Showing Off Chi-town
This past weekend, Devin and I hosted her friends from Salisbury, Md. - Bill and Charlene Creese. They're a nice couple, both finishing their undergraduate and graduate degrees, respectively. "Char" was Dev's roommate when she attended Salisbury so they have been friends for a while. Since Dev was in their wedding last fall, I suppose they thought this was the year to visit Chicago.
Friday, after work a few hours of sleep, Devin and I came home to them waiting for us to make enchiladas. Bill and Char, suprisingly, fell into that category of east-coasters who have never really experienced home-cooked mexican food. In fact, it was Char's first experience with guacamole. Ever. I think she's a better human being now for the experience and the baby probably appreciated it, too.
Oh, did I mention Char was 4 months pregnant? Dev advised for me to make a milder ranchero sauce which I did and it turned out great and did not enduce labor. But now I know I can do better. I think I may stick with the ranchero sauce moving forward, saving the chile sauce for special occasions.
The food was devoured Friday night and then again on Saturday for lunch, just before we left to go take them around the city. We drove downtown but then decided to head back to Wrigleyville to find parking since we would be down there later that evening. We got Bill and Char through the handicap accessible Addison L stop.
Oh, did I mention Bill had broken his leg playing rugby and was on crutches? That slowed us down a bit but I was amazed at how well Bill negotiated stairs and probably walked a mile or so. I guess that's the Marines for you...
We did the Michigan Avenue lighting ceremony. It consists of too many people, cold temperatures, strong wind and Mickey Mouse on a float "magically" lighting the trees on Michigan Avenue. I wonder how he does it?
After we recovered from the sheer spectacle of it all, we headed back to Wrigleyville for some Giordano's, the best stuffed pizza in town IMHO. And then after stuffing ourselves, we took in a funny performance at Improv Olympic. Definitely a different feel than Second City especially since the performance is long form and not a collection of sketches. The show was very funny and I recognized one of the cast members from Second City. Improv in Chicago is very incestual.
Sunday, Dev had to work but I had the pleasure of taxi'ing Bill and Char to Soldier Field for Bears v. Colts. Driving underneath McCormick Place was both cool and scary. It was a little wacky but I got it done.
Roger's Park, Wrigleyville, Michigan Avenue, Theater, Stuffed Pizza, The L and Da Bears all in a weekend. Definitely a classic Chicago experience, Popeye.
I was just listening to Finely Quaye - Dice
