broadcast outcast

Today was an interesting day, by any standard definition.

Things began with waking before 6:30.  Aaron and I had to attend a community meeting that began at 8 a.m. for our class.  We will be writing a piece on the meeting tomorrow in class; everyone had a week to choose a community meeting to attend.  Ours just happened to be bright and early.  We went to the Howard Street SSA meeting:

Aaron met up with me at 7:15 in front of my apartment.  I had brewed and extra-large pot of coffee for me and him, and he was surprised by the travel mug I handed him.  I bet he enjoyed it.

So according to Google Maps, here’s where we were going, at 1751 W. Howard St:

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So Aaron and I take the train to Howard, then hop on the 97 bus.  We get off at the right stop…and are in the middle of nothing.  There was a vacant convenient store, an office, and a car garage where the address was supposed to be.  OK.  We look across the street, and the addresses are higher, but also odd numbers.  So we begin the trek back to the Howard Station.  Mind you, this street is riddled with gangs and crime in many portions.   OK.

Luckily, we make it back without incident.  Nonetheless, it was a solid 20 minute walk.  We got the UPS store, where the meeting was being held.  The meeting hadn’t started yet, so that was good.  Overall, it was fruitful, as we found out a ton about the area and what the Alderman is doing for the community.

Anyway, so after the 1.5 hour meeting, we hit the train and start heading to class.

We waited another 20 minutes.  Five red line trains passed us, and two yellow lines before a purple came.  Very frustrating stuff.

Next, Aaron agreed to go to Subway with me so I could pick up lunch.  I wanted a Buffalo Chicken sub.  Had one Saturday and enjoyed it enough to have another today.

On our way to Subway, walking down Sherman, Aaron and I walked by Jerry Springer.  Yes, THE Jerry Springer.  We both did double-takes when we saw him, and Springer then ducked into Jos. A Bank.  It was weird.  He was wearing a long, black wool coat.

At Subway, there was a dual TCBY.  Needless to say, Aaron and I both ordered parfaits.  The triple-berry parfait was not to be, however, as they lacked blueberries.  But it was 65 degrees outside, sunny, we hadn’t been to class before 11 a.m., and we were eating parfaits.

And we saw Jerry Springer.

Plus, I had no more class after 11:45.  That was awesome.  I finished my video (posted earlier) and went home to get ahead on work.

I say it all the time…but life is good.