Continuing on my recap of Chicago '07, Day 2 had me and the brother trek down to the South Side to catch the White Sox play the Indians on a very cold afternoon. I went last year to see the Cubs/Sox game the day after the whole Pierzynski/Barrett thing, so I wasn't expecting it to be as exciting. Though I must admit, it didn't dissappoint.
Chicago traffic is horrible almost ALL the time. It took us about 90 minutes for a drive that should take about 25. I thought Toronto was congested, this place was mad. Their stadium people are real strict too, as they would not let my brother use my ID to pick up tickets in my name. I had to park my car and stand as proof that my own brother (who looks like me as you can see) didn't steal my license.
The seats were pretty nice. They were in the club level, which upon entering Zan immediately thought that we were in the wrong place. It's definitely a step up from the Rogers Centre in terms of displays and ambience. Then again, it was new to me so maybe the magic dust was making me giddy.
As for the game, well it started off with a humorous bang. I've been tormenting Zan in our baseball video games with Grady Sizemore for the last year and joked that it would be amazing should he smash one right off the mark. Guess what happened ? Yup, he hit a leadoff HR. And after a few minutes, we decided to walk around the stadium to see everything.
They have every corner full with something interesting. Be it the tributive names of their restaurants (i.e. Big Hurt's Pizza, La Russa's Kitchen, etc.) to their make-your-own shirt store, to having statues in center field of their legends (something which I really want the Jays to do). As an example, here's a picture of me making Mr. Comiskey a little more hipper...
The actual game was a scrap-fest. with Mark Buehrle being pulled in the 2nd after getting hit on the thumb from a come-backer. It was somewhat back-and-forth until the bottom of the 9th when the Sox loaded the bases for AJ Pierzynski to get "hit" by a pitch which didn't even come close to touching him. Sox won, and we heard their fight song, which I'm still trying to find online.
Oh, and like my Detroit trip, parking isn't exactly a luxury to be enjoyed after the game. Within 45 minutes of the games conclusion, our car was alone in a lot that was full before the game. Still not as scary as the Motor City though.
That was the highlights from the Sox game. The other cool thing I recall is seeing ads for the team all over the local community. Even in the gully's connecting streets we managed to find a way to take a snap of me in the car above an ad...
I definitely am forgetting to mention the odd point or two, but it was a fun day. Oh, and we finally had traditional Chicago pizza, though not deep-dish. And yes, our dessert was courtesy of the Cheescake factory!
If anyone's still reading, Day 3's notes are next (the famed Milwaukee trip).
Yes, this is probably about 2 weeks overdue, but the deadly combination of work, lack of sleep, and procrastination had me neglect my precious blog for the last few weeks. For that I once again humbly apologize and hope you all will have it in your hearts to forgive me.
Now that the lame formalities are out of the way...
Chicago was totally FUN-DASTIC!
I wish I would have had another day or two to do everything I wanted, but we packed in as much as we could for the 4.5 days we were there. And of course I have a bit of griping about certain things that occurred...
Day 1 - The arrival
As written in my post the day I landed, we almost missed our plane. Thanks to the speed of yours truly, we managed to make it just in the nick of time though. I think if I HAVE to run, I can do it at a decent pace, just not the other 99% of the time.
We arrived in Chicago and went to the Budget Rent-A-Car. I geekily hoped they had the Pontiac G6 I had ordered online, but alas they didnt have it. They were offering a Ford Mustang as a replacement, but a 2-door car just wouldn't work for my family. So we got stuck with a Hyundai. Of course, it ends up being a Hyundai Azera, which is their luxury car! Here's a pic of me in the car after the White Sox game...
Yes, it was a totally sweet ride. I'm actually trying to save up to buy one soon.
So with dread I drive on the I-90 to get to my family's home. Of course I get lost trying to transfer highways, and got delayed an hour. For once it wasn't my fault - the directions we had were outdated (bloody Google maps!). We eventually got there, mind you the first few minutes in the car reminded me of driving school all over again. The Hyundai Azera is just a tad above my Saturn in it's driving experience.
We get to their home and wait for the hosts to get home from work. In that time Zan and I managed to watch some cricket and update our respective blogs. Immediately after our hosts arrive, Zan and I rush over to Woodfield mall (5th largets in N. America) to do some preliminary shopping. The result - a Chicago Bears hoody for your boy.
Dinner was some not-so-great desi food cooked by my cousin. I think my mom spoils us with her culinary skills.
Then of course the main event - picking up my uncle from downtown Chicago. I had already planned my route and timed how we'd get home and get to bed so that we could wake up and prepare for the White Sox game the next afternoon. That all flew out the window when my uncle called, telling us his greyound bus would be 2 hours late - meaning we'd have to pick him up at 1:30 AM. In downtown Chicago. In a not so great area. In a brand new luxury car!
We trekked out at around 11 (mom's orders), and against my wishes my mom accompanied us. She panics when I drive HERE, so I was worried she'd flip in the car. Surprisingly she was good the whole time. Even when we left her at the bus terminal alone as Zan and I had to watch the car to make sure it wouldn't be towed out of the empty parking lot which had no attendant.
Finally, our uncle comes out of his bus, wearing a denim shirt and jeans, with an open leather jacket - in cold windy weather. His bravado was not exactly appreciated when I had to jack up the heat in the car and boil all the way home!
After being teased about not posting, I thought I'd let you all know I'm alive and kicking. The Trip down south was a huge success, culminating in a round trip drive to and from Milwaukee (with a few stories to boot). Hope everyone hasn't missed me too much.
Yes, I will divulge some more, I just need to enjoy this sunny day before deciding on what to commence with. Should you feel the need to hear anything and everything and have no patience, you know where to find me.
It's been about 48 hours since I landed in the Windy City and I already have a story or two to tell. The White Sox/Indians game was really fun, and tonight is Cubs/Brewers @ Miller Park. Bring on the Frankfurter races!
The story? Well, our flight was set for 10:25 wednesday morning, we left our home at 8, only to get stuck in traffic for over an hour. We got to terminal 3 at about 9:15, and then proceeded to wait 20 minutes for the American Airlines personnel to serve TWO people before our turn came. At 9:30 we entered the U.S. Homeland Security area, which was PACKED. With less than an hour to go, we had to wait for 3 U.S. federal employees to screen 200 Canadians travelling south, whereas American citizens had no lineup whatsoever, yet 3 windows doing absolutely shite.
After panicking for about 45 minutes, we got through Homeland Security at 10:10, then got stuck at screening. Thankfully my williness led me to quickly take off my shoes, coat, and any metal possible (belt, ipod, wallet, keys, etc) and throw them in the bin to be x-rayed. Ran through the scanner, quickly grabbed my stuff before the guard even gave it to me, and with 2 minutes to go, RAN LIKE THE WIND - leaving my family behind. Of course Zan was oblivious to my sense of urgency, calmly sitting down to tie his bloody shoelaces!
You know you're late when you're family name's announced on last call. I sprinted like I've never sprinted before and managed to make it, and let them know that my old mom and lazy bro were on their way. I think I'm still breathing heavy from that stress!
At the behest of some of my loyal readers, I once again write to you after a mini 2 week break. Not that I intended to do so, it was simply a case of procrastination. Oh, and working a 9-5er for the first time in my life!
So without further ado, here are a few notes to recap the past fortnight (on a side note, the picture on your right was NOT made by me)...
- After months of patiently waiting, my mom finally gave in and agreed to go to Chicago to meet up with our Uncle. The Uncle's coming down from Marion, Indiana - a town of 30,000 - where he has stayed couped up for the past 3.5 months. I'm almost positive he'll cry tears of joy at seeing brown people for the first time in 2007. Evidently he's craving East Indian food, which my mom is a master at (at least in my opinion)
- We're flying out on Wednesday morning, which was negotiated carefully with my current boss. I ideally wanted to go on Tuesday, but when you've only worked 4 weeks and the boss is asking for another day of work, you'd be a fool to decline.
- We're flying American Airlines (again!). This time I've grown a full beard and am pondering the thought of deep-sixing it in order to make the transition from u.s. homeland security to my cousin's home as smooth as possible. Somehow I don't think the "cuz I'm brown" thing will work down south.
- Thankfully I made the shrewd move of renting a car for the 5 days that I'm there. I splurged on a Pontiac G6 (or equivalent according to Budget Rent-A-Car) in order to have a little more comfort and power. Now I won't have to depend on courtesy to co-erce family to take us anywhere (God knows that's always a hassle).
- Talked to the White Sox and got tickets for this Thursday's game against the Indians. Got an email back from the Brewers, who I have to call tomorrow!
- Another interesting tidbit - my uncle will arrive in Chicago via Greyhound at 11:40 PM on Wed. night. Guess who's going to have to go pick him up? If you thought it would be the hosts, you'd be dead wrong. Your boy has to trek into the heart of the Windy City in the middle of the night to find an old Pakistani man who panics at the same level of my mother. Sufficed to say it will be interesting to say the least.
- Went to Courtney's birthday party yesterday. Good times for sure, though I felt a little uncomfortable at certain situations which lead to some quite amusing photos I'm sure (nothing embarrasing on my part I assure you). Here's to hoping Ms. Butterfly Karma enjoys her 24th year of existence.
- Watched Wrestlemania this evening. It might have been the worst one I've seen in a while. There were only 2 good matches, the opening "Money In the Bank" match, and the Undertaker/Batista encounter. I know I know, wrestling is for those of necks that are crimson, but it still provides for some interesting entertainment (and vocabulary).
- Pickel Barrel Milkshakes are God's gift to mankind
- I think I'm actually maturing. The past few weeks I have yet to spend more than 5 minutes in any sports store, yet have spent hours in numerous H&M's, GAPs, Mexx, and Bay locations. I'm scared!
- I'm convinced that by the end of this year, I'll find a way to be in trouble for having way more fun that I ever should. Mark my words...
That's your boy's ramblings for the time being. Hope to post some more tidbits soon enough. G'Night peeps!
