The Great Thaw

Well after digging out of both a foot of snow and the worst cold ever I'm back in action. I would like to draw your attention to a newly-minted fear of mine since I moved to Chicago. On my drive to work in the morning, I routinely pass under some sort of metal bridge from which hang the biggest, most lethal looking icicles I have ever seen. These suckers have girth! And are so very pointy! Every 6 inches or so, there is a whole row of these giant abominable snowman teeth-looking icicles taunting me from above. "I might fall on you if you stop!" they seem to be saying, with sneers. I mentioned this fear to Greg, who told me the story of a guy, walking down Michigan Avenue, minding his own business, when one of these big icicles fell from Neiman Marcus and impaled his skull. He died. DIED! From an ICICLE! There is a reason I take my water with no ice.

The Sunshine State

Currently the temperature is approx 70 degrees and the breeze is tropical and smells faintly of Pina Colada. I find myself in Orlando for work - ever moving the units. I have discovered two new pet peeves since I've been here.

1. Being winked at by men younger than the age of eighty.

2. Being given the "thumbs-up" in a non-sarcastic manner.

Both of these peeves are in full effect in the Promotional Products industry. Just thought I'd let everybody know what to watch out for.

Sometimes the universe just falls in line

I was saying to Ian last night while making dinner that I really wanted to watch Annie Hall. I think my exact words were "I really want to watch Annie Hall," or something like that. Anyhow-I forgot about that until later on in the evening when I flipped on the tv. It was the scene where Annie and Alvie(?) are trying to get the lobsters in the pot but they are crawling all over the kitchen floor and they're laughing so hard nothing can be done about the lobsters. I thought to myself how great it is that sometimes when we ask for something - we get it. And it was nice.

This is our new home. Our apartment is on the second floor on the left. 

The Morning After

Last night I made my Chicago society debut at a house (read: apartment) party held by the ex-flame of one of Ian's classmates. I must admit that there is no touching Portland. In preparation for this extravaganza, I purchased for myself a flask of Jose Cuervo which served me well as I navigated cramped hallways, seas of unfamiliar faces, and introduction after introduction to complete strangers I may never see again in my life. I wish I had had the mind to photograph this event, but was so flummoxed by the whole scene that documentation became an afterthought. Ian and I bagged the party 5 minutes before midnight and as we stumbled to our car, we heard whoops and whistles from all around, and if there is one great thing about Chicago I've witnessed thus far it is her predeliction to celebrate holidays other than the 4th of July with fireworks. And so there were fireworks, and whoops, and whistles, and the best hug ever to ring in 2005. Farewell 2004 - here's to another year of growing.