I saw a man and he danced with his wife.

Chicago was very beautiful and lots of fun. Short, but lots of fun. I was able to have a decent walk around, as I like to do in the cities I travel to. I was staying in Lincoln Park which is a really nice green and old style area. I walked to the park and on my way purchased the best damn sandwich I have ever had (thanks, Dustin!). It was so jam-packed with different kinds of meat (not jam), salad and really tasty sauce/mayonnaise/mustard. I chose a good date to arrive in Chicago, as there was an air show festival running over the weekend. I sat down in the park to enjoy my sanga and all these fancy planes started doing loops and twirls and dives and things.

I was feeling a little edgy and tense, as Chicago was really the first stop in my crazy travel adventure. You know, unfamiliar territory and all that jazz. I had been to Los Angeles last year and I was there this time for about 2 weeks, so I had plenty of time to get settled. Anyway, Chicago had me a little unbalanced initially. So I went to the driving range in Lincoln Park and smacked away a 100 or so balls. The range had a great view of the city and I was able to loosen up a little, which is the effect that golf usually has on me. Except when I putt – I’m awful and get the shits really easily. Isn’t that the great thing about golf? You’re in such a relaxing environment and playing a supposedly very slow paced game, yet can suffer extreme, mental anguish over the tiniest thing. Beautiful sport.

Back to Chicago – I kept cruising around and then arranged to meet up with my friend, Mattie. I hadn’t seen her for ages and we caught up for a quick meal before we went on to visit her work (which is a really funky place – ‘Midori Park’ – check it out if you’re ever in Chicago). Mattie is the coolest gal’ in town, so make sure you order from her! I had some outstanding coconut martinis.

My next stop was to get a pizza. Chicago pizza. The one with the deep dish. Boy, do I love a good pizza, and this one was a taste sensation. I had to line up for about 20 minutes, and then it takes them at least 45 minutes to prepare the pizza. So it was almost an hour and a half before I was able to lay into my meal. I had a big ole' salad and a delicious red wine (always great with pizza) with my salami pie, and the only negative thing in whole experience, was that the Olympics were on and I had to witness Phelps slay us again. Grr.

I had really wanted to go to either an improv show or a jazz bar, but it was so late by the time I left Gino’s Pizza restaurant that I had to get back to Lincoln Park. It’s ok though, as I know I’ll be returning to Chicago, soon enough. I was an idiot, and didn’t plan nearly enough time in Chicago, but I also had a timeline to work to. If you’re doing a big travel trip and not a quick, planned trip somewhere, spend a good amount of time to really take in your surrounding environment. It’s not always possible, but if you can, don’t feel the need to ‘rush off’ to your remaining destinations. Enjoy it, even if all you do is sit around in a park or an all-you-can-eat buffet. What? I’ve never done that.

No, seriously I haven’t…but I think the idea has potential. Has anyone done that before?

Ok, lecture over.

The next day I had to head off early in the morning to the airport. It was so early and I didn’t have nearly enough energy to lug my heavy-arse suitcase and bag. It ended up being a useless effort anyway, because I gave up my ticket to an elderly lady and waited until the next flight. I got free ticket out of it though…so, not a bad deal.

The plane was bloody freezing and I was only wearing a t-shirt, shorts and thongs, because I was warm every other flight. Stupid unpredictable airlines. Then I slept through Kung-Fu Panda, which I was rather disappointed about. Not because it was bad, just because I was so tired.

Then, I touched down in New York!

*Dramatic music and cut away to credits*

Oh yeah, if anyone gets the reference in the title of this blog entry....you're awesome. Conrad, you don't count. You're not awesome.