It was windy in the Windy City, and other stuff

Saturday in Chicago was a good time. The boys LOVED the concert and thought it was the best show ever and XRay Girl and I laughed and talked and hung out which always equates to lots of fun.

Since the boys were going to the concert festival and XRay Girl and I were not, we had to have a game plan about dropping the boys off, getting them again and parking in the midterm. According to the concert web site, if we produced a ticket stub, the parking was free. But the web site neglected to tell WHERE the free parking was located, which of course we didn't find out until we arrived. We wait in a looooooooooong line of traffic to turn into the 'event parking' and the guy says to me "$20". I said, "I thought it was free?" And he said, "Oh, the free parking is at Solider Field. Now move on or $20." (He is so not getting my vote for Helpful Parking Lot Attendant of the Year Award!) So I pull ahead to another guy and he gives the worst directions in the history of the world on how to back track to Soldier Field. So we let the boys out with a promise to call them when we knew where the car was and we told them we would meet them where we left them, at the concert's conclusion. Out they went and off we went to find the elusive parking at Soldier Field.

Now Soldier Field is a large place and we could obviously see it and we could figure out which was the parking garage. But with event parking and event road closings, getting there was almost impossible, and we were only armed with directions like, "turn around and go back and when you get to the roundabout turn left and then to to the first non one way thru street and turn at the stop sign and it should be a little bit down on the left." Wha???? And we forgot one little thing: the only way to get free parking was to produce a ticket and our "tickets" had just gotten dropped off VIP style at the concert. Well shit! So, I said to hell with it, got back in line to go back, and pay the $20 for the parking at the arena.

After finally getting parked, we were at the museum complex, meaning we were smack in between the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum, the Planetarium and the Shed Aquarium. XRay Girl and I were going to go the Aquarium. There were about 173 people in line in front of us but we didn't care. What we did care about was the admission price of $29.95+ tax EACH. For that price we could have lobster for dinner rather than look at 'em through a tank so we decided to ditch the fish and walk the lake shore walk to Navy Pier. It didn't look very far from where we were...

Now here I want to say that at times I am the quintessential mother. It comes more from being organized and list making than being a good mom, I think. Before we left home I made sure everyone had gone to the bathroom and we had cell phones charged and the tickets and directions. I packed a box of snacks and a cooler of bottled water and juices. I had a loaf of bread and a package of ham so they could make sandwiches on the way. I also packed a separate cooler of Power Ade for the boys so they could hydrate after the concert. I made sure they had an extra change of clothes in case it rains and a few garbage bags to sit on if they got wet, even though the forecast was, and I quote three different web sites: "a high of 71 and partly cloudy." I made sure everyone had a jacket, and cash. So you could say I was organized.

What I did forget was my own jacket. But it was supposed to be, and I quote three different web sites: "a high of 71 and partly cloudy." And I wore jeans and a t-shirt. And it was cold. Damn cold. It was never partly sunny the entire day. Not a single shine of sun did we see. And as for the 71--- 51 was more like it!

So we walked from the aquarium to Navy Pier along the lake shore route- about 3 miles- and I froze the whole way, and it was my own stupid fault. Then we got to Navy Pier and walked all over it. Finally I couldn't stand it anymore, and I bought a stupid sweatshirt. Thank god it was on sale. It's bubblegum pink and says "Chicago Navy Pier" on the front. XRay Girl, who wore a very light weight jacket, was also freezing, bought one as well, in kiwi green. Oh, yes, weren't we cute in our matching sweatshirts that just screamed "tourists"?

After strolling around Navy Pier, we hadn't done enough walking so we walked the 6 city blocks up Grand Ave to Michigan Ave, aka the Magnificent Mile. We went in a bunch of the shops- including Tiffany's- I LOVE that store! Something about all that jewelry is magical and sparkly! We also went to a shop in Macy's called Lush which sells all natural body products like shampoo, lotions, and the like. The sale associate Kate did all these awesome demonstrations on us of these cool products.

Farrago met us here and declared he was starving so we went for pizza at a place called Pizza Duo which is one of the most famous places in the city to get the infamous Chicago Deep Dish. While we were having dinner, Mac called and said they were ready to go. He said the last band sucked so he and his buddy were sitting in the car and would wait for us. We were just finishing dinner so we paid, and Farrago helped us find the right bus and off we went to collect the kids.

We rode the bus and we knew we were the last stop but the bus just kept going and going and going. I thought when it was the last stop, he would just stop at the last bus stop place thingy. So we were about 1 block from the parking lot and I asked our bus driver if we could just get out where we were because he passed about 47 bus shelters and I was afraid he would turn left when we wanted him to turn right. He asked me where we were going and I told him to the parking lot, one block ahead. Our super nice bus driver dropped us at the parking lot where we left the car!!! He just went 1 block extra since no one else was on the bus but us!***** Is that cool or what?

And we only got lost once, on the way there. XRay Girl is not allowed to read the directions anymore- she skipped an entire line sending the boys into convulsions and me into serious eye rolling mode since I was driving on the Dan Ryan Expressway. But what was cool about getting lost is that we had to go through Chinatown- twice because I was in the wrong lane- and XRay Girl, Mac nor his Buddy had ever seen it before. The boys thought it was the coolest thing ever. Mac said, "OMG, I just saw Jackie Chan" and would point to a guy. Then about 20 feet later he would say, "OMG, I just saw Jackie Chan again" and point to a different guy. He did this for about 3 blocks until we all screamed at him to shut up! But really, it was a riot. They also saw an older Chinese woman and all the jokes about her special powers and herbs and wisdom... oh just imagine two 17 year old boys ...

But it was a very cool day. I'm glad I was able to take Mac and let him have this experience. I like being able to do things like that when I can. Even when, at first, I really didn't want to! Sometimes being a mom is cool!

***** This is the second time in my life that a public bus driver went out of his/her way to drop me off where I needed to be. In summer 1990 I 'lived' in NYC for what was supposed to be a summer but... anyway. My friend and I were going to take a Circle Line Cruise around the city and we were running late and freaking out. The stop for the cruise was near the last one on the route and the bus driver heard us talking about whether we could run for it and still make it on time. She gunned the bus the three extra blocks and dropped us smack dab in front of the Circle Line Cruise Office. We had 4 minutes to spare.

Maggie

On another note...

If I could just say no... I wouldn't get myself into these things

In March Mac told me about some band I never heard of coming to some venue I never heard of on a day I didn't really pay attention to in Chicago-- who says I don't listen?

Then last weekend he mentioned it again. he said I gave a distracted "uh-mmmmmmm" and went back to my computer.

Well, I guess he was really serious about going and I guess I said something about being willing to think about it and it was time to think about it.

So Mac took matters into his own hands. First, he hates his father the Fucktard Asshat Spermdonor for LOTS of reasons right now but he put that hatred aside and asked his goodfornothing SD for money for the concert. His dad said he would buy the ticket. Then Mac turned in the job applications so if I let him go to the concert, he could pay me back for any money I spent-- you know, on the off chance that he could go. And he also took out the trash, emptied the dishwasher, vacuumed the living room rug, agreed to paint the shed when it stopped raining, and washed cookie sheets (they don't fit in the dishwasher so they have to be hand washed!).

With all that happening, the stupid check engine light came on in my car so I can't drive three hours to Chicago. Mac appealed to Daddy-O who said YES that I could drive HIS car to Chicago. Mac has a friend who can go. Now it was all up to my and my wallet. Do I have enough money to put gas in Daddy-O's car and pay for food? Am I willing to spend all day hanging around in Chicago? Do I want to give up almost an entire weekend to do this? No, no, no, and no. See, I can type that right here but I can't seem to SAY it to Mac.

I was just thinking about it. I never said yes. But... I thought now it would be BAD to say no. I told Mac if XRay Girl would go with, then I would say yes. (I have friends in Chicago but I had no idea, on short notice, if anyone was free, though I did send an email tonight to see!) She said YES. So Mac, Mac's Friend, XRay Girl and I are taking Daddy-O's car to Chicago on Saturday. While the boys see the concert, she and I are going to do.... something. What I'm not sure, but we'll find something... from 2-11pm.

Of course, I'll be taking a TON of pictures!!!!

And XRay Girl hasn't ever been to Chicago that she can remember in the last 20 years. So we have things we want to do like Chinatown, Watertower, Magnificent Mile, and Navy Pier.

Now, if I said no, then I could stay home with my sullen teenager and feel guilty. So guess what I'm doing on Saturday?

Windy City here we come,
Mags

Oh yeah, and I'll be posting pictures on my traveling blog, which hasn't had any pictures posted on it since I was in Indianapolis, IN last September! (I hope hope hope I can add pictures to this blog this summer!!! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to go anywhere--- Ireland again? London? regardless, Chicago is a start!)

Return from the Windy City

I took the train up to Chicago on Friday night and met two of the most delightful gay men who were from Northern Civilization. It was like talking to Will and Jack (from Will and Grace) for 3 hours so it made the time fly. We exchanged phone numbers and plan to get together in the next few weeks! Ah shucks, Maggie made new friends.

The train station put me out right downtown in the theater district where Farrago picked me up and we headed to his house. When got a great pizza and stayed up talking for 4 hours, just like good girlfriends do!

We got a late start on Saturday so he headed to Farrago's fav breakfast spot, where it has the best hash and eggs in the world. Okay, he claims it does. I don't like hash so I didn't order it nor eat it so we have to take his word for it. But it was cool to go there with him. The owners and cooks and waitresses at this diner know him by name. It was a Cheers feeling when we went with all yelling greetings at him- and the staff sang a rendition of "happy birthday" to him because they just remembered it was his special day- we hadn't even mentioned it!

(OH and he totally seemed to like the bottle of Johnny Walker Black I gave him since I still haven't found the lost Johnny Walker Blue!)

We headed to Farrago's home town for the tour. Any of you who read know (and any of you who don't read his blog should!) Farrago's blog know he writes about growing up and has some delightfully funny stories about his childhood. So we took the tour of his hometown and that was cool- it was neat to see the sights where all the stories took place. And there was a yummy bakery where I got some sort of pastry thing that was scrumptious- even though they have the best chocolate cinnamon rolls in the world-again I have to take his word for it because the bakery was OUT of rolls.

After the stroll memory lane, we went into the city and took a driving tour of the famous neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Wrigglyvillie, Boys Town, and Old Town. We also drove the entire length of Lake Shore- it was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too expensive to stop to park so I got most of my water fix with the drive. We found a faux Irish pub and had some beers. And remember my love affair with Bulmer's Irish Cider? Well, I found the American equivalent: Magner's!

Finally we headed over to the karaoke party for dinner and singing, which was great fun. It was more of a crowd than when I went a few months ago so we sang a little less but we all had fun! And because it's my birthday month, as well as three others- including Farrago- there was cake and a serenaded rendition of the Beatles "Today is your birthday". And cake. I *love* cake! Nice people, good fun!

Sunday the train brought me home but it was lots less entertaining. No delightful gay men to engage my brain. Instead there were lots of screaming bratty kids so I slapped in my head phones and let the train carry me back to my world, leaving the city adventure behind and ready for me to return another time.

melancholy,
Mags

Today is his birthday!

Happy Birthday Farrago! Sing your heart out tonight- glad I'm privileged enough to be able to spend it with you!

Leavin' on a.... train

Well, after work today I'm off to the Windy City and to celebrate Farrago's birthday in style. We're gonna sing karaoke and maybe see a Sox game. The White verses the Red and both of us are Red fans so it should be interesting! And if the weather cooperates, he's taking me to walk on the beach (though he told me if it was cold he was staying in the car with the heater on. Chicken!). What a great guy!

And I'm takin' the train into the city this time, rather than drive. I can head to the train station, not even an hour away, and then go all the way to downtown Chicago, where Farrago- the ever so wonderful gentleman from IL, will pick me up at the train station! That way I don't have to walk, take a cab, take a bus, and the 'El then his car to get to him. And I can park my car for free at the train station. I might even have a few new pictures to post on my travel blog! Sounds like a wonderful plan all the way around, ya know?

With the holiday weekend, I just so did not want to fight the traffic, so I'm excited at the prospect of sitting quietly for 3 hours, reading and listening to my music and watching the world pass me by.

So, ya'll, I'll catch ya on the flip side of the holiday weekend with tales to tell!

Kisses to you all and have a Cosmo weekend!
Maggie

Whoopin' it up in the Windy City (Chicago Part 3- the end)

I know, I've been such a slacker this last week- and I didn't even post yesterday; I feel like such a rebel and a rule breaker for that. And I still haven't told the ending to the Chicago trip--Okay, to finally wrap up the last of the Windy City details-- does anyone remember I went there last weekend and promised details? Yeah. I didn't think so.

Other than hanging with the most cool Farrago, whom I have dubbed the Host with Most, and having a great time singing karaoke with some ultra-fun folks, I have very scant details left of my adventures in the Windy City. I also know I've missed being in a city and I think living and working in Chicago would be GREAT. I love the sky line, the crowds, the stuff to do, the tourist sights, the river right down the centre of town, the Miracle Mile, the places to eat. I LOVE it all!

I did have a Strangers on the Train moment, only I was on a bus and we didn't plot to kill each others' respective spouses... Anyway, Farrago and I were riding the bus and I'm looking at the people and just watching the world go by. I had spent the day walking around the city so it was nice to just sit and relax a spell. I snagged a seat, and Farrago parked his keister next to me, and there was a handsome gentleman sitting near me who kept smiling at me. I smiled back. There he smiled again. And I returned the smile. This went on for several blocks and he mouthed "hello beautiful" at me and I smiled and mouthed "hello" back. Then he inclined his head toward Farrago and gave me a questioning look. I had totally forgotten I was with Farrago and that could be construed as having him as partner/ BF/ mate/ romantic something or other. I must have made a funny face as I vehemently shook my head no because he laughed aloud and winked. Then we continued to smile at each other. Finally, we hit our stop and I followed Farrago off the bus and the man grabbed my hand and squeezed and said "goodbye" and I waved at him as we left. Now how cool was that?

Until I heard Farrago accusing me of ruining his mojo. Apparently he was making hot and heavy eye contact with the young buxom Blondie on the bus and when she gave him pointed eye contact about me and he shook it off, she ignored him. So we had simultaneous flirtations on the bus. Though Farrago did ask me a pointed question after our dis-embarkation: if he hadn't been there, what would I have done, or more to the point, other than flirty eye contact, what would've happened? I told him that I personally would've stayed on the bus a few more stops, got a name a number for coffee, and enjoyed the walk back to my destination knowing I might have a date. Ummm... he wasn't as optimistic- he would've just gotten off the bus and kicked himself- I offered to kick him but he said no. Ah, different strokes for different folks.

We also visited Chinatown. I was just a little disappointed because it was such a small area of the city, only a few blocks. I thought it would be bigger like in San Fran or NYC. The food looked great and had we went at a different time of day, Chinese food would've been dinner, for sure! It was still pretty neat to see, and I loved going in the bakeries which had Chinese pastries as well European style yummies. I managed to stay strong and not get baked goods (Farrago's doing this diet and he was setting a good example) but I did splurge and get a mango smoothie, that was to die for. There was none of that shitty artificial mango flavored powdery shit, but real, fresh mango and milk and just all natural goodness. BONUS!

We also hit Navy Pier. There were tons of people out on the boardwalk, enjoying the beautiful weather. And it was the end of Marine week. I wish I would've known it was Marine week because I would've done my part for my country and created a one woman USO- okay, okay... it was still nice eye candy. And the skyline from that area of the city is brilliant. I also love being near any large body of water so it felt free and refreshing. It was surely summer there- boats on the water, smell of sea water and cotton candy, the Ferris wheel slowly turning-- it was grand!

My mojo was also working a little bit that weekend, which shocked Farrago. While he doesn't find me beautiful, gorgeous, sexy and simply irresistible (that's okay, because he's not my type either!), he seemed SHOCKED that other men did seem to find me at least mildly attractive (see Farrago, some guys like smart sassy women with junk in the trunk!)-- to the point where I had the cutie-patootie KJ flirting like mad and possibly offering me a threesome with he and his wife, the Les Nessman look alike offering to take me to dinner sometime, and KaraokeSam asking for my number and inviting me to leave the Karaoke party with HIM to go out to 2 other karaoke bars then to breakfast and he said he would make sure I got back to Farrago's place. Add the hottie on the bus and well- I felt like I was Ms America or something... All the male attention was nice, especially since I've been a bit down after the AIISam situation.

Other than the crazy guy who had an entire conversation with his hand on the bus- that's not a euphemism for masturbation; he was really speaking to his hand, we also had a brief walk near the river (In 2010 I am going to be in Chicago on St Paddy's Day to watch the river get turned green and drink green beer and kiss Irish American men, especially police or fire men. Hey, I was in Dublin for the holiday so I might as well do it up right here in the States, too!) , a trek down Michigan with every tourist in the city, and a trip to my Tiffany and Co., which was closed and I wanted to cry- wahhhhhhhhhh- (And had it not been so far from Farrago's place or a bitch to park near, I totally would've had breakfast there on Sunday morning! Ah, next time!) it was a wonderful weekend, and I had gobs of fun! Can't wait to go back. Next time I think Mac goes along- now, that should be interesting... or scary or both.

So many many thanks to Farrago for being a good guy, a fun friend, and a wonderful host. Can't wait to see you again, buddy! (And remember, you're always welcome here in Civilization. We can... go to the city park or the community pool!) See you in the city soon!

(And thanks to Farrago for being my personal photographer all weekend too- all photo credits are his, except this one! And click here to hear his version of the weekend!)

City girl to the core,
Maggie

Karaoke Queen of the Chicago Scene (Chicago Part 2)

I wasn't really the Queen- I didn't rule this event or anything- I just like the alliteration in the title!

While in Chicago last weekend, Farrago took me to an event, the Chicago Karaoke Underground Party. There is a cool woman who hosts this event in her loft apartment. And what a loft is is- OMG! You know how we see these fab apartments on TV or in the movies in large cities and they are just to die for? And you know how magazines or native New Yorkers, LA-ers, and Chicagoans all say "oh that place would cost about $123k a month if rentable in real life"? Well, the loft owner, who I shall call the Diva of Darkness, has the loft like the lofts you see on TV and in the movies. OMG- it is the greatest apartment I have ever been inside in my life. I bow to her, I covet that space- I WANT that space, I would do dastardly deeds for that space, I would be part of heinous fuckery most foul for that space. And her decorating is to die for...

Okay, all that being said, Diva of Darkness opens her home to random strangers to come and sing karaoke. People sign up in advance, pay a fee and come to sing- and drink and eat- the fee covers the booze and noshes. She has a professional KJ- who is a HOTTIE with a sexy goatee/ beard goin' on- and she has a sound system which kicks ass. All in all, Diva of Darkness has a better set up than most clubs I've been to. It rocks, she rocks, the night rocked.

Now I haven't been to sing karaoke for about 3 years now, and usually when I do sing, I've always gone with Hecate and her family and buddies. They are awesome singers and I've always felt completely inadequate when I've performed. I drink a lot of booze and have few inhibitions, but...

So this was the first time I was singing in front of complete and total strangers. And you do hear the stories about karaoke singers who are booed off stage- which I was afraid would happen. Farrago assured me that these folks were nice and wouldn't boo me off the stage, even if I sucked. Because there was no stage.... Okay, no he told me these are super nice people, but I was still nervous.

I visited with some folks and scoped out the small crowd- which only turned about to be about a dozen voice strong. I had a few drinks and listened to a few people. I decided that there weren't any "ringers" in the audience and that the next American Idol or Grammy winners weren't lurking about, that maybe I could actually sing in front of these people. No one had hurdled tomatoes, used the giant hook or booed and hissed, so I turned in a song.

And when the KJ called my name, I thought my knees were going to give out, or that I was going to pee my pants. Then I sang. And everyone clapped. Then I sat down. And sweated. But it was fun and the people were kind!

The evening went uphill from there. Everyone sang and had a good time. Since the crowd was small it was a good time to sing songs I've always wanted to try but never had the guts. And some were good, and others weren't. I did a rendition of "All that Jazz" from Chicago, which I thought sounded pretty good- and Farrago made over my performance of such in his post- here (scroll to the "paratay at the belt way" part of his post- it was so long, he gave it chapter titles!)!

And Farrago tore. it. up on a Styx song- he totally kicked ass!

The cutie KJ sang some great Elton John... and there was a girl there who studied opera in college- and she did some amazing things with Sarah McClachlan songs. Oh wow. And there was a sweet guy who I'll call KaraokeSam with a great voice, who was very much the entertainer. Diva of Darkness likes her song bawdy. And there was a guy who was a dead ringer for Les Nessman (looks wise) on the TV show WKRP in Cincinnati- and while his singing might not be super duper (but not horrible) he was a good guy. Another woman crack me up with her song choice- the "Micky" parody called "Ricky"? And another time found her singing "Like A Virgin" with her legs up in the air... ummmm, I think she had quite a bit to drink...

It was a great time with good people, good food, and guess what?!? I was invited back! I can't wait to go- and next time, I might just bring Mac, my song bird, along. Diva of Darkness said it was okay, so that should be fun too!

Loved it! Oh, what a night!
Mags

(tomorrow is Part III- how I shocked Farrago twice, the men, the city, and Chinatown)

The Host with the Most (Chicago Part 1)

Farrago is a great guy. As many of you might remember that he and I met as bloggers and then when he went on his trip to the western part of the USA last summer he stopped in the Wild West to see me for a few days. And being the gracious guy he is, he bounced the invitation back to me to visit him if I got back his way, in Chicago. And he so graciously followed through on that, and let me be a bum at his place last weekend.

Not only did he stock my favorite tequila, he also fixed a fuckin' AWESOME steak dinner- and put up with me teasing him incessantly about his grilling procedures. But the joke was on me because the man fixed a kick ass steak and tater- I bow to his grilling prowess!

He is also full of great stories, and is an interesting guy in general. We seemed to talk non-stop- and I learned tons about his family; the man has a book there, I swear! Being the youngest of 7 kids, there's a story! (And I have to say he showed me pictures of his daddy when he was in The War and his pops was a HOTTIE-BO-DOTTIE!!!!) and I wasn't sure if there was anyone who could out talk me, but... if he can't, then we're tied. (And Farrago, I get to wear the crown of talking glory, thankee)

And did I forget to mention he took me to IKEA? And he LIKED it? And didn't bitch at me as I wandered around, fixating on pink stuff- which Farrago didn't hesitate in pointing out to me! There wasn't very much- only EVERY-thing. But his own fixation was with French Press Coffee Makers. Though I have to admit, those fuckers were all over the store, even in the children's section and in the garbage bag section, and the couch section... did I mention everywhere? And for some reason, Farrago was a fan, even though he owned one that he paid like a million dollars for and these were made by poor Indian kids and sold to Americans for $9.99, or something.

He even took me to a Starbucks near his house after his strong coffee made me grow chest hair... and he didn't harass me about my Starbucks addiction. He even took me to the Starbucks Anonymous meeting... er, no he didn't, cuz it's supposed to be anonymous. I was really the only one there. There is also a super kick ass produce market near his house, where he just sort of turned me loose and took great enjoyment of my speechlessness (and his ears could finally rest) as I stood before 178 kinds of oranges, simply agog at the choices. Um, it was a GREAT market and colorful and FUN! Yeah, I know, I'm amazed at fruit. I need to get out of town more.

Finally, Farrago's title of the Host with the Most was continued to be earned when he fixed me breakfast on Saturday morning- eggs, bacon and toast, NOT a bowl of cereal. He took me into Chicago and was willing to go anywhere I wanted, as he kept telling me it was my weekend- and was an excellent tour guide getting us to and from Navy Pier to Chinatown and never lost at all. He spoiled me with a treat at gourmet Vosges Chocolates- I ate chocolate with violets in it, and lavender. Oh YUM! I swear! He introduced me to some super people at a karaoke event (more on that in a later post)

Farrago the Super also slept on the couch and let me crash in his bed!

Awesome guy, so much fun, great conversation, good times, lots of laughs, the pun master! Thanks Farrago! You Rock!

A Forever Farrago Fan,
Mags

an aside: he even said I could come back and bring Mac!!!! I'm giving him a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue, but I'm sure that has nothing to do with it...!

Trip teaser

Your world weary traveler is home from her newest adventure and the key word is... weary. (Apparently so weary it caused me to refer to myself in third person.) Since I stayed up late, played hard, walked more than I have in 6 weeks and drove in Chicago traffic twice in 48 hours, I am tired, tired, tired... So, I promise a trip recap that involves karaoke with Farrago, my "moment" on the bus with a stranger, Farrago's moment on a bus with a stranger, the highlights, the lowlights, how I surprised Farrago not once but twice, city weirdos (other than Farrago and me), meeting men, and commentary on Farrago who is the Host with Most...

Blown in from the windy city,
Mags

Roadies!

I'm excited because I have a few road trips coming up! I know I went to Ireland and Italy this spring, but other than that, which was strange in and of its self, I really haven't made plans to do stuff.

So I am super excited to be heading up to Chicago this coming weekend! Farrago, that awesome blogger buddy, came to visit me last summer when I lived in the Wild West- he was traveling the northwest part of the states and I was able to be a stop on his route. We had a great time (okay at least I had a great time- I don't want to put words in his mouth but he seemed to have a good time). And since I moved back to Civilization I now am a mere 3 hour car drive from Farrago so we're going to get together and hang out.

I adore the city of Chicago so the fact that I get to hand with a cool guy and in my favorite city makes me do the happy dance! We have plans to hang out in the city, maybe see Chinatown or Beverly, maybe hit Navy Pier or take in a Cubs game. We've bounced some ideas around, but to me it doesn't matter what we do- I'm just excited to have plans to do some fun stuff with a cool friend. One thing we are doing for sure is to go to a karaoke party. OMG- he has no idea what he's in for with me singing... he did offer to give me a bottle of tequila... maybe he DOES know what's up? Okay, who told him? Anyway, I am soooooo, looking forward to this!

Memorial Day weekend also brings a road trip, in addition to the World's Largest Rummage Sale. My cousin who lived in DC for the last 30 years moved back here to southern Civilization when she retired and is having a HUGE BBQ at her place. Mac and I are heading down for the day to see some family and to meet their friends. Should be a good day, good food, good company... and I'm really looking forward to it!

I'll let you know how both trips turn out!

Wish you were here or hell, wish I were there,
Mags