Wednesday, September 25, 2013

While Away the Hours

Greetings.  From Chicago. Where I live now.  Perhaps a two + year hiatus warrants an explanation, a recap of events, or at least some sort of highlight reel but I think I'll hold off on that and instead basically pick-up where I left off.  I'll supply explanatory details as necessary.  So back to business...

As I mentioned, I am currently stationed temporarily in Chicago.  It is a city with great architecture and improv and it is big enough to warrant two baseball teams.  This has lead to a pretty sterling reputation among Americans and casual visitors.  People typically acknowledge that it's cold (it is the Windy City) but it is almost cliche to discuss that Chicago is cold.  BUT people who actually live here (particularly people who live here and have also lived elsewhere) know that it's not just cold.  It's REALLY cold. And windy. And gray. And it's like that for over half the year.  Uninitiated to the permanence that winter has here, I was unprepared to fill endless hours inside and found myself bored and well, possibly, a little crabby and down on Chicago. Fool me once....

It is definitely fall now - which is beautiful.  It is crisp and sunny and I love it.  But I know that fall is really just the appetizer for winter and portends countless months of weather misery.  But I plan to be prepared this time.  In addition to stretchy pants, a coat that resembles a sleeping bag, and some Everest worthy mittens, I am calling on the TV to get me through.  I have a checkered past with TV - and have been quite fickle expelling it from my life only to welcome it back in when Rafa was playing well.  I am committed now.  I am ready to settle down.  TV and I are going to get through this.  I have drafted The Good Wife, The Blacklist, The Voice, Mindy Kaling and whatever Real Housewives franchise presents itself (please be Beverly Hills) to help me along.  The DVR is set.  I even ordered a new couch.  I am ready for winter.  What else should I be watching??