Seriously, this whole working full-time thing isn't so great. They expect you to stay there, for like 8 hours or something, and you can't just surf the Web either.
The work itself isn't a problem, and this place has tons of snacks and great coffee.
But, can't we just go back to Mexico, study Spanish, eat tacos and take pictures of the goats and colorful buildings? Remember the posts from Mexico City? Wasn't that fun?
You know it was, which is why I'm making the following offer:
We all know you loved reading our Mexico blog. Probably the highlight of many a day. At the same time, writing that blog was the highlight of our days.
So if you would all just send regular cash donations care of this blog, we can go back and have more fun adventures for you to read about. And remember, just because it's 12 pesos to the dollar doesn't mean things cost less there, so don't skimp. Well, okay. The beer is cheaper, but I want Mexican cable and a DVD player this time.
Gracias.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Report from Tecki Storm Center 9
As many of you know, a ginormous storm struck the city of Chicago on Thursday. Only now can I fully report the harrowing events of that night.
It was a bright, sunny day in Chicago. The heat was beating down on us as we travelled to the Law School campus to buy K's books. Even as we rode the L home, there was no sign of the trouble to come.
We got home, and I started doing the dishes that had piled up from the morning. After a few minutes, rain started to lightly sprinkle the window by the sink, and lightening flashed somewhere in the distance.
Before I could remember whether it was true that lightning can strike you through the pipes in the sink, the sky exploded, pounding the house with sheets of rain and driving winds. I decided to stop doing the dishes.
A car alarm went off behind the house, and I opened the door to see if it was ours, and the wind blew the door open. I walked out on our porch, confirmed that the car was in good shape -- then I noticed that it was raining from the ceiling, and I saw that the trap door that leads to the roof was gone. I braved the wet ladder to find the trap door gone, possibly for good.
In front of the house, hurricane-like winds threatened to knock down trees and powerlines, and the power went out. K, fortunately, was on the phone with C, so she didn't notice the danger we were in.
We were forced to cook on the gas stove without the benefit of a timer or even electric light, but somehow managed to get some sustenance. It was when we sat down to eat that we noticed: water was coming in from the window -- but it was closed! Thinking on our feet, we grabbed some old towels and layed them carefully in front of the window, soaking up the dripping torrent.
Fearing a flood, we opened up our emergency plan from Baltimore. Without the Huxtables' SUV to tow our car to the outskirts of town, most of the plan was hopelessly out of date. Fortunately, we salvaged some parts of the plan and packed Kayla into the giant blue Rubbermaid container to float her out to safety. Getting her in wasn't easy, as she didn't seem to trust the container's seaworthiness, but we finally threw some treats inside and she stopped struggling.
We had a hard time dragging the container down the stairs and out the door, but we finally made it outside into the lightly drizzling storm. Trees were down and other people's cars were crushed. We managed to float the container and Kayla over the puddles forming on the streets and pushed on, carefully stepping over wet leaves and broken branches, to reach the Whole Foods.
We picked up a Red Eye newspaper box and threw it through the plate glass window, startling the employees and customers in line at the registers. K ran through the aisles, grabbing ice, artisanal cheeses, environmentally friendly facial moisturizer and small-batch craft beers. I stood by the window with a shard of glass to ward off the criminal element. Everyone else there, obviously in shock from the disaster, stood and stared at us as we loaded up the container, trying to keep Kayla from jumping back out, then heaved it back outside through the broken window.
The rain was picking up again by then, and we decided to go back inside. We dragged the container, now much heavier with all the provisions, back up the stairs and locked our doors to keep out looters.
With no power, no cable and no phone, we had no word from the outside world. How long before the storm would pass? Had the city completely broken down? When would the president send in the army to restore order and rescue us?
Tired from our adventure, we threw the ice in the fridge and freezer to protect the artisanal cheese and chill the beer, then decided to go to bed. We huddled together in fear, eventually falling asleep to the gentle sound of the rain falling against the roof.
You can tell by this post that we survived that terrible night. Let this be a lesson to you: Make sure you update your emergency plans, and keep a clear head. It could happen to you.
It was a bright, sunny day in Chicago. The heat was beating down on us as we travelled to the Law School campus to buy K's books. Even as we rode the L home, there was no sign of the trouble to come.
We got home, and I started doing the dishes that had piled up from the morning. After a few minutes, rain started to lightly sprinkle the window by the sink, and lightening flashed somewhere in the distance.
Before I could remember whether it was true that lightning can strike you through the pipes in the sink, the sky exploded, pounding the house with sheets of rain and driving winds. I decided to stop doing the dishes.
A car alarm went off behind the house, and I opened the door to see if it was ours, and the wind blew the door open. I walked out on our porch, confirmed that the car was in good shape -- then I noticed that it was raining from the ceiling, and I saw that the trap door that leads to the roof was gone. I braved the wet ladder to find the trap door gone, possibly for good.
In front of the house, hurricane-like winds threatened to knock down trees and powerlines, and the power went out. K, fortunately, was on the phone with C, so she didn't notice the danger we were in.
We were forced to cook on the gas stove without the benefit of a timer or even electric light, but somehow managed to get some sustenance. It was when we sat down to eat that we noticed: water was coming in from the window -- but it was closed! Thinking on our feet, we grabbed some old towels and layed them carefully in front of the window, soaking up the dripping torrent.
Fearing a flood, we opened up our emergency plan from Baltimore. Without the Huxtables' SUV to tow our car to the outskirts of town, most of the plan was hopelessly out of date. Fortunately, we salvaged some parts of the plan and packed Kayla into the giant blue Rubbermaid container to float her out to safety. Getting her in wasn't easy, as she didn't seem to trust the container's seaworthiness, but we finally threw some treats inside and she stopped struggling.
We had a hard time dragging the container down the stairs and out the door, but we finally made it outside into the lightly drizzling storm. Trees were down and other people's cars were crushed. We managed to float the container and Kayla over the puddles forming on the streets and pushed on, carefully stepping over wet leaves and broken branches, to reach the Whole Foods.
We picked up a Red Eye newspaper box and threw it through the plate glass window, startling the employees and customers in line at the registers. K ran through the aisles, grabbing ice, artisanal cheeses, environmentally friendly facial moisturizer and small-batch craft beers. I stood by the window with a shard of glass to ward off the criminal element. Everyone else there, obviously in shock from the disaster, stood and stared at us as we loaded up the container, trying to keep Kayla from jumping back out, then heaved it back outside through the broken window.
The rain was picking up again by then, and we decided to go back inside. We dragged the container, now much heavier with all the provisions, back up the stairs and locked our doors to keep out looters.
With no power, no cable and no phone, we had no word from the outside world. How long before the storm would pass? Had the city completely broken down? When would the president send in the army to restore order and rescue us?
Tired from our adventure, we threw the ice in the fridge and freezer to protect the artisanal cheese and chill the beer, then decided to go to bed. We huddled together in fear, eventually falling asleep to the gentle sound of the rain falling against the roof.
You can tell by this post that we survived that terrible night. Let this be a lesson to you: Make sure you update your emergency plans, and keep a clear head. It could happen to you.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
In the Loop
Took another trip down to the Loop today, this time for a job interview at a staffing agency. Nice people, we'll see what happens. It's always a bit disappointing leaving a staffing agency, since you never know if they really will "get back to you."
Walking around downtown Chicago in a business suit with a courier bag slung over my shoulder, I certainly looked important and employed, at least to the homeless people asking me for money. Seeing the look of mistrust on the T-shirted and beared young men off to do hip things, I realized that I was the man. Sorry, The Man. I don't really mind as much as I thought I would.
All those big tall buildings and Dunkin' Donuts stores beckon. I wonder which ones I'll end up in (both office and donut shop, equally important). This job hunt doesn't seem as disheartening or desperate as those in the past. Having experience this time, and a much bigger job market, helps.
Another interview tomorrow, this one for a job that actually exists right now. Hopefully I won't screw up, since it sounds like a good one. I won't say more just so I won't jinx it.
I can say this. I can't wait for the CTA to finish rebuilding all these stations to fit longer trains, because I have seen too many people, I've been one, get left behind by a full train after waiting too long in the first place.
City Life.
Walking around downtown Chicago in a business suit with a courier bag slung over my shoulder, I certainly looked important and employed, at least to the homeless people asking me for money. Seeing the look of mistrust on the T-shirted and beared young men off to do hip things, I realized that I was the man. Sorry, The Man. I don't really mind as much as I thought I would.
All those big tall buildings and Dunkin' Donuts stores beckon. I wonder which ones I'll end up in (both office and donut shop, equally important). This job hunt doesn't seem as disheartening or desperate as those in the past. Having experience this time, and a much bigger job market, helps.
Another interview tomorrow, this one for a job that actually exists right now. Hopefully I won't screw up, since it sounds like a good one. I won't say more just so I won't jinx it.
I can say this. I can't wait for the CTA to finish rebuilding all these stations to fit longer trains, because I have seen too many people, I've been one, get left behind by a full train after waiting too long in the first place.
City Life.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
WHAAAAAT????!?!
THE AIRPLANES ARE ROARING OVERHEAD! CAN'T HEAR YOU!!
WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE SHOW IS TWO DAYS LONG??!!
WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE SHOW IS TWO DAYS LONG??!!
Death From Above
Sitting at my little folding table/desk in the ManNook yesterday, everything was pretty quiet, shaping up to be another long day of job searching, letter writing and desperation.
Then the fighter jets started buzzing the neighborhood.
One after another, jets zoomed loudly overhead, rattling the windows and setting off car alarms. Hicks that we are, we rushed to the windows each time the rumbling started and watched military fighters twisting in the air.
Just another day in the big city? Anti-terror drills by the Air Force? Rich Chicagoans commuting by private jet? Anything seemed possible, but it was all just noisy preparations for the Air & Water Show taking place today.
With bad weather on the way and K's natural fear of big crowds, we won't be going. Besides, we've had enough already.
Then the fighter jets started buzzing the neighborhood.
One after another, jets zoomed loudly overhead, rattling the windows and setting off car alarms. Hicks that we are, we rushed to the windows each time the rumbling started and watched military fighters twisting in the air.
Just another day in the big city? Anti-terror drills by the Air Force? Rich Chicagoans commuting by private jet? Anything seemed possible, but it was all just noisy preparations for the Air & Water Show taking place today.
With bad weather on the way and K's natural fear of big crowds, we won't be going. Besides, we've had enough already.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Sun to rise in morning
I have only been living in Chicago for little more that 2 weeks, but I already know that this headline isn't necessary:
Construction to affect service along CTA lines
We've heard quite a bit about how the Boston T is much better, and we've experienced even better train systems, say in Barcelona or Mexico City.
I wasn't really sure what to think of the L. The above-ground rail lines don't do much for the property values, I'm sure. And they don't really provide enough shelter from the weather, considering that the summers, so far, are incredibly hot and rainy and that the winters are brutal.
But, I still kinda like it. Watching the trains rattle down the line over Paulina, and the people and cars on the streets underneath -- like those little matchbox city sets with every type of vehicle.
Only a wee bit dirtier.
Construction to affect service along CTA lines
We've heard quite a bit about how the Boston T is much better, and we've experienced even better train systems, say in Barcelona or Mexico City.
I wasn't really sure what to think of the L. The above-ground rail lines don't do much for the property values, I'm sure. And they don't really provide enough shelter from the weather, considering that the summers, so far, are incredibly hot and rainy and that the winters are brutal.
But, I still kinda like it. Watching the trains rattle down the line over Paulina, and the people and cars on the streets underneath -- like those little matchbox city sets with every type of vehicle.
Only a wee bit dirtier.
What I did today
We have unloaded all of the boxes that were piled up on the back porch into a recycling dumpster in the 7/11 parking lot. I had to have K direct me out of the parking pad becuase I couldn't see beyond the boxes piled in the back seat of the Prius.
We've also managed to fill up the house's 2 trash cans again only 2 days after trash day. Although, the girl who moved out of the apartment had something to do with that as well. Turns out all her stuff has been sitting in the basement since the 3rd, waiting for her to pick it up and head west to LA. She and her boyfriend came today to pick it up, blocking the Prius in the parking pad so that we couldn't leave for the recycling center until after it had started to rain.
But, the porch is cleared out -- mostly. A few things still need to be thrown out. I'm not sure what to do with the porch. It is entirely enclosed with what appears to be simple plywood, except for two medium-sized windows. It isn't much to look at, and the landlord really, really wants to finish painting it white. I really, really don't think it will look any more inviting, but whatever. More windows would definitely help.
We've also managed to fill up the house's 2 trash cans again only 2 days after trash day. Although, the girl who moved out of the apartment had something to do with that as well. Turns out all her stuff has been sitting in the basement since the 3rd, waiting for her to pick it up and head west to LA. She and her boyfriend came today to pick it up, blocking the Prius in the parking pad so that we couldn't leave for the recycling center until after it had started to rain.
But, the porch is cleared out -- mostly. A few things still need to be thrown out. I'm not sure what to do with the porch. It is entirely enclosed with what appears to be simple plywood, except for two medium-sized windows. It isn't much to look at, and the landlord really, really wants to finish painting it white. I really, really don't think it will look any more inviting, but whatever. More windows would definitely help.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Sweet Home Chicago
The only problem with living in a neighborhood surrounded by great restaurants and stores is not having an income to patronize them with.
We have set down our roots once more, this time in the City of Big Shoulders. The drive up wasn't so bad, although by the end of the first day of our caravan everyone was making mistakes, so we stopped at a Super 8 somewhere in Indiana that allows dogs. The pet policy and the free body wash were the only highlights, but at least nobody broke into the moving van overnight.
Traffic was moving right along until we hit the Chicago Skyway and all other freeways as we wound our way into the city. Even the underfunded CTA trains delayed by massive renovation and construction projects were moving faster.
Once the three guys we hired to carry everything upstairs were done, we unpacked for three days. Some people told us we'd be ready to get rid of it all after a year without our stuff, but as we opened each box and unwrapped the contents, it was like Christmas. Sure there are a few things we need to take to Goodwill (or whatever they have here), but on the whole we're happy to have our own stuff again.
Our apartment is within walking distance of several stores, bars and restaurants, a pharmacy, vet, groceries and the El. Only, we have to be careful just how much we enjoy it all at the moment, with me unemployed and K's student loans unavailable for a couple more weeks.
And so here I am, blogging for you people when I should be looking for a job, right? Well, yes.
What the hell.
We have set down our roots once more, this time in the City of Big Shoulders. The drive up wasn't so bad, although by the end of the first day of our caravan everyone was making mistakes, so we stopped at a Super 8 somewhere in Indiana that allows dogs. The pet policy and the free body wash were the only highlights, but at least nobody broke into the moving van overnight.
Traffic was moving right along until we hit the Chicago Skyway and all other freeways as we wound our way into the city. Even the underfunded CTA trains delayed by massive renovation and construction projects were moving faster.
Once the three guys we hired to carry everything upstairs were done, we unpacked for three days. Some people told us we'd be ready to get rid of it all after a year without our stuff, but as we opened each box and unwrapped the contents, it was like Christmas. Sure there are a few things we need to take to Goodwill (or whatever they have here), but on the whole we're happy to have our own stuff again.
Our apartment is within walking distance of several stores, bars and restaurants, a pharmacy, vet, groceries and the El. Only, we have to be careful just how much we enjoy it all at the moment, with me unemployed and K's student loans unavailable for a couple more weeks.
And so here I am, blogging for you people when I should be looking for a job, right? Well, yes.
What the hell.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)