Gals' Guide

A Visit to the Chicago Tribune

What a terrific experience I had yesterday.  My friend, Dan, invited Chicago bloggers to visit the Tribune Tower, get a FULL tour and sit in on the ChicagoTribune.com's morning meeting. Wow.

I saw everything from the headquarters of Metromix, visiting the Features floor, toured the area BELOW the Tower that used to serve as the place where old reams of paper were tunneled in - it was amazing. I'm still editing my video, but until then, here are some pictures to check out.

Spreading the Writing Wings Hello Chicago Women's Examiner

It looks like the folks at the Examiner, Chicago edition, liked my observations and musings on Gals' Guide that they asked me to be their Women's Examiner! I'm excited to be their 'official' writing about the ins and outs of city living.

My first article is about the upcoming November election. Sure, we are voting for President, but did you also know that we, as a state will be voting on whether or not we have a constitutional convention? Yep, YOU (well, you ladies in Illinois) will have the RIGHT to vote on this update. My idea? Let's change the constitution to add in mandatory maternity leave, paid, for 6 months.

Will things change on this site? Nope. Gals' Guide will continue on as it normally does, but look for even more writers, events and cool content.

The Amazon Kindle in Action at Argo TeaOne Device.Thousands of Books and Magazines.

To my delight, I saw an actual Amazon Kindle in full operations mode.  A woman was quietly reading her book and drinking her beverage at Argo Tea. I couldn't help myself - I asked if she wouldn't mind being filmed. Here is Christina talking about why she likes her Kindle. Sure, it's pricey at $399, on sale for $359 but if you think about the magazine, newspapers and books you can read from ONE device, your back will thank you on those trips.

A Cafe, Magazines & A Cappuccino Take Time to Energize Your Mind

Sure, I just got married, Michael moved in, I had to re-arrange my closet, rework all the cabinets, dust more (two folks in a condo means more dust), changed my name on my driver's license, changed my name on my social security card, but I still go back to the core of what I've done since 1998.

1998 was the year I moved to Chicago and the year I decided to make it a point to take time out of my day, go OUTSIDE and read/journal/blog/think. Here is a shot of me doing just that in Paris. I may not live in Paris, but Chicago has cafes all over the place and I love my solo moments exploring them.

An 'On the Job' Lesson Don't Let Men Take Your Ideas

I'm still on pseudo 'not working/getting condo together/post marriage break' mode, but I miss you guys.  Can you believe it, but yes, I miss the gals'!  Ok, here is a very important lesson that came to mind when I was watching of all things, 'In the Loop with iVillage' the other day.

I can't count the number of times I've been in business meetings, had an idea and a fellow male co-worker took it.  Or, I had an idea and a male coworker said it wasn't a good idea, but then re-used the idea later for himself. Annoying.

Dee Dee Myers, President Bill Clinton's former Press Secretary, wrote a book that's entitled, 'Why Women Should Rule the World'. She was a guest on 'In the Loop' and had some stellar advice that I echo.

Keep reading for how to use strategy to put men in their place at work...

Reviewing Your U.S. History With A Shocking & Dramatic Twist

Greetings Ladies,

Things are cyclical. The economy is a prime example. So is real estate.  Chief economists and even history professors try to tell people this all the time. Problem is, media throws scary news titles at us. Hey, those scary titles (recession, housing stinks, losing jobs) are true, but old school experts will tell us to relax. They relax because they know the secret:looking back.

What does this have to do with you lovely ladies? 

Understanding history will help you understand today. I highly highly (did I mention HIGHLY?) recommend a history book I love, with a twist. 'A People's History of the United States' explains the kind of history that our teachers didn't necessarily teach us. For example, did your high school teacher tell you that Christopher Columbus killed young boys if they didn't find gold? Yup. Straight outta a priest's journal.

Get the book or peruse the book at your local book store. You won't be disappointed and you'll RElearn a thing or two. After all, you can't truly move forward  unless you understand and have an appreciation for what happened in the past.

Reading the Newspaper..Or Any Other News Sources

When I was a kid, my dad read a few newspapers.  He did this to get multiple points of view and truly understand a topic or world event before getting his own opinion.  I try to follow this mantra today, but I'll admit, it's difficult.

I usually get up in the morning and read my RSS feeds. A few newspapers, some tech blogs, two political sites and a fun gadget blog. By the time I make my coffee, my head is chock full of information.  I don't subscribe to a physical newspaper, but I read both the Chicago Sun Times and The Chicago Tribune. On weekends, I try to get to the New York Times.

How do you get your news? Do you truly think you have a good grasp with what's going in the world? Do you think you need to know what's going on in the world at all times?

Ladies, Sharpen Your Money Skills: Books You Should Read in 2008

I love reading fiction.  Escaping into another  universe or imagining some knight on a horse whisking away some unassuming maiden is fine and dandy, but I've put that on hold for a while. Why?

Women just don't take the time to think about business and finances on a large level.  Most of you ladies will think about finishing your degree, perhaps getting a higher degree, getting married, saving for your 'big' house and hiring your nannies, housekeepers, dog walkers and personal trainers. Soon,  you'll be spending your time making money in a two-income house just to pay for all of these extras. I think this is a waste of time and money. You may never ever realize that you are in a rat race and don't have a penny saved for the future, or even better, have an income that will keep on coming, even when you don't work anymore.

I have an immigrant father who ran his own business, worked his tail off and sacrificed many things for our family. He's sitting pretty now with the need to never work again, golf when he wants and the knowledge that one day, he can live anywhere in the world - without ever needing a job again.

I want to be like my Dad. Book picks below..