September 23, 2000: Chicago Cares

This was my third weekend monitoring for work. I ended up going into work to get it done faster.   I did some volunteer work for Chicago Cares at the food depository.   I got a ride from some girls to the facility on Pulaski.   They were all impressed by my great sense of direction.   We spent 3 hours packaging noodles.   On the way home, we stopped at Krispy Kreme donuts.   Then, I went back to Information Resources to check on the jobs in the system. I gave Jase a call.   He broke his foot during the first week of training at the state police academy, so had to be on crutches.   He wasn't sure if he would be able to finish the course.   He said life didn't always go the way you wanted it to.   Adam hurt his vertebrae, so he couldn't play sports.    Skip had to have cataract surgery on Monday.    

September 17, 2000: St. Clements

Mom, Shari, and I went to the catholic church, St. Clements, which was on Deming and Orchard. They seemed to enjoy the service. Then, we walked around the botanical gardens and the Lincoln Park zoo.

September 16, 2000: Gangster Tour

Mom, Shari Goodhue, and I went to the Golden Nugget Restaurant for breakfast. We went on the gangster tour and saw the places where Al Capone hung out around Chicago. Then, we had lunch at Navy Pier and took a ride on the ferris wheel.

September 15, 2000: Mom and Sherri's Visit

Mom and her friend, Shari Goodhue, came to visit me.   Their train was late, so I wasn't able to have a nicer lunch with them.   However, we had fast food.   I had received an email from a good friend, saying I was too negative and got tired of hearing about my future plans.  She told me to have a good life.  I was pretty hurt by it.   Ceylon told me to not let it bother me, as people will come and go in your life.  Those that stick around are your real friends and not to worry about the others and to just move forward.   She said she used to get upset by that stuff, but after her boyfriend said it was crazy and that some people are like that.    You just have to move forward.     

After work,  Mom, Shari, and I went to the Italian restaurant, 'Buca Buca', on Clark/Oakdale.  We had this pizza that had goat cheese on it. It was pretty good.  We went to an English film and fell asleep during it.   It was pretty funny that we did that.

September 10, 2000: Jase Lawver

I called the Lawvers to congratulate Jase on passing the interview and getting into the Police Academy.    I talked with Jase for about an hour.   He said he was glad I had called.   He said we will definitely have to go camping once I moved back to Michigan.  His training started on Sept. 17th and he planned to come home every weekend.    Chad was now substitute teaching and seemed to enjoy it.   I think that was the first time I had spoken with him that long on the phone.