Alternately titled: Happy to be back in Chicago!
On Saturday, I returned from a glorious, fun (and tequila) filled week in Mexico (to a gorgeous grey reception, thank you Chicago).
At one point on said trip my travel companions and I were the only five American people on a (very cheesy pirate themed) boat full of perfectly lovely folks from Venezuela, Brazil, Chili & Japan. Our captain (Hook, seriously) referred to my sister as Barbie (ah, American stereotypes) and my brother as Harry Potter (a few things on this one … he looks nothing like said wizard & I think Mr. Potter is English. Though I guess my sister isn’t 5’9″ with a 39″ bust and size 3 shoes, either. Details).
While it’s great to get away, especially to places with endless sun & 128 different types of tequila, in the middle of winter no less, it’s always nice to come back to Chicago & my mini corner of Lincoln Park, specifically due to these reasons, which I decided on the return flight:
- Personal space. Chicagoans understand it. As such, in my regular life there are thankfully fewer French lovers laying on both each other’s & my lap on domestic flights. I felt more “in a relationship” with these two strangers by the end of the flight than I have with another human in years.
- English. Though, if any of my (surprisingly many) Spanish speaking friends want to chat in the next 48 hours, I can probably do so with reasonable comprehension (& maybe a Spanish movie announcer voice). After that, I’m sure I’ll be sadly monolingual once again.
- New Yorkers. I realize that due to sheer numbers, they’re bound to turn up en mass. There were too many in my vicinity on this trip. How do I know they were from New Yawk (or sometimes … lumping for brevity & stereotypical purposes … The Jerz)? You can tell (or more specifically hear … them being rude).
- Work. Yes, seriously. My brain will soon go to mush if I don’t “use it” soon. I am very thankful for the week between Christmas & New Year’s off, but really quite ready to get on with it! Which is a good attitude to have, since we’re open for business today.
- “Lady.” I realize that being called “lady” isn’t traditionally offensive, but I don’t like it. It makes me feel 92. And that’s still a few years off.
Last but not least, if the world really might end on 12/12/12 (the day my beloved Barbie sis turns 24 … or will she?!) we better get busy living this year before we’re all busy … hoarding water?
The point I fail to make here (I have yet to resolve for 2012 so perhaps “making points whilst writing on this blog” should make the list) … nope. No idea. But I am glad to be back!
Feliz Ano Nuevo! Errrr … Happy New Year!