the bars

The bars in this city are a drunkard's dream. All sizes and shapes. There are a few that have "beer gardens"; basically these are big rooms with lots of seating to drink.

LOTS of Irish pubs. Friggin' everywhere actually.

Then there are a plethora of places that a respectable gentleman should not frequent. Fortunately, I am neither a gentleman nor respectable.
Sterch's: popular with writers in 60's and 70's.
Ravens: open til 4am and serves only popcorn.
B.L.U.E.S.: a loud racuous Blues bar. I can;t wait to check out some more places.
The Billy Goat Tavern: underneath the Chi Tribune building, the basis for the infamous SNL Belushi sketch "cheezeborger" (it's even on the sign), and also responsible for a curse
on the Cubs (the original owner cursed the Cubs back in '45 when they wouldn't let him
bring his pet goat into Wrigley Field, and the Cubs have NOT been back to the World Series
since).

happenings.....

Still feeling down today. I still really miss my friends, but when things get going at work it'll hopefully be better. Once the $$ starts rolling in, I'll be able to head back to TO for a long weekend. Easter looks like it'll be too expensive unfortunately, but hopefully soon after.

Went out on Tuesday to Drinking Liberally to watch the Dems debate. This is a group of people who get together at a pub and talk politics in a fine American tradition. Tomorrow night I'm headed out with people from work to go bowling, so I'll meet some more people there. Through the Canadian Ex-Pat meetup.com group I've made contact with some people too and plan to meet for drinks this weekend. On Monday, the Reading Under the Influence groups meets, and they are a literary group that meets in a pub every month. So, the initial steps of meeting people have been set down. I'm beginning to worry that much of this revolves around pubs... but then again, so waht?

later

at&t suck....

Ergh. I've been going around in circles for days with AT&T to get phone and internet. My credit verification was sent in on the 14th and took almost a week because their computers were down. Then I placed an order for just internet, thinking I'd get a cell. So, I changed my mind on that and wanted to order a phone line too. So, that order had to be cancelled and a new order placed, which will delay everything. Then I was informed that my building does not have the lines for internet (not true). So, I call them back today to check on the order. They had to re-enter most of my info inlcluding my credit card number! NOW, maybe, theoretically, phone will be active tomorrow and internet on monday. We'll see.

Ya know, for a telecommunications company, ya'd think they'd be better at this kinda stuff.....

here i am

well, here i am. starting to settle in. lots of stuff to get done before work starts: HR at the hospital, bank account, SSN, etc. so, i can't get a bank account until my SSN card comes which really sucks and limits a lot of what i can do in terms of setting up bills etc. ergh. i have applied for the SSN card today. my first taste of real honest-to-goodness american beurocracy, and it's about the same as canadian...

The city is amazing though. Immense. The monolithic buikdings downtown make it feel like it's part of some ancient empire. Skyscrapers crowd each other for a pice of the sky. People, cars, and trains wind their way through the canyons and between buildings. So much to see and do.

The only downside of it all is that I'm here alone without my dear dear friends to share it with. It's overwhelming and frightening. I know I can meet and make friends but it's something I've always found takes an enomous effort on my part to break through the shyness that always lurks and holds me back. My insecurities I suppose. I guess I'll make out ok, but I feel guilty for leaving all my friends behind. I feel selfish. For once in my life, I built a community of friends that made me feel like I belonged and then I left. I really feel bad about this. Sorry, guys, if you're reading this.

be back soon ... internet will be hooked up soon.

ready

I am packed. Ready to roll. Movers come tomorrow.

d'oh

that was supposed to say "packing IS the devil's plaything."

"packing IF the devil's plaything." makes no sense whatsoever...

packing if the devil's plaything ...

shit ...
I hate packing: do I keep this or throw it away? can I fit all of this into a smaller box? where do I put all these boxes?

Also, I have toooo many books. I should be an honourary library....

It's interesting to look through all these papers and things that I've colected over thr years. Fond memories and memories best forgotten, all given form in a pile of papers and photos. (Also, I used to have a lot more hair).

More on this later as I dig deeper into the pile.