Just about a week ago I was at a friend’s house doing something I love doing – nothing really. We ate a home cooked meal, listened to records, watched this spectacular film my friend lovingly insisted on sharing. Maybe I dozed off for a few minutes on his couch, maybe we watched some Ali G too. We talked plenty. There were lots of laughs and space for extended awkward pauses and glances down at the ground. And before any of us really knew what was up, it was almost 6 am. We were asleep just before the sun came up.

My days and weeks have been like this a lot recently since I found out that I’m leaving Chicago. I’m moving to Philadelphia in just a couple weeks to start a new job as an Associate Producer at Fresh Air. As sad as I am to leave a city that’s been so good to me, I’m terribly excited about my new gig. I’ll be working with some amazingly good people and challenging my head and hands on a daily basis. I’ve spent a total of 5 days in Philly my entire life (including a rough apartment hunt that resulted in a nice place that lies just beyond the secret door pictured here), but I’m thrilled by what I’ve seen so far.

Working a full-time job means I won’t be doing much freelancing, but I’m still planning on making my own radio when I can. I’ve got several stories on the back burner that I’ll finish just as soon as all my boxes are unpacked and I have a place to work. I’ll let you know in this space where and when to catch those stories.

I came to Chicago a little over three years ago in part because I wanted to take the radio thing a little more seriously. It took some time, but really it worked out just as I had hoped. Chicago, you’ve been good to me. Gave me some great friends. Helped me grow up a little. And that view of the skyline from the Southport Brown line stop balanced perfectly over the baseball fields below broke my heart every single time. Thank you for letting me tell a few of your stories. Until we meet again…