I am one dumb bastard.

Yep. Really. I am.

For the second day in a row, I botched my trip downtown and managed to be late to class again. I know this comes as no big surprise to others that have known me for awhile, but this time, it's not due to my failure to get moving in the morning. It's only my pure idiocy. PURE idiocy.

This morning we were supposed to meet at the Bloomberg Building at 8 a.m. instead of meeting in the newsroom. I wrote down the directions and brought them home with me, like a good student.

So, last night, being the schedule monster that I am, I'm thinking that I had better figure out the fastest way to get to this new building -- to which I've never been -- so all I'll have to do is grab the sheet and head to the bus in the half-awake morning.

Bad move. Without consenting my notes, I dialed up the CTA website to plan my trip so that I'd arrive at 7:40 a.m. -- plenty of time to leave for variables like heavy traffic, confusion inside the building, coffee, etc.

I type "300 S. Wabash" into my trusty little laptop and nail down a schedule. No problem... except, of course, The Bloomberg Building is at 300 S. Wacker Dr.

Goddammit!!!

I get off the Red-Line train, start searching around for a 300 S. Wabash. What? There is no 300 S. Wabash. In it's place is a 25 E. Jackson instead... Hmm... What's going on? So, finally, after wandering around the same intersection for about 10 minutes, looking like an asshole, I finally stop inside a building to consult my notes.

"300 S. Wacker. Shit."

Wacker is about 15 blocks from Wabash. A 20 minute walk with lights -- and it's already 7:50.

GODDAMMIT!!!

Finally, I made it, huffing and puffing and about ready to jump off the Michigan Ave. Bridge.

I'm late for Day 3. That's two out of three. Way to go, Idiot. 15 minutes late. Again.


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Three good things did happen today, however.

1) It's Fiancee's (TM) 29th birthday today. I wish I could celebrate with her.

2) I remembered it was Fiancee's (TM) birthday, and promptly called her this morning and sent a card two days ago, and sent flowers to work for her. I'm on the ball on this one, friends.

3) I got the "beat" I wanted in my new Economics RPA (reporting of public affairs): Retail.

(Cue laugh track)

Yeah, go for it, give it a good chuckle, and ask me if I'm really a woman, or even if I'm gay. I don't care. I'm used to it. Remember, I used to buy women's hats and scarves for Corporate Retail Giant (TM).

Thing is, I've got all kinds of retail experience, all kinds of retail connections in the Chicago area, and a general know-how on business-type reporting.

Hopefully this all translates into clips... that is, if I decide to show up on time to write good stories...