Move BITCH!

I've been in Chicago before.  I've seen the tourist stuff.  I've checked out the music scene.  So this trip the agenda was loose.  Now it was St. Patrick's Day so it wasn't that loose.  I'm talking alcohol folks.  I went with the intension of drinking.  Keep in mind I talk a big game.  The truth of the matter is two usually gets me tipsy (or hammered!)  My trusty good time girl BA has always wanted to be in Chicago for St. Pat's and watch them turn the river green.  if the words bucket list come out of your mouth, we're so there dude.  

Day 1 - pre St. Patrick's celebration.  I love Laretha Weathersby.  She has a standing gig at Blue Chicago.  I had to see her again.  I forgot she's old, in her 60's, slowing down a bit.  This means she sits out a lot of numbers.  Still, an incredible performer.  When she does Proud Mary, the dance floor fills.  (And people in 4" heels like BA fall into the arms of young handsome men).   Somewhere in there we also hit a fancy cocktail joint called Raised, because its on the roof.  chuckle chuckle.  We capped the night at Portillos. Oddly i missed this place in my previous visits.  apparently its a must.  Ok, it is a must.  

Day 2 - St. Patrick's Day celebration is in full swing.  We got downtown a bit early to see the plumber's turn the river green.  Very cool, very crowded.  We tried to see the parade but the crowds were too much.  The sidewalks were packed everywhere.  That evening we went to Chief O'Neil's, self-professed top ten Irish Bar in the world and I believe it.  Lights!  Music! Dancing! Food!  Little people!  Big people ("this fuckin' guy" I overheard.  I guess not everyone liked him).  The fiddlers and drummer were fascinating to watch as well as listen to.  I also love Irish dancers.  All that jumping and kicking, well, it looks fun.  The shepherd's pie was shepherd's pie and not cottage pie disguised as shepherd's pie so BA was particularly happy.  

Now let's talk about how we got there:  Carla the Lyft driver.  Carla is a titan in her industry, a genius behind the wheel of epic proportions.  Initially, i had little faith she could maneuver her way to us due to the unruly pedestrians crowding downtown.  We watched on the screen of BAs phone as her car twisted and turned again and again, till there she was, sweet and professional, and eager to get us where we're going.  Quickly she figured us out, as any true titan would.  When BA started rapping "move bitch, get out the way!  Carla's eyes locked into hers.  that immediate feeling, connection, whatever, that springs in your gut when you recognize a kindred spirit?  well i saw it Carla's eyes.  She quickly and expertly (remember she's driving in a crowded downtown) found the song on her stereo and cranked it to 11.  There would be no question as to this driver's mentality.  suddenly we were driving with the genius.  No gap was too small.  No shoulder was too narrow.  The fastest lane was OUR lane.  I have faith in you Carla!  i screamed in between my own crooning of Move Bitch.  She just laughed.  For her, this is just another Saturday afternoon.  Inside we both thought we may die, but it was a hell of a ride.  

So after all that, how could Day 3 live up to our high standards?

Day 3 - Bar crawl!  we snuck in our own booze cuz we're naughty!  I would have never in my youth when I was poor and couldn't afford bar drinks.  Why now, when i'm middle aged?  anyway, we abandoned the crawl after a few places.  i think it was the strip joint with the pantless bartender who had no idea what was in the shot's she was pouring us.  

Some interesting tid bits.  Bit one - Every time we turned around there was Portillo's.  We ended up there three times.  it was fate.  Bit two - the hotel we stayed in I remember from my first trip to Chicago.  I saw it on an architechture tour and never forgot it.  I lost my shit when i found out our hotel was in that building.  Bit Three - Conte di Savoia has the best amoretti cookies I've ever tasted.  

If you've never been to Chicago, do go to all the tourist spots.  They have wonderful public spaces, museums, and architecture.  Do a bit of research on music.  I did see Buddy Guy there.  Blue Chicago is great.  It is cash only still.  weird.  And!  Wacker has a basement.  What the hell?  that still gets me.