I have just learned that there is a possibility that I'll be leaving Chicago--possibly at the end of September, though I'm not entirely sure of when--and heading to the West Coast. Things in Chicago have been incredibly hectic and expensive in terms of achieving the things that are most important to me, namely in returning to the European continent and making a life in Moscow (as well as saying hello after the good-byes I had to say in the Czech Republic.) I won't miss Chicago when I'm gone, though I have to say that I'd hoped things here could have gone better...but ah...at times, when family is involved, "better" can sometimes be a bit much to hope for...and so I'll be off soon...into a new adventure with old friends who left Chicago years ago. I'll miss Corey, but if all goes right, he'll be heading for greener pastures in a friendlier, smaller city, and if my Jedi Mind Tricks work properly, he *Might* even wind up in Moscow! Well, maybe not, but I'm still gonna try my Jedi Mind Tricks on him. This picture was taken last month (July) on the north side of the city. I'd gone to see a play that was...well...passable, but not entirely engrossing, despite its subject matter. I went with family members (not the icky ones) to enjoy a cultured night out, and discovered, during the week of this photograph, that my paternal side of the family can be traced directly back to the country of Gabon. Needless to say, Gabon is now on my list of places to visit. Who knows, I may discover direct Gabonese relatives...as well as Welsh relatives (My paternal family name "Howell" apparently hails from a particular, "rebellious" Welshman who also bears a given name that has woven its way through my paternal family as either a given or middle name.) Suffice it to say, I'll be leaving Chicago, possibly in October, and hopefully this departure will mark the beginning of still more globe-trotting. Moscow beckons...well, ONE person in particular beckons, and another--a good friend of mine and Corey's--has declared that I should come there as well. So, in light of exciting news, I'm posting this. I came to love dramatic skies while in Prague, and have missed them since returning. But as Fate would have it, Chicago has managed to find itself graced by atmospheric displays worthy of a world-class city that works. And though the play I saw on the evening this picture was taken was nearly forgettable, the sky not far from the theater, gave the evening a particular and grandiose flavor of...intensity. As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I look forward to actually catching up. I'll be posting during the remainder of my stay in the winded city, but it'll probably be a short time until I can comment as much as I want to.