It's hard to believe, but I've been in Chicago almost a month. I've gotten pretty well settled in here; sometimes I laugh to myself at how easily everything has fallen into place. I imagined weeks and weeks of struggle to find a job, a place, furniture, all the little necessities of indoor living and cooking that I wasn't carrying on the bike trip. As it turned out, I had a job 4 days after arriving and a room in an apartment 5 days after that. It really gives me a sense that this is the right place to be.
Many of you have heard that I'm working as a bike messenger. There's a lot more to that story, but in the interest of brevity I'll say that I'm enjoying the heck out of it, and it (hopefully) pays enough for me to get by. I've been soaking up all the impressive architecture the city has to offer, and I think that I'll stick with my M.O. on this blog and let the pictures I've been taking do most of the talking.
But one last (lengthy) thing before pictures....
I feel I need to mention all the people that I'm grateful to amidst all this life change. It's difficult to limit it to a short list, because there are so many people who have helped keep me confident about my decision to come here. I feel like an academy award winner with too many people to thank for the time allotted. Well, for better or worse there's no orchestra or commercial break on this blog to shut me up, so here goes......
First and foremost, Mom and Dad. I don't know if I have ever observed two parents so willing to let their children take flight into what often seems a dark and stormy world. I once had an intensely emotional dream in which I had children, and I felt the awesome weight of concern for their safety. It was a fleeting experience, but I think I understand something of what it is to release your young into the uncertainty that lies beyond Home. We all knew that my and Neale's trip carried some inherent danger. I am so filled with gratitude that you both took that fact in stride and gave our journey your blessing.
To Elliot, Sus, Ben, Garrett, and Arbel: Before I called any of you to tell you about Chicago, I was half expecting to hear disappointment that we weren't going to see each other as soon as we planned. I apologize if I underestimated you. Without hesitation, you all let me know how excited you were that I was following my gut and doing something risky. It was really a lesson in what great friends you all are to me. We all miss each other, but that's secondary. I can't tell you how much it means to me that you all have my best interests in mind, first and foremost. And it lifts my spirits to hear about all the amazing things going on in your lives!
To Georgia and Tessa: I couldn't have done it without you! You were both so generous to open your home to me and share couch, food, computers, tv, advice, laundry machine, halloween costume items.... it was everything I needed to get off on the right foot here! And I can't tell you how much it helps to have friends in town.
To Neale: Your last post expresses so much of what I feel; the first meal I had at Georgia's without you was a little somber. I too feel the absence of something that had been unwaveringly present for months. I too have been reflecting on the closeness we had, like no other closeness since birth. I get that overflowing feeling in my chest when I think about everything we've been through, and the mutual releasing of each other as we start new adventures. I think the adventures you are embarking on are in no way less exciting than mine; what's next for you with this wonderful mix of writing, boat living, and wilderness teaching? I'm eager to see where all the threads of your life are leading.
Thank you again to everyone who has offered a kind or supportive word. And now for some pictures from the messenger life.......
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| Lunchtime! I found that pre-made lunches always end up not being enough food. Now I carry ingredients so I can make as much as I feel like eating- much like how Neale and I ate on our trip. |
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| The Thompson center. 30+ story government building that's all one room on the inside. Pretty impressive open space in the middle of the building- apparently makes for nightmarish heating and A/C bills. |
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| Evening on the Chicago River |
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| Staring straight up the side of 333 W. Wacker. This one goes all the way too the moon. |
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| So many buildings with great reflective images |
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| Sometimes I inconspicuously take pictures of people..... |
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| Chicago's underbelly. A lot of the streets downtown have two levels- one on the surface and one underneath. Quite a bit of the new Batman movies were filmed down here. Kinda fun to ride my bike around and play make believe.... |
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| The Sears (now officially named Willis) Tower. I like to think that Bruce Willis bought the naming rights just to feel awesome about himself. |
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| Critical Mass- the last Friday of the month, hundreds of cyclists take ride together around downtown because, well, they want to show that they can. I rode with them for a couple blocks, but after getting used to dodging cars and buses, pedaling slowly around with no obstacles to avoid actually got a little boring.... |
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