My First Week in Chicago

What a whirlwind of a week it's been. Moved, auditioned, unpacked sporadically, had a callback, went out with friends, saw a show, and said goodbye to my mom one week later.

Saturday 3/1

The move turned out to be a lot less stressful than I was anticipating. (This is, in large part, thanks to New City Moving, who I researched and read about on Yelp! More about them later.) I might have mentioned it before, but I'm a worrier. I constantly envision things that could go wrong in a scenario. I'm talking events ranging from things that could happen to horrible freak accidents. (I blame the latter on seeing Final Destination as a child.)

Anyway, the plan was to meet the movers at a giant block store about 18 miles away from my apartment. Me being me, was stressed that security guards were going to swarm my vehicle and tell me that a dirty loiterer like me couldn't be there, get out, etc. Luckily, that didn't happen. What did happen was a blown out tire on the trailer that my dad was driving.

We were pretty close to the meet up spot, around 5 hours into our drive and about an hour out, when I noticed that little black chunks were flying at my car. (I was driving behind Dad). Damn trucks, I think. It's super lucky those black rocks they are throwing up aren't busting my windshield. Then, the chunks get bigger. I realize what's happening and frantically try to get my blue tooth going to call Dad, since ya know, handheld cell phone usage is now illegal in Illinois. Siri doesn't cooperate, instead asking whether I wanted her to look up an article on something. NO! Siri, obviously not! By the time I get her dialing Dad the tire has blown out. Luckily, it just kind of rolled off the wheel frame rather than exploding and sending the truck careening into anything. Also luckily, we have a spare and Dad has important life skills, like knowing how to change a tire.

Once we're back on the road I get a call from the movers. They're about an hour out from the location. How convenient I tell them, I am also about an hour out.

Nothing else of note happens, thank heavens, and we arrive whereupon the movers unpack a trailer that took Mom and I about 6 hours to pack (at least) in about 20 minutes. Color me impressed.
I say a tearful goodbye to Dad, who is driving back the same day to try to beat the impending ice storm scheduled to hit our area, get in my car, and hit Chicago traffic.

The truck beats me. I try to find parking. I attempt to parallel park. Let's hope I get better at that real fast.
By the time I make it to may apartment the movers have already unloaded a bunch of boxes. Things progress pretty smoothly until they try to get my seven foot couch through the door and around an exceedingly tight corner. Initially they're like, it won't go. And I'm like, No! I cannot tell my dad that he was right about the couch.

Them: We'll take off the legs.
Me: Great.
Them: Well, that didn't work because you see this back leg, it's like glued to the frame, not just screwed in.
Me/Mom: Give us a hammer, we'll rip it off.
Them: Let us try it again at a different angle.
Me/Mom: Thank you.
Them: (Grunts, groans)
Me: Yay!!!

They got it through with some impressive twisting. If not for the couch they would have probably been finished a good half hour earlier. As it were, they came in over $300 dollars UNDER the estimate that they sent me. Moreover, with all the stuff that I had the only thing that broke was a single piece of stemware. Granted I'm not thrilled about that, but in the grand scheme of things I was extremely happy with what they did for me. Everyone was incredibly polite and efficient. Thus, if you're considering moving to Chicago, I recommend New City Moving to get you settled into your new place. I have no regrets in hiring them. (Note! Nobody paid me to say that. My blog's not that big...yet.)

The rest of Saturday was spent putting my bed together and crashing.

Sunday

Sunday Funday was largely spent unpacking. My apartment is rather small (studio) so it was a bit of an issue trying to place things when Mom (who graciously agreed to stay for the week to get me settled in) and I were crawling over boxes, the dog, the cat, and each other. Slow going to say the least.

Sunday afternoon I had my first audition since moving to the area. I was a tad bit frazzled. I left my apartment with what I thought was plenty of time to spare. I was wrong. I was about five minutes late. In fact, the auditionors were walking out of the theatre when I was signing in. They filed back in when the proctor told them there was one more. Despite my tardiness, I felt good about the audition. The director worked with me a bit on my monologue and we chatted about my recent move. I was asked if I was available for Wednesday night if I happened to be called back. Yes.

Monday

More unpacking. Still can't really see the floor. It's like playing hot lava all the time. Get a lovely surprise that makes my day.
No word about the audition.

Tuesday

Unpack. How do I have this much stuff! I cut down!! Get an email inviting me to the callbacks.

Wednesday

Unpack. 3M Command Hooks are possibly the greatest home organization invention ever. Other than, like, nails, which I can't use...a nail that is.
Callback! For which I am incredibly early since this time I overestimated the commute.

Thursday

Unpack. I get my Comcast box. I set it up. I get internet and cable and proceed to watch 3 episodes of House with Mom. Then I spend an infuriating two hours putting together a breakfast table. Pretty sure that I pull my bicep trying to force the castors into their designated slots.
No word about casting.

Friday

Unpack. Then, joy of joys, we leave my apartment and go see Gypsy at Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier.
It was awesome. I'd never seen the show before. I loved the music, I loved the costumes, I loved Herbie, Louise, and the real live lamb! Performances were beyond solid from ensemble to Mama Rose. It was a very enjoyable show and both Mom and I liked it.

Take a cab back. Pull onto my street and see the flashing lights of a fire truck. Proceed suspiciously. They're at my building. Someone's trapped in the elevator. This happens a lot according to a neighbor Mom and I meet in the stairwell. Hell. I suppose if I'm being honest my quads can use the strength training climbing stairs provides.
No word about casting.

Saturday

More unpacking, I feel like the end is kind of in sight?
Later in the night I go see Tim Ipsen, the boyfriend of one of my best friends, play bass at a cafe. It was a really nice evening. Great music, good food, and wonderful company.
No word about casting.

Sunday

Sleep in a little late. Walk to a restaurant to get lunch with Mom before she leaves. Another tearful goodbye. This growing up stuff isn't always so fun.
Still no word about casting.

Monday 3/10

Friend in town. Pretend I know more about Chicago than I do.
As of this post, no word about casting.