Oh Chicago Traffic

Usually I don't drive my car. In fact, I don't drive it often enough that almost EVERY time I use my car, someone has left a "We Buy Junk Cars" poster or a "I'll buy your car as is. Call me. -Paul" note somewhere on it.

But yesterday I had to drive out to the suburbs for a few meetings for work. The day started out well. I met with a few people from cool organizations. I talked with a pastor for 2 hours, almost quit my job to help him with his vision for his congregation (not really, but he was very compelling), and was given homemade jam and a recipe book.

The bad part started when I tried to go home. A blizzard decided to begin and the 35 minute drive back to the city turned into a 3 1/2 hour journey of semis and honking and mini-vans swerving in and out of traffic on a one-way bridge. People get crazy around here when it snows (apparently).

Needless to say, I went home, cuddled up in some sweats, made myself some tea and curry and swore to NEVER DRIVE AGAIN. Well, until my next meeting in the suburbs...tomorrow.....

My latest (and most sad) discoveries:

1. Coffee-Mate

The first ingredient: Corn Syrup Solids

Does anyone even want to know what that is?


2. The person that stole my bag also got my SS Card. Half of my belongings were found on the CTA bus (I found out from the cop I'm hounding), none of which were important- used up gift cards and the check card that has already been replaced. So now I'm told I'll need to pay some company monthly to make sure my identity isn't stolen. Right.


3. It costs $2.00 to rent bowling shoes for a night here, compared to the $0.50 per night in Chanute.


4. People tell me the sky is supposed to actually remain the same shade of gray for the next 3 months that it has been the past few weeks.


BUT these discoveries won't get the best of me. Why? 2 reasons: one of my favorite people is visiting this weekend AND I get to go home in a week! Woohoo Kansas!

Joining the Culture of Indifference- Well, On the Train Anyway

I haven't been listening to music on the train. I saw this sketch once of people on the train- all of different races, ages and gender- sitting next to each other. They all had earphones in, and under the sketch it read: Our Culture of Indifference.

So, I decided that I would be the one not listening to music. Always available to meet someone, talk, read or just enjoy the ride. However, in the months that I've lived here- I'm pretty sure I've never talked to anyone on the morning train. You just don't. Everyone is focused and in their business casual mode- not to be thrown off by a conversation.

Today I thought I would try listening to music with the rest of them. Instead of feeling the isolation from humanity that I predicted (yes I'm a bit dramatic- but I am reading 1984), I found myself bobbing my head back and forth, tapping my foot, walking to the beat- either slow and paced or quick and confident- and discovering a slight skip in my step. I don't even like the Shins and I listened to an entire cd, and somehow feel ready for the day!

I'm thinking maybe this is just because I have never done it. The emotional high after the never-ending denial. So I'm trying it the entire week. I'll let you know how it goes.