That's right. You heard it here first. Down with Comcast!
I just spent the last hour and a half negotiating with someone to get internet and maybe, possibly, standard cable service for our new apartment. Don't be fooled: that $19.99 they're offering for internet only? Yeah, it doesn't exist. Unless you also fork over money for cable. And then once you do, you pay some ridiculous installation fee, when I could probably plug the cords in myself. The taxes and fees are nothing ($3.46) compared to the ridiculous prices. Oh, and no worries. In six months, your bill will nearly double (I'm not kidding. From $59.99 to $102.50). Woohoo! Sign me up for that!
Here's the problem. We have no other options. Sure, we could go with AT&T (maybe) for internet. If we could understand their website. Verizon doesn't offer service in our area, and apparently there aren't any other cable or internet companies that do, either. In some weird sense, I guess I can thank myself for that, as I used to provide legislative support to lobbyists who lobbied on behalf of Comcast...poor, oppressed company that it is. Oh gosh, I think I'm going to be sick.
I understand that it's a luxury to have internet and television. I'm fully aware of that (though, as I've mentioned before, there were four bars of cell phone service in the Middle of Nowhere, Rwanda, and I don't think they're paying these prices.) But aren't we supposed to crush monopolies here in the United States? Isn't that what we're about? Apple pie, crushing monopolies and picket fences? Throw in 2.5 kids and a cute puppy and you're living the American dream. But apparently this dream is turning into a nightmare.
Shouldn't I have some sort of choice in who I choose to provide these services to me, if I'm willing to pay the money for it? Or, at the very least, a standard, reasonable, public option that's available to everyone who doesn't care to have "blazing fast internet" (yes, he really said that to me)? Am I just supposed to give in because that's the only option I've got? Hear this, Comcast: I will not bend!!
Maybe I should rename this blog Hyde Park: unplugged. Or just write a book. No internet required.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Hello, Neighbor!
What better way to introduce yourself to the new neighbors then hot, fresh, hand-delivered cookies?
I don't want to brag. But my chocolate chip cookies ARE world famous. And, by the way, I can say "world" because I made them in India when I lived there in 2004. For reference, this is no small feat when brown sugar is nearly impossible to find and your house doesn't have an oven. Yes, friends, you can survive-even thrive- WITHOUT an oven!!! But I digress.
So in order to meet our new neighbors, and since I don't have anything else to do yet (ie, I'm unemployed), I thought it would be nice to bake up a fresh batch of cookies, wrap them up in a cute little bag and hand deliver them to our new neighbors. (I think this would go over really well if I wear pearls, lipstick and talk with a Southern accent. Maybe Mason will even wear seersucker. Do they know what that is in Chicago?) I mean who among us would love to get fresh baked cookies from the new neighbor? I'm raising my hand. As long as my neighbor isn't that scary Russian dude who poisoned that other Russian guy.
I'm quickly learning that our new neighborhood is made up of a unique mix of characters. Again, hopefully not scary Russian dude or anyone involved with any international form of the mafia. Here's hoping. Anyway, you've got your graduate students, who make up the entirety of our building. You've got the professors, many of whom live in the beautiful old mansions on the side streets off of our street (apparently professors at the University of Chicago are doing well). You've got the middle class families who commute in to Chicago every day, and you've got the older people who have lived there forever.
And then you've got them, when they're not (ahem) busy doing other things*.
I don't want to brag. But my chocolate chip cookies ARE world famous. And, by the way, I can say "world" because I made them in India when I lived there in 2004. For reference, this is no small feat when brown sugar is nearly impossible to find and your house doesn't have an oven. Yes, friends, you can survive-even thrive- WITHOUT an oven!!! But I digress.
So in order to meet our new neighbors, and since I don't have anything else to do yet (ie, I'm unemployed), I thought it would be nice to bake up a fresh batch of cookies, wrap them up in a cute little bag and hand deliver them to our new neighbors. (I think this would go over really well if I wear pearls, lipstick and talk with a Southern accent. Maybe Mason will even wear seersucker. Do they know what that is in Chicago?) I mean who among us would love to get fresh baked cookies from the new neighbor? I'm raising my hand. As long as my neighbor isn't that scary Russian dude who poisoned that other Russian guy.
I'm quickly learning that our new neighborhood is made up of a unique mix of characters. Again, hopefully not scary Russian dude or anyone involved with any international form of the mafia. Here's hoping. Anyway, you've got your graduate students, who make up the entirety of our building. You've got the professors, many of whom live in the beautiful old mansions on the side streets off of our street (apparently professors at the University of Chicago are doing well). You've got the middle class families who commute in to Chicago every day, and you've got the older people who have lived there forever.
And then you've got them, when they're not (ahem) busy doing other things*.
You think I'll be able to deliver cookies to their house? Maybe if I sweeten up the deal by giving the cops outside some cookies (again, with the Southern accent, pearls and lipstick), they'll let me by. And even though I never heard anything back about renting out their house, I'll let it slide this time.
I wouldn't want to deprive anyone of those world famous cookies.
*Like governing America.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Diet Coke
The other day, after a great lunch with M, I was in need of a little sugary (or at least fake sugary) pick me up. So I turned to my frenemy, the 4th floor vending machine. The choices were:
Diet Coke
Diet Coke
Coke (not available)
Ginger Ale (not available)
Sprite (not available)
some weird fruit juice that doesn't actually have fruit or juice in it.
OBVIOUSLY my first choice would have been Ginger Ale. Followed by Sprite. Followed by Coke. So what's a girl to do when stuck in a situation like this?
So yep. I plunked in my seventy-five cents (!!!), pushed the first of the two Diet Coke buttons and watched as my new can rolled around in the dispenser thingy, the condensation glistening off the silvery metal of the can. I popped the top (hello, anyone else think it sounds just like drinking a beer? Which is totally inappropriate in our office unless it's a party--which we have at least once a week. And there's alcohol. Thank you Federal Government!), and took a swig.
Ugh.
Seriously?
For some reason, I thought Diet Coke tasted better than this. I was wrong, friends. Very, very wrong. The thing is, it tasted almost like a mix of water and real Coke, and just generally fake... if something can actually taste "fake." Ugh. Why do people drink this? I don't care how "healthy" it is compared to real Coke. It tastes like flat dog pee. If I had ever tasted that.
And Splenda? Don't even get me started on Splenda. Even the word makes me want to vommit and go eat a cup of sugar.
Never again, my friends, never again.
Diet Coke
Diet Coke
Coke (not available)
Ginger Ale (not available)
Sprite (not available)
some weird fruit juice that doesn't actually have fruit or juice in it.
OBVIOUSLY my first choice would have been Ginger Ale. Followed by Sprite. Followed by Coke. So what's a girl to do when stuck in a situation like this?
So yep. I plunked in my seventy-five cents (!!!), pushed the first of the two Diet Coke buttons and watched as my new can rolled around in the dispenser thingy, the condensation glistening off the silvery metal of the can. I popped the top (hello, anyone else think it sounds just like drinking a beer? Which is totally inappropriate in our office unless it's a party--which we have at least once a week. And there's alcohol. Thank you Federal Government!), and took a swig.
Ugh.
Seriously?
For some reason, I thought Diet Coke tasted better than this. I was wrong, friends. Very, very wrong. The thing is, it tasted almost like a mix of water and real Coke, and just generally fake... if something can actually taste "fake." Ugh. Why do people drink this? I don't care how "healthy" it is compared to real Coke. It tastes like flat dog pee. If I had ever tasted that.
And Splenda? Don't even get me started on Splenda. Even the word makes me want to vommit and go eat a cup of sugar.
Never again, my friends, never again.
Monday, August 17, 2009
FAQs
Here’s the part of this blog where I answer all of those “Frequently Asked Questions” regarding our move to Chicago. Hopefully I’ll cover them all with great aplomb.
Why are you moving?
This fall, M and I decided that it was time for him to go back to school in order to get his Masters of Public Policy. He spent most of November and December applying to schools (I believe the count was 13), never really expecting to get into all of the schools that he did. We had assumed we would stay here in Washington, DC and he would attend one of the great schools in the area, but when we found out that he had been accepted to the University of Chicago, our thoughts and feelings began to change. After talking with friends, family and M’s co-workers/superiors, as well as spending time in prayer, we decided to take the plunge and go with the University of Chicago’s program.
What are you going to be doing?
As of Monday, August 17th 2009, at 11:14am, I don’t have a job.
I take that back.
I have a part-time consulting job that will continue, but it’s only a few hours a month and, therefore, not enough to live on alone. I’ve had multiple interviews for multiple positions but still nothing. I’ve sent out approximately a bazillion emails to potential employers. No luck. I’ve applied for positions ranging from Coffee Maker to CEO, still nothing. Therefore, what I will be doing when we move to Chicago is….LOOKING FOR A JOB! We still feel very confident that we will be provided for, and I am beginning to see just how much this time of searching is refining me, humbling me and making me more dependent on the One who is my Provider. Don’t get me wrong here, though. I’ve raged. I’ve cried. I’ve thrown things (actually, I don’t think I have, but it seemed to fit with the other emotions). I’ve written letters to the President (you think I’m kidding…) I’ve felt depressed. I’ve felt that I somehow “deserve” a job. I’ve felt they must not understand how amazing I am. I’ve thought about contacting them and explaining to them why I’m so amazing. I’ve rethought why I think I’m amazing in the first place. I’m getting there.
Where will you be living?
Well, I’m sad to report that my letter to the Obamas has gone unreturned and so, therefore, we will not be renting out his house. Bummer. Instead, we’ll be renting an apartment on Hyde Park Boulevard (yes, we’ll be living on a BOULEVARD. How Parisian of us.) It’s a University Grad Student apartment, meaning all the other tenants are grad students as well. It’s a couple blocks from the church we think we’ll be attending, another couple blocks from the produce store I’m really excited about, and a quick bus ride for M to get to his classes.
What sports teams will you support?
M is extremely excited that the University of Chicago has a sucky football team (if they have one at all?) so we will continue to be Gators fans. Whew. That was a close one.
Additionally, seeing as how we will be living on the South Side, we’ll be official fans of the Chicago White Sox (and we think the Cubs are too popular already.) I know absolutely nothing about them, but hey, Go Team! We’ll also support Da Bears, simply because they are Da Bears. And we hope to go to Soldier Field in the middle of winter and watch a game. Because watching sports in -10 degree wind chill weather is apparently fun.
How long will you be in Chicago?
We don’t know for sure, but we hope to come back to Washington, DC once M graduates, which will be in two years. A lot can change between now and then, but as of right now, that’s what we’re thinking and feeling.
When are you going to have babies?
If I don’t find a job, I will seriously consider becoming a welfare mom. You have my word, and I’ll have your tax dollars.
When are you finally moving?
We pull out of DC on Sunday morning, August 30th. We’ll be stopping and staying with family in Columbus, OH, and arrive in Chicago on Monday, August 31st. Our last day at work here in DC is August 27th. You can come help us pack on Saturday, August 29th. No really. We would love to have you.
Are you excited? (Note, this is the most often-asked question that we receive)
WOOHOOOOOOOOOO! YEAH YEAH YEAH!!!!!! TOOT TOOT! YAY!!!!! YIPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
YES, we’re excited. Admittedly, not having a job is a bit of a downer, but we’re excited for this new adventure, for new friends and for this great educational opportunity. Saying goodbye is never easy or fun, but we are certain this is what is right for us. Being so newly married, the thought of going off together where we’ve never been known as anything other than a husband and wife is really exciting. Neither of us could have done this alone, and that’s why we’re so thankful that in this perfect timing, we have each other to travel with, encourage and minister along side. I don’t think we could ask for more.
Why are you moving?
This fall, M and I decided that it was time for him to go back to school in order to get his Masters of Public Policy. He spent most of November and December applying to schools (I believe the count was 13), never really expecting to get into all of the schools that he did. We had assumed we would stay here in Washington, DC and he would attend one of the great schools in the area, but when we found out that he had been accepted to the University of Chicago, our thoughts and feelings began to change. After talking with friends, family and M’s co-workers/superiors, as well as spending time in prayer, we decided to take the plunge and go with the University of Chicago’s program.
What are you going to be doing?
As of Monday, August 17th 2009, at 11:14am, I don’t have a job.
I take that back.
I have a part-time consulting job that will continue, but it’s only a few hours a month and, therefore, not enough to live on alone. I’ve had multiple interviews for multiple positions but still nothing. I’ve sent out approximately a bazillion emails to potential employers. No luck. I’ve applied for positions ranging from Coffee Maker to CEO, still nothing. Therefore, what I will be doing when we move to Chicago is….LOOKING FOR A JOB! We still feel very confident that we will be provided for, and I am beginning to see just how much this time of searching is refining me, humbling me and making me more dependent on the One who is my Provider. Don’t get me wrong here, though. I’ve raged. I’ve cried. I’ve thrown things (actually, I don’t think I have, but it seemed to fit with the other emotions). I’ve written letters to the President (you think I’m kidding…) I’ve felt depressed. I’ve felt that I somehow “deserve” a job. I’ve felt they must not understand how amazing I am. I’ve thought about contacting them and explaining to them why I’m so amazing. I’ve rethought why I think I’m amazing in the first place. I’m getting there.
Where will you be living?
Well, I’m sad to report that my letter to the Obamas has gone unreturned and so, therefore, we will not be renting out his house. Bummer. Instead, we’ll be renting an apartment on Hyde Park Boulevard (yes, we’ll be living on a BOULEVARD. How Parisian of us.) It’s a University Grad Student apartment, meaning all the other tenants are grad students as well. It’s a couple blocks from the church we think we’ll be attending, another couple blocks from the produce store I’m really excited about, and a quick bus ride for M to get to his classes.
What sports teams will you support?
M is extremely excited that the University of Chicago has a sucky football team (if they have one at all?) so we will continue to be Gators fans. Whew. That was a close one.
Additionally, seeing as how we will be living on the South Side, we’ll be official fans of the Chicago White Sox (and we think the Cubs are too popular already.) I know absolutely nothing about them, but hey, Go Team! We’ll also support Da Bears, simply because they are Da Bears. And we hope to go to Soldier Field in the middle of winter and watch a game. Because watching sports in -10 degree wind chill weather is apparently fun.
How long will you be in Chicago?
We don’t know for sure, but we hope to come back to Washington, DC once M graduates, which will be in two years. A lot can change between now and then, but as of right now, that’s what we’re thinking and feeling.
When are you going to have babies?
If I don’t find a job, I will seriously consider becoming a welfare mom. You have my word, and I’ll have your tax dollars.
When are you finally moving?
We pull out of DC on Sunday morning, August 30th. We’ll be stopping and staying with family in Columbus, OH, and arrive in Chicago on Monday, August 31st. Our last day at work here in DC is August 27th. You can come help us pack on Saturday, August 29th. No really. We would love to have you.
Are you excited? (Note, this is the most often-asked question that we receive)
WOOHOOOOOOOOOO! YEAH YEAH YEAH!!!!!! TOOT TOOT! YAY!!!!! YIPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
YES, we’re excited. Admittedly, not having a job is a bit of a downer, but we’re excited for this new adventure, for new friends and for this great educational opportunity. Saying goodbye is never easy or fun, but we are certain this is what is right for us. Being so newly married, the thought of going off together where we’ve never been known as anything other than a husband and wife is really exciting. Neither of us could have done this alone, and that’s why we’re so thankful that in this perfect timing, we have each other to travel with, encourage and minister along side. I don’t think we could ask for more.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Yes, please.
Last night my friend Sarah and I went to go see Julie + Julia.
Gosh, I love food.
I know, I know, it's all hip and cool these days to be into Julia Child, beef bourguignon and sustainable gardens. But as someone who has always loved to cook- and who has the burn scars on her arms as proof (I'm not kidding)- I feel like I have some right to swoon over poached eggs, beurre blanc and perfectly cooked asparagus.
Oh my gosh, I'm salivating.
This may also be because it's lunch time.
Gosh, I love food.
I know, I know, it's all hip and cool these days to be into Julia Child, beef bourguignon and sustainable gardens. But as someone who has always loved to cook- and who has the burn scars on her arms as proof (I'm not kidding)- I feel like I have some right to swoon over poached eggs, beurre blanc and perfectly cooked asparagus.
Oh my gosh, I'm salivating.
This may also be because it's lunch time.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
How your world can exist in ten simple blocks
I know it's blurry. You didn't expect me to actually give you a discernible map of where we're going to live, did you?
Now that we've FINALLY settled on an apartment, I've been spending my days mapping out all the fun, urban, cool places I want to frequent when we finally become Hyde Park Heroes. Because let's face it...you can't be a Hyde Park Hero if you're not in the know on all these fun, urban, cool places (that will be, of course, sustainable, environmentally-friendly, angsty-grad student-filled, skinny jeans, hip retro glasses, economically and culturally diverse, wine bar, blah blah blah, sort of places.)
There's Hyde Park Produce, a family-owned and operated produce stand, which will be my go-to for all of the fresh produce that I will use to whip up hearty soups and chowders (or whatever the midwestern equivalent is...casserole?) on the cold, cold Chicago nights. There's Bonjour Bakery, the quintessential European bakery (or so I'm told), where I will enjoy the croque monsieur and the delicious European pastries. Then there's the University gym, which I will waddle over to after eating said pastries. And sandwiches. And ice cream. And cakes. Of course we can't forget the feeding of the spirit, so there's also the church we'll be attending, just blocks away from our home. And then that bastion of intellectualism, the University of Chicago, just crawling with wise and studious scholars. In ridiculously beautiful buildings. And hopefully, somewhere in between all of this, is a job just waiting for me.
And then, after all of my mapping, I realized something. There's no Sears Tower. No Chicago River. Not even really any Lake Michigan (though it is discernible on my map) or the Magnificent Mile. Definitely no Oprah.
And that's how you realize that your world will exist within a ten block radius. Let's be honest...we probably won't go to the Sears Tower but once, or maybe twice when family or friends come to visit. And we'll probably never see Oprah (though if I have my way, I will be running Oprah's Angel Network by this time next year. I'm kidding. Sort of. Hey Oprah! Call me, k?) We probably won't go shopping on the Magnificent Mile (mostly because we will be poor) and I'll probably never run into a real Chicago gangster. Wherever they are. Of course we'll stay connected to DC via friends and news, and we'll constantly be looking around the world to the stories of both travail and hope that have played such an important part in our lives thus far. But this, this little plot of land, will be where our lives are carried out.
But maybe a ten block radius isn't so bad. If we're really about investing in a community like we say we are, it makes sense that our lives would revolve- and be lived out- in that community. There are places of deep economic, social and spiritual need in this small little section of the city of Chicago. There are kids who need help with their homework, or just need someone to spend time with them. There are students who have lots of deep, soul-gnawing questions that have never been taken seriously before and they want to discuss those questions with someone who won't just brush them aside. There are historical and contemporary examples of racism that need to be admitted and worked through, with a healthy dose of grace and humbleness. There's some great learning to be had.
In this ten block radius, there's a life that is waiting to be lived out for a higher purpose.
So yeah, maybe our lives will mostly exist in this small little corner of the city of Chicago. But I'm ok with that...in fact, I sort of relish it. And I relish it because it means that I can wholeheartedly throw myself into the life of this little area, and live out the things that I say I believe among other Hyde Park Heroes. I can be a part of the good work going on there and maybe, hopefully, be used for a greater good. And in the end, I can't ask for a life better lived.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Brought to you by the number "14"
Today's blog post is brought to you by the number fourteen...the number of days I have left at work here in Washington, DC. No matter that I still don't have a full-time job secured in Chicago (though I did just find out that I will be continuing my part-time consulting work!) We're celebrating that there's only 14 workdays left here! That's 14 days to help train my replacement. 14 more days of free coffee at Devon & Blakely next door. 14 more days of free gym access. 14 more days of a security clearance. 14 more days of eating lunch outside of the White House (in the blistering heat, apparently). 14 more days of paying DC taxes.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
It might be time for an upgrade
I'm pretty sure this is the computer that I'm using at this very moment.
Ok, maybe not quite. But it sure feels like it and I'm about to throw it across the room if it delays my typing much longer. Were I not an excellent editor, my sentences would look more like this:
I wn t wrk tody. Ad I h fn.
But wait! It's not just that it's sooooooooooooo slow. It's also that it never really wants to connect to the internet, which is a problem when you spend your evenings looking for jobs (while your husband studies calculus. Who has it worse in this situation? That's a tough one). It also apparently has issues with downloading (or viewing for that matter) pictures. And it's so slow I can't even use Skype! Oh, and did I mention that it's ridiculously slow?
Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful that we even have a computer. And that it came free to me 5 years ago. I know from first-hand experience that there are people in (fill in your favorite developing county here) who don't have computers. However they do have complete cell phone coverage in the bush of Rwanda. Ponder that for a moment. Done? I'll go on complaining then. IT'S S SLW! ! See?? It didn't even type "IT'S SO SLOW!!!" correctly!
So why am I blogging about it? You mean besides the fact that I blog about random things all the time? Oh, yeah, right. Well...one, because it sure would be nice to have at least one working computer when we arrive in Chicago. And two, because it sure would be nice to have two working computers when we arrive in Chicago. Deep down inside I'm hoping that someone out there in the interwebs will decide that what this young couple- who are about to embark on a new journey to Chicago with barely two pennies to rub together (ok, exaggeration)- need is a brand new Mac laptop. (We don't really ask for much.) Don't you hear about these kinds of stories all the time? People helping one another out? Like the lady in Florida who was evicted and her neighbor let her stay with her? Or like unemployment? (Which by the way, I'm not qualified for since I technically am "quitting" my job rather than "being let go.") Ah, the kindness of strangers in our moments of need.
And maybe if I'm really, really lucky, someone like Good Morning America will pick up our story, in which case we'll get a gazillion Macs. It would definitely make a much more interesting story than this whole "birther" thing.
Ok, maybe not quite. But it sure feels like it and I'm about to throw it across the room if it delays my typing much longer. Were I not an excellent editor, my sentences would look more like this:
I wn t wrk tody. Ad I h fn.
But wait! It's not just that it's sooooooooooooo slow. It's also that it never really wants to connect to the internet, which is a problem when you spend your evenings looking for jobs (while your husband studies calculus. Who has it worse in this situation? That's a tough one). It also apparently has issues with downloading (or viewing for that matter) pictures. And it's so slow I can't even use Skype! Oh, and did I mention that it's ridiculously slow?
Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful that we even have a computer. And that it came free to me 5 years ago. I know from first-hand experience that there are people in (fill in your favorite developing county here) who don't have computers. However they do have complete cell phone coverage in the bush of Rwanda. Ponder that for a moment. Done? I'll go on complaining then. IT'S S SLW! ! See?? It didn't even type "IT'S SO SLOW!!!" correctly!
So why am I blogging about it? You mean besides the fact that I blog about random things all the time? Oh, yeah, right. Well...one, because it sure would be nice to have at least one working computer when we arrive in Chicago. And two, because it sure would be nice to have two working computers when we arrive in Chicago. Deep down inside I'm hoping that someone out there in the interwebs will decide that what this young couple- who are about to embark on a new journey to Chicago with barely two pennies to rub together (ok, exaggeration)- need is a brand new Mac laptop. (We don't really ask for much.) Don't you hear about these kinds of stories all the time? People helping one another out? Like the lady in Florida who was evicted and her neighbor let her stay with her? Or like unemployment? (Which by the way, I'm not qualified for since I technically am "quitting" my job rather than "being let go.") Ah, the kindness of strangers in our moments of need.
And maybe if I'm really, really lucky, someone like Good Morning America will pick up our story, in which case we'll get a gazillion Macs. It would definitely make a much more interesting story than this whole "birther" thing.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Rain, Rain, Come Again
I'm sitting here on a rainy, Sunday afternoon, doing some work (yes, doing WORK!!) and realizing just how much I love the rain. I've talked to quite a few friends and we all agree that there's something about rain that is romantic, relaxing and just good for the soul. Maybe it's the symbolism of the dry earth receiving nourishment, or maybe it's the idea of our sins being washed away. Or maybe it's just because it makes you want to curl up inside and read a book or doze next to the one you love.
And there's something reassuring about the fact that it rains in Chicago just like it rains here in DC, like it rained in India (ok, they sort of have us beat with the monsoon, which I experienced when I first moved there), like it rained during my childhood in Texas. It's a constant, a known. And that's a comfort. That despite the myriad of differences between one place or another, there are, and will continue to be constants, things we just cannot escape. And that's a very, very good thing.
And really-let's be honest here- if you have to be inside during a rainy day, isn't this where you want to be? Maybe I'll find some secret passage in one of the University buildings.
Or maybe I just love the rain because it reminds me of this. That might be it.
And there's something reassuring about the fact that it rains in Chicago just like it rains here in DC, like it rained in India (ok, they sort of have us beat with the monsoon, which I experienced when I first moved there), like it rained during my childhood in Texas. It's a constant, a known. And that's a comfort. That despite the myriad of differences between one place or another, there are, and will continue to be constants, things we just cannot escape. And that's a very, very good thing.
And really-let's be honest here- if you have to be inside during a rainy day, isn't this where you want to be? Maybe I'll find some secret passage in one of the University buildings.
Or maybe I just love the rain because it reminds me of this. That might be it.
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