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Goodbye Chicago :(

I was hesitant to title my final blog entry today as "Goodbye" because I don't know if I believe in "Goodbyes". They sound so final.....so definite....so sad.......but I don't think there is anything final or sad about this post. In less than 24 hours from now I am leaving the city I have called home for the past 7 years. It's going to be a long journey driving across the country but definitely not as grueling as the journey of the past 3 months.

I leave Chicago feeling a sense of accomplishment. During these past 7 years I made some amazing friends. These friends are absolutely the most beatiful people in the world. They stood by me through the thick and thin. There were also some not so great friends who supported me during the good times but seemed to disappear when times got rough. Nevertheless I am grateful for all of the people I have met and the experiences I have had because they turned that naive 23-year-old boy from Milwaukee into the man that I am today. Thank you.

I originally moved to Chicago to escape the armpit of the Midwest...... Milwaukee. There was also an ulterior motive for moving: to pursue an advanced degree in pharmacy. Despite the many sleepless nights spent studying and stressing I managed to get accepted into an excellent school and complete my Doctor of Pharmacy degree. For that reason also I feel accomplished.

I am looking forward to my new life in Florida because I have embraced the fact that now is the time for me to test my talents and fortunes in fresh waters. I look forward to finally having a normal life....one that doesn't consist of chronic insomnia, exams, internships, etc. I can go out with friends or even date a nice young man (yes, i said DATE!) without worrying how I will juggle a love life, work and school. I look forward to getting back to some of my hobbies that I had to temporarily abandon.....like learning Portuguese!

I have made some mistakes during my time here in Chicago and I hope to use the wisdom that I have gathered from them to ensure that I don't make these mistakes again. I think I realize now what really matters in life.....and it usually isn't what glitters. I have learned that I can be my own worst enemy and my own best friend. I can be a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare.....um errr....damn you Beyonce stop influencing this note! lol

I've learned to have an opinion and the confidence to defend it. I've learned to be a better person.

So tomorrow when I am driving down I-94 and see the Chicago skyline slowly disappear in my rearview mirror I won't be sad because I know that all people and memories will remain with me for the next journey........the next chapter.

Remember, when one chapter ends another one begins!

Beach Kuchi Kaiai.....feeling the funk in Southern Florida!

Bon Voyage

I was in West Palm Beach for a few days this week taking care of the last of my paperwork for my new job and frantically looking for a place to live. Fortunately I got everything accomplished just in time to catch my Friday night flight. The picture above was taken from the plane right before it landed. The sky was so clear and the sight of downtown Chicago was breathtaking. After I took that picture I must confessed I started to feel a little sad. I am going to miss Chicago :( I don't have any regrets about my move however. I think without a doubt taking this job is probably going to be one of the best decisions of my life (I hope lol) but I have enjoyed my time in Chicago so it's only natural to be a little sad I guess. I caught up on my sleep because Saturday was a special day.......

I must leave it to My Milwaukee Sister (who I am going to miss soooo much!) to always being able to organzie the best throwdowns. My "Big Gay Bon Voyage" party was just that.....big and gay! VJ Bobby helped fuel the night with a collection of music videos that only the Moo Town Sisters could appreciate. La Toya Jackson, Danni Minogue, Michel'Le, Vanessa Williams, and even some RuPaul were the soundtrack of the evening. The night started out rather quiet with a nice dinner at Las Mañanitas but mayhem ensued once we got to Crew, Chicago's best gay sports bar. The night was so special despite the little time available to plan for everything. Olivia made a surprise visit and most importantly I got to see several people who I have not seen in awhile due to my horrifically busy schedule this past year.

The night was filled with laughter, dancing, spilled drinks and finally some tears too. Leave it to Jorgillo to get everyone balling! LOL. thank god my cover up was waterproof!

Sorry Michael Jackson....THIS is it!

The person who made this work of cinematic artistry deserves a motherfucking Oscar!

Vasssup!

Last night was Halloween....always a big celebration in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood.....and officially my favorite holiday of the year. After a certain Kylie Minogue Fan ruined my plans to be a slutty prisoner bitch I decided to switch costumes and be Swine Flu....but at the last minute I came across this costume and even though I never saw the movie I knew I was mean to be........Brüno!

Along with Octomom, Apu (from the Simpsons) and a Dead Kylie Fan the night was a blast. I think the pictures speak for themselves.

It's a Holidannii 2009

This past month I was definitely on a Kylie high with the concert and what not but I think it is time that I update everyone on the "Thinking Man's Minogue" aka "The Pretty Younger Minogue" aka............

Dannii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I was browsing Youtube recently and came across this very rare Australian TV clip from the late 90's. Not only do we see Dannii sporting her freshly augmented breast and blonde hair but we get to hear her sing her Top 40 smash hit "Disremembrance" completely LIVE! The woman sounds incredible.



Dannii has been very busy these past few years with her various televison commitments (X Factor, Australia's Got Talent) so her music career has been on the back burner for awhile BUT her former record companies recognize the need for Dannii's music on iPods and stereos everywhere. In 2007 we saw the release of 4 separate albums (2 compilations of unreleased material and 2 deluxe editions of her preveious studio albums). In 2009 we get an extra special treat with deluxe editions of her various frist two albums!!!!!




Each album will be remastered and feature a bonus disc full of unreleased remixes and b-sides! But wait.....there is more! After Dannii's 1993 album "Get Into You" failed to have the same impact her debut album did, she and her record company decided to enlist a slew of the hottest dance producers in 1995 to create an album that would firmly cement Dannii's name in history. Unfortunately due to various contractual disagreements the project was abandoned. Dannii would later on record and release her "Girl" album featuring the UK Top 5 smash hit single, "All I Wanna Do". Well, 14 years later Dannii fans can rejoice as this rare collection of 90's gems finally sees the light of day......



Mike over at Pop Trash Addicts has a lovely entry about this release so I won't rehash everything but all I can say is that I am one happy Dannii Minogue fan this holiday season! Um, Kylie who?

Countdown

So today the official countdown begins. For quite some time I have felt lost in limbo....and now everything is happening so fast! I got all the paperwork ready so I can start my new job November 16th. On Wednesday I am flying to West Palm Beach for a drug and health screen and to look for a place to live. Then depending on the moving company I will be leaving Chicago permanently November 11th or 12th. WOW........it's really happening. I am glad I have had the chance to see as many people as I could these past two months. I have been able to tie up several loose ends. There are still a few more matters to tend to before I leave but I am thus far quite satisified with my work.

Tomorrow I will be attending the Halloween Parade in Lakeview. That is always fun but I am more excited about next week Saturday...........



I will miss all of the fierce party invites that my Sista M makes for me! I'm leaving Chicago in style lol.

Free Parking

Since I have been staying with Fernichael during this "transitionary" stage in my life, I have continued to drive to my old neighborhood to use my gym. I simply cannot believe how long it takes for me to drive 7 miles in this fucking Chicago traffic. Granted, I am no newbie to traffic jams, but I am not used to dealing with this shit in the middle of the day on city streets! UGH! If I made a list of the things I am not going to miss about Chicago it would most likely include the horrible traffic. I envy those who can manage walking everywhere or have a simple commute on the train (because lord knows the public transportation in this city is another fucking nightmare). Except for the first year I lived here, I have always needed to have a car for work, school or internships. I can't wait to finally live somewhere where my commute to work will only be 15 minutes!

Another frustration when it comes to driving is the way the City of Chicago manages to rape drivers every possible way with parking fees. I have always lived somewhere with garage parking but now that I am driving to my gym I am experiencing the annoyance of street parking. However, much like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, I have discovered FREE street parking in Lakeview (an area of Chicago notorious for it's congested streets). It truly is wonderful. I had to check the street signs 500 times because I simply couldn't believe Mayor Daley would allow people to park on the streets.....for FREE!

Speaking of parking, next week I am flying to West Palm Beach to find a place to live. I have already spoken with a few realators that specialize in rental properties and I was happy to find out that garage parking comes standard (no extra cost) in most residential buildings. Thank god!

Can't Fight Fate

Today I found out that I passed my Florida board exam and i am officially licensed and approved to practice in the Sunshine State! Ironically I am still waiting for the Illinois Board of Pharmacy to get back to me. I am not sure why they are dragging ass! I won't be working in IL but I did fork out hundreds of dollars for licensing fees so I want my goddamn piece of paper!

I finally feel that I can breathe a sigh of relief. The past few months have been soooo nerve wrecking. Back in July I honestly had no idea where I would be working or living. I sure have come a long way. What I find to be the most interesting is that even when I had given up complete hope about moving to Florida, it seems Fate never gave up on me. What's even more ironic is that even if had changed my mind and decided to stay here in Chicago, a lack of jobs would have prevented it! I guess I know now to always follow my heart and my gut instinct because apparently they know better than some of the people trying to convince me that moving away from Chicago would be just a horrible idea. Go figure!

In other news I had a pleasant time with someone I hadn't hung out with in quite awhile. While I did complain in another post about a few annoying people coming out of the woodwork, there are a few loose ends I would like to bring some closure to before I leave.