That's the kind of wooly headed liberal thinking that leads to being eaten. - Principal Synder

316 Days to Go: 303 Things to Do: Day 38 in Chicago

63. Yoga in the Park

64. Crust

65. Fundraiser - Gumbo for the Gulf

66. Puerto Rican Festival

I feel very relaxed.

Now, if it hasn't become obvious this far let me be clear - I Am Not A Morning Person.  I like to sleep in.  My bed is very comfortable.  I often lay in bed for hours after waking up, just because I can.

Which is why it is oh-so-impressive that during the summer on Saturday mornings I get up at 7am (7am!!) in order to get downtown and do yoga in Millennium Park.  8am yoga followed by pilates at 9.   Really, the fact that I made it the first time a few years ago is the most shocking, because once I went I was hooked.  First, the yoga is amazing.  Second, the view is incredible.  And third, after I always stop at Jamba Juice which is a nice little treat.  So by 10am, I'm feeling good.

I'm feeling very relaxed. 

I used to have a friend who would meet me at yoga every Saturday, but last summer she moved to the suburbs so now I'm on my own.  Cairo and Emily met up at the Small Bar this morning (more soccer) so after a quick trip home for a shower, I head over to meet them.

Only they're not at Small Bar anymore.  It's between games, so they've gone across the street to Crust 2056 W Division.  Crust is an organic upscale pizza place with a full bar and cocktail list.  I wasn't hungry, so just got a drink - a blackberry mint julep, one of their yummy specials.  I was a big fan of this place.  It's open and light inside with a HUGE back patio that is somehow relaxing and luxurious despite being crammed in the middle of the neighborhood.

       

 

After a quick drink, we head back to the Small Bar to catch the next game.  I, however, am just waiting for Mary to arrive as we are heading to a friends house for a Gumbo for the Gulf fundraiser.  One of the organizations I work with is holding these house parties all across the country raising money to make sure a disaster like the BP Oil spill in the Gulf never happens again.  A celebrity chef donated her gumbo recipe for the cause - but that's not what we're eating.  Because the friend who is holding the fundraiser, Becky, is married to another friend, and a trained french chef.  I never turn down the opportunity to eat food Andre has cooked.  A few minutes after she arrives we head over to Humboldt Park for the festivities.

Turns out - even more festivities than we thought as Humboldt Park (the actual park, not the neighborhood this time) is hosting the Puerto Rican Festival this weekend.  After some delicious gumbo, Mary and I meet up with Allison and Emily at the Festival.

I'm immediately loving it.  The colors, the music, the rides!  There are several booths selling these pineapple drinks - i have no idea what was in it but had to have one.  How fun is that?

We check out the rides and sit in the grass for a while listening to music (while I drink my frozen pineapple concoction) but eventually head home - it's very loud with competing music and we can't hear each other talk.

 

315 Days to Go: 299 Things to Do: 38 days in Chicago = 38 new experiences

And I think we already deja'ed this vu. - Willow

328 Days to go: 312 Things to Do: Day 29 in Chicago

54. Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays concert in Millennium Park

I think Elf is one of the most hysterical movies I have ever seen, and I'm not even that much of a Will Ferrell fan.  But this one is fun-NY.  

Gimbel's Manager: Why are you smiling like that?

Buddy the elf:  I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite.

Buddy the elf:  He's an angry elf.

Buddy the elf:  Wow, you're fast.  I'm glad I caught up to you.  I waited five hours for you. Why is your coat so big? So, good news - I saw a dog today!  Have you seen a dog?  You probably have.  How was school?  Was it fun?  Did you get a lot of homework?  Huh?  Do you have any friends?  Do you have a best friend?  Does he have a big coat too?

It's kind of like the conversations I have with Cairo on the way to the train.  I'm Buddy in this scenario.  

Anyway Buddy's love interest in the movie is played by Zooey Deschanel, who also stars in another most excellent movie (500) Days of Summer, and in both movies she sings.  And has an amazing voice.  She's also got the cotton commercial with the cotton theme song - one of their best.  Because she has an amazing voice.

Enter our adventure for the day:  She & Him, Zooey's indie folk band, played a FREE concert in Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavillion.  So we're back.  Thursdays it's Music Without Borders, but Mondays it's Downtown Sound: New Music Monday and this Monday it's She & Him. 

It's packed.  I've never actually seen this many people at one of the free concerts.  We had made plans to go to the show Thursday while listening to The Very Best, and I had suggested trying to figure out a way to get here early and get good seats.  But we failed at that, didn't leave work until 5:30, and by the time we got to the park it was a mad house.  We work our way around and grab a spot of grass on the fringe, we can't see the stage but can hear just fine.  And I remembered to grab a blanket when I left the house this morning.  Go me. 

327 Days to go: 311 Things to Do: 29 Days in Chicago = 30 new experiences

Splendid. Well, it's been ages since I've been to a gig. Don't look that way. I'm down with the new music. And I have the albums to prove it. - Giles

333 Days to go: 315 Things to Do: Day 27 in Chicago

51. Music Without Borders Concert in Millennium Park


I really don't think there is anything better than summer in Chicago.  Exhibit one: concerts in the park.  Practically every day there is some form of concert taking place in Grant Park.  Tonight with blankets in hand and a bottle of wine in my bag, we go to the first performance of Music Without Borders of the season.

 Our provisions our minimal compared to others.  We see elaborate picnic baskets, fancy deck chairs, entire coolers of beer.  Drinking during the concerts is totally acceptable, even bringing it in yourself, which is confirmed a early on as security guards mingle through the crowd without blinking an eye.  It is not okay, however, to smoke a cigarette.  We see the guards ask someone to put it out. 

The opening act, The Very Best (yes that's actually their name) is great.  And they announce at midnight that night they will be at the Beauty Bar to DJ.  I'm sorry.  Did I hear that right?  The Beauty Bar?  Indeed.  Post concert manicure anyone?

The second band, is a favorite of Emily's actually, and a last minute replacement for the originally scheduled program.  Antibalas are a 14-piece Afrobeat orchestra and is awesome.  The night is beautiful, the weather perfect.  There really isn't anything better than summer in Chicago.


On another note the entire city has Blackhawks fever.  Stanley cup, here we come.  Office buildings and the lions outside the Art Institute show their support.

We do decide to stop at the Beauty Bar on our way home, but none of us make it until midnight.  Sleep.

332 Days to go: 314 Things to Do: 27 Days in Chicago = 28 new experiences