"So that when we say that black lives matter, it's not because other don't. It's simply because we must affirm that we are worthy of existing without fear, when so many things tell us we are not."

http://www.ted.com/talks/clint_smith_how_to_raise_a_black_son_in_america

apartment goals

Rudolph Apartment, New York City, Paul Rudolph, 1967

Why I want to be an architect, part 1,000,000

http://www.ted.com/talks/takaharu_tezuka_the_best_kindergarten_you_ve_ever_seen?utm_source=newsletter_weekly_2015-04-18&utm_campaign=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_content=talk_of_the_week_button

one of those "it'll be funnier in a couple days" posts, 4 days later

4/9/15

I just had to pay a tow-truck $60 to let my car down because the meter was FIVE MINUTES EXPIRED.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

I innocently explained that the meter was barely expired (literally not more than 7 minutes) and he proceeded to tell me that I could pay $50 cash now or $108.50 at the tow yard. 

I got my money clip from my pocket. OF COURSE, I have exactly three $20s (thank god I had cash), and he's like, "sorry I don't have change". 

WHY WOULD I EXPECT YOU TO HAVE CHANGE? Kindly accept this $10 tip (on top of the $50 "tip" I'm giving you for letting my car down). HAVE AN EXCELLENT DAY.  

JEEEEEEEZUS I'm pissed. 

Things like this always have me questioning how messed up humanity is. First of all, the jerk that decided we should charge money for parking is at fault. Like, can't we just not all be punks to one another and share parking spots?!

Secondly, who decides to work at a towing company? You've gotta be pretty messed up to say, "yep, towing cars is the business for me". Probably explains why the guy was a real jerk. If I was working for a towing company, I would be angry too. Makes me grateful for education and degrees, but also sad for all of the people that have to do his job. Think about how many people hate him, and then think about how much he hates his job. I would easily work at McDonald's for minimum wage before driving a tow truck. 

My heart rate is finally slowing down.  I think part of the reason that I was so pissed is that the guy could have very easily been a decent human and let my car down when I ran up to him yelling not to take it. Like I was maybe 1 minute too late. So that means he arrived LITERALLY like 4 minutes after the meter expired, like man I'm gonna get this little scion on my truck real easy. Also, the lot was only HALF FULL. WHO CARES!?!?!? He earnestly accepted my money (read:tip for not taking my car to the tow yard), and I bet $0 of that $60 is going anywhere other than that fucker's pocket. 

My mind immediately went to all of the irrational thoughts I could think:

I want to break something

I want to scream 

I should sell my car

I am done ranting. 

color

2nd city... yeah. right.

Got a chance to catch up with a good friend from Centre tonight.  He's a couple years younger than me, and it was really interesting to talk with him because it felt like I was talking to myself a couple years ago, right after graduating and moving to Chicago. Funny how much has changed since then (not to mention what I'd give to move back to Chicago).

I think this spring break NY trip finally cured me of my New York obsession. I don't know what it is, but something about Chicago is just better for me.  People that live in NYC have a bit of a superiority complex (read: back the fuck up all ye chicago haters). I had always had this little worry in the back of my mind that I would go to New York some time and like it better than Chicago... fortunately that was not the case.. at all.  though i enjoyed seeing some old friends in New York, that was pretty much the extent of my fun.

Things I love/miss about chicago (somewhat/somewhat not in relation to New York):

-my students

-my former coworkers/TFA folks

-having favorite restaurants/coffee shops/bars/places 

-walking around the city

-lakeshore drive (a small part of me enjoyed 5:00 LSD traffic. the other part of me says NOPE)

-lincoln park/being able to run/bike to the lake

-the way that the neighborhoods feel less like the big city than the loop does. you're in the city, but you're not engulfed by giant buildings everywhere. there's something stifling about manhattan.

-knowing my way around (or being able to figure it out as i go)

-waiting for the CTA (yes I actually enjoy the moments spent waiting endlessly for buses and trains)

-the fact that the trains (for the most part) are above ground.

-the diversity of the neighborhoods (maybe NYC has a bit of the same thing going on, but it doesn't seem so extreme)

-something about being on the lakefront is so much less constricting than when you're on manhattan. i feel like manhattan is a giant mothership of touristy shit, rich people, and restaurants with a cool park in the middle (shouts out to Freddie Law Olmsted tho!).

but damn - New York sure does photograph well.

NY explorin