Running=pain

So I decided that I need to lose some weight...for a couple of reasons really...1. It's way easier to talk women into coming home with you if you have a 6 pack and not a full barrel. 2. It is better for your health to be in shape. 3. This could very well be the last Spring Break I don't feel weird about attending(refer to 1). 4. I have too many clothes I cannot wear at this point. 5. I have a month of fun for the holidays back home and meeting people from highschool at a mini reunion(refer to 1).

Anyhow, I went out to meet a friend for dinner and on the way picked up some supplies. Some new running shoes, an ankle brace, and 100 pills containing Naproxen. Came home after a light dinner and took a few of those pills down, strapped up the ankle brace, laced my shoes...Did a little limbering up...and BAM! I am off and running.

Started my warm-up in the park across the street from me, just a little jog to see how it feels. Feels okay, not too bad. Time to step it up then. I made my way out of the park onto a beautiful tree lined street, after about 2 blocks my lungs start filling with cold humid air, almost refreshing. Two more blocks and I start getting that runners high, my legs don't hurt, my breathing is methodical and keeping pace with every few strides. I start to remember how much I enjoy running. So I am now about 4 blocks away from my house thinking "hey I feel good, instead of turning around I should take a left and make it a few blocks down before I head back. Block five, bad idea. My lungs are burning but it is nice to feel that again, what isn't so nice is the extreme pain in my lower left extremity. So this is what it feels like to carry 25-30 extra pounds on an ankle that has put back together like a cheap jigsaw puzzle that the parts don't fit right. Not good.

I made my way back home stopping to walk on ground that was uneven that I couldn't see in the dark but determined to run all that I could. I even did a lap around the park...why? Maybe I enjoy the pain, maybe I am too stubborn to believe that I have limitations.

The aftermath of this is, me, sitting on my couch with my leg up in air to try and knock down the swelling, calling my Dad to ask him how many pills are safe to take in a day, withering in pain. Sadly, I am still planning on running tomorrow. Anyone know a physician with loose prescription policies?

I am finally making some progress...

My place has come together a bit more...I however have spent about 4 hours there this month. Furniture was finally delivered on Friday and I spent a good chunk of my weekend buying tables and accent pillows. Thank god I have Liz in Chicago to go shopping with me and tell me when my taste is a little too "alcoholic overage college kid." I guess I need to pretend to be half adult now, dammit! Things are going well here though, other than my car getting broken into and my backpack getting stolen it's been smooth sailing. Had a hell of a Saturday I am pretty sure that since the hangover has gone until now (Monday morning) it was a blast. Anyhow I am going to the Lincoln Park Zoo tomorrow to figure out how to steal a penguin...If anyone sent me mail, I'll get it as soon as I figure out where my mailbox key is.
Oh btw that is the start of the living room...Need to get a TV, Curtains (those blinds are horrible), some fireplace tools, and wall shit if anyone has any wall ideas let me know.

Shit it's cold.

Tonight was a good night, I ended up going out with Ariana for some sort of social for her building downtown. Had a good time (minus the beer spilled on my pants) and drank some free beer (always a plus!) Last night we checked out a Tapas place on Michigan Ave. Food was amazing, since I never tried Tapas before I let Ariana order for us and she did an awesome job. To be honest she said the food was great, but I wouldn't have been able to tell because the company you are with usually can sour or improve the taste in your mouth. As I said the food was amazing!

Yo Tengo es...blow me...

Why in the fuck do I have to take Spanish? I am a political science major...is there ever anytime that I will need to speak Spanish? Maybe if Mexico stops serving alcohol and everyone isn't hungover or sleeping all day they might have some political clout...Spain...where?

Anyhow a little annoyed since I can read the shit but as soon as I hear it I have no idea.

Other than that not much is really new...I am a retard and missed Roger Clyne last night because I got the dates wrong...I am fuckin awesome.

Singed my lease on my new place today which means I have to buy furniture and stuff that I didn't feel like moving...Sadly, I will probably spend more on my chef knife and saute pan than the couch I buy.

Missed out on hanging with someone tonight because we both are busy with school.

There is someone I hope feels guilty every time she looks at someone, but hey I am not a hypocrite. All I know is I could never look at my significant other after having a "thing" with someone while I was with them. I have proof that I have a little white angel and a little red devil.

Awesome night in Chicago

Today my friend Joey called me and asked me if I wanted to go to a music fest downtown Chicago. He is a lifelong friend of mine and I have had a crush on his sister forever now. We ended up hanging out and having a blast then driving to the ghetto so I could say hi to his Grandma. Not a long blog but just enough to say there is so much to do in this city and I wouldn't trade it for anything now.

vroom vroom

So I have been thinking lately...I need a motorcycle...here are my thoughts on that.

1. A motorcycle could be really fun to own during the nicer months in Chicago

2. A motorcycle could be really easy to park around Chicago

3. I love riding motorcycles and miss my old one

4. Chicks dig motorcycles

of course there are some cons to this idea:

1. I am pretty wreckless in a car; just imagine me on something more agile

2. In the middle of one of the largest cities on Earth may not be the best place to get back into something like this

3. Potholes

4. There are a lot of really cold shitty months here

Honestly, I do impulsive things so sooner or later I'll probably end up buying some sort of cafe racer bike. Maybe I have a death wish or maybe I just like to push the limits. Maybe both. All I know is that this is something I have been thinking of for some time and now may be the right time. I figure by the time I am older I might have a family or kids that would make me not want to put any extra risk into my life that wasn't needed.

BTW...I started learning Spanish today at school...There really is a difference from Mexican Spanish and proper Spanish. Everyone was kinda surprised the guy who lived so close to Mexico and managed kitchens full of Spanish only speaking people couldn't understand a bit.

So some thoughts:

I really never thought I would be the blogger type person...But it keeps me busy when I am trying to not do something productive so what the hell.

Today I have been thinking...damn, I have been in Chicago long enough to have gotten something productive done...Well other than going to class and making friends with my new favorite bartended...not so much...

On one hand I feel more at home here now since I finally unloaded my car and went back to Phoenix this weekend and realized that it isn't home anymore. It started out as a great weekend but turned sour Sunday night when someone special and I decided some things needed to happen to be 100%...I don't hold grudges so thats fine. Then when I finally made it by my Dad's house to grab a few things I had remembered I needed in Chicago, it felt cold, like I was only a visitor.

I got home Monday morning and things felt right again. All the way from O'Hare to my train station I felt comfortable. All of a sudden I don't get lost driving. I find parking spots close to where I need to be. I talk to more people. I actually watch White Sox games...(ok, I am not proud of that last part).

Maybe it is just the natural progression...Maybe my love for this city came back today while I drove around. Parin and I walked up and down the Magnificent Mile tonight snapping pictures and taking in a wonderful late Summer night in Chicago and then hit a few spots around State Street. Maybe that is what I needed to remind me there was a reason I came here and that there really is no place like this on Earth.

You stay classy Chicago!