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July 08, 2008

Really Long Post about Chicago

I’m not sure why, but this city reminds me of London. I don’t know if it’s all the history (all of the friends I’ve seen this trip have had lots to say about the history of Chicago and how interesting it is, and they don’t all know each other), or the architecture (soon to be home to the US’ tallest building) or the focus on public art or the river flowing through it (though much tinier than the Thames, plus, there’s the LAKE) or the density of it. I just know I really like this city, and I thought I wasn’t going to.

Highlights of the trip so far:

Seeing Heather and Becca, most assuredly, and the long, heartfelt hugs I received from both of them. Becca and I established, by the way, that the last time we saw each other was not ten and a half years ago at my wedding (where she was one of the women who married us), but was instead about eight years ago, just before she moved here. We’re going to have to see each other more frequently, is all I have to say about that. Heather too. (Speaking of which, you two women have GOT to meet. I think you’d like each other.)

I have pictures of both, by the way, but this isn’t the laptop with the editing software, so those will be waiting until I get home for posting.

It was also nice to see Chris, who met Heather and me at the Art Institute and who was as patient with me as she was as I wandered about drooling over the art. Plus, he introduced us to his favorite room, which is amazing and quiet and needs to be included in a theatre set at some point. (Congrats on landing a doctah, by the way. Though since I haven’t yet met him, I have to assume he’s imaginary like I thought Sam was. Though I now have the proof of my own eyes that Sam exists.)

Did you know that the Art Institute of Chicago has a Touch Gallery where you get to FEEL SCULPTURES MADE OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS? I am such a child. As soon as Heather showed me the room I was all over those things. Soooooo coooooooool.

I should say that before we went to the Art Institute, Heather & I had breakfast at this place called Orange, which sells fresh squeezed build-your-own juices. Oh. My. God. I had orange, grapefruit, celery and strawberries in mine, and may I say it was one of the tastiest things I have ever drunk (with or without champagne, as it turns out, it’s good both ways). I also had their French Toast Kabob, which is notable mostly for the inclusion of shredded coconut in the batter. Yummy. But don’t get their orange oil-infused coffee. Not worth the dosh.
Other highlights of the day? Sitting and chatting in an apartment in the Mies van de Rohe buildings (the original ones, not the newer ones) and getting to use an honest-to-god Mies van de Rohe toilet. Yes. Fairly spiffy.

And the barbeque with the families before the wedding. So lovely. Such great people. I really like her fiancé. We didn’t talk much, but he’s got this air about him that really appeals. Calm, a bit geeky, really smart and pretty cute. All of that pickiness re: finding a partner has paid off forBecca, I think.

I must say, I assumed that Chicago had no fireworks laws, given the way the people in the park went to town once it got dark. It was kind of like being in a war zone, with the pops and fizzes and BOOMs that were going on all around us. One group had almost professional-quality fireworks, and we were speculating that they might be official fireworks, even, when I realized that the great big guy who was doing the majority of the fireworks lighting was using his cigar to set them off.

You know, I have met lovely people here, from the shuttle driver to Becca and Amos’ friends and family, nothing but sweet people.

And then, of course, on the way back from the barbeque, I and the group I was walking with wandered right through what I think was an altercation between two crack whores and their pimp. But I could be wrong about that.

Posted by sally at July 8, 2008 08:11 AM

Comments

Posted by: HeatherK at July 8, 2008 02:57 PM

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