Today in particular, I cannot wait to be in this chair again busted by someone snapping a photo of me doing absolutely nothing besides refueling, relaxing and breathing:
4 days until I am fortunate enough to have my most cherished and much needed birthday gift again.
Remember Sam from a few weeks ago? I am happy to report that he sent me a note and that he is Ok. (Didn’t I just write earlier today about running into strangers and that everyone has a story?) It turns out that Sam not only is a speedy Bike Messenger, but an Artist/Photographer as well. Check out his website here. Pretty cool eh?
Thanks for writing Sam! Watch those buses out there…
A Cubs game at Wrigley Field in the Bleacher Seats is one of those bucket list/must-do’s, especially if you’re ever lucky enough to be able to live in Chicago during the summer. I had been to a couple of games almost 10 years ago, but got to go for another round last weekend with a friend who was in town. In no particular order, here’s a montage of the sweaty, sunburned, blast of festivities. (And these are just the photos from the first 3 hours of the full-day marathoning party around Wrigleyville!):
The game begins a bit cloudy:
The blue lollipop gives a major league thumbs up:
Yay, tickets for the Bud Light Bleachers:
…the only place to be at Wrigley. The stadium was packed to my right:
…and my left:
We got some free hats and stocked up on peanuts and beer of course:
…which I enjoyed thoroughly as the sun came out:
Every last person was branded with some kind of Cubs gear or color. I liked these two tees in front of us:
(I made sure to follow their rules.)
We all sang and swayed together:
I had to have a hot dog:
…and laugh at myself at how I have failed painfully at being a vegetarian lately:
We made friends with all the people around us. You somehow become insta-buddies after sweating on each other. I shared one of our double-chocolate delish Sprinkles cupcakes with these friendly fun gals behind us. (I had noticed one of them had a pregnant belly, so naturally it was just the right thing to do.):
As the game wrapped up, the carnage was everywhere:
Before we were booted out, I managed to snap a couple of clear pix of these great signs:
You’ve gotta love before, during and after game razzing and trash talking (which there was plenty of.) These Cubs fans were selling water outside the stadium:
If you can imagine the perfect All-American baseball game time, this was it. It was a total blast and couldn’t have gone more perfectly if we had planned every detail.
…buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack, I don’t care if I never get back…
As I’ve made the transition to a new computer, I’ve finally done some serious homework in my iPhoto. Perusing through and organizing pictures I’ve taken since starting using a digital camera has been an entertaining walk down memory lane this past week and I still have lots more to go. Surprisingly the most fun part of looking back on my 10,000 collected images from the past 2.5 years has been reflecting on what my intention was taking each photo, and remembering where my head and heart both were at the time of point and click. As I was scrolling through just now, this particular one caught my eye:
Exhausted and filthy after being on the road for lots of days, here I am wind-blown. (I’m still trying to perfect those solo traveler self-portrait skills!) This is my first ferry ride in Alaska last summer and boy was I one happy camper that day. I remember the views took my breath away, my face hurt from smiling, and the sense of accomplishment- reaching that goal I had for so many years was unlike anything I had ever felt before.
Here’s to a picture being worth a thousand words.
This weekend last year I was hanging out in Madison, Wisconsin with old friends who are my besties who never fail to crack me up:
We did things like wandered the biggest farmers market in the country:
…to participate in a classic Wisconsin cheese-fest fun, like trying fresh cheese curds:
(The squeaking totally freaked me out!)
…and fresh-baked spicy cheese bread:
Mmm…
We were essentially on repeat that whole weekend cracking up and eating a ton of cheese. Delish. Lucky me, I get to head to madison next weekend and do it all over again. Yeah! Who knew this girl would love the Midwest so much.
Ian’s Pizza~
Yes, I think I should see you annually too! You had me at Mac n’ cheese pizza…
…I was hanging out for the first time in nearly 16 years with a woman who’s very special to me in Brooklyn- my former soccer coach, Traci:
If you’ve known me for any length of time, know the history of the blue lollipop or have been following here for a while- I have mentioned Traci before. Traci has a smile that never stops, a heart that could move mountains, unparalleled talent and an all-around magic about her that is unexplainable. She is a mentor, a friend and a hero to so many “kids” like me.
Thank you Traci for being one of those people who make us all better for knowing you. I can’t wait to see you soon!
Here’s to friendship, following every single hope and dream, and always having strong mojo around us…
Sam accidentally ran over me with his bike  on Friday. Like as in- ran over me.
It wasn’t his fault, it was the bus driver’s fault for not curbing the bus. When I stepped out the back door as I have done 100 times safely before, Sam was approaching the light the bus was stopping at and BAM. We both flew through the air, cell phones, purses and bodies spinning, and somehow got only cuts and bruises. We both couldn’t stop shaking and apologizing to each other as the bus driver looked back and us and drove away! (Thanks a lot  Mr. CTA driver.)
Poor Sam felt so awful he just stood there and apologized a million more times with his bleeding head in his hands as we laughed nervously (because I think we were both in a bit of shock and would’ve cried otherwise.)
Reason number 5996773535 to always keep a camera with you? So you can take photos of Bike Messengers who accidentally run you over after you pick up that said camera from down the street where it flew out of your purse after he actually hit you.
Sam-Â If you’re out there and are reading this, I hope your head is Ok! 🙁
Here’s to unexpected people “crashing” Â into your life.
I know, I know, I’ve never looked hotter right? (The hospital no-slip sexy socks are the best part). It’s fun to embarrass myself. How could I not post this picture?
Rules to follow when you are really nervous about going to do something, and you feel and look like crap:
1.) Have someone that makes you laugh so hard your stomach hurts bring you
2.) Give them your camera
Dear G~
I could not have asked for a better care taker. Thank you. I’m still laughing…
Yesterday was annual Pride Parade Parade Day and my first one in Chicago. It was quite an experience. After I attempted to get close to actually be able to watch the parade and got squashed in the crowd within 5 minutes, I opted to just wander the streets for a couple hours. There were thousands of characters, so even though I didn’t get to see many of the actual floats, there was plenty of entertainment.
As I walked in the direction of the parade, I saw bars and restaurants with signs of pride:
…vendors selling schwag to keep the sunshine way:
…people so excited to be in viewing distance they stood on porta potties:
…and some climbing on signs and poles wearing tutus and Speedos to get a look:
I saw a few floats and signs:
..and LOTS of colorful outfits. Meet Lauren:
She was all about me taking her picture. Then there was this lady dancing in her lime green spandex as the crowd at the bar cheered:
A couple guys thought less was more:
…and even prideful little cutie pie kids:
I couldn’t resist taking a couple videos after spying Tina shakin’ it:
…and a dance party in a Dunkin Donuts parking lot:
It was all a sight to be seen for sure and a fun day for people watching. If you’ve never been to a Pride Parade in a big city, add it to your bucket list.
Thanks Chicago, for making every summer weekend I have here packed with endless events to attend and interesting people to meet!
In a city fantastic like Chicago, in the course of just a few short hours you can have a delicious authentic Italian meal at Antica Pizzeria in a charming neighborhood like Andersonville, see incredible jazz a few miles away at a place called Green Mill, and wrap up the night just down the road at a honkey-tonk western, meets hipster bar called Carol’s Pub.
Yeah, a couple girlfriends and I did that a few weeks ago. Fun times.
At the door of Carol’s was bouncer Kevin who when stamping my wrist, looked at my Blue-Razz Blowpop tattoo and exclaimed in his southern accent: “Well that ther looks lahhck uh a suh-ckerrr!”
I was so thrilled he knew what it was without any hints I had to ask him if I could take a photo with him. Most people ask me why I have a tennis racket, spoon, baby rattle, or maraca on my wrist. (Humph. Sad face.)
If you know me, you know I beeline to the dance floor at any opportunity to shake it. That’s where I found Pedro:
Clearly 78 year-old regular Pedro has no problem getting the ladies to dance with him.
I really enjoy living life from A to Z.
Here’s to trying it all and spending time with people that make you laugh so hard your stomach hurts.
Thanks Al, Rebecca, Kevin and Pedro!