Vacationing 3:00 PM

It really isn't that big of a thing, yet it seems to be. Today, I gave my notice to vacate the apartment. So begins the daunting task of sorting, tossing, packing, panicking, dragging, hauling, cleaning. I am dealing with moving ten years of accumulated junk and belongings. Today it seems insurmountable, but every day should make things easier. I just need to stay on top of things and not procrastinate, which I find easy to do. Work day to day, get things accomplished, until I close the door on Apartment 6 the last time.

Diagnostics 5:11 PM

The check engine light has been going on, off ocassionaly while driving the Jeep. I figured that I should have it checked out since I am going to be driving the vehicle for a while, and for miles and miles on my journey south. I took it in to have a diagnostic check done and the print out was several feet long, but the actual troubleshooting list was short. The diagnostics detected a cyclinder misfire number 1 withprobable cause ignition system fault-spark plugs, ignition wires, coil (just replaced recently); vacuum leak; injector fault; high or low fuel pressure. Now to disseminate this information and figure out just what the actual issue is and get it fixed. I was relieved it wasn't pages upon pages of defects, I do keep up with the maintenance to keep the Jeep running and I want to keep the Jeep running for some time.

Thinking About Disney 3:58 PM

I always have Disney on my mind at some point of the day, whether it's reading the latest news at MousePlanet, AllEars, Etckt, or DisneyBlog, listening to music on my Zune or CDs, or watching DVDs and youtube videos. I was toying with the idea of going to WDW to celebrate my birthday, but with the impending move, it makes more sense to wait until then, when I can get a residents pass, (already budgeted for!). So for now it's memories of past experiences. One that stands out is the time standing in line outside 8-Trax on Pleasure Island, waiting to get in and on comes Our House over the sound system and we all started singing along. Disney always provides such good memories.

Land, Sky, Water 4:07 PM

Today turned out to be a nice day to get out on the bike trail. Hopped on the bike and headed along the lake. There were lots of people about, watching the air show. I took several breaks along the route to enjoy the view. I watched the Thunderbirds from the cliffs along the lake in Sheridan Park. I was out on the trail for about three hours total, not sure how far I went, but the legs held up.

Looking And Listening 5:31 PM

Shane and his friend Doug came up from South Bend for the Cold Play concert today, started out by going down to German Fest and the Air Show. Wandered around the festival grounds, catching the sights, sounds, smells of German culture, enjoyed a bratwurst, iced tea, bienenstich, stunt planes, and Thunderbirds.

Hopping With Anticipation (pun intended) 9:57 PM

I just caught this on Hulu and got excited about Disney returning to traditional hand drawn animation. I will be going to see this in the theater once it is released.

Look Up 6:56 PM

Driving along Lincoln Memorial drive on my way to UWM today, they were busy setting up tents for the Air and Water Show. Over the lake planes were practicing manuevers, including the Thunderbirds. Traffic was moving slowly so I got to watch some of the formations and stunts. I was impressed. Not only by the sight of the planes flying, but the the number of vendors and displays being set up. There was a Blue Angel on display that you could even sit in. I'm looking forward to the show this weekend.

Stop 8:31 PM

One day I would love to just stop. Whatever. Drinking coffee, facebook, being nice, walking, memorizing faces, reading the paper in the same order every morning, driving a car, liking fish, carrying a wallet, liking people so much, smoking, fantasizing, feeding corporate greed, second guessing myself, craving chocolate, iced coffee drinks, procrastinating, forgetting birthdays, writing checks, being skeptical, daydreaming, underwear, biting my nails, judging people, reality shows, late night sundaes, checking emails, explaining myself, shaving, ironing, drive-thru windows, cell phones . . .

A Place To Call Home 2:45 PM

Here is a look at my new digs in Fort Lauderdale.

Couch Dancing 6:46 PM

I had the chance to reminisce with Jan about the days living on the east side and all the fun, interesting things we did. Videotaping some of the more bizarre moments in the apartment with floors that gleam like glass, nights of reckless abandon, turning up the music and dancing. Dancing until you fell down. Dancing for dancing sake and enjoying the movement, the music, the moment. One of the best memories I carry. We chuckled about attempting to dance like that now, and the day after our conversation, we both acknowledged that we threw on some music and just danced.

A Day At The Festa 5:45 PM

Tim and I went to Festa Italiana, where Julia was singing in the choir, We got to park and enter for free. Had plenty to eat and drink, cappuccino, fried eggplant, chicken parmisan, italian sausage, root beer, gelato, lemonade, cheesecake on a stick. Saw a variety of entertainment, and I got to people watch as well. Next weekend I'll be back down to the festival grounds for German Fest and the air show.

Summer Weather 7:12 PM

Yesterday was warm, sunny. Not so much today. Cool, cloudy, rainy. For the most part Summer hasn't been much like Summer. I like warmth, sun. I'll deal with it, not to long before I head out to perpetual Summer (or so I think!). Been running around, meeting up for lunch, dining out, shopping, hanging at the coffee shop, obviously browsing book stores, making the most of the days of Summer.

Overwhelmed, But I Got Books To Read 7:58 PM

I wanted to read, but didn't find any book to capture my attention so I ran out to Barnes and Noble to browse through the shelves. Spent a couple of hours, skimmed quite a number of books. At one point, I wanted to grab about 10 different titles. Settled on three paperbacks, all authors I haven't read before. Should keep me busy through the weekend, like having books to pick up and browse when the need to read strikes. The Toffee Mocha from Starbucks is pretty good too!

Overwhelmed, But I Did Get Cheese Slices 3:32 PM

I finally ventured into Woodman's Market today after meeting Christine for lunch at Tazino's. The store is huge. I managed to get a parking spot close to the side doors, walked in, grabbed a cart, and wandered. I have been meaning to go there since it opened, but haven't because of it's cavernous size. I drifted aisle to aisle, throwing things I needed as I ran across them. I am not sure I liked shopping there, in part, the frenzied atmosphere of too many people, the long wait at the registers, the unfamiliarity of the layout of the store, and the size of the place left me overwhelmed. The prices were decent, got everything I had on my list, just think I like the small confines of my local grocery store better.

It Begins 5:57 PM

I got rolls of bubble wrap today. I am beginning in the kitchen. Going through 100s
of dishes, pans, appliances, utensils, weeding out things I do not want to take with me when I relocate. It's amazing how much stuff you can accumulate in ten years living in the same place. I actually found some things in the cupboard I haven't touched since I moved in, those things are definitely being disposed of. I plan on going room by room, until everything is crated or disgarded. But for now, I'll focus on the kitchen.

Circus Parade 6:41 PM

The cirus was in town and I had to go and see the parade. I got yelled at from the Red Cross volunteers for not standing on the other side of the barricade of the watering station and then told by a woman she was saving space for her friends, who never showed. (Clowns I tell ya.) Afterwards, wandered Bastille Days, had some garlic beef skewers, browsed through the vendors, and people watched. It was a perfect day to be outside.

More Like It 7:11 PM

Hot and sunny, just the kind of day I enjoy. Now this is how Summer should be. I woke up very early to the rumble of thunder, wondered if it would be another overcast day. It wasn't. Went for groceries, to the book store, bummed around Bastille Days for a while, and am considering my options for the evening. Tomorrow is going to be another great day, with plenty to do.

Midway 2:11 PM

Tim, Julia, and I went down to Northpoint for dinner, over to O'Donnell Park to the circus grounds to look at the wagons, animals, and exhibits for the Great Circus Parade this weekend, and then to Leon's for ice cream last night. I had a good time clowning around the Midway!

Mom and Dad, Happy Anniversary!!!

A Day At A Time 5:09 PM

Being gone on Monday has completely thrown the week. I wanted to get started on so many things and haven't done much of anything yet. I have time, so that's not an issue, just need a game plan and settle into a routine. Tomorrow. (Procrastination at it's best.) So instead I'm going to have some fun, meeting up for lunches, going out for dinners, street festivals, even the circus. It'll all come together eventually. I think.

Evacuated 7:36 PM

I woke up later than usual, to an acrid stench in the air. Out the window I could see an odd cloud formation of black against the bright blue sky. Shortly afterward my cell phone rang and it was Kent telling me to get out, that the city of Cudahy had a mandatory evacuation within one mile of a major fire at the Patrick Cudahy meat packing plant. I told him I wasn't in the area of the fire. I turned on the TV and sure enough, the police were going door to door, telling people to leave and I was in the area being evacuated. Within minutes, there was a knock on my door and it was the police. I threw on a shirt, flips, grabbed my wallet, keys, cell and headed over to my Mom and Dad's. We watched the news for a while and decided to head over to the casino. I managed to turn $20 into $117.35 on one machine. That was the end of my gambling. We stayed and had an early lunch, then back to their home, watched the news, the continuous fire, and no sign of being able to return to my apartment. I went shopping for crates to use for packing, and ate dinner with Mom and Dad. I wanted to return home, moreso because officials said I couldn't. At 7:00pm the order was lifted and I was able to come back. Glad to be on my couch at this time.

Bound And Determined 12:19 PM

After much thought and consideration, the decision to move to Florida has been made. I am going to go ahead and follow my instincts, follow a dream, and spend some time in the sun.

Happy Fourth of July 7:35 AM

To everyone who reads by choice, stumbles across, stalks through, random passers, enjoy the Holiday and celebrate!

On The Verge 3:04 PM

After several (too many) days of overcast cool weather, the temperature is moving up, skies clearing out, and getting back to Summer. I like. Got my backpack filled with snacks and drinks for the fireworks down on the lakefront tonight, picking up Dad in a couple of hours to head on over and find a good spot to see and feel the fireworks.

In Tune 6:55 PM

I found this while browsing through videos today on you tube. I think it's kind of interesting. I was able to identify all but one song. See how much you know about Disney music, it does have a mix of old and new. I had fun, will post more quizzes as the days progress.

(I still can not believe it's July already)