Yes, seven years ago today, I was wide eyed and brand new to Chicago…and totally in over my head.

Growing up in southeastern Wisconsin, moving to Chicago was like throwing myself in the deep end of the pool when I don’t know how to swim.

The first six months in Chicago were very rough and resulted in a lot of tears, but I stuck it out and now, I’m so glad I did.

I love Chicago.

Sure, sometimes I cannot wait to get out of the city for a few days, or dream about moving elsewhere, but in the end, Chicago is home.

And I’m always glad to come home.

I don’t know what life would be like if I had not moved here, and I don’t really think about it because I’m happy right where I’m at. And if/when it’s time to go, I will never regret living here.

I love you Chicago, stay classy :)

LOVE IT.

Even when there is sub zero wind chill (it’s like it gets colder just for that night).

But New Years Eve also sucks in Chicago, primarily because there are ZERO CABS in the city. No kidding, I have stood in the cold for an hour waiting for a cab. I even shared a cab (out of desperation) with a couple beginning to have sex in the backseat (I was sitting shotgun). Yes, that last ride was awkward. I also heard things I wish I could unhear.

After celebrating New Years in Chicago for almost seven years, I learn something new each time. Hopefully, it makes me wiser for the next year (especially learning what I would do differently.)

So here is what I learned this year:

• Good cab luck DOES exist and it’s a sign that your year is going to be amazing. After years of torturous cab waits, I had good cab luck all of NYE, even on my way home, which NEVER happens. I never had to wait more than 5 minutes each time. I wish I could express the joy this brings me
• Even though regular vodka is tasteless, a mixed drink that is 90% vodka 10% lemonade is tough to swallow
• Pouring champagne without spilling is a skill I possess
• Dressing casual fancy makes for a much more enjoyable night. I usually stick with leggings, boots and some sort of sequin arrangement. It is still January in Chicago after all. Oh and sometimes, throwing in a hat just for effect rocks too

Here was this year’s NYE outfit:

Not a great picture, but it looked much better in person. And not to be crude, but my boobs were OOC. I wish I would have worn something more low-cut, even though it was girls night.

How was your New Years?

Friends of mine know that I’m not very Halloween-friendly. Maybe it’s because I’m more of a Christmas and Thanksgiving kind of girl but I’m very lacking in the Halloween-creative department.

Basically, I don’t dress in costume. Or my costume are scrubs (instant nurse!) or a hot pink wig that I pretend makes me a punk girl (it doesn’t) and my creative friends shake their head in semi-disgust.

But this year, I decided to do something new…TRY to put a costume together.

Problem was that almost all store bought costumes are slutty. Super slutty. And while I have the chest to fill it out, that’s not really “me.”

So with more creativity than normal, shopping my closet, borrowing from a friend and working eBay and Amazon like a pole, I came up with this:

 Hello 1960s stewardess! (in the center)

Clear the aisles and exit rows!

I don’t like to toot my own horn but OMG it came together so well. And with a little back combing, I thought I looked pretty good. People even thought I was a real stewardess, but they might have been drunk.

I really wish I had more pictures to share but I didn’t take any! BAD JESS! But thanks to Jessi (photo courtesy of her) for being an amazing photographer and providing me with some photographic proof of my costume skillz.

And to enhance the costume, I got little wine shooters and almond bags to hand out.

I don’t know if I’ll be as proactive on costumes next year, but it was kind of fun, I’ll admit that.

What did you dress up as?

Yes, an entire tent dedicated to CHEESE.

On Saturday, my Wisconsin Badgers were playing Northern Illinois University at Soldier Field and I was fortunate enough to get tickets to the game and a Badger pre-game tailgate.

The tailgate had beer, brats, sandwiches, cookies, chips and cheese. But, given that I’m from a cheese-fanatic state, a local cheese company had an entire tent dedicated to cheese, separate from the other food and beverage tents.

The minute the woman at check-in told us about it, I was off like a shot. I may be muttered, “I want to go to there,” and then quickly started scanning the crowd, full of red-dressed Badger fans.

Of course, the cheese tent was a little hidden (no doubt to control the crowds) but when I saw it, I had to photograph the awesome-ness of this moment.

If you couldn’t tell, I love cheese. LOVE IT. I’ve been known to demolish a cheese plate at a party with only carnage left behind. It happens.

Here are some photos of this mecca:

Cheese tent, I want to go to there

No surprise, Cheddar was the most popular

And of course, the best way to tailgate is a plate of cheese and a beer, clearly, I took advantage of both.

I love the Midwest

How was your weekend?

Fortunately, I didn’t, but I was glad I could say I tried it, because it sure as f*ck wasn’t happening again.

This weekend, I had a similar experience, this time, involving a trapeze.

Yes, a trapeze. After watching a lesson and seeing a Groupon for one, I decided to face my fear of heights and control issues head on (and 27 feet up).

How did it go? Um…fine. But I think the only thing I do worse than trapeze, is ice skate. And I’m really, really awful at that.

Whenever I face my fears, I have one of two reactions: no fear (hot air balloon) or a crippling fear that leads to tears (trapeze.)

Yes, the first two swings, I nearly hyperventilated in to an anxiety attack and then cried the minute I landed safely on the ground. I’m so glad friends were not there to watch (sorry Nic.)

While I was humiliated by the way my body reacted to these fears, all was not lost. I did a total of six swings and while the fear never totally went away, I could get myself up to the platform and jump off when it was time. I count that as a victory.

And I woke up this morning bruised and hurting in places I didn’t know could hurt. The level of agony I feel is awful! But the experience was worth it and I’m glad to say I tried it.

I don’t think I’ll do another lesson, but it reminded me what real fear feels like :)

Oh and a side note to Brian the “catcher” during my lesson. I’ll see you in my dreams handsome.

How was your weekend?

Anyhow, this weekend, I closed out July by doing not a lot, which is good because August is going to be BUSY for me, so I’ll take my rest where I can.

It started off with drinks near Marilyn Monroe from Some Like it Hot (no I’m not making that up) and ended at Wrigley Field for the Paul McCartney concert! Yes, it was hotter than sin in that stadium (like, no air circulation) but it was worth it. Let’s take a look.

View from our seats!

Pre-concert photo montage

Paul McCartney rocking out!

The concert in a word: AWESOME. As a raging Beatles fan, it was heaven, hearing songs I listen to on my iPod and on record live was just amazing. And sitting with the person I went with, both of us singing “Yesterday” is a moment I won’t ever forget. Really, it brings a tear to my eye thinking about it.

I also got a little pre-concert gift from my guest too. Yeah, he gets me.

But as amazing as last night was, it’s on to August! I don’t know about you but this month is cray cray for me and there is lots to look forward to, such as:

• BlogHer in San Diego! I must brush up on Anchorman lingo
• Seattle and Vancouver – time to hike, drink wine and stuff my face (sexy!)
• Birthday – Yeah I’ll work on getting more excited for this
• Next! Yes, that’s right, I’m going back for Thai cuisine. Very excited

Yeah, that’s all that’s coming up for me, not much at all :)

Do you have any big August plans? How was your weekend?

Anyhow, I’m finally back with a Street Food Friday post (just before I hit the road again) and this time, we’re covering empanadas, the hot little pockets of deliciousness making their way around Chicago in the 5411 Empanada truck.

Let’s take a closer look!

Name: 5411 Empanadas

Twitter handle: @5411empanadas

Website: http://5411empanadas.com

What is it: Gourmet empanadas, baked, not fried and just perfect little pockets of deliciousness. Founded by three Argentine friends, the empanadas bring this dish’s Buenos Aires’ popularity to Chicago (via catering and truck) with bites that can be served for lunch or at a party.

Love the color of this truck :)

What I ate: I’ve tried all of the empanadas on the truck and definitely have my favorites. Usually 2-3 fill you up (I once bought 4 and had a wicked stomach ache from deliciousness) so I rotate between the spinach and cheese, ham and cheese and caramelized onion. There recent addition of a Nutella and banana empanada will now work its way in to rotation too!

Cute little ham and cheese!

Mr. Beef

What else is on the menu: The truck also has beef (which is tasty), barbecue chicken (which is okay) and sweet corn (which is also good but a little bland). Really, you cannot go wrong with anything.

Verdict: Clearly by my language in this post, I’m a fan. And this is the ONLY truck I’ve seen yet in Chicago with a standing line about 20 people long waiting for the truck before it shows up. Sure, the trucks in Chicago still get a crowd but this one, you have to get out there early. I’ve learned the hard way.

Check out the other recent Street Food Friday posts on Doni, Gretchen and Lacey’s blogs. You can learn more about Portland’s 5th and Stark, New York’s Big D’s Grub Truck and Austin’s Torchy Tacos.

Are you a big empanada fan? Or do you have anything fun planned this weekend? TGIF!

Yes it was one of those weekends.

One where there is amazing spring weather in the city you love and you celebrate with friends, which can lead to things getting a little rowdy.

Such as, going to a good friend’s party with pink champagne and another friend has the f*cking brilliant idea in Kmart (where you’ve stopped to pick up a hostess gift) to arrive at the party with that champagne in a huge plastic garden swan.

I mean, that is such a genius idea, and here’s how it turned out.

This is the best champagne vessel I’ve ever seen.

It is also one of those weekends where you fall a little victim to strawberry (or raspberry) vodka lemonade (after not learning your lesson with it the year before) and end up petting someone else’s purse, which ends up being photographed.

That friends, is the look of pure joy. To be fair, the large, black Chanel quilted purse is my dream purse so the opportunity to hold it could not be passed up.

I look kind of skinny in that picture too. Not sure how that happened.

Hopefully next year, I’ll also wear a shirt to that party that isn’t see through. Seriously, WTF?

Also, I won’t fall asleep in a cab on the way home. Clearly, I’m batting a thousand in the common sense department right now.

How was your weekend?

This weekend, I took part in one of Chicago’s favorite spring/summer time activities: street festivals. After Memorial Day, there is a new street or music festival every weekend throughout the city, ranging from art shows to block parties.

Festivals and food!

And this weekend, I hit up two: Old Town Art Fair and one that made my heart race faster with excitement: Ribfest. That’s right, a festival of ribs. I love street fair food and this weekend, I indulged.

Even though the Art Fair had gorgeous gardens, million dollar homes and beautiful art (all at a prices I absolutely cannot afford) and I cannot buy anything, I still love walking around this Fair. And this year, Liz and I accidentally wandered in to a private party in a New Orleans-style garden. Oops.

After perusing some handmade jewelry and art (where I fell in love with one Chicago print that I could not justify), it was time for lunch, where I devoured these delicious chicken tamales from Adobo Grill. I barely took this photo before I mowed down on them, a sign I was starving :)

Sunday, Mananya and I hit up Ribfest (thank goodness I worked out first) and it was a gorgeous day for some damn sexy ribs and the smell of barbecue. I think my hair still smells like it now.

We got food from three places: Corner 41 (five-time Ribfest winner) for a full slab, Smoke Daddy for a pulled pork sandwich (sadly, sans cole slaw) and The Piggery (awesome name) for a half slab. Yes, I went in to a rib coma after that. Here’s a little food porn.

Time to get some meat!

First rack of ribs (Corner 41) – Photo courtesy of Mananya

The Piggery ribs – Photo courtesy of Mananya

For the record, The Piggery was my favorite. The meat was fuller and the sauce was sweet and had molasses. OMG good.

Sending out good karma

Then, Saturday night, TC and I hit up Super 8 downtown (see review here!) and while walking to the bus, noticed a wallet sitting in the middle of the road. We picked it up and saw it was full of cash (about $10), debit and credit cards and the man’s driver’s license. We looked for any information or phone number to reach him, but sadly, we only found a business card, which didn’t list a cell phone. After trying to see if we could reach him, we dropped it off at a hotel across the street from where we found it. Rationale being that if I lost my wallet, I would check all surrounding businesses to see if someone turned it in. And a message from a hotel that his wallet had been located sounds better than a call from two women.

So after my good karma payback a few weeks ago, I put the good karma back out there myself.

How was your weekend? Do you hit the local festivals in your city?

Let’s start with Glee. On Friday, TC and I embarked on a magical journey to the suburbs to see Glee in concert again. Last year, we had an awesome time dancing, screaming/singing and going bananas in the crowd. How could we say no to a repeat performance?

This time, Glee was at a bigger stadium in the suburbs, allowing for more screaming pre-teen fans and overzealous moms and less dance room. Not a fan, these hips and arms need to move!

But we made it work, kicking off the night by being the oldest non-parent people at the local Steak n’ Shake (first timer!) where you can get a meal for under $6, wow.

Then it was over to the Arena and to our seats with beers in hands to get our dance on. Best pre-show moment: watching a 10 year old boy lip synch along passionately to “Grenade” by Bruno Mars. A…dorable.

The main show was pretty good, a rotating mix from the New Directions and eventually the Warblers with a good mix of songs from this year and some from season one.

Little number from season one

A little blurry photo of the Warblers. Love.

And TC and I may or may not have starts screaming, jumping up and down while holding hands during Teenage Dream. Seriously, we were 14 years old (just like the people behind us). Fortunately, I could log “dancing” as my cardio for the evening.

After the show, we tried again for autographs and while Chord Overstreet (Sam) denied me an autograph in favor of an elbowing mom ahead of me, TC did get some sweet pictures, see one below.

Taken by TC who made magic with her iPhone

Dear Glee, we’ll see you next summer in concert. Moms, watch out.

Saturday, after some post-Glee-gasm rest, I had a Thai cooking class with the lovely Mananya. And this was serious. We started at the Asian markets in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, collecting ingredients for my dishes and talking through tips on what to look for and what can be substituted.

Then it was home and in to the kitchen with my wok and rice maker. The longest part of the session was just prepping the ingredients, such as water spinach, Thai chilis, garlic and Thai eggplant. Making our three dishes in the wok took less than 30 minutes. Amazing. Also, my grocery bill was only $20 for protein and ingredients and I now have enough food to last the week. More amazing.

Here is a picture of my post-cooking class plate:

Left to right: Pad Boong, Pad Prik with beef and Thai Basil Chicken with jasmine rice.

I learned a lot from the class and had a great time. I cannot wait to try next weekend’s planned dish, chicken curry with rice.

If you’re in Chicago and interested in cooking classes with Mananya, give her a shout on Twitter!

How was your weekend?

Funny Karma

About a month ago, my friend dropped me off at home after dinner and we ended up sitting in her car chatting for a bit. We were blocking a small part of the street but cars could still pass without issue. Until, one woman went past us, giving an “eat sh*t” look. As she did, my friend tapped the horn just to let her know she could pass.

Two seconds after that horn tap, the girl stopped her car in the middle of the street, got out, stormed over to yell at us and said words and phrases I cannot repeat here. I was nervous but my friend was calm and she handled it like a pro. Once the girl was done yelling, she stomped back to her car, only to grab the car door handle, stop and look up in the sky.

Within seconds, my friend said, “She locked herself out of the car.” After all that, she locked herself out?? I wasn’t sure if that was right, but yep, in her haste to yell at us, she locked herself out of the car and was now completely blocking the street from traffic. Oh, and it was freezing cold and windy outside.

She slowly walked back to us, acknowledged she was locked out and apologized for how she behaved. While she went to get her extra key, we watched her car, in case the cops showed up because the street was blocked and guided cars around hers while she was gone. When she was back, she offered us a bottle of wine to say thanks but my friend told her to keep it. She had been through enough that day.

Sweet Karma

I try to live by the Golden Rule (seriously). The few times I’ve had to sell tickets online, I sell for face value. I don’t gouge people because I wouldn’t want someone to do that to me. Most of the time, that balance is more me being the generous one compared to others. But last week, I finally got a win.

A woman was selling tickets on Facebook and after weeks of trying to get them on my own with no luck, I left her a message to contact me via email. Within minutes, she emailed me, said she would sell them to me at face value and then during the Paypal transaction, she even took a few more bucks off.  She could have easily made a 50% profit on those tickets due to demand but she just wanted to unload them and could not have been sweeter.

So thanks Rachel in LA for showing me that there is actually a payoff and good karma to living by that rule.

Do you believe in Karma?

Yeah, it was one of those weekend when the best laid Memorial Day plans went awry, but in a good way!

I got my mani/pedi and saw Something Borrowed (review here!) but that was it from my list. The French Market and architecture boat tour will wait for another day.

But there were two fun things that also unexpectedly happened this weekend that I had to share!

Next!

Chicago is quickly becoming a well-known food town and right now, the hottest ticket here is Next Restaurant, the new brainchild from Grant Achatz. You don’t get reservations, you get tickets and can only get them online. Ticket competition is intense and with it’s current menu, Paris 1906, ending in early July, the demand is more intense.

I’ve been trying in multiple ways to get tickets for more than a month and on Thursday, the stars aligned and I snagged a last-minute ticket for a 10 p.m. reservation that night. I cannot even explain how perfectly everything worked out, it was just clearly, meant to be.

And in a very difficult decision, I did not photograph one piece of my meal. I opted to savor the experience with three good friends and enjoy the amazing food served to us. Yes, I wrestled with whether or not to photograph, but in the end, I was fine with it. I had a wonderful meal with great conversation, lots of laughs and attentive, non-stuffy service.

The entire six-course experience was 100% worth the cost (tickets range from $60-$110) and was the perfect way to kick off the Memorial Day weekend. And when I go back, I would love to steal the place settings because the plates were to die for.

I can’t even list what dish was my favorite (although the duck got very high marks) but it was truly a great experience.

Below is YouTube video that shows some of the dishes we ate. Really, it was so delicious.

PIE!

In prep for a BBQ/housewarming party Saturday, I had an impromptu pie-making class with the lovely Jessi, who not only had a cutting board set up for me when I arrived, but also let me be the “flour girl” when I was observing.

She made the first pie and then let me get my hands dirty and work out the dough for the second pie. It was easy, fun and she was more than patient with me as I rolled it out. And giving a rolling and lattice-cutting job to a perfectionist like me, is the best thing ever. I’m not bragging (or being too modest) but my pie was awesome.

Check it out (mine is in front):

That lattice work is FLAWLESS.

This weekend was another perfect reminder that even when the best laid plans go awry, that’s not a bad thing :) Also, I need to make my own homemade pie, it tastes so good!

How was your weekend?

Yes, it’s officially my Memorial Day weekend and I will be staycationing it in Chicago because, well I have to save money to travel again. And after a crazy two week trip, I’m ready to lay low.

So what do I have planned for a four-day weekend since I’m not leaving Chicago? Well, not much actually and I couldn’t be more excited. But, since I’m a planner, I do have a few things I want to get done:

• First mani/pedi of the season. This is a MUST!
• Hit up the Nordstrom Women’s Sale (yes, I have a list of what I need to get)
• See the movie, “Something Borrowed” (even though I know it will be bad)
• Visit the Chicago French Market (oh la la!)
• Grocery shop (naturally)
• Get some good BBQ (pulled pork get in mah belly)
• Maybe do one of the Chicago Architecture Boat tours (but it has to be warmer than 40 degrees out during the day)
• Keep catching up with friends

So nothing too strenuous but lots of things to look forward to. That sounds like exactly what I need. But I’m definitely excited about that mani/pedi, my cuticles are a total mess.

Anyhow, I hope you all have a safe and happy, Memorial Day weekend! Are you doing anything fun?

So, if I don’t have food at home, it’s time to go out…and use some Groupons! I have a tendency to be a Groupon hoarder (just like gift cards!) because they are like trading cards. You collect and collect and then WHOOPS time to use them! So now I have a new policy, no more Groupons until I start using at least two of them. Well this isn’t locked in stone but you know what I mean :)

And this weekend, after being scalded by water (accidentally) at the salon, having my welcome mat stolen (and later returned) and binging a little bit on Easter candy (SO GOOD), I took Sunday night off and went out with a good buddy for dinner at Takashi.

I won’t lie, I don’t know much about this place, but my food friends love it so I bought the Groupon and decided to finally use it.

Food porn, COMMENCE….

Duck fat fried chicken. So d*mn good I wanted to lay down and beg for mercy. I would go back JUST for this dish

Prosciutto-chicken coquettes – Is it wrong that I wanted to eat them like chips?

Ramen with egg noodles and beef. Being a carnivore, I wish there was more meat (TWSS!)

I’m so fortunate to have friends that love food like me and are willing to go to try these places with me.

Now, of course I have to buy ANOTHER Groupon, I just have to wade through the the offers for Botox (no joke), lash extensions and teeth whitening for another gem like this.

Do you use Groupon or other deal lists like Living Social? Do you have a tendency to collect them too?

Despite the not-spring weather, it was still a pretty good weekend!

Friday, I tried a new eyebrow wax place because I haven’t been loving Nordstrom Spa lately. It came highly recommended by good friends and it was…interesting and $10. It might have been that it was way too long between waxing but my eyebrows look thinner than I asked for. I’m hoping I’ll adjust to them this week and I can get them cleaned up again before Italy.

Saturday, someone I know came in to town for a visit and I dragged him back to La Madia for another fabulous pizza. Okay, I’m a little obsessed with that place ;) But instead of pork belly and kale, I got prosciutto and cracked egg with fresh pepper. Yes, it was amazing. Look at it!

Come to Butthead

Naturally, to burn off some of these delicious calories, my visitor and I stopped at Crumbs to get a cupcake for the road. Yes, this violates every ounce of my weight loss plan and diet, but it’s a treat that I rarely have. So I’m saying this is okay for now.

Here’s the food porn shot of the Crumbs Devil’s Food cupcake, which is chocolate cake, cream cheese filling and cream cheese frosting with chocolate chips and cake bites. There are no words.

Finally, I got to celebrate my good friend Liz’s birthday on Friday. We helped her usher in the last year in her 20s with cosmos, gnocchi, Pimms Cups, cocktails and truffle pasta. It was a great night out for one of my closest friends. Also, the cosmos foreshadowed how I would spend another part of my weekend: watching Sex and the City. Love that show (still).

How was your weekend?

First, I see the Chicago river be dyed green. It’s a well-known tradition here and it is crazy every year. It’s also notoriously cold on that day and this year was no change. I literally could NOT feel my hands while taking pictures.

I know it’s touristy and crowded and crazy, but I LOVE going to the river dyeing. Reminds me of the first time I saw it, by accident during my first year in Chicago. I remember thinking how ridiculously awesome it is and now, I’m out to see it every year.

Green River 2011

Me at the Green River circa 2005 (check out that blonde hair!)

After nearly freezing to death, I headed down to America’s Beauty Show on the sort-of south side. A friend was the conference manager and gave me a pass to check it out. I was seriously, the most underdressed and conservative person there. It’s geared toward salon owners and stylists and some were very outgoing.  Next time, I will be wearing my corset, hot pants and frost my tips before I go.

But I did get some great deals on salon products, including my favorite haircare product right now.

Here are some other pictures from the show:

This is next year’s Halloween costume

Tabitha Coffey from Bravo’s Tabitha’s Salon Takeover. Love her!

That brush got really close to that guys manly bits. It may have to be sterilized, but it was still hot

SHOW HAIR!

How was your weekend? Did you go out and go crazy for St. Patrick’s Day?

Movie review update: Keeping it real in the Midwest with Ed Helms in Cedar Rapids. Woo woo Midwest!

Like a puppy, I’ve chased after many things in my day. Mailmen, UPS deliveries and now…a food truck.

Why? More like, why not, when I tell you more.

I love food. LOVE IT. And yes, I am trying to lose weight right now (holding strong!) but when I heard that there was a mac and cheese food truck in Chicago, I knew that I had to hunt it down.

Our version of food trucks is different from New York, LA or San Fran’s because of city ordinances, but people here really support them. And we get excited when new ones pop up and come to our office buildings. Beats the building cafeteria!

Yesterday in Chicago, it was -15 with the wind chill and I heard the new mac and cheese food truck from a local restaurant, The Southern, was coming to my office, I had to go for it.

Then I heard stories about the trucks’ lines and it selling out in 20 minutes.  Yeah, I don’t play that way. If I’m going out to get the food, I’m GETTING IT. So, I grabbed TC and Robin and we strategized where it would park (based on other food trucks that visit) and went down early to be on the watch out.

And then, like a wave of cheese rolling down the street, we saw it, and something snapped in me (mostly hunger) and I started running

RUNNING.

Then the truck started moving further down the block so I ran faster, with TC’s voice fading into the background. No sh*t, it was a Forrest Gump moment. RUN JESS RUN! When the truck stopped, I slowed down and screamed “STOP HERE,” scaring the crap out of two guys in the van.

But then the truck opened and there was mac and cheese to be had. They even let me pick the day they come back since I was first in line. And then they reneged on my choice. FAIL.

Here are some photos from our trip to the truck.

Bacon, blue cheese and apple

Andouille sausage and crawfish!

I’m really glad to know my four-times a week workouts are helping where it counts…running after food trucks. So…yeah.

What about you? Is there any kind of food truck run-worthy for you?

Oprah tapes her show in Chicago and let’s just say that you stand an easier chance of winning the lottery AND getting struck by lightening in the same day than getting tickets. Demand (especially for the final season) is out of control, all the time.

I’ve tried on and off for the last two years to get tickets all to no luck. BUT last week Oprah’s website had last minute ticket reservations due to Snowmageddon so I submitted my name and then Thursday I got the email. Oprah herself (or as I like to think so) selected me and there was space for me in the Friday afternoon taping. Work was awesome and let me go and Friday afternoon, I was on my way here.

And once I got to Harpo, I got to wait in this line.

Here’s the thing about going to TV show taping. Yes, they’re fun but you also have to be prepared to wait. You wait AWHILE to get in, go through security and then be seated. It’s a process. And yes, this one was tedious too. I waited more than 90 minutes before I was inside the studio and seated.

And Harpo security was more thorough than any TSA agent out there, for good reason. My iPhone, Blackberry, iPod, pens, paper, camera and tissues were all taken. Fortunately, I passed security’s “wand” test.

The really exciting part is when you’re seated. Production staff strategically seats everyone strategically in the studio and apparently my hot pinky/purple Gap top was attractive because I got to walk across the stage and was seated right against the aisle, right behind Oprah’s chair.

And I’ll say this, looking around the set, was pretty cool. And women were EXCITED to be there. Crying, hugging, screaming, jumping up and down. It was like an adult-only Justin Bieber concert. It was a little overwhelming.

Then, Oprah appeared, sadly with no fog or entrance music, in the studio and she walked RIGHT BY ME because I was sitting against she aisle she walked down.

We made eye contact (with my mouth gaping open) and had our moment. I won’t lie, it was pretty magical. I had another eye moment as she exited the studio and left feeling a little tired and dazed.

Overall, it was a fun experience and I’m so glad I got to go.

The show I went to airs February 16 so check it out! Apparently I was in “prime camera area” too so who knows if I’ll be on there but you never know!

From Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon, we got a total of 12-18 inches (total counts TBD) citywide and for the first time since I’ve lived here, Chicago pretty much SHUT DOWN. I have never seen a full blown blizzard but goodness we got one! There was even thunder and lightening (THUNDERSNOW!)

So what is Chicago like when it’s shut down? Creepy? Yep. Quiet? Yes. Gorgeous? Absolutely. And the first chance I got this morning, I ran outside to take some pictures because who knows when this will happen again!

Here’s how it went down.

Start of the storm (not bad yet)

Bad part of storm Tuesday night (yikes)

View out my window Wednesday morning. WHA?

Looking down my street (yikes, more snow)

View down the main street by me (normally filled with cars)

Snow drifts (some went up to the apex of my lady area)

Cars buried on my street

Cars being towed on Lakeshore Drive (Tuesday night, people were stuck in buses for 4+ hours!)

Me kneeling next to a snow bank (yes, I was unshowered and no makeup, sexy)

This is my official Snowmageddon report, taken not far from my house. Be honest, is it douchy?

So that is the tale of Chicago’s 2011 Blizzard. I hope you all enjoyed it! You can check out my Flickr page for more Snowmageddon photos, I promise, there are a lot of snow shots :)

Have you ever been in a blizzard? Or do you have any big weekend plans?

Six years ago today, I moved to Chicago. Well, technically, six years ago today I started working in Chicago but had only been in the city about 48 hours before then but I don’t actually count that. Coincidentally, just before I moved here, Milwaukee was nailed by 11 inches of snow so this feels right.

I’ve written several times about what brought me here so I won’t bore you with it, instead I thought I’d focus on what I still love about Chicago six years later.

So here’s my Chicagoversery love list:

• The lake – I love it. It’s so peaceful and beautiful, especially in winter when the lake steams from the cold weather
• Food – Yes, Chicago hot dogs are great but really, Chicago has some awesome restaurants, both pricey and cheap. There are always new places to try!
• Downtown – As a kid, my family and I would come to Chicago and shop around downtown. Even though the tourists drive me crazy now, I still love being downtown because it reminds me of these trips
• Public transportation – Even though the CTA is a major FAIL in winter (like today), overall it’s a great system. You can easily get around without needing a car. It’s not perfect, but it could be a lot worse
• The city’s “feeling” – Yes, this sounds crazy but there is something in the air of Chicago that makes me happy and excited to live here. Like at any second, something exciting will happen
• The people - There are a few bad apples here and some clinically crazy people I’ve run in to on the street, but overall, the people of Chicago love living here and I love being one of them

Chicago is the longest relationship I’ve ever been in and I do not regret (even on my worst day) moving down here for the three-month trial run that has now turned in to six years.

I don’t know if Chicago is my long-term future, but for now, I’m glad to be here :)

What do you love about your city?