Another long post about the last 2 weeks (but mostly the weekends)

One thing that I was thinking about today as I walked through downtown Chicago (to Old Navy where I kind of went crazy, for me), was how this was the first weekend pretty much since I've lived here that no one spent the night (or that I did not spend the night elsewhere). As much as I like having the whole room to myself, it's kind of nice not to wake up all by yourself. It's nice to have someone else here to keep you company. I often wish I had someone here just to sit around and watch TV together. Anyway, I'm about two weeks behind, so I guess I will give the highlights.

Two weekends ago, Wazi and I drove to ND after work, after going the wrong way and taking the scenic route. When we finally got to SB, we had some BK (no, not THAT BK, who, consequently, was MIA all weekend.) Although Dave said there would probably be 2 people staying over, the actual number was closer to 10. There were a lot of air mattresses...

So Dave and I made an appearance at the Backer. I say appearance because we were there for maybe an hour because someone had to wake up early to do band things. I did briefly see Rachel and Christine, the other obsessive Backer people I know.

Tailgating was fun the next day. Wazi and I started out at the Carroll tailgate where I bought a ticket from some guy walking past with Karsten's emergency $50 bill (don't worry, I paid him back.) Afterwards, we were going somewhere, but ended up at Mader's family's tailgate. There were lots of trumpets, and I was deemed an honorary trumpet, or something of the sort. At some point, everyone left that I knew except Bryce and Ram, and we chatted with some dude who graduated in the 80s and was an OBGYN. The whole time I couldn't help but think how weird it would be to have that guy be my woman-parts-doctor. We realized we missed out on some of the glory days of ND, but of course, I'm sure all alumni like to wax nostalgic about times past and how much life must suck for current undergrads.

After this, we headed over to the Putt tailgate. The memorable moment was when (one again) I realized that everyone I knew had left. This Putt fellow told me I needed to hang out with more trumpets from the class of 1994. I suppose I will consider that advise in the future.

The game was pretty good, we won, and the post-game victory beer was well deserved (minus the 4th quarter). Back at Dave's that evening, I took my traditional post-game nap (oh, how I've missed those...) and woke to find a bunch of people had mysteriously vanished, while others had mysteriously arrived. Needless to say, I was in my usual post-nap daze. Later Matt M. and Cheron showed up, so it was nice to see them. Unfortunately, they wimped out on the backer.

I believe I had a pretty good time at the Backer. Some interesting stuff happened. I was entertained. I did not, however, appreciate the "Go Cubs Go" song right after the Cubs lost their series. What a cruel trick. Anyway, a nice little gang was there, including, but not limited to, Wazi, Allison, Karsten, Dave, Carrie, Ryan, and probably a lot of people I am forgetting. Before I move on, a word of advise. Don't have too many long islands/purple rains. ESPECIALLY if your dinner consisted of half a brat and a victory beer. Yup.

The next day most of the people rolled out to their respective locations, while me, Dave, Wasi, and John were the epitome of lazy. Picture this: Dave and John on the couches (occasionally joined by shredder), Wazi and I on an air mattress in the middle of the floor, all watching TV, and too lazy to get up for food. What is the logical thing to do? Call Jimmy Johns, because they deliver. Oh no! What happens when no one has the number? Well, the obvious answer would be to go look it up, but did we do this? No. Instead, Wazi called his sister (from the comfort of the air mattress) to get the number, and then we called and ordered our food. What a lazy Sunday. Eventually Wazi and I were on our way, but the Sox were playing, so we spent the next few hours at the Wasikowski house watching the game. I also got a nice tour and got to see pictures of a young Dan.

That week...well, like any other week. Our kickball team actually was pretty decent, and by decent I mean we were tied, and even winning! But alas, we lost, but at least it wasn't embarrassing.

Friday evening was full of craziness, in a way. Right after work I went to a bar to get drinks with some people from work. Gail came, but not after getting a bit lost (it was a little funny, because she must have walked right past us at some point). Eventually, Dolu got to Ogilvie, and Gail and I met up with him. We dropped Gail off at the L, and proceeded to go to the Regal Beagle (at Dolu's insistence). We had a nice conversation, some bad service, and free shots (because they felt bad about the poor service). Dolu decided to go home, and I went across the street to Starbucks, where I had a Pumpkin Spice Latte and read my nerdy physics book. About an hour later I got a call from Carol that went something like this:

Carol: We are going to Union Station to meet Cory
Me: Oh, ok, cool. I just left Starbucks on Michigan. So where are you now?
Carol: We are on a bus on Michigan. We might be close to you.
Me: Nice, maybe I can meet up with you guys somewhere
Carol: Are you at the Starbucks by PayLess?
Me: Yes....
Carol: Oh, we are on the bus, we'll get off there
Me: No, wait, I see you guys, I'm getting on the bus!

And I did. What was interesting about this was that we didn't plan to meet there. Their bus just happened to be driving past me at that very moment! The other strange thing that happened that night was that I SWEAR I saw one of the Backer bouncers outside of the Sears Tower. Carol also thought it was him, but she wouldn't let me go up and talk to him (probably for the best).
Well, next time I go there, and he is checking IDs, I'm SOOOO asking. I am such a creeper.

The next day, I went to Victory Liquors to watch the game, after determining that everyone was gonna be there. Some highlights:
-The game was good...until the end
-Laura, Carol and I got a free fishbowl full of some Bacardi concoction. It was delish.
-Wazi, Allison, and friends got one, too, and they made a giant 3 feet long straw.
-I saw Sarah E. for the briefest of moments.
-Mike C. and I met the Subway Alums, of internet video fame. They were pretty cool guys!
-I texted way too much, as usual.
-I saw various other people I don't see very often, which is nice and random
-The music selection was Backer-esque.

After the game, I got to take a nap, which was nice. I think I needed it for what was to come...the apartment crawl! Basically, four of my coworkers hosted part of the night, and we walked from apartment to apartment. The drink selection was interesting in that they all had some strange significance to me. Carlo Rossi Sangria, beermonade, something mixed with Hawaiian Punch...the list goes on. The evening ended at Duffy's the usual hang out spot, which worked out well for me because it was on my way home! It was a pretty fun time, everyone had nice apartments, got to hang out with work people (which I don't do so much on weekends), and met some new people. I also BYOB to a bar, which I realize is bad, but I just happened to have a beer in my purse...heh.

Sunday I somehow woke up early enough to watch part of the marathon which passed pretty near to my apartment. Unfortunately, I didn't see anyone I knew, but I did see juggling guy, and the Boys Town cheerleaders, which are always a good time. Afterwards, I walked to Los Tres Panchos, this little hole in the wall Mexican place on Diversey. I also got to Skype with my brother that morning, which was nice. (He is studying in Germany for the next year). It was an uber-lazy Sunday, as I napped for HOURS. I don't get to nap enough these days.

I was roused from my laziness by Laura, who called and invited me to see a movie with her. The movie theater was very close...and quite nice inside. We saw The Duchess, with Kiera Knightley. I thought it was a good movie, but also very sad. It did make me glad that I live in a society where I will not be forced to stay in a loveless marriage with a cheating husband who threatens to not let me see my children again if I continue to meet with the love of my life who would later become the prime minister. Woops...SPOILERS!!

Now I am just chilling at home. I was gonna do my 2nd load of laundry in 2 days, but I guess I just got caught up with shopping/video Skypeing with my parents and ichatting with Ponge and a bunch of people who were in her house. I really should blog more often so my posts aren't as long. It's like I am blogging Titanic over here! Like Titanic, we can all guess how this will end...VIDEO!

Here's an oldie but goody. And I met someone this weekend who is just like the guy in this video. And he was POLISH! I found that funny.