found my new so i'm not posting the new address here because i've watch too many dateline specials on online predators, but i will say that i'm living in the streeterville section of town which puts me:
- less than one block from lake michigan and the beach
- one block from navy pier
- four blocks from michigan ave.
- less than one block from oprah
yes that's right...oprah is my neighbor. and i'm so going over to borrow a cup of sugar.
the apt is what's called a convertible style (as opposed to t-top i assume) meaning that it's like something halfway between a one bedroom and a studio. whereas a studio is one big open room, and a one-bedroom has a full wall between living room and bedroom area, a convertible has distinct separate areas for living and bedrooms, but not a full wall. i decided since 99.9% of nights i sleep with the door from my bedroom to my living room open, i basically already live in some form of a convertible. in some apts the layouts for convertibles are way funky and if unfurnished you'd find it hard to tell which "room" is supposed to be for which purpose. this place does a much better job of making that definition clear. anyhoot, picture to your upper left is taken from my living room looking into my bedroom. 
below and to your right is the view of my pretty standard, but still adorably fabulous kitchen. complete with dishwasher which is kinda a must-have in my book. i have other wacky pictures of the obscene amount of closet space i have (which could be rented out as small studio apts on its own), but in that they don't really provide a great funky visual i'll leave those out. oh and there's a full fitness center (a real one -- not the fake ones that come with apts in florida), a lap pool, sun deck, 24hr doorman, etc. also with the property. and they do a full breakfast spread for residents every friday.the key selling point of this place, as it is in all real estate, is location location location. and as far as i'm concerned i hit jackpot. lake michigan is one of my favorite things about chicago and for you crazy floridians who've never seen it, it's much bigger than some little lake ella. lake michigan is basically an ocean -- complete with waves for sailing and, on windy days, kite surfing. there are miles and miles of beach and in the summer you'd be hard pressed to visit a beach and tell me it's any different than a florida beach.
anyhoot, i have a view of lake michigan from my apt.!!! the pic below was taken from the apt directly 8 floors below mine. i'll be up on the 35th floor, so basically this view, but better. (i think my view will actually clear the W hotel you see in the pic).
yes, that's flippin' right. i'm still in the holy-crap-i-can't-believe-i-can-afford-this stage. the water you see there is all lake michigan and that little pier to the right is navy pier. and just for the record, below is the beach less than a block from me.
so long story short, a very very successful weekend. now i just have to figure out the moving vans, the packing details, the utilities, the cable, my bills, my mail, the meaning of life, etc. much love and thanks to jay for all his help this weekend.
