Monday, December 25, 2006

Sweet Home Chicago

Like the blues song.

So I thought I’d actually post something substantial rather than yet more pictures of friends getting inebriated…not that there’s anything wrong with that…

Most readers (both of you) know by now what I’m going to relate, but I figure I’ll put it in writing for the record.

I’m moving to Chicago…. as soon as possible, which essentially means that I’m moving there as soon as I can get a job there.

There is really only one reason that I’m moving to Chicago (despite what I may be telling potential employers over the next few weeks to allay any of their concerns), and the reason’s name is Laura. Laura is the same Laura that appeared in that famous (or not) video from the last Union Pub Happy Hour in DC (April 2006 for those of you wanting to check the archives), unwittingly singing a Journey song for the camera and imploring me to “take the fucking picture!”

Laura and I did not have much going on in DC (at least with each other, but we’ll save that for a different story that likely will not be told here), but there was – at least in my own mind – a great deal of chemistry between us.


picture of us from April 2006 in DC


Her aversion to facial hair was the only real impetus for me shaving the goatee back in March (again, unfortunately I was lying about my motivations at the time). Anyway, we kept in contact off and on over the next few months. I sent her an email in June that pretty much described my feelings for her. She called me shortly afterward and we had a long talk. I think she was flattered, although I doubt it was a complete shock. I also don’t think it mattered too much at that point. I was unemployed and didn’t have much in the way of prospects. I did not have any way of funding a real trip to Chicago, and I don’t think much would have happened even if I had gone there then.


The rest of the summer ticked by. We both had other ‘situations’ during this time, if I can call them that. I knew I liked her a great deal, and part of me really believed I would get out to her and that we would find out if there was any possibility of anything between us, but on the other less idealistic side, I thought the chances were pretty slim.


I landed the job with Senator Clinton, working in Buffalo, and I think I was at least impressed with myself again, even if no one else was. I was a little more confident in my exchanges with her when we started talking again after she returned from Europe. Our IM conversations eventually grew into phone conversations as the weeks went by, and the phone conversations became virtually nightly in September and October. We seemed (this is still true) incapable of talking for short periods of time. All our conversations lasted at least an hour and frequently three.


In late October, both of our ‘situations’ were obviously fading out and I booked a flight for late November, two weeks after I would conclude my job for the Senator. Our talks continued and I think we both felt that we were genuinely learning about the other person – mistakes, faults, foibles, eccentricities, idiosyncrasies and all – but they didn’t seem to deter either of us.

Even though I thought it probably would be, Laura insisted that we not treat the visit as a ‘be-all end-all’ sort of trip that would determine the success or failure of the prospective relationship. She later confided that she had deliberately played down expectations. I don’t believe it would have mattered, because what followed was an utterly euphoric week that saw us both acknowledge and declare our love for each other.

I have never (and I do mean never – as in, at no time in the past) been so real – so ME – with any woman and realized that I was actually going to be accepted and loved for being that way.

I could go on and on (and I have, to her), but I won’t try to further nauseate any of you.

I’ll spare you the rest of it.

In short, I am in love.

So there ya have it. Laura will be bringing in the New Year with me here in Jimmytown. She arrives on the 29th and we will fly back to Chicago together on the 2nd so that I can get to at least one interview, look at apartments, and hopefully finalize plans for the move. I would like to be out there by mid-January.


Michigan Avenue in Chicago, December 2, 2006 Posted by Picasa

Friday, December 22, 2006

Festive


The above group will be assembled once again over the next week or so for the first time in a while. John, Kristen, Bruce, Steve, me, Paul, Christine, Tia from left to right. This picture comes from late 2002/early 2003. Circumstances now are much different and I'm a much happier person nowdays.





 Posted by Picasa

Before and...



I think these are both "After" pictures.


 Posted by Picasa

Toasted


Sophisticated Assholes 2006


Joe, not so surreptitiously polishing off the bottle. Posted by Picasa

Looking Askance


Bruce looks as though he's incredibly angered by something Matt just said.


This look of consternation is nice. Posted by Picasa

Winos


Good picture of what we were up against for the evening.


Cute picture of Turck and Lindsay. Posted by Picasa

You've Got Something on Your... nevermind


Joe and Wendy... Joe was the only one to keep his on for the evening, which was a challenge in itself, since the adhesive wasn't exactly the best.


Smooth criminal. Posted by Picasa

Steve's obviously trying to get rid of those sweaty palms...


The follow-through here is what I would call suspect. Posted by Picasa

Incognito

Last Christmas, Matt D and Kristen O gave me a pack of false mustaches. I thought the time might be right at our bowling party to put them to good use.


I thought Joe looked pretty good with this one.


Turck's laughing because he just thought about calling Lindsay and offering her a "mustache ride." Posted by Picasa

Bruce - Storytime



After the bowling extravaganza, we had a wine party the following day (November 25). Eight or nine people attended, and we had around eleven bottles of wine. Some people lasted longer than others. Bruce, Steve, Joe, and myself comprised the final four. Here, Bruce regales us with a story from his travels, interspersed with protests about my documentation of the tale.

Ben and Turck - Zipper Trouble



Ben is only trying to help...

Steve and Turck - Obviously Not Golfers




Regular bowling turned to "Cosmic Bowling" around 10pm. The lights went down, and horrible, horrible music began to blare from every speaker. The treble was at the absolute maximum, and Steve and Turck can no longer contain their rhythm.

Bruce uses Momentum



Over the line?

Bruce Warms Up



Bruce shows us all how to properly incorporate the use of the bowling ball into your stretch routine, then demonstrates his technique.

"BAM!"

Steve: Squat and Roll



Another spare?

Steve Picks up a Spare, Shows Moves



Just watch the footwork...

Turck: PICK IT UP!



Turck is urged to "pick it up!" This became a mantra of the evening.

Joe Throws a Strike




11-24-06

Monday, December 11, 2006

Final Cliff-Jumping Video...I think




Joe and Jules have a countdown, false start, and then a jump in Ithaca.

This is the spot where Turck and I each jumped as well. Unfortunately there's no footage of that, so you'll have to take my word for it.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Happiness in Chicago


Lindsey, Brad, me, Laura at Trattoria Roma in Chi-town on Saturday night, December 2nd. Posted by Picasa