Dancing in the Dark

Last week had been a busy one at the office. And I was quickly losing steam. This past Friday, I found myself at the office late, again, and just thinking of how great it was going to be to get home, throw on sweats and completely veg out for the entire weekend.

“So, I just got Bruce tickets tonight at Wrigley. We should probably go,” said Dan, the Client Service dude working late with me.

We left everything at the office, grabbed a cab and walked into Wrigley Field just as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band took the stage. It was an unbelievable night. I cried, danced, I shouted, I sang at the top of my lungs. And the coolest part? Looking out among the crowd and seeing the range of demographic. I cannot remember the last time I was squashed among such a range of ages.

It was just what I needed after a crazy a work week. And it just went to show me, you can lean on those in the office you never imagined. Because we’ve all been there. And we’re all going to be there again. It made me realize that work isn’t the end-all-be-all and letting it effect me so much hasn’t been good for anyone. Thanks to Friday, and Bruce, I was able to step back and see, life can still surprise you just when you need it most.

Bruce still has it. Which is no shock. Because to quote Mom, “He’s the Boss!”

A Night With The Sir

This past Sunday and Monday, one Sir Paul McCartney graced Wrigleyville with a concert at Wrigley Field. After a fun-filled birthday weekend, me and a few gals decided to cap off my entry to the 26th year with the Sir.

Emily and I headed up to Wrigley early and were greeted with Sir Paul’s caravan. As soon as he emerged from the car, 60-year-old women were seen jumping up and down, screaming at the top of their lungs and in tears. Most even had signs holding up. Grown men were running down the streets trying to catch a glimpse of the man himself.

Once we got a table, we weren’t sitting inside Wrigley, we ordered some beers and heard Sir Paul’s sound check. We immediately got goosebumps and didn’t talk to one and other as we didn’t want to ruin the moment. It was amazing.

It was also hot. Insanely hot. Thankfully, the sun hid behind a building and Sir Paul hit the stage right before 8:30. He played over 30+ songs, which is just insane. And he played every song you would ever want to hear. I must say, “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” brought tears to my eyes. Being with some of the best gal pals a girl could ask for in a city that I absolutely love while singing along to such a carefree song on a hot summer July night was so fantastic.

I learned on this night, that I sincerely hope I’m rounding up a gang of gal pals for a night in Wrigleyville where we just act crazy when we’re over 50. While the throngs of people were quite diverse, I found myself pulled to those groups of 7 or 10 women who clearly, came in from the suburbs and left their husbands and children at home to fulfill this lifelong dream.

We will be them. And if Sir Paul’s performance was any sign of his stamina, he’ll be there too.

36-Hour Man-cation

Every year, the Oakville boys come up to Chicago for Cubs/Cards games. And no girls are ever allowed (though a few manage to sneak in from time to time). This year, it was all man, except a few of the boys needed a place to crash…so I obliged and in turn received the coveted invite to the Man-cation event.

On Friday, once the boys decided to leave STL, they got here at like midnight I believe. It’s pouring rain, I’m exhausted, but in true man fashion, we head out to the pubs around my place. Which means we’re out until four. I tried not to nag (nothing worse than a woman nagging on man-cation), so I just casually fell asleep at the table. Thankfully, they took the hint.

The next morning we awake to……..Deutman cooking up some meat. I had my first ever, steak ‘n eggs. A slab of meat with some scrambled eggs. Manly. Finally we’re out the door and heading to Wrigley for the game and meeting up with a few more boys. I literally was in tears throughout the whole game just laughing. And I’m sure everyone around us sat there wondering what a little lass with pigtails was doing with 6 dudes. After the game, we ventured into Wrigley, met up with even more high school guys and ran into some other boys (more STL, Kansas). It was just so fantastic to turn around and see more friendly faces dressed in red.

Needless to say, I never once was in the company of a gal (until Jackie showed up) and I loved everything about it. I loved the fact there was always at least 2 guys looking around wondering where I was. There was always someone to talk to and someone to make you laugh until your sides split. There was always a dance partner to hit up the dance floor with. And most importantly, there was always someone ready to leave with me.

Most of these guys I have known since 7th grade, but some of them, I never really talked with during school. And I rarely see these boys when I head home. But when Erik & Company left the apartment on Sunday morning, I felt a little sad. Then I immediately scrolled through my contact lists and got in some serious chat time with all my gal pals.

We’ve come along way from our days at OJHS

Street Fest with Jeff & Co and wrestling masks

A friendly face from Q’s