the windy city

skyscrapers, lake michigan, 'da bears', o'hare airport, deep dish pizza - yes, america's third city (used to be second city, until l.a. surpassed it a few years ago) has it all. and seemingly is exporting it all too!

saturday, at once a blistering mix of snow and ice, then suddenly balmy and sunny, then wintry again, and finally making up it's mind - nice after all. we hang out at home, the kids enjoying late breakfasts - well, why wouldn't they - and jane and i taking care of a few things. it is amazing how intently focused we are on this coming friday - armageddon? start of a new life? or maybe it's just the lure of netflix and lunch at grande luxe - but this is the week.

so, chicago. well, the afternoon and evening are full of it. we make our way into chelsea with friends, and dine at cafeteria - very sex in the city. although we're very familiar with the south beach outpost, we've never actually eaten at the new york original, which is great. yes, a little tragically hip, and even at 5:45 in the afternoon too crowded, but the seven of us manage to squeeze into two tables, where we are treated to a delightful meal and great service. the kids are happy, the adults too - not to mention well fed. we split up - girls going uptown, boys heading west, to our chicago inspired evenings. the ladies are seeing the show bearing the name of this metropolis, with 'sexy 70's tv icon john schneider' (that's the theater's interpretation - very dukes of hazzard). jared, andi, and i find ourselves at the upright citizen's brigade theater, of amy pollard fame (s.n.l.) ... second city humor. the show is great, lots of energy, totally improvised, and so easy (just show up with a previously made reservation, 8 bucks a head, no drinks, one hour, great seating). add it to the repertoire.

after dinner we decide indulge feminine cravings (theirs, not ours) and pick up a slew of magnolia cupcakes, and head uptown to indulge our masculine cravings ... comfort food at burger joint in the parker meridien. piled high, along with fries, we men are happy too now! a quick drive through times square, and we pick up the ladies, who of course are delighted with the goodies. home, just on time for saturday night live (did you catch hillary clinton? quite great actually!), although at this point, jane and i are dead (on our feet)!

h