summertime burnout...

i went to this junior league meeting a couple of weeks ago where the icebreaker involved telling the group "what you did this summer". when it came to my turn, i really was at quite a loss for words. typically, i have SOME sort of trip (no matter how small) to go on and on about. but this summer... well, nothing. nada. zilch. what in the world HAPPENED to summer?? i mean, where have the last two months GONE? granted, i did have a big trip to south africa/tanzania in the works for june but decided to bail at the last minute, because i'm an awesome friend like that (sorry again, arch!). and granted, i came into this summer knowing i wanted to stay in chicago as much as humanly possible (nixing even the possibilities of going home on a weekend or two) because of the ever-famous utopia that can only be "summertime chi". but i didnt realize that nixing the travel to take advantage of summer in chicago would leave me feeling even more burned out than if i were taking one of those intense vacations from which you need a vacation to recuperate (you know what im talking about, right?)...

after all the hype surrounding how fabulous and wonderful and glorious and perfect is the city in the summer, i really was pretty set to be disappointed. i mean, you read the "things most people like that i don't like (but im not picky!)" blog entry... you know it's hard to please me (sigh. fine. i admit it.) and i must admit, after the month of june, when i really thought seasonal affective disorder was going to consume my heart and soul (i mean, the gloomy clouds? the torrential downpours? please. it wasn't springtime anymore... hello.), i was all set to write off summertime chi as just another overhyped "thing" that was just going get right on added to that List...

but then... well, i dont know when exactly. late june but definitely by early july... something changed. the sun actually decided to establish its presence in a more than consistent fashion. and the sun can make the world seem just right again. i mean, havent you noticed how much HAPPIER people are when the sun is out? remarkable, really. and man, does chicago come a-live. the street festivals, the movies in the park, the theater on the lake, the outdoor concerts, the outdoor restaurant seating... you name it, they do it. and do people take ADVANTAGE! i mean, where WERE all these people five months ago? i really didnt believe in human hibernation until i witnessed this population surge once the summer months hit...

okay, so don't get me wrong. i am so so grateful for all of the wonderful utopian qualities that chicago in the summertime has to offer. but i must admit, it's quite overwhelming! maybe it's because im new to this whole experience and i tend to oversatiate myself if something makes me happy. so maybe it's just me who overdid it this summer. but i cant help but feel something that can only be described as summertime burnout... i mean, maybe it's got something to do with heat exhaustion (not only is it hot, but the humidity? heavens. not only is it un-comfortably sticky but the things humidity does to a girl's hair?! *shake of head*) but considering i loiter in any and every air-conditioned spot anytime im out and about, i highly doubt i can blame heat exhaustion. im just burned OUT- im exhausted all the time and i feel like i exist in a perpetual state of stickiness/filth (from the humidity... not from lack of showering or anything... just to CLARIFY!). the worst part? i get excited for gloomy/rainy days (all too few these days) as my excuse to not feel guilty for staying indoors and watching whatever's on my new dvr and/or reading (oh, let's be honest. i haven't picked up a book all summer).

sigh. im sadly counting down the days until the beginning of fall. i mean, i love summer for what it's worth, but i think im done. im just exhausted! and falltime... sigh. think about it. the apple picking, the pumpkin patches, the leaves changing colors... okay, granted none of that can really be accomplished/witnessed in a big city but whatever. just go with it. you get the idea.

ha. just wait. come mid-october, you KNOW you'll be seeing a blog entry complaining about how im tired of pumpkin flavored everything and how we should just bypass the season of fall since christiemas is right around the corner... haha. man, i really AM picky/hard-to-please. eh, oh well, oh well, oh well! you know you love it... well, i HOPE you do!

in gratitude of,

summertime in chicago (to an extent)