There's a light on in Chicago...

Advice for future Chicago visitors:

1. Don't try "the Hot Karl". It sounds tempting, I know; I was entranced by the word "hot" as well. When it's 40 degrees out, one will almost do anything with the word "hot" in it. It was warm, no doubt about it, but it was incredibly raunchy. I guess I just thought “the Hot Karl” would be something else; Aaron shares this opinion and expands on my description.

2. Visit my friend Eric. He is always so good to me. He introduced Aaron and me to a fabulous Mexican restaurant where all three of us ravished a few carne asada burritos at about 2 in the morning. It was fantastic. I can't wait to see him again.

3. Check out all that downtown has to offer. Women can delight in various retail stores such as "the gap" or "old navy", while men can explore the magnificent architecture of buildings with incredible stature such as “the John Hancock” and “the Sears Tower”.

The Lincoln Park Zoo was free and very entertaining. We saw a cheetah and a lady with a cheetah coat all at the same exhibit. The lady's friend saw a chance at using her broken English and exclaimed, "Same, same!" A hand motion that linked the jacket with the animal, a rapid typewriter pointing motion, accompanied the simple, repeated word. She continued to point, smile, nod, and repeat "same same" until I finally gave her an affirming nod.

I felt we had, though it may have been slight, a beautiful connection.


I have posted a picture of my "animal-loving friend" for your enjoyment.