Tale of Two Weekends (or Burritos) Part 1

So for the last two weekends, I have been fortunate enough to spend a majority of my time in the Chicagoland area, otherwise known to Chicagolandians as Chicago. If you are confused that's fine, you may just be one of these Chicagolandians, otherwise known as Chicagoans.

Since I was berated this past weekend by Lindsey and Betsy (there's your shout out) for going almost two weeks without a blog, I'm actually posting one. I guess there's no way that I can defend myself about not posting one though since it has been awhile.

Weekend 1 got off to a rough start on my way to see my buddy Nick at the Chicago Rush game. You see I was "that guy" driving through tolls since my driver's side window decided not to work (bummer #1). So there I was opening my door to pay my f'n toll. Luckily though after the game (actually ever since this experience), when I didn't have to go through a toll the window worked just fine.

The game was a good time, especially since Nick hooked us up in a suite complete with pizza, drinks and Jerry Azumah...yes you read that right, they brought us a pizza. Sidenote #1: No Betsy I did not eat the entire pizza. Sidenote #2: I'm really not making this up about Azumah, who was walking with a limp or it may have been just his stroll...Doc Sailes may refer to this as his Gangsta Lean. The more I read about him and his injuries though makes me think that his career is going to be over, which is sad, since he was such a quality player for the Bears during the (most recent) years when they have sucked. Plus this means that we will probably never find out if Jerry Azumah was misused as an NFL player, since I still think that he may be the best running back on the Bears (up until his latest hip injury).

So after the game, Nick and I went to the post-game Rush party, and of course on the way, I realized that one of my headlights is out (bummer #2). The party was a good time though, since Nick and I were able to talk of memories past. When we went back to Nick's place though we were faced with a big decision...going out to another bar OR burritos. We went with burritos, and it was a fanf'ntastic decision. First off, Nick is probably one of the finest burrito connoisseurs in Chicago (proper), and he took me to a place called Flash Taco which had a tasty burrito. Plus it should be noted that the burritos may or may not have been free depending on Nick's next bank statement. Yes the burrito gods were shining upon us that night my friend, as the ATM out front gave Nick an extra 40 spot.

On Saturday afternoon I headed out to the burbs for a night of carousing about Naperville with Clint and Cassie. Sidenote #3: I'm pretty sure in 20 years Chicago will actually be a suburb of Naperville. Luckily I was out in Naperville ready for the start of the IU-OSU game, and Clint had a cold beverage in my hand 15 seconds after I stepped through the door. Early on in the game it felt like I had an eyelash in my eye (bummer #3). You: Why the hell am I reading this blog? Well by the end of the night this mysterious eyelash felt like a needle and my eye looked like I had taken a punch from Joe Mesi (see below) aka Puck's doppelganger. Seriously check it out.

Anyway, Saturday night after the IU loss (bummer #4) we went out to dinner and the highlight here actually was not me eating my entire pizza (yes Betsy I did it) at Rock Bottom. It was probably when Clint's brother, Erik, yelled, "Fuck Yeah" as he ordered his meal. This had way more to do with the steady stream of vodka-Sprites that he consumed at Clint and Cassie's during the IU-OSU game than his general excitement about ordering his dinner.

So after dinner and another drink or so at Clint and Cassie's, we headed to a comedy club for some improv which was good...at least out of my left eye. My right eye was nearing Rocky territory. Luckily though after the improv show and a good night's sleep, my eye was even more swollen in the morning. After a Sunday morning trip to Walgreen's (where else would I go?), for some eye drops, I was on the right path to regaining my full right eye strength. Seriously after one application, I stopped my thoughts of life with an eye patch. This was in a way disappointing, probably moreso for Marissa though since eye patches will probably be the next trucker hat. It's either an eye patch or a crimson blazer and I was almost set for either trend. Sidenote #4: Am I the only person who wishes that they would have had one of their college graduation or senior pictures taken with an eye patch? Ok just checking.

Believe it or not, my eye sight was not the highlight of Sunday morning. Actually believe it or not neither was picking up a hung over Marissa at O'Hare. No, the highlight of Sunday morning was Marissa's drunken text messages requesting an Egg McMuffin. In one text I believe she was actually chanting EGG-MC-MUF-FIN! I hope to God (or Allah or L. Ron Hubbard depending on your religious beliefs and if I left out someone it wasn't on purpose.) that Marissa was clapping on the plane as she was chanting EGG-MC-MUF-FIN...sadly we will never know.

So Marissa arrived in Chicago without plane problems or an escort from the authorities, we went out to breakfast (far superior to the aforementioned Egg McMuffin) and then went back to The Fransens'. Here, like any good houseguests, we both fell asleep watching basketball. Luckily Cassie was also comatose or we would have been Grade A jackasses. Sidenote #5: If you are looking for a great Bed and Dinner (interesting concept, I know), I strongly suggest The Fransen House.

After a nice nap, we watched more basketball, while Clint and Cassie made us worthless houseguests dinner. This was followed by the Selection Show and Marissa and I deciding our rough draft to our brackets on the way to Bloomington-Normal.

Endnote: It should be noted that I would have posted this last week, but Marissa was in town. Believe it or not, we spent every waking second doing something productive, whether that be working out, going to dinner and drinks, going to a new wine bar here in Bloomington, which was awesome...AWESOME, going to another dinner with drinks, etc.