Chris & Tracy in Chicago Night 1 - 6-25-10

First of all, what a blessing and a miracle that my parents came down here! I don't get to entertain very often, and so rarely do I get to hostess my parents. I wish they would come to visit more often - so hopefully they will find things enjoyable, pleasant, fun, exciting and want to come back!

I completely reorganized my apartment - it is spic and span and there's a place for everything and everything in its place (just don't ask about the basement). I am so proud of how lovely and cozy it is here and I think my parents are impressed. The last time they were in Chicago they just stopped here for one night the first week I was in the apartment, the first night I went blind and ended up being diagnosed with MS. So it is much better now - and hopefully OTHERS WILL WANT TO COME VISIT! I really and truly want more visitors. Please come to see me in Chicago. There is so much fun to be had in Chicago and I don't get much of a chance to have much fun - I want you all to come and visit me!

I could comfortably sleep an adult couple and 2 small children if the children were creative sleepers (like to sleep on a couch or a futon mattress or on the floor or on an air mattress).....

Anyway, Mom and Dad arrived around 9 o'clock this evening or so, we unloaded and they came in and we talked about the doctor's visit for a while over some beers and then we decided to walk around the neighborhood.

Mom and Dad were really impressed by the architecture in the area, and also that the bars all have windows that basically open up entire walls and bring the outside in and the inside out - all Chicago bars are that way for summer. We checked out the Fat Cat which is a bar and restaurant and may be our lunch/World Cup game destination tomorrow.

Also showed them the Wild Pug, a British-pub themed take on a gay dance club bar, and Crew, a gay sports bar. The night was beautiful - crazy full moon, lots of diverse people out, lots to look at.....

Then we wandered basically into the shot of a movie - Broadway in our neighborhood (between Wilson and Lawrence - essentially encompassing the diner where we like to take visitors for post-late night brunch, Borders bookstore, the Riviera Theatre, and the Green Mill historic jazz club. Security told us we were in the shot and had to keep moving - so we grabbed an extra and she told us that Ron Howard is producing the film, and it is tentatively being called "Cheaters" and that it stars Vince Vaughn and Winona Ryder. She said that as an extra they had to report at 7 p.m. ready to go, then they are kept all night for the possibility of being an extra in a scene. They have to stay until 7 a.m.! It was really cool though to see what it all looks like set up - I don't care whether or not it is a bad movie, I'm going to see it just because it's my neighborhood!

Mom and Dad enjoyed the walk and then we came home and chatted for a while and now it's time for bed....

Good night love you all sweet dreams.

p.s. I have been getting some amazing responses from people for inspirational quotes. My sister today went and bought small wood cutouts from a craft supply store and paint pens and has been handwriting the quotes on the front and then putting the person's name who they are from on the back (as in, the person who posted the quote to my facebook). We just have to figure out how to pop a hole in them and string them up next!