Paddleboarding

Today we went stand-up-paddleboarding (SUPing) with some friends on Lake Michigan. While I find the term SUPing somewhat irritating, the experience it self was really cool.

My friend Jamie made reservations for a group of us at Great Lakes Boarding Company, which is located right next to Castaways at North Ave beach.  For a reasonable price you have an hour to use the boards, paddles, life jackets.  We paddled up and down the shoreline with a great view of the city. It was a good core/balance workout.  I had so much fun - ie. didnt fall in- that I want to try to make a habit out of SUPing.  (Gross. can't get over that name).

They also have floating yoga classes which looked challenging but unique enough that I want to try that too!!

Next time I have an active out-of-town guest, I'd take them here for a great way to see the city!

G.E.B.

 For weeks I've been waiting in anticipation for the opening of Graham Elliot Bistro (G.E.B.).  Living across the street from Randolph street's "Secret Garden," we've been taunted with the possibility of what was coming for some time.  A few weeks ago G.E.B. finally opened.  Last night we had our first experience.

We were surprised when we arrived at 6:30 and were seated immediately. The crowd was lively but not pretentious and most tables were full.  And then the menus came.  Old record sleeves with real records inside which served as the menu.  Mine was Hall and Oates- so I was automatically sold on this place.  Jason had a bit of envy, since his album was Yes.  

We each ordered a cocktail, which were wonderful.  Next time we might order a Schlitz, PBR or Old Style because they are served in beer koozies (awesome!)  While we waited for our meal, we loved checking out the candles of patron saints.  Everyone from Dennis Rodman to Slash has a candle.

And then enters the meal.  Wow.  We shared several small dishes and two entrees.  Not one dish dissapointed.  In fact, each was more delicious than the last.  Each menu choice is listed with only three ingredients, but the flavors are hardly simple.   We enjoyed the beet salad and shrimp appetizers, the lasagna, the trout and buttermilk chicken.  All perfect, but nothing could top the dessert of warm nutella stuffed beingets. 

Just when I thought the night couldn't get better, I made a trip to the ladies room.  Sign = Pat Benatar Album.  Slam dunk. 

I will be back again and again and again.  If you go, text me.  I'll walk across the street and join you!!!

Wrigley X 3

Wrigley Field.  Three times in one week.  

Might sound a bit repetitive, but each experience unique and honestly- Wrigley never get's old.
You already heard about The Wall which was my all-time favorite concert experience (thanks to Natalie and Drew)

Wed night Jay and I headed back to Wrigley for the Tigers game (ie. Tigers vs. Cubs).  I was head to toe Tigers gear and expecting to be taunted.  As it turned out, the entire stadium was decked out in Tigers gear.  "Let's Go Tigers" chants filled the air.  We had a great time taunting each other, but in the end Tigers won!

On Saturday we returned to Wrigley, this time I was a Cubs fan for the Cubs vs Red Sox game.  Another great night which went by too fast.   Interleague games are now my favorite!!  The crowds are so lively and you have the feeling of witnessing something rare.

No more trips to watch the Cubbies in the near future for me.  I'll be dreaming of chicago dogs and old style beer until the next game!

Race Report- Northshore Half Marathon

Last weekend my dear friend Annie and I headed to the north suburbs to race in our first half marathon together.  I've started many races with great friends, but I've never run an entire race with someone.  It was so much fun, I'm already trying to convince her to do another with me!    Since neither one of us had trained the way we'd hoped, we didnt have a specific goal in mind other than finishing together.  We waited for each other during bathroom breaks and adjusted our paces along the way so we could keep together.  Her company was needed so many times along the way.

The race itself was spectacular.  2,500 runners lined up in the corral start.  The temp at the start line was 80 degrees.  We were in for a hot race, finishing up with a temp of 89.  Luckily, most of the first 6-7 miles were along windy tree covered streets along Lake Michigan.  The shade kept the heat tolerable.  The beautiful homes and perfectly lanscaped lawns gave us something to admire along the way.  Around mile 7 we hit a huge hill which wiped me out, but Jason was waiting at the top.  He ran with us for a mile or so, talking to us since we no longer could!  Annie's boyfriend Jeff and his family cheered us along and even handed out water bottles to the crowd.  The shade ended around mile 9 and the rest of the race was skortching.  Luckily plenty of spectators set up dunking stations and I utilized every single one of them.

We crossed the finish line together at 2 hours and 39 minutes.  Not a PR time-wise but definitely a PR fun-wise :)

Roger Waters- The Wall

 Natalie and Andrew invited us to join them at The Wall at Wrigley Field on Friday night.  I've been to a lot of concerts in my life, many with mind blowing theatrics, but nothing compares to what we were in store for.

 

 Roger Waters- The Wall is as much a socio-political visual-spectical as it is music.  The Wall itself was a 35 foot wall made of cardboard bricks which served as a giant video screen.  It served as a memorial to war victims, including Waters late father who died in WWII. There were war planes, fireworks, giant inflatables including a fascist pig. 

 This was much more than a concert.  It was an emotionally moving journey were music I've always known took on a whole new meaning for me.  I'll blog more about that another time.  And no.  I wasn't high.
If I can even figure out how to upload a video on here, I will!!

Crew Member Ryan

The next bridesmaid to introduce is Ms. Annie (Andrea) Ryan. 

Annie and I met early on freshman year at Michigan while pledging our sorority.  I was immediately drawn to her quick witted humor and self-assured attitude.  We became roommates, sharing a bunk bed sophomore year, and continued living together until graduation.  We both stayed in Ann Arbor an extra year before moving to Chicago and living within a blocks radius of each other until I bought my condo in 2008.  It's safe to say anything that has happened in my life after 1996, Annie has been a part of it.

Graduating from University of Michigan's nursing school, Annie immediately entered into the most challenge fields in nursing with jobs at University of Chicago Pediatric Intensive Care Unit to start and then moving onto Northwestern Childrens Memorial PACU.  She put her intelligence, independence and  no-nonsense personality to the test after recently graduated from UIC's Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program and is now the first NP in a large Chicago hospital Pediatric Emergency room- a job created just for her.  I've never seen a bigger dog-lover than Annie, taking care of her own boxer isn't enough, she spends free time volunteering at PAWS as well.  Annie will makes me belly laugh until it hurts, but she'll also talk to me endlessly and non-judgementally until I'm in a better place than where I started.  She knows I'd do the same for her. 

  

Annie has always supported me and knocked sense into me when I've felt insecure.  There was a point in time I felt I saw something in Annie's core that even she didn't know was there.   Over the past few years, I've seen her bring out that part of her personality more; as she surpasses even my greatest hopes for her!  Annie is a beautiful and loyal person whom I love deeply and feel lucky to call a friend.  I know no matter what success and set backs life may have in store for us, we'll be side-by-side like sisters.

Happy Birthday Annie.  Looking forward to running our first race together next weekend!