Chicago

I've been in Chicago for two days now, today's going on third. It's been a good start to the trip back into the états-unis for sure.

I got on a bus at 1am in Toronto for Chicago. It was to be a long trek so I figure 14 hours are better spent sleeping for the majority of the ride. I had a bit of a scare in the beginning because one of my bags was definitely beyond 50 lbs (I'm taking all my books and work back) and I was worried they wouldn't let me on but then I remembered it was greyhound and no one cares. So that was good.

I was settling in trying to get comfortable for a good sleep when the guy in front of me looked back a few times. I decided to look up and acknowledge his glance because in the dim light he seemed cute enough. He was cute enough. But that doesn't work when you go off on someone about how "we're all fucked once the oil runs out", and "frankly all governments and school systems are fucked", "frankly globalization is fucking everyone - even white people" and " fertilization is made of petroleum, don't you know?" He proceeded to hand me his band's card and introduce himself twice. I feigned sleepiness. Thank jesus he went to sit in front of me where he was before when I said I had to sleep.

We stopped in Detroit pretty late/early and had to all stand outside for the border patrol because the office was really small. They weren't all that douchy this time around, which was nice.

The rest is pretty uneventful except that I called my mom at like 3:30am California time. For some reason I was thinking I was on America time once I got past the border but uh...time doesn't work according to your country...which I usually know.

Andrew picked me up at the greyhound stop and we lugged my two huge suitcases in his car. So glad he had a car and I didn't have to lug it over to his place. It's good to see him, I forget how much I just like being around him. Think: 'The Dude' mixed with a Jazz pianist/internet lover. Andrew Doney.

Chicago itself is pretty nuts. Everything is made of brick, which Andrew has told me and I've quickly learned, does not mean that it's classy; you can be walking near some brick and still get picked up on by a 16-year-old wanna be gangster. "I know you have a man but can't I keep you warm tonight?" "Is it because I'm black?" Then a group of dudes screaming squeal by in their mini van. And Andrew said a girl got shot yesterday in the neighborhood. So, maybe I shouldn't try to walk around by myself at night, even if it's just to walk a few blocks back to their house.

city scape view from the lounge martini bar on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Center

Me in front of Chicago's bean modern art in their park.

The public transportation is really nice. Streets are on a grid system so even I can find my way around. And the metro seems to be even more available than Montreal's. One thing I've noticed is that people are much more grumpy here than in Toronto and Montreal; it's just not as pleasant of a feeling when you walk down the streets, no matter where you are. I experienced a bus driver yelling pretty rudely to a confused guy who was blocking the back door exit of the bus and realized I've never seen that in Montreal. Each city has its personality.

I saw Endgame tonight at Steppenwolf Theatre. The work is Beckett so I'm not even going to try and give you a synopsis without reading it a few times after that. But it was good. The company seems to be the main one that doesn't do Broadway type theatre, if you know what I mean. Next up is Goodwin - but they don't have any fellowship stuff so I'm just gonna skip it. I'm thinking I'll check out Martin McDonagh's Pillowman at Redtwist (smaller scale regional theatre) if there is a night where not too much is going on.

It's been really great seeing Andrew and his friends because they're doing what I hope to do soon. They just up and moved to Chicago after graduating. While I too just up and moved to a new city it wasn't like I was on my own, I had a whole program and school to help me out. So it's been good seeing them to know that it's all worked out; it's definitely way more difficult to meet people, but it seems to be a good experience overall.

I came at the same time as their friend Laura so we're both noobs to the city. Today we're going to a Cubs game with their friend Jordan while the guys are at work. Lots of fun stuff planned for tonight - at one point we're going to try to make sweet potato poutine.

Alrighty Cameron and Graham, this entry was for you. Please think of a title for my blog.