Another open diary member flees the nest. I still haven’t fully accepted letting my old home go, but the truth is, I just can’t fathom losing everything I’ve ever penned if the site just goes belly up. So, here I am. It’s actually easier to pen entries on a phone with this site, so that may motivate me to write a lot more than I’ve been doing in the last year.

And really, this is absolutely fitting timing to start something new, because I’ve just had one of the most ridiculous weekends of my life. Ridiculous is one of those blanket terms that gets thrown around way too much when trying to define things, but seriously; the combination of things I saw, things I did, and things I felt this weekend are so intense, I literally spent the next two days sequestered in my room. Not because I was sad or anything, mind you, I just was so emotionally overwhelmed that I needed a break. Thankfully, work was cancelled yesterday, so I was given that extra day I really needed to push myself over the hump and get back to normal.

I’m not entirely sure how much time I’ve got to spare before I have to leave for home, to get some new tires put on, but I’ll throw the gist of what happened out here really quick. I went back to my hometown again for the first time since I lived there for a month, when I was living with Julie. I went back home again, but this time actually stopped and caught up with old neighbors, and my old best friend from elementary school.

He fought in an MMA match at the local civic center, and he killed it. Destroyed some guy about to go pro into UFC in two minutes in the first round. Watching him just completely own that arena, everyone there cheering like crazy, lit up, man, it just made me realize how stupidly amazing he’s grown up to be. I’m not like, pining for him or any stuff like that, bit, holy cow, dude. Josh is the man in Hammond.

I also finally made way around downtown Chicago legit for the first time since childhood. I went to Navy Pier, spent about $70 in parking and tolls, ate overpriced food at Harry Caray’s, rode the giant Ferris Wheel, and just spent a few minutes walking around and taking everything in. God, Chicago is so beautiful, to me. I’m going to write an entry explaining my love for that place soon. You’ll understand then.

But there was something more about the trip that I’m also going to make a separate entry and keep to myself for now. Suffice to say, it made the trip complete. I promise.

For now, this is plenty to see. I’ll miss you, OD, but it’s time for me to move on. C’est la vie, mon ami.