On November 24, 2002, I re-established my Florida residency and also established a "crashpad" place of residence in NW Chicago, IL. I moved to a high rise building overlooking the eastern end of O'Hell International Airport. Its a great place, but if you know anything about the industry and "crashpads", then you know what living in one is like. Imagine for a moment a two bedroom apartment where 5-7 people live when they are in town for work, then imagine that a majority of them are on "reserve" (on call) which means they are all almost always in town. It makes for a very impersonal living situation. We started with 4, increased that to 7 and back at 6, then to 5, and now 4. I dont think we are gonna move anyone else in as the lease is up in October.

I have flown alot while on reserve, and I still enjoy my job. I hate the sitting part when there is no work to do, though.

This year, my sister decided she would "come out" to the family. I had known for quite some time, yet I am quite glad that she reached a point in her life where she could find the way out.

Other than that, the first part of this year has been quite uneventful with me getting to know the city of Chicago, and meeting some interesting people. I dated a really sweet guy for a while in August, but we couldn't get on the same page. (Ya know, me in the book of life, and him on the latest page of "Happenings in Boystown")

On October 10, I located a private room in a home near 4400N and 900W, and moved in thru the rest of October. I am settling in quite well in my new residence. I am walking distance to most everything and I couldn't ask for a better landlord and roommate. I am again holding a line after having a partial month of reserve, and I am hoping that will stay the same, although there is talk of a reduction in flying out of Chicago in January.