Write my name at Gino's East - Done!

outstanding photography by Ryan Arnold

Living in a big city is so different than visiting one.  I have lived in Chicago for nearly 6 years and have never done half of the things that most visitors do.  I've never really been to the museums.  The last time I was at Shedd Aquarium I was 13.  Ditto for Navy Pier.  I've never been in the Sears (Willis) Tower.

And I've never been to Gino's East for Chicago style deep dish pizza.  Until last night.  Ryan and I had a wonderful date over a spinach pie inside the graffiti covered walls of Gino's East.  It was great, even if I did consume my monthly allowance of cheese in one sitting.  AND...I got to write on the wall.  Twice.  So that is officially crossed off the list.

On to the next item...


Happy Thanksgiving!  Wish me luck in my Turkey Trot tomorrow as I continue on the road to the marathon in 2011!

LA!

I was hoping to knock something off the list in LA this past weekend, but alas, the opportunity never arose...unless you count our wine tasting at the Malibu winery as a "wine appreciation class".  Kind of a stretch.  Still had a TON of fun anyway!  It was great to spend some time with the Kelly & Kelly.

Next up...TBD.  Stay tuned :)

437 ladies + 4.37 miles + beer + lasagna + old pictures = awesome weekend!

I'm continuing to (sloooowly) work my way towards a half marathon, then a full marathon.  Part of that continued training this weekend involved great friends and great beer.  Two of my favorite things.

I convinced half of the 437 W Dayton St roommates to sign up for the Tyrannena Beer Run 1/6th barrel (1/6 marathon) race with me on Saturday in Lake Mills, WI.  It's less than 40 minutes outside of Madison, which was a great excuse to spend Friday night with the ladies.  So much fun!  I just about wet my pants looking at old pictures from college and remembering all the stories behind the pictures.  We were a crazy bunch!

Saturday was cold but clear and sunny.  After (slowly) running 4.37 miles I was rewarded with delicious microbrews and veggie lasagna. So yummy!  Training would be much more fun if I rewarded myself this way after every run :)

O-mazing!

My O Face

The first item is "O"fficially crossed off my list.  Went to see Oprah today with Kelly Liss.  So.  Much.  Fun.  I wish I had been able to bring the camera inside for some fun pics but I'm sure every single crazy Oprah fan woman has that exact same idea, hence their strict no camera policy.  And apparently there's a no paper policy too, which was weird.  They literally combed through everyone's purse and made us check pieces of paper.  So odd.  Anyway...here's a quick rundown.

Show Topic:  Stars of Discovery and TLC

Guests:  Cash cab guy, Mike Rowe, Quints by Surprise family and DC Cupcake sisters

We got there at 7am.  Well...I got there at 7am.  A bit late.  Kelly was there at like 6:20am.  It's ok.  If you average the two times we had great timing.  It really didn't matter much because we had to wait in line outside regardless, in a covered but cold area to be let in.  It took maybe 30 minutes to actually get in and check our coats.  Then our bags were given the most thourough inspection I have ever seen.  Ever.  Airports included.  And we were then given a form to fill out with a number and ushered into a waiting room.

And -- totally random -- next to us in the waiting area was Rick Herb's sister.  Rick was my boyfriend in 8th grade back at St. Mary's.  I gave her side-eye for about 5 minutes and then said to Kelly "I think I know her".  Kelly had seen them check in ahead of us with Wisconsin IDs, so I asked and sure enough!  Rick Herb's sister.  16 years later with a huge rock on her finger.  Small world.  Apparently Rick is now in Chicago.  And still BFF with John Bako and Zack Messenberg.

Anyway, back to Oprah.  We finally got seated in AMAZING seats - first level of the riser, in the seats right next to the stage.  I was really hoping all along that something would get passed out to the audience.  Yes, yes, I was "there for the experience".  I know.  But c'mon it's Oprah and everyone knows she gives away some good sh*t. 

I knew it wasn't Favorite Things or any sort of special episode, but I was hoping for something.   Preferably edible since I had only had a banana on the way out the door at 6am.  I think I mentioned this to Kelly no fewer than 5 times.  And positive obsessing - er, thinking - worked!  We got champagne cupcakes from the DC Cupcake girls.  And I screamed when Oprah said "bring out the cupcakes!" and out walked the staffers with silver platters.  So fun.  And yummy!

Posing in the rain

One down...29 1/2 to go.  I'll post an update when I know the air date!





Silly woman took a blurry picture.  Sad.