Stuicide

Yesterday morning, I lost my grandfather.

He had been suffering from congenial Heart Disease for a while, and has been in either a Nursing home or Hospital since last November.

He was a great man, and one thing I’ll always remember him for, was the stories of him fighting in WW2. He was at D-Day. He ended up getting wounded and receiving a purple heart when a grenade went off near him and he got shrapnel all up and down his left side. He spent 6 months in a hospital recovering from that.

He fought heart disease for much longer.

I know he has been in pain for many months, so I believe this is for the best. Still, I didn’t think I’d see him go before I left town. The last time I saw him, a couple of weeks ago he told me that he thinks I’m one of the smartest guys he knows and that I can do anything that I want to. He was looking forward to seeing me succeed in Chicago, so it’s time that I do that.

With 1 week to go until the big move, I have decided that I need a list of goals and things to do for when I get to town. I will only be “new” in the town for so long before stupid tourist things will no longer be acceptable.

• Work on my Photography, I need to go on a PhotoWalk through parts of the city.
• Work out, I need to use my limited time unemployed to firm up.
• Get a Chicago Hot Dog from Wrigleyville
• Get Chicago Pizza.
• Ride the subway from one end of the line to the other.
• Bike through busy city streets.
• Hang out at the top of the Sears Tower.
• Grant Park and all of it’s cool art.
• Explore a new part of the city on a down day.
• Get a Gyro from Greektown.

Any other ideas or suggestions? Chicago is such a wonderful city and I’ll be moving in with a few great months of weather left.

Take a look at your closest friends.

Think about the amount of random events and decisions it took for you to become friends.

It’s amazing that someone we just met and latched onto in our childhood can have such an impact on your life later on.

Last night I was hanging out with a group of friends I had known 6 years, 8 years, 9 years, 9 years, and 15 years.

My best friend was out of town, but for the record I’ve known him for over 18 years.

I thought we had some car trouble on the way up…

There are a lot of really tall buildings in Chicago.

I love the giant Bean.

I got to ride the subway for the first time.

I am moving to Chicago.

I will be starting the MBA Program at UIC for the Fall Semester of 2007.

This is a big move for me because I’ve lived in Memphis my entire life. It’ll be the first time I’m away from home. I have a lot to learn in the next few months, but I’m up for the challenge.

Drove up to Chicago today so we could get ready to meet with my advisor at UIC and look for apartments.

Mostly an uneventful drive until 30 miles outside of Chicago. That’s when I went to get off the Interstate to switch spots with my dad. The front right brake locks if you try to use the breaks. For those of you who don’t know… this makes the worst noise ever, and your breaking is reduced by half. Awesome. Scared the shit out of me. For those of you who haven’t had your brakes go out on an Off ramp while going 70, shouldn’t worry. It’s not as fun as it sounds.

The following 30 miles into the city with NO BRAKES was the most intense driving I’ve ever seen.

My fun day was interrupted though. I found out today that my friend Brian passed away yesterday. He had been drinking and dove into a pool. He broke his neck and drowned. The only person that was at the pool with him was my cousin.

He was a great friend, and a Skallywag. I’ll always remember him when I wear the Skallywag shirt that we both created. R.I.P.