Pre-Marathon Chicago

It's been a LOT of days since I blogged, probably the most days off since I started blogging 2 1/2 years ago. It was not a planned break or anything, I've just been super busy and when I did have down time I just really couldn't think of anything to blog about. Nothing like a little weekend trip to re-ignite the creativity!

This week Eric and I are in Chicago watching Caroline run the marathon! This is our third trip to Chicago in October (and we've never been in any other month). The first time we came it was to watch BC play Notre Dame, then we came to visit my college roommate Ash who went to med school here and now we are here for some marathon spectating. Luckily, one of my other college friends who is a marathoner herself lives in Chicago now and has totally taken control of our plans for tomorrow which include seeing Caroline at miles 4, 11, 17, 20 and the finish. I will be seriously impressed if we can pull this off.

Our trip yesterday involved a ridiculously great Big Bang Theory marathon on the plane (I love Jet Blue and their TVs), some also ridiculous traffic from the airport and some delicious Mexican food at a restaurant called Cantina 46. The night was finished off with a beautiful sunset.

Today was spent being a little bit touristy on a Chicago Foundation Architecture River Cruise. I got some amazing pictures of Chicago buildings...

Chicago is definitely a beautiful city. Today was my second time doing an Architecture River Cruise. I enjoy them, but if it was going to made with only me in mind I would request that there was a little less info about the Architecture. I enjoy learning as much as the next guy, but 90 minutes of straight lecture gets old. Today we probably just annoyed the others around us a bit by all chatting with each other while the lady was talking. Yes, teachers are the worst students. Teachers and businessmen/women as the case was today.

After that we headed over to Millennium Park to see "The Bean." Last time we were in Chicago we had a lot of fun at the bean, but today it was pretty crowded so we basically just took some pictures and then left. Okay fine, it was slightly more interesting than that when I decided to take a jumping picture in a dress... bad idea. Things got slightly worse than picture below...

Fortunately my underwear are basically like a bikini bottom so it's not as scandalous as it may first seem, but still pretty embarrassing. I held my dress down and did a very girly jump for all future pictures.

Obviously the future marathoner did NOT jump so I did not risk any future exposure :)

Look closely and you will see us in the picture below :)

Yes, I am still holding my dress down.

We finished the day with dinner at my favorite Chicago restaurant Rosebuds on Rush. Perfect carbo-loading for our favorite marathoner (and her crazy spectators). Tomorrow is going to be fantastic. I can't wait to hold up our awesome signs and try to sneak ice in Caroline's hat. It's going to be a great day!