August 16, 2005
The "Chicago-Land Area."
Or:
“I-PASS misadventures and The Fitz Family moves closer to my own home.”
HappyFunTime drives through Chicago a lot. About eight months ago, I (being the resident mathematician in HFT) noticed that the toll rates through Chicago were about to be doubled. Fear not, though, Chicago-Land Area residents, the I-PASS rates are going to stay the same.
So, I (being the resident penny pincher in HFT) ordered us up an I-PASS, and I was excited about it. This I-PASS was a pass to freedom: I-PASS only lanes, here we come!
But, then, I somehow managed to forget the I-PASS on our first trip through Chicago, forget it on the second trip, miss-place it on the third trip, etc, etc…
…Until, finally, on our way to Michigan at the beginning of August for the LCMS Michigan District Jr. High Gathering in Ann Arbor, this precious I-PASS was remembered, and affixed to the front window.
And, it was glorious.
Probably saved us at least $2.60, and 25 or so minutes….
But...it felt good. It’s actually a pretty cool thing. The money you put on it never expires, and you can use it on more than one vehicle as long as you register each vehicle.
Of course, I still recommend driving well around Chicago and its ever sprawling suburbs if you can.
And, speaking of sprawling Chicago suburbs….
My Dad just took a job as a children’s/family minister at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aurora, IL. This is a definite landmark of major change in the life of the Fitz Family. The long and short of it is that they’ll still do Fitz Family shows, but only about one weekend a month starting in January (I think). It sounds like everyone in my family is really excited about the change. It was inevitable in many ways. My brothers continue to grow up and look forward to college and the next stage in life. A stable lifestyle without so much driving and food on the go will be much better for my dad’s health.
I talked to my dad the other day it sounded like everyone was really excited about all of the changes, which makes me VERY happy. For me, it is a very mixed bag, because I’m really excited that my parents are “close” to me now… a mere six hour drive! (It used to be 14 or more depending on how long Chicago traffic took, but now they are on my side of Chicago.) I’m excited that they are moving on to a good thing, but it is sort of like they moved out of the house that I grew up in… even though that “house” was just the general “road.” It consisted of everyone’s house across the country that we’ve ever stayed in and many Residence Inn’s and hotel rooms.
I’m sad, not in the way you are sad when you wish something didn’t happen, but the way that you are when you wish you could have everything. Very similar to when I left home myself.
It might be time to right that book about life on the road that I’ve been threatening to write for so many years now.
Posted by HFT Nica at August 16, 2005 01:46 PM | TrackBackI'd say it was just the right time to write the book. Love you.
Dad
Nic. It's Ike. We need to chat sometime.
Posted by: Isaac at August 17, 2005 08:33 PMOh ,yeh or isthat spelled yah? Oh well. It has been two months of emotions all over the map. And we were even all over the map physically,Heh heh! Seriously, I am filled with much sadness yet much anticipation for what the next chapter of our lives will look like.
Yesterday we sold the truck. There are pictures on your dad's blog , http://faithink.blogs.com/bss/ , I think I am the only one that cried. But then I wasn't the one who have to deal with all the oil changes, greasing the brakes, filling the gas tanks, truck washes, etc.... It was much like sending your child off to college or giving your blessing to one who is marrying. One is sad because of the closure of what was, yet excited about what the new beginning.....I sigh. I day dream .... then I need to get going there is so much to do in todays adventures....... We are so glad to be closer to you and pray that can happen often.
Your brother, Sam is driving. Not offically alone yet but soon.
Posted by: becky at August 20, 2005 08:43 AMIt never occurred to me before that the song "On the Road Again" could be used as a reference to home for some people :) Sorry for the bad joke and I hope that you rediscover happiness soon. I also wish you the best of luck in your book writing venture if you so decide to endeavor. Keep up your Happy Fun Timing and Stein Auf!
(By the way, if you don't recognize me just from the username I put so much thought into, I'm the guy you gave the jello brain to. I still haven't completely figured out what I'm going to do with it, but I'm sure I'll do something with it eventually)