in the car (because car hugging/kiss goodbye can be uncomfortable), he walked me to my front door. And went in for another kiss. Nice work, way to lock that evening up. And he had the "stop-talking-because-i'm-going-to-kiss-you" look all over his face :)

This is a man ladies. A man who makes plans and goes for the first move. Helllllllo!

So we plan to meet up when he's back from his week-long vacation and take it from there. So yeah, I think there might be a date #3 coming up!

Oh and he told me more than once how nice I looked. Tee hee.

So the question for tonight is, what is your idea of a perfect date? Feel free to "plan" it here!

Scenes from a bar

I'm not a sociologist. In fact, I almost failed that class in college, but I report on what I see and what I saw lately was a classic male mating ritual around women at the bar.

Let me begin by saying that getting a table at a rooftop bar on a nice summer day, even for a group of girls, requires military-like precision. You do the awkward walk around, checking out if people are just chatting or snooping to see if they're signing the bill. You stare at strangers, giving them the "eye" that says "boy it would nice if you left so I could sit down and enjoy my multiple beers in peace."

Then, when someone finally does give up a table, it's a mad dash to secure it. This can happen with one member from the group breaking from the pack to claim the table and screaming "TABLE!" out loud and rushing for it, letting a friend hold their drink. Or depending on your alcohol consumption, throwing yourself on the table while placing a licked finger on it and saying, "dibs, dibs, I called dibs," rather loudly. It happens.

So now that you're enjoying the table, at some point in the evening some guys will try to take it because the real estate value of that table has increased twofold. At this time, more drunk women are up on the roof so men need to have that table in order to increase the change that women will flock to them. Yes, it happens. And as available table and counter space for pitchers declines, men with tables become more attractive. It's easy math.

And while enjoying a rooftop bar table with friends recently, two men approached our table and just sat down. I must have blacked out when I "invited them" to join us. Anyhow, while making little conversation, the alpha male cleaned his glasses, combed down his mustache hair (and no I don't want a mustache ride) and proudly showed off his shirt that said, "Middle School, Class of 2003."

Are you f*cing kidding me. You wear THAT out to a bar. Where there are women. THAT shirt, you had NOTHING else in your closet that wasn't as pedophile creepy? Guess not. When I saw that, one thought enters my head, "To Catch A Predator." He looked like one too.

He proceeded to let his wingman buddy sit there and stare at us, while the alpha finally entered into a friendly dialogue.

"I can tell [said to me] that you're a cool chick."

"F*ck yes I am! I'm the coolest chick you're going to meet, who isn't on pay-for sites online [am referring to adult material, Match.com does NOT apply]."

"I'd like to shake your hand."

And he gave a weak handshake. P*ssy. Not even a cheap offer to kiss it? Weak.

His friend finally entered the conversation, getting up the courage to talk to us and said, "well we have a pitcher of beer coming."

Free beer? I'm listening.

"I like guys who are givers," I said as a joke.

Now the wingman REALLY gets interested in the conversation, obviously misreading what I was saying.

"I like women who are givers."

Grossed out and getting the odd look from my friend, I realized we would have to sacrifice the table because a) I was not in the mood for banter and b) I needed to stop drinking beer and go get some food. So with a snort, I picked up my purse, looked the guy right in the eye and said....

"I bet you do and I'm sure the female givers you know take personal checks too."

Thank you and goodnight!!!

What have you seen guys do at bars that makes you sick? Too much attention to Golden Tee? Or what have you had happen to you at bars that drives you insane, from girls or guys?

Fortunately, I don't think this will be happening on my evening out with JohnBoy tomorrow. Very nervous. But it will be fine :)

The solution for a bad day

I had a pretty rough day last week from start to finish. It was my first day back from a long weekend and it was already a short week because of the 4th of July, so the cards were already stacked against me.

Oh and let's add major hormones on top of that too because that always helps you relax and think rationally.

And for the final cherry on top, I paid my credit card bill, which had some charges from my vacations. I nearly passed out after hitting the "make payment" button online. It was tough.

So I thought about how I would turn around my lousy day and asked Twitter the following question:

Today's the kind of day that requires one of the following:

• Alcohol
• M&Ms (love cold plain M&Ms)
• Coffee cake in the dark (soothing)
• All of the above

And here were some of the responses:

It is official, I have awesome Twitter friends.

To avoid getting too drunk, I ended up going with the M&Ms in the dark. Next time I will have coffee cake, alcohol and cigarettes in a glass box in my apartment to break in case of emergencies.

I just have to remember to replenish the emergency reserve. I always forget that part.

So what would you choose from that list to help you unwind? Or what do you do to help relax after a bad day?

Weekend recap: The 4th of July, Wisconsin-style

Hello and happy belated 4th of July!

I hope everyone had a nice, relaxing weekend. I took a few days off after my little vlog adventure to relax and chill in Wisconsin, where is it so quiet, it creeps me out sometimes.

I find that now, whenever I go home, I miss the Chicago urban hum. What? No drunk person stumbling around or horns honking at night? I should record the Chicago "hum" and bring it with me to soothe me to sleep. Or get a nice little mobile for above my bed. Sad.

Anyhow, outside of getting a much needed/deserved mani/pedi at home, the big activity of the weekend was my hometown parade, which I chronicled here last year and was dying to photograph again.

Wisconsin loves the 4th and it loves our country. I see this displayed in several ways at home, from interesting outfit combinations to pride in our parade.

In fact, our local parade is so big and popular that the city had to pass an ordinance a few years ago to keep people from putting out their parade materials too early, thus monopolizing the good places. Clever. And I can guarantee you that people woke up early and waited outside until it was officially 6 a.m. to start roping off space. We're that hard core.

You don't f*ck with America and you don't f*ck with our parade spots. I even started stretching before the parade so I could be more limber to get candy instead of kids. Yes, that's what I do, please don't pretend you're surprised.

So here are some highlights from our parade, from sh*t to camels to kazoo bands to enjoying the parade with bistro tables, wine and a feathered mullet. It's better than what people used to do which is drink openly and ignore their children at the parade. Guess that was cracked down on too with the new ordinance. I cannot wait until next year!

Saw this on the hood of a car en route to the parade - yes, I'm immature

Celebrating the Civil War heroes

My favorite picture of the day. Bistro tables, feathered mullet and wine (forgive the grainy image, I had to zoom almost all the way to capture it)

Yay, a camel...in a southeastern Wisconsin parade...yay, a camel!

Kazoo band drummer. Yes, he's pointing RIGHT AT ME *faints*

Parade outfit - Wisconsin loves America and keeping its legs warm on a cool July day

Cleaning up sh*t from a horse-drawn carriage. We're givers

I was also home this weekend because tomorrow is my dad's 61st birthday. I mentioned here last year that I risked increasing my chance of skin cancer to help him ring in #60 and this year, he's keeping the celebration much more low key and unfortunately I can't be with him on the big day.

I know he doesn't read this blog (thank god, although I think he's hunting for it), but I want to say in closing, happy birthday dad. I know I'm not always the easiest person to love, but you do, and I love you back a lot.

How was everyone else's fourth of July? Is there anything you do every year or that your family/city is really hard-core about?

Note: Thank you everyone for the sweet comments about my vlog last week. I was so nervous in recording it and making it public. Your comments definitely made my day and made me smile. I'm so lucky to have you guys :) Oh and yes, big things are coming up! I can't wait.