Wrigley Field

A Weeklong Rewind

Last week got away from me. Every week I think, “OK, this week will be a nice, relaxed, obligation-free week…” but instead it blows up with events, drinks, long runs… and, in this case, hot dogs. So. Many. Hot Dogs.

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But it had to be done. Hot Doug’s, a Chicago institution, is closing in less than two weeks, so we were left with no choice but to go wait in the ridiculously long line and eat a ridiculous amount of encased meats. For the record, we arrived at 8:30 am, were third in line, and got our food about 10:45. It was definitely the breakfast of champions. Also for the record: These were all mine.

Before…
and after!

Just keeding. I ordered two: a classic Chicago-style dog and a ham sausage with spicy pineapple salsa. Both were fantastic.

And what goes better with hot dogs than baseball? This was my first trip to Wrigley Field all season! I guess the summer also got away from me. I really need to re-up my love for the Cubbies. I’ll be a better fan next season, promise. Well maybe, ha.

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I rounded out the week with drinks with a college roommate, another successful alumni association event…

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And—this is a big AND—a 20-mile run! That’s the most I’ve ever run at once in my entire life. It’s the longest run I’ll do before the marathon, but it actually went really well! I think I’m officially ready.

Now let the tapering begin! Thank goodness.

Weekend Rewind: Goodbyes (Well, Sorta)

I have a really good reason for the hiatus this time, I swear: I got a new job! This is my last week at the old place, and I start as a web editor at a university next Monday. I’m pretty pumped. I think it’ll be a really good work/life balance where I’ll have more time to freelance and blog… and fund more DIY projects! Oh, and go back to school! #winwinwinwin

It is kind of bittersweet, however, because I’ve wanted to work for a magazine since I was 16 years old, and I really like my coworkers, especially these two.

photoWe went to a Cubs game this weekend to celebrate the new job and have one last Old Style (or five). Goodbye to another terrible season, goodbye to my current job—hopefully both me and the Cubs are on the up and up!

Weekend Rewind: The Boys are Back in Town

Bones (aka James) flew into town from DC this past weekend and Pete came up from Indy, so we had ourselves a little Collins reunion. It’s crazy to think I met those guys almost eight years ago. We didn’t seem to miss a beat though! We ate way too many encased meats at Hot Doug’s (my first experience, definitely worth the wait), drank Old Style at Wrigley Field (and didn’t see a single inning of baseball thanks to a three-hour rain delay), got silly at Carol’s Pub, visited Navy Pier, hung out on a rooftop deck and even listened to a traditional German two-man band.

Not bad for three days, right? I’m frightfully low on sleep and high on calories right now…

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Weekend Rewind: Ferris Bueller’s 25th Anniversary

Groupon celebrated the 25th anniversary of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off with a screening (well, three screens really) at Wrigley Field, which, if you remember, is one of the spots Ferris hits with Sloane and Cameron in the movie. It was pretty awesome to be watching such an iconic Chicago flick while sitting in such an iconic outfield. And it was all possible thanks to the Cubs sucking and not making the post-season… oh the irony.

Photo courtesy of the Aurora Sentinel. Thanks!

I know the neighborhood association always complains when there are nighttime events at Wrigley, but I’d give it two thumbs up if they’d make it a regular thing, especially if they brought the price down a bit. I never made it to a Movie in the Park this year, so this scratched that itch – minus the mosquitoes.