Prangster in Chicago

Done moving

It's over. Moving from my old place to my new place on a freaking cold and windy day is over. And I have the dry, flaky hands to prove it. So gross.

Now I'm about 80 percent done with the cleaning and unpacking. 80 percent because my clothes are still in huge bags on the floor and I have no shelves to sit them on. If you've heard anything about my shopping habits these past 6 months, you will understand that there are bags on the floor a-plenty, and they will require the upper-arm strength of many, many shelves.

So in short, I am now done with moving. I am done with cleaning every single freaking surface in this place. And I'm now drinking my first cup of tea.

Here is my new desk space with my table and chair -- the only real pieces of furniture I have. And need.

An immigrant Thanksgiving

I just spent my first American Thanksgiving with my aunt, uncle, my cousins and my niece and nephews in Orange County. It was an immigrant Thanksgiving, which meant we sat down to a huge, delicious Chinese feast. And we also had a turkey. It was roasted to succulent perfection by my cousin Sherry. She also made a crazy yummy cranberry and fig sauce. Also we had wine. And we drank beers. And towards the end of the night, we downed some tequila shots. And we played poker. And then we checked our e-mail. And then my cousin Lori and I collapsed onto our "floor-bed" and passed out. And then in the morning we all got up and decided to go crazy shopping at South Coast Plaza for Black Friday. And then we all came home and Lori and I collapsed onto our "floor-bed" again and passed out. Thanksgiving was good.

Now they are three

I also got to hang out with these fun kids: Vianne and Adrian. They're twins. Sometimes they were happy. Other times they just weren't feeling it. I went on the reindeer carousel with them. We all drove out to Crystal Cove for brunch on Saturday and walked down to the beach. And my aunt had a new Wii installed so we made mini-Miis for them. Sherry made them both give me kiss-goodbyes on the cheek before they went to sleep. Aren't they cute?

The turkey and tofurkey

Tonight I went to a Thanksgiving potluck dinner at my coworker Jessi's place. My contribution was a mozzarella and cherry tomato salad (my favorite). There was so much delicious, good food there, and bottles and bottles of red and white wine that I've decided Thanksgiving is now one of my favorite holidays to eat through.

By the way, there was tofurkey there because Jessi's vegan. I tried a bit and it tasted okay. But the real turkey totally kicked ass.

Tomorrow I'm flying out to Orange County to spend a few days with my aunt, uncle and cousins. And yes, it's true that every single Asian person on the face of the earth has relatives who reside in Orange County.

It's meant to snow tomorrow so I hope my flight isn't delayed or cancelled. This cold, wet weather pretty much blows.

Here's a photo of Jessi getting the tofurkey and roasted vegetables outta the oven.

The keys

Yesterday I went by my new building to pick up the keys to the studio. It was the first time I'd seen the place in daylight -- or quasi-daylight since my next view will be of a brick wall, yesss! -- and it looked totally alright. Size is still good. Kitchen still good. Bathroom still okay. It was also the first time I got to walk around my new neighborhood. And I absolutely loved it. I already see five little restaurants I want to try. And I can't wait to have a coffee at the place across the street.

Yay.

After getting the apartment stuff settled yesterday, I introduced a friend to the wonders of Smoques, that insanely good BBQ place out in Irving Park. We picked up a six-pack of Carlsberg, drove over, parked, ordered, and scoffed down all our food -- including chopped brisket and pulled pork. Then we drove back and immediately had to lie down, rub our bellies and go to sleep for two hours. And then we got up and bought some watermelon to "break up the pork". Damn that watermelon was good. I was eating and living it up like an obese American yesterday. It was so fantastic.

Late night visitor

This ladybug just came and landed on my keyboard from who knows where.

Ponchos forever

I'm someone who can't help but look cute during the chilly winter months.

If you puked into your keyboard just then, that reaction was spot on. Well done. I'm sorry about that. I just ate a plate of cauliflower. And now you want to smack me in the face, I know. Again, apologies.

Anyway, so my first winter in Chicago is coming up and I want to buy winter stuff. (I know I have less than $10 in my bank account right now after paying 2.5 months rent for my next studio, but my paycheck comes through tomorrow. Quit being such a poo. Jesus.) So back to what I was saying. Yeah, I want to buy real winter stuff. Stuff for fierce wind vortexes and psychotic flurries. What the hell a flurry is, I don't know. They keep talking about them during the weather segment and I'm like, what? We're gonna have flurries? That sounds so freaking cute.

So I've already bought a pair of wet and snow weather boots. These Tretorn-brand ones in black that have furry lining. I think they'll do the trick for the morning and evening commutes.

And despite what Janice says and the disapproving anti-poncho looks she gives me all the way from Sydney, I want to try on this Gap poncho so bad. I'm a goal-oriented person. I've always wanted a poncho. Okay, fine. I've wanted a poncho for about 12 months now. And this one looks like it could look okay. That's it. I won't rest until I've tried it on and decided it looks ridiculous and taken it off. All sad and defeated.

Poncho poncho poncho. Rar rar rar!!!!!!!

Oh my god. Check this guy out.

Introducing Steve

Steve's one of my good friends here in Chicago. I met him through Chris, the original Chicago friend who moved to Cleveland for law school. Steve was one of the baseball-capped guys who took me to Smoques for my birthday dinner and also one of the guys who sat at this memorable poker table.

Steve and I try to meet up pretty often -- maybe once a week or so -- to hang out or get a bite to eat. Last night we ate freaking delicious Indian food. I'm talking about Steve because I want to post this funny thing he told me last night.

So he said his church group have been wondering about all the different girls he brings to church. (I myself went one Sunday morning last month to see what all the fuss was about.)

"Who are these girls? Are any of them your girlfriend, Steve?" they wondered.

"No, I'm single. I don't have a girlfriend," he replied.

"O-kay. Um, let's try this. Is there a girl out there -- somewhere -- who considers you her boyfriend?"

"...yes."

Boystown

I've been so slack these past, well, two months with my apartment hunting that when it occurred to me this weekend that I need to move in 3 weeks, I practically peed my pants.

So last night after work, I went to see this free Chicago apartment search agency called Apartment People because they drive you around and again, it's free. I'm sure they get a nice commission out of it though. So my agent, a 6'5" tall guy called Russell, helped me find a great place that is literally across the street from the Apartment People office. We didn't have to go far at all. It's a small studio on the third floor. Just my size. I put in an application last night and paid the first month's rent. So maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll be moving to Boystown right after Thanksgiving. And saving so much money on rent I'll make my mother proud. And my bank account all chubby.

For everyone outside of Chicago, Boystown is in Lincoln Park, a few miles further north of where I'm at now. It's called Boystown cause it's where the gay boys congregate and sip foamy lattes. There are lots of great shops, restaurants and cafes there, lots of bus routes that go downtown and the Belmont El stop is three blocks from my place. Well, hopefully it'll be my place by next week. Jesus, it better be. I don't wanna go back to looking. Also there's a Whole Foods some blocks north and the area is just really fun and safe. I'll be signing a one year lease though, which is a little scary. I haven't been able to commit to a 2-year mobile phone contract yet, so we'll see if I start sweating bullets when I have to sign on the dotted line...

In other Chicago news, we had Daylight Savings on Sunday, so now it's pitch black outside by the time it's 5 o'clock. That, and this sudden and ridiculously winter-y weather is making me feel unsatisfied with my cold weather wardrobe. I feel I need my long coat. But it's back in Taipei. Sigh.

Now I'm going to Ikea.com to look at some barstools for the breakfast counter. Maybe I'll even buy a bed, who knows...anything can happen. Anything. I'm crazy.

The professionals

The design company I work at had its 25th anniversary party last night at the Chicago Illuminating Company. It was a very fun and very fancy night. Everyone looked ridiculously great. And most of my coworkers and I drank -- a lot. So today was a day of hangovers in the office. In fact, it was the longest Friday in the history of the world. But last night was fun. Fun fun fun.

This photo you see here was taken at the beginning of the night. Later on, it got ugly. Then at the after-party, it all got much, much uglier.