Heat Wave!

We've finally broken above the 20F mark again, it feels so warm and gorgeous! I bundled up just in case, but Dusty and I spent about an hour on a walk through Loyola park/Beach.

The park was empty, except for dogs and their humans. I was really surprised! This is one of the nicest days we've had in a month!!!

Lovely Rita Meter Maid

This is what happens when you don't pay the lovely meter maid here in Chicago. I've already had my own run in with the orange ghost of darkness. The leeches make quite a fortune off of parking violations/fines, not to mention the actual meters themselves.

Flabbergasted

So I got to spend a lovely few minutes on the phone with the gas company after it appears my first attempt to connect service a week ago did not take.

I was told that someone needed to come out to "turn on the gas". I go over to the stove, turn the handle all the way to the right, and watch as bright orange flames try to set my sleeve on far, and almost succeeding. I proceeded to ask why it was really necessary if I was already getting service and they have all my info.

Grrr. I wonder if I have fire gnomes that are inside my oven then, if they're "positive" my service is turned off. Gotta love the city.

The Beaches of Cabo

Just a few more shots - I've got probably 150 pictures on a camera a friend lent me, but the USB cable doesn't seem to fit the camera. So, it'll be a week or so before I'm able to get these ones off too.



I can't wait until Friday!!! My dad is coming into town for the weekend for a conference, so I took the day off. In the morning, I'm going for a massage - one of the perks of my job is access to free or nearly free massages, and this time is no exception! I love it when they tell you to be early so you have time to put on your robe and sandals. It will really be a relaxing morning, and after all the moving my muscles are screaming.

Game Fun!

I am a huge sucker for traditional board/card/group games. I was invited to a game night by an awesome coworker. I was a little intimidated when i walked in, as we ended up with a group of 15 people and I knew a grand total of .... 2. But, even though I had trouble following along with all the conversations, and we played catch phrase which is not an easy game for me, I stuck it out for 3 hours, and had a good time. I finally had to call it at night at 1am. It had taken me an hour and a half to drive out to the suburbs to the hangout, and I was worried it would take me that long to get back. I was given some new directions, and was able to get home in an hour instead. So, of course its 2:30 in the morning as I am still winding down after having to do dog duty once I got back.

The first load of things has been taken over to the new place and put in their new locations. The bed has been half made, and is just needing the comforter/blankets. I've put up the shower curtain, put away the baking/pans, and filled the linen closet. And filled the ice cube trays. I need to remember to water the plant that got left behind before it dies on me!

The Keys are Mine!

I picked up the keys for my new place on Saturday, but the lovely January weather is dumping snow left and right, and keeping it here with sub zero temperatures. This is why I got the keys early, but it is so frustrating to be kept from just making the move quickly. I can't even get out to get boxes so I can pack.

*Takes a deep breath, and goes for the wine*


Some pictures of the new place - and 95% of the furniture in the pictures I scored off the guy moving out. So this is a rather accurate representation of what my apartment looks like at this very moment.

Lonely

Some people will never learn the true meaning of this word. I count them lucky. Something I can't shake tonight ... and it doesn't feel like other times. The pictures in my head at night don't have solid faces anymore ... they're just blurry, and there's no voices spoken.

All I ever remember now is that the air always felt like mist, and when I put my hand out, the drops fall away and I'm left standing in my shadow. Even the drops falling on rocks make no sound, and then I wake up.

More details about the trip will come later, but I wanted to sit and just get a few thoughts out as I'm working on getting myself through a down mood. Its starting to slowly get easier each time, and I rely less on having to call or find someone to talk to. I'm learning the things that will help me pass the time, especially those that do not involve clocks in any way.

I love Mexico for its skies along the beach. I've never seen as many star showers as I do there, and being on the cruise ship, at night I'd just look out at the stars, and remember how big the sky can feel. I love being on the 9th floor of our building at work and away from downtown. The extra distance allows me to see virtually all of Chicagoland from our office windows, and Lake Michigan as well. I will be glad to have the apartment with the water view!

One of my favorite pictures from Cabo San Lucas, as I only have the USB cord for one of the 2 cameras I took with me.