This is not a goodbye post. I love Chicago and I’d like to return someday. This is a “so long for now” post.

The last year and a half has been great in so many ways. I’ve had some incredible times. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve certainly been disappointed and had my heart broken a few times but I think the lessons were worth it. I know I covered that already in my announcement post. But I’m leaving feeling satisfied.

My bucket list has been mostly fulfilled. I did end up making it to the Violet Hour and the Field Museum. I’ll definitely be back to see the Bulls play and to make it to Second City and to see Wrigley Field at least once, no matter how much I am NOT a Cubs fan. And of course, I hope to make it back for a few Blackhawks games.

Thank you to everyone who did their best to make my time in Chicago great. I truly appreciated it. I love you all and I can’t wait to come back and visit (and, of course, if you need a place to stay in Kansas City…). I made some great friends here and had two of the greatest co-workers on the planet. I won’t forget.

So, that’s it. So long, Chicago. I hope to see you soon.

I’ve been trying to get things out of the way before I leave Chicago. I know it’s silly because I’ll probably be back later this summer to visit, but it just feels like something I should do.

Here’s what I have on my list. Let me know what I should add— I’m sure I am missing stuff:

1. Eat at Hot Dougs
2. Revisit the Art Institute (scheduled for Sunday)
3. Field Museum (probably will not make it)
4. Go to the beach (Wednesday)
5. Finally eat at a Rick Bayless restaurant (Wednesday)
6. Take the Metra (probably will not make it)
7. Go to Smart Bar (not this time)
8. See a game at Wrigley (nope)
9. See the Blackhawks
10. See the Bulls play (nope)
11. See a show at Steppenwolf
12. See a show at Second City (nope)
13. See a musical
14. Shedd Museum
15. Graham Elliott (Saturday night)
16. Paul Kahan restaurant
17. Violet Hour (not this time)
    

Big news: I’m moving to Kansas City. Next Wednesday. Cool?

For those who don’t know, I grew up in Kansas City. I have many friends and many networking connections there. I’ve also been in a long-distance relationship for over a year with a guy who goes to grad school there. The distance has been excruciating. Not only has it been extremely difficult emotionally, it has also cost us both a LOT of money. I also haven’t been able to visit my family as much (in Texas and Alabama) because there just isn’t enough money or vacation time, and it’s made me sad. There are other personal reasons for moving to Kansas City that I’d rather not divulge because, uh, I want to SORT OF have some privacy. But those are some big reasons.

I moved to Chicago more than 1.5 years ago and it’s been an interesting ride. I definitely wouldn’t change my decision to move here and most of the things that have happened to me since I arrived. I took a pretty big risk by moving here without money or a job and I think that it’s paid off. While I’ve lost in some ways, I’ve also learned so much about myself and what my priorities are and what is important to me. I think that I spent a lot of my life being afraid, scared to disappoint other people and unwilling to put my priorities over theirs. I grew up and that was ultimately my goal. I’ve finally figured out that I need to do me, and this is what I have to do.

I tend to over-explain things so here’s the shortcut:

I made this decision, on my own. It was tough. I am sad about leaving Chicago and some of the people here. But I am very, very happy.

I don’t have a job set up in Kansas City so if you happen to have leads that involve non-profits or marketing or social media or something along any of those lines I would love it if you sent them my way (here is my linkedin page). I will be doing freelance work for Green City Market until they hire a replacement and I’ll also be (I think) doing part time work somewhere in the city until I find that job.

The support that I’ve received has been phenomenal thus far and I can’t even express what it has meant. Thank you so much. For everything.

I did something this week that I’ve wanted to do for years now.

I went to my first hockey game. My friend Christine found Blackhawks tickets for $30 somehow and we went on Tuesday night. I had to miss Lost, so that should tell you how important this was to me. I’ve only been a fan of the Blackhawks for about a year now, but I really enjoy hockey and going to a game has been on my Chicago bucket list for a while.

This is what it looked like when we first walked in. The United Center is pretty big but not overwhelming like I thought. I was able to keep track of the puck the entire time, so it’s not like you’re squinting to see what’s going on. We sat in the third tier behind the Blackhawks goal for two periods, so the seats were pretty decent (especially at that price).

It was Tony Esposito Heritage Night when we went on Tuesday. He got to come out with his granddaughters and drop the puck.

Before coming to the game, my friend Ryan told me to make sure that I was there in time for the national anthem. He never told me why, but it’s because it’s a tradition for Blackhawks fans to cheer loudly throughout the national anthem. I thought it was funny, though I could see some people finding it offensive. Meh, don’t go to a Blackhawks game then.

The Blackhawks played the Dallas Stars who scored 3 goals but didn’t really dominate offensively. The Blackhawks had control of the puck most of the time, so that was fun to watch and anticipate goals (the goal anthem is this song by the Fratellis…basically you just scream ‘put it in’ and dance around a bit when they score).

Blackhawks and Stars tied, went into overtime and ended in a shootout. It took four tries, but the Hawks won!

I really had a great time. I love sporting events but this was just so much fun. We had some jerks in our section who were a little too drunk, I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I had had more to drink… alas, it was a weeknight. Ticket prices look to be really high for the rest of this year so I probably won’t be going back anytime soon, but I plan to go to another Blackhawks game next season.

Yesterday I had to pause outside of the Starbucks on Chicago near State.

There’s a small table in the front that sits next to a large window. I sat at that table in August 2008 and frantically filled out my application for the first floor apartment of my dreams at 2009 N. California Avenue. I remember feeling nervous, shaky, hoping I could get the “dream apartment” I toured that afternoon.

During that trip to Chicago (and definitely after) I was scared out of my mind, terrified by the thought of moving. I had decided to quit my job, get rid of my belongings, and move to a huge city without any money. There were times when I wanted to stay in Lawrence, assuming that if I moved to Chicago “the worst” would happen. There were times in Chicago I was sure I had made the wrong decision.

But for those 45 minutes in that Starbucks, I wasn’t scared. I was excited for my future, excited that I had found the perfect apartment. I knew that it was meant to be, that I was supposed to have that perfect apartment and I’d find the perfect job and have the perfect life to match. I saw it as a sign. A sign.

I got the apartment. It was far from perfect. My job and my life weren’t perfect either. But, God, I have no regrets.

I don’t know where this is going. But I stood outside that Starbucks yesterday and wished I believed in myself more. I mean, I do believe in myself. Sometimes. But it took me seeing that dream apartment to convince myself (and that was only temporary) that my decision was the right one. I need to figure out how to pull the trigger without that “sign” and still believe that I can have a happy ending.

Last night I went to the Vic Theatre (beautiful venue, by the way) to see Imogen Heap with my friend Gretchen. I’m not a HUGE fan of Imogen, but I like her enough and wanted to hang out with Gretchen.

I am so glad I went.

Since graduating from college, and especially after moving to Chicago, my attendance at live shows has DRAMATICALLY decreased. In the past year, I saw Jamie Lidell for free at the Congress (possibly one of the worst shows I’ve ever attended because of the crowd, not his fault) and saw someone (I forget) AND a Hanson brother play at a street festival. I mean, that’s really pathetic. Even when I was making $200 a month in college, I went to two shows a week. In my last few months of living in Lawrence, I think I went to maybe one or two shows total.

The thing is, a ton of great shows come to Chicago and I won’t go because I don’t want to spend money or because I’m too lazy to travel or because I don’t want to go by myself. But I love music. I mean, really REALLY love music. I love seeing and hearing what people create, I love watching performers, I love the energy you get from being in a crowd who really loves what they’re hearing. I need to SUCK IT UP, stop making excuses, and go do one of the things I really, really love to do.

So for 2010, I’m vowing to attend at least one live show a month. Who is with me?

Moving day was today. It’s interesting being in a different apartment, different set-up, different neighborhood. My room is smaller but feels bigger. I can’t explain it. I do have to say…I have a lot more stuff I have to get rid of, but I need to work on that when I actually have time.

My “productive” blog entry for today is a blog recommendation. For those who don’t know me that well, I am very interested in architecture (and in fact, planned to go to architecture school through most of my high school career). I wish I knew more about architecture because right now I see things and think to myself, “that’s cool. That’s ugly. That has some nice lines.” I really would like to learn more about technical terms and be able to actually know what I’m talking about (which reminds me, if you’re in Chicago anytime soon let me know and we’ll go on the Shoreline Architecture tour— very informative!).

Anyway, the blog Bright Lights Dim Beauty of Chicago is one of my favorite Chicago blogs. I like the Chicago treasures highlighted on this blog and the personal stories that the writer ties into the entries about her discoveries. The most recent entry (Sept. 21) shows one of the coolest houses I have ever seen. If DiDi doesn’t find a way to purchase this house, I will!

Why isn’t it spelled with a “W”?

Tweet of the day— AP: Blagojevich asks media if they’ll continue to cover him or is this the ‘last hurrah.’

I think that really sums everything up quite well.

I’m watching Drew Peterson on ABC right now. The interviewer just asked, “your fiance’s father says that she’s naive and vulnerable and that you tricked her into a relationship. What do you think?” and Peterson said, “well, I don’t know about tricking her but I did romance her real good.”…Dude, come on. Maybe you didn’t murder your last two wives (Stacy or Kathleen Savio) but joking around with a television interviewer (who didn’t appreciate his jokes) just makes you look like an ass.

I do find it interesting that two of the most disgusting media whores live in Chicago (Peterson and Blago). Peterson and Blagojevich do have the same PR firm, The Publicity Agency, which appears to be doing an absolute joke of a job. I would love to know what my “Principles of Public Relations” professor David Guth would say about these two. I think they’d make for a nice case study.

Here, let me help you with your PR for free.

1. If your wife ever disappears, participate in a few interviews outside of your house soon after, crying and saying that you wished she’d come home and that you missed her. Do not immediately tell the media that she was cheating on you and say that she probably ran off with some man. In fact, don’t ever say that even if you think it. Do not give several television interviews, do not constantly whore yourself out to the media, and if you absolutely must participate in an interview do not talk about sex. DEFINITELY Do NOT get engaged to a 23-year-old less than 1.5 years after your fourth wife goes missing (and your third wife gets exhumed and her cause of death is ruled a homicide). Trim Shave your mustache.
   
2. If you are a governor and accused of trying to sell a Senate seat, trying to get the editorial board at a major newspaper fired by using the Cubs sale as leverage AND being a jerk, …well…don’t do any of those things as a start. Do whatever you can to avoid a 4% approval rating (October 2008—although what’s interesting is his approval rating went UP to 7% in December). Do not feud with the state’s politicians who could possibly vote to impeach you. Do not live in Chicago when the citizens of Illinois have paid for a mansion in Springfield and do not fly regularly from Chicago to Springfield when you CHOSE NOT TO LIVE IN SPRINGFIELD. Do not threaten to revoke funds from a children’s hospital when its CEO doesn’t contribute $50,000 to your campaign. Do not appoint someone to the Senate seat you are accused of trying to sell, even though legally you can. When it’s clear that there is no hope and impeachment is imminent, resign. Trim your hair Shave your head.

Man, I am good. Someone should pay me.

I hear you Blago. I hear you.

A few items of business:

1. Whitney: you are genius
   p.s. my mom had a baby at SM Med Center the other day named Eugenius
   pronounced YOU GENIUS (thanks G-chat)


2. Jack Bass is on Law & Order: CI right now. For those of you not familiar with Jack Bass…uhm, why aren’t you watching Gossip Girl? Jack Bass is only the conniving uncle of the best television character ever— a character so amazing that even our friend Gabe (who doesn’t have a television) regularly texts during shows to find out what face he is making.
   
   To quote Chuck Bass, “why do you wear so much purple?”


3. Danielle and I had lunch at Potbellys (food was amazing). What makes me sad is that I can’t have lunch without bringing up the state of the economy. It’s not even that I’m in a rough spot, but just hearing about it or watching the effects…it makes me really sad. Or nervous. Or maybe it’s just that Catholic guilt I have even though I’m not Catholic. I dunno. It was good to see Danielle. Everyone, support WLUW! Yay! Danielle, let’s do something soon.


4. The LSAT is in ten days. I think I’ll be all right. I’m feeling better about my test-taking skills and I’ve studied a lot— the biggest factor at this point will be my health and whether I can keep myself from getting a stress cold before February 7th. Everyone, start praying or knocking on wood or rubbing your lucky rabbit’s feet or throwing salt or whatever— I CAN’T GET SICK!