cha cha cha chicaga; Chicago, Illinois

today? bound and determined to follow through with some plans. some dance plans. a few places to take adult dance classes Joffrey (where the late Patrick Swayze studied) http://www.joffreyballetschool.com/ or Ruth Page http://www.ruthpage.org/ or Lou Conte Dance studio (where Hubbard Street Dance Co.- one of my personal faves rehearses) http://www.hubbardstreetdance.com/ (lou conte also has modern, yoga, hip hop, pilates, jazz, and tap i think ruth page does too) Molly Shanahan taught the Modern Dance class (http://www.madshak.com/) I felt the power in that class today! WOWzahs! then i bought a bunch o what not from the Christian Dior counter- at Macy's on State St. oh and a scarf! A New Yorker friend called who also happens to be in Chi chi chicago for a wedding so maybe if work doesn't come a callin then i can mosey downtown again.

If you are at a loss for words then ride the train or any public transport for that matter. The L is an easy one and chicagoans are friendly- midwestern ish. if you ask questions, people are more than likely to share info. I love the CTA personell they are there when you need them!! And even if a yawning guy sits next to you with bad breath and the woman behind you deleting pictures from the phone and the annoying beep is inescapable even with an ipod you should try jumping off at the next stop and then while the doors are still open jump on a different train car! Invigorating I tell you! but you have move fast because those doors open and close i think in 5 seconds. Just remember you always have a choice!

I feel like i should know more about this city because i am here A LOT. atleast in the warmer months. Orange is great for brunch. I beleive we were at the one on Damen near Wicker Park http://www.orangerestaurantchicago.com/ I THINK. If i lived here, I would like Wicker Park. ANyway the juices are squeezed right there! Freshly. and there was so much on the menu that i wanted to try. however i tried the orange coffee and didn't like it. The food was fabulous and reasonable. They didn't have mimosas when my cuzins and i went there but they instructed us to by champagne from down the street and mix it with our juice of choice. I think they now have a mimosa bar. YUMMMM! GOOD MORNING: )! i like this area. and then we walked around millenium park, the bean, etc. I have been known to let go of plans at times and instead of anything just sit under a tree by the water, read, look at the boats and the bums and stuff... Also Soldier Field is cool. And in the summer you can go to the beach! There's always stuff to do in Chicago check out http://www.metromix.com/ and i have yet to experience movies in the park in the summertime. all=so i want to try some swing dancing here http://www.bigcityswing.com/
My friends band played at a place called the Metal Shaker. it's a local little dive. That was fun except some of the roads have cameras that take pictures of you if you run the red light and i didn't think i wanted to be at a stop sign too long. maybe they should give tickets to the theives and drugdealers instead of lil ole me. obviously i didn't get away with it like i thought...vroooooom... www.myspace.com/metalshaker. the local dive near Chicago MDW is called Mr. C's. They have a pool table and free darts for nondrinkers like me. They also have Stevie Wonder on the jukebox.

To really feel the heartbeat of the city, jump on the L, go downtown check out Grant and Millenium Park, museums, a play, Hubbard Street Dance Company, the boats, the water, the bean, go listen to some live music atleast one night of jazz and or blues http://www.chicagobluesbar.com/ , and for cryin out loud go see a Cubs game OR the White Sox or da bares... People say that the boat tour is nice. Also they give sailing lessons if you like the water. Get your walkin shoes ready. Oh and the Frank Lloyd Wright tour in Oak Park but it might be best to rent a car for that (make sure you bring the gps). keep your eyes open there's way more and something for everyone everywhere vroom vroom.