Musical Monday!

Travel day back to the Windy City and that can only mean one thing - more shopping! Quick trip into the city takes us to the Oprah store, as well as back to the Magnificent Mile and then out to the 'burbs and Woodfield Mall.

To get there, though, we head back on the Chicago Skyway. I am not sure why this toll road sticks out in my mind from my childhood. Maybe because it had a giant (to me at the time) bridge that seemed like it was on top of the world. You couldn't see anything below - especially when you were hunkered down in the backseat and could barely see out as it was! maybe because it was a route we rarely took. Dad was a bit of a cheapskate and didn't like toll roads too much - "Why pay to drive on a road when there are perfectly good free ones!" Maybe because when I got older I understood just how damn expensive the Skyway was!! I used to be amazed that the 2 mile stretch of pavement would set you back $2 to drive. Now, that same asphalt costs like $4.50 or something. I think I blacked out when I saw the price! Today, though, you really have to figure the cost in gas savings and you probably still come out ahead. Scary thought!

Once we got into the city it was straight to Oprah's. She'll be so happy to see us! Oh, wait, I mean we're heading to her studio to see if there is a gift shop! Guess we won't be dropping in on the girl to see how things are going. Britt wants to get a souvenir for her mom. I like the show - at least the ones where she is focused on self improvement rather than the celebrity stuff. So I figured there'd be some pretty cool stuff in the store - even for guys. Nope. Cool stuff, yes, but way so much a chick store! One of the store clerks came up and commended me on at least wandering the floor and looking at things. She said most guys just walk in and sit down - or turn around and go outside to wait for their wife/girlfriend/relative to be done! Hey, what can I say.


Well, if the Oprah store didn't threaten my masculinity, then the evening's event might. I went to a cabaret performance saluting the women of MGM musicals at the Drury Lane theater at Watertower in downtown Chicago. OK, so before you start questioning my metro-sexuality, I went to see a high school friend perform in the show. Cheryl has been a singer for a number of years but this was her first time at this level. Now mind you in high school she was just a cute, quiet shy girl with some other nice attributes ;) (oh, yea, she'll smack me for that one!). We had German together for 3 years and she was always so nice and down to earth - and introverted. She was - and still is - just about the sweetest person I have ever met in my entire life.

A few weeks ago on another trip to Chicago I got to hear her sing at an open mic night at a local bar and was blown away. The moment she opened her mouth she just took your breath away with her singing. So I was excited to get to see her in her big-time Chicago debut. And I have to say she knocked it right out of the park! Her voice was huge and she just had the audience eating out of her hands. It was amazing! You could hear the comments in the audience. They were as blown away by her on this grand stage as I had been in that tiny bar a few weeks prior.

Afterwards I had a couple of drinks with Cheryl and the other performers. All of them and some of the others who came over after the show all complimented the 'rookie' on her stellar performance. I am hoping that maybe this will help boost her confidence and her profile in this not so little toddlin' town.

So quite a day to say the least. And now it was time for the worst part of any trip - and this one in particular - packing all of the stuff you brought, as well as the stuff you picked up back into your suitcases which now seem to have shrunk somewhere along the way!