I'll admit to having some sort of prejudice against Chicago. Most probably from all the countless corn-fed coeds I went to college with (in the midwest): Oh my gad: Chikaagoh is the BAMB! It seemed like this homogenized, insular place where you would drink Diet Dr. Pepper and go to the mall. They returned there immediately after their crazy fraternity experiences and will live there for the forseeable hereafter.
Last week, Whitney was there on business and urged me to come join her for the weekend; she seemed to think it was a fun town and her hotel was super-swank, so I booked a cheap flight. I was expecting to be underwhelmed, but willing to try it out. Snob that I am.
Its beautiful! Holy smokes, it makes Baltimore look like a cesspool.
Friday afternoon, my cab driver careened down Lakeshore Drive-- the water was magnificent dotted with bouys and dingies on one side, a beautiful city skyline on the other, and in between countless green parks, loaded with blossoming trees, fountains and some festive tents. So fresh and clean for a city of that size.
I rolled into the hotel and was handed a glass of wine. It was funny to see Whit in her business rig, typing away at the data center in her room. We jumped up into the huge window seat overlooking the river and watched the ferries motor under the bridges.
We walked down the tulip-lined Michigan Avenue and tucked into some cozy-looking joint for dinner. Our waiter was a stand-up comic from Second City, he was dazzling. He sat down with us and we told fart jokes. We tried to leave, but he steered us into the lounge where the "chanteuse" was performing, and cranked two drinks in our hands and went back to work.
Within seconds, we were introducing ourselves to a lively group, who invited us to thier independent movie that was premiering at a Film Festival the next day and to the party afterwards. There were some older, beautiful, buxom women, a massive, tan Frenchman and a few friendly looking gray haired men. None of them were speaking English. The local paparazzi tried to take our picture, a man named Roderigo delined. Full and tired, we whipped out of there and hailed a cab.
The rest of the weekend was spent taking in the city, its a wonderful place. (And no, didnt make the Film gig) Met a few more characters of all different sorts. Had maybe one of the yummiest dinners here and sadly, had to leave the next morning.
Was I ever wrong. If anyone's eating corn around here...yeah. Me.
Last week, Whitney was there on business and urged me to come join her for the weekend; she seemed to think it was a fun town and her hotel was super-swank, so I booked a cheap flight. I was expecting to be underwhelmed, but willing to try it out. Snob that I am.
Its beautiful! Holy smokes, it makes Baltimore look like a cesspool.
Friday afternoon, my cab driver careened down Lakeshore Drive-- the water was magnificent dotted with bouys and dingies on one side, a beautiful city skyline on the other, and in between countless green parks, loaded with blossoming trees, fountains and some festive tents. So fresh and clean for a city of that size.
I rolled into the hotel and was handed a glass of wine. It was funny to see Whit in her business rig, typing away at the data center in her room. We jumped up into the huge window seat overlooking the river and watched the ferries motor under the bridges.
We walked down the tulip-lined Michigan Avenue and tucked into some cozy-looking joint for dinner. Our waiter was a stand-up comic from Second City, he was dazzling. He sat down with us and we told fart jokes. We tried to leave, but he steered us into the lounge where the "chanteuse" was performing, and cranked two drinks in our hands and went back to work.
Within seconds, we were introducing ourselves to a lively group, who invited us to thier independent movie that was premiering at a Film Festival the next day and to the party afterwards. There were some older, beautiful, buxom women, a massive, tan Frenchman and a few friendly looking gray haired men. None of them were speaking English. The local paparazzi tried to take our picture, a man named Roderigo delined. Full and tired, we whipped out of there and hailed a cab.
The rest of the weekend was spent taking in the city, its a wonderful place. (And no, didnt make the Film gig) Met a few more characters of all different sorts. Had maybe one of the yummiest dinners here and sadly, had to leave the next morning.
Was I ever wrong. If anyone's eating corn around here...yeah. Me.
