At last...

I'm here in my great homeland. Sigh, deeper sigh. Upon departing the airplane there is an immediate vibe, Chicago just feels different. I have to say it... it's the great north! I almost kissed the ground. I swear you can smell pizza right off the plane.

There is also a certain speed I forget about. Everything is faster, I'm sure, not noticeable to most, but there is a difference. Maybe it's the moving walkways, but I think it's the attitude. I love it. It fits me. There is no talking or looking at strangers, everyone is focused and moving towards a goal.

Everyone is so serious, which I noticed as I walked by a mirrored wall, I looked like I was attending a funeral, so did everyone else. Mentally, I smiled. I like my blank face, it requires very little energy.

All the while I'm listening to Keith Urban's new album. It was an interesting juxtaposition. If I only had a sweet tea, I would could have been a cultural ambassador, bringing back treasures from the ancient world.

When I arrived home, I was showered in office supply samples (gifts befitting my ambassador status). This only makes sense if you know my family. I have already managed to gather two large sacks of retractable highlighters permanent markers, computer screen wipes, various types of adhesive, an anti-microbial mouse pad and one glass post-it note dispenser. Did I mention a set of neon binder indexes?

Life can't get much better.