"The Rainiest Day in Chicago's History"

In case you missed the news, there was a bit of rain in Chicago over the weekend. The baseball game was rained out (although we did go and I got my polish with onions) and my friend's house flooded so the BBQ was also canceled. I did manage to get my friends together at a bar on the north side of Chicago, then met with a few more later that night for dinner (mmmmm.... Cafe Iberico).

Despite the hurricane that's taking over the nation, my flights were all on time and only had a little turbulence. I almost finished the first from my huge stack of writing books (Self-Editing for the Fiction Writer) and hopped off the plane in Zihua, happy to be home.

As I watched the bags pass by on the conveyor belt, I heard a man singing "Me-la-nie..." but looked around and didn't see where it was coming from. Soon all the bags were gone and I was left standing there with another woman who looked just as puzzled as I did. I found someone with a uniform and asked if there were more bags in the plane.

"Are you Melanie Avila?" he asked.

I nodded, even more puzzled.

Then he showed me a form that said my bag "fell late." I have no idea what that means (he didn't either) but I do know it means my bag isn't lost. Perhaps it just needed a nap? I was in Mexico City for almost 4 hours so I don't know how it missed the flight, but anyway. He assured me it'd arrive within 24 hours.

*checks watch*

Still a few more to go.

In the meantime, I wasn't sure if Ibis would be able to pick me up or if he'd send a friend, but I didn't see anyone I knew. The cab drivers all pounced on me the minute I approached the door, but I assured them I had a ride. One man started talking to me so I divulged that I'm from Chicago but live here.

"Really? That guy over there is from Chicago!" he pointed at one of the many drivers.

I can guarantee I wouldn't have known this man, but I smiled politely and nodded, watching for Ibis while he kept talking. I eventually excused myself to use the pay phone, but when I got there the Chicago friend followed.

"You're from Chicago?" He watched me search for a coin slot on the pay phone (they only take cards). "Do you want to use my phone?"

I offered him money but he refused, he wanted to help out someone else from Chicago. I was pleasantly surprised he was fine with our two minute conversation and letting me use his phone (they charge per call here), especially since my bags were still on vacation.

It hasn't stopped raining since I've returned and it's so humid everything feels damp, but it is nice to be home. I am absolutely LOVING my new keyboard. If you thought I typed fast before, look out! That might be a bad thing because I can see my blogs getting longer in the future. ;)

I'll spare you for now.