Day 173

I've got a bunch of topics today to talk about. So here goes. We had a really nice Saturday evening. Because of scheduling conflicts, we had to do our big celebration for my mother's upcoming 60th birthday this weekend. He actual birthday is August 25th. Leah, MD, and I organized a dinner at Fleming's Steakhouse in a private area. It was my grandmother, Aunt Linda and Uncle Kenny, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Keith, and the three of us. That restaurant is about as good as a steakhouse can be. We had lots of drinks, lots of food, and lots of laughs. We had buttons made with a picture of mom on it when she was about 6 and it said "PD is 60" that everyone wore. (for those of you who don't know - that was my dad's move for all big events - buttons.) We had a surprise desert at our house for her. When we got to the house, Leah had put up huge blow up posters in the family room of mom with all of us, and Grandmom made her famous chocolate roll, which is my mom's all time favorite. It was really the perfect evening for mom. The one thing she said was that she didn't want any big party, just a small family gathering, so this worked out well for us. I have attached a picture that we took just outside the restaurant. As always in Cleveland, we had more confirmed sightings, including Uncle Keith's sister Lisa and her husband Scott, and my boy Schneids' sister Amy.

Before dinner, we stopped over to make a condolence call at the Cole's. I mentioned in my last blog that my friend DC's brother Tommy died of a heart attack at age 43. He had 85% blockage in an artery that caused the heart attack. We went to the funeral yesterday morning. It was the first funeral I've been to since my father's. It all rushed back to me while I was sitting listening to the prayers and the stories. I have never been so attentive in a temple in my entire life. My father's funeral was such a surreal experience for me. I have to be honest - other than somehow getting up to eulogize my dad, I don't remember much else. When someone who is close to age as I am now dies, it really hits home. 43 isn't that far off for a lot of my close friends. To lose a brother or a friend at that age is beyond hard. We all think we are invincible, especially at my age. I knew I would be affected, but not this much. I could barely speak in the walk out and car ride home. This is the post-dad era I now live in.

At this funeral, Tommy's sister spoke beautifully, and four friends told great stories as well. While I didn't know Tommy very well, I found myself overwhelmed with emotion. I welled up several times when listening to the heartfelt tales of their friend and brother. He sounded like such a fun guy - a drifter with friends all over this country. One friend told a story of how Tom would always drive across the country for any big party, and then stay for a month. Another told a story of when Tom found out that they have free parking at Las Vegas casinos, so he left his car in the Bellagio garage for 8 months while he was in overseas backpacking. The funniest was how one of his friends, whom he had been staying with for a while on his couch, had sold a company and started a new one. The friend and his partner couldn't come up with a new name for the company that they liked, and his partner looked at Tom and said "Freeloader." And that is what they named their company. When looking up the company online, I came across the blog of one of Tom's friend's who eulogized him. It is linked below.
http://markpincus.typepad.com and scroll down to his post about Tom.

Everyone has a friend like Tommy, but few are appreciated the way Tommy seemed to be. They said everyone has a Tom story, so here is mine. I'd say it was 1991, and I was at DC's uncle Bob's house where he was living to watch the Colorado/Nebraska football game. The winner was essentially in the driver's seat for a shot at the national title. DC is a big CU football alum and follower, so we were very into the game. Tommy sat with us and while we were screaming and jumping up and down, Tommy, was calmly sitting, sipping beers, and at one point, fell asleep while his brother was tearing his hair out at every play. It was classic. Again, my condolences to the family and friends.

On a happier note - I have to send out a shoutout to my good friend and former roommate, Ryan Sturch, on his 30th birthday. I can honestly say I have never had a friend who is such a unique personality. Sturch keeps to himself and keeps his close friends extremely close. I am proud to say I am in his small crew. I know if he was in Africa and I needed for for any reason, he'd be on the next plane back to the states. He is a good friend like that. While he does go M.I.A. at times, it all goes to the allure of being Sturch. He is a family man, good friend, funny, spiritual, and unique. Happy 30th my friend - always in roulette, Black 31!

Lastly, this Mel Gibson story is crazy. I'm sure you have all heard that Mel Gibson was arrested for DUI this weekend. While he was screaming at the cop, he began in with anti-semetic slurs including the gem "the Jews are responsible for all the wars of the world." Anyone who doesn't think the Passion of the Christ was created with his anti-semetic overtones is fooling themselves. His career should be over after this and if it isn't, I won't give a dime of my money to that fool.

Days until we move into our house: 32
Song of the day: "I Wanna Be Loved" by Buju Banton

Day 172

I'm typing this as I sit in my mom's office, listening to Howard on Sirius, while Leah is on the computer job searching online. The good news is that she has a few meetings set up with people helping her find a job here, including one today. I think she is getting more acclimated here. People have been so nice. While I am in Canada next week, she is going out to lunch three times with new friends. I have to make special mention of one in particular - Steph Frankel. She is a Chicago native who married a Clevelander and moved here a couple of years ago, not knowing anyone. She knows how it is to be in Leah's position and she couldn't be nicer. Like I said before, my main concern here is making sure Leah transitions as smoothly as possible.

Work is getting busier. I just need to get through my mid-August big review with my top client and I should be all good. Travel picks up starting next week when I head to Toronto. It will be a good thing though. I cannot sit in my mom's house all day everyday like I pretty much have over the last week and a half. I went to the Tribe/Tigers game Tuesday night with my old friend Dise who I haven't really hung with in years, as well as Jeremy and Jared. All it takes for the Tribe is having my in the stands. I am now 2-0 and they have scored a combined 23 runs in those two games. Just a note - the new Mini burgers at the Jake may have overtaken old reliable, the three piece chicken dinner as my go to meal. We will see what happens at my next game August 8th.

On a sad note, Tommy Cole, the brother of my good friend DC, died of an apparent heart attack at age 42 on his way up to visit his brother at Camp Robin Hood, the overnight camp DC now owns the camp. When someone I know passes away, it just stings me. I have completely changed since my father died in that aspect. While I only had hung out with Tommy on a few occasions, I just feel so horrible for the family. It is never easy to deal with, but it makes things so much worse when someone dies so young. I know I sound like master of the obvious, but it is very true. My deepest sympathies go out to the entire Cole family.

This Christie Brinkley/Peter Cook marriage story. So Peter Cook, Brinkley's 4th husband, was essentially outed by his 19 year old mistress who he had been having sex with for two years. She worked for Cook and was a toy store clerk. He was giving showering her with money and gifts, mostly to keep her quiet, and the fact that he is old enough to be her father. Cook has been getting killed by the New York tabloids, and while I do think this is a scumbag move, take a look at Christie Brinkley here. This is now her 4th failed marriage. She must be doing something wrong. You may say to yourself, who cheats on Christie Brinkley? More proof that with many men, no matter how hot your wife, girlfriend, etc may be, there is always someone hotter out there in the beholders eyes.

Lastly, on the news last night was the guilty plea of former Tribe star Albert Belle to stalking charges in Arizona. Belle was arrested three different times for stalking, once he was charged with putting a tracking device on his ex-girlfriend's car, following her around, and threatening the man she was with. What was so crazy was how bad he looked. He put on at least 40 pounds, had a big beard, graying hair, and looked older and scarier than ever. Albert, up until he left, was by far my favorite player. Anyone who watched the Tribe during the Belle era can't deny that he was one of the best hitters you would ever see. Nobody was more clutch. He hit so many big and memorable home runs during the 94-96 seasons. He was fearless and everyone feared him, including his fans. Not only was it amazing that this was on the news here, but it was THE LEAD STORY. Classic Cleveland right there. We watch the channel 3 news at 11, and I must say after years of watching the news in Chicago, it reminds me the difference in the TV markets. How is the Albert Belle plea the lead story? Strange.

Quick birthday shoutout to the first lady of Waite Hill, my Aunt Linda.

Days until we move into our house: 36
Song of the Day: "Definition" by Black Star

Day 171

It's been a full week now in Cleveland. It has definitely been an adjustment. As I wrote last week, this is like night and day compared to where we were living before. Pretty much everything is a 180. Pretty much everyone we saw in the city were between 20-40 old. Here? I'd say I rarely see anyone who isn't either between a baby and high school age, or 40 and up. Anyone we see in their 20's or 30's is married with children. That has been one thing that was a concern to me, all of our friends here have kids. All of them. It's all about adjusting to the kids schedule and finding baby sitters. I hope to have that problem at some point, but it is just another part of the adjustment for us here. We had a real nice and busy weekend. Most importantly, we were able to get into our house with a decorator and handy man to do some measuring an attempting to make a floor plan. Being in the house really was great, I just wish we could be in it right now. I feel like once we get in there, everything will come into place for us.

We went to Tribe/Twins in the box with the Goldberg's Saturday night, Movies and dinner with mom Friday night. A word to the wise - skip the movie The Devil Wears Prada. I'd give it a C+ tops. Meryl Streep was good and I dig Anne Hathaway, but it is a total chick flick. That being said, Leah thought it was just ok and my mom didn't like it either. The chocolate milkshake at Yours Truly saved the evening. Not only was it good to spend time with Jeremy and Amy, it was even better to watch rookie Jeremy Sowers pitch a 4 hit shutout. Yesterday afternoon we had a great time out at my Uncle Kenny and Aunt Linda's. It was a perfect weather day and with my cousin Julie in town, all of the in town cousin's and their dogs had a big brunch. Casey met her new friends Romey the cavalier (who is adorable), Lebron, and Kona and saw her old friend Darby. I really felt like I was at home though for the first time being with all of my family the entire weekend. We spent a Saturday lunch with my mom's side and Sunday afternoon brunch with my dad's side. Everyone in my family is making us feel like we are at home. Taking a step back, I can honestly say I don't know many other families that actually enjoying spending time with their relatives the way we all do - that goes for both sides. Thanks again to everyone.

A few random thoughts:
-Make sure you all read this brilliant column about Bush vetoing the stem cell research bill by Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom. It is a terrific read and right on. I'm sorry, this moral high ground bull shit that he spews makes me sick. Go talk to Jesus and ask for more answers you idiot http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060723/NEWS05/607230610/1082/COL01

-White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is taking his macho bullshit too far. Last night, Rangers Pitcher Vincente Padilla hit a white sox player with a pitch. At the top of the next inning, Sox Pitcher Jon Garland threw behind a Ranger Hank Blalock. In between innings, Guillen, in plain view, completely dressed down Garland for not actually hitting the guy. This is the second time he has done this in public. Garland pitched a shutout, but Guillen seemed more concerned with the fact that he didn't hit the Blalock? Time to check yourself Ozzie - your team is 6.5 games out of first and sinking.

-Last Thursday I gave my girl Jaimo a birthday shoutout and I didn't give proper credit to my Chicago older brother Ags, who also had a birthday. Like Jaimo, Ags is one of my oldest and closest friends. I basically grew up with him as "cousin brian" as he dated one of my cousin's on and off for around 8 years. Every Browns game, he was there. Family functions, he was there. The semester I was home after freshman year, he was my best friend here. But our friendship really stepped forward during my 8 years in Chicago. He brought me right into his group of friends who I now consider one of my crews. He has always looked out for me as a business mentor. But the funniest is that we talk pretty much every day about sports and he refers to me as his "sports soulmate." Ags is my guy, I miss him a ton, but we are still talking as much as we did before, mostly about the same inane crap of why Aaron Boone is still at third base and why his fantasy baseball team is so subpar despite having a deep rotation.

Days until we move into our house: 39
Song of the Day: "The Bridge is Over" by BDP

Day 170

Live from good old Cleveland, Ohio. I'm back home ladies and gentlemen. Lets rewind a little bit. All of those feelings you read in my last blog were very genuine. I was sad to leave all of my friends and the amazing city of Chicago behind. But onward and upward we go. We spent our last day packing and getting our place clean. Had a lunch and a sad goodbye with my man Mark P at Riverview Tavern on Roscoe. Dave and Sara came over with their dog and we watched Casey and Yoffie battle it out while we talked and got one last round of chicken gyro pitas from Four Moon Tavern. Monday morning was kind of surreal. We finished cleaning up, packed the rest of the car up and headed out. I honestly was expecting to be very sad, somewhat depressed, and shed some tears. None of that happened. I was fine the entire ride. A little nostalgic perhaps as I looked at the city in my rear view mirror, but being in bumper to bumper traffic at 11 am on the Dan Ryan definitely made me chuckle. Talk about something I will not miss. But again, I wasn't as sad as I thought I would be. My focus at this point was on my new life and how excited we are to start our next step here. So we caravaned home. Leah and Casey in one car, and me in the other. We arrived at my mom's around 5:30 and began to unload the cars. Mom cooked us steaks and corn on the cob as a welcome meal.

We have been here a few days now and it still feels like we are visiting and I will be back in Chicago in my condo soon (which still hasn't sold by the way). I will say though that I really am enjoying this first week. I set myself up my temporary office in my mom's dining room. I installed my wireless network so I can work down here. Working has been pretty much the same thus far. Still very busy, but I made sure not to travel this week or next week. August and September are different stories. The interesting thing i've found here is that my weeknights are totally going to change. In Chicago, with everything being so hectic, sometimes hard to get to, and Leah not having to get up at 5:15 to commute, we are totally willing and ready to do things on weeknights. Tuesday night, we went to dinner at Hunan on the Falls, which was as good as I remembered (FYI - The one thing Cleveland food has on Chicago is Chinese. I never got into a Chinese place there). We got home around 8:30. No problem at all. Last night, Leah made and grilled chicken kabobs and after dinner we took Casey on a long walk. Got home around 8:45 or so. Tonight we have dinner with my Grandmother. In Chicago we were always in be no later than 10, Leah would be out by 10:15, me around 11. Here, so far my earliest bed time has been 11:30, yet I am still getting up at 6:30 with Casey. I am definitely getting a lot accomplished in the mornings.

The other aspect that I have found myself really enjoying here is the peace and quiet. We went on a couple of walks around the neighborhood with Casey and it is just so serene and peaceful. There are a few others out walking, Casey has met a few of the neighborhood dogs, and everyone is so friendly. It is just such a different lifestyle here than in the city. I know this sounds like I am being the master of the obvious, but it is the truth. There is so much green grass, the streets are so clean, and there is zero traffic. Its good for me. I just cannot wait until we move into our house at the end of August. My number one concern here for now is making sure Leah gets adjusted. So far, she is really enjoying her mini-vacation and the laid back aspects of suburban living. We are going to be getting together with a lot of new and old friends here over the next few weeks and start our social lives here. I expect lots of dinners and lots of movies. Its been nice that people have been calling and welcoming us here. Everyone has been great. Looking forward to my first weekend here. We are going into our house Saturday with a decorator and a handy man, and my first Tribe game Saturday night. Looking forward to it.

Don't even get me started on our moron President George W. Bush vetoing the stem cell research bill. W and his morals make a great team. Hope all of your people who voted for him are happy with your choice!

Finally, I have to give a happy 30th birthday shoutout to my girl Jaimo. Jaimo has been a close friend since 6th grade, when I came to Brady Middle School as a new kid, she was my first girlfriend. We have always stayed close ever since. We went to overnight camp together for 5 summers and share so many great memories. I miss her dearly already. Happy 30th Jaimo!

Song of the Day: "Lady, You Bring Me Up" by the Commodores

Day 169 - The Last Day in Chicago

This is the last day. Consider this a tribute and a thank you note to my friends and the city of Chicago. I don't even know where to begin. So many people, so many amazing memories. I came to this city in March of 1999 with a shit job and little ambition. All I knew is that this is where I wanted to be. From that first day, when meeting Mark P, my random roommate with our mutual friend knows as The Gute, it was on. All of my boys from college lived here. Leah was here. Ags was here. So many others from my KU years and Clevelanders littered this Midwestern mecca. I fell in love with it right away. My first job was done and gone after a bad commute and 3 months. My first Saturday night I saw a bad Run DMC show at the Cubby Bear. I spent the summer cutting corned beef and turkey at the Southport Sandwich company and going to day games at Wrigley. Sheri was unemployed at the time and we sat in the bleachers one weekday afternoon and saw Sammy Sosa hit a walkoff HR to beat the Marlins. I can look back and smile at how I evolved. When I lived with the Gute and Mark P, we were still playing video games (Sega Golf, Coach K Hoops, and the classic Snowboarding game on N64), listening to tunes, and going out pretty much every weekend to trendy spots. It gradually became dive bars and usual spots. Ah the memories of that first apartment - Gute's ghetto hang, Bologna sandwiches, Tribe playoff games with Dave, parties in our apartment, the cone, FTG meals and fighting for the Soy, the VCR's, french doors, Leah's naps on the couch, the new years eve kitchen incident, and getting to know someone who would become one of my best friends. That first year was incredible - and there would be many more amazing years ahead.

Leah moving to the city and getting our first apartment together was another major life experience that Chicago had for me. I will never forget that place on Southport. A narrow 2 bedroom apartment which we realized about 3 months in that we would never be there more than a year. It also took me no time to realize that Leah was going to be the best roommate I ever had. The things I remember from that year were Sean becoming our weekend tenant in bedroom number two, KU games at Kincades, my first foray into high speed internet that spawned my obsession with downloading music from Napster, our front to front parking spaces, getting the phone call from Matt saying Lisa was pregnant with Jace, the worst new years eve ever at Kustom where Sean and I walked all the way home in 5 degree weather with no coats because there were no cabs to be found, and most importantly, asking Leah to marry me.

Our next move was to the Brewery lofts on Fletcher and Southport. We loved this place until we realized how badly were were getting ripped off. We spent the next three years here in a one bedroom with a loft. These were great years. I logged a lot of time on that rooftop deck overlooking what is the greatest skyline in America. So many great memories from those years. Getting married, my bachelor party at a Wrigley rooftop and Stanley's. Watching my beloved KU Jayhawks go to back to back Final Fours - having the crew over to watch us beat Illinois, then to watch the heartbreaking loss to Syracuse the next year in the championship game - all the while I had a hidden camera on the group for reaction shots. The Turkey reuben at Schubas which I probably had 50 times. Frank and Annie runs. My first big screen tv thanks to my aunts and uncles. The love for Lincoln Station and Gramercy. Heavy traveling for work beginning. Sunday Browns games over at The Goldstein's, E's, or Ags'. Thinking we would never be able to break our lease and get the condo that we always wanted.

The highest highs professionally and my lowest lows personally had me all over the board during the Roscoe and Wolcott condo years. Leah and I became homeowners, she continued to flourish with her career at Hewitt while doing that awful commute, and I stumbled into a new venture in my career at Prairie, which would turnout to be a blessing. Just after I began to work at Prairie, dad got sick and eventually lost his fight with cancer. Mom's breast cancer soon followed. Not too long after that, MD's marriage split up. It was as stressful as a 2 year period could ever be. We endured a lot while living here. On the bright side, we moved into a budding neighborhood with new things to explore. Again, so many classic events happened while we lived here. The 1056 freestyle night where my inner MC came out on display for everyone to see; weddings, weddings, and more weddings; more KU tournament losses that became harder and harder to swallow; Leah and I both turning 30 - the amazing surprise party she threw for me; Jessica and Justin moving to Chicago and growing closer and closer with them; Seeing our friends start to have children; Zella's, Salute, and Nick's Beer Garden with Dave and P - one of my best nights out ever; Big fights at K's; retro T-shirts; Puma sweatsuits; rainbow sandals; my obsession with the chicken gyro pita at Four Moon Tavern; summer walks to DQ; nights at the Kerrymen and the birth of Jaegerbombs; and last but not least - driving 6 hours each way to pick up our little Casey from the breeder in Iowa. Talk about a change in me.

I never knew I could become a dog person over night, but it happened. To say Leah and I love her a lot would be an understatement. She was born on a farm, but we raised her in the city. So many walks - do I take the Roscoe/Wolcott/Henderson route and get stuck talking to the old ladies on their front stoop, or do I take the Roscoe/Wolcott/Newport route and hope I don't see the white trash family? Casey loved her long walks to Southport where she was the center of attention to everyone drinking and eating outside. She hated the winter, just like we do, but nobody loved frolicking in the snow like she did.

But I digress. I can look back at our Chicago years with a smile and a tear. Last night was emotional for Leah as she said goodbye to her girlfriends one last time at the end of Jenny's wedding. It was very sad to think about all of the good times and years they have had as a group. It made me really start to think and soak this in. We are leaving pretty much all of our friends behind here to start our own journey. The future looks so good to me - I cannot wait to move into a house and hopefully raise my children in the environment and style that I was fortunate enough to blossom in. But Chicago - this city is the best in the country bar none. You can have New York with its overcrowded trash-filled streets and its attitude. I'll take Chicago. The Midwestern feel, the beautiful skyline, the lake, dives like the Four Moon Tavern and amazing upscale places like Joe's Stone Crab, Wrigley Field, the eclectic neighborhoods that are like different cities in themselves, summer street fairs, dog parks, and Hot Dogs.

This is really tough for me. I am going to miss my friends so much. So thank you all. For all of the years and all of the memories that you helped build. These were some of the best times of my life. Chicago will always hold a huge spot in my heart. All of you who live in Chicago - Thank you for all the memories, the support, and the love. I'm out....like Chicago.

Days Left in Chicago: 1
Song of the Day: "Thank You" by Dido

Day 168

The last Thursday in Chicago. Well my last week here has certainly had an interesting turn. I woke up Monday with a killer sore throat and went to the doctor. She told me I had a bad viral infection, but there was nothing she could do for me other than telling me to drink a lot of fluids and take zinc lozenges. She took my blood pressure and saw it was high and asked me if I was under any undue new stress in my life. Funny huh? So I spent the rest of Monday and most of Tuesday in bed with my laptop doing work and sleeping. I felt better yesterday as the problems had moved out of my throat and into my nose, but I can handle a cold, its the throat that keeps me down. I have been swamped with work over the last month or so and I am trying to stay on top of everything. I took a break yesterday as I went to one last stop at Hot Doug's with Sturch, who is back from his year in Utah and brief stint in Montana. I buried a Blue Cheese Pork Sausage with Pear Mayo and Smoked Almonds, and a White Wine and Dijon Rabbit Sausage with Roasted Garlic Dijonnaise and Fromager D'Affinoise. A good way to go out. As always, Sturch made me laugh. I told him he is the most unique person I know. The opposite of cookie cutter and I respect him for it. I said my goodbye to him and came back and worked more. Last night we went to Brownstone with Sean and Nancy and Buatch and Sara. It was a beautiful night and we ate outside. We really had a great time. It was just one of those things that it crazy to me. I was enjoying the company, the food, and the atmosphere, and I stopped for a minute and thought about how much I love this city and my friends here. I was just trying to soak it all in, in my 70% way last night. We will see Nancy and Sean probably once a month in Cleveland, but Buatch and Sara will be different. We won't see them nearly as much. It really was a great night.

We had another showing at 8:30 last night while we were gone - hopefully that went well. We have another tonight at 6:30. The price drops again on Monday as we leave town. We still have a lot to do here, but are making good progress. Leah has been home all week and is already bored. Since I was sick, she did a lot of packing solo, but I helped when I could. At this point, there are just a few things here and there we need to pack and we are done. I am having dinner tonight with Gregg and Dave, probably one last go round at the Athenian Room. Dave turns 29 tomorrow so I must give him a birthday shout out. Don't miss the classic photo of Dave with Gregg's daughter Samantha. I am missing his big birthday barbecue as we are going to the rehearsal dinner of Leah's friend Jenny. Speaking of which, here is what I don't get about gentile weddings. Saturday, the wedding is called for 3 PM at a church. Cool. Well the reception isn't until 6 and it is in the burbs. So what am we supposed to do for two hours in a suit and a dress up North to kill time? Strange. My old college roommate Franco is getting married next weekend (we aren't invited) and it is supposedly the same thing. It is what it is, but I don't get it. So we enter the last stand in Chicago. I can't believe it is finally here. I will write something on Sunday before I go a tribute to Chicago, the best city in America.

Days Left in Chicago: 4
Song of the Day: "A Day in the Life" by The Beatles

Day 167

We are moving a week from today. Do you believe it because I know I don't. Leah is now home with me as her last day of work was on Friday and she is packing while I am working. I woke up in the middle of the night with an awful sore throat, different than the one I normally get. I knew I should have kept my mouth shut and not jinxed myself when I was telling Wendy on Saturday at our brunch that since I became addicted to the Airborne cold prevention dissovable, I haven't been sick. I am going to the doctor around 1 today as I want to curb this as soon as possible if I can. I've got too much this week to let this linger.

We had a pretty solid weekend. Friday night Leah, Mark P, and I did one last Deep Dish Pizza stop at Gino's East and ate outside since it was such a beautiful night. We came home and went through our second bedroom closet and drawers. We came across some of the funniest letters and cards. Leah found letters from old boyfriends and her parents when she first got to college. I found a whole folder of letters Leah had written to me during the summer and semester we were apart in 1995. They were hysterical. I also found a letter she wrote to me when we were in on a "break in March of 95" where she was being so bitchy to me. It was classic because she said "sometimes I think this is the real thing, and other times I think I'm just another girl you have latched on to. I am not trying to be rude." hahahaha. All I know is that you should compare that to the letters she was writing me a short two months later. I must have been doing something right over that time period.

Saturday Jessica and Justin threw us a big brunch at their apartment with the Rosenstein family. I have to admit, I was very impressed by the presntation and taset of all of the food. Jessica made a baked French Toast that was the whup. We had bagels, chicken sausages, fruit, and pastries. It was great eating. Leah and I then did one last downtown shopping excursion. Most of you know I am not crazy about shopping, but we gave it one last shot at the Bloomingdales building and Urban Oufitters. We got home around 3:30 and Leah took a nap while I waited for MD to arrive. We watched a little Tribe ball at 6 before meeting Dave, Sara, and their puppy at Four Moon Tavern - old reliable - one last time. We ate outside and brought Casey with. Of all the dishes in this town, I will miss that Chicken Gyro pita about as much as anything. I must have had one a week for the last year and a half. Its all about the Hummus instead of the fries. Anyways, we came back home, changed clothes and headed to the Gramercy for the going away party.

The party was a lot of fun. I have to send out mad love to all of those who came to show the support to Leah and I. Special mention to our friends Michael and Michele, and Chari and E for coming all the way from the burbs. What is funny is that our buddy KC and his wife just moved here from New York and this was the first time they have been out in the city. Their crew called this night the "changing of the guard" as Leah and I are moving out and KC and Stacy are in. The night started for me with a little anxiety. I just anticipated being real sad and was nervous for some reason. That all went away with my first two glasses of vodka. Anyways, the strong players once again came up big. Mark P, Sean, Gregg, and Dave. I know I can always count on those four to deliver. Sheri and Sara too. They are always rock solid. I can honestly say I haven't seen MD have that much fun in years. He blended right in with the crew and was going drink for drink all night. I can't believe how many shots of Whiskey we were all doing. All of a sudden, Jameson is in and Jaegerbombs are out. We were at the Gramercy probably until 1 and then moved next door to Lincoln Station until 2, where we lost Sara, Sheri, and Leah. That is where the real fun began. We walked down a few block to a late night eatery, Lincoln Town Gyros, home of Mark P's favorite Pizza Puff. I don't even remember what happened, but the next thing I know MD was behind the counter clowning it up with the two cooks. It was a great night. It was the perfect send off. I had my good friends, lots of drinks, and I laughed a ton. I also have to thank Jessica for taking so many good photos.

Sunday was spent hung over for the most part. We had brunch with MD and Ags at the Grocer one last time, then came home and had a showing at 2. We napped for a while and took Casey for a walk and then to the back parking lot for some fetch before watching Entourage and going to sleep.

So that brings up to Monday. One week left. Still a lot of packing to do and a lot of meals planned for this week with our friends. The last week in the greatest city in America. Its's gonna be fun, but sad.

Days Left in Chicago: 7
Song of the Day: "Looking Back" by Lauren Hill

Day 166

Sorry I couldn’t get to you all yesterday. Let’s just say it was one of the longer days I have had in a while. Flying out at 6:30 am is never fun, especially when you are on a trip with your boss. My boss I have chronicled before. He is a good guy and has been very good and fair to me with my job transfer and giving me room for growth with the company. That being said, the guy is Mr. Fun and when he is on the road, he doesn’t know the meaning of the word sleep. So yesterday, we met with our new brokers in Toronto and the people at Sysco Toronto for a meet and greet. We had a huge Sushi lunch, stopped and did some work at a coffee shop and headed up to Peterborough, Ontario where our other client is located. It is a two hour drive North through the middle of nowhere and ending pretty much in the middle of nowhere. We had a 3:30 meeting and the two guys we met with were old buddies with my boss and all they did was discuss how they used to tear it up during the old days. It was minorly productive, but we were taking them to dinner as well. I figured I’d get a little downtime, but we literally checked into our hotel and went out for a drink before meeting the clients for dinner. Dinner was 4 hours (lots of good wine and Lobster tails – a great thing about traveling with my boss, it’s a free for all on the menu; he orders every teaser, salad, and deserts). I figured we were in the clear and then at 10, my boss wanted to go out for another drink. This guy is a machine and meanwhile, I am on fumes at this point. Finally got to bed around 11:30 and had a 6 am wake up call. This morning, we drove back 2 hours to Toronto. I dropped my boss off for an appointment and I conducted a sales meeting where I trained and answered questions for an hour. The good news is that my boss wanted out as soon as we could and we got on a 12:30 flight home which I am currently typing this blog entry from. Cannot wait for my late afternoon.

I have so many thoughts on my mind. I haven’t been this stressed out in years. We are moving in 10 days, we still have a ton of packing to do, we just announced a price increase at work which increases my work load significantly at the worst possible time, and the condo is not sold or close to it. Our top target to buy put in a bid on another place in our building that is such a piece of crap compared to ours. Their realtor said it was because they wanted the garage space. What a joke. Meanwhile, we don’t have an open house this weekend and we have no showings scheduled. Another price drop may be in the works.

I read earlier this week that former Enron CEO Ken Lay died of a heart attack while awaiting his sentencing for fraud. Talk about a guy with a ton of stress. I can see why his heart gave out. But the guy screwed a lot of people out of their hard earned money. He took the easy way out as far as I concerned. He should have had to rot in jail the rest of his life.

Saturday night is the big going away party. For all of you that will be in attendance, I expect rare form. Bring on the Jaeger bombs, Belvedere and sodas, and the shots of Jameson. It’s going to be so great and so sad all at once. I’m sure lots of photos will be taken and posted on the blog on Monday. Before I leave the city I want to soak it all in. Look back and reflect that all of the amazing things that happened in my 8 years in Chicago. Just before I move, I will dedicate a blog to that.

I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge a major life accomplishment, or should I say “freeing” for my beautiful wife Leah. Today, Friday July 7, 2006, Leah officially is no longer an employee at Hewitt. I don’t know many people who still have their first job out of college, but Leah managed to move up the ladder at Hewitt since her first day in July of 1998. More than anything, the work, the people, etc, it was the horrible commute that she made day in and day out that made it so difficult for her. Imagine if you will, waking up every day at 5:15 and having to drive an hour to work. You work a full day, “adult baby-sitting” as she puts it, then tired, you get back in your car and drive home an hour and a half to two hours most nights in bumper to bumper traffic. I to this day have no idea how she did it. Talk about patience. I won’t lie, there have been numerous “I can’t take this anymore” phone calls I have received from her and she had every right to make these calls. But the future is bright, that light at the end of the tunnel I have told her was ahead is finally here. The best quote about how she is feeling today comes from the great Thornton Melon in Back to School: “I Feel like I just got paroled!” Make sure when you see her tomorrow night if you do to congratulate her on leaving that place once and for all. You did it babe! I am so proud of you. Now on to the next chapter of your life; C-Town employment..

Days Until Leah stops Working: ZERO
Days Left in Chicago: 10
Song of the Day: “Everybody Must Work” by Barrington Levy

I am in Canada for work and haven't had a free second all day. This will be updated tomorrow when I get back.

Day 165

Happy 4th week to you all. Lots on my plate right now - it is crazy. The last thing I need to do is take a 6:30 am flight Thursday morning to Toronto with my boss with so much here to do. But it is my job and they are letting me move without any big change to my position. Leah and I spent yesterday afternoon packing all of our dishes, glasses, cups, etc. The cupboard is clear now and we have officially begun the moving process. We still have so much more to do and we are moving two weeks from today. We had another open house Saturday and a couple came back for a second look. Our realtor told us they were checking the lighting and taking measurements. I saw them though checking out another condo in the building on our floor. The other place doesn't hold a candle to ours, but you never know. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This is our best prospect, but as of this morning, we haven't had an offer.

Friday night, Leah and I continued our farewell/eating tour of Chicago. We went to Smith & Wollensky with Darren and Jamie. Very good food, but over priced. It's a pricier meal than Joe's Stone Crab. But again, it was very good. Leah had grilled shrimp and I had a Filet topped with Gorgonzola cheese. We had to be out of the house Saturday for the open house, so we took Casey for a long walk and stopped for lunch at Schoolyard Tavern. We ran a bunch of errands in preparation for the move. Saturday night we went to Piece with Jordy and Kim. I will definitely be missing their pizza - it may be the best thin crust in the city. Top two at least. They will be out of town this weekend and won't be at the party, so they were the first of our friends we said goodbye to. No big deal, but I kind of hit us that this is inevitable with the majority of our friends. I guess this move is really happening. I honestly don't think it will hit me until my car is packed up and we are driving away.

We had brunch with Jessica and Justin yesterday around 11:30 at Southport Grocer (I know - again). As I said earlier, we spent yesterday packing with Tribe/Reds on in the background. Took a little late afternoon nap and then we planned on going to see The Devil Wears Prada last night. I know what you are saying, that is a total chick flick. Its funny how I am, and I have to admit it. I had no desire to see this movie. Then I heard Howard Stern talk about how he went to the premiere and loved it. So of course, I was down. I have been known to be somewhat of a Howard lemming and go along with what he says or does. I guess I have to admit that fact. Anyways, both the 6:45 and 7:45 showings were sold out as it was only at one theatre in the city. So we looked at the other movies and there was only one option - The Breakup with Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn. To quote my dad, the movie was "mediocre at best." I love Vince Vaughn, he is hysterical. He played the exact same character in this movie he plays in essentially every movie, and Jennifer Aniston, who I am not usually a fan of, looked real good. That being said, other than Vaughn being Vaughn, the movie went nowhere. They should have ended the movie after the first hour, and maybe I would have given it a B-. The last half hour was brutal.

I am home working at home today and Leah is off, so she is packing a little. We've got a lot to do and not much time to do it.

I need to send out congratulations to my boy Stu and his wife Jenny on the birth of their baby boy Benjamin Eli Lazarus born on July 1st. 6 pounds, 10 oz. Stu has been a loyal friend since college and is one of the better guys you will ever want to meet. He and Jenny are college sweethearts like Leah and I are. We couldn't be happier for them. Stu, unlike the majority of my friends it seems, came through with a boy, so give the guy some credit. I told him it was a great day for Denver, his boy was born, and Carmelo Anthony signed his extension on the same day.

Days Until Leah Stops Working: 3
Days Left in Chicago: 14
Song of the Day: "Summertime in the LBC" by Dove Shack