12 Strings

Only my cousin Chris will understand the joy of a low-action guitar. A 12 string low-action guitar! For which I traded my insanely high-action, couldn't stay in tune with itself, 6 string guitar.

My fingers hurt from playing it pretty much non-stop since 6pm. I don't know why, but I'm a better guitarist on 12 strings. Maybe it's because you've got 6 more chances to hit the right string. Or possibily it's the fuller sound, but I love it. I actually hugged it. I learned on 12 strings, and now I'm back to my roots. (as if I've grown all that much - I think I know about 20 chords in total!)

I think I'll play some more. ;)

Chicago Air & Water Show

In all my 31 years as a suburbanite, I had never attended Chicago's Air & Water show. Go figure one of the coolest free events in the midwest, and I'd never been. I love Chicago - except when I don't. I'm not a fan of crowds, nor a fan of constant honking. But oh - the buildings, the lake, Navy Pier, the El - it's all just so Chicago.

We decided since Emmett loves all things transportation that we'd take the train downtown and hoof it to a good enough spot to watch the show. We weren't about to try and walk from the train station to North Ave beach where most everyone would be watching it, we hoped to find a good spot without a huge hike.

Well, we got a huge hike, AND a good spot. Ohio St beach was just as perfect a spot to watch the show as any. Emmett complained about how loud the planes were, even when I'd warn him "Cover your ears, it will be loud", he'd still get wide eyed at the sound. His favorite? The Stealth Bomber, cause it was quiet. =)

I loved watching the planes fly around and do vertical tricks I didn't think planes could do. The seemed so close! And the Stealth Bomber seriously looks like an alien ship. We had a really nice time spending the day watching the show and just being downtown. Emmett's favorite moment of the trip? No, not the planes, nor the train ride, but lunch at Bubba Gumps! "It was the best lunch ever!" He said. Popcorn shrimp in a ship-shaped plate, what could be better?

By the time we arrived home, we were all tired (some of us a bit burnt). By 9pm, we were all in bed. It's about all us suburbanites can handle - one whole day downtown. (yawn) I need another nap!

Construction and Discontentment

I've been spending an exorbitant amount of time in traffic, mostly caused by the insane idea that all highways in the greater Chicago area must be under construction simultaneously. Being the avid NPR devotee that I am, my Morning Addition and 848 keep me company and at least keep my mind from numbing itself into oblivion. But there are those moments...

I'm sure you get them too - you wonder why so much of your time is spent in a tin can attempting to get to a job you're not all that fond of so it can keep you much later than it should. I day dream of jobs I'd love to have. Things I'd like to do, places to go. Eventually in my minds ramblings, I realize I'm just really discontent.

It's understandable to be discontent, I won't wallow it in, but I'm cutting myself some slack. We have our share of difficulties, one income household and all. But really - what is it that I don't have, that I really require?

Shelter? check
Food? check (probably could do with a little less)
Job? check
Love? check
Family? check
God in my life? check
snoring dog? check

I am blessed, even if I sometimes don't think I am. Even though the job I wanted disappeared before they even got my resume, I'm blessed... I have a job. Despite my impatience with Craig's job hunt, I'm blessed... I have a husband to love and who loves me. Yes, the back door is just about off it's hinges, and the roof is one good storm from falling apart, but I am blessed, I have a house which does keep me dry and safe. So take a moment and take stock with me. Take a record, an accounting, of the ways you have what you really need. And don't pay attention to the Mazda RX8 which just flew by you in the express lane. His gas milage stinks anyway.