Again, too busy living to write about it

I think I've spoken to most people about my life at this point, and what-all i've been doing with myself, but I'll do the quick rundown:

I've got 50 days left in Chicago, and a BIG list of things to do.

I've been doing a lot of things, but not the things on my list. The only check-mark is that I finally made it to the Ba'hai temple in Wilmette, which is an ENORMOUS domed building with lots of cool cool carvings and a lot of religious propaganda inside. Well worth the visit, though.

I went to the Chiditarod , Chicago's urban shopping cart race/costume party/can drive/drunken good time. i wound up getting a date out of it, too ... go here and pick the video for "No Bull," the 8th team along the bottom, and watch for the guy with glasses, Pat Coleman. 35, carpenter/sculptor, South Side Irisher, and sometime Matador. the Chiditarod was not the first appearance for that particular costume.
He took me out to a very pricey dinner at a wonderful Belgian bar. I had rabbit legs and drank 4 or 5 pints, my favorite being Brian Boru - i don't remember which brewery that was from, but it is a delicious red beer.

I spent a few days sick sick sick, one day home from work, when i slept most of the day and then read American Gods by Neil Gaiman, at Bridget's suggestion, as it is available (right now) for free to read online. A wonderful book. very trippy.

This past weekend, i spent a while knitting, and went to a pre-show for the South by Southwest Festival, which is a crazy hippie time in Austin TX every year. Chicago always sends a big contingent, and has a pre-show where all of the Chi-town bands play as a fundraiser to get themselves down there. Then on Sunday i missed out on the South Side St. Pat's parade, but i did have a lovely time at my Nevin's session and then went to dinner at the home of my favorite banjo player, Gary, who is also the father of my best friend Rachel's new boyfriend ... a complex line right there, but a triumph for me - it marks my first-ever set-up. I introduced Rachel and Jason, because Gary was trying to find a nice lady for Jason but i wasn't about to date him (he is quite a bit shorter than me, and yes, i *am* that shallow), but Rachel and Jason seem to work well together, and are, in fact, disgustingly cute as a pair. Their friendship works out well for me, though, because they are both 'do-ers,' meaning that they like to go out on the town and experience Chicago culture. They are both native to the area and really love this city.

Tonight, I'm heading down to my friend Zack's house with Rachel, and we are making dinner and planning our backpacking trip for the end of the month - less than 2 weeks, as we're going on the 22nd!! Yikes! Lots to do before then! I think i'm driving ... i think i need to get my oil changed ...
yowza.

Anyway. You can tell it's a slow day at work, as it's 11 and i am writing this. Although, it *is* technically break time. Maybe i'll take a little walk, too ... it's supposed to be up to 50 degrees today! AND it's SUNNY! i hardly know what to do with myself ...