mizChartreuse! redefining success

Television is a hell of a drug.

And no show has ever tugged at my heartstrings like Fox’s 24, or as me and my fellow geeks call it, the Jack Bauer Power Hour.

And now, as of May 24, during the hours of 2-4 p.m., 24 is over.

This image makes me sob. During the season, the timeclock usually goes forward rather than counting down to nothing.

My obsession with 24 began slowly. I remember my parents sometimes tuning into the show during its first season when I still lived with them, but paid no mind. A few years later, my friend Danny hit me up on AIM to tell me about how amazing Day 4′s finale was, with Jack Bauer faking his death and walking off into the sunlight along a set of railroad tracks. It sounded intriguing, but not being a viewer, I didn’t fully get it.

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This video has absolutely nothing to do with entrepreneurship, business, self-improvement or natural hair–but it’s hilarious, so I have no choice but to share it with those of you who have yet to view it.

Last Thursday, Sean’s cousin Christopher took the train down to the city to come hang out with us. After we gorged ourselves on pizza and American Idol, we took to the kitchen to play some Scrabble, and some pretty hysterical (and normal, for my life) events occurred.

My friend Sara summed it up PERFECTLY: “I feel like this video represents all of the things “they” label “us” of the millenial (aka Generation Y) generation- short attention-spanned, media-influenced, well-educated, highly connected, socialized, liberal, pizza eating alcoholics. ”

And it’s true.

Chris edited some of the funniest content from over 60 minutes of video footage into one entertaining 8-minute video, and he did a great job. It even included some Lady Gaga at the end, and proof of why we should report our next-door neighbor to DCFS. Enjoy.

“The class is called ‘Exer-ball.’ It can’t be too difficult,” I reasoned as I finished my small cup of coffee. “We’ll probably be doing some nice stretches on the balls and working on like, core strength and stuff.” It was 6:15 a.m. and I was in the locker room of my local YMCA with Sarah, my good friend and (one of many!) workout partner.

“Yeah, it’s too early to be doing that crazy hectic stuff,” she responded as she shoved her thick black winter coat in her locker and secured it.

But wait–did you read the first paragraph? I was having a real-life conversation, awake and sober, in a place OTHER THAN MY BED, at 6:15 IN THE MORNING. For someone who didn’t (and still doesn’t) like mornings, for me to leave my house before the sun rose was serious.

We walked down the long hallway leading up to the dance room where all the classes are held. As we approached the room, we heard hectic, Jersey Shore-esque Beat Up The Beat music, and saw what looked to be a woman on a mix of speed and cocaine dancing her ass off, doing these crazy kicks, spins, and hip thrusts.

“Whaaaaat.” We looked at each other. Scared out of our minds.

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“Let’s all go around and share our favorite features of one another,” someone in the car said. I don’t remember who said it or where it came from, but it worked for the four of us girls during our mini road trip. So we did.

“I like your lips. They’re so full and well-shaped and just so pretty.”

“You have really great legs. They’re very well-toned and hot.”

“Abs.”

“I know this is cliche, but I LOVE your rack.”

“You have a great ass. I wish my ass would do what your ass does.”

“Your smile is gorgeous. Perfect shape. It brightens your face.”

“Dark, silky, full hair. Stunning.”

“I love your eyes. They’re really a window to your soul, and you have such a beautiful one.”

How many girls do this on a regular occasion?

This past weekend, I traveled with my best friend Allie to Ohio for her second wedding shower, along with Ashley and Maria, two other girls in the bridal party. Allie’s fiance Tommy’s family threw her a gorgeous second wedding shower in Perrysburg, OH, and we girls were all very thankful to have the opportunity to travel with her to experience the love extending from that side of the family. Our friend Ursula, who is also a wedding attendant, drove out from Wheaton to meet us, which was amazing.
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“I’m done pretending that I will ever work in the corporate world again,” my designer/stylist friend Sarah Church said as she showed me her fresh wrist tattoo. The puffy red heart was about the size of a nickel, and would hardly be an issue for an office workplace since a watch or bracelet could easily cover it.

But the sentiment she expressed was one of conviction, regardless of whether she had a “visible” tattoo or not: working for big, stuffy corporations sucks, and doing your own thing can be much more personally rewarding for someone who is of the artistic persuasion.

And I agree.

I’ve decided to add a new category to mizChartreuse — Entrepreneur of the Week. I will contact at least one independent business owner and interview and write a weekly story about them. This way, I’m surrounding myself with people who do what I’m trying to do, and I can use my platforms as a writer, for what they’re worth, to help business owners. It’s a win-win situation.

In addition, the tone of this blog will become more career-oriented. There will obviously still be anecdotes and stories and photos of my fierce flawless fabulous life, but the overall focus will be on entrepreneurship and how to live your best life.

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Yesterday was quite the busy day for me. Before I went to Sarah’s studio in Pilsen for coffee and cigarettes, I met with and interviewed the lovely Zoe Damacela, another fashion designer who also runs her business out of her home in the near West Loop.

Curly Girls: Writer Charlotte Mutesha with designer Zoe Damacela

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