Jack London in the city

So, today, we have ourselves a blizzard here in Chicago. Snow everywhere. Including ON THE STREETS. Where it is not supposed to fall. There should be rules about this. From God himself. Instructions to the snow. "You, little flakes, may only fall on the nice people and houses and grass and sidewalks. But those hard asphalt thoroughfares? DO NOT TREAD ON THOSE." This would make the life of commuters much more satisfying. But today, friends, I was already in the city for my internship, so I was not one of those poor suckers stuck on the now-closed Lake Shore Drive. Yippee!! I am able to enjoy the snow in peace, from the inside of the apartment looking out. This is the life. It's a winter wonderland out there!

Tonight I am thinking that I have an issue with quiet. I live in the city, and every once in a while, I realize that my life is a cacophony of sounds. A car's muffler here, my car's radio there, Scott memorizing a monologue, sirens in the background of my thoughts, screaming that someone's life has gone terribly awry, if just for this moment. When I visit my parents' home, in the country, I cannot sleep. It is too dark, and it is too quiet. There are so many people who have questioned my ability to live in a city so large and complicated. My reaction is that it is friendly. From the streetlights shining in my window at night to the friendly "hello" from my across the hall neighbor, I feel that it is important for me to know that I am not alone here. My life is not singular, my actions affect others, my personhood is at the same time unique and a component of a larger organism, that of humanity, and of God. I am insignificant, and extremely important, all at the same time. And my life is a noisy one. Thank goodness!

Oh, and my boyfriend is turning into the Wolfman. If he growls at you, I assure you, it is not scary. Just hilarious.