Is everybody happy?

I'm going to say no-- my studio is full of junk and I am at the point of moving where I have just started throwing everything out. I have various piles of stuff around the place (beds, futons, desks included) leaning against the walls. If you vault over the change, purse, shoes and other junk in front of the door, there is a nice clean circular space in the middle of my apartment. It was there that I laid on the floor last night after deleting the contents of my ipod forever (by accident), applying temporary tattoos to my arm, and listening to Black Betty on repeat (because it is one of the ten songs now on my computer).
As of noon tomorrow I should be moved out, gotten inspected by the super and handed over my keys. I think at that point, my stress will decrease significantly and I can really start to focus on getting excited and prepared for my trip. Until then, I will remain as Seth so lovingly put it, neurotic. Oh, well.

T - 9 Days

That's right, I am leaving next Wednesday with a 4 p.m. departure from O'Hare. My apartment is in shambles, I am barely packed and I am sleeping like it is finals week (so...poorly) but the big adventure will be worth it.
I am doing my last week with my kids. They have finally hired a new nanny. I have been promised that Brett and Reid will not like her better and once I return I am allowed to show up and tell her everything she is doing wrong.

Spano comes this weekend! Stoked to see her. The goal is to get all moved out of my apartment by Friday so that we can both be homeless together (our last ditch effort will be the hostel downtown or pitching a tent at Diversy Harbor) and I don't have to worry about getting things clean etc. while she is here. We have made a list of things to do that includes but is not limited to:
1. Drinking cheap white wine at Joys (luckily she won't have to quiz me on religion/politics this time).
2. Have a drink at Kelly's on the patio before 4 p.m.
3. Go to a bar neither of us have ever been before.
4. Eat at the Southport Grocery
That's all we got so far. I'm sure the list will increase by the end of her stay.

Got the trip all planned out now. I had to drop Prague and any chance of going to Ireland. 5 countries in 6 weeks seemed like a fair amount and I decided to spend a couple extra days in Paris with O'dile. Then its on to Oktoberfest (yes, Oktoberfest is in September) to meet Rider, down to Italy for a week, across the water to Barcelona, meeting my mommy in Madrid and then meeting the sisters in Lisbon. My flight is back to Chicago in which I will take up residence on Louisa and Kate's couch until they kick me out or I find a sublet. I have an interview with Close Up scheduled for October 27th which means I might be heading to D.C. after the first of the year. Until I figure that out, I am going to seek my dream job as a bouncer and intern for the Dover Political Strategies Group. Piece of cake.

So much to do...and just doing none of it

I leave for Europe in less then a month, holy shit! I have not packed a single box, found storage for my stuff, or even figured out which countries I am going to visit. Screwed? Maybe a little. On the bright side, we have been highly intoxicated throughout the city since my birthday, which has been nice.

Tim and I sibling bonded it up at Lolla last weekend. We both just went Sunday and saw Kanye West, Flogging Molly, Girl Talk and Gnarls Barkley. Flogging Molly was my favorite show-- it helped that I had my very tall rugby player friend to protect me from people since I don't masses of people. Tim was no help in that respect during Kanye. For someone who doesn't like crowds, being hot or live music-- I would say it was a great time but I will never do it again. Getting home was tricky but quick enough. It was my 1am mission for fast food that got stresful since the drunk Cubs fans were ruining any chances of getting in and out of Taco Bell or McDonalds on Addison Ave. in less then an hour.

Tim and I are cruising back to Minnesota tomorrow after we both get out of work for Dougherty Day and Dan's wedding. We will be back on the 16th -- and then I have to get my ass in gear backing up my apartment and getting ready for my trip (starting with where).