A poor example of humanizing the Internet

Sometimes, brands think they're being innovative by adding live chat features to their website. I was naive enough to give in and try one out on Citibank.com after some confusion while paying a bill. 

Below is my "conversation" with Alec. I rate it a 2 out of 10 (some brownie points for minor innovation), particularly because of feeling condescended by the last message. Oh well, it was worth a shot!

A Trip to Carnivale

The past few years, I've always driven past Carnivale off the 94 and wanted to eat there. It looks like a janky restaurant off the highway, but one of those places you have to try to say you've done it. The large two-story building is painted with rainbow colors on the outside, and I had no idea what the inside looked like. So naturally, Hannah, Eleni and I tried it on a weekday afternoon to check it out while we were on the west side.

The inside of Carnivale

Baked goat cheese, Ropa Vieja steak and Crab Cakes for apps

Carnivale ice cream cake and Berry Brazo Gitano desserts

It exceeded any and ALL expectations! We only did appetizers, drinks (ok, tequila) and dessert - but the food was all phenomenal. Highly recommended Chicago restaurant destination! 

Acquisitions

Amidst all the acquisitions in today's business world, it's good to see a reputable company like Procter & Gamble deciding to cut them when it seems smart. Good for P&G! 

Summer in the Chi

While June was full of festivals, July flew by with weddings, rooftops and fun times with friends. 

Here are just a few of the highlights!  

Hanging on adorable patios is a favorite Chicago pastime, and Kalyn, Stacey and I tried Las Fuentes in Lincoln Park for Kalyn's arrival home from Mexico.

Garfield Park Conservatory

Greek craziness at St. Haralambos for their annual Greekfest

Taking a summer afternoon off of work to go to Navy Pier with Lena + the Stornellos, and ride the Seadog

Greek Heritage Night at the White Sox game 

Chicago Architectural Boat Tour

Team bar crawl down Southport Corridor

Two Cubs games in three days with friends' tickets

Greek Young Adult Boat Cruise - successful event! 

July quotes

Although the list might not be appropriate when filtered to remove too many inside jokes, it's short & sweet! 

“Your outfits would look a lot cuter if the USA won.” -Anna, to every girl 

“I just hate 100 Happy Days because it encourages people to post very poor quality Instagram photos.” -Kerry

“Like I said to Papou, I’m so tired I don’t want to cook anymore. I want to go out.” -Yiayia Nikie, having her way! 

“I think we’ve established that no one obeys the rules here. Dogs, beer, kids throwing sand on you.” -Gwen, at North Avenue Beach

“He hasn't even posted a photo of me on Instagram. Pictures of food I’ve made him but no photos together.” 

“Every text she sends has an emoji at the end of it. How was your day bow tie? Love you honey, palm tree.” -Stacey & Jackie, on their grandparents texting 

“Our church had a wedding with 18 bridesmaids last night.” -Yiayia Sophie

"Who?"

“I don't know, someone told me about it.” -Yiayia Sophie 

“Don’t put our engagement photos on Facebook.” -Lee

“Well other people infiltrate my news feed with their babies so they can look at our engagement photos.” -Lauren

“How do you live in the city and not have Uber?” -Hannah

 “You spill on my floor and I’ll make you sleep on the patio.” -Hannah

"That was my favorite night of the line." -Kalyn

"Love, happiness, communication and lots and lots of babies. -DJ at Liz & Tasso’s wedding, in the speech he didn't have to give 

“You've been bumped up to the business class on our prayer list.” -A koumbaro at a wedding

“I rummaged through the cabinets to think ‘What should I bring Katie?’ and the only good thing was hummus that was 1/3 left, although I knew you’d still eat it.” -Eleni

“Dad, all the nice guys are players because they can be.” -Eleni

“Beer cans would have been a picnic compared to what I saw. I’d walk out to people peeing on my lawn.” -Woman on the L, on her Wrigleyville days

“Does anyone have anyone have anything against Pink Floyd?” -Joe

“Can you put something less stoner-ish on?” -Ariel

"Camp counselor problems: I’ve had 10 fudgsicles this week." -Eleni

“I know you have your Sunday night call list.” -Sherman, in a voicemail

“I had to beg this guy for tzatziki. You’d think I was asking him for his house.” -John 

"We went to the Museum of Natural History. The suggested donation was $22 a person so we each gave $5." -Sherman

"He doesn't have a wife but he very well could. Travels all week, has two phones..." -Hannah

Tracking a package in one click

I don't know if this is Gmail, Target or the US Postal Service's creation, but it's a brilliant invention. Kudos to tracking your mail without having to enter millions of codes!

Time to pause

One of the biggest complaints in modern society is being overscheduled, overcommitted and overextended. Ask people at a social gathering how they are and the stock answer is "super busy," "crazy busy" or "insanely busy." Nobody is just "fine" anymore. 

In a recent New York Times news analysis, No Time to Think, Kate Murphy comments on our lack of free moments to stop and think. She states that even when we do have a second that is not programmed, we revert to our phones to check social media & other ongoings.

The competitive aspect of it reminded me of another good article I read recently in Harvard Business Review, Why We Humblebrag About Being Busy. We're all guilty of it; I admit to regularly using "busy" as a way to describe my week. But sometimes it takes seeing others do this, especially at work, to comprehend how it comes off.

The best way I recharge in the middle of the day is taking five minutes to look away from my phone & inbox prioritize my to do list. There is nothing more valuable in the middle of a stressful day than a walk around the block. At Project Mexico, 20 minutes of quiet time kicked off the morning to make every day a peaceful day.

The power of pause is real and more relevant than ever!