Stranded at the drive in...Branded a fool...What will they say...Monday at school? - Danny Zuko, Grease

359 Days to go: 355 Things to Do: Day in Limbo

My best friend in Jr. High and High School LOVED the movie Grease. So much so, that every time, EVERY time she spent the night we would have to watch it. Well, either that or Dream a Little Dream with the Coreys. (Razor sharp, Keller, razor sharp)

So this morning I got up at 4:30 to hop on a shuttle bound for the airport. The first leg of my journey went off without a hitch but upon landing at the Detroit airport my handy dandy little blackberry (which incidentally is not black but lilac. purple. my last phone was orange) informed me that my connection to Chicago was canceled. Thunderstorms.

I head to the rebooking station where I'm informed I am 'lucky' because I'm already confirmed on the 3:30 flight to Minneapolis and from there will catch a connection to Chicago, landing at 6:30. Six and a half hours to kill at the Detroit airport. But they gave me two food vouchers for a total of $12 so it's all good. That was sarcasm. If by good...you mean...still ANNOYING.

Thankfully over the past year I have discovered that airport bars are excellent places to hang out. Some of my favorite places actually. I went and got a mimosa.

Fun tidbit on the Detroit airport - around gate A40 there is a very loud family of birds that hate the passenger tram and go crazy squawking every time it goes by. Which is every 5 minutes. Thanks to the mimosa I found it more entertaining than irritating.

Maybe I'll write a book. (these are the things that occur to me after a mimosa and a half)

Mike Tyson is on The View. huh.

Oh no. They turned on Jerry Springer. Whew. False alarm. Channel immediately changed to ESPN.

Now, who can I ask to watch my stuff so I can go to the bathroom...

Why don't Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have state reptiles?

I had no idea you can fly direct from Detroit to Shanghai. Is that true?

Oh look! The wine bar has the Pinot Noir Sophia Rose from the Francis Coppola Winery in Napa. My friends and I went there last May and loved it. Can I fit a bottle in my carry-on? (I ponder this while trying the international bargain flight of wine.)

I then had a group gchat with friends in Chicago to see if there was any possibility, despite my delay, that we would be able to see Iron Man 2 tonight as planned. We develop an elaborate scheme to make it happen for the 9pm show.

Which fails completely due to the hour I spent on the plane waiting to take off for Minneapolis (i napped most of it so had no idea we were so late). And the additional two hours i spent waiting on the plane IN Minneapolis to take off for Chicago (they board the plane despite a schedule delay in case they were able to take off earlier. then there was a mechanical problem with the main cabin door. the door gets fixed - yay! but while taking care of that O'Hare was closed so now the delay is even longer - boo!). FINALLY, I land in Chicago - twelve hours late. Sigh. I watch an episode of Real World / Road Rule Challenge: Fresh Meat 2 On Demand before I go to bed. Team Kenny, for those of you wondering. Wes is a douche.

Well, tomorrow I'll start the new adventures once again. Home Sweet Home.

358 Days to go: 355 Things to Do: 3 Days in Chicago = 8 new experiences

You're being a little overly, aren't you? - Xander

360 Days to go: 355 Things to Do: In College Park, MD

Some days I feel like all I do is spend the day trying to get where ever it is I need to be.

Today, for example, I drove a rental car. Then hopped in a cab to the airport. Where I took a plane. To another plane. Then rode a bus for an hour. In order to take the subway for one stop. And then took a shuttle bus. For a two hour meeting. After which, I got back on the shuttle bus to the subway. Transferred twice. Took another bus. And then a shuttle van.

Awesome.

I've been spending a lot of time at the University of Maryland over the last month (when I'm not in St Louis). There are lots of turtles.

The mascot is the Terrapin. The Terrapin is a species of turtle native to the brackish coastal swamps of the eastern and southern U.S. (thanks wikipedia) I like turtles. I have a turtle toe ring. It's also the state reptile for the state of Maryland. There's a campus legend/tradition that rubbing the nose of the Terrapin will bring you good luck during finals week.


The fact that states HAVE state reptiles I find fascinating and immediately began to look up every state I've ever lived:

Minnesota = Blanding's Turtle

California = Desert Tortoise

Colorado = Western Painted Turtle

Illinois = Painted Turtle (apparently VERY different than the 'Western' variety)

Missouri = Three Toed Box Turtle (I've never lived, but WAS just there so...)

Massachusetts = Garter Snake

Ohio = Black Racer

I couldn't find Wisconsin or Pennsylvania. And apparently, I am not the only one that likes turtles.

Other fun facts about UMD - scenes from both St. Elmo's Fire and National Treasure: Book of Secrets were filmed on campus. Also, Jim Henson is an alum. Hence this little tribute to Jim and Kermit in front of the student union.

Seriously though, it is a very beautiful campus. Very colonial. Lots of red brick and white columns. And turtles!

Tomorrow, I head home to Chicago. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!





359 Days to go: 355 Things to Do: In College Park, MD (3 Days in Chicago = 8 new experiences)

Experience this thing called fun. - Buffy

361 Days to go: 355 Things to Do: In St. Louis (still)

So, the real reason I'm in Missouri is because I'm checking in with St. Louis Community College - Meramec. So this is where I am when I'm not at the Arch ;)








360 Days to go: 355 Things to Do: In St. Louis (3 Days in Chicago = 8 new experiences)

Don't you have an elsewhere to be? - Cordelia

362 Days to go: 355 Things to Do: In St. Louis

I do have an elsewhere to be. St. Louis, MO. I took a train. I enjoy traveling by train. There's a snack car. You can go to the bathroom whenever you want - no keeping your seat belt fastened. And you can plug in your laptop and do work. Watch a movie. Whatever you want. No lost time due to powering down during take off and landing. And the seats are bigger. There is no bad.

I've been spending a fair amount of time in St. Louis over the last few months for work, but I haven't really hung out in St. Louis. So, in the spirit of my new challenge, I snuck away for an hour to go see The Gateway Arch!

Here's what I learned about the Arch. It's 630 feet high and is the tallest man made monument in the US. The span at its legs is the same as its height (630 ft). It sways. No really. It does.

I took the little tram to the top. These little cars are just that - little. It's not a very comfy ride to the top but only lasts for 4 minutes. Then you can check out the view and head back down - which only takes 3 min. The Arch itself I thought was totally cool, but I don't think I'd pay to go to the top again ($10). I'm glad I went once. So, you know, if I ever make a bucket list that won't have to go on it. But I didn't really think the view from the top was nearly as cool as the view from the bottom.

There's also a little museum and a couple shops at the bottom of the Arch that are worth checking out. The Museum of Westward Expansion has excerpts from Lewis' and Clark's journals. I'm not sure if they were really bad spellers or if language here has evolved that much in the last couple hundred years. Probably a bit of both. Inside there's also a little homage to baseball - St. Louis was after all, baseball's gateway to the west. (who knew?) And the Levee Mercantile - where you can purchase old school candies, fudge, even glass quills and ink. I got milk chocolate fudge. Really, you can't be surprised, and I'm happy to report it is delicious. If you go - fudge it up.

361 Days to go: 355 Things to Do: In St. Louis (3 days in Chicago = 8 new experiences)

I don't believe this is entirely on the up and up. - Willow

363 Days to go: 356 Things to Do: Day 3 in Chicago

10. Delivery from Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine

So, the newest challenge I've discovered. This can be a little exhausting. I was a bit worn out after the weekend and am leaving town tomorrow so tonight I cheated a bit and ordered delivery from a new restaurant. I really like Indian food and there is a shocking lack of Indian restaurants that deliver in my neighborhood. But I did find one and ended up with my usual garlic nan and Chicken Tikka Masala from Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine. It was a little pricey but more than enough for dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow.

Tomorrow I leave town for the first time during my challenge. The first time, but not the last...


362 Days to go: 355 Things to Do: 3 Days in Chicago = 8 new Chicago experiences

Days. Weeks maybe. Anyone suggesting months would not be accused of crazy talk. - Willow

364 Days to go: 358 Things to do: Day 2 in Chicago

7. Artropolis in the Merchandise Mart
8. Wine and cheese at Bin 36
9. Garrett's popcorn



As promised, first thing this morning we headed to the Merchandise Mart and went to Artropolis. Artropolis is an annual event with three large exhibitions - Art Chicago, NEXT, and the International Antiques Fair. It's $20 for a one day pass or $25 for a multiple day pass. I had never attended before although have definitely wanted to, so this was a very exciting excursion for me.

First, it was huge. The entire 12th floor is full of galleries from around the world showcasing their artists. We were there for five hours and only made it through half the room. So, in the future I would highly recommend getting the multi-day pass and making a weekend of it. There were far too many galleries and artists I loved to list them all, so once again I'll run through the highlights (and in the spirit of remaining as true to the blog's mission as possible, I'll only list my favorites from Chicago not other cities):

David Weinberg Gallery - 300 W Superior

Douglas Dawson Gallery - 400 N Morgan

Judy A Saslow Gallery - 300 W Superior

We did save some time to visit the 8th floor and NEXT, which highlights emerging artists. This had a totally different feel - the floor as a whole was much noisier and young, there were performance artists, the staff were dressed more funky than professional. It was fun, energetic, vibrant. At this point we were a little too tired to spend the time the artists deserved but here were the galleries that stood out to me in our quick pass through:

The Suburban - Oak Park

Heaven Gallery - 1550 N Milwaukee

Lloyd Dobler - 1545 W Division

I know, right? LLOYD DOBLER - as in Say Anything. Lloyd "I'm looking for a dare to be great situation" Dobler! I'll be heading over to Division Street fairly quickly, I think.

After leaving Artropolis we headed to Bin 36, 339 N Dearborn. Just a couple short blocks away and one of my favorite places. I convinced my mom and grandma to try one of Bin's wine flights - tastes of four different wines grouped by theme. I tried the 'Argentina with a Little Chile Thrown' in - I think the 2007 Malbec, Maipe from Mendoza, Argentina (This is what purple tastes like!) was my favorite. At my suggestion, Grandma ordered the 'Sexy Reds' flight - which I thought was awesome, (go Grandma!), and is my usual order. The 2006 Petire Sirah, Windmill is delicious. Bin 36 also has cheese flights - which, as a former Wisconsin resident, I fully endorse. I'm also a HUGE fan of So You Think You Can Dance, so obviously we ordered the So You Think You Know Cheddar cheese flight. This was not the first time I've ordered this either - the Barely Buzzed Cheddar, from Beehive Cheese Co in Utah is AH-mazing. Lavendar and coffee beans.

But here's my question, now my understanding is that wine is classified based mainly on the type of grape used and the region it's from. But what makes a cheddar cheese cheddar as opposed to some other kind of cheese? Anyone? Bueller?

Oh! And we got olives. Yum!

So, my mom is quite a popcorn fiend and some of her co-workers had told her to stop by Garrett Popcorn Shops while she was in town. So we did. Garrett's has several locations but we went to the one at Michigan and Ontario. I gotta say, the Chicago Mix (cheddar and carmel) is far better than it sounds. Unless you think it sounds great. Then you'd be right.


363 Days to go: 356 Things to Do: 2 Days in Chicago = 7 new Chicago experiences


And some more spring flowers - just because :)

Just because this is never going to work is no reason to be negative - Giles, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Spring has sprung! Probably a while ago, but I just really noticed today. We took a walk up Michigan and the flowers were beautiful! Check them out.












Okay, I'm going to preface this entire entry by pointing out that I am not, in any way, an expert on art. I took an AP Art History class my senior year in high school, which I never really processed, remembered long enough to do well on the exam, and promptly forgot. But I like. Who doesn't like beautiful things? Take my opinions for what they are worth...

365 Days to go: 365 Things to do: day in Chicago = 1 new Chicago experience

1. Visit the City Gallery in the Water Tower
2. Truffles at Godiva
3. Skokie Sculpture Garden
4. Lunch at Ed Debevic's
5. Explore the Art Galleries in River North
6. Tea at Brett's Kitchen

First stop - The City Gallery, which is located in the Historic Water Tower. It's a quick stop - not a ton of space but they rotate local artists. Right now it's a photography exhibit. And the building is cool - it's one of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 - so it' worth the 10-15 minutes.

After the Historic Water Tower, we went across the street to the fourth floor of the modern metal (steel?) Water Tower Place and bought some truffles at Godiva. This is not a first for me. The truffles are amazing and I go every time someone from out of town visits. The Champagne truffle is my favorite.

Then we headed to the Skokie Sculpture Garden - about 30 minutes north of the city (unless you hit traffic which of course we did). It's a narrow strip of park between McCormick and some river or tributary, not sure which. It's about two miles long - although if you continue south there's additional sculptures, it's just not technically Skokie any more. So, be ready to walk. We didn't make it the entire stretch - but here are some of my favorite pieces.

Fairy Circle by Mark Chatterley

Charger I and II by Ted Gall, Gargoyle by John Parker, Plowing and Planting in Bosnia by Jim Buonaccorsi

Isolation by Sharon Loper, Katia by Curt Brill

Reverie by Sheila Oettinger

Second Breath by Maurice Blik

La Souterraine by Robert Smart (and my grandma - isn't she cute?)

After the the Sculpture Garden we headed back downtown and grabbed lunch at Ed Debevic's - this is one of those 50s style diners where the waitstaff all pretend to be cranky and mean. In general, I think it's a place everyone should check out - the atmosphere is kitschy and fun and the food is pretty good. Especially the malts. Def get a malt. I ordered a chocolate malt (yum) and a Route 66 Burger. Oh, and everyone gets a free paper hat. :) While we were there the waitstaff jumped on the counter and danced to YMCA - although they did it in character and rolled their eyes the entire time. I still appreciated. And am usually a fan of kitsch.



River North has the largest concentration of art galleries in the U.S. other than Manhattan. And I have yet, well HAD yet, to check them out. So today. Done.

We actually only did one block - 200 block of W Huron - and there was still so much to see! First stop was Maya Polsky Gallery, 215 W Huron, www.mayapolskygallery.com, current featured artist: Andy Paczos. Nice images, mainly of Chicago - he takes depressing urban scenes and makes them beautiful.

Immediately next door is Jean Albano Gallery, 215 W Huron, www.jeanalbanogallery.com, current featured artist Karl Wirsom

I have to be honest, he wasn't really my particular taste and I enjoyed the artists in the back room more. There were a couple mixed media sculptures by Margaret Wharton I loved - The Facet and Tomboy. Tomboy was made completely out of baseballs and bats. Hysterical. And the sculptures made from vintage comic books by Donna Rosenthal were totally fun. She has a whole series called He Said, She Said of dresses and suits (yes made out of comic books).

Across the street is Vale Craft Gallery, 230 W Huron, www.valecraftgallery.com

This was, by far, my favorite gallery we visited. The entrance is actually on Franklin and then you head downstairs to the gallery. They have more than a dozen different artists, using mixed media, ceramics, glass, stone, fabric, even jewelry. And they run the range in price as well, some totally affordable even as low as $30-$60. Some of my favorites:

Mark Brown - right at the entrance they've displayed his clocks made from recycled materials. A robot clock. And a bat. Hanging upside down. Awesome.

Karen Swildens - carved clay. GORGEOUS. I only noticed two pieces from her, but they were really beautiful.

Richard Parrish - really, really beautiful fused glass trays.

Michelle Sales - I think she mainly worked in paper, but used it to create sculptures of dresses and shoes.

Harold Siefert - Homebody series, very whimsical and fun.

And finally Mark Inskeep - and his ceramic cookie jars with mice on top that made me smile. One example - Marilyn Mouse in the iconic white dress standing above the air vent. On a cookie jar. Brilliant.

I could keep going but I'll stop here and highly recommend a visit to this gallery for one and all.

Back around the corner and on Huron again are the Gruen Galleries, 226 W Huron, gruengalleries.com and Belloc Lowndes Fine Art www.belloclowndes.com

This also includes the Aboriginal Art Collection (the only gallery in Chicago with Australian art - at least that's what I heard). These also had some really striking work although they didn't post information on the artwork next to the pieces which bothered me. I like knowing. Pieces from the Aboriginal collection were sprinkled throughout the three level gallery - and they were some of my favorites. Incredibly detailed carvings. The featured artists were Anna Pales, Debbie Angell, Raymond Eddy and Tom Brydelsky - all of which I really enjoyed.

Then we took a quick break - hopping across the street to Brett's Kitchen for some tea and a snack.



Refreshed we headed to the Zygman Voss Gallery, then Ann Nathan and finally, our last stop at Perimeter. There was a portrait at the Ann Nathan Gallery by Mary Borgman that I completely fell in love with. Simple charcoal on canvass but it was mesmerizing. They also had some gorgeous chests of drawers by Jim Rose that I wanted to take home with me. Zygman Voss has some work from the masters - Picasso, Miro and Dali to name a few. Elana Gutmann, the featured artist at Perimeter, I enjoyed as well. Her water colors reminded me of spring. Like the flowers!


Oh! And another happy coincidence - this weekend is Artropolis at the Merchandise Mart. So we'll be checking that out tomorrow.

364 Days to go: 358 Things to do: 1 day in Chicago = 5 new Chicago experiences