There Goes Somebody's Miracle...

You know, I'm praying for it.

  • Reviews
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Just This
  • About

Explore

  • All Reviews
  • Movies
  • Books
  • @ Third Coast Review
  • Film Work

Connect

Just This · October 1, 2017

six weeks, many adventures, zero blog posts

Welp, six weeks have gone by and I’ve managed to do a whole hell of a lot in that time, none of which was post an actual blog. Whoops!

On this first of the month, I started thinking about what a busy four weeks I have ahead and I said to myself, “Self, you know who’d be interested in that? People who read my blog, that’s who.” And then I looked at my last post date and was all, “Oh, that is if there are any left…”

(Who am I kidding? I’d be writing this whether you’re reading or not!)

Before I get to what I’m up to in October (honestly, it’s interesting!), allow me to recap just what I have been up to these last six weeks.

Top of the list is building a business. I have jumped head first, 100% into self-employment, and wonder of wonders it’s kind of going OK! I officially launched in mid-June, but I didn’t get my business certification (this actual certificate the county sends once your business is approved) until mid-September. Ah, bureaucracy! I promptly opened a business checking account, and eventually I may get that certificate framed, put it up next to my diploma or something. For now, I’m focused on building out my client base, and so far it’s coming together better than I could’ve imagined. An overview:

I oversaw the social media for the digital release of Eva Hesse, a documentary about the post-minimalist artist (now on Netflix! See it!); I’m representing three different films at the Chicago International Film Festival (this one and this one and this one); I have two different non-film clients I work with on their digital marketing efforts; I secured some seriously cool press coverage for Destroy Your Art; and I’m currently waiting to hear back on three different proposals I’ve put out in the world (send good vibes!). The hustle never ends, but so far I’m enjoying every minute of it. (Shameless plug: if you don’t already, like the business on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and Twitter!)

Chicago had already put a serious dent in my physical activity (everything is so spread out, I take a bus or train more often than I walk), and now that I work from home I found myself going a day or more without even venturing past my own front door. Serious lack of motion was making me anxious, tired and frustrated. So in late August I did some research and found a workout plan I could do from my own living room and, holy shit, I actually did it. I certainly modified a few of the workouts and I didn’t make it happen every single day. But I always went back to it, pushed through and got to the other side. And you know what? I can honestly see a difference in my energy level, my strength and even the way some of my clothes fit. It feels really, really good. So good that I’m doing it all over again this month. Go me!

Earlier this summer, I’d reached out to the publisher of Third Coast Review. It’s a small but dedicated group of people who cover Chicago culture, and I’d seen an ad that they’re always looking for (volunteer) writers. I started doing some posting with them here and there, but, like blogging here, got sidetracked by getting my business going (see above). I was delighted, therefore, when the publisher got in touch in late August to let me know the current Screens section editor (all things film, tv, video, etc) was stepping away and would I be interested in taking over the role? Yes, yes I would.

It’s also a volunteer gig, but it’s worth my time and effort nonetheless. Professionally, it grants me the access and platform I need to stay engaged in the conversation, and personally it’s a place to keep my writing and editing skills sharp. It’s also just a great site for locals, an independent voice shining a light on everything there is to see and do and consume, and I’m proud to be a part of it. (Like it on Facebook, too!)

Over Labor Day weekend, I took a mini-road trip over to Indiana for a visit with a dear friend and, to be honest, a much-anticipated John Mayer concert. (Number 18? 22? I dunno. I’ve lost track.) I’d seen him in April when his new tour kicked off, and when I noticed that he was wrapping up the summer in Indianapolis, I decided to snag tickets to that one rather than his second Chicago show. It turned out to be the perfect reason to spend a weekend in Bloomington, catching up and chilling out. We ate a lot, walked a lot, talked a lot, and the concert was as amazing as ever.

And at the tail end of this six-week sabbatical, I found myself on an extended weekend in my beloved New York City, spending a full five days soaking up the energy of the place I love so dearly. Over the summer, I’d found a very cheap flight, and with a friend who lets me crash at her place, trips back have become so affordable I’d be silly not to take advantage. This time, I spent a few nights with her and then switched over to an Airbnb, a studio in Cobble Hill. It turned out to be the perfect arrangement, giving me a chance to catch up with her and spend a couple days on my own, pretending I was back living there on my own. (A girl can dream, right?)

I walked to the shop down the street for a bagel and coffee in the mornings, spent the unseasonably hot days between work meetings and sight-seeing, and generally basked in all the chaos and culture that the city has to offer. I saw Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway, spent an evening with The Memory Palace at the Met, wandered the aisles of Strand Bookstore, walked from Manhattan to Brooklyn…basically, it was amazing as always and I must do better to get back there more than once a year!

So, as you can see, I’ve been absent from here only because, well, I’ve been busy! I do miss you, though, and I’m going to do better about carving out time to check in, either with a weekly movie review or an update on client work or, you know, whatever the hell I feel like writing about. Because it’s my blog and I’ll indulge my creative whims if I want to, dammit.

No, really. Thanks for sticking it out. See you again soon.

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr

Posted By: Lisa Trifone · In: Just This

Review: Patti Cake$
I’ve always loved October

You’ll Also Love

Open House Chicago Adventure
The Day You Love Each Other The Least
Weekend Rendez-vous

Get on the List

About Photo
Hello! I'm Lisa, and this is—or rather I am—Somebody's Miracle. Explore everything I'm watcing, reading and baking, all my far-flung adventures and ones closer to home. Thanks for reading.

Connect

Get on the List

Subscribe for the latest posts, musings and updates directly in your inbox.

Categories

  • Reviews
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Just This
  • About

Search

From the Archives

May 2025
S M T W T F S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Jul    

lisabeesa

Two years ago today, I was coming off what - until Two years ago today, I was coming off what - until that point - was the biggest adventure of my life. I bought a home. I turned 40. I spent a month in Paris. I’d hit a new career milestone. Life was every bit what I imagined it could be. 

Then I walked into a first date with a guy I met on the internet and very quickly realized my (our!) best adventure had just begun. 

Two years of getting my goat (and delighting in it), because you love to see me laugh. Two years of not just making dinners but plating them, too, because you know I like a pretty plate. Two years of grand gestures not because you’re big on gestures, but because I am.

I thought I had it all figured out, and I think I would’ve been fine if you’d never walked into my life. But good grief am I glad you did. ❤️
🎄 Holiday Playlist! 🎄 It's my favorite trad 🎄 Holiday Playlist! 🎄

It's my favorite tradition (of so many!) of the season: my annual holiday playlist. Twenty-four songs. Two hours of tunes.

Sabrina Carpenter and The Kinks. My Morning Jacket and Kacey Musgraves. Ben Folds and Bette Midler and Bad Religion. 

You can listen on Spotify at the link in my bio!

Happy, happy holidays to you and yours. Wishing you a joyful season!
I’d watch Pablo Larrain’s version of paint dry I’d watch Pablo Larrain’s version of paint drying, but thankfully his latest biopic of a famous, troubled woman (after JACKIE and SPENCER) is a far more engaging fever dream of passing time and missed opportunities.

MARIA, featuring a performance by Angelina Jolie that vibrates with vulnerability, is not perfect but it is fascinating. 

Now in theaters; on Netflix next month. Full review at the link!
My phone yelled at me this morning that I was out My phone yelled at me this morning that I was out of storage space, so over a couple cups of coffee I went back through this year’s photos and videos to purge what I don’t need on my device. 

Stumbled on this snap Brian took of me over dinner back in…June?…and honestly, I just love it. I love the way he sees me and I love the way I look when I see him. ❤️

Take care of each other. That’s all.
Eight years ago this week, @justin.f.brady and I w Eight years ago this week, @justin.f.brady and I went to see @waitressmusical on Broadway, and after the show we were treated to full band karaoke with die-hard fans. 

At the end of the show tunes lovefest, @sarabareilles—who wrote the show’s music and was hosting the karaoke—took to the mic to perform Brave, and it was more cathartic than I think any of us realized in the moment. 

It was the night before the 2016 election and none of us were (looking back now) as worried as we should have been. I had early voted, the wind seemed to be at @hillaryclinton’s back and we were ready for history to be made. 

I’ve thought about (and talked about) that moment a lot in the years since - it’s a great story! But especially today, as we’re on the eve of another monumental Election Day, I am imploring anyone reading this who may still be unsure or may not yet have a plan to be brave and vote for the person who is NOT a convicted criminal, serial sexual assaulter, con-man and dictator-in-waiting. @kamalaharris is the only way forward.

We can get back to debating policy in four years. For now, please vote for humanity, for democracy, for decency and for sanity. I wanna see you be brave.
Signs of life! 👋 I feel like I’ve been in a Signs of life! 👋 

I feel like I’ve been in a fog the last week or so, and it’s going to last at least through Tuesday…but I’m here, I promise!

Got to catch @musictheaterworks’ LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (with the lovely @yersha_la_la_la for company!) and it was delightful. Great production with just a hint of that community theater patina, a bit rough around the edges. (Is it just me or is that S in “Florist” totally upside down?!)

Full review coming soon at @thirdcoastreview!
This one gets a spot on the grid! Congrats to Drew This one gets a spot on the grid! Congrats to Drew and Jean on a beautiful wedding day and the start of an exciting new chapter. (But really, thanks for such a great reason to wear my new favorite dress! 😉)
I absolutely love this time of year. 🍂🍁 I absolutely love this time of year. 🍂🍁
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Disclosure

Copyright © 2025 There Goes Somebody's Miracle... · Theme by 17th Avenue