All I needed was a laugh, not a fist fight...

I was presented with a great Thursday night activity last week, watch my friend's cousin headline at Zanie's Comedy Club.  After the past few weeks I had been having, I wasn't going to turn down a chance to laugh so I said yes.  We arrived a bit before the show began and purchased our two drink minimum.  I love comedy places because everyone there is ready to have a good time, or so we thought...

One of the opening acts was really funny and I know she'll make it big some day, while another one was bit blah and inappropriate.  During the headlining act, the reason I had came, a little dispute began to play out in the audience.  Some of the patrons did not want to respect the server and the two drink minimum rule and when she started yelling and complaining a paying customer, became very angry.  I fist fight insued followed by a lot of the guests leaving.  It was definitely an experience I wasn't expecting to have...

Next time you need a good laugh, you never know, you may get an extra added bonus of seeing people fight, which causes a laugh in itself.  Raise your glass, get ready to relieve some stress, have a good laugh, and go to a comedy show near you!!

Chicago Chef Week

I've learned that my palette and my inquisitivenss has made me a bit of a foodie.  Chef week allows me to try something new.  Last night I ventured with my friend to Blackbird (blackbird.com).  I've walked by plenty of times entranced by the appearance of the place itself. 

There is just something about the place that always drew me to walk by it.  As a high end restaurant, I knew I wasn't going there anytime soon.  Chef week allows people like me a chance to try a high end food restaurant at a fraction of the cost.  I started out with a warm spring noodle with avocado and pumpkin seeds followed by the entree of a squash and ricotta torte with mushrooms and arugala.  Our dessert was a dark chocolate ganache with parsnip ice cream.  It was all so delicious and the presentation was to die for.  The highlight of the dinner was the palatte cleanser of a green tea truffle.

So next time you hear of chef week here in Chicago, follow your instinct and try that restaurant you've always been drawn to or if you aren't daring enough, follow my recommendation and go to blackbird!

picture!

Here's the rollerskating picture!!!

Everyone needs a great girlfriend!

Sometimes there are those people that you meet and you instantly click with and become friends...that's what happened to Molly, Laura, and I. After meeting two years ago through big shoulders fund, Molly and I became instant friends.

As our lives have gotten busy, we decided to have a girls date for afternoon coffee. I took the girls to my nearby neighborhood of Noble Square to go to my favorite coffee shop in Chicago, Lovely (lovelybakeshop.com)!!

I discovered Lovely the first week I was in Chicago.  A lady I had babysat for in Columbus, had recommended this shop after reading about it in Domino magazine.  After eating their tuna salad sandwich, tomato basil soup, and their to die for macaroons, I was in love.  I had recommended we go there and now Molly and Laura also think the place is LOVELY :)

So next time you're in Chicago and you don't want to go to a Starbucks for afternoon coffee, stop by Lovely for their mini pies and amazing coffee!

I'm ROLLING Along!!

Sorry for my delay in posting, but I wanted to include a picture of this activity--You'll have to wait for it I guess.

I got lucky enough to go rollerskating this past weekend with 9 of my girlfriends all due to winning a silent auction!  So we packed into two cars and headed out to the suburbs of Chicago (a feat and adventure in itself) to attend rollerskating.

Now I had attended plenty of birthday parties in the past held at rollerrinks but I was never lucky enough to host one of my own. I should have known what a Saturday afternoon at a roller rink would have been like, but I was unprepared. We were greeted by yelling, laughing, crying, and rollerskating kids. Some parents had rollerskates on as others were too shy to try again.

For the next three hours we skated around the rink to today's top 40s as well as a few throw backs to the 80s, requested by me. There were a few falls along the way and plenty of laughs! We all concluded that it was definitely the best birthday party activity we had participated in in awhile!

So next time you're wondering what to do for your birthday, consider rollerskating as your next adventure!!

Goal #89--Attend an Opera!

Ever since I've been little and watched movies on television, I've been curious about the Opera.  Once I moved here and saw the Lyric Opera, I've really wanted to attend!  Then after talking to some of my hearing aid patients about how they go to the opera, I decided I was going to go to the Opera and that's what I did this week!!

While celebrating the end of sailboat racing season, we were visiting about the Opera and one of my colleagues had tickets for sale!  I got very lucky that they were the king seats :)  So my friend Sarah and I took on the adventure of attending! 

"Girl of the Golden West" by Puccini was the name of opera!  The Lyric is absolutely amazing and so beautiful!  I could not believe how big it was!  Our seats were really nice with no one in front of us and perfect view of the stage! 

I've decided that operas have such romantic stories and yet so tragic.   It makes you wonder if romanticsm really still exists in this world...The opera was wonderful and I'm so glad I went!  We had a great time.  The set was amazingly done and the music was great. 

So next time you are thinking of something to do in the city, expand your arts and think about attending an opera!!

#469 Go Speed dating!

Yep You see it!  I went speed dating!  I've always wanted to and thank God for my friend's building for hosting it I was able to partake!  We rounded up our friend making abilities, our smiles, and great personalities and set out to try this adventure out! 

I set out for this speed dating even with NO expectations!  I figured open bar and a chance to laugh about this experiment, why not do it!  I would encourage anyone who has a chance, do it!  We haven't gotten our decisions back yet, but we had a great time!  We had fun time and actually met really socially acceptable people. 

So as my journey in Chicago continues, I may have met some new random friends and/or potentials.  Don't worry I'm sure I'll keep you all updated on my love for this windy city!