I’m going to swing from the chandelier.

It’s been a long three weeks. It’s been a long time away. It’s been a long time from just me.

Travels kept me busy. Travels kept me away.

For the most part, it was good.

My uncle was laid to rest. Hope that his family can start to heal now.

The service was what I expected it to be. It went faster than I thought it would. The Sifu’s weren’t as good as the ones that I’ve experienced up North, but if they think they did a good job and my uncle is good to go, then in the end, that is all that matters.

Portland fun. Portland move.

That was the smoothest move that I have ever experienced. There wasn’t much of any trouble at all. Everything that came up, was taken care of almost immediately. It was simple simple, thankfully.

Got to hang out with family and bonded more with baby Carson. That’s a good thing in my book. There were some mishaps, but that is to be expected.

But overall, Portland was good. Family is doing well and that is all that matters right now.

Chicago.

My beloved. My love.

Work wise, there were some major major annoyances and most of them if not all originated from Regus. They didn’t get their shit up and ready when I gave them ample time to get it set up.

I didn’t expect to be as busy as I was. Two full days of working straight, without lunch. I was very surprised that it took me so long do everything that I needed to do. I actually do wonder how much had to do with the network not working since I jumped onto the wifi to set everyone up on the first day. Would there being network made a difference?

I’m not sure, but yes, very annoyed with Regus in Chicago.

* * *

Firsts.

It seems to me that there was a few firsts that happened while I was in Chicago. Maybe I was just relaxed and wasn’t expecting much of anything at all, but I don’t know, but I did have fun just going out.

After I flew in on Saturday night, I went to dinner at RPM Italian. It had high ratings and it was just across the street. Do it. Did it. It took me a while to find a spot at the bar for food because it was so crowded on a Saturday night, but eventually I did.

I got some wine and a pizetta and the spicy crab squid ink pasta.

The pizetta was good. Good crunch. Good mushrooms. Good truffle flavor. It was definitely a good choice.

I was a little underwhelmed by the pasta though. I guess I expected more squid ink flavor or something, but nothing really stood out. The flavor was a little one note. Disappointed.

So, after a long week in Portland, I decided to go to Snickers, the local dive bar next to my hotel to have a drink.

I wasn’t expecting to be there long. Just a drink or two and then go back to the hotel and sleep. But I ended up staying until 1:30 in the morning and had about 5 whiskeys.

I just had a great time there. And I don’t know what it was about there that just put me at ease. Maybe it is the city, or maybe therapy has been working or that I’m feeling more myself than ever.

I don’t know, but I met a dude there and were just chatting and bullshitting and admiring the girls at the bar. I just had a good time.

It was just funny seeing him try so hard with the bartender. I just sat and watched.

Also, sitting at the bar, it just seemed that I sat just at the right place as girls would squeeze next to me to get a drink. I ended up chatting with a nice girl from Milwaukee who knew how to spell my name. Molly. She was there to celebrate her friends’ birthday and not Lollapalooza.

Drink after drink. Relaxed and just not thinking much of anything. No pretension. Nothing. Just me out having a good time at a dive bar. I should go to dive bars more often.

On my last day at work, I met an old employee that came back to work. I never met her before, but I believe that I troubleshot things for her before. It just so happens that this Manhattan Beach Grandma was heading home the same day as I am and it just so happens that we would be on the same flight.

Now usually on the plane, I just want to plug into my iPod or phone and just try to sleep. There’s no talking. There’s no socializing. Nothing. But as I got on the plane, and headed back trying to find an aisle seat, there she was. Her roommate ditched her for a window a few rows up and I sat next to the MB Grandma for the flight. We chatted, me getting to know her, for most of the flight.

It was just a weird and funny happenstance. It was a good happenstance.

Definitely a first for me.

It just so happens that she’s pretty cute too, but she’s really really young.

But I had fun. It definitely made the flight go faster and more enjoyable.

There was a bit of turbulence on the flight and I didn’t mind. There was something magically watching a thunderstorm happen off in the distance below us. Flashes of gold and white shimmering in the dark. It was magical. Definitely a flight to remember.

* * *

Ice cream.

Salt & Straw

It’s good. It’s really good, especially for an adventurous eater like me, who like to try different flavors and different flavor profiles in mundane food. Food with a twist.

I had it three times while I on Portland. I usually don’t have a sweet tooth, but damn, it was good and interesting. I maybe a sugar addict after all.

The good food in Portland was good. Pok Pok was great, but a little pricey in my opinion and Andina was good, but not probably overhyped by everyone. Good none the less.

I love food.

* * *

Even though I thought RPM Italian was a little disappointing, I did have some good food in Chicago.

Can’t go wrong with the lobster roll at Shaw’s and then the grilled lobster with squid ink linguine. Now that was fucking awesome.

Had some spicy Thai with the Subs.

* * *

The Subs.

It’s always good when I see old friends and hanging out with the Subs is no different. This time, younger Sub came along too and it was nice to finally hang out with her. I only met her briefly a few years back when they all came to visit.

But it was good, just catching up and listening to old Subs‘s issues. Seems like she’s going through trying times, a mid-life crisis also. Hopefully she’ll figure it out and just not put so much pressure on herself.

She just needs to stop over thinking everything and just have a little more self-esteem and confidence.

She just needs to do it. And listen to her little sis, ’cause she seems to know what she’s talking about.

But it was nice and to hang out with younger Subs, definitely a plus.

* * *

There’s just something about that city that just have this power over me.

I fall in love with it the more I visit. It feels like home in a way. It feels like I belong.

Walking to the office on the 2nd day, it just felt right. It felt like I’ve been doing that every day. It felt like this was how things should be. It felt like that it was my life.

Should I move? I’ve always and will always contemplate it.

Maybe it is the change that I need. Maybe it is what everything is building up to. Maybe is just possibilities to consider until choices are made.

But definitely, we shall see how I feel.

Actually I was asked a few times as to when I’ll be moving there.

Possibilities.

* * *