I won't do Chicago justice in this blog but I wanted to mention that I had a chance to tour the city this past weekend. It was 40 degrees or less the entire time and raining. I think it stopped raining for about 2 hours total and that was fortunate because it was during the time I was on an architectural boat tour.
I would not recommend going on a boat tour in such weather but it was great nonetheless and if you're ever in Chicago, take my recommendation (which was the recommendation of a friend) and go with Wendella tours, located by the Wrigley Building. TThe tour guide did a great job with a very long and extensive script and there was a ton to see including Sears Tower and also the new Trump Tower. I love The Donald and was excited to see this building which is still unfinished. There is a lot of history explained and get this, Chicago is not the "windy city" because of the wind! That comes from a favorite anecdote but I won't ruin it for you and tell you why.
My friends and I also checked out the Art Institute before we headed to dinner at Chicago Chop House. The Art Institute is also a must-see though it was super crowded and I didn't get to enjoy the special exhibits because of that. Admission is staggered by the hour but that still didn't help as the crowds were so large. However, there is a great imprssionists and also great modern collections there.
I don't want to know how much steak or red meat I ate the first week I was in Chicago. It was too much and I may have actually turned into a cow...I'll leave that to you to elaborate on. Considering the great food I had that first two weeks (Weber Grill was a favorite), nothing compared to the Chicago Chop House. I had a great bloody mary which went so amazingly well with the wonderful steak. The sides were superb as well. I could go on and on. I went with the bartender's recommendation and got the T-bone (I think). The kitchen even sliced it up ahead of serving so it would be easy to share. If you go, you must spend the money for this excellent meal. It is worth it and in all honesty, I expected it to cost much more than it did.
Bongo Room was the breakfast spot that was a must-have for me because so many friends had recommended it. I truly enjoyed my meal here as well. The pancake choices are innovative and though they sound sickeningly sweet, they actually aren't. It is a well-crafted and interesting menu that offers traditional and innovative breakfast items.
Lastly, in case anyone does land here and is going to Chicago, a great site to check out is Metromix. It is somewhat like Yelp in that it has reviews but helps very easily navigate the city.
That's all for now!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Walkin' in Memphis (and CA next week)
The 1008 MS Walk is coming up and here are the facts:
- I have MS and started walking for the cause annually starting the first walk after I was diagnosed.
- This year will mark my 6th MS Walk.
- ProFlowers will match all donations in full. $5 = $10; a sound investment
- The walk is April 26th.
- You can sign-up or donate by going here: Rabiah's MS Walk Page
- The article below was in the San Diego Union Tribune
- I am in Memphis right now, for work, and wanted to use the only song I know about Memphis in the blog title.
- I will be grateful for anything you can do to help my team reach its goal and me reach mine.
- There will be a cure. (Maybe less a fact than an honest hope.)
- I have MS and started walking for the cause annually starting the first walk after I was diagnosed.
- This year will mark my 6th MS Walk.
- ProFlowers will match all donations in full. $5 = $10; a sound investment
- The walk is April 26th.
- You can sign-up or donate by going here: Rabiah's MS Walk Page
- The article below was in the San Diego Union Tribune
- I am in Memphis right now, for work, and wanted to use the only song I know about Memphis in the blog title.
- I will be grateful for anything you can do to help my team reach its goal and me reach mine.
- There will be a cure. (Maybe less a fact than an honest hope.)
Friday, April 11, 2008
Let's Catch Up
It's 2am and the phone rings...who do you want answering that call? haha, it could be me seeing as it is 2am in Chicago and I'm awake burning the midnight oil for my employer. Crazy, yo! I'm gonna be a little silly in this entry but I finally have time to try to catch up a little bit while I wait for people to do what they do so I can do what I do. It's all very hush-hush, yeah?
I have been in Chicago for about 3 weeks now with the exception of 48 hours spent/wasted in San Diego. I had a great afternoon of Bloody Mary's with a friend and got the laundry done so that was good.
I have seen a few movies and even got to catch a concert. Holla! Check this out:
Muvico: awesome movie theater. You can reserve balcony seats, grab a bev at the full bar and even bring your drink into the theater (Guiness makes each movie a little more interesting) and enjoy pretty delicious restaurant food. Plus, the "premium" ticket gets you free popcorn. Good deal overall and a nice VIP experience for only a few bucks more than the regular ticket.
El: train that got me and a buddy from O'Hare into the city. A ride that was supposed to last 45-minutes really took 2 hours. The line was under construction and some genius said, "Hey, let's take all of the people from the big train and put them on a bus." Seriously, we were supposed to get off the train and take a bus to another stop up the line where the train would resume service. So, we had to wait...It was a fun night that ended at 630am but I got to have a little adventure, see some Chicago night life and enjoy a great meal.
Leatherheads: Most recent film I saw at Muvico. It was ok. I can't write a long review here but I think Krazinski was decent and as likeable as he always is on The Office. Plus it was a treat to see him. Clooney was fine and goofy like he was in O'Brother and Zellweger is one of those love 'er or hate 'er types so you might hate 'er and if you do, this film won't change that. The story was fun in parts but overall the trailers are more compelling. It hurts me to say this about a Clooney film but 'tis true...at least for me.
Run Fat Boy, Run: This is a British fiml with an American director. David Schwimmer of Friends fame makes his directorial debut (at least with features) bringing a film that would have been much less charming sans the British accents to the big screen. It is Hornsby-esque and boasted a solid cast including another Yank, Hank Azaria in yet another role that makes you just not like him enough to think he can act.
21: This is another film that pains me because I have to say that it wasn't great. It was good and there was excitement. Anyone who likes Vegas, math, cards or a little suspense will be interested. The story is interesting though the dialogue leaves much to be desired. The only thing I can say in its defense is that math/science-types aren't known to be particularly fine communicators so maybe the dialoge wasn't bad but more authentic. No offense to a well-spoken, well-adjusted math/science person out there. This is just something I've read and perhaps you've read too. Anyway, it was a delight to see Kevin Spacey at all as he's been away for a while doing theater. Still, though I recommend it, I think it wasn't the best film.
Jason Mraz played here in Chicago and I finally got to see him for the first time. He is from San Diego but I just have never been there when he's there. Anyway, it was a fun, energetic and enjoyable show. Mraz is a super-talented singer-songwriter and his next album should prove that. Check out the video and audio for I'm Yours, his latest single. There is an EP out now featuring that song and a few others, namely "If It Kills Me" which has a great lyric and chill sound. Mraz has proven himself on his past two albums and as a live act is even better. Go see that guy if he ends up in your town! May 13 is when the album drops by the way.
Duty calls and I'm tired but I wanted to make sure I got some good entertainment news out to my little world.
Cheers!
I have been in Chicago for about 3 weeks now with the exception of 48 hours spent/wasted in San Diego. I had a great afternoon of Bloody Mary's with a friend and got the laundry done so that was good.
I have seen a few movies and even got to catch a concert. Holla! Check this out:
Muvico: awesome movie theater. You can reserve balcony seats, grab a bev at the full bar and even bring your drink into the theater (Guiness makes each movie a little more interesting) and enjoy pretty delicious restaurant food. Plus, the "premium" ticket gets you free popcorn. Good deal overall and a nice VIP experience for only a few bucks more than the regular ticket.
El: train that got me and a buddy from O'Hare into the city. A ride that was supposed to last 45-minutes really took 2 hours. The line was under construction and some genius said, "Hey, let's take all of the people from the big train and put them on a bus." Seriously, we were supposed to get off the train and take a bus to another stop up the line where the train would resume service. So, we had to wait...It was a fun night that ended at 630am but I got to have a little adventure, see some Chicago night life and enjoy a great meal.
Leatherheads: Most recent film I saw at Muvico. It was ok. I can't write a long review here but I think Krazinski was decent and as likeable as he always is on The Office. Plus it was a treat to see him. Clooney was fine and goofy like he was in O'Brother and Zellweger is one of those love 'er or hate 'er types so you might hate 'er and if you do, this film won't change that. The story was fun in parts but overall the trailers are more compelling. It hurts me to say this about a Clooney film but 'tis true...at least for me.
Run Fat Boy, Run: This is a British fiml with an American director. David Schwimmer of Friends fame makes his directorial debut (at least with features) bringing a film that would have been much less charming sans the British accents to the big screen. It is Hornsby-esque and boasted a solid cast including another Yank, Hank Azaria in yet another role that makes you just not like him enough to think he can act.
21: This is another film that pains me because I have to say that it wasn't great. It was good and there was excitement. Anyone who likes Vegas, math, cards or a little suspense will be interested. The story is interesting though the dialogue leaves much to be desired. The only thing I can say in its defense is that math/science-types aren't known to be particularly fine communicators so maybe the dialoge wasn't bad but more authentic. No offense to a well-spoken, well-adjusted math/science person out there. This is just something I've read and perhaps you've read too. Anyway, it was a delight to see Kevin Spacey at all as he's been away for a while doing theater. Still, though I recommend it, I think it wasn't the best film.
Jason Mraz played here in Chicago and I finally got to see him for the first time. He is from San Diego but I just have never been there when he's there. Anyway, it was a fun, energetic and enjoyable show. Mraz is a super-talented singer-songwriter and his next album should prove that. Check out the video and audio for I'm Yours, his latest single. There is an EP out now featuring that song and a few others, namely "If It Kills Me" which has a great lyric and chill sound. Mraz has proven himself on his past two albums and as a live act is even better. Go see that guy if he ends up in your town! May 13 is when the album drops by the way.
Duty calls and I'm tired but I wanted to make sure I got some good entertainment news out to my little world.
Cheers!
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