Benjamin Penguin

There are definitely some things I like having now moved. I like the floor plan. At first, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it, but I suspected I would like it. I’m used to having more boxed off, more defined spaces and this is an open floor plan. Everything is kind of all together. As it turns out, I really like it. It will be of little surprise to those that know me well, but let me state that I am a person that thrives on companionship and being surrounded by loved ones. If I could permanently stitch myself to my favorite people in the world, I’d seriously consider doing so. This floor plan means that at any point in the apartment (save the bedrooms) I am in easy eyeshot of Ben or Adam. It’s nice. Really nice. Makes for easy communication and easy interaction.

Also? The patio door and being on the ground floor? Great. So very great that I don’t even know if the word “great” is strong enough. Yesterday, when I was running late (insert “as usual” here), I popped the pooch on her doggie tie-out line in the back and finished getting ready. It was divine. Normally, I would have had to rush to get ready and then rush her downstairs and rush her through a walk and curse the universe until she went to the bathroom. Now however? I just clip her outside, let her do her thing while I continue to do my thing and then go on my merry way. It’s easily shaved 15 minutes off my morning routine. Which is good because the commute?

It’s killing me already.

The first few days were meant to lull me into complacency. I think it was about 55 minutes door to door. Now, this is the Chicago Metro area, so this is about standard from the northwest burbs. Are you hearing me, world? 55. Minutes. STANDARD. Are you weeping yet? Here, come weep with me. Yesterday, however, I wanted to scream. It took me an hour and 45 minutes to get home. I could have watched a feature length movie in that time. I could have baked, cooled and frosted cupcakes (were I to actually do such a thing.) I was looking at this great website that charts traffic patterns on the expressway that I drive and it appeared to be an errant fluke – defying the past 5 years of trend data. So, maybe it was the run. Or something else. I don’t know. But I fear the winter and the commute that it may bring. I am thinking the commuter train may be in my future once the snow hits.

That aside, I like the move overall thus far. Adam met our upstairs neighbor and said that he was very nice. Apparently they have a toddler as well, so they should be hopefully understanding when Benjamin has a middle of the night meltdown (or middle of the day, middle of the morning, 4:37pm meltdown, etc.). The parking is great. Carpets I think will be nice in some respects, disgusting in others. I’ve already used the dryer to engage in a little practice I like to call “Lazy Woman’s Ironing.” There are dishes in the dishwasher – dishes I don’t have to wash by hand. It’s good.

If I can live through the commute, it will be a very good move indeed. When I was younger, the thought of living anywhere but the city of Chicago was unthinkable. But, as I ease into my earliest old fart years, I am relaxing in my stance and finding that I can probably make a home just about anywhere as long as I am with my family.