The move went mostly smooth yesterday, despite almost losing Wally. And the fact that I accidentally packed my cell phone in one of 40 boxes. Mental note for the next move: send Wally to a babysitter's before 3 strange Mexican men come into your apartment and move all your shit out. It tends to freak 'em out. We found Wally actually INSIDE of my bed, curled up. It took some time, but he's starting to get used to my new place. I kind of feel bad, but whatever, cat. We're no longer at the mini-"Y." What do you want from me?

My #1-parents-ever are in town and are helping me unpack. Today, my mom and I are going to Roy's to check out new furniture. If you live in Chicago, you probably know(or should) know about Roy's. Hopefully we'll find some good finds.

The rest of the weekend will include unpacking and an Oktoberfest tomorrow. Yah hey!

Moving tomorrow and took off Friday, so updates will be sporadic. I am using Friday as part of the mourning period to say 'goodbye' to the friends I made during my four years at the YMCA - I mean, my old apartment.

Adieu, my schizo friend, adieu.

I'm a homeowner!

After about 5 very stressful days and a few tears (that ended up being completely unnecessary) I signed...and signed...and signed...until they told me it was official and I owned a home. My realtor took me out for a congratulatory lunch at Sushi Wabi and then drove me back to the building to pick up my keys. It didn't really sink in until I went back to pick up my keys, took off my shoes, stood there by myself and walked around and just looked at things. Yay!

What did you guys do while I was gone?

It's about 3:40 PM on Sunday and I have yet to put one thing in a box. I should probably get on that.

Ladies, don't ever, ever close on a property when you are PMSing.

I often get asked if I'm excited to be moving into my new place. And while I'm definitely looking forward to moving out of the YMCA that is my current apartment, I didn't think it was that big of a deal. People buy homes all the time. Maybe because when I thought of this moment in time, I didn't really imagine myself doing it alone. You know the saying, "happiness is only real when shared."

A friend of mine put it all in perspective for me recently and said, "In the eight years since I've known you, you've wanted to live in Chicago and build your life there. And you're actually doing it." I guess when I think back to when I was 15 and wishing I was doing everything that I currently actually am doing, that is a pretty cool thing. And really weird, by the way.

I pack this weekend. Close on Tuesday. Move on Thursday.

I'm convinced Kanye West must have paid off every single radio station in Chicago. The reason being is because I had to actually fly to New York to hear 50 Cent's newest single "I Get Money" on the radio. I'm pretty sure no radio station in Chicago is playing it, and it's a shame because the remix is amazing. And I know it's not just me who hasn't heard it. I asked several people (yes, younger than me) if they had heard it yet and none of them had, either. Maybe cause it doesn't have the same oomph as listening to it when you have the Manhattan skyline in the background, but at any rate, I'm likin' it.

As a side note, I know don't give New York compliments very often (they pat themselves on the back enough, I think) but hip hop radio in New York is hands down the best in the country. Maybe it's just the East Coast thug in me.

I think I'd be a really good candidate for yoga.

Heading to Long Island today for work. I'll be back tomorrow night. I'm sure my accent won't stick out at all.

Tomorrow's a very big day for me. Well, a very big day for a lot of people. Incase you haven't heard or are too busy to turn yourself away from the awesome new episode of "The Hills," the Feds are meeting tomorrow. I'm praying they are going to announce that interest rates will be cut. I haven't locked in a rate yet and I'm hoping the decision proves to be a smart one. The announcement will decide if I save a lot of money annually...money I could use on things like new furniture and *gasp* matching plates. MSNBC is starting live coverage tomorrow afternoon.

This impending meeting has actually caused me to watch a biography of Alan Greenspan. Who I accidentally called "Alan Greensberg" today to a friend of mine, right after watching the latest episode of "The Hills." Coincidence?

Meet Dangerous Al.



He's the resident karaoke singer at The Cigar Box in Kansas City. Duk referred me to this amazing bar last week in one of my posts, and I'm so thankful I went there. I stayed at this pretty schmancy hotel called Hotel Phillips downtown and the valet and bell boys were very helpful in guiding me to some of the best BBQ places around. When they heard that I wanted to go to The Cigar Box, I got a little bit of a funny look in the "Why the hell do you want to go there?" type of way. I just explained I hear there's a lot of characters there and that I had to check it out.

It did not disappoint.

I'm convinced the bartenders are strippers from the next door nudie strip club who work at this bar part-time, but the regulars say it isn't true. At one point, one of the regulars turned to me and said, 'Pardon me, but what the hell are YOU doing here?' I told him I heard about this place and had to check it out. After that, I started making friends and rounds of drinks were bought.

Dangerous Al has a lateral lisp, meaning he schhhhings like thissschhh. And during one touching rendition of Journey's "Faithfully," he put his cheek next to mine and proceeded to spit all over my cheek. It was possibly one of the most romantic moments of my life.

Here's to you, Dangerous Al.

I used to hate Pete Campbell on "Mad Men," but after he punched that guy for sticking up for Peggy, I'm liking him a whole lot more.

He's still a total dirtbag. But a more likeable dirtbag.

Heading out to Kansas City, MO, today for work. I'll be back tomorrow night. I've never been, but hear it's an okay place to be. I was just picturing tumbleweeds. Who knew?

This morning, I received an email from our office manager that's subject line read, "REO Speedboat" event at Merchandise Mart this Wednesday morning."

Wait, what?

"On Wednesday, September 12th, a sightseeing vessel (a VESSEL!) chartered by WLUP-FM
will carry the band REO Speedwagon from the southern end of the Chicago
River while the band performs live from the vessel. Once it arrives in
front of The Merchandise Mart at approximately 8:30 a.m., the boat will
stop. The band will perform several songs for spectators gathered on
the South Drive, where Jonathon Brandmeier from WLUP-FM will broadcast
live."

I'm no terrorism expert, but if this is any indication that we're under attack, then I don't know what to say.

Pepsi Pinball - The top video clips of the week are here

I realize this Pepsi ad has been around for a little while, but I never wrote about how I dig the song in it, which is called "Ca Plane Pour Moi," by Plastic Bertrand. Even more amusing is reading here that the original lyrics of the version of the song used in this ad, 1977's "Jet Boy Jet Girl," are about one guy giving head to another. Pretty funny, and kudos to the creative team.

The freaky dude in my building who once asked me out near the dumpster came up to me in the lobby this weekend and in a very somber tone told me that he "had some bad news," and that he was going to have to be moving out soon. Awwww, say it ain't so. He then went into a rambling rant about his bipolar disorder, how he lost his job and how he's on meds and trying to get his life back together.

In other neighborhood news, the mailman who smokes pot every game day Sunday was quite excited about opening day today. As he held the elevator door for me, I asked him how he was doing, and he giggled, slapped his hands together and said, "It's game day Sunday!"

Man, I'm really gonna miss this place. It's like living at the YMCA.

T-Minus a little less than 3 weeks until I move and I can't fucking wait.

You know what the best is? When you're about to go out for lunch and spend $9, but then see some leftover pizza from a meeting in the kitchen. Word.

Tonight, I am heading over to the German-American festival in Lincoln Square. I feel the need to be with my people, mi gente. I happened to randomly talk to someone who is the treasurer of the festival yesterday, who shared with me that he orders about 1,000 barrels of beer, 10 tons of bratwurst, and 3 trucks full of pretzles for the entire festival weekend. I suppose knowing that information is probably the most exciting part of being treasurer of a festival like that. Yah.

Saturday night - a friend of mine is throwing a roller skating party for his 30th birthday. I plan on shooting the duck the entire evening.

Old habits are hard to break. I'm tryin'.

Some photos from the Wig and Mustache party I went to this weekend.

The 'Staches



The Wigs



Cleavstache



The Winners of Best Wig and Best 'stache won the Golden Shower Cap Award (snicker) and the Golden Comb Award.



Lookin' gooooood.