2002-04-14 - 11:52 p.m.

No, I'm not dead. : )

Things have settled down here somewhat. I'm working in Oakbrook until July...Officeteam came through for me again. Of course I still need a permanent job but at least I don't have to wonder when - or if - I'll have some money. My tax stuff is done and I'm getting quite a nice refund back, which is good. I'm going to stick a bunch of it into the vacation fund. The goal is to head to Toronto in July with the rest of the LOPi gang. That will be cool if I can do it...I love Toronto.

Next weekend is the Mid-America Institute for Jaycees. I can't wait! It's a multi-state convention...I am hoping lots of my friends from Indiana show up. Even if not...enough of us from IL are going, plus Tony from Minnesota and there will be others to meet. It is going to be a blast! It is in Rolling Meadows...I could commute if I wanted but I'm staying in the hotel. Heh, I'd still stay in the hotel if the convention was being held next door...that's half the experience. Then the Springfield convention happens in May...I'm driving this time, taking Barb and Colleen with me. With any luck there won't be as much drama this year as there was last time around!

Today was a gorgeous day...finally it's spring! I went downtown today, to do a bit of shopping. I got some much-needed things at Syms and Marshall Fields, and just had a really good time wandering around State Street and Michigan Avenue. I took the Orange Line there instead of Metra. That really works well...not that I don't like Metra, I do. It is just nice to take that, and not have to plan the day around the train schedule. If I miss one train, I have to wait 10 minutes at most for the next one, as opposed to 2 hours.

I should head to bed though...work tomorrow, and I want to be somewhat awake. : )