Chicago wrapup

So, when I got back last week, I didn't feel like writing about our 5 day weekend in Chicago cause it ended on a double-shitty note. The taxi driver we had got lost going to O'Hare to the tune of a extra 30 minutes on a 25 minute ride, and on the layover in IAH, Continental wouldn't post a departure time for the connection to Austin, so instead of relaxing in the club, I spent 90 minutes at the gate waiting to board.

Honestly though, the trip was terrific; when we arrived a cold front was going through and the 69 degree afternoon was turning into a downright chilly evening. Coming out of sunny,humid Texas, that makes it entirely worthwhile. The events of the weekend were around Chicago's pride events as well as our host, Brian's, 70's theme party for his friends & coworkers. I really have to hand it to the Chicagoans - they know how to throw a good party. Pics are in the gallery which is linked here:

Probably the biggest highlight for me was the feeling of being able to be in a big city for a short while. Being able to have my own quiet house and garden and garage is comforting and really home for me, but the closeness and energy and opportunity that big city living affords is pretty energizing as well. I took the El all around town - even in from O'Hare for the first time. I walked 11 blocks down Brian's street, and passed 3 elementary schools. Just a few blocks off that street was the Hollywood beach on lake Michigan, right at the top of Lakeshore drive. I walked down the street to have a starbucks. In a way, I find that 'ease of use' of a densely populated city terrific. I know it has its drawbacks as well: our 3rd night there a high-speed chase up Lakeshore ended in the alley behind our walkup with a window-rattling crash. It woke me bolt upright at 3:15am, and I went out the back to see what it was, but couldn't see anything so went back to bed. The TV crews and news reports in the morning were the first indication of what had happened.

The other weird big city moment came when we walked into the "Taste of Chicago" festival and were greeted by the Jews for Jesus. I swear, these guys are doing a full court press.

Festivities aside, the food was good, the friends in good spirits, and the beer was cold. The lake was too cold to get in the water, but the skies were blue, and the horizon clear. I think that its one place where I really could live for a while. I ignored the signs that said "No Parking on this street when more than 2 inches of snow".