On the Way Out the Door

Star date September 6, 2008.
So I quit my job with the City of Chicago three weeks ago and it has been a marathon whirlwind of action. I have been busier in these weeks than I was while working full time. I am certainly not complaining. Here's a run down of the biz...

Week one: Visit from Pete, formerly known as hobo "texas pete" who has traded in his train-hopping ways for the likes of a stylish vintage Honda motorcycle. He showd up at 5 am after having traveled 15 hours straight from Delaware to Chicago-- needless to say, the man is intense. He was happier than a pig in sh_t rolling around on that little baby. Other big news, although I can't say I'm entirely proud, I have totally converted to the ways of the omnivorous, which was confirmed August 18 2008 when I bit into a seared piece of red meat from the metal-meat-mecca that is KUMAS Corner. Yes, I ate a burger for the first time in 12 years. I paid for it all the next week.

Week two: I submitted the final application for the rainwater harvesting and composting latrine project to be based in Nicaragua to Engineers without Borders. I will have a preliminary response within 6 weeks to determine the project's acceptance.

But what occupied a preponderance of my time was preparing for Chicago Bike Polo NACCC Bike Polo Championship.

My crazy boyfriend Ben with who I am madly in love and a host of talented folks organized the biggest and most successful bike polo championship in North America. 35 teams from 20 cities descended upon our fair city to battle it out in the Garfield Park Polo Court. That court in particular is a point of pride for all involved with Chicago Bike Polo. Polo players and volunteers shed blood sweat and tears over three- 12-15 hours days building what has been hailed at the most kick-ass court of all time. Local artist Blount sealed the court with various gnarly dude drawings, followed by graffiti and a wicked paint job. Worthy of noting is that Ben and the polo committee spend a full year organizing for this event and it surely paid off. Ben is now being touted at the President of Bike Polo by online "polo pundits"- I second that motion. I spent most of the time doing what I do best, rolling out the food-- trying to satisfy the appetites of sweaty and the bloody .

Big up to Ottowa Polo Mallets of Mayheim for taking home the big prize: a hand crafted trophy from Lloyd Cycles (our beloved Owen Lloyd) and gold velocity rims for their custom Waterford Polo frames. Damn amazing job Alexis, Robby and Brian!! Thanks to all the cities for attending, the laundry list of sponsors and the many local businesses and restaurants that contributed to make a magnificent event. Chicago Bike Polo rocks my world- I've caught the polo bug for sure.

Week Three: Last week in Chicago. You may or may not know, but I somehow think that I have a chance at being chosen for a Fulbright Fellowship. After 6 months of making contacts with  Nicaragua, garnering support for the project, meeting with engineers, learning about materials, researching grassroots efforts, gather letters for references, transcripts etc..... the Fulbright has been submitted. I seriously have the best Fulbright Advisor ever, a very big thank you to Amy Kehoe- U Michigan. Other big thanks to Natalia and Vivian from Madre, Lorraine Gutierrez -U Michigan, Isaac Bloom- Minnesota PIRG and Margarita Chavez - Harold Washington.

To celebrate, I had my first acupunture session with a talented practitioner named Alathea-- it wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of a certain PANKAKER-Fin (thanks so much lady!) I highly recommend it. I have floating through the week with a warm fuzzy feeling and calmed nerves since.
And finally, the farewell festivities take place tomorrow 2-6 at the polo field and then we move it over to the skylark at halstead and cermak.