Down With Televised News

I just made my first contribution to a political campaign, and it felt pretty good. (So don't screw this up Obama, or I'm out $50...)

J. and I have been talking about taking some weekend trips to Ohio to volunteer for the Dems in November, since somehow the South Side of Chicago doesn't seem like it's going to need a lot of encouragement. Here's hoping this silly country won't complete the Triple Crown of elections coming down to one state kind of "voting", and mucking it all up.

Could be worse. Could be Zimbabwe.

And in other good news, Chicago is finally feeling springlike. I walked to the bus stop from work with no coat, and a daring nine inches of forearm exposed! This does not, however, rule out some sort of early May snowstorm. The Midwest is tricky...

Something I'm loving about these non-bitter temperatures is the fact that normal people are appearing outdoors, running, strolling, escorting small children. About two weeks ago all one saw were highly muffled, wrathful looking figures, or young U Chicago runners schelping joylessly, in their "Where Fun Goes To Die" hoodies. (They take that motto so seriously around here. Very lame.)

With any luck the weather will continue charming, so that J. and I can begin planning our Great Apartment Escape to the North Side. My secret ambition is to find a two bedroom place, to accomodate a study/library with a desk. Maybe we'll even get fancy and get bookshelves that aren't from Target!

Actually, I have another moving ambition that involved renting one of those Car-for-a-Day things, and scouring the city for more interesting furniture. Although, I have to say that our futon qualifies as interesting, since one of the wooden crossbars has cracked, and we are currently too cheap and uninspired to invest in a whole new frame. Our too-large collection of books came in handy, and we wedged a number of sturdy ones in between the frame and the floor. Ingenious!

Note for future blogging: The mysterious president of the Private Equity Firm I'm now working for (odd, no?) is appearing after a three month business trip-round-the-world. I'm told things will get crazy when he's back. Here's hoping.