Thursday, October 30, 2008

Goodbye Florida


Back to Illinois tomorrow. Overall, the Marriott Courtyard on 45th Street in West Palm Beach is very ok. I would not have given it the three stars that Priceline did, but it has worked out pretty well. The weather here got a bit cool the last couple days, but it still beats the snow in Illinois. I met up with my dad in Fort Lauderdale the other day, and that was a nice change of pace. He was at a really nice Marriott for a work function, and I could read on the beach for awhile, get a free steak dinner, and do a bit of drinking for free.

Tomorrow I get to experience airports on Halloween, a three hour drive after getting up early, working, and flying home, then hopefully some Halloween fun in Champaign if I don't fall asleep super early (which I am determined NOT to do). It is strange to think I now look forward to going back to Illinois. I used to look forward to getting out of it.

Oh, and I don't like driving this rental Jeep we have. I'm not sure what kind it is, but it's huge, boxy, and keeps having things wrong with it. Colorado next week! Goodbye warm weather, palm trees, and ocean!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Florida...Week 2

I went to the beach today! It was kind of cloudy and really windy, but finally I saw the ocean that's been 5 miles away all week. Driving around Singer Island was really pretty.

Last night I went to the Hardrock Seminole Casino (where Anna Nicole Smith died) and lost $30 to the slots. The slots were not my friend. And, like Michigan, no free drinks while gambling. What the hell? Only Vegas has the right idea.

My dad is down here this week for business too, so I'll probably go out with him in Fort Lauderdale.

Now my cold needs to go away so I can thoroughly enjoy the rest of the week in Florida.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

80 Degree Weather!

There is just no beating 80 degree weather in late October, seeing palm trees all around and watching lizards scampering around the sidewalk. Besides the numerous amounts of people over the age of 65 and the sometimes backwards southern way of thinking, I'm not sure why we mid-westerners don't all live in Florida. The other day I was able to read by the pool for a couple hours then go relax in the hot tub. Lovely.

All that nice stuff being said, Florida is not all that fun. I can't (or at least am not) really going out at all after work, mostly because there is no one to go out and eat dinner or have a drink with. The relaxing is nice, but I wish some of you could be here to go out with me and enjoy it.

The Marriott Courtyard here is West Palm Beach is decent. I have to use Ethernet which is sucky, and lack of fridge means I have to eat out all the time, but the rest is nice. Pool, hot tub, king size bed, and functioning business center are some of the highlights. And...ready for a shocker? I worked out today! For a whole 30 minutes!

I also found out today that instead of going to Prospect Heights for the week after Florida, the whole team is going to Boulder, Colorado for the week. Then, when again we would be going to Prospect Heights the week after Colorado, I'll be hitting up Philadelphia instead. I've never been there, and I hear they have good cheese steak and I can get my picture taken in front of the Liberty Bell, so it should be a cool time. East coast, midwest, Rockies, east coast, all in four weeks. I'm definitely getting around :-)

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

I liked the La Quinta Inn and would definitely stay at one again. Also, Flatlander's in Linolnshire was a really good restaurant/brewery that had really good food in huge portions and good beer www.flatlanders.com . I believe Darwin and Jess would agree. Definitely get the beer cheddar soup.

Tomorrow I'm flying out of Midway and spending two weeks in the West Palm Beach, Florida area. (We're staying at the Marriott Courtyard in West Palm Beach and working week 2 in West Palm Beach, but in Palm Beach Gardens for week one). So far I've heard I need to go a restaurant called Banana Boat. Anyone else know of good places out that way? I'm quite excited to get out of Illinois just as it's getting chilly and spend some time in 80 degree weather, although it would be nice if some of you could join me relaxing on the beach. I know, I know, I'm there to work. But might as well enjoy the scenery.

It was great getting back to Champaign this weekend for fall fun. I missed everyone and everything and wish I could stay a little longer. I need to get a Halloween costume before I come back next time! Any ideas?

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Oops

Not much to report besides I accidentally went to Highland Park High School to sample right after they had a bomb threat. I thought it was strange that there were so many police cars outside and they were checking people's bags to get into a high school. Great timing on my part.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Highland Park, IL

This week I'm working in Highland Park, IL and staying at the La Quinta Inn and Suites in Bannockburn. My room is really nice and way too big for just me. Definitely hitting up the pool and hot tub later.

Ann Arbor Hot Spots, part 2

Now that my time is done in Ann Arbor, I have two hot spots to add to my list.

6. Blimpy Burger...see previous post.

7. Ashley's. It was a bar/restaurant on State Street with a ton of different types of beer on tap, probably at least 100. They let you sample them too, which was pretty cool. I do not recommend the chocolate beer.

I'd add whatever club we went to on Saturday night to my list, but I have no idea what the name of it was. Was a good dance club though.

Overall, Ann Arbor was pretty cool and my apprenticeship was not nearly as bad as I was expecting. Time to be a guerrilla marketing specialist!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Mmm....burgers

I was told before and during my stay here that I needed to eat at Blimpy Burger...a local burger joint known for their multiple patties, greasy toppings, and mean chefs. It was featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVTcAkfuRFw

I got a double with cheese and bacon. It was delicious. And they weren't mean to me at all, but I made sure I knew how to order and got a burger, as opposed to Kelsi who they made fun of for getting chicken at a burger place.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Gambling in Detroit

We're about a half hour from Detroit in Ann Arbor, but we've pretty much heard to stay away from the city. Last night we decided to give it a try and visit the MGM Grand there. Not as classy as Vegas of course, but definitely a lot of fun. Some cool clubs inside, a huge variety of tables and slots, and a good atmosphere. I inspired a $100 bet on red at the roulette table as soon as we walked in and he won, but then lost later with the same theory. Betting that much is scary. I'll stick with my nickel slots. So, in summary, I still can't really judge Detroit, but the casino was cool. I think we're going to try a Redwings (professional Detroit hockey team, I think it's Redwings or something like that) next week.

This week is my last week in Ann Arbor!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Ann Arbor Hot Spots

I have not been out and about in Ann Arbor nearly as much as I should be, mostly because I'm tired all the time and go from the store back to the hotel and back again.

However, I have a few favorite spots thus far, and hope to add some by the end of the stay.

1. Nichols Arboretum . Very pretty 100+ acre gardens, river, trails, and lovely spot on campus. Watch the canoe-ers go by and laugh as they get stuck or sit and read a book for an hour.

2. Charley's (I think it's Good Time Charley's or something like that) is a restaurant/bar that have had good food both times we've had dinner there. I still need to try the 64 oz Long Island, but they have a decent selection of beer as well. Whatever blue shot I had was also good (even though it was blue).

3. The Blue Leprechaun is a new bar, but seems to be a pretty happening spot (Michael Phelps was there the night I didn't go out) and was a good mix of classy and collegy.

4. The campus itself has the same feel as U of I, so I guess it feels pretty homey to me. Driving around campus sucks and people walk wherever the hell they feel like it, but there's a good mix of older town feel and trendy college areas.

5. If you're going to stay around these parts, the Residence Inn really is awesome. They do your grocery shopping for you for free, internet, printing, free breakfast and dinner as well. Only complaint thus far is they were closing the hot tub literally as we were in our swimsuits, book in hand, walked down there, and they were draining it for the season. Oh, and they almost always have cookies sitting out at the front desk.


I still need to hit up Blimpie Burger, which was apparently on Diners, Drive-In, and Dives. Not sure what other spots are a must go-to here, but plan to find some.

Turning left in Michigan sucks.