This is more a list so that I can remember things for when I want restaurant ideas, or if anyone is visiting Chicago and wants suggestions:
Le Colonial - bar upstairs, dark, cozy ambiance, my favorite steamed spring rolls ever(!), amazing bouillabaisse
KiKi's Bistro - very nice wine selection, very good bouillabaisse, bright atmosphere
The Capital Grille
Wildfire - garlic mashed potatoes are awesome
The Signature Room - best price for a view of the city and lunch - better value than going to the observation floor
Smith and Wollensky - very good steaks, fun location, can sit outside
Le Lan - everything there is amazingly good, excellent service to boot
Dao - great fresh spring rolls
Joe's Crab House
Boston Blackie's - all time favorite place ever to get a burger. Gotta love the Carson's cole-slaw
Bandera - macho salad is the best
Reza's - 2 locations in the City - great Persian food. Hummus and tabouli to start are a must
Carson's - ribs and slaw. Yum.
Star of Siam - good for take out.
Lou Mitchell's - yay for Milk Duds and good breakfast!
Bistro 110 - roasted garlic for your bread!
Goose Island Brewery - always a good time, homemade chips are great, food is really quite good for a brewpub.
Bar Louie - good bar food, variety, and good prices
Tillie's - breaded pork chops with macaroni and cheese!
Bice - meh.
Duck Walk - sucks.
Ann Sathers - best salsa ever, and it is not even a mexican restaurant! Breakfast burrito is a must.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
You don't say?
Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker wrote, "No one hates saying this more than I do," but Palin's "clearly out of her league" and should "bow out." Also,"If BS were currency, Palin could bail out Wall Street herself."
"If she's strong enough to go toe to toe with Putin or (Iranian President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad ... she needs to go toe to toe with John McCain and say, 'Set me free.' " Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill
Andrew Halcro, the former state representative and 2006 candidate for governor, said: "McCain has put one of the least qualified politicians in the country a heartbeat away from the presidency."
"If she's strong enough to go toe to toe with Putin or (Iranian President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad ... she needs to go toe to toe with John McCain and say, 'Set me free.' " Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill
Andrew Halcro, the former state representative and 2006 candidate for governor, said: "McCain has put one of the least qualified politicians in the country a heartbeat away from the presidency."
"If you held Palin’s political resume up to the light, you could see right through it. Mayor of a small town, followed by less than two years as governor of a state with the third-smallest population in the country. That’s the person who is qualified to take over if destiny snips McCain’s thread? The woman prepared to be commander in chief?" Mike Doogan, Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
100 Facts about Me
Some of my friends did this, and now I am:
1) I am from a town called Normal, Illinois.
2) I am Catholic. Not in practice, but in tradition (as dissonant as that may be, it works for me and I feel strong a connection with the integration of religion with family tradition).
3) I love Pope John Paul. I deeply associate him with memories of my Grandma.
4) I love leaving the windows open and having fresh air in my apartment.
5) I find Barack Obama truly inspirational and hope that when he gets elected that he doesn't disappoint me.
6) I hope I never become a selfish person in my political leanings.
7) I love speaking Spanish and Latino culture even though I am not a native Spanish speaker nor am I Latina.
8) I have taken salsa dance lessons.
9) I want to have 2 children and raise them in the city.
10) I would not like to move to the suburbs. My husband would have to really want to very badly, and even then it would take a lot of convincing. Hopefully it never comes to that.
11) I love Ron Santo and the Chicago Cubs. Santo is the most tender-hearted man and I love his unabashed commentary. I believe! "This is the year!"
12) My paternal grandpa is my favorite relative.
13) I really appreciate my little sister and brother.
14) My dad and step-mom's relationship is my model for how a healthy marriage should be.
15) Traveling and learning new things makes me feel alive.
16) The shortest trip I ever took out of the US was 1 week to Nice, France for training.
17) I lived in Alcala de Henares, Spain for 5.5 months. Other than that, I have never lived outside of the state of Illinois. Other than that, I have spent a month in Lima, Peru and a month in Paris, France.
18) I don’t think that you can get a feel for a place in less than a month.
19) I ideally like to take long vacations.
20) I really want someone to share things with.
21) I can't wait to furnish an apartment/condo of my own.
22) I like text messaging; however I do not abbreviate words or phrases except for "WTF".
23) I have an internal battle about Apple products; however I am debating buying a MacBook in October.
24) I get very anxious and my chest gets tight when watching/listening to the Cubs play.
25) I would rather listen to a Cubs game on the radio than watch it on TV.
26) I really don’t like when people say/write "frick" and "np". Ahem, *cough* Adam.
27) If I have children I would like to raise them as bilingual in English and Spanish at a minimum.
28) I obsessively check my bank accounts and credit cards online.
29) I pay my credit cards in full every month.
30) I love going to concerts and live music.
31) I like to listen to music louder than I should.
32) I played the flute for 5 years
33) Currently, I have no desire to play an instrument.
34) I love the Queen song "Somebody to Love".
35) My musical tastes have changed since I was younger and I have a hard time reconciling that when I actually think about it. (Think Sevendust, Sepultura, Coal Chamber to Rilo Kiley and Wilco)
36) I identify as a Chicagoan, even though I wasn't born there. My family is from there and I spent much of my youth there.
37) I don't appreciate people who are from the suburbs that have a problem with #25, as they are no more "Chicago" than I am.
38) I would move away from Chicago if I met someone, however I don't think I would ever move anywhere else in the U.S. otherwise by my own doing.
39) I do not own a car and I love it.
40) I am very brand loyal and believe that the consumer is powerful. I don't want people telling me how I should spend my money. I like being a responsible consumer and not spending my money with companies who have practices with which I don't agree.
41) I love Walgreens.
42) I do not shop at Wal-Mart because I object to their business practices.
43) I have been a member of an AIDS Taskforce, the ACLU, International Thespian Society, Girl Scouts of America, McLean County Democrats, and Amnesty International, to name a few.
44) The first thing that I notice about people is their teeth.
45) I never thought that I would be doing what I am doing for a career.
46) I worked at Steak N' Shake for 4 years during high school and college in Normal, IL, where the restaurant originated.
47) Kashi Go-Lean Crunch cereal with yogurt are my favorite.
48) My friend David once saved my life.
49) People say that I gesture a lot when I talk.
50) Some people also say I have an accent. I don't believe them. ;) Non-regional diction is what the Midwest does!
51) I worked for a collection agency for 1 year during college and my alias was Mia Wallace.
52) I want a dog but realize how infeasible that is with my work schedule.
53) My 2 favorite candies are Ginger People ginger chews and C Howard’s Lavender Mints.
54) I love Diet Dr. Pepper and appreciate when it is available at restaurants, at times making food decisions based on if they have it.
55) I love the way the fields smell outside of Normal, IL at night time.
56) Jo Malone fragrances are my favorite to wear (Especially French Lime-Basil).
57) I would rather be cold than hot.
58) I like to browse Wikipedia and randomly look up things that come to mind, which leads other things to come to mind, and thus more things to look up.
59) I remember song lyrics pretty well.
60) I check my hometown newspaper Milestones section every Monday to see who is getting married. Most weeks I know at least one person in the Weddings/Engagements/Anniversaries section.
61) The stupidest girly thing that I think about what song I would like to dance to at my wedding, even though that is far off. (Some ideas: "Moondance" by Van Morrison, "Tu Amor Me Hace Bien" by Marc Anthony, "Crazy Love" by Van Morrison, and "Love of my Life" by Santana and Dave Matthews)
62) On several separate occasions, different people have told me that I have a ridiculous memory for people that I have known, keeping up on their situations, and facts about them.
63) I like calling Bloomington/Normal as "Blo-No" and "the BN".
64) I would take a lot to get me to move back to my hometown.
65) I would like to be a tour guide.
66) I like riding the passenger seat rather than driving, except with my mother and my sister, then I prefer to drive.
67) I have been in 2 weddings, once as a flower girl and once as maid-of-honor.
68) I like boys with strong convictions.
69) I shut off the lights when I leave the room.
70) I do not like water from the tap and have a Brita Filter.
71) I refuse to use a regular toothbrush since purchasing my Sonicare.
72) I think that soft drinks should be referred to as pop.
73) I love Whole Fruit bars, especially lime and coconut.
74) I do not buy the Nature Valley Sweet and Salty peanut bars, as I will eat the whole box, without fail. No joke, it has happened.
75) The thing that I appreciate most about interacting with others is courtesy and politeness.
76) I almost always wear heels to work and feel un-put-together if I don't.
77) When I look back on my college experience I think that I should have tried to get away with more.
78) The most course hours I ever took on college were 24 in 1 semester.
79) My favorite book is "The Stranger" by Camus.
80) I have had 4 speeding tickets in my life, but no other issues with the law.
81) I like cooking, however do not do it that often.
82) My good friends call me "Caro".
83) I will not change my last name when I get married. I hope I find someone that is okay with that.
84) I do not have cable TV and I like it that way.
85) Manicurists always compliment my nails and nail beds.
86) I prefer Essie nail polishes over any other brand.
87) I love Audrey Tautou movies, especially "Amelie" and "The Very Long Engagement".
88) I have never been skiing or snowboarding and would like to try it.
89) I have been skydiving once. Amazing!
90) I do not let laundry build up for more than 5 days on average, and when it comes out of the dryer it has to be folded and put away promptly.
91) I own too many shoes, but am always looking for more.
92) I like being asked for my opinion, but am offended when people do not take my advice.
93) I have learned to be a calmer, more laid-back person over the years.
94) While I was growing up people/teachers always said that I was too serious.
95) My parents separated when I was 8 and were divorced when I was 9.
96) My father remarried when I was 12.
97) I had a bib when I was little that said "Jr. Executive".
98) I never thought that I would end up working in the business world, but I really like my job.
99) My dream job is working for NPR or PRI as a foreign political correspondent for Spanish-speaking countries.
100) I enjoy reading other people's blogs, however am hesitant to have one myself, as I always think 'who am I to think that someone wants to read what I have to say?'. 'Go figure,' I think, as I am typing this.
1) I am from a town called Normal, Illinois.
2) I am Catholic. Not in practice, but in tradition (as dissonant as that may be, it works for me and I feel strong a connection with the integration of religion with family tradition).
3) I love Pope John Paul. I deeply associate him with memories of my Grandma.
4) I love leaving the windows open and having fresh air in my apartment.
5) I find Barack Obama truly inspirational and hope that when he gets elected that he doesn't disappoint me.
6) I hope I never become a selfish person in my political leanings.
7) I love speaking Spanish and Latino culture even though I am not a native Spanish speaker nor am I Latina.
8) I have taken salsa dance lessons.
9) I want to have 2 children and raise them in the city.
10) I would not like to move to the suburbs. My husband would have to really want to very badly, and even then it would take a lot of convincing. Hopefully it never comes to that.
11) I love Ron Santo and the Chicago Cubs. Santo is the most tender-hearted man and I love his unabashed commentary. I believe! "This is the year!"
12) My paternal grandpa is my favorite relative.
13) I really appreciate my little sister and brother.
14) My dad and step-mom's relationship is my model for how a healthy marriage should be.
15) Traveling and learning new things makes me feel alive.
16) The shortest trip I ever took out of the US was 1 week to Nice, France for training.
17) I lived in Alcala de Henares, Spain for 5.5 months. Other than that, I have never lived outside of the state of Illinois. Other than that, I have spent a month in Lima, Peru and a month in Paris, France.
18) I don’t think that you can get a feel for a place in less than a month.
19) I ideally like to take long vacations.
20) I really want someone to share things with.
21) I can't wait to furnish an apartment/condo of my own.
22) I like text messaging; however I do not abbreviate words or phrases except for "WTF".
23) I have an internal battle about Apple products; however I am debating buying a MacBook in October.
24) I get very anxious and my chest gets tight when watching/listening to the Cubs play.
25) I would rather listen to a Cubs game on the radio than watch it on TV.
26) I really don’t like when people say/write "frick" and "np". Ahem, *cough* Adam.
27) If I have children I would like to raise them as bilingual in English and Spanish at a minimum.
28) I obsessively check my bank accounts and credit cards online.
29) I pay my credit cards in full every month.
30) I love going to concerts and live music.
31) I like to listen to music louder than I should.
32) I played the flute for 5 years
33) Currently, I have no desire to play an instrument.
34) I love the Queen song "Somebody to Love".
35) My musical tastes have changed since I was younger and I have a hard time reconciling that when I actually think about it. (Think Sevendust, Sepultura, Coal Chamber to Rilo Kiley and Wilco)
36) I identify as a Chicagoan, even though I wasn't born there. My family is from there and I spent much of my youth there.
37) I don't appreciate people who are from the suburbs that have a problem with #25, as they are no more "Chicago" than I am.
38) I would move away from Chicago if I met someone, however I don't think I would ever move anywhere else in the U.S. otherwise by my own doing.
39) I do not own a car and I love it.
40) I am very brand loyal and believe that the consumer is powerful. I don't want people telling me how I should spend my money. I like being a responsible consumer and not spending my money with companies who have practices with which I don't agree.
41) I love Walgreens.
42) I do not shop at Wal-Mart because I object to their business practices.
43) I have been a member of an AIDS Taskforce, the ACLU, International Thespian Society, Girl Scouts of America, McLean County Democrats, and Amnesty International, to name a few.
44) The first thing that I notice about people is their teeth.
45) I never thought that I would be doing what I am doing for a career.
46) I worked at Steak N' Shake for 4 years during high school and college in Normal, IL, where the restaurant originated.
47) Kashi Go-Lean Crunch cereal with yogurt are my favorite.
48) My friend David once saved my life.
49) People say that I gesture a lot when I talk.
50) Some people also say I have an accent. I don't believe them. ;) Non-regional diction is what the Midwest does!
51) I worked for a collection agency for 1 year during college and my alias was Mia Wallace.
52) I want a dog but realize how infeasible that is with my work schedule.
53) My 2 favorite candies are Ginger People ginger chews and C Howard’s Lavender Mints.
54) I love Diet Dr. Pepper and appreciate when it is available at restaurants, at times making food decisions based on if they have it.
55) I love the way the fields smell outside of Normal, IL at night time.
56) Jo Malone fragrances are my favorite to wear (Especially French Lime-Basil).
57) I would rather be cold than hot.
58) I like to browse Wikipedia and randomly look up things that come to mind, which leads other things to come to mind, and thus more things to look up.
59) I remember song lyrics pretty well.
60) I check my hometown newspaper Milestones section every Monday to see who is getting married. Most weeks I know at least one person in the Weddings/Engagements/Anniversaries section.
61) The stupidest girly thing that I think about what song I would like to dance to at my wedding, even though that is far off. (Some ideas: "Moondance" by Van Morrison, "Tu Amor Me Hace Bien" by Marc Anthony, "Crazy Love" by Van Morrison, and "Love of my Life" by Santana and Dave Matthews)
62) On several separate occasions, different people have told me that I have a ridiculous memory for people that I have known, keeping up on their situations, and facts about them.
63) I like calling Bloomington/Normal as "Blo-No" and "the BN".
64) I would take a lot to get me to move back to my hometown.
65) I would like to be a tour guide.
66) I like riding the passenger seat rather than driving, except with my mother and my sister, then I prefer to drive.
67) I have been in 2 weddings, once as a flower girl and once as maid-of-honor.
68) I like boys with strong convictions.
69) I shut off the lights when I leave the room.
70) I do not like water from the tap and have a Brita Filter.
71) I refuse to use a regular toothbrush since purchasing my Sonicare.
72) I think that soft drinks should be referred to as pop.
73) I love Whole Fruit bars, especially lime and coconut.
74) I do not buy the Nature Valley Sweet and Salty peanut bars, as I will eat the whole box, without fail. No joke, it has happened.
75) The thing that I appreciate most about interacting with others is courtesy and politeness.
76) I almost always wear heels to work and feel un-put-together if I don't.
77) When I look back on my college experience I think that I should have tried to get away with more.
78) The most course hours I ever took on college were 24 in 1 semester.
79) My favorite book is "The Stranger" by Camus.
80) I have had 4 speeding tickets in my life, but no other issues with the law.
81) I like cooking, however do not do it that often.
82) My good friends call me "Caro".
83) I will not change my last name when I get married. I hope I find someone that is okay with that.
84) I do not have cable TV and I like it that way.
85) Manicurists always compliment my nails and nail beds.
86) I prefer Essie nail polishes over any other brand.
87) I love Audrey Tautou movies, especially "Amelie" and "The Very Long Engagement".
88) I have never been skiing or snowboarding and would like to try it.
89) I have been skydiving once. Amazing!
90) I do not let laundry build up for more than 5 days on average, and when it comes out of the dryer it has to be folded and put away promptly.
91) I own too many shoes, but am always looking for more.
92) I like being asked for my opinion, but am offended when people do not take my advice.
93) I have learned to be a calmer, more laid-back person over the years.
94) While I was growing up people/teachers always said that I was too serious.
95) My parents separated when I was 8 and were divorced when I was 9.
96) My father remarried when I was 12.
97) I had a bib when I was little that said "Jr. Executive".
98) I never thought that I would end up working in the business world, but I really like my job.
99) My dream job is working for NPR or PRI as a foreign political correspondent for Spanish-speaking countries.
100) I enjoy reading other people's blogs, however am hesitant to have one myself, as I always think 'who am I to think that someone wants to read what I have to say?'. 'Go figure,' I think, as I am typing this.
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