So, after waxing poetic about how Spring had sprung in early March, I was left wondering where it had gone after St. Patty's day - maybe the patron saint had not just driven out the snakes rom Chicago with our celebrations (still have yet to see one though I have seen a coyote in the park!), but also the good weather. While I was thinking of packing up all my sweaters and booties and thermals, all of a sudden the heat was back on, the temps were in the 30s, and to top it all off, it was snowing. Yes, snowing in late March/ Early April. In fact, around my birthday, there was enough snow for a bit of accmulation on the ground and Cam to have her last great hurrah, rolling around like a pig in mud!
And all this time, I kept cursing the cold, wondering why my plans for a roof top celebration (another one of the last great hurrahs) had been postponed, and thinking alot about Global Warming (possibly because Al Gore was suddenly my new hero; I loved his documentary!). See the funny thing about the weather pattern was that we would have these suddenly hot days that were in the seventies and then the next day, back down to the thirties. Not only does that kind of bum you out (like highs and lows tied to the weather's goodness) but it also makes it kind of hard to want to plan anything too far ahead. Plus, after a while, you just get used to hanging out at home, waiting for it to be nice enough to crawl to a bar or pub and hang out with friend you have not seen since the cold began. Not because you're home bound (since most of my friends I am running into are in the building or the doggie park) but because we're all bundled up so tighly against the cold.
But finally, we had a couple of really beautiful weekends - which presents its own problems since I am used to the park being filled with dogs and their owners; nothing else. Suddenly, you have to contend with sun-bathers and volleyball players and tree climbers! Smile! Though I can't complain; spring and summer are also the season of the topless guys and in Lincoln Park, they do tend to be very very good looking. So I am hoping this weather pattern holds and that finally, Chicago's spring has sprung. I am ready for outdoor bars and short skirts and not having to wear a coat and a hat and gloves everytime I want to run errands or walk Cam. So here's to the good weather and the good times; may there always be warmth! And here's to a final rooftop hurrah, hopefully soon.
Alright, so I am working my way up to the present but let's start with the big St. Patty's day plans. Well, it had gotten a bit colder by the saturday, but I was psyched about seeing the river dyed green and even convinced a couple of friends to join in for old times sake. Well, that morning I woke up - a bit later than I had hoped - but still had time to make it down to see the river and the parade. I should mention I was feeling a bit out of it, but counted it as being a bit tired and laissez-faire. Got dressed, went out with Cam, and as the cold air hit me, realized I was more than just tired.
We probably walked about two blocks when I decided it was time to turn around and head back home. Came home and crashed into bed and that is all I remember for the next six hours. I knew I was feverish, knew I was defintely not feeling well, and in that sixth hour, realized I had to get one of my friends to take the Camster out. So I called best Chi-town bud and she came over, took Cam out, confirmed the general "Yep, you've got a fever" and then got me drugs and lots and lots of juice. She also brought over this wonderful thing called Thera-Flu which I drank (probably the first thing I had that day if I remember correctly) and offered to have me stay with them (me and the Camster).
I should pause and say that if you know me at all, you know the one thing I hate most is to be dependent on others and sick. So, I was greatful but decided to tough it out on my own. Thankfully, my fever broke that night (thanks to the Thera-Flu gods!) but I was still a bit under the weather for days (and stayed the course by drinking Thera-Flu every day; I love that stuff! I am bringing it with me where ever I go from here on out!).
I chalk being sick up to a late season flu, the amount of stress I had been under a couple of days before (imagine that suddenly your life plans jump forward by about three months unexpectedly - it is quite a bit of time, especially when we are talking about the life plans I am making), and the wonderful up-and-down of Chicago temperatures/weather.
So, sadly, I did not see green for my last year in Chicago but that just means that my ass will be back here one fine St. Patty's weekend to relive the fun and say "Finally! After all my years of being a Chi-towner!". And then board a plane back to the real Ireland so I can see and experience the real deal.......If anyone wants to plan it (maybe for the year of my thirtieth), I am up for making it a friend adventure.
Though I missed out on St. Patty's, at least I got my proof this year that global warming is real and has definitely landed in Chicago. Next time: Why it always rains in Spain, mostly on the plains........
Well, if you have been wondering what I have been up to, wonder no more. The last few weeks I have been swamped grading papers for the teaching assistantship that I have (you know, the way I pay my bills!!!! smile) but now I am all done. Hopefully this year there won't be too many people requesting that their paper get looked at again to be regraded but then again, you never know who is going to be unhappy with the grade they get. I have had people ask to have a low A paper regraded just because they are certain that they deserve all the points possible. Were we like this as undergrads? I know I was concerned about my grades, but I don't think I ever pestered a TA to regrade something. I normally sucked it up and thought "Alright, maybe I should start my paper earlier than the day it is due!". Funny story about that: I never did get around to starting my paper until it was the day before (guess that is a little better than the day of....)
How did I spend the rest of my day after grading the final papers and then handing them off to the professor? Sent something off by the post to my favourite friend, came home, watched the series finale of "Xena" (yeah, you saw right. It is the way I got through all those papers - I watched all the seasons of Xena available at the video store), and then caught up on some trashy magazine reading (reading always feels trashy to me unless there is a spine to the material and some sort of synopsis on the back and/or inside covers). Now I am sitting here, blogging, and planning the other blogs I plan to post. There are a couple of things I would love to just put out there, like how I spent my birthday this year (quite a change from last year) or the crazy weather that we've had in Chicago (maybe there is something to this whole global warming concept). Random thoughts and updates. Post more later. Ta-ta for now
Well, now that someone won the prize (though she did not name him, so maybe she should not win....smile), I can tell you how I got a chance to meet Kuno Becker, bonafide movie star (albeit it little known; still, movie star).
Now that I have so much free time on my hands, I can actually do things that are enjoyable. So, when the chance came up to go to a movie premiere for free with a good friend here, I thought "sure, why not? Chance to get all spiffed up!" I had no idea what the movie was initially or much else, but I just wanted to hang out with my friend and have a good time. After the invite, I found out that it was going to be a movie called "Goal 2" (part of a trilogy; "Goal" being the first one) and this was the world premiere (i.e. no other audiences had seen this - very cool!).
Got dressed, got picked up, and went down to the theater. The mood was a little more somber because of a couple of recent events, but my friend and I were up to just having a little fun that night. We got there and people watched, waiting for the movie to start. Since it was part of the Latino film fest, there were lots of heads of consulates and some such peoples - which was kind of cool - and then there was me, professional student! Not the kind of company I am used to, but you know me - chameleon......
Before the movie started, we got to hear a little spiel from the director, one of the producers, and - gasp, the star (with the long hair! Which he does not have in the movie and looks a little worse for it). Watched the movie (which was fantastic and Beckham is in it!) and then headed off to a cocktail reception they had afterwards. We just sat down, talking and enjoying the freebies - drinks, food, people watching. And then - dum dum dah - the table next to us got taken over by the movie people, including Kuno. I'm no star struck little girl, but I suddenly felt like I had to get a picture with Kuno. Just because it is time to start chronicling my adventures, especially the Chicago ones.
I eventually convinced my friend to take the picture; we waited until we were about to leave and then I went up to Kuno's table, introduced myself and asked to take a picture. He is so cute - he readily agreed (maybe it's good to get them before they are big stars! smile) - and we snapped the shot. He also is a bit shorter than I thought (see picture for proof) but still an absolutely nice guy and so congenial. I would absolutely recommend seeing "Goal 2" when it comes out - it is exciting and during the football scenes, people were on the edge of the seat. And if you have not, see "Goal". It's a nice little achieving-the-dream kind of story
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