random chicago observance

If you order a sandwich in this town there is a 95% chance that you will get a dill pickle served with it.

living in the country

Someone came over to my new apartment and exclaimed, "It's like living in the country!" It's not really like living in the country, but my neighborhood is pretty mellow for a city. Berkeley is more bustling than Logan Square for sure. People plant these really nice little flower gardens on the corners of streets. Old brick buildings have pretty trees in front and "For Rent" signs in the windows. New condos sit empty and latino families have moving out yard sales on the weekends.

I am busy watching lightning storms and painting walls bright colors. I've been drinking a beer a day, watching fake Russian cosmonauts at the Gene Siskel, reading about "The Machine", and talking about neoliberalism in the book club, and of course being bored out of my mind working. When when when when when?

fireflies

Okay, so I am being really bad and blogging during work .

Fireflies are amazing. They flew low and heavy over A's garden yesterday at dusk. I got to study them up close. They are flying lanterns. I had assumed they were mythical animals that existed only in my childhoood. But, they actually exist. I don't understand how people can see these magical little splashes of light without experiencing complete awe. It is like being able to watch a shooting star up close.

weekend

My new neighborhood farmer's market had two stands set up today. One selling bread and one selling apple butter. No vegetables were for sale. One guy at a stand said that it was slow because of father's day and usually there are 5 or 6 stands.

Yesterday was Puerto Rican pride day. And it was super windy yet warm. I slept with the windows open and you could hear the raucous crowds and police sirens all night. My cat was uneasy by all the commotion and whined all night long. Fun. Today he fell asleep in the closet on top of a back pack.

I noticed this weekend that there are a lot of yuppies in Chicago and that it is best to avoid them.

mr. happy

I've been too tired to write in this blog. I've only been living here for 2 weeks now, so I guess my slackness is forgiveable.

Turns out that my chiropractor is zany. He told me a story about one of his patients discovering that chiropractic treatment solved his impotence problem. While telling this story, my chiropractor referred to the penis as "Mr. Happy." I don't make this stuff up kids.

But hey, my back feels a lot better.

update

What Chicago looks like:
There are a lot of different kinds of bricks in Chicago. Brick is everywhere.

How I feel:
I feel like I need a vacation, like I have been operating on overdrive for months. I am actually looking forward to going to the chiropractor. Usually I hate going to see doctors of any kind. I am trying a place called "The Wellness Center", doesn't that sound nice? Oh and St. John's Wart is a wonderful substance. I love it.

How I am getting new stuff:
My books are all showing up busting out of their boxes. I am scouring Craigslist for bookshelves. I have never used Craigslist to acquire things before this move, now I am addicted. I look at anything posted that looks remotely interesting usually "purple" or "vintage" are words that indicate an interesting post.

The status of my cat's cat food:
I am also on the lookout for the special kind of cat food that my cat eats. I have a half a bag left, things are getting desperate. He is a puker. So, I know if I am forced to switch brands I will have a lot of puke to look forward to.

What I did tonight:
I went to the first meeting of the book club tonight with some smarty pants people. We discussed the book "A Brief History of Neoreolism".

hello chicago

I'm in Chicago now. With a need to have things in place so I can think. My body is not right. I have plans to go to the Chicago Wellness Center very soon. The pain has been a major impediment the past few weeks. I hope it is just temporary. I had so many things to write about. Now that I have internet I can't remember them. I did go the local movie theater the other night. $3 movie. Can't beat it. And the candy was cheap too. My bike is yellow and is named "Scout" and it has a seat that looks like a saddle. There are good things going on.