I was there for work, as an exhibitor at the International Studies Association conference. I'd love to go back when I have a lot more time and maybe when the weather is a bit warmer...I saw my first real live Frank Gehry structure (the Pritzker Pavillion in Millennium Park). Saw many beautiful buildings that I was only able to give passing attention to as I walked by -- amazing! Ran through the Art Institute of Chicago -- a collection so rich and extensive and completely mind-blowing, I can't even express it. I wouldn't know where to begin! That alone should have been given days, but I only had an hour and a half.
Food? Went to a Russian tea cafe (photo). I went to Frontera, Rick Bayliss's restaurant -- it was crowded, me and my new best friends sat at the bar for dinner. (And tequila.) I'd sworn I wouldn't get Asian food while in Chicago, but I did and it was great. Even went to the famous House of Blues for a beer and some live music. There were so many places I wanted to go, and so many things I wanted to do and I just couldn't go to even a fraction of them!
What I did get to do was go see the taping of Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me. What fun! Panelists were Roxanne Roberts, Roy Blount Jr., and Paula Poundstone. And after the show, the real geeks hang out and talk to the stars and get their autographs. Yes, I really talked to everyone -- even Carl -- and got their autographs on my program. (Note to self: Carry a Sharpie at all times.) They were pretty impressed that I came all the way from Hawaii to see the show. While waiting for the next authograph, I met two other people who were also in town attending the ISA conference. An added bonus to that was that then we all shared a cab back to the hotel. I found out the next day that another of my new best friends had been there as well. Many were jealous to hear that we had gone. I mean, you're talking about a whole crowd of smart, geeky people who care about current events. Of course they are fans of the show.
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