Well, here I am, back in Sunny Chicago.

It's about 55 degrees, and spring is upon us, my friends. It's time for the Final Four, baseball to begin, beers to be drunk on shaded outdoor patios, and Sol con Lima . BUENO!

I must say, this was the least difficult winter I have endured weather-wise, but perhaps one of the most difficult with everything else considered.

The weather was literally a breeze. Warm, warm winter for Frosty. Nary a below-zero day, snow that melts within a few days of falling and a heater with no bill attached. Not too bad.

The rest of life, however, took a bit of a nose-dive. Nothing of Dickie Cronkite purportions, but tricky, dicey and dodgy nonetheless.

First, I'm separated from the Fiancee (TM) by 400 miles. So, I've got that going for me. Which sucks. Then, slap on my TRIFECTA back in February... Yikes. Let's just call it a "character-building experience," or a CBE.

I think CBEs are good for everyone, and prior to moving to Chicago, I hadn't many of them. I've got three more months here, then it's off to DC for three more months, to be about three times as far away from home as I am now. That should make the separation anxiety improve rapidly.

But, as much as I bitch, I'm really enjoying the ride, and isn't that what it's all about anyway? Trials, tribulations, good times, bad times, love, lust and booze?

Hell, that should be the name of this blog: "Love, Lust and Booze." Let's get on that.

I'll look into the name change later, but for today, it's: "Taxes, groceries and laundry: A day in the life of a lonely graduate student." I might even crack open the windows, sip on an afternoon Pacifica and wait for Graduate School, Part III of IV, to resume tomorrow. It's back in the newsroom. Can't wait to fire it up.