Second City

Before I get to the Chicago stuff, I have two things: 

(1) We have not yet discussed this season of So You Think You Can Dance, and my two-second review is that the choreography has been very hit-or-miss this season (um, Brian Friedman? What is he ON?), but the dancers on the whole are stronger (unlike past seasons, where some of the clunkers have stayed in well into the top ten).  I do believe Brandon is one of the best male dancers I've EVER seen, but I feel like he hasn't been given just the right piece yet in which to truly shine, although he's been consistently great in everything.  And Ade is excellent, as is Jason.  As a couple, though, Kuponu and Kayla are really special; they are phenomenal.  Also kind of hot, right?  That is one good-looking pair.  Damn.

(2) I keep seeing promos for the movie "The Ugly Truth", and I can't help but think it looks like the worst film ever made.  Are we really supposed to believe that Katherine Heigl has trouble getting guys?  That she needs lessons on how to FLIRT, for crissake?  As Wes would say (good RIDDANCE, dude), Ah was born at night, but Ah wasn't born last night. 

Onward!  As I mentioned yesterday, our second day in Chicago, which was the Fourth of July, we headed out in a drizzle to the Shedd Aquarium.  That place is incredible, y'all!  Best aquarium I've ever seen, by a long shot.  It was also unbelievably crowded.  When we arrived, we stood on a seemingly endless line, and of course we selected the one branch of the line that DID NOT MOVE.  I think every single person who was ahead of us was trying to buy the freaking aquarium or take out a second mortgage or something, because there is no way that purchasing tickets to a museum could take that long.  In New York, there would have been a riot if a line moved that slowly; but strangely enough, no one seemed to bat an eye.  They just stood patiently and gazed about in a calm and collected manner until finally we were able to make our way forward.  Strange.

After seeing some belugas and otters and loads of colorful fish, we made our way to Hyde Park to visit the U of C.  It was pretty deserted, of course, but still pretty and leafy in its neo-Gothic splendor.  One of the purposes of our visit was to eat at Harold's Chicken, an old college standby of Joe's that I've been hearing about for years, so we strolled over there in the ever-increasing rain only to find it closed.  Closed!  How dare they observe a national holiday when we wanted chicken and fries?

And that was when we hit Edwardo's for pizza, as indicated previously.  Then we hit the Museum of Science and Industry, which I hadn't been to since I was about five.  To be honest, it was lacking a little something.  I think it's more geared toward kids, although the exhibits are pretty information-heavy so it would take just the right sort of kid to be super-entertained there.  Eh, I don't know.

That night, we had dinner at NoMI, the restaurant in our hotel.  It was faaaabulous.  The space is gorgeous but not overdone and we had a table right by the bay window overlooking the old Water Tower.  We got a terrific bottle of Riesling that the sommelier recommended, then a cool and summery watermelon soup followed by a beef dish for me and sushi for Joe.  Everything was exquisite. 

By the way, you're getting lots more photos of me than usual because Joe was in charge of the camera for the most part.  I got him a wee cute little Canon PowerShot Elph for our anniversary and this trip was the first real test-drive of it. 

Sunday, we checked out the Hancock Observatory, which was practically empty so we got this spectacular view all to ourselves:

Man, that's a good-looking city!  Note the beach at the bottom right of the second photo -- it has palm trees on it!  Palm trees!  In Chicago!  God bless America.

Then we dropped in on some friends before heading up to Wrigleyville, where we hung out on another friend's roof deck, did some grilling and headed to the Cubs game.  I also had my first Chicago-style hot dog:

Cubs win!  That night we sat out on the roof deck with a bunch of delightful people and drank beer and talked and laughed for hours.  It was pretty unbeatable. 

Monday morning, we went over to still another friend's house to visit and catch up, then walked around for a while until it was time to head to the airport.  And cry. 

Comments

[Alyce]

I see Joe bought you tix to the gun show. Holy Moly that man is ripped.

Um, and Chicago looked lovely, too.

[-R-]

Your trip looks like it was so fun!

I had the same feelings about the Museum of Science and Industry when we went. I could have done without it. And I feel like a dork for loving aquariums, but I can't help it! I love them.

It's funny because I think of the people in Chicago as being rude because I am used to the ridiculously over-nice non-confrontational ways of Minneapolis. =)

[Suebob]

You did good getting him a camera. It is fun to see you.

[pseudostoops]

See, the past two posts force me to conclude that (a) you should move to Chicago and then (b) I can become friends with you in real life. (I mean this in a friendly, not pushy, way.)

[Leah]

Yes, what is UP with the choreographers? And maybe it's just me, but I think the girls are, on the whole, way better than the guys this year.

[Linda]

What a great vacation! I love Chicago so much. Every single time we have been there, we have a wonderful time. I'm glad you did, too!

[Gaby]

I hope this doesn't sound odd, but you two are a beautiful couple! And having grown up near Chicago, I'm happy to read about your positive experience visiting the city.

[Marieka]

I have to second Gaby, because you guys go so well together.

Chicago is very cool. If it weren't for the harsh Midwestern winters and the fact that my family is all in CA, I would consider moving there. I formed that opinion after only having been there once, mind you!

[Jamie]

I'm with PseudoStoops. You need to move here, post haste!