We�ll see where things go and will let the lead in their butts determine whether I�m a long-term contractor with a large company or if I�m with a singular company as their primary communications specialist.

This week was mostly spent running from company to company, letting them know that I was almost off the market and that they needed to persuade me one way or the other to go and work for them. Similar to 1999 when I was looking for a fulltime job, places are mentioning the smallest of perks (such as three -- yes, count �em, three -- types of bottled water available in the break room) with hopes that I�ll choose them over the competition.

I�m ready to declare an arm wrestling contest to see where I�ll end up. Shit -- With everyone having about the same type of benefits and offering similar dollar amounts, it�s a random toss-up at this point anyway.

I never anticipated this being the situation, but it doesn�t quite surprise me either. In the never-ending feast or famine that is my life... friends, love interests, 10-cent fruit sales, and now jobs... it�s just the way things go when you�re Chicago Jo.

Have I mentioned how great it is being me? Mark that one for the record, please. Being me rocks.

Continuing with that pleasant thought, I spent the afternoon with Helga in an attempt to boost her glum mood. We walked to Lincoln Park and ate free lunch at her friend�s restaurant. It was considerably warmer when we turned off State Street onto Clark and started avoiding the lakefront breeze.

Remember why I said the white tank top was getting returned to Old Navy? Yeah. You get my drift.

For some reason Chicago has decided to maintain its permafrost, and the lack of summer is starting to tick me off. San Diego has already started calling my name. Bikinis, surfing, restaurants with tofu abound, beautiful people. [sigh] I wonder if http://sandiegojo.diaryland.com is taken?

I wore my new cutie shorts and a short-sleeved shirt. It�s my own damn fault that I was cold, but come on now. As Helga said, Chicago is like a bad boyfriend -- You never know what to expect.

After lunch, Helga and I went shoe shopping. I coveted some eccos and even slipped them onto my foot. They really do give your feet hugs. If you can afford the $100+ price tag, I highly recommend them. I picked a cute pair but the coloring was all wrong.

Dear ecco makers,

Please start making your cuter shoes in more normal colors. I�ll drop the $115 on your happy shoes if I can get them in brown. I may spend ridiculous amounts of shoes, but I don�t like ridiculous shades of red-brown.

Thank you,
ChicagoJo

Tomorrow�s task: finding khakis. Ann Taylor really should invest in making some low-rise pants that still have a cuff and a crease. I�m all about the low rise for business casual.

Tonight Lorinda and I are meeting up with the people at the AMA conference for a reception and free drinks from 10-11 p.m. She�s talked me into wearing my new slutty pants with a skanktacular tank top. I�ll be all, �Is there a cardiologist in the house? �Cause I think I just caused some palpitations in those of the XY chromosomal makeup.�

More details later. �