Summer Wrap-Up

Summer 2006 is drawing to an 'official' end with Labor Day upon us tomorrow. The weather is getting cooler, I occasionally smell a very faint sniff of fall in the air, and I am getting excited to wear sweaters and winter coats for the first time in three years. My summer was defined by the following:

1. Baseball. I grew to love the White Sox and become an unabashed unashamed baseball fan. Not a fanatic yet, but I do find myself actively seeking out baseball stats. And the Twins - Sox wild card race has had me on my toes the past few weeks with nervous anticipation. I have to thank Miller for getting me into this, and I'm glad our acquaintenceship has become a friendship.

2. Alcohol. I had a return to drunken hazes this summer, after a three year hiatus. Some of these experiences were good, some awful. Most all were to blame on my weight gain. I'm ready to taper off, but it was fun to be a boozehound again for a few months.

3. Single-dom. First summer...since high school...? that I was 100 percent single. I determined to get out there and see what happens, to make out with dudes, and in general experience a non-monogamous lifestyle. Some experiences ended in disaster (online dating attemps), others were exactly what I wanted (no strings attached), and some were fairly heart breaking (unrequited infatuation). I'm alone now more than ever, having absolutely no dating prospects. Thankfully, I've reached a stage where I'm at least tolerating this situation, and only get sad when I'm reminded of the good aspects of having a boyfriend.

4. Chicago. A no-brainer. This is the first summer I've ever lived in Chicago. I didn't experience much of it outside of Wicker Park and Roscoe Village, but I did find enough great bars to get into trouble. I felt heat, sweat, and wore skimpy clothes - all things I wasn't able to do in SF. I got a tan. I ate chicago foods like hot dogs.

5. New friends. I made a lot of new friends this summer. It's exciting to make new friends, and I enjoy hanging out with so many new faces. I'm hoping to move those friendships beyond the bars, and actually do other things with these people. Actually, I'd like to do anything that doesn't involve alcohol with anyone (old or new).



What will you remember this summer for?