I’m a lovefool.

Love me. Love me.

Chicago. My Beloved.

I did something that I never did before at work, which was to go to Chicago to do my day to day in the office because I wanted to visit Chicago.

That’s what I did. I wanted to go back so much, that I couldn’t wait for the next trip and decided to just go. Of course, I got my boss’s permission to work in the office and I did it.

One of the reasons was that I didn’t want to take any more vacation days. I have about 8 days remaining and I wanted to save them for the possible European vacation next year.

So, I took a personal day on Wednesday and flew out and worked in the office through Monday. It was spectacular.

I had a great time in Chicago like every other time that I had in Chicago. Surprisingly it was just my second “vacation” trip but probably my 7th or 8th trip there.

I love that city.

I didn’t do much, but just ate, explored, and worked. I walked around the city exploring parts that I had never been. I checked out the popular hipster Wicker Park and wasn’t too impressed with it.

Walking down their main street, Milwaukee, I was just taken back by the gaudiness of it. I think it was just trying too hard to be cool. Sure, there were many restaurants there that I wouldn’t mind trying, but I don’t know, wasn’t too impressed with it. Maybe if I spent more time there and maybe have something to eat, my opinion might change.

Then I checked out Logan Square, which was a few stops away. It was quieter and more run down with the hint of gentrification that was starting to happen. The hipsters are moving in. I liked Logan Square because it wasn’t trying to be anything but just what it is. No polish.

Maybe Selena was right and that I should have made my way to Ukrainian Village. I might like that better. I know that I was quite intrigued by that area during our Uber ride to Beoufhaus last year with my bro for dinner. I was a quaint unassuming area to me and I loved that.

Next time I know I’ll be exploring some more of the city, like Lincoln Square and others I’m sure.

* * *

Besides exploring parts of the city that I haven’t been, I also wander my old stomping grounds. I went to the Field Museum and explored their new exhibits. They had a Terra Cota Warriors of China and Ancient China exhibit about the first Emperor of China and a fascinating exhibit about Tattoos.

They were both great, but I found the Tattoo exhibit so fascinating.

I’m not a tattoo guy. I don’t like it on me, but I can appreciate it on art if I see a great one. To many today, tattoos are an expression of oneself, a way for them to be individual and to stand out. But it was fascinating to see how tattoos were used in the past, as a cultural and tribal identity, to brand criminals or prostitutes, gang affiliation, or even a sign of being a warrior.

I love the anthropological significance of tattoos. Very fascinating.

After the museum, I had to get my Chicago dog and I just relaxed and walked. I walked through Lakefront trail, through the parks, back to Cloudgate/the Bean and then made my way to the updated Navy Pier.

It’s a tourist trap, I know, but it’s a place for me to walk and get a great view of the city. It was then that I decided to do the Architecture Boat Tour again. It was my third time and it had been six years since I’ve done it. I did it the last time I was there on vacation, like the last time I went to the Field Museum back in 2010.

I was being a typical tourist, since I was there on vacation.

It was a great day. It was a beautiful day.

* * *

Food.

One of the many reasons I love Chicago is the food and one of the many reasons why I love traveling is food. This trip was no different. I made a conscious effort to not go to any restaurant that I had already been.

Every meal would be from a different restaurant.

Brindille was my first meal in Chicago, a little French small plates restaurant that is so popular with the hipster crowd. It was great. The other standout from the trip was GT Prime, a different type of steakhouse. I loved their Shishito Peppers and Corn in a Parmesan sauce so much that I’m attempting to make it tonight. It was also my first experience with venison and it was great. Unfortunately, Trina, who went the week before, wasn’t too impressed with it. Maybe if I tried other dishes, I might come to the same conclusion, but it was good.

I also got a gourmet risotto in porcini and truffles at Mama’s Boy. That was a chef special and thinking about my risotto, I can see where I go wrong at times. It’s not wet enough. I need to make it a little wetter and it’ll be there. Practice practice practice.

The most surprising place that I went to was a simple fried chicken sandwich joint, Leghorn Cafe. It is literally just outside of my hotel and boy did it fucking blew my mind. I went there twice, because it was that good. E told me about it, so I got it coming back from the office on Thursday night and was just wowed. I got it Sunday morning and now I want to make my own.

Come to think of it, this trip was a great inspiration for my cooking. So many dishes that I want to try and remake.

* * *

I stopped watching and following sports for years now, ever since I moved down from Washington.

Now, I’ll keep tabs on the Seahawks and see how they are doing, but I don’t follow religiously. I don’t even know if the Mariners are good or not. But growing up in the PNW, I’m a PNW sports fan. But, while I was in Chicago, I was so excited for the Cubs.

They were playing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS and I went out to watch all the games at the bar. The first night it was them tying the series 2-2 in Chicago, the second night I was out with Tia at Bar Louie in South Loop and watched them take the lead. Then on Game 6, I was at my favorite dive Snickers again to watch them make history and get back into the world series since ’40s.

It was magical and to be in the city while that happened was awesome.

* * *

A great great trip and I hope there would be more to come, assuming I don’t move there first.