But one of the BEST weekends of my LIFE, ever. For. REAL!!!
To the airport, park the car, check in, find our gate, and first order of business: the first birthday drink of the day! He had a Bloody Mary and I had a screwdriver--hey, it was like 10am! Then we got shoe shines so we could confidently travel in style and class. Nothing like a good shoe shine to make you feel like a million bucks!
Legendary. It was like a church, with that holy feeling, you know? We took many fun pic's of course. And dropped some dimes at the gift shop area: I got a shot glass, a lanyard for my work badge, and 2 very cool long-sleeved Chess Records t-shirts, one for me, one for me Ma. Then we wanted to take the El back to the hotel; we'd only grabbed a cab there in the interest of time since the tours ended at 4pm. First we stopped in a crappy convenience store to buy liquor (they sell liquor at convenience stores, even 7-11's up there! They HAVE to--it's so motherfuckin' cold liquor is NEEDED, man!). Then we found the El and the hotel told us over the phone how to get back on the Red line. Fun!
Back at our hotel we finally had the chance to unwind a bit, have quality time together, and start drinking. The hotel was really beautiful and is even mentioned in my Chicago guidebooks as well as has over 90% glowing reviews on the Internetweb! We took a shower and got dressed for the evening's activities: reservations for my birthday dinner at a romantic Greektown restaurant that Stefano had been to one of his previous Chicago work visits, followed by Mississippi Heat's CD release party at Buddy Guy's. We took a cab to dinner and the restaurant was so romantic and divine... We had a wonderful meal w/wine and got to feeling pretty damn giddy. But we ate so much that I didn't even have room for dessert and we decided to walk to Buddy Guy's.
The restaurant printed out Mapquest directions for us and said it was about a couple miles, but I was up for a nice Chicago walk and so was Stefano. I don't think it was 2 miles, but it was at least a mile. Anyway, it was a very nice walk and we were bundled up against the cold and we were FULL of amazing Greek food so it was totally do-able. We arrived at Buddy Guy's and found some stools near the back bar. The opening band was more blues-rock, which neither Stefano nor I care for, particularly. I personally, hate roadhouse blues and that kind of sound. Mississippi Heat was alright--Stefano's harmonica player had recommended their harmonica player, and Stefano went to say hi and pay his respects. However we only stayed for about 3 songs and then we were ready to grab a cab back to the hotel and enjoy our beautiful room as well as each other!
Saturday Stefano got up early as he always does, so he could go downstairs and get coffee and read the paper. I slept in awhile longer, then got up and began to get ready for another fun-filled day! After a lazy morning we went across the street--literally!--to breakfast at the Pancakes House. (And I kept insisting to Stefano that we say it like that, "Pancakes House" and in a low voice like the thug in the movie Fargo, ha haaaaa!) After a long line to get in, I had the Apple Pancake which was a little embarrassing b/c whenever the waitress brings one of those things out, the whole restaurant stares at the size! I also had a side of thick-sliced bacon, mmmm... I didn't eat the whole thing, natch but it was deee-licious!
After breakfast it was time to take the bus down to the Art Institute. I was so excited!!! Even my pater familias told me how jealous he was of me going, that the Art Institute is one of his favorite places ever. We even got a free ride on the bus b/c the cash payment box wasn't working. Sweet! There was a huge Matisse exhibit going on, and we hit that first. Then of course had to wander all over and catch the famous paintings on permanent exhibit. Picassos, O'Keefes, Miros, Hoppers, Rauschenbergs, Van Goghs, etc etc etc!!! My head started to hurt after awhile--it was just too much! But wonderful, wonderful... After a few hours there we headed back to the hotel and were trying to find the El when it started to rain a little, so Stefano grabbed a cab. We had the rest of the afternoon for major R&R in our hotel room.
In the evening I really wanted to have some famous Chicago deep dish pizza. My mom used to take us to a Chicago deep dish place in Houston when we were kids and I had always loved going there. So we checked w/the concierge who told us that the famous Gino's East was within walking distance, and he gave us a card for a free item as well as "priority seating." Good thing too b/c when we got there, the line was out the door and it was freezing outside! But the hostess showed us right inside and we opted to sit at the bar. We got beer/wine and free garlic sticks and ordered our deep dish, 1/2 cheese and sausage and 1/2 vegetarian. It. Was. So. GOOD!!! And once again, no room for dessert!
After dinner we went back to the hotel since we still had time to relax before we needed to get to the music venue of the night, Kingston Mines. I actually ended up falling asleep for almost an hour--damn that pizza was good! Then we grabbed a cab, got to the place and went inside where we found the 1st of the 2 stages, that had this party band onstage, meaning they were playing crowd-pleasing stuff. Bullshit like "Shout" and "Superstition." Whatever. The place was PACKED with white folks, and we went to the 2nd stage to sit, where the next band would be coming on soon. The 2nd band was this pretty cool chick whose band was not bad. But again, all covers. Hmmm. We didn't stay very long, even though I was impressed the joint was open til 5am!
Gonna hafta finish recounting the trip later, as I have to get ready to leave work and head downtown for mediation w/S. I am ready to kick his ass.
Back at our hotel we finally had the chance to unwind a bit, have quality time together, and start drinking. The hotel was really beautiful and is even mentioned in my Chicago guidebooks as well as has over 90% glowing reviews on the Internetweb! We took a shower and got dressed for the evening's activities: reservations for my birthday dinner at a romantic Greektown restaurant that Stefano had been to one of his previous Chicago work visits, followed by Mississippi Heat's CD release party at Buddy Guy's. We took a cab to dinner and the restaurant was so romantic and divine... We had a wonderful meal w/wine and got to feeling pretty damn giddy. But we ate so much that I didn't even have room for dessert and we decided to walk to Buddy Guy's.
The restaurant printed out Mapquest directions for us and said it was about a couple miles, but I was up for a nice Chicago walk and so was Stefano. I don't think it was 2 miles, but it was at least a mile. Anyway, it was a very nice walk and we were bundled up against the cold and we were FULL of amazing Greek food so it was totally do-able. We arrived at Buddy Guy's and found some stools near the back bar. The opening band was more blues-rock, which neither Stefano nor I care for, particularly. I personally, hate roadhouse blues and that kind of sound. Mississippi Heat was alright--Stefano's harmonica player had recommended their harmonica player, and Stefano went to say hi and pay his respects. However we only stayed for about 3 songs and then we were ready to grab a cab back to the hotel and enjoy our beautiful room as well as each other!
Saturday Stefano got up early as he always does, so he could go downstairs and get coffee and read the paper. I slept in awhile longer, then got up and began to get ready for another fun-filled day! After a lazy morning we went across the street--literally!--to breakfast at the Pancakes House. (And I kept insisting to Stefano that we say it like that, "Pancakes House" and in a low voice like the thug in the movie Fargo, ha haaaaa!) After a long line to get in, I had the Apple Pancake which was a little embarrassing b/c whenever the waitress brings one of those things out, the whole restaurant stares at the size! I also had a side of thick-sliced bacon, mmmm... I didn't eat the whole thing, natch but it was deee-licious!
After breakfast it was time to take the bus down to the Art Institute. I was so excited!!! Even my pater familias told me how jealous he was of me going, that the Art Institute is one of his favorite places ever. We even got a free ride on the bus b/c the cash payment box wasn't working. Sweet! There was a huge Matisse exhibit going on, and we hit that first. Then of course had to wander all over and catch the famous paintings on permanent exhibit. Picassos, O'Keefes, Miros, Hoppers, Rauschenbergs, Van Goghs, etc etc etc!!! My head started to hurt after awhile--it was just too much! But wonderful, wonderful... After a few hours there we headed back to the hotel and were trying to find the El when it started to rain a little, so Stefano grabbed a cab. We had the rest of the afternoon for major R&R in our hotel room.
In the evening I really wanted to have some famous Chicago deep dish pizza. My mom used to take us to a Chicago deep dish place in Houston when we were kids and I had always loved going there. So we checked w/the concierge who told us that the famous Gino's East was within walking distance, and he gave us a card for a free item as well as "priority seating." Good thing too b/c when we got there, the line was out the door and it was freezing outside! But the hostess showed us right inside and we opted to sit at the bar. We got beer/wine and free garlic sticks and ordered our deep dish, 1/2 cheese and sausage and 1/2 vegetarian. It. Was. So. GOOD!!! And once again, no room for dessert!
After dinner we went back to the hotel since we still had time to relax before we needed to get to the music venue of the night, Kingston Mines. I actually ended up falling asleep for almost an hour--damn that pizza was good! Then we grabbed a cab, got to the place and went inside where we found the 1st of the 2 stages, that had this party band onstage, meaning they were playing crowd-pleasing stuff. Bullshit like "Shout" and "Superstition." Whatever. The place was PACKED with white folks, and we went to the 2nd stage to sit, where the next band would be coming on soon. The 2nd band was this pretty cool chick whose band was not bad. But again, all covers. Hmmm. We didn't stay very long, even though I was impressed the joint was open til 5am!
Gonna hafta finish recounting the trip later, as I have to get ready to leave work and head downtown for mediation w/S. I am ready to kick his ass.
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