Denver Key Learnings

Well three months after I said I was picking up blogging again, I failed. But I'm back with a

better focus. We'll see if that works out.

More exciting then me blogging again is my October trip to Denver. I rolled back into Chicago an hour ago but am still sooo excited to write about the trip. This post will be key learnings and later this week I'll blow out the trip with photos and links.

Key Learnings:

• The moment you think you can arrive at an airport late and skate through security, you won't.


• Don't forget to drink water.


• When you talk about people in public, refrain from using last names. You'll never know who's sitting in front of you. Like on a plane.
  
• Cheese and crackers for dinner before a night of whiskey drinking? Not the best mix.


• It's rude to call out the weird man who was flirting with your friend and then brought another girl to your table. Even if you stole the table from them.


• Nothing beats dirt dishing brunches. Especially when fresh table side guacamole is available.


• When weather.com says it's going to snow, you should pack for it instead of thinking, "if I don't pack for it...it won't come."

...stay tuned for more tomorrow. Jacs and I in Frisco below.

A Dream to Ditch the Cell for a Land Line and Answering Machine

It's been a super crazy week at work aka lots of late nights but I have today off! There's a steady stream of rain falling right now and it will probably last ALL day because this is Chicago. My motto: if you can't fight it, join it. It's been my motto through noisy neighbors, messy roommates and food fights.

So I'm on the front porch, having a beer and blogging. Yes I know it's only Noon, but I already ran today so it's completely healthy. Plus, I love the smell of rain.

Anyway - crazy week = excessive need to curl up in bed and laugh. So I've been watching one Friends DVD after another. I kind of forgot how funny they are. Take season three, "The One with the Flashback"...recall Mr. Heckles is the weird old guy who lives upstairs...

Phoebe: [opens apartment door] No! Mr. Heckles, no one is making any noise up here!
Mr. Heckles: You're disturbing my Oboe practice!
Phoebe: You don't play the Oboe!
Mr. Heckles: I could play the Oboe.
Phoebe: ...Then I'm going to have to ask YOU to keep it down!

So long story short, Friends was filmed in the 90's, back when people didn't have cell phones (except Zach Morris and that phone was bigger then my friend's new puppy). Remember the One Where Ross and Rachel Take a Break?

Rachel was so upset about her fighting with Ross and forcing a break that she sat by the phone ALL night waiting for him to call because she couldn't harass him on a cell phone by calling or texting him incessantly. And Ross. He finally called Rachel from the bar on a pay phone.

I sat there thinking, I miss days like that when people didn't have cell phones and you couldn't always reach them. The anticipation is gone, the hopefulness and waiting by the phone - pathetic as it may be - is gone, and I think that's kind of sad. It's like a whole fun and sometimes awkward part of relationships has disappeared, whether it be with family, friends or significant others/hopefuls. Today, everyone gets pissed if you don't hear from someone within 30 minutes of contacting them.

So, I started thinking maybe I should get a land line with an answering machine and do away with my cell phone for a year. Economical? Probably not. Maybe actually, I have no clue what land lines cost nowadays. But the idea of being unreachable every minute of the day is kind of inspiring.

I used to get SO excited when I was younger and I'd come home and hear that beep from the answering machine signaling that someone left a message. Now if someone leaves a voicemail on my cell I think "UGHHH I hate having to dial in and listen to these...so time consuming." And that is plain impatience and craziness on my part.

So I'm thinking about it. Would you ever give up your cell for a year?

A Love Affair with Denver

I just landed back in the burbs from the sweetest trip since Europe - Denver. Partly because I stayed with Grade A hostess, Jacs. It helps that she's a teacher and had a few days off to screw around with me.

Quick bloggers note: those of you who know me probably can't picture the great outdoors side of me. Jacs sure couldn't, but I've got pictures to prove it. Exhibit A:

All kidding aside, I do love the outdoors but when the hell do you get to do cool shit like hike up mountains, go to concerts surrounded by red rocks or white water raft in Chicago? Never, because you're too busy day drinking during winter at your neighborhood pub since it's 30 below zero and you're afraid to go outside.

Back it up...

Day One: Rode a bike in a dress - because it's so chic right now - to have lunch at St. Mark's where I had a YUMMY salami panini with spinach and provolone, yes I'm that smelly Italian kid - it's fine. Afterwards we went paddle boating in City Park which lasted 20 minutes before we made it sun bathing/floating on the pond. Sushi dinner and Scatagories domination at Atomic Cowboy quickly followed with Jaclyn, Taylor, Shaina (Jac's roomie) and Zito (old Chicago neighbor).

SMALL WORLD ALERT - Zito and Taylor live in the same building on the same floor as each other and had never met until Thursday night. I like to think bringing friends together is a super human power of mine.

Day Two: I decided since Denver is the thinnest city, I'm was going to keep up my running while there and run off my hangover. So I woke up early and went for a run in City Park. Not only did I get lost by the Zoo and Golf Course because I was busy gawking at the mountains, but I now know what it's like to run with emphysema. NOT EASY.

The "against smoking cancer" associations should just sponsor trips to Denver and make all the smokers suck down a pack, run races, and tell them this is how breathing will be in 10 years if they don't knock it off. They'll quit REAL quick.

So now at this point, not only am I hungover but I'm ready to hurl from the lack of oxygen. Jacs and my new pal Taylor quickly fixed that by taking me to Lucile's Creole Cafe, one of the best brunches (and Bloody Mary's) I've ever had.

Cocktails, a pool and BBQ's ensued which included amazing caprese salad courtesy of Shaina's sous chef BF and dancing on a balcony in down pouring rain. Before we knew it, it was time to hop in the limo and head to Red Rocks to see Wilco. I can't even explain the 500 crazy conversations that happened in the limo - but it would have made for some great reality tv.

Day Three: Woke up, still had not learned my lesson and went running. Afterwards skipped over to the farmers market to pick up items for pasta and salad (which shockingly, turned out to be impossibly spicy) and then headed to the Rockies game. Highlight of the game - the all American family.

Quick description, husband, wife, two little boys with hair to their shoulders, one with a GIANT knot in it. The husband/dad proceeded to buy the boys a personal pan pizza each, two giant orange pops, popcorn, churros, and ANOTHER pizza. Clearly this man is trying to combat Denver's title of the thinnest city with his family alone. Oddly enough, they were super thin. Maybe they are all on massive diet pills? I have no idea.

Day Four: Brunch at Lola's and then headed to St. Mary's Glacier where I impressed Jacs with my hiking and bolder hopping skills. Below I'm dieing/striking the best hiker pose I have:

All sarcasm aside it's almost two days later and I still can't stop looking at pictures with the mountains. Second favorite view only to the Cliff's of Mohr in Ireland. More shots on my facebook page if you care to take a look.

This post doesn't really do justice to how much I loved Denver - but I've also been awake for nearly 20 hours and I thought I was going to die on my flight home. Dropping and popping up 20 feet at a time in turbulence makes you start praying. Or if you're me, grip the seat, squeeze your eyes shut and randomly scream "I should have taken a pill."

I need some sleep so I can go to work bright eyed and excited...in 6 hours.

But quickly, other great places in Denver that you should check out:

Hamburger Mary's - get the green chile burger and Mary's beer.

Hooked on Colfax - sit in the back patio, bring a book or good company.

The Shoppe - coffee, good. cupcakes, good. art, amazing. and the music will bring you back.

Cab Drivers and Fresh Baked Chicken

Well, I haven't blogged since my birthday over a month ago - lay off me I've been traveling! That and I had nothing cool to write because I've been a little busy with the day job. First, a quick cab story.

Couple of weekends ago it was a delightful sunny day in Chicago, Sox were playing the cubs. I threw my phone about four times out of frustration, left the Yard in the 9th pissed and flagged a cab to head to my Aunt and Uncle's house where I was dogsitting. The convo goes like this:

Cabbie: My lady, you have such beautiful skin.
Me: Thanks sir, it's been sunny out lately.
C: It's like a baked chicken when it comes out of the oven, you just want to EAT it.
Me: oh gosh, never heard that before...
C: SO SEXY.
Me: OK STOP RIGHT HERE, THIS CORNER IS GREAT!

I mean a girl loves a compliment every once in awhile, but a word to the wise boys: Keep it out of the "Fresh Chicken" arena. Thanks.

Birthday's Bring Detox...

Thanks to all who came on Friday. I think Southport City Saloon didn't believe me when I said about 50 people were coming for my birthday...maybe next time you'll believe me Saloon. But seriously, I felt really loved. Below is the only photo I have from the entire night.



This year I only have a handful of apology cards to hand out, which is REALLY a step up from last year.

My Liver. Time and time again I kick her and she gets back up for more! She lasted through pre-party prosecco, beer and several shots at Southport City Saloon, more beer and more then several shots at Schoolyard and only at 3 a.m. started to shut down on me at Green Mill. I dare say, she was a real sport. I'm sorry little liver for putting you through that.

Green Mill Man. Dear Green Mill Man, apologies for giving you a verbal tounge lashing, causing my friends to build a barricade with their bodies around me. And by that I mean he might have brushed my elbow on accident and I full on yelled at him like he tried to punch me in the teeth. A result of one too many whiskey shots? No. A result of 20 too many.

People who's phone numbers I have. I'm guessing there are some people who wish I didn't have their phone number on Friday. Yes, I had 50 people at my birthday party. But apparently I found it reasonable to sneakily text harass the few people who didn't make it. YIKES...so for those people I harassed via text message and perhaps in another language, I promise to get the device that protects you (and your friends) from your drunk text messages.

That's about it. I usually don't apologize for anything (OK that's a big lie, I say I'm sorry a lot for no reason...but rarely do I mean it) but a few captain crazy moments slipped out. And Green Mill Man? I owe you something sweet, like a cupcake.

Living Vicariously Through Television

My friend just got done watching an episode of The Practice. She said she gets that it needs to be emotional but there's no need for it to be so heart wrenching.

I disagree.

The reason people watch television is to live vicariously through it's characters. You want to cry? You watch Once or P.S. I Love You. You want to laugh? Anchorman will undoubtedly do the trick. Who doesn't want to have a bad love story go good a la Meridith and Dr. McDreamy? And who doesn't want the gay best friend that will make you laugh until you cry, like Karen and Will?

People watch television to escape reality and that's ok. Because let's be honest, everyone needs a little "I can make loads of money, have a fabulous love/sex life and maintain the best friends in the world while fundraising to find the cure for cancer." Right?

That's not to say you can't live your dreams. I think people need to be reminded to live life like it's going out of style, you never know when you'll get diagnosed with a deadly disease (swine flu anyone? Kidding). So as they say, live life without hesitation. I'm a big believer in living in the now without thinking 5 years ahead.

It's kind of like that movie, "He's Just Not That Into You." Whether it's a relationship, a promotion, deciding a living location or picking out cheese at the deli, make choices for face value and don't construe a secret meaning behind it, don't over think it. Although, every once in awhile there is the exception, sure.

I'm going to sound like a GIANT hippy but I really think there are two things that affect your mood, and that's happiness and love. Tuesday's With Morrie puts it perfectly by saying, "The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in."

I think that applies to all relationships - family, friends and lovers (or as Celine Dion would say, lurrrvers). I also think letting it come in is the hardest part. Once that is achieved, everything else will fall into place in time.

The Habit of One Upping

For many people, a sip from the bottle makes you a little bit more courageous. Some people take it a step further and challenge others left and right.

One of my favorite examples, back in 2005, one week after the Sox won the world series I was enjoying a beer at a bar on the north side, sporting a Sox hat. A very intoxicated Cub's fan (read: jealous moron) came up to me and started arguing with me about how the Sox were just lucky and the Cub's should have won it.

Excuse me, but we (because I am a Sox player) just won the world series. Unfortunately this fellow didn't know I wasn't a bandwagon fan and that I could in fact argue him into the ground. Which I did and then I even got the drunk lad kicked out of the bar. Moral of the story: Men shouldn't start screaming at girls in a bar, it'll never work in your favor.

More recently I was in my own personal version of Cheers hanging out with friends and watching the Masters. One of my friends looked at me and said,
Friend: "You like golf?"
Me: "Yeah! Love to watch it, play quite a bit myself."
Translation, I didn't make it to a course last year, only the driving range.
F: "Really? We should play sometime."
Me: "Oh sure, I mean I'll probably school you."
F: "I bet you a fishbowl you won't."
Me: Scoffing "Yeah, OK. Be prepared my friend, I took private lessons for quite a few years."
Translation, I took 2 years of private lessons, when I was 13.
F: "OK...just so you know, I have trophies from playing in college.
Me: "mmm hmmm"
Translation, shit, gotta get to the range asap.

Will that game ever get played? Most likely not. I think I'm much more apt to try and one up someone if I know it'll never get tested. Then again, I'm sure everyone else is too.