There’s something I’ve wanted to do on this site for years now. It’s been very important to me ever since I got my license at 16 and began driving to and from Chicago on Interstate 55. I became obsessed with a tiny sign barely visible from the road. But I’d never been able to snap a decent picture of it because I was either driving alone or too slow on the uptake to get a good shot. Actually, it was always both of those things. You know how it is — one hand on the wheel, the other on a Slurpee. Which one gives?

Not to mention, it’s dangerous to practice digital photography on a highway and I’m not even a good driver. The choice was always between my life or this photo, and like Nicole Kidman suddenly impassioned at the empty train station, I chose life. Until last weekend.

The following is a phenomenon I’ve kept completely private until now. Well, I finally snapped a photo and now get to share:

The sign on the left is for some sort of industrial company called “International.” I have no idea what they make. Possibly valves. It doesn’t matter. The point is, that company’s sign has forever reminded me of the logo for California Pizza Kitchen.

WOULD YOU JUST LOOK at these two beautiful specimen, finally side by side! I’m having a mini meltdown here. I’m like, approaching the consistency of a piping hot Thai Chicken Pizza right here in front of my screen. Somebody grab the digicam!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am on top of my tiny little world right now. For years, I’d thought “Hey, looks like CPK” while driving by the sign. Every single time, I’d give a little wave or a wink — even if I wasn’t alone. Nothing excessive. Sometimes it’s just nice to acknowledge things you care about.

This is a dream. Everything suddenly makes sense. Do you understand? A small portion of my life’s work has just been checked off the list. That’s never even happened yet!