"I am an American, Chicago born – Chicago, that somber city – and go at things as I have taught myself, free-style, and will make the record in my own way: first to knock, first admitted; sometimes an innocent knock, sometimes a not so innocent. But a man's character is his fate, says Heraclitus, and in the end there isn't any way to disguise the nature of the knocks by acoustical work on the door or gloving the knuckles."

- first line of The Adventures of Augie March by Saul Bellow.

So hopefully Chicago won't be too somber today... I mean, it is Gay Pride weekend. It is in this "Windy City"(it probably won't be so much windy as humid and sticky) that I'm starting this crazy two month trip across the country and back. My flight's at noon, but, of course, my grandma secured a car to the airport hours in advance so I won't be late. I'm really psyched but also a little nervous. Hopefully I'll be able to update somewhat frequently! I'll wish myself luck!