Waterlogging

Fortunately, all my time wasn't spent in rural Indiana (no offense to my rural Indianan readers. Holla!). On Sunday afternoon, we returned to Chicago and hit up the Polish district for some breads, pre-made pierogi, kielbasa and pastries. It almost seemed like walking down a street in Krakow, as the vast majority of store signs and market items were in Polish, with Polska women over the PA system announcing the day's specials (or maybe they were informing customers that their pochwas itched, what do I know).

Him: There were just so many sausages in that market! I don't think I could ever get to tasting all of them.

Me: *Long stare to the back seat* I doubt that.

Afterwards, we met Jen's boyfriend's family on Diversey Harbor, located just north of downtown Chicago. They keep a boat there during the summer, so each dock just turns into a seasonal neighborhood lane. Luckily, it was a warm, sunny day and Lake Michigan was as calm as Paula Abdul on Vicodin. So we went for a cruise around Navy Pier, feeling like one of the beautiful people while the landlocked commoners looked on with envy.



After idling for a few minutes, we entered the locks to the Chicago River, and cut through downtown to the sounds of Frank Sinatra. The river traffic was almost non-existent, so we felt like kings and queens of the City that Blows.

And then there was Pam. I would describe her essence as a (more) energetic SJP who could do seamless voice work for Leah Remini, and with a splash of Elaine Benes for good measure. She was a total blast; energetic, eccentric and spontaneous. It's unfortunate we only have this photo of her on the camera, but hopefully we'll get to hang out some more next visit. She pitched a show idea to me with the working title "Dock D," so I'm considering writing a pilot. But honestly, she could easily have her own reality show because she's a go, go, go kinda girl. Even watching her mix drinks was riveting. Vive la Pam!


We returned to the dock at twilight and feasted on an awesome seafood grill, which included my first cut of the elusive Chilean Sea Bass.

The next morning we shot down to H&M and down came the rain. Just as well, as we had to get to the airport. But in order to retrieve our luggage, we had to walk about eight blocks from the train station to Jen's apartment. Note: Greater Chicago neighborhoods are not cab-friendly, especially during a torrential downpour.

In closing, I would like to issue an apology to Jennifer S. for clogging the toilet before I left. I had to leave everything mid-swirl, but I swear most the brown went down. It's just that I forget that antique toilets can't hold as much TP as my recent-edition crapper. I did what I could with some paper towels, but your brother was yelling at me to get in the cab. Now, if you had come back to drive us to the airport instead of staying at the golf course during what was an obvious all-day weather pattern, this crisis could have certainly been avoided. So actually it's your fault. The saddest part is that I had to say goodbye to your mom with these rushed parting words: "Have fun this week, we'll see you in a few days. And I clogged the toilet, so don't use it until Jen gets back, ok?" *Cab door slams shut*