Annapocalypse

12. Joseph Chilliams - Henry Church

"And I know, you really want to make it out alive." // @cayetanaphilly saving my stressful week with a much-needed cathartic set. (at Subterranean)

THANK YOU, Jawbreaker, for something my eighteen-year-old self could never imagine. A random guy in the crowd summed it up best when he yelled between songs: "I can't believe I'm seeing Jawbreaker!" You and me both, buddy. (at Douglas Park)

It may not be Manchester, England in 1978, but I'll take a front row spot at a small venue for the 2017 Buzzcocks any day. (at Cobra Lounge)

When you go see the @jawbreakermusic documentary....and then Jawbreaker themselves show up for an impromptu q&a. What is this life. Even more psyched to see them on Sunday at Riot Fest! (at The Logan Theatre)

Year six...! 👩🏻‍🏫📚✨ (at Little Village Lawndale High School Campus)

The b-sides of summer traveling: 1: Cold Spring, NY, 2-6: Portland, ME, 7: Mt. Washington, NH, 8: Salem, MA, 9: Wilmington, NC, 10: Las Vegas, NV. ❤ to everyone I hung out with, all the places I went, all the dogs I pet, and all the delicious things I ate/drank this summer. Back to work this week!

Last trip before the school year starts! Had the best time with @vfunnygirl yesterday and today we get to meet @ar_lean's new 👶🏻. (at Las Vegas, Nevada)

[First bean selfie taken in August 2007!] This is what TEN YEARS of living in Chicago looks like: 8 jobs, 7 apartments (5 of them in Logan Square), 1 master's degree, 1 marriage, and the main thing that pushed me to move away from Tucson on August 15, 2007--a REAL post college existence. Chicago has chewed me up and spit me out more times than I can count (remember when I was unemployed for almost all of 2008? And briefly worked at Banana Republic? 😂). My first five years here weren't the best, but I kept trying to figure out this city and the role it was supposed to play in my life. Ultimately, it was deciding to be an English teacher and going back to school to get my Master's that shifted my sense of belonging and gave me a real purpose. 2012 was more than my halfway point: it was the year both my career and my relationship with @alexjweldon began. Since then, Chicago (or maybe CPS specifically) has still tested me many times, but I've known for a long time that I'm not going anywhere. Both Westchester and Tucson gave me my identity, but Chicago pushed me to be better. And I hope I can continue doing that in all my years to come here. #chicagoovereverything #tenyearanniversary #yesimold (at Chicago, Illinois)

No hate, no fear. #standwithcharlottesville ✌🏻 (at Chicago Loop)

Last few hours in Wilmington! Back to Chicago tonight after 10 days away. Ready to finish the summer strong with friend hangs and bike rides and maybe the new @spiltmilktavern patio everyone has been instagramming since I left. #weldeemgoesatlantic ✌🏻✈️ (at USS NORTH CAROLINA Battleship)

Wilmington day 2: behind the scenes at the aquarium and fancy shrimp and grits all day. #weldeemgoesatlantic (at NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher)

First 24 hours in Wilmington: Corgis and daydrinking and picturesque views. ✨ #weldeemgoesatlantic (at Wilmington, North Carolina)

Salem, MA: lighthouses, cemeteries, and witches. 🕯👻🤔

NH --> VT: chasin' waterfalls. #weldeemgoesatlantic (at Moss Glen Falls)

2017: the year I hiked the Grand Canyon in Converse and stood at the top of the Mount Washington Summit in sandals. I am SO good at nature, you guys. ⛰🚗💁🏻 #weldeemgoesatlantic continues now! NH tonight. (at Mount Washington Summit)