Chicago: The Weekend We Weren't In The Mountains

People at work have started to get bored at my responses to the pervasive Monday Question; what did you do this weekend? They start to zone-out as I talk about bleh de blah blah blah (adventures). I hate to be that pretentiously arrogant person who is always bragging about how much time they spend climbing mountains, skiing powder, biking perfect single track, etc. But I actually don't hate it! I like talking to people about what I love, it definitely beats discussing our job, that is something that would put anyone into a deep and depressing trance.

So when I came back this Monday people were so surprised to hear that I had been in a bustling metropolis. Someone actually incredulously asked, "wait, you weren't wandering around in the mountains at all?" To which I responded, "No. But I kind of wish I had been." This is always true, in a sense, but we did have fun in the city visiting with Jackson's family. 

Although I typically don't love cities, I thought Chicago was pretty nice. I was impressed by the absence of gum, trash, suspiciously human-looking fecal matter on the sidewalks. I hardly even felt accosted by all of the scents associated with the human race. So, good on ya, Chicago!

We were actually there to see T's final art show. (T is Jackson's older sister who was getting her Master's degree at the Art Institute.) T and I's relationship is mostly based on giggling, candy, and making bat sounds, solid indicators of a healthy bond, if you ask me. I'm including a link that talks about her show, because I didn't even try to take pictures of it. It's basically an exploration into our relationship with media and it's implications on the environment. Did you even know that the internet is a physical thing? hahaha. I must be dumb, but I thought it was literally a little technology cloud floating around near Saturn. But no, the internet is actually composed of servers (?) and wires (?) and networks (?) that require millions of gallons of water a day to cool down! WHAT?

Check it out here. T is actually going to move back to Utah this fall to get ANOTHER Master's degree in Environmental Humanities. Wahoo! Giggles, candy, and bat noises everyday! I'm positive that she is going to end up collecting fancy degrees her entire life. As for me, I'm pretty content with the one I have, thank you very much.)

Nope. Not wearing a wet suit in this picture. I did try to convince Jackson to jump in with me. He wouldn't, so I spent the rest of my time chasing seagulls. 

I was obsessed with that Michigan Sea they have there. Don't try telling me it's a freshwater lake, I won't believe you.

Another one of my favorite memories in Chicago was walking in a complete downpour to Ravenwood's Used Bookstore. Dreamy is the only way to describe it, especially on a cold rainy day. The pictures below just don't do it justice. They organize the books by not really organizing them at all, stacking them in bookcases to the ceilings and on the floor. It's a little labyrinth of tiny nooks bursting with old books on every kind of subject. Christmas lights are draped over everything and jazzy music plays in the background. To sum it up, this is the cutest fire hazard and tinderbox you have ever encountered. The employee there was so cool! Can we all agree that people who work at bookstores are generally the friendliest, quirkiest, and raddest people in society? Jackson bought a book about the man who discovered how to tell geological time using dirt layers and I got Candide! Can I finally be considered a well-read person now that I'm discovering the sarcasm of Voltaire??

Instagram continues to teach me that if you haven't taken a selfie at the Bean then you were never really in Chicago. We've mercilessly mocked tourists who take these pictures, but we had to condescend to take one anyway, because its the BEAN!

The weather was very windy and rainy while we were there, as demonstrated by Jennifer. Isn't she the cutest mother-in-law you've ever seen?? The gusty atmosphere also gave me endless opportunities to share my only fun-fact about Chicago: Did you know it's named the Windy City after the breath of raging politicians and not the wind?

The only real request I had for this trip was going to get a hot dog. Some girls like Versache and others like overly processed meat. To each their own. We went to Byron's Hot Dogs, which has the quintessential "Chicago-style dog" (think normal hot dog with lots of vegetables). Seeing new and exotic places is so wonderful because in the end you realize hot dogs are great, no matter where you are.

We look way too into these.

Most of all, I am thankful to be an unofficial Birrell. (Unofficial because I've been way too lazy to go change my name.) This family welcomed me into their little clan instantly and I'm so lucky to be their #6.