Seeing the Sights.

Today I officially became a "big city girl." So note to self, stop saying phrases like "big city girl." Anyway, I'm laying out in a public park on a towel in my swimsuit. I always wondered what kind of people do this, you know just plop down on a grassy knoll without a pool in sight in the middle of a busy section of the city. Well now I know, it's people who want to catch a little sun and this is really their only option. I love Chicago, but what's with the lack of pools around here? Maybe stop with all the Trader Joes and 7-11s and add a pool every other block. But perhaps I'm the only one who cares though, the people here seem to have zero lay out stamina. I'm a diligent sun dweller, a good 11-4 day is the perfect amount of sun for me. But I've sat in this park and watched girl after girl lay out for at most an hour and a half. It's kind of pathetic. Yet every five minutes I see someone walk into 7-11 or pass by with a Trader Joes bag. Don't get me wrong I love Trader Joes, I think I would be kicked out of Lincoln Park if I said otherwise. It's where everyone shops here because everyone is super cool. Hy Vee is so small town. Grocery stores are just one more place to set yourself apart on the urban social ladder. I just get so overwhelmed in Trader Joes is the problem. I see so many cheeses and frozen snacks and cereal, but where are my Cool Ranch Doritos or Tyson chicken nuggets? I grew up on Kraft and Frito Lay so naturally it's going to take a while for me to adjust to the more trendy brands that we are supposed to buy because it makes the world better. And by world I mean me, shopping at TJ's makes me better.

After sunning for a bit I decided it was Har's turn for a little fun so we walked one block over to Wiggly Park, the city dog park. To use a cliche I have turned to far too much this past week I could only think upon entering that "we're definitely not in Kansas anymore." When did we leave Lincoln Park and enter the Compton of dog parks I wondered? These dogs weren't playing, they were fighting. If Michael Vick recruited he would come here, if Rivals had a dog website they would be based of Wiggly. In Topeka the dog park was a big wide open space where the dogs joyfully ran back and forth chasing tennis balls and played on top of the benches. Here the dogs were dealing coke hidden in tennis balls and humping each other under the benches. But Har insisted we stay. Just like any gang ridden area it's all about finding the right group to run with. We went to the South side near the doggy pools where I saw other small to medium dogs playing. Granted Harlow could be classified as "large" these days, but his courage and mentality linger with the small dogs so I don't push. He was born that way. He tested out the pools for a while, which had they not been full of dog hair and drool I might have dipped in as well it's so freaken hot, and then he found a sweet little mutt "Jacko" to run around with. I've also advised Harlow to play with the rescue dogs first because they are usually the insecure ones who need friends the most.

Watching dogs interact on their own terms reminds me a lot of reality TV. The dogs who want the most attention are super bitchy and are always making asses of themselves while the quiet ones hang out in the background and prefer not to be noticed. They have a best friend one second and the next second their enemies ready to rip each other's faces off. The glossy dogs think they're superior to the others and are always leading the pack and the less fortunate looking dogs follow the leaders around like little ducklings. And at any given time someone is always getting humped. Sometimes on both ends.

While I've been having such a wonderful day outside, Chris has been locked up at his first day of work. Last night we layed out his first day of work outfit on the couch and mapped out the trains he would take. But I think nerves got the best of him this morning because around 7:10 he woke me up and "jokingly" said,

"wouldn't that be funny if you just drove me today."

I was enjoying my sleep so I think I grunted something like,

"no."

But I could hear him waiting around so I offered,

"well I could if you really want me to."

"no, no I was kidding. I mean, unless you want to, I would hate to be late, I mean, maybe it would make more sense for you to drive me? I don't know. What do you think?"

And five minutes later I was giving Chris a pep talk on the way to his first day. I told him that those Groupon kids are known to be a pretty sassy bunch and that he shouldn't be intimidated. If anyone gave him shit about anything at all he was to call and I would be there in a heartbeat. He just laughed. But I was, and am still serious. He'll do great though, I'm sure he will love his new job. Speaking of jobs, I've been giving my newest job search a lot of thought. After being in the park today I started to consider a career in either dog walking or being a nanny. However, I don't enjoy picking up shit or whining. I fear these would be two big aspects of both.

But for now I have no time to worry about jobs. I am far too busy becoming a Chicago native. Tonight Chris and I are going to a concert in Millennium Park. Can you believe that? A concert on a Monday! I haven't been to a concert on a school night since New Radicals/Goo Goo Dolls in 1998 at Wayne State College with Kiley Story and my mom. But it's just another Monday night in Chicago.