Oh Yes, I'm thoroughly enjoying high speed Internet

Some communications skills we somehow failed to cover in this Chicago conference.

Romantic Movies Always Make Me Misty
Awwwwwww....

CHICAGO!


Here’s my hotel with TWO, count ‘em TWO towers.


And here are two communications professionals enjoying a real deep dish pizza with me. It was voted best Chicago pizza by the New York Times and Washington Post. And on our way to the restaurant we saw PAT SAJAK!


And look, the subway is above ground. What’s with that?


And today I saw THIS. Seriously! I tried to chase them down and get a photo, but I was wearing high heels and they were faster for obvious reasons. And dorkier! I hope I catch one tomorrow.

Fun Fact
Did you know that 86% of corporate communicators are named Stephanie?

Kinda Windy, I Guess
So I'm here in Chicago at a big Communications conference. Yesterday I was exhausted because I had to get up at 4:30 am after Frankstock to get to the airport in time. Then I took the subway/train into downtown Chicago from O'Hare, which took 45 minutes. Then I walked from the station with my bags, got lost under some overpasses and finally found my hotel which is huge. I'll post some pictures soon.

Thanks to everyone who came to Frankstock. A special thanks to Eva (who had to learn new stuff) and Stacey and Joey for participating. I have to run now to eat danishes and network with professionals with southern drawls who think I'm rude or stupid because I can't hear what they're saying (my left ear is blocked and probably needs a doctor to fix it, but I'm in Chicago, so what to do?) And I have to write a presentation for our Chicago office on Friday about Career Development, but since I don't know any of them, maybe I'll make it one big standup routine of my funniest career bloopers. Like the flip flops, or running into the SVP on my way to a job interview when I had pneumonia and was supposed to be home. Yeah, I'm a real poster girl for successful career development.

Okay, enough! More later tonight when I'm procrastinating about the presentation.

Smmmmmmokin’!

FRANKSTOCK! Tonight. C’est What. 8pm on. Be there.

In other news, the lovely Clara got me onto this cool face recognition thing. You upload your picture and it tells you which celebrity you most look like.

So if you haven’t met me before and you’re coming to Frankstock, look for:


Britanny Murphy (It’s like looking in a mirror!)



Molly Ringwald (I can live with that.)



Or Jim Carrey (What?!)

Sticks, the inside of my mouth and poppyseeds, not in that order
If I were designing a cell phone, it would have a mirror on the back, so I could check for errant poppyseeds.

Seriously: doesn't that make sense?

And don't forget fabulous Frankstock! Monday night! Yes, Maria and Stacey, we'll still sing. Trust me. We'll figure it out. Can you say "Bad?" You're hired! There will be accordions and drums and whistles and recorders and guitars and keyboards and more fun people than you can shake a stick at. Although the management strongly discourages stick-shaking. Unless that's a euphemism, in which case: shake that funky stick, white boy!

Man, I need a drink. It's been quite the week. Gotta go finish up my work 'cause I'll be in Chicago next week. Well, starting Tuesday. After Frankstock. I'll try to blog from there: I have a camera phone now too, so big fun. Did you know that you need the flash on to photograph inside your mouth? It's true!

What I Did at 8:30 am This Morning. In Haiku.

Nice lobby you have.
The props guy from Alien
Designed your couch, no?

A new manicure
Nylons and management hair
Is it all for naught?

Smile at reception
And at the security guy
Good karma can’t hurt

All questions must start
“Tell me about a time when”
Fine, fine, be that way.

Job interview done.
I’m special, dammit, special!
Oh well, that’s your loss.

Epilogue
Sweet smell of success?
Nope, next cubicle over
Has onions for lunch.

Hopelessly Devo-ted
Was this photo taken at a Frankstock rehearsal?


I guess you won't know unless you attend, will you?

Fresh: The Beverage
Friend and Frankstock partygoer Barb has in a round about way given me an idea.

We need a signature drink for Frankstock.

What would be in it and what would it be called?

WWIQW? (What Would Ice Queen Watch?)
Tonight is ironing night. I need a movie to watch to distract me from the boring task at hand.

I finally saw Brokeback Mountain and was very underwhelmed.

I want something funny. My favourite movies would be:
Wedding Singer
Ladyhawke
Meatballs/Caddyshack/Stripes
Elf
Office Space
Sideways
The Full Monty
Amélie
Shrek (the first 100 times I saw it)

The local variety store tends to have new releases. I liked Rent, but not as much as the play. Is Napolean Dynamite worth it? Or Anchorman? Or Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle?

Help me out. What should the Ice Queen watch?

In other news, Frankstock invitations have gone out. If you haven't got yours, e-mail me at screamforicequeenATgmailDOTcom. And don't forget to RSVP so we'll have enough food. It's going to be more fun than a barrel full of monkeys.

Busy, busy, possums!

Saturday we had a lovely dinner out. Then went to see Ron Sexsmith at Massey Hall (Fresh gave me the tickets for my birthday). Then went to Mr. Crabby's 40th Birthday party.

At work I'm interviewing for a summer student. Buwahahahahahahaha!

And at home, I have been busy doing the event planning for Frankstock. Invites go out to everyone as soon as Fresh confirms we've got the space which should be any second.

My own 40th Birthday in 2008 shall be called Soozapalooza. So if you can't play an instrument for Frankstock, you've got 2 and a half years to learn to play one for Soozapalooza. Well, go on!

Public Service Announcement
Welcome to Friday. Please keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle until the day has come to a compete stop. Your blog visit is important to us. Please stay online. Your visit will be held in priority sequence.

Bienvenue au Friday. Vos enfants sont très beaux. Ils sont adoptes? Ça fait un peu boui-boui, mais il y a de la jolie moisissure. Est-ce difficile trouver une cravate plus odieuse que vous? Parle à mon cul, ma tête est malade.

Frankstock: The Event of The Decade

Tomorrow night we're checking out a larger space for Frankstock: C'est What. they have sound equipment and everything!

The event is growing. We've got more musicians now and need more space. So that means more space for you!

Bring your friends for a great time on Monday April 24th. No cover -- donations to Regent Park School of Music.

I'll be singing a little bit (poorly, but with enthusiasm), hosting and generally creating mayhem.

Invitations to go out Friday after we've seen and booked the space.

And we have a least one surprise professional musician, if not more. Want to play? Let me know!

Way To Go, Idaho.

Setting: The Icicle Fief Kitchen, 4:30 pm today.
Cell phone rings. "Restricted number."
Me: "Hello?"
Them: "Hi, this is so and so calling from Air Miles, I was wondering-"
Me: in full Ice Queen mode "I don't appreciate you calling me on my cell."
Them: "Sorry, but you put this as your preferred number."
Preferred number? What the--?
Me: "Oh, God, I thought you were a telemarketer."
Them: "Just calling about the communications position you applied for."

D'oh!

So I have a phone interview tomorrow.

Hey, I couldn't possibly screw up any more, could I? Could I?

The Next Big Buzzword
You'll be hearing this EVERYWHERE soon, so may as well decide now.

Are you a Grup?

I'm not quite, so I need a term for me. Actually, first I have to figure out the main characteristics of my genre. Anyone want to help out? What am I? A sidewardslys mobile lipstick heterosexual with a penchant for unusual used clothing?

Reader Suggestions Welcome
I am taking Tuesday and Wednesday off.

I need a vacation. Badly. Desparately.I have no money. Well…very little money.

I want to DO something. What shall I do? (Don’t say “Dallas”.) It must be something that energizes me and makes me glad to be alive.

Note: I can’t stay home – Ice Prince is NOT relaxing. It’s going to be wet, cold and nasty and I have no car. I also have no umbrella. Maybe I should go buy an umbrella? Fun!

In other news: Frankstock invitations will be going out this week. Watch for them and come along for the best time you can have with your clothes on! (Legally.)

Hot or Not?

Part of our continuing World Leaders the Ice Queen Wouldn’t Kick Out of Bed for Eating Crackers Series



Hamid Karzai. the current and first democratically elected President of Afghanistan. Cute, well-spoken, powerful and knows how to wear a fez and cape. What’s not to love? I mean, look at the guy on the far right. He looks ecstatic as he leans in close to breathe in his man-scent. Dreamy!

I read an article that said women liked Stephen Harper because he has kissable lips.

Ew! They can have him.