90 Degrees in Chicago and Sunny at Hollywood Beach.
Leaving the NQAPIA Confereance where we worked on Asian American LGBT issues, I hopped on the Belmont redline. The El’s Redline is my old route home and being back, I noticed significant changes. The Belmont Station is completely remodeled and the new Uptown Target is living and thriving.
I got off at my stop, Bryn Marw, and realized how close I am to the beach. Despite being short on time, I decided to go. After all, this is my favorite place to be in the summer.I walked to the beach with a backpack of clothes, chargers, and hygenal products for my trip to the South. It was hot and every step closer to the lake got more and more humid.
I changed at the beach and was likely the only gay man in board shorts. I laughed in my head at how I could easily be mistaken as straight. I arrived at the shoreline and went 20 feet into the water at which point I dove in. It felt great. Cool water touching my sun-heated body and dripping from my hair. The dive turned into a swim for about a half mile.
Then in a sand bar I sat. I looked at the clouds hovering above me and occasionally blocking the blazing sun. I looked at the clear and cool water I was sitting in. And of course, I checked out a hot guy here and there.And I thought about what I was about to do.
I am about to take a 2 week trip to the South with my backpack and bicycle. I was going to check out Memphis, New Orleans, Pensacola, Houston, and Austin before heading to my next favorite beach at Newport. I would end at my new home, San Francisco.
And right before I was about to do this, I thought about how perfect my life is right now. My granparents are at the age where any day could be their last, but I am happy knowing that the could leave happy. My little brother just started high school— the BEST high school in Chicago where I went at Nerdside. My little sister just moved to a new school at Champaign-Urbana. I’m at a point in my life where as frustrating as our relationship is, I finally get my parents. And this is relieving.
I’m about to start a new exciting job, get involved in a 2010 election, and get pumped up for the next NQAPIA Conference in my new town, San Francisco. I have 2 more weeks of funemployment! My love life rocks! And between friends and family, work and play, and just plain old sitting at the beach on a nice day, I told myself:
“Never forget this moment and how happy you are. There’s a lot behind me and in front of me, but for now, life is good”
I get on a train for Memphis in 3 hours. Yikes!
