two hours and forty minutes

two and two thirds hours...

That's how long the rain delay for the Cleveland Indians game I attended today was. Ridiculous. It was a good four innings that I was able to stay for before needing to leave to make my dinner commitment. A 12:05 start should not end after 5:30 in regulation. The 10,000 school kids that were at the game screaming during the t-storm that blew over made things a little more entertaining. Apparently today was weather education day too...irony? Being in the city wasn't a bad thing though and I get to attend tomorrow's game against the Yankees as well.

The Cavs finally looked like a decent team tonight for the first time all series against the Magic, here's hoping that continues, but at any rate, there is hope for next year.

I thought you all would be interested in the update from my day. It was basically just rain, but hey...everyone needs to complain about the weather once in a while.

I had a strange urge to play Twister today. Not sure why. The game is pretty fun though...as long as no one arrives in a robe.

feeling old

Becoming a college graduate should make me feel younger than being an old college student, but it hasn't done that yet. I happen to feel quite old now. I rearranged my room, and I think that is the problem. For quite some time, my room has been a center of youth. I hadn't really changed much of the layout for far too long, thus it was time for a massive overhaul. What do I want to save, throw away, or save (but put in the attic)? It feels nice to have that decided. All I have to accomplish now is picking what to hang on my bare walls. A plaque with my diploma in it will go nicely as will pictures of my fiancee.

The week has been tons of fun. Chicago with Jon's family and my parents was great last Monday. Wednesday's travel back to home went smoothly and the remainder of the week was spent largely on the above concern and unpacking/repacking dormroom things. The weekend was relaxing and fun as I caught up with my nieces and nephew, did some hiking, played my trumpet for church and my usual Memorial Day paying gig at the yacht club in town. Outdoor game playing and food consumption made up the majority of my Memorial Day after the gig. The cookout/outdoor fun is a family tradition for summer holidays and birthdays.

Hopefully this week will bring news that I have summer employment and more relaxation/sun tan opportunities.

Wow, Chicago, Wow

Nothing quite like taking over 4hours to travel from O'hare back to Valparaiso after picking up my brother and family. That was ridiculous...my father should not need a rest stop to make it back from O'hare...traffic was awful. 20 min from 45th st to 93rd? Really??? Turned out to be more like 45! And that was much better than heading into the city from O'hare. Why was traffic worse heading into the city than out during rush hour on the NW side?

At any rate, it was a good chance to catch up with Jon, Steph, and Matt. Kristin got a good chance to meet them too. I'm glad we rode in, but still.

This week.

This week surpassed my expectations for how great a week without classes, but still around friends and Kristin could be.

Kristin and I did a fair amount of walking, both around the city of Valparaiso, and at Coffee Creek Reserve and the Dunes. Excercise and just wandering with no particular need to get back to campus was a good feeling. We also attempted to visit a "haunted" graveyard out in LaPorte. That could have been a much better experience had we gotten out of the car. We also made a trip out to Chicago to see Kristin's best friend's saxaphone recital where I finally got to meet her and vice versa. Amazingly, it worked out that Britta was able to meet us for dinner at an amazing deep dish pizza place right off of MI Ave that evening. One last chance to see Britta...excellent. Then yesterday was time for one last trip to the Dunes...Kristin and I visited Mt. Baldy for the first time and enjoyed the amazing view and a beautiful blue sky. Meghan and I had our final Taco Bell visit of my extended stay here at VU. We then capped the evening off by a staggeringly great (of course) performance on the local putt putt course. Meghan, Kristin, and I only found the water once between the 3 of us...and of course 'twas I who did it.

Now...off to get ready so that Kristin and I can ride back into Chicago to pick up my brother and family from the airport...and so begins the whirlwind weekend.