Back in the Windy City

I flew to Chicago this past weekend. Unfortunately, the timing of my friend Derek's wedding did not coincide with Northwestern Homecoming. This will be the first time in 4 years that I haven't been back. This also means no Alex Ross Halloween party for me.

I caught an earlier flight than scheduled on Friday, and I headed over to the Chicago Cultural Center to get tickets for the Haunted "L" Ride. Chicago has all sorts of festivities for Chicagoween. Hooray to a well-organized and funded Department of Tourism. The theme for this year, Pirates! Apparently, when marauding pirates tell you they are going to loot all of your belongings, you should clap and cheer. They will have a change of heart and not pillage your village.

Afterwards, Julie, Brian, and I hit Pat's Pizza for some delicious thin-crust. Brian then went home to rest up for the GMATs the next day. (Which he aced. Good job, Brian!) Julie and I went to see I "Heart" Huckabees at Piper's Alley. It was an interesting movie. I haven't read that much existentialism, so I'm sure I missed some of the finer points of the movie. Julie liked it and existentialism is her favorite school of philosophical thought.

For Saturday, the plan was to get the rental car, go to Evanston for some Walker Brothers for lunch, and then head to Wisconsin for the wedding. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain, and when Dave and I got there, there was a very long line of wet people packed inside a small waiting area. We headed to Cross Rhodes instead. After a quick lunch there, I got to the Milwaukee area in plenty of time for Derek and Stephanie's wedding. The only people I knew from high school were Gabe and Tom, both of whom were standing in the wedding. I met some of Stephanie's friends from grad school, and much fun was had by all. Of note was the margarita fountain at the reception.

I drove back to Chicago after the wedding to meet up with Julie, Paulette, and Jeremy at the Hideout for a Life During Wartime dance party. It was a fun time. PBR was on sale for $2, and it seemed to be the drink of choice for the evening. Jeremy also won the raffle and got a t-shirt, LP, and other goodies. We got some late night pizza after the bar closed at 3 am. I had a set of foil-wrapped torillas in my purse from the reception that I had in reserve for late-night munchies.

The next morning, I dragged myself out of bed to return the rental car. Julie and I headed to the Handlebar (hooray for Chicago's bike-themed restaurant!) for brunch with Jeremy and some of his med school friends. I had the Black Beans Maduro, which was quite excellent. I hope to be able to make my own "Layers of fried, sweet plantains, brown rice, jack cheese & beans with a chipotle-tomato sauce" someday! I can't wait to go back again!

We wandered around the Wicker Park area before I had to catch the El to O'Hare. I got a really, really ugly polyester dress from the Brown Elephant to wear as a costume for Halloween. We'll see if I can pull off 70's Housewife chic.