Fort Wayne faves (bleh)

Fort Wayne Newspapers, the parent company behind my newspaper, recently published a special section titled "Readers Picks Best Of." Despite the redundant name, I took great issue with some of the winners.

Residents were asked about their favorites in a variety of areas: mechanics, restaurants, clothing stores, coffee shops - you get the idea.

I try not to be condescending to my fellow Hoosiers. I realize it's cool in Chicago to poke fun of people who live in Indiana, but I've lived enough places to realize there are stupid, ridiculous, white trash people anywhere you live. Head about three miles inland from the paradise that is the Florida coastline, and you'll see what I mean.

But if I were traveling to Fort Wayne on business or pleasure? or looking to move here and picked up a copy of this section, I would probably vomit a little in my mouth.

I'm not just bitter that I wasn't chosen favorite newspaper columnist (Damn you Frank Gray!!) But here's what I'm talking about:

*There was actually a favorite gynecologist category. How have people been to enough gynos to choose a favorite here?

*Freakin' Chico's took the top spot in the women's clothing category. I know Michael Phelps' mom was recently here (Chico's spokeswoman) but I think that winner clearly spelled out the median age in Fort Wayne.

*Favorite downtown restaurant: Coney Island. For those of you not lucky enough to live in the Summit City, Coney Island is a hot dog joint. Chicago people: you'd probably hate it. As much as we revere our hot dogs in the Windy City, it's hard to make the switch to the Coney Island. They're hard to compare, because they're completely different: hot dog with a chili sauce, onions and mustard. I digress ... my issue is not with the food itself, it's that there are a host of downtown restaurants with better food and atmosphere I feel should've taken this prize. The end.

*Italian restaurant: Casa. OK, here I go. Fort Wayne peeps LOVE them some Casa. It's a chain Italian restaurant. A lot nicer than Fazoli's but, in my opinion, not that good. I realize I'm spoiled coming from a mom who made Italian food and a city with a enough dago's who know how to make real spaghetti and meatballs. This place has gravy that makes me want to puke. Every time I go, I usually get the salad, which is very delicious but deceivingly high in calories.

*Place for business lunch. Third place went to .... Penn Station. I don't think there any of these hot sub places in Chicago but think of taking a client to Quizno's and you get the drift.

*Best place to get a steak: Texas Roadhouse. Good restaurant but I can think of nicer places to get my meat fix than a chain.

:)

Housekeeping

Housekeeping (high pitched voice) ...

I changed the settings on the blog, so anybody can leave comments. Previously, you had to register with one of several miscellaneous sites to be able to leave a comment. This isn't Hitler's Germany! Let anybody comment!

Some people have asked if they can receive an e-mail to let them know if I've updated. I think I found a setting where I can input people's e-mails, but I don't want to force-feed anybody. I'm going to put a bunch of people in, and if you're not interested in getting an update e-mail (it's not like I'm blogging every second of the day-I'm no Perez ... yet ...heh heh heh) let me know, and I'll take you off.

That rapper

I won't rehash what happened at the MTV Video Music Awards with Kanye West vs. Taylor Swift. The point of this post is that every other media outlet - talk shows, blogs, magazines, newspapers, etc. - has rehashed what happened over and over and over again, and it's only feeding the madness that is Kanye's ego.

I'm less surprised Kanye stormed the stage and stole the spotlight and more disappointed in how big of a deal the press has made it today. It's not that I expect anybody to ignore it. It's definitely news when, during a live broadcast, one of the most famous rappers steals the spotlight from a 17-year-old country music singer who is genuinely excited to be winning that award. But I'm just sick of the media giving into Kanye's consistant pleas for attention.

He's done this before and will do it again. George Bush doesn't like black people, he said during the Hurricane Katrina telethon. He claimed he'd never be on MTV again after Britney Spears was selected to open the 2007 Video Music Awards instead of him. Kanye grabbed the microphone at the MTV Europe Music Awards when he didn't win some award. (Apparently getting a Moon Man is high on Kanye's Bucket List).

I'm convinced arrogance is rooted in insecurity, and he is the poster child for that. For some reason, I think Kanye doesn't think his music or his talent will gain him the publicity or accolades he feels he deserves, so he resorts to publicity stunts and mouthing off in the press to gain attention. And it works!

His name is on everybody's lips today. But the mistake Kanye made this time is not only is his name on everybody's lips, but Taylor Swift's is too. I couldn't have named a song by her prior to Sunday night. But after that spectacle, I was really impressed she was able to perform about 10 minutes later. And now I like that little song she sings. I heard it in the car today and rocked out like it was Hall & Oates (well, maybe not that hard). My point is, if I'm that succeptible to teen pop music, others probably are too.

In my opinion, this is really good publicity for Kanye. I'm pretty sure his album is dying out (I can't think of a current song on the radio) and it's a good way to get his name out. Numerous media outlets reference the apology he made on his blog and I'll bet that blog gets thousands more hits today because of that. That leads to people surfing around on the blog, reading other stuff about him and his music.

I wish there was a way for the media to take a stand and only minimally cover his future outbursts.

The bad girls twins

This is for Lauren, who wants formal commentary on the similarities between Cara from "The Real World-Chicago" and Jon Gosselin's girlfriend Hailey Glassman.

They do look alike huh?

Personalities possibly similar too. Both Jewish. Both definitely slutty. Cara went through her share of guys while on the show and was shocked, (just shocked!) when she figured out cameras filmed her having sex. That was the 11th season of "The Real World" - the jig is up. There are cameras everywhere silly girl! As far as Hailey, she's trying to portray herself as supportive girlfriend of the year by staying out of the media (smart choice except for her E! interview-other outlets might not have ponied up the cash) and just hanging out with Jon at home. But she's only 22; not that far removed from those pictures taken at Indiana University (damn Hoosiers) where she's holding a gun to someone's head, holding her boobs in almost every picture and sticking her tongue out as much as Heather did when she got a tongue ring (Love ya Lil' O!).

Lauren, Moogs and I actually have a special connection to the Chicago season of "The Real World." When we heard they were filming, we drove into the city and stalked the house. All that involved was driving around the block a couple times and getting on the same page about how we would act if we ran into one of them. Lauren's been known to get rather ridiculous when it comes to B- and under-list celebrities (ref: The David Spade Incident of 2001) so Moogs and I knew we had to set ground rules.

The Suicide Pact

I made a suicide pact with Kit and Amanda last Halloween. We were sitting in the car, in costume, and promised each other we wouldn't spend next Halloween together because we'd be living in different cities with different jobs. They'll be in Vegas this Halloween, and I'll be in Fort Wayne. But none of us have new jobs so it looks like they're diving off the Stratosphere, and I'm doing myself in with pills.

It's no secret I am looking for a job in the Chicago area. When I started applying early last summer, I had NO IDEA it would take this long. Of course, I picked the ultimate perfect time to search for employment. Not only am I looking for a job, but so are hundreds, if not thousands, of journalists who have been laid-off.

I visit your average journalism job sites: JournalismJobs, MediaBistro and all of the media companies' Web sites. But so does every other out-of-work journalist. Who have more experience than me. At bigger papers. As far as the newspaper world, I am limiting myself to basically three newspapers, the Sun-Times, Tribune and Daily Herald, so I automatically put myself at a disadvantage. I'd consider Milwaukee and just applied for a job in Madison, Wisc. on a whim.

Don't get me wrong. I'm very thankful to even have a job. If I didn't, Chachi and I would pack up and move back to Casa de Soderlund, only to be left a chore list every day that would no doubt include: hauling wood from one area of our house to the other (for no given reason); possibly mowing or aerating the lawn (though my dad would come home and redo it himself anyway); and various combinations of my all time favorite tasks of dusting, vacuuming and cleaning the bathroom.

I'm thankful but sick of living on NOTHING. I don't feel like a grown up. I'm sick of throwing my money away on rent and am envious of my big girl friends who own their own homes and have lots of money to decorate.

So I've thought of other areas of communication I could work in. Namely, public relations. That was a big deal to shift my mindset toward applying for PR job. In journalism school, you're taught that PR people are the devil. When you become a journalist, you learn they nearly are. And it just seems .... boring compared to what I'm used to. I've applied for a handful of jobs that seem slightly interesting. I just applied for a couple jobs at Harpo Productions (Oprah's company) that got me excited. And I wouldn't mind doing PR for a college or school districts. But corporate PR makes me want to vomit.

I'm taking suggestions for the perfect pill combination.