Big Weights

We best serve the world when we invest in nurturing our own culture. I’ll observe and participate in the TLC from where I belong: at home plate. Don’t worry, I’m not alone at base.

Serve our neighbors and friends with the bases they need to bring their family to the table. Tomatoes.

I’ll serve our neighbors and friends with a variety of textures, compliments of Conagra and Chicago. Canned outlasts, and may our friends and neighbors’ hopes outlast too.

Today we can be ourselves and proud of Illinois.

Look for the fresh water girl in the salt water wade.

I’ll look for your wave. It’s a habit now, that look back for assurance and bond. It was always you, the lifeguards of my internet surfing. It was always you.

Process pressure honestly. We have a lot riding on how we’re going to handle the day: if we don’t get the parking we can’t start work right, if we don’t pick up from the store on time we can’t get to after dinner events, and so forth.

I’ll process pressure honestly, too. Each of us has a couple of key weights, primary priorities that we raise our cortisol and mental energy for. I’m not talking about the daily passions of the job, like ability to help the public’s health. I’m talking about those priority meets we know we get hyped for. And what happens if the hype energy spins out of control? We lose our identity. If I overthink it or am time-crunched for my big weights, I lose myself in the melee. Same goes for my face and tone when in an interview I overthink, and same goes for time-crunched writing. Relationships and communication, two of my big weights, are two areas where I cannot afford to lose my identity.

Let’s process pressure honestly. Keep the hype from spinning out. Stay with the good day to day flow. Good pressure requires us to be ourselves.

Thanks for the clock tower workout. Keep my words close, too. It’s normal to be pressured by your personally chosen big weights. Stay true to who you are.

Inspire growth.

I’ll inspire professional florist patronization.

Wrap yourself up in Liberty Station.

I’ll wrap myself up in it’s garland love.

Experience something creative in San Diego.

I’ll experience your lead, creative art is your niche and my downtime go-to.

Talk of new Americans at the New Americans Museum.

I’ll talk of old Americans around historic Decatur, Illinois. Fresh water Americans passionate about flowing rivers, fresh water Americans passionate about salt water naval heroes.

Let us show you how your creations have bridged communities in transformative ways.

I’ll let you show me your relaxation transformation when we sail North San Diego Bay, when we sail everywhere. Not everything can be water under the bridge, yet we can navigate through it together.

Mention that the future’s looking up, that there are beautiful colors ahead.

I’ll mention that our current petals are just as vibrant.

Take me to the Cabrillo National Monument and overlook the shoal.

I’ll take you to the visitors center as I educate myself on the word shoal.

Speak up if you’re hungry, the National Park Service is prepared.

I’ll speak up for the hungry and, thanks to LinkedIn, my voice is heard.

Greet the Southern California ships as they pass us by.

I’ll greet the personal boaters with you from Fox Lake, Illinois. It is a beautiful, recreational water that welcomes everyone. It is a place for much needed serenity.

We could lose ourselves when others start to overshadow, we could forgo our identity under that kind of pressure, yet we don’t. Fox Lake isn’t a showy tourist trap, nor is it some lakefront beach party. It is just a beautiful water for its community, no need to alter with any hype.

I’ll greet you at the Fox Lake inspiration. Be yourselves, in calm and community and flow.

Marvel from afar.

I’ll marvel from up close.

Appreciate the lighthouses.

I’ll appreciate the lighthouse restoration and upkeep. Thanks, NPS.

Quiet the heart with salt water Pacific ocean gaze.

I’ll quiet my heart with Thorton thoughts. We could even travel from Wolf Lake, through Calumet City and Hammond and over to the Brownell Woods. After Wampum Lake, how about dinner in Homewood or Flossmoor? These are areas where people are legit and life is authentic. Process pressure by staying true to yourself and remember these communities in authenticity.

Board the math bus and I’ll cheer you on.

I’ll board the public service bus and know we’ll meet again should fate, and courage, allow.

Appreciate the downtown San Diego history in Julian Produce.

I’ll appreciate the downtown San Diego history of the Whitney mark. Orange you glad we met? I am, babe. I am forever glad.

Stand around and ask yourself where we should go for breakfast.

I’ll stand around with you as we plan our trip back to Illinois, making Butterfield’s Pancake House in Wheaton a primary stop. I’ll take three eggs over medium with an English muffin and fruit, or a skillet with cheddar, mushroom, green peppers, spinach, tomato and onion. Depends on the calorie bank and Danada forest preserve workout time ahead.

Plant some reminders of the DC pink heart petals I sent out to our world. They always make me think of you. You were just a consideration of a life peer back then. Now, much more. Now that I got to know you. Now that time has not allowed for goodbye.

I’ll plant some reminders of how coffee and talk can really broaden our rose garden diversity. Choosing not to sit for coffee reflects the stagnant bitterness of one’s poor take on purity. And truly, isn’t intentional miscommunication a hallmark crown of purity supremacy circuses?

Appreciate the European takes anywhere we go. I’ll be at your side immediately.

I’ll appreciate the reciprocated love that radiates. Comfort food is such an interpersonal love.

Part the red and yellow chaos with steady command.

I’ll partition the sections as needed. In choice of housing, we have liberty.

In choice of who’s lift offer we accept, we have liberty.

Look down at the arrows, they have something to say.

I’ll look up at more starry light, leading the way.

Embrace your open heart, especially as we navigate diversity and justice.

I’ll embrace my open heart, letting snaps momentarily be part of your wildflowers.

Find the romance in the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden.

I’ll find the friendship with you.

Let the sun cast its rays along perfect petals.

I’ll let the sun cast rays upon the imperfect Spruce Street Suspension bridge.

Follow me along the swinging steps. Be yourself, even as you hesitate, even as you commit and follow through.

I’ll follow you along the Weldon Springs State Park stepping stones. Maybe other girls were more fluid, or famous, or whatever with you. I’ll choose to be myself and, if I slip, you’ll find that your hand extended is accompanied by authenticity respect.

Step into your identity, and I will step into mine, no matter our shaky grounds.

Reflect on your features as they are and as they change under pressure of ‘say cheese’. Obvi it’s fine and normal for a photo, we all feel weird.

I’ll reflect, too: check your features under big weight pressures, and choose not to force something you’re not. If we wanted those other guys we would’ve chosen them. We chose you. Posture with confidence. Embrace your teen wolf fangs when visit the Fu dogs of Allerton Park in Monticello, Illinois, too.

Revisit North Park with me. It is so fun and energetic and very much the Lakeview of San Diego.

I’ll revisit my love for twists with you.

Comment on how delicious Pretzels & Pints is. The warmth was particularly on point among today’s outdoor chill.

I’ll comment on how delicious the brew selection looks. Supporting the local experts is legit and the legit makes me want to return again and again.

Wake Up and Slay with me, and take me for a Vienna Lager. Vienna has an extra special, extra personal meaning to me.

I’ll take you for a Knight Fight at North Park Beer, and purchase myself the Tangerine Whip and Lemon Meringue Fluffies to taste.

Sit with me over a Choppy Surf Czech-style Pilsner.

I’ll sit with you for a Passion of the Kiwi at Pariah.

Ask me to stay and Viva La Beaver.

I’ll ask you for a Rooster Call at Barn Brewery.

Be content with what you have as you treat me to Friendly Pizza and next door Poor House. The Pour House in Minneapolis may await one day, yet we have Big Hearted catch ups and Clusterfuck departures to tend to.

Honor the Bays of California with a watermelon nod. Best of San Diego Sour it is.

I’ll honor that, in your eyes…the eyes that love me…I’m Big Trouble.

Make time for a Wave Study at Automatic Brewing Company.

I’ll make time for Tropic Thunder, Weapon X and Little Mis-Take at Little Miss Brewing.

Love that Doors Count here in amazing Normal Heights.

I’ll love Normal Heights. I could live here, and I could live with the mysteries behind the doors.

Say hello from Kensington.

I’ll say hello right on back, my friends.

Taste test the Scottish Pale Ale.

I’ll taste test the Bedford Black.

Note that this isn’t Potter’s Field, nor the current White House. Here, dogs are allowed.

I’ll note that memories hold special meaning and any future companion welcomes them in. I think of you when I think of a best restaurant in wine country, Rutherford’s. And I think of a great ex-boyfriend’s mental trek through It’s A Wonderful Life when I think of the fabulous Music Box of Chicago. Let’s enjoy Music Box again and again.

Here, I’ve illuminated my future Christmas trees. The font is thin and, even if it’s going to be a long time, we can all wait while you go get your glasses.

If I wanted an alternative reality I would have chosen it. I choose my ex boyfriend in lifelong kinship instead. Dogs allowed, libraries for visits, angels with wings, banks inclusive, and no need for scurvy spins.

Reassure the puppies that life is still so sweet.

I’ll reassure them with nods to cops and rooftops and every other cold plunge we take on behalf of the Special Olympics. Teams and sports and headlines, making the world better, even if we did hit a ruff patch.

Purr along the San Diego shops and all the individuality they own.

I’ll purr along the abundant San Diego gelato scene. Always stracciatella, sometimes pistachio please.

Coast along the Woodstock Pizza tracks with me.

I’ll coast along Seaworld San Diego with you.

Look into animal welfare before we commit to a ticket purchase.

I’ll look into animal welfare and, if we decide not to purchase a ticket, we will have the confidence of authenticity on our side.

Wonder if the rides are as thrilling as they seem.

I’ll wonder if you’d enjoy the Roaring Rapids of Great America. Six Flags does not keep animals confined as part of the experience, and your Taz hearts will fit right in.

Speak of a little more of your Taz desires.

I’ll speak a little more of calm under pressure, mentioning how my Dad freed my stuck self while in line for Sky Trek. You’d be surprised at what pressure and confidence can permanently move, when one commits to calm and authenticity of his true identity.

Show me your vulnerable gardens.

I’ll show you ours, our Chicago Botanical treasures. Just as with loved ones, sown love is forever perennial. No matter who does the reaping.

Understand, address and observe the mission of the Bay at Mission Bay.

I’ll help you understand, observe and then address how we could visit Chicago suburbs. Let’s put McHenry on that list. McHenry is a great area with continued build and consistency to community. Plus, the drives are as beautiful as the lake scenes.

Let others’ colors showcase their pride.

I’ll let you take pride in your authenticity. Remember Playa Pacifica? You’re still here with me, and I with you, and I believe in you.

Look out for a sign across the park.

I’ll look out at the sign welcoming us in.

Stay true to the players.

I’ll stay true alongside mine.

Step into a beautiful, authentic future with me.

I’ll step into a beautiful, authentic future with you. And please don’t mind if I always ensure a solid rock underneath.

Love the colors and shapes along our salty timeline.

I’ll love the colors and shapes of our salty authenticity. Feeling pressured? Stay true.

Protect your heart, and mine.

I’ll protect your heart, and mine.

Admire the Alta Villa reflection.

I’ll admire all of San Diego, such a gorgeous canvas for the Sun. And every day a new painting.

Be real while you serve up street love.

I’ll be real while I serve up true love for former employers, for their charitable hearts, for the best pizza bread in the world.

Check in on friends sincerely.

I’ll check in on opening our doors to more friends. And more Random California Art.

Keep the lights on a little longer.

I’ll keep the lights on for you, in front of the world, again and again. Consistency because I love you, and you can be assured of it.

Pump up the jams with a sly smile.

I’ll save my sly smiles and high heeled pumps for our Chicago music nights.

Be yourself, even as you hesitate, even as you commit and follow through. Love the colors that will help you win in the end.

I’ll be myself, loving the maps that will help us win in the end. X marks the spot babe.

Mention that you like my East side genuine.

I’ll mention that I like Los Angeles’ Chicago inclusion, it’s genuine.

Tell me that we have to wait a little longer to go home. Tell me when you feel like our backs are up against a wall.

I’ll tell you that it’ll be okay, we’ve found a little of my home here. Feeling pressured? Be yourself, and have a slice of my authenticity too.

Make the days great by staying level-headed.

I’ll make the days great by staying level-headed, even when seeing stars. Hometown love keeps us steady.

Keep it fresh.

I’ll keep your evening dinners fresh, even on the nights you come home late.

Remember our dreams of moonshots and adventure.

I’ll remember our dreams of finding cures, and better systems to care for others. Let’s get inspired again, two tickets to Adler please.

Tell me that some think the whole Hollywood scene is superficial.

I’ll tell you to look around at this gorgeous community, the one that holds our mirrors up, the one that holds up mirrors of who we could be, the one that cares for me, the one I love. The one with the deep, deep valleys of heart.

Add another moment of LA reflection.

I’ll add the wheat in frame.

Wish Griffith Park well as we turn in for the evening.

I’ll wish for a little extra this evening, perhaps some of the best creamery.

Tell me that Big Weights are adding up. Tell me you’re not sure what to do.

This Chicago girl will tell you that if we wanted those other guys, we would’ve chosen them. Be yourself, hand made and all.

Be authentic, no matter how long it takes to get it right.

I’ll be authentic right from the cut. Lou Malnati’s is the best. And the frozen is just as good, so much like home that I wondered if I should bundle up for my evening walk. Let me share this with you next time, and let us be ourselves even with the Big Weights on our shoulders. Good communities lift with one another, through any bond available. We can be eternally grateful for availability of Lou Malnati’s; their shared lift is forever impeccably timed.

Save the last slice for me.

I’ll save the last dance for you.

Keep the orange and blue San Diego skies as a reminder that the world cheers us on.

I’ll keep our moonshots as a reminder that we’re cheering the world on.

Make the most of the evenings we share in California. Come be with me. Come be yourself.

I’ll make the most of our evenings in Chicago. Until then, my authenticity hopes for staples to remain, businesses to thrive and the hearts of our cities to remain true through support. If I can lift big weights off others shoulders, I will.

Be at ease, gentlemen. My words are depth; they are matched with actionable assurance.

I’ll be at ease with your guard, having earned respect with intention follow through.

Here’s what I look like at ease. And you?

Process pressure by being yourself, by being true to your identity.

I’ll process pressure when the Big Weights need to be confronted, serious issues need to be addressed, I’ve been selected as the woman for the job, and communities lift together. Being from Illinois makes me proud, and I’m ready to do some lifting too.

Being true never tasted nor felt as good as it does with you.

I don’t want those other guys. I loved you then, I love you now.