chasing rabbits stateside

Ok, I have to warn you, as I write this I am half way to falling asleep and am typing in the dark, so forgive me things deteriorate somewhat !

Gwen has gone - how rude - get your cute Scottish ass back over here woman, departure form this country is not permitted.

Friday night was spent at a party, I got to burn George Bush's leg while dancing to pirate calypso with two of the gorgeous Shangrila residents. Ok, so the burning was purely symbolic but I doubt the real thing would be that different from the papermache effigy - fun fun fun. And for the brits reading this - they really do set up a beer keg at parties, and I thought that just happened in crazy 'Animal House' / 'American Pie' movies !

The camping trip never happened, the wusses decided it was too cold ! 'Get your thermals on and head into the hills' shouts the hardened Derbyshire lass (that will raise a chuckle from anyone who knows me, I'm as nesh as they come). Instead Marianna, Anikka, Kyle and I headed out to Kenkekee River State Park for the day with two dogs who displayed their true wolfish side when they got into the wild, it was fabulous to see from two dogs who by my reckoning spend too much time inside. Kyle was about ready to swim across the river when what appeared to be a cooling box sailed into view, the cold and the fact we couldn't be sure of its identity put him off. If we could guarantee it was beer he'd have been there in a shot. Later Marianna experienced bacon for the first time - a major event for the diner staff at the Brothers Family Restaurant, Wilmington, who will no doubt tell future customers about this strange bunch of city types one of whom had never had bacon and another had a funny accent. Apparently I am 'so English' on the basis that I order white toast !!
Its kind of strange to drive past things like the State Penitentiary or signs that say 'The best self help book in the world - The Bible'. It's these little things that I appreciate the most and make me realise I really am somewhere new.

Sunday night - OK , Katherine and Col, this one is for you. I headed over to 'T's', a bar in Andersonville to watch the evenings episode of the L Word with Kelly, Mira, Katy and a room full of Chicago dykes, That's definately a step up from an imported DVD box set. All I can say is its a fabulous episode that will have you crawling around with laughter and nodding at its politically appropriate statements - (its the Olivia Cruise episode - just for your reference). I was amused to find one group of people had been taking bets as to the origin of my accent (partly based on the back of my head !!!), for those who meet me along the way - I am not German !!! From there I found myself playing 'Flippy Cup', I still cannot believe that I was involved in playing a college drinking game. I won't go into details except to say that it's incredibly simple in concept and disturbingly addictive! I wasn't too bad either !

I've wandered around downtown - getting a real kick from the Frank Gehry auditorium at Millenium Park, the 'Egg' was under wraps - its being buffed apparently. I've always had a thing for cities by water, Chicago is no exception, it has a stunningly beautiful skyline. It was fabulous driving in by night on saturday while listening to cheesy rock tracks by the likes of 'Heart', I'm prepared to admit there are times when my sense of 'culture' and 'taste' depart me but the music was entirely fitting and satisfied the part of me that belongs firmly in the eighties.

Today the lovely Leslie, a Dominatrix by trade, and an incredibly generous woman, gave me a driving tour of the length of the city. Her dog, Samson, cute if you like dogs who are small enough to fit in your back pocket, sat on my knee giving me the commentary.

Increasingly, Shangrila is a place that I believe I could call home if I were to hang around in Chicago. The most amazing group of people live here with the most interesting, and interested, minds. Their talents (artistic - behave) are clear and numerous and it adds to my trip to be in such a creative environment. I don't think I am being oversentimental to say that I have discovered a group of people I can already call my friends.

Despite loving my time here I am keen to 'hit the road'. I'm looking forward to the anonymity of greyhound travel, being able to stare out of the window and watch America unfold, drifting in and out of sleep, knowing that every couple of days I will see somewhere else for the very first time. I am making no 'return trips' during these 3 months, preferring to see everything fresh and with no history of my own in each city or town.

posted by KP @ 4:54 AM