I have to have a plan? Really? I can't just be proactive with pep? - Buffy the Vampire Slayer

I'm a big fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. BIG. I think the show is fantastic. I own all seven seasons although Season 2 and 3 are, in my opinion, superior to the rest. And I have issues with the Buffy-Spike romance in Season 6. (Random rant: the cross-over episodes with Angel are amazing, but sadly, when you buy a season of Buffy it doesn't include the Angel portion of the cross-over event. which means you're missing a vital piece of the overall story. bah. shouldn't the cross-over episodes be included in both box sets?)

Anyway.

So, as I'm getting ready to launch this big adventure I figured I should have some kind of plan. Leaving plenty of room for spontaneity, of course. Step One - scour as many websites as possible identifying stuff to do, things to see, places to go. This takes far longer than you think it would. But, I've now got some excellent ideas. Here's some of the sites I've been using (other suggestions welcome!):

www.metromix.com
www.milleniumpark.org
www.chicagoreader.com
www.chipublib.org
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com
www.chicagotraveler.com/calendars
www.cityofchicago.org/exploringchicago

Like I said, I'd love other suggestions to add to the list but considering I have yet to tell anyone about my blog I'm not sure who exactly those will come from. I did figure out how to post pictures though. Baby steps.

Step Two - make a calendar.

Now, while putting this plan together I have identified a few challenges I'll face while accomplishing my quest.

First, I travel a lot. My job requires me to be out of Chicago a fair amount. For example, I already know I'll be gone the last week of July and most of August. How does that work? Am I going for something new every day I'm IN Chicago? Should I extend the self challenge to the cities I visit when I'm out of town? Or should I have a goal of 365 new experiences, however that works? Five things one day, and nothing for several others kind of thing.

Second, what about all the fun, amazing things I've already done in Chicago that I want to participate in again? Are those blog worthy? (On this one, I've already decided yes)

Third, for at least the first part of May I'm going to be a tad strapped for cash. So, I'm going to need lots of inexpensive and free ideas. Guess we'll find some good happy hours.

Now I just have to figure out how you find 'followers'...