Dog Days of Chicago Summer

Well, today is Labor Day. Also known as, the last day of summer, since tomorrow school starts.

Even though I have been back in Chicago for almost a month, I really haven't been able to experience at least a part of summer in the city. Between OCI interviews and moving to the new apartment, I was pretty much really busy from the moment I got back. So I really didn't have time to enjoy what the city has to offer, unencumbered by obligations like homework.

So, today my boyfriend and I took advantage of the holiday, the nice weather, and the fact that we are finally really moved into the new place, to actually go out and *do* something.

First, we went to Best Buy, because my boyfriend has been bugging me for a year that our TV is too small (the current one is a 19" flat panel), so I finally caved as our birthdays are both coming up, and we got a new TV. Initially we were going to get a 32" flat panel, but my boyfriend was able to talk Best Buy into a good price for a floor model 39" flat panel. So there's that (I also really have to learn how to haggle. I don't know how he does it, but he is always able to talk people down prices. to me it just seems awkward. But what do I know. Are you even supposed to haggle for TV prices?). I admit it will make watching football more satisfying.

After we bought the TV, we went over to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Yes, you may notice a theme here: I like zoos and animals. And the Lincoln Park Zoo is the Chicago zoo, I had never been before, and it is my favorite price (particularly after this last month, which thanks to the move has been $$$$): FREE.

Again, rather than me natter on, I am just going to show you pictures of cute animals. Yay cute animals!

This I believe is a Lynx. From the Big Kitty house (not actually its name)

This was a jaguar. It, like all the other big cats, was pacing profusely. I am sure it was thinking, "If I get out of here, y'all are lunch"

Sleepy lioness. Probably tired because the male lions make the females do all the damn hunting :)

No, no I could not resist. IT WAS JUST SO PERFECT, OK?

Gorilla with his back to us

Some kind of Tamarin. I think. Or maybe a Gibbon?

I forget what it is called, but it is the monkey that looks like an old man. He he

Gorilla OMNOMNOM

Like the most zen chimp ever

More chimps. Not as zen

Kangaroo!

Vulture. These things are pretty much scary as shit, btw

Cheekeh Monkeh!

Some kind of very prim looking water foul

Giraffes are silly animals. They always look kind of confused...

So, a rhino doesn't *look* so scary from far away. Dunno if I would want to be in his way though

So, that was my day today. All in all, not a bad way to spent Labor Day. If you are interested in the Lincoln Park Zoo, more information can be found here. In September and October, the zoo is open from 10AM-5PM daily. November-March, the zoo is open 10AM to 4:30 PM. April-May the zoo is open from 10AM-5PM. Summer (Memorial Day-Labor Day) weekday hours are 10AM-5PM, weekends 10AM-6:30PM. Admission is free, although they do charge for parking if you bring a car.

Lastly, I have some photos I took when I first got back to the city, of the skyline at dusk. Was going to wait to post them until I posted pics of the new apartment, but that might take a while yet. Since is the last summer post, might as well post them now. Here's to Chicago.

And with that, another summer comes to a close, and a new school year begins. Now excuse me, but I actually have to go to homework.