Chateau Carlklef For Sale

For Sale: Beautiful loft apartment in the west loop area of Chicago. This space could be yours. See for yourself:

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You would enjoy a lot of space in this 1700 sq foot, 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment. It also features two walk-in closets so big, most units in the Lincoln Park area would call them bedrooms. Hardwood floors, granite kitchen counters, and awesome former owners - so you know there is prestige in living there. It even has easy access to the blue line and all major freeways. If you (or anyone you know) is interested in purchasing (or maybe even renting) this fabulous space, please contact us ASAP!

Paying a ticket was never so much fun

Today I made my third trip to the circuit court to pay KT’s ticket. Much could be said about this illegal U-turn incident (YOU BROKE THE LAW), but the important part is that a ticket had to be paid. No big deal, right?

Try 1: Six days after KT fought the law, I went to the circuit court dungeon and waited in line 1 for about 20 minutes. That brought me to a booth where I was told that the ticket had not been filed yet. How long does it take to enter a ticket into the system? Longer than 6 days.

Try 2: Yesterday I made my next attempt. Line 1 was much better – only about 5 minutes, but the “gentleman” that assisted me was only semi-understandable and surly as he looked up the ticket and told me to go wait in Line 2 for the cashier. I went to the Line 2 corral until I was summoned to a counter to write our new address on a sheet. A few minutes and some frantic behind the counter conversations later, I was denied again. The bottom line was that I couldn’t pick up KT’s license for her and they couldn’t mail it since the address on the license was for our old apartment. Strike two.

Try 3: Today I took my attorney (aka “the perp”) with me. After checking my super-dangerous micro swiss army knife into a holding locker, I joined KT in Line 1. The surging lunch-time crowd was attended to by one person. We kept thinking we were in a Chicago post office. Luckily we finally made it to Line 2 where we paid. Only 3 tries.

We did learn that paying with a credit card involves filling out a paper sheet, calling some 800 number, and then going to some separate location where they can actually swipe the card. Awesome. They probably shouldn't advertise all over the cashier’s corral that you can easily pay with a card. Luckily we had the checkbook.

Hat’s off to the Circuit Court payment center for making the post office seem efficient. I didn’t think that was possible.

Why do I never pay attention to the weather?

Every morning KT and I make it a point to watch the weather when we get our sweet breaks from the Today show (and the "news" they inflict upon us). Apparently, I tuned the weather right out today because I surely didn't take an umbrella with me. Oh yes, it poured on me today. I conducted a training all morning and then had to make a break for it - running for three blocks through the downpour. I suppose it wasn't quite like this reporter, but it felt similar. I almost started building an ark. Good thing I was already going home to eat lunch because I was able to change out of my soaking clothes and make some hot soup. Why don't I listen to the weather?

Think like a criminal

Yesterday we received a ticket for not having renewed our state registration on the beloved sube. Funny, because we did renew our state registration and had placed the 09 sticker on the license plate over a month ago. Apparently you are supposed to place the sticker on and then "score" it so that a thief can't tear it off and then use it. Crap. Who knew? If only we thought more like criminals.
Now we are forced to (i) buy another registration sticker (they only charge $20 when this happens - thanks for the deal) and (ii) contest the ticket - which requires us to complete a police report. Awesome. I hope that thief is happy . . . and proud how he has hurt his cause forever . . . I hope he thinks he's clever . . . (that's right I just started singing "Wicked" - deal with it).

We Made It!!

After this past weekend where the temperature got into the 70s, I am officially declaring it Spring. That means the long, long, long Chicago winter is over. We made it without any major frostbite and, most importantly, without running out of gas on (or off) the Interstate. This was a big fear because it happened to us twice last year. Yeah – twice.

The first time we were taking friends home from church when the tank went dry. What followed was a strange cab ride to the gas station, a lot of gas on my freezing hands and lost gloves. Not pretty. You’d think we would have learned from that experience, but no – shortly thereafter we were headed down the freeway when I decided it was about time to refuel. I was literally looking up to find the nearest exit when the tank went to E. Luckily the traffic was heavy and therefore slow – making my jump out of the car in traffic a little easier as I single-handedly pushed the car to the left shoulder. Once “safely” on the shoulder, we called GEICO who rocked and sent out a gas man who saved us from a wreck or being frozen, not sure which would have happened first. (Now keep in mind that the fuel gage is broken and we have to refuel based on our trip odometer – not that it is a solid excuse, but it does make it more difficult to know when the Subaru is thirsty).

The point is that we are very happy to have made it through winter # 2, a little wiser and definitely with less adventure danger.

Chicago's Number One!

Congrats to Chicago! The city now has the highest sales tax in the United States. Sweet! I won't get all political but I will say this - um smart move Mr. Stroger, smart move.

Subaru is in the Hospital

Say it ain't so Subey! Friday night as we were rightously on our way to the ward Game Night, the Subaru started acting funny. By that I mean 1st gear was slipping and transmission fluid was leaking. Not good. I'm sure it didn't have anything to do with the donuts I like to do in the parking lot . So then we had to take her to the hospital on Monday morning. It just so happens that Aunty Jo gave me the name of a crack mechanic on Ashland and Archer that took a look and sent us to a transmission shop. He was so nice! You never really know who to trust with your car, but I think we found two great places because I really liked the transmission place too. The Subaru is ready to roll and we pick her up tomorrow morning. It was a close call, but I think she will pull through and we can add to those 180,000 miles we've put on her. As much as we love the car, it might be time for a new one. We are starting up the search machine for the next vehicle. More to come. In the mean time, if you need a good mechanic or transmission shop, give us a call - will recommend.

Baby it's cold outside . . .

It has been so ridiculously cold I can't even explain it. I took a picture of the frozen river (again) in an effort to document how cold it is. This is the view I have from my office. If you look closely you can see the ferris wheel at navy pier. It is always there just tempting me to go and take a ride.

Old Man Winter

Anybody remember the old Burlington Coat Factory commercial that starting with "Old man winter is here . . . " and showed pictures of kids getting on a school bus in the winter? It kinda looks like that now in Chicago. Actually it's not really THAT bad, but you would think by the way people at my work are talking about it that we were about to be cut off from civilization or something. I really liked walking around in the snow this morning in my snow boots. It made me miss snow shoeing in American Fork canyon. If it keeps snowing, I might just wish I had those here.

Chicago's Finest

We got a ticket last week for parking in a street cleaning area. They posted the sign less than 24 hours before we got the ticket. Nice, very nice. At least give us some notice. So in the envelope that I am sending to City Hall, I am including this photo and a note stating that it is hard to know where to park sometimes in Chicago. Especially with examples like this. How many violations can you spot?