The Chicago skyline is going to have some bright, colorful lights to compete with at the end of the week. From February 10-20, Millennium Park (and Cloud Gate–or The Bean) will become Luminous Field. The work, by artist duo Luftwerk will take pedestrians on a sound and light spectacular, making the exhibit truly interactive.
I for one am pretty excited to see this from our office viewpoint, then go down and just dance crazily in the lights, among the lights and under the lights.
We got a snow day last year. And an early dismissal. Never thought those were even possible in the work world. But they are and today, we just got an early dismissal. Good thing Maggie’s making chili tonight and we’ll hole up in our apartment.
Looking out the window right now and this is what I see. Where oh where did Millennium Park go?
Wednesday night’s concert was amazing. Nay. It was better than amazing. It was unlike anything I have ever been to.
First off, the venue (Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park) is one of the coolest places to watch a concert. Why? Because you’re surrounded by Chicago skyline, right off the lake and that big shiny bean is on your immediate left. It’s like you’re in a symphony hall towards the front, and just lounging on the lawn in the back. Totally fantastic.
Second, a David Gray/Ray LaMontagne co-headline tour is heaven. It seriously is. Take two guys who have some of the best lyrics in music, tons of hits and raspy voices and you have yourself one hell of a show. Granted Ray did not play my favorite song (Hannah) but that’s okay, because I probably would have peed myself considering he moved me to tears on “Let It Be Me” and David Gray did the same on “This Year’s Love.”
Third, these guys boast quite the song collection, but they still managed to play nearly every song you would ever want to hear. I love when artists do that. Despite both of these guys coming out with new albums last week, they still got up on that stage and played the songs we all know and love. No self-serving prophecy, just giving a nod to all the fans they’ve had over the years.
Fourth, the weather was perfect. Thank you Mother Nature.
Just try to tell me this video doesn’t give you chills…
Today has been stellar, despite the weird encounter at lunch I had…
1) My hair was actually straight today. And not Mufasa like, probably due to…
2) The 70 degree weather today makes me so excited for Fall!
3) Ray LaMontagne and David Gray concert tonight (like in 2 hours). And it’s at a park. Millennium Park. Which is right across the street from my office. Word.
4) Birthdays Wednesday in the office. Props to Ryan for picking Ice Cream Snicker Bars. (Note: We legitimately have a birthday party every Wednesday for the past week’s birthdays. Yea, it’s pretty amazing).
5) I got my business cards. Important to note: I never received business cards at my last job…which is interesting to say the least. I’ve been at MW for 8 days and already have something that makes me feel like a permanent part of the team.
6) Came up with a stellar tagline for the Verizon Wireless booth for People en Espanol’s event in NYC. Feel big time. Especially with a stack of #5s on my desk.
7) Started Talking to Girls about Duran Duran and loving everything about it thus far. And it’s true, I fell in love with Duran Duran on an Ordinary World kind of day.
Last summer, Maggie and I became pseudo-fans of Millennium Park Workouts (I think we went three times). This year, I vowed to take advantage of the free classes all summer long. We finally had a non-rainy Saturday morning, so Mia and I went down for Pilates and Salsa Boot Camp.
Pilates: I am terrible. If you were at the class, that was indeed myself, laying on my back refusing to do the bends and legs in the air and breathing. This lasted for 45 minutes.
Then we opted to stay for the dance aerobics class. For those that know me, I love being outside and doing physical things as long as I don’t realize they’re physical workouts. I hate running because I know it’s a workout. I love Zumba because you basically jump around and throw your arms in the air and make weird noises for an hour. I love hiking because I see it as beauty and art and not the working my quads and whatever other muscles are in your legs. I don’t like rowing boats, I do like pedal boats…you get the idea.
New this season are the dance aerobics classes. Each one lasts for a span of 3 weeks. Mia and I, being the fortunate people who we are, arrived for week 1 of Salsa Boot Camp. And holy mother of pearl did this turn into pure comedy.
First up, Pink Shirt, Shorts and Hat lady really knew how to throw her hips from side-to-side. We seriously were in awe trying to mimic her moves. She even got to go up on stage and show the Great Lawn her moves, all while wearing a Derby-esque hat. We would later inquire about her moves and adhere to her request to show up next week.
Second up, partner dancing. Naturally, Mia and I eagerly joined sweaty palm to sweaty palm and paid no attention to the instructor as we made up our own twirls and spins. We like to think of it as the Lazy-Gals-Who-Want-To-Draw-Attention-To-Themselves-As-Crazies Salsa, with a fantastic ab/laughing workout thrown in the mix.
Third up, this crazy hip move Teacher Lisa made us do. Literally felt like our hips became unleashed to the world. Like something just fell right off. Like our hips finally broke free of the shells that encased them. At any rate, I don’t think our hips will lie anymore.
Lastly, Teacher Lisa loves to interject Spanish throughout the class time. I’m a huge fan of Spanglish and sliding in and out of the language. Whether I’m yelling at the dog Oscar to “Ven aqui!” (I like to think of Oscar as the Oscar character of The Office who is of Spanish decent) or quoting the “Oh Mickey You’re So Fine” song in Spanish, I just can’t get enough.
After two hours (and lord knows how many tourists pictures), we finally saw the end and water break. While I don’t see me “baa-ing” and “give it to me” and “take this” in my future dance moves during an evening at Big City Tap, I do find myself eagerly anticipating Teacher Lisa’s new moves, phrases and historical facts next week.
Side note: When Teacher Lisa inquired the class about the merengue, I jumped up and down just like the kids from Mad Hot Ballroom. Something about that word being screamed over an amp just fills you with complete and utter giddy.
Hanna (Non)Tana 