Nights of Glee

A trip. A movie premiere. Finishing a great book. A date. Seeing family and friends. A concert. Whatever it is, I find myself in a complete state of glee the eve of a day when something fun, stellar or amazing is about to go down. I lay in bed like it’s First Day of School Eve. Tossing and turning and smiling and unable to think about anything than that specific greatness awaiting.

Hell, even the promise of a sunny day from the Weather Channel gets me amped. Just the mere idea of what tomorrow holds doesn’t give me anxiety, it gives me excitedness and eagerness. And I find it hard to harness.

Needless to say, this is pretty much me all day, every day:

*Last night’s glee totally tied to the KC trip to see the Kansas family*

 

 

Coastal Love

This past summer, Amanda and I had one hell of a time touring the East coast and now, thanks to Sandy, those are very distant memories as we look at the photos of destruction. Thankfully, the friends we made along the way, and ones we already knew, are all safe and sound. But seeing those images of deserted bridges, tunnels, roadways and water rushing through the Subway turnstile like it’s the Titanic is extremely eerie. Warm (and dry!) wishes to all those dealing with the aftermath.

Nights in White Satin

Dîner en Blanc was everything and so much more than we imagined. After meeting at the Belmont stop with about 20 others, we took the train and headed to Monroe…which was when the guessing game began. Standing on State Street, we learn we’re heading to…..the Art Institute! Upon crossing Michigan Ave., we see we’re in the South Gardens, a place I often overlook when walking by the building.

It.Was.Amazing. We quickly set up our table, popped open wine and began our 2.5-hour dinner. Everyone got along swimmingly and Rich even found ways to sneak his French in to conversation, though he often got a “I literally have no idea what you’re saying” response.

When we finished our wine, Rich went to get another bottle (the site said they weren’t selling onsite, but they were). And what does he come back with? Hanna wine. Cue my glee.

Once we stuffed ourselves full of cheese, hummus, crackers and fruit, we made our way to the dance floor. And had ourselves quite the interpretative dance party until the wee hours of the night.

I must say, for something that was just so “sudden,” this event was fantastic. You were responsible for yourself and party and there wasn’t a “schedule” to the night. You went at your own pace. At first, I wasn’t a fan. I think Rich looked at me and said “Just calm down” at least 7 times in the first hour. But that was the beauty of this. Hundreds of people could come together and enjoy a civilized night without any barriers and rules.

We’re definitely hitting up the party again next year.

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It’s A Nice Day For A, White Dining

Thank the lord for social media. If it weren’t for CHIRP Radio‘s tweet early this week, I would have surely missed out on this. I wouldn’t have been in the kitchen on Wednesday night cooking up a storm. And I wouldn’t have been planning my day around “table and chair rental” releases.

Twenty-five years ago, Paris started Dîner en Blanc–a flash mob, white, dinner party. You bring it all. From food and dishware to tables and linens. All white. And you yourself are dressed head to toe in white. You sign up for a night of good friends, good food and good dancing at a city spot. Now, the organization boasts 24 international cities for this pop-up event. While Chicago had a similar event last year, this is the city’s first event in accordance with this group.

At 7 o’clock tonight, we’ll meet up with our “row” at a designated spot and begin the trek to an unknown location for this event. We’ll get to the destination, set up our eating area and wave our white napkins in the air for the event to begin.

New York City had their party a few days ago. And per this CNN video, 3,500 people made the list with 30,000 left on the wait list. It’s a party everyone wants a seat to.

The images speak for themselves (sparklers?!) and I for one, cannot wait. Heading over with some friends and even a long lost pal from Student Council Camp we both attended in Colorado during high school.

C’est bien!

Photos from Dîner en Blanc-New York, Paris and Montreal Facebook pages

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Bucket List Checks

Summer in Chicago is amazing. It’s what everyone cracks it up to be. It is the reason we all deal with the rest of the year. It’s simply and utterly fantastic. But I will say, since I’ve been here, they have been two things I’ve wanted to do: see the famous Air & Water show from a rooftop and see the famous Air & Water show from the water. Luckily, fate stepped in last week and delivered.

My friends Courtney and Jill recently just moved and have their own private rooftop (which is as highly coveted as having a yard or balcony). They had a day of grilling, Top Gun looping and good friends laughing. And then it seemed as if we had our own private fly overs from the Blue Angels. It was loud and it was a rush.

The next day, we were heading out on the boat for the show. I’ve seen this show a handful of times as we used to come up for it when we were younger (and those were the only times I caught the show on the beach). But by sea? The show is on a whole ‘nother playing field. As I sat on the back of the boat soaking up the sun with Barry (the yellow lab), a fighter jet came out of no where scaring the beejezus out of us both. Yet it was exhilarating, to sit there on a picture perfect day with your heart racing, your thoughts completely drowned out by the engines and being out on the water.

You did good this summer Chicago.

Another Year

It’s that time of year again, when the seasons change and moving trucks start hunting for places to park: Moving Day. Thankfully, Maggie and I have signed on for another year and we’ll embark on our…fourth year of living together. It’s crazy to think it’s already been three years and yet, it seems even harder to believe it hasn’t been longer.

We love our current condo (and not really into apartment hunting), so staying was a no brainer. The amenities are fantastic, the location cannot be beat and we get a ton for what we pay. Plus, Maggie’s just spruced up that place to no end and I can’t imagine packing it all up and having to recreate her masterpiece of decorating somewhere else.

As I think of the amenities we have (doorman, pool, gym, BBQ grills, laundry), I cannot help but wish we could add a library to the mix. In NYC, libraries are quickly becoming a perk in many residential buildings, just for the sense of peace, tranquility and calmness it exudes.

The building with a library will have to wait another year, at least, though it’s something I’m for sure adding to my list when I have to do the hunt. Maggie and I decided we would marry off before we stopped being roommates, which means the day that we go out to find our own spaces, this will be us. End of an era indeed.

The Moving Talkie

I recently finished the book, The Film that Changed My Life by Robert Elder. It’s a collection of interviews that Elder has with many of today’s top directors as they tell the films that changed their way of thinking. Their way of making. And their way of editing.

It got me thinking too. While a ton of these movies I haven’t seen, I thought for sure I would pick a movie that was a classic as mine. I thought of movies I watched growing up and continue to watch today, but did any of them really move me the way these directors were moved?

And it was then that I realized the film that truly has stuck with me, shaped me and continues to amaze me.

That film: A League of Their Own. To my mom, high school and college friends, this probably comes as no surprise. It’s a movie that I quote frequently, a movie I’m always watching and a movie I’m constantly recommending.

In his book, Elder always asked “Where were you when you first saw the film?” and “What about this film stuck with you?” I’m not a director, but I have been editing a lot of video at work, so maybe I am…

Where were you when you first saw the film?

I cannot remember where I first saw this film. It came out in the Summer of 1992, which makes me think I probably saw it with either my mom or dad simply because it was girls playing baseball, and I was a girl, playing softball. But I can remember the day I unwrapped the VHS on my birthday a few years later and the joy I felt seeing Dottie Henson, Jimmy Dugan and All the Way Mae on the cover.

What about this film stuck with you?

Apart from being a gal who enjoyed baseball, I love the drama of this film. And how it encompasses pretty much everything: love, sports, girl power, sibling struggles, war, a singing number, a dancing number and 1940s dress.

But I think my love affair with the film began when I met a “real” All-American Girl, Pepper Paire. It was one of those sports conventions my dad took me to. And it was filled with trading cards everywhere and then I caught wind of this “girl” ball player there.

She signed a photo for me that has literally followed me wherever I am. Always hanging from the same spot in the room, right by the door.. from my bedroom, to college, to Phoenix and now, Chicago. It’s very faded, her writing, “To Hanna! My best friend! Best Wishes!” is barely even visible. I’m sure my 9 year-old-self loved that “best friend” sentiment.

In fact, my 26-year-old still does.

Is there a movie that’s shaped who you are? And one you just find yourself rewatching from time to time (despite being able to play the whole movie in your head)?

Paint With All the Colors of (And Run Like) the Wind

Stumbled upon this 5k race that sounds right up my alley. After completing my first last month for The Arthritis Foundation in their Mingle Jingle run, I didn’t think I wanted to do one again any time soon. I mean, I finished that 5k without much training, but thanks to the snow that was falling, the sidewalks we ran on turned into ice from all the packing the snow down. So while it was beautiful to run in some Chicago snow, it was pretty scary. Had a great group of gals who ran with me and friends came out to cheer me on. Plus, running for a cause that was dear to me was pretty important. My team and I raised $500 for The Foundation, so I was pretty happy. And wasn’t even thinking of my next 5k run.

Then I came across this 5k, The Color Run. At every kilometer, you get “spritzed” with color powder. Each kilometer is a different color and at the end of the race, you’re just colored from head to toe and then participate in a color bomb/blast. I’ve been pitching the Holi Festival idea in a bunch of brainstorms, but no one’s taking the bait. It’s always been something I’ve wanted to be a part of. It just looks so spirited, so lively and well, so colorful.

Gotten a bunch of gals from work and around the city to participate with me. Should be in pretty good shape for it since I’m working out and taking water aerobics with other arthritis gals (all over the age of 50). And hopefully, no snow will be around. Now it’s just time to think of a colorful name for the team.

The Juice is Loose

Yesterday’s, and today’s, Groupon was for Peeled, a juice bar in Lincoln Park. The offering: a 3-day juice cleanse. After much deliberation, I bought it.

Then like a true girl, I made Molly buy it to do it with me. Then I somehow talked LeBaron into buying one this morning. “Misery loves company!”

Bit nervous about this juice cleanse. Seeing as I like eating. And drinking coffee and wine. Especially when all of these things happen in restaurants surrounded by friends. I haven’t decided if it’s worse to do the cleanse during the week at work or on the weekend. Both carry their pseudo-pros and cons.

But at any rate, it’s just a matter of time before I start drinking veggies and fruit juices every two hours.

Gulp.

 

Calling the Shots

The Frisky had this article a few days back about 9 Easy Strategies for making a move on a guy. And yes, the act itself is daunting and I truly believe it should be something that a man must do just like fixing a toilet and killing bugs. But seeing as I grew up in a woman-run show, I learned how to plunge a toilet (sort of) and kill bugs with Midwest Living. So naturally, I have made a move instead of sitting back and waiting. I’m impatient at times and quite independent, so I just view chatting up a lad as a normal thing. But apparently it’s quite daunting.

I’m not sure if it’s the independent vibes from Mom, Amy Spencer‘s How to Meet Your Orange Half or the fact I’m just very confident, but I’ve never once shied away from striking up a conversation and/or proposing a date. Correct, at times, definitely doesn’t go as planned. But generally I’ve met some interesting people along the way and have had some hilarious tales to tell because of it. Cases of point so you yourself can muster up the strength to forge your own dating future:

1) New Zealand guys in the Galway pub. When Amber and I took an impromptu trip to Galway, we went into a local pub for some grub and met ourselves a table of New Zealand lads watching the All Blacks game. So I eagerly chatted with them asking the ins and outs of rugby. We went our separate ways after the game and would run into them in a pub later that night. Amber and I literally had the time of our lives that night with these enormous rugby playing guys. Lesson Learned: The rule of “I’ll never see them again” doesn’t work all the time. So be sure you don’t make a fool of yourself the first go-round.

2) RedEye Bachelor #1. The RedEye here has a “Bachelor of the Week” of a single dude in the city looking for love. While bored at work one day, I decided to email the guy. I enlisted the help of Jessica to steal a page from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and copied a note one of the characters in the show writes to Chase Utley. Needless to say RedEye #1 thought I was hysterical and sent loads of compliments my way. Went on one date, realized he really was better on paper and we went our separate ways. Lesson learned: Compliments last long after the relationship.

3) RedEye Bachelor #2. Naturally after some success, I decided to try again. This time, scored two dinner dates out of the matter. Didn’t work out (I ran home in part because Glee was starting and because I just wasn’t feeling it), but I learned things that I like and don’t like about guys. Lesson Learned #1: It’s hard to compete with someone who loves their college just as much as I do, so I need to find someone who went to a college without D-1 sports. Lesson Learned #2: I wear my emotions on my face, so I really need to adapt a poker face and stat.

4) Prince Ali. The latest one at the moment ,who’s still shockingly around despite all of my weirdness and quirks, I met while volunteering at an American Cancer Society walk/run. Chatted him up after the event and we exchanged numbers.  We’ve hung out a few times and things are progressing nicely, though instead of magic carpet rides, we soar over the streets of Chicago via the L. Lesson Learned: Some guys are just a little shy to make the initial connection, but then they take over eventually.

As a huge proponent of paving your own path, making your own destiny and seizing the day; I think more gals should be comfortable heading out of their shell and making the initial contact. And it’s so refreshing to meet dudes outside of the bar scene, so start volunteering! Molly informs me she’s already signed up for the KC BBQ event in October. Excited to hear what kind of beefy men she finds there. But some things, as Monica Geller shows us, a boy just has to do.