Move to Chicago

I just moved to Chicago. So far, so good. I'm renting a condo in the South Loop. It's a pretty good location that's seen a lot of changes over the past few years. Chicago Magazine had some good stories on the area in June. I'm about four blocks east of Lake Michigan and the museum campus (see map.) Oh, and Soldier Field is super close, so maybe I can go see a game when it's not freezing!

Here are some pics of my new place:

The balcony.

The view from my balcony. You can kind of see the Lake (but it's kind of hard to see.)

Little Rock

My friend Emily and I took a trip down south this weekend to Little Rock, Ark. We visited the Clinton Library and other notable places. Here are some pictures from the trip:
A Chihuly Christmas tree made for the Clintons during their time in the White House. The museum wouldn't allow flash photography, so some of my photos are kind of blurry.

There's an apartment at the top of the library where the Clintons stay when they're in Little Rock. The tour guide said Bill comes usually at least once a month. Who knew?

Das Capital.

Cotham's Mercantile. A run-down general store in Scott that happens to be famous for its fabulous food. I don't think I would have stopped if someone hadn't brought me. Yummy, yummy southern cookin'This is the back of Cotham's. The brick legs are the only things keeping the building from falling into a swamp. :-(

The Big Dam Bridge. The longest pedestrian-only bridge built for that purpose in North America.

Little Rock Central High School. This September will be the 50th anniversary of the Little Rock nine.

My new digs

I'm staying at one of my parents' duplexes in Springfield while I try to decide what to do with the rest of my life. $700/month for a three bedroom, two bathroom place. Springfield is so cheap!!

My new 42" Sharp Aquos LCD. It's fabulous. I've been spending a lot of time staring at it.

The backyard.

Chi-town

I went to Chicago last weekend to help my brother move apartments. Here's the view from his apartment--it's pretty awesome.

Slash!

The apartment--with a bunch of boxes

Mike and Shannon on the couch

Slash again!

Ruby--she can be kind of shy.

Ruby--could probably lose a little weight :-)

Utah/Colorado/Lawrence

Driving across Utah from Vegas

In Colorado on I-70

Madinah and Dan outside the Air Force Academy Visitor's Center

Madinah and I in Colorado Springs

Madinah and Dan with the Air Force Academy Chapel in the background.

Inside the chapel. It was very modern--kind of seemed like I was inside a space ship.

The Chapel

New Life Church, where Ted Haggard was senior pastor before his downfall.

Pike's Peak (with a storm brewing around it.)

Fun in Lawrence! Heidi and her friends at the biker bar!

Anton with the jingling Ike!

Ike has all kinds of costumes.