Chicago morning

On an ideal day, I get up around 6 or 7, start coffee, then check my calendar, email, news, blogs, and twitter in that order. I jump onto iChat and catch the people who live in different time zones or work third shift and say a quick hello.

Israel wakes up when I do, but quickly climbs onto whatever item of furniture is closest to my desk and quickly goes back to sleep. Coffee finishes and I get up to pour a cup, Israel opens one eye and watches me walk in the opposite direction of his leash. He closes his eye and groans as he stretches into an awkward position over the arm of the chair.

Coffee in hand, I grab my blanket and curl up in another chair, switching on the news for a few minutes. My mind wanders to my friends' updates on their blogs and I think about how it seems like everyone is getting married and writing about their spouses and children. I glance over at the dog and remind myself that I don't want any more responsibility than I already have.

Switch off the tv, grab my running shoes and a hoodie and the dog's leash. He quickly jumps up, more awake than I am even after my coffee, and stands at the door waiting for me to grab a bag for the pleasant responsibility of cleaning up after him. Hook the leash on with a snap, unlock the door, and he bounds outside, shoving the outer door out of his way with his head.

An older gentleman is walking across the street to sit in his spot on the curb outside of my building. I pick up after Israel and toss it in the dumpster around the corner. The man starts talking to me with a heavy enough accent that I can't understand what he's saying. I smile and say good morning as I pass him by. Start jogging.

A couple of blocks away, Israel decides that he's more interested in smelling a tree next to the sidewalk instead of running, but doesn't give me any warning. He stops dead in his tracks and my body whiplashes as his leash catches my arm and pulls me to a complete stop. I half laugh, half yell as he looks up at me, then starts walking as though nothing had happened. I give up, we walk the rest of the way around my new route and head home.

The sun is coming up as I get back to my door and my neighbor has just shown up outside with his dogs. We exchange a few words, the dogs sniff at one another, and I head inside.

Shower, breakfast, feed the dog.

The day has begun.