So, for the past two days I have been living in the biggest city I've ever called "home." So far, it isn't as bad as I thought it would be. With the Backseat Gaffer as my patient guide, I've been getting around Milwaukee with no problems. It isn't quite as nasty as some cities I've been in (and to avoid offending people, I won't say which ones I didn't like so well). We live in a relatively safe neighborhood, with parks nearby and quiet neighbors. Our bedroom faces east, which means that on yummy, sunny days like today and yesterday, the sun shines in our eyes very early and wakes us up. However, I am in my "summer sleep pattern" right now, which means I need less sleep than I do in the winter time. This is one of the wonderful effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I have lots of energy in the summer, almost boundless.

Pumbaa the guinea pig has settled right in to her new home space. She has a perch up on top of a bookshelf unit that is wide enough to accommodate her cage. She is queen of all she surveys. We still have a lot of unpacking, sorting and running stuff to Goodwill or St. Vincent's to do, as well as finding a way to get things put away so that we have a livable space. We tried to light the pilot light on the stove, but it seemed like the gas wasn't on. We have hot water, so I'm not sure if the water is electric-heated or gas-heated. Probably a good thing the pilot lights aren't on with Pumbaa alone there.

We're in Chicago right now, following the USA men's national soccer team to Soldier Field for a World Cup 2010 qualifying match with Honduras. It's a nice vacation before we start our new jobs. I'm excited.