New Year in Chicago

I’m back from my two week + break in Chicago. Due to current extreme laziness, I will simply list what I did while there. If you don’t like it – that’s tough:

- Completed proper documentation, forms and payment for Chinese Consulate travel visa (The German paid $30 and I paid $60. Hmm).
- The German visited the International Museum of Surgical Science while I drank coffee (not really into blood and skin cutting equipment. Yuck).
- The German and I visited the Chicago History Museum. Fun! The Kukla, Fran and Ollie exhibit was super cool. I also liked the Dem Convention clips from ’68, the LATE Marshall Field’s exhibit, and the old El train.
- The German and I shopped at the American Science Surplus store on Milwaukee. That’s the craziest store ever. Check it out…
- Many purchases at Powell’s bookstore.
- Two trips to the fabulous new May Street Café – urban industrial Nuevo Latino cuisine (with cute chef!!)
- Many trips to the Hospital and Rehab Center to visit Mr. S and his roommates – “Jimmy the Greek” and “Harold the Whiner”.
- Sophisticated lunch at Four Seasons with L – fabulous
- Drinks at the Intercontinental Hotel bar with Tribune reporters – fun! I hope I didn’t make it on the front page – yikes!
- Visit to Bar on Buena with drunken A after trip to Argentinean restaurant El Nandu. This resulted in several tipsy touch-tone phone calls to many Chicago and Point friends. Sorry to J for consistently referring to her as her husband M. Also, sorry to R & M and N for not calling. Why? ‘Cause I was coherent enough to know that you were not in town. Had a fun visit with S at the Bar. Haven’t seen him in 10 years at least. Crazy bastard. He confessed to me that he was 35% gay. Not sure what to make of that.
- Fun shopping trips to H&M, C&B, Shebang, Trader Joe’s, L’Occitane, Victoria’s Secret House of Whores on Michigan Avenue (hate that place), and the Container Store.
- Interesting and disturbing exhibits at the Museum of Contemporary Art
- Fun trip to Kaya Spa and major purchase of Jurlique products to rid myself of sad and desperate dark circles and broken capillaries.
- Many good restaurant outings aside from the above mentioned, including: Banderra, Cousins, Ossteria, Amarit, Tucci Benuch, Kamehachi, Peking House and Bistro something.
- Excellent Blues night at “Blues” starring Toronzo Cannon and his new song, “Ernestine.” L & I had a good time.
- Bittersweet Starbucks reunion at Ed’s funeral. It was great to see Mike, Kim, Anna Banana, “Bev,” Sara and Paul, Julie P, Curt, Danielle, and, of course, “Johnny Depth.” I haven’t seen many of these people in over 10 years. Luckily, there was no Tenutta spotting, but there was a look alike – freaky. Beautiful singing by Lyric Opera Chorus members at service. Many laughs, crazy Starbuck stories, hilarious conversations at the Peking House, and good drinks at Philanders in Oak Park with Joe the bartender.
- Crazy unexpected run-in with B & S from Point. A spur of the moment get-together at the party room in my parents’ building. We had wine, pistachios and watched the fog roll in. Fun!
- Went to Grandma’s house for crochet lessons and she swathed me with scanes and scanes of green yarn. Why? I have no idea. She also wants me to make pink potholders with a yarn that has the name of “Sugar ‘n Cream.” What? How crazy is that.