14 posts tagged “chicago”

Love the weather headline from today's Chicago Sun-Times. Cannot wait to get outside to face the -10 windchills.

2009-01-16_132440

1 comment

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. And he came early this year in the form of a really great date with bartender boy. Still amazingly hot, still nice, smart, funny. Did I mention hot? Drinks at the swanky hotel bar were plenty, and slightly romantic, which turned into more drinks at another watering hole. I didn’t get home until after midnight. Unfortunately, it also seemed to be a night of pluses and minuses towards him. Plus that he fessed up about the real reason he didn’t call me. There’s a girl that he winding down with. That’s cool. Not a big deal, but I told him that I’d rather he be honest instead of the dumb excuse. I’d respect that a lot more. Plus that he’s also a writer who has been published in some magazines and wants to write a novel. Plus that he’s a big science geek like myself. Plus that he’s an extraordinarily great kisser. Plus that he does want to settle down and be in a relationship. Minus that he’s 40 and never married. Minus that he’s a struggling writer that bartends and hates doing it. Minus that he’s got that chick on the side. Small minus that he got a little drunk (albeit we didn’t even think about getting dinner). If it doesn’t work out, eh. But it was nice to be reminded of what a decent date was like. Haven’t had one in years. Ah, but the nasty, dirty little thoughts running through my head right now.

Bartender boy and I are supposedly getting together tonight for drinks after work. My work, that is. He has today off. If, and big if, he doesn’t blow me off again. So far so good, but it’s 10:42 a.m. as I write this and he’s suppose to meet me at 6 p.m. Anything can happen. Does he show up?

Oh, you ask where we’re going? This is the good part. I chose an upscale bar in one of the priciest hotels in Chicago on the Magnificent Mile. Ha! We’re talking room rates starting at $300 a night and is Bono’s home base whenever he’s in town. I believe making him buy me a $16 scotch and soda is a very small price to pay for blowing off our previously scheduled date and coming up with a lame ass excuse for it. Don’t you agree? I knew you would. J

Now, I’m not mean. We’ll only stay for one round and then I’ll suggest going somewhere else if things go well. In these economic times I don’t want to kill a bartender budget. I just want to drive the point home. It’s only a date after all. It’s not going to be a love connection. But if I do get a chance to tap it, then wow for me. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen him and I hope he is still as excruciatingly hot as I remember him to be. Growl.

So Mr. Bartender resurfaced early today with a pretty long voice mail because I refused to answer his call (I recognized his distinct number). His excuse turned out to be that he lost his phone with my number, knew he said he would call, didn’t get it back until a few days ago and was apologetic. Right. You lost your phone. That’s the best excuse you can come up with?  He also reminded me of the bar he works at and asked if I wanted to come by some time. He supposedly still wants to get together. Huh?! The bar is no big deal. It’s one of those brewpubs with crap hanging from the walls and karaoke a few nights where people come out and act like they’re putting on a concert for 10,000 people. Yikes. Definitely not how he originally described it. The place is insanely popular though, especially at happy hour and the karaoke nuts love it. Sigh. The hotness level is dropping more every second.

With it being cold and rainy yesterday I turned out a primo opportunity to meet some potentially hot guys. Albeit extremely drunk hot guys. One of my co-workers asked me to join him on what called the 12 Bars of Christmas pub crawl in Wrigleyville. 12 hours, 12 bars. I would need a new liver by the end of it. I had planned on meeting him and some others at bar #3 but woke up out of a nap too late to find it raining like a bitch. Obviously not being able to drive there or back I would be relegated to taking a train and a cab to get there. Yes, I threw away a perfectly good man encounter shot to stay in my nice, warm apartment then head to dinner with some married friends. I am such a lug. I promise to get out and scope out man ass next weekend.

So Mr. Bartender resurfaced early today with a pretty long voice mail because I refused to answer his call (I recognized his distinct number). His excuse turned out to be that he lost his phone with my number, knew he said he would call, didn’t get it back until a few days ago and was apologetic. Right. You lost your phone. That’s the best excuse you can come up with?  He also reminded me of the bar he works at and asked if I wanted to come by some time. He supposedly still wants to get together. Huh?! The bar is no big deal. It’s one of those brewpubs with crap hanging from the walls and karaoke a few nights where people come out and act like they’re putting on a concert for 10,000 people. Yikes. Definitely not how he originally described it. The place is insanely popular though, especially at happy hour and the karaoke nuts love it. Sigh. The hotness level is dropping more every second.

With it being cold and rainy yesterday I turned out a primo opportunity to meet some potentially hot guys. Albeit extremely drunk hot guys. One of my co-workers asked me to join him on what called the 12 Bars of Christmas pub crawl in Wrigleyville. 12 hours, 12 bars. I would need a new liver by the end of it. I had planned on meeting him and some others at bar #3 but woke up out of a nap too late to find it raining like a bitch. Obviously not being able to drive there or back I would be relegated to taking a train and a cab to get there. Yes, I threw away a perfectly good man encounter shot to stay in my nice, warm apartment then head to dinner with some married friends. I am such a lug. I promise to get out and scope out man ass next weekend.

I am thoroughly and utterly appalled and disgusted by Gov. Blagojevich and the crap he’s pulled over the years, the worst of which is finally coming to light in extremely dramatic fashion. The audaciousness of his actions and his stupidity is beyond comprehension.

Surprised? Hell no. We knew he was corrupt, were waiting for the feds to get enough to work with, and I and my fellow Illinoisans have seen this coming for years. But what kills us is that he’s pulled some truly Grade A Sirloin shenanigans in just the past two months. Obviously the allegations are extremely serious and supremely fucked up, including trying to sell Obama’s senate seat. And one of the contenders for the seat was willing to buy it: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (a/k/a sonny-boy of Jesse – yes, THAT Jesse), for a cool $500K. Gee, something, anything illegal there? Hmmmm.

But here’s the one that really kicks me: a major children’s hospital here in Chicago, Children’s Memorial Hospital, is renowned for its care, staff and facilities. It wants to expand and applied for state dollars to do so. They were given $8 million. When Gov. Asshole decided he needed some personal dough he shook down the CEO of the hospital for $50K with the threat of pulling the $8 million if the CEO didn’t buck of the Gs. The CEO balked. What the fuck?! You shook down a children’s hospital?! A children’s hospital. (pause) You fucking prick.

We are all waiting anxiously for Gov. Dickwad to resign and I am personally pissed that as of this writing he hasn’t. I know, I know. Innocent until proven guilty. Absolutely. HOWEVER, his own words, and those of his equally-bitchy wife, were recorded and accurately documented for the world to lament about. He clearly dug his own grave. Very, very hard to argue innocence in that regard.

Wow. Feels good to channel my inner-Rachel Maddow.

For your reading pleasure:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-10-dec10,0,7674669.column

http://www.suntimes.com/index.html

What do you love about where you live?
Submitted by Emu with a Clue.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways:

- the Cubs and Wrigley Field: I can't even begin to recount the amazing memories I have of my dad and I at games, especially the ones where I got to meet Ryne Sandburg, Billy Williams, Ron Santo, Bill Buckner, and Mr. Cub Ernie Banks

- the architecture: some of the most beautiful buildings are here, and Chicago is one of the original homes of the skyscraper, if not the very first before New York. I love the modern architecture too. Whenever I'm flying home and I look out the window to see the famous skyline over Lake Michigan I know I'm home.

- the people: I love the "beat" of the people and the warm nature. I've travelled to a lot of different countries, cities and cultures, and love the way Chicagoans make you feel welcome.

- the food: What can I say? Great thin crust pizza that isn't a ton of grease on a piece of folded cardboard or baked onto some pita bread with bree and grilled chicken (yuck) and the hot dogs of course. On top of that, you have the neighborhoods where the immigrants came and set up home and new lives, opened restaurants, and produce some of the best ethnic food ever outside of their native countries. Little Italy, Chinatown, Little India, Koreatown, the small Mexican and Puerto Rican hangouts, you name it.

- the culture: theater, music, film, art, design, everything.

I love this city. As I write this I'm watching Top Chef Chicago and seeing all the cool places where they filmed. I was born and raised in the city limits, so I am totally a big city gal. What is hysterical is that people born and raised in the suburbs will say they were born in Chicago. A typical conversation:

Person A: Where are you from?

Person B: Chicago.

Person A: Really. From what part of the city?

Person B: Schaumburg. (You can fill in the blank with any suburb)

Person A: (somewhat dismissively) Oh. So you're from the suburbs?

Person B: (with pride) Yeah.

News flash, Sparky - you're not from Chicago. Only if you were born and raised in the city limits can you truly say you are. Get with the program. That's like me saying I'm from Los Angeles but was born and raised in Irvine, Garden Grove or some other Southern California burb. Not happening.

I truly love the vibe and people of my city. The trains, the ability to have a car here but not rely on it to get anywhere, the people, the culture, the theater, the nightlife, everything. My precious Chicago Cubs!! Spring and Summer rocks! Fall is nice. Winter, not so much, but if you can get through a winter here you can pretty much get through a winter anywhere. Except for the Poles, Antarctica, Russia and Canada (and I think Toe-Knee can attest to that).

So yes, this is a love fest for my hometown. I think the reason I am so in love with Sydney, Toronto and London is because they all remind me of Chicago in so many ways with their own vibe and take. The first time I went to each of those cities I felt like I was home. No matter how much I travel, my heart melts when I look out the airplane window and see the gorgeous Chicago skyline with the Sears Tower, John Hancock building, and dare I say it, the skyscraper where I work. Ah, home.

Last night in Chicago was the big "Let's hit 15 different bars and drink ourselves stupid on Guinness and Jameson shots celebrating an Irish saint even though I'm Polish" drunk fest - otherwise known as St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Also known as "I will die if I don't get 200 strands of green beads or anything blinking green so I need to drink my ass of to get them" Day. And of course, we had our big parade and the traditional dyeing green of the Chicago River. Very cool. I am tired and hung over today but not as bad as I thought. I started late yesterday - around 7:00 p.m. Part of that had to do with a hang over from the mass quantities of alcoholic beverages consumed on Friday night. (I love tequila, but why does it not love me????!!!!!) Most people start around 10:00 a.m. or so before the parade (yes - 10:00 a.m.), so by the time 7:00 p.m. comes around they are beyond obliterated.

I spent the the night hanging with my ex, Richard, and three of his friends. Before he was buzzin he made a few revelations to me:

- he's still in love with me (WOW!!!!)

- he still has hope that we will get married (HUGE WOW!!!!! Big difference from when he dumped me and said he didn't want to marry me - after lots of talks we ironed this issue out a bit and pared it down)

- he is planning activities for us months out (Cubs games during the summer, me joining him and his best friend in Cozumel on a dive trip their taking in June, a ski trip to his aunt and uncle's place in Colorado in December, The Police concert in May, etc., etc.)

What does one do? Sit here in a bit of disbelief of course, but start to thaw the icy exterior a bit more. He's starting to show that he's not hanging out to get the easy lay and may actually want to get back together. I will definitely start to give in a bit more, and find that I actually want to do things for him. The last year we were dating I tuned myself out big time. Had no desire to do anything to keep/impress him. I was blah. Now, I want to be active in fostering a relationship. Maybe the heartbreak and time apart can do us some good. Maybe?

You ask: Do you want to get back together with him? Answer: (after a pregnant pause) I think so. Yes.

Now, if I could just get that job............

Talk about executive office perks! This is an article and video about the City of Chicago's Budget Director, Bennett Johnson III. His office is at City Hall and he recently had a luxury shower installed in it. The YouTube video is of a Chicago Tribune reporter, John Kass, who covers City Hall, going to Johnson's office to take a shower. I laughed my ass off. I love Kass' column.

This is the article from the Tribune.