on second thought...

Well, the chocolates thing fell through. It appears that they've found plenty of people who would do the job permanently, accept $8 an hour, and work for more than a few weeks. I'm tired of people responding to my complaints about things being pricey in Chicago with, "well here you make the big bucks!" Show me the money. Show me the money indeed.

going to the country

I had a great weekend. We've only been in the city two weeks and already have some urge to escape the urban plane sporatically. Xtina and I went to andrew's parents' cottage in Fennville and grilled, drank cheap beer and generally hung out with old friends and some new ones too. I stopped by my parents house and got a new cell phone (which I'm paying for). It has a camera and, relatedly, I have an entirely new way of annoying my wife.

This post is a mess; I feel my mind has gone to shit since I stopped working and started watching several hours of television every day. Christina is in an interview with one of the top pastry chefs in town, aspiring to sign on to her patissarie - 'bittersweet.' This was the top job on her list and I'm hoping she'll get it, especially considering we were worried she hadn't gotten a call back due to an overzealous salary requirement.

Some things are piling up - renters/car insurance, money woes, and boredom; but I'm trying to stay positive. I have a good feeling we'll be making money soon. Don't get the wrong idea, we aren't about to be thrown out on the street, I just want to be productive, get off the couch, and earn some money so I can stop worrying and start enjoying this, the city of big shoulders.

I know that zach is moving to ecuador tomorrow and I wish him the best.

I'm missing all the people in grand rapids with whom I should have spent more time while I had the chance. Tonight I'll join the crew at the map room followed by a jaunt at the happy village - my chance for entertainment for the week. Then again, tonight the chicago outdoor film fest is showing 'ferris beuller's day off' in grant park. Could anything be more chicago?

To those of you I haven't spoken to, I'm doing fine, missing GR but not excessively, and I'll figure out how to make ends meet in the city sooner or later.

kevdek

Now in Chicago

Xtina and I arrived here safely. The move went well, the drive went fine, we're fine. Our apartment was filthy and incomplete, but the landlord stopped by to straighten things out. Xtina has had a couple of interviews and I have had none. I think I'm going to pack some chocolates with ben while I look for something else. I'm proud to report that after a week of not working, I'm still not worried that we'll make ends meet. I know we must start working sooner than later, but my anxiety has not cought up with the novelty of a new place. Yesterday we rode our bikes to millenium park and the past week's activities have included walking to the north beach, visiting the MCA with sean, and chillin' out max.

With so much going on I have no idea what to blog about, quite a departure from blogging about nothing. I'll be sure to visit the library from time to time and update my blog while I don't have regular internet access. I'm eager to hear how things are going at home.

Oh, and I beat Xtina in scrabble: my greatest achievement ever.

five short days

I just attended my ‘going-away’ party at work, complete with a “we’ll miss you, Kevin” frosting decorated on top. I still have a hard time thinking concretely about moving. I’ve set-up the electricity and gas, rented a truck, and started packing. I can see moving-in visually but beyond the first initial hours I’m clueless. Life in Chicago was entirely incalculable until a lease was signed and a setting for life established. That was the point at which moving became a certainty, now I need to transition into reality. Tonight we drink too much with Jason and Sarah, likewise with Nick tomorrow night. Friday we go to Saugatuck with Peter and Erin (who is plotting a move of her own), and Saturday we dine and converse with Karl and Sarah. In some ways I feel I’m leaving this planet, behaving as if we’ll never see our friends again, as opposed to moving three hours away. Yesterday I fulfilled a promise to visit the Voigt house before I leave. I felt like a bit of a loser taking a guided tour alone, but it was interesting nonetheless. Did you know that Mr. Voigt equipped all the light fixtures in the house with the ability to use either gas or electricity because he didn’t trust the newly-formed electric company? It’s true!

Job update:
Me – nothing
X-tina – Interview with Whole Foods in Lincoln Park for bakery supervisor position.

If I haven’t scheduled you for a night of drinks and laughs or spoken to you in a while, I’m sorry. I’ll make sure I keep up on my blog – as this is the only place to read all the nervous rants of my early adult years and get the scoop on formative events.

I Will Internalize: the official blog of anxiety.