days_unfolding | There, and Back Again

I'm here to testify that it's possible to go up to Chicago from Lincoln and come back on the same day. It's crazy, but it can be done.

I had problems falling asleep last night (not surprisingly--I got up shortly after the time that I normally go to bed). And then I had problems sleeping on the train, although I got about an hour's sleep.

So I was pretty zoned out when I got to Chicago. I had problems finding the Metra stop, and just missed a train, so I had to wait over an hour. I got a lot of reading done. I made it to McCormick Place okay.

I wolfed down some lunch, and hung out until it was time for my poster presentation. I had problems wrangling my poster (it's 4' x 8'), but some tall guys helped me put it up. It took a while to get the hang of the poster presentation, but I had some good conversations with people.

Then I needed to get back to Union Station. The Metra stop was a "flag stop," and I wasn't sure if they'd stop for me. So I hopped on a bus taking conventioners back to their hotels in downtown Chicago, which was a little cheeky, but no one questioned it. Then I walked from the bus stop to Union Station.

Grabbed a bite to eat at a chichi sandwich place. (The chicken and avocado sandwich was good though, and so were the rosemary and sea salt chips.) Found a place to sit right away, which was a miracle.

Union Station was packed because today was the Chicago Pride parade, and a lot of people came up to Chicago for it. The trip back was uneventful, and I managed to stay awake (which worried me).

Now I'm back home. I plan to feed the girls and then crash. I'm glad that I'm not working tomorrow.