Zoom zoom....

Well today was my first day of work. Work itself was fine....it's a MUCH different operation than I'm used to but it shouldn't take me long to learn what I need to learn.

More importantly...this morning's commute took just over an hour which wasn't bad. This afternoon however took a bit longer. I left at 5:05 & at the advice of my new manager, tried to take some back roads based on a map she drew me...had the map been accurate things might have worked out better. I think that not including the bad map time, the drive home took an hour & 1/2...I didn't get home until 7:00 pm.

My transportation research continues...

Last day of leisure

Morning folks...
Today is my last day of leisure before starting work. I don't know if unpacking, spending tons of money on STUFF, finding your way around the city, etc... is considered leisure time, but now that I'm coming 'round to the end of the week, I kind of wish I had a few more days off.
I finished setting up house last night...let me hear a big YIPPEE from the peanut gang!!!
I have a couple of purchases to make like rugs, plants, etc... but the way I've been hemorrhaging money out, those things are going to have to wait. I don't care how economical you are...moving is never cheap.
The weather was gorgeous yesterday & should be the same today. I spent 2 hours at the beach. It was awesome. Didn't go in the water other than to test it and it was FREEZING cold. I'll probably wait another few weeks for that. Just the fact that I could lay on the sand & listen to the waves was enough for me. This is the life.
Another debate I'm having is whether or not to pay for laundry service or sit at the wash-a-teria. It's again a matter of $$$$ vs. time. I dropped off what I had yesterday just to see the cost & how good they do. It's .90 per lb. & I had 23 lbs. That was about a weeks worth of clothes for $20. Hmmmm....I'm starting to think this freeloader of a dog needs to get a j-o-b if he wants to keep us in bones for very long :)
Speaking of the dog....something has affected his system. I'm not sure if it's the stress of the move, the water, the air, old age or what...but for the first time in his 10+ years, he is a GASSY dog...I never thought I'd smell the day....

Here are a few photos of life in Chicago...

1)The view from inside my apt.

2)The front of my building

3)The beach 3 blocks from my house

4)Downtown!!!

5)The "bean" sculpture at Millennium Park

I went downtown today to get out of the house and NOT unpack, decorate, or clean. I figure I've been doing nothing but revolving life around this move so it's time for a break. I didn't do much but wandered around Millennium Park & checked out the two Metra stations (commuter trains) that I would have to use if I decide to use the train...the verdict is still out on the car vs. train option. It's all about $$$'s vs. time.

Anyway, it's back to work on Monday so I'm hoping to wrap some things up this weekend.

Keep checking back as I'm hoping to finish decorating & setting everything up...will post more pics later.

Radar checks out the surf...

I took Radar out for a walk this evening & decided to walk us down to the beach. He's never been before so it was a first. He went right up to the water but seemed unamused & uninterested. He's becoming more urban by the minute.

Holy $$$$!!!!

I drove out to Naperville yesterday which is where I'll be working. With no traffic, it took me an hour & 5 minutes and about $3.50 in tolls. Did I mention that gas here is $3.67 right by my house? The closer you get to downtown it's about $3.99. Near Naperville I saw it as "low" as $3.48...note to self, buy gas near work.
I've been researching the train which is WAAAAY more economical but it turns my work day into about a 12-13 hour day. I need to see if the commute by car is the same or not...I think with traffic it will run about an hour 1/2 to 2 hours...therefore the train still may be the way to go.
My home is starting to look like a home finally. I've opened all boxes except the one marked WORK & now just have some knick-knacks lying around waiting for a home.
I'm hoping once I get completed & the place is cleaned (as much as an 80+ yr. old building can be cleaned) to get motivated enough to take some pics to post by this weekend....one thing at a time folks...one thing at a time.

Day 2 and counting...

Well I'm probably about 75%-80% unpacked. Most of what I have left is all decor. Doesn't sound like much, however I think I've quickly come to a screeching halt out of pure exhaustion. My progression has dwindeled down from 10 or so boxes a day to 2-3. I only have about 6-8 left but they are all decor & involve thinking.
Did the grocery shopping and what I hope is a final trip to Bed Bath & Beyond tonight. I have decided that I can't STAND spending any more money...I wish I could crap out a money tree.
I also took a walk down to the beach today. I know, I know...those of you who don't know Lake Michigan are thinking, "what kind of beach can a lake have?"...but the lake is like a small ocean. There was tons of sand, pretty good sized waves, gulls, and a homeless guy sleeping on the beach. It was amazing to me nevertheless. It's not salt water but it sure had a beach smell to me.
Oh by the way, did I mention that it was only like 55-60 for the high today??? Not quite sure about this weather...
My eyelids feel like manhole covers so I'm going to bed.
Nighty night everyone

Culture Shock

Well after 3 full days here the reality of this move is setting in. Glenn & I spent the last few days working our tails off to get as much of this place in order as possible. I can't believe how much he got done for me in such a short time. He's quite the handyman which I know every inch of his body is feeling today...I personally feel like someone has beaten me up.

Here are a few observations I've already taken in...
1) Traffic here sucks...no bones about it. I took Glenn to the airport this morning in the rain, big fun.
2) Diversity is putting it mildly...I live close to little Mexico, a few blocks away is little Israel, the a few blocks more is little India. I can get a taco, a kosher pastry, or a Bollywood feature film all within a few miles of home.
3) It's kind of nice having window A/C units. Much easier to control than central air in my opinion. Actually, all of my windows open which is a major change from my Dallas home. Quite shocking since I'm sure this building is at least 80-90 years old and my old place was only 50 years old and all of those windows had been painted shut. Right now I have a few open windows & no A/C going. I'm listening to the rain.
4) Moving a 10+ year old dog 3 times in a matter of weeks AND driving 17 hours across the country isn't such a good idea. I'm not really sure who's in more shock at this point about what we've done...myself or Radar. He just ate a bite of my PBJ so I at least know he's feeling a little better.

Signed,
Scattered in Chicago

The longest drive

Well we finally arrived about 17 hours after our departure yesterday. What a long, freaking trip. I have to say that I feel more sorry for Radar than anyone else. That poor little dog has moved 3 times in the last couple of weeks. He could barely keep his eyes open during the trip, yet had to sit in my lap to try to see everything.
My new place has 5 keys...it's like Fort Knox. I have a key for the front/back gates, then you pass through a common door, need key #2 for the door that goes up the stairs, key #3 for my front/back door, key #4 for mail & key #5 for storage/laundry rooms. I now officially look like Schneider with my janitor keys.

Stuff is intact! Whew!

2 hours away from chi-town!!! The rain needs to stop now...the bug does not double as an arc.