Day 3

Lots of random thoughts on my mind today.......I stopped in at Clark Dog today for lunch. On almost every corner in the city, there are hot dog stands, and they all seem to do bang up business here. Would these work in other cities? I know my friend's sister tried to open one on the campus of the University of Montana and it didn't work. Same thing for a failed experiment at KU a few years after I left. I always thought if you put one in the suburban area of Cleveland where I grew up - a specific location, maybe Eton Square or Village Square - it would clean up...........I love this city, it is an amazing place to live. So many different neighborhoods, each has its own feel and the people reflect the neighborhoods they live in. Roscoe Village, where we live, is a perfect compliment to us. Laid back, chill, young families. If you ask me to describe it in three words I'd say Babies and Dogs. This city has to be the most segregated major city in the United States by neighborhood. The South and West sides are vastly different in style and culture than the North side.......This whole Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes having a baby thing is really bothering me. So many happily married people want and try to have kids, and run into all kinds of problems getting pregnant. Yet, these two jamokes who have been dating for 5 minutes get pregnant right away? Something doesn't compute there. It's a joke.......Living away from family is so tough. Not just my brother and his kids, my mother, and Leah's parents and brother; but my cousins, aunts and uncles. I have 10 first cousins. None of which live in Chicago. We are spread all over; San Francisco, Boulder, Cleveland, Vermont. We all grew up in such a tight knit family where we saw so much of each other. It is probably a rarity that a large family spent so much time together growing up, but it was great. As I've gotten older, I've learned to appreciate our relationships more and more. Especially with my Uncle Kenny and Aunt Linda and Uncle Keith and Aunt Nancy. These are four of the best people anyone will ever have in their lives. Not that I didn't appreciate them before, but since the passing of my father, they way they have stepped in in my life, as well as my brother's and my mother's lives, has been above and beyond the call of duty. Sometimes I call my Uncle Kenny just to hear his voice because it reminds me of my father's. They are truly amazing people and don't get enough credit........The White Sox will beat the Red Sox in 4, The Astros will sweep the Braves, The Cardinals will sweep the Padres, and The Yankees will beat the Angels in 5............My Fantasy Football team needs some serious help..........The Song of the Day: "My Mind's Playin Tricks On Me" by the Geto Boys. Late 1980's classic old school. "Day by day it's more impossible to cope....I feel like I'm the one who's doin dope."