There are many times in the past few weeks that I have wanted to write about the numerous adventures (big and small) that I have had during the past month, but a fatal mixture of anxiety and apathy have stilled my fingers and my brain. But seeing as this is supposed to be a (very) generalized chronicle of my life, to remain silent any longer would ( Read more... )

Sorry for my absence the last few weeks, internet. I've been traveling and dealing with some illnesses but I'm all un-jetlagged and feel quite healthy and happy, despite a persistent and annoying cough. 'Tis the fate of a teacher, I fear ( Read more... )

Last night, after getting home from dinner and karaoke with a friend, I began looking through old pictures on my computer. For the first time since getting to Japan, I allowed myself to finally flip through a folder entitled "Goodbye, Chicago," which chronicles my last two weeks in the Windy City. (You can check out some of the pictures in my "Oops ( Read more... )

Sometimes Chicago gets to me ( Read more... )

It's not often that I am voluntarily awake by 7:30 on a Sunday morning, but I made an exception for the Urban Assault Ride. I've done a few long-distance rides now, but this was something new for me: a race. A race with checkpoints around the city, obstacles, oh, and no set course.

( But wait! There's more. )

Last year I attempted to ride the Chicago Perimeter ride and failed spectacularly. I was outta gas about 1/4 of the way in and bailed big-time. This year I was determined to finish the entire 90-mile ride, and I did! It wasn't even as difficult as I thought it would be, which only shows me that I'm in much, much better shape than I was in last year ( Read more... )

...Bike to Work Week! Yay!


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There are four of them, each a variation on a theme. Bleached hair and teeth, fake tans, too much black eye-liner; North Face jackets, Coach purses, Macy’s bags. They are more clueless than usual and in their 30s, which leads me to believe they are merely day-tripping visitors to my city. More important (and irritating) to me is the fact that they ( Read more... )

They sat facing each other across a small, plastic-covered table. It was a date; that much was obvious. Less obvious was how two people from two opposite worlds would meet, let alone have enough in common to occupy conversation for an entire meal. She looked as though her entire world was color-coordinated with her pasty white skin; her ashy-blonde ( Read more... )

I have decided to start writing word portraits of people I see that make an impression on me. Here is the first. Enjoy ( Read more... )