Kankakee...Oh wait....Frankfort, IL

I started off the week working in Kankakee, and then today, due to stealing and then ruining of menus, we had to switch to a new store. Tomorrow, we start at Frankfort. What a weird week. Pretty much this equals to two stores that we aren't getting much done at in good ol' Illinois. At least in Frankfort I can stay at home for a few days.

Fairfield Inn in Kankakee, for the one night I stayed there, was very nice. Good continental breakfast, pool, hot tub, comfy beds, free internet. No exercise room, but oh well. No need to do too much exercising :-)

Not very hot Atlanta, GA

In Atlanta, Georgia this week. It was freezing (snow flurries and everything when we landed) but today finally got a bit nicer. Not having been here since the Olympics, I like the city a lot. We're working up in Buckhead which is way, way too ritzy for me, very Rodeo Drive-esque, but the city itself is pretty and clean. Beautiful people, little dogs wearing clothes, doorbells to gain admittance into a store, and too many BMW's and Lexus on the road. Staying at another Courtyard closer to downtown which isn't very exciting.

Last night I ate at Skip Caray's (Harry Caray's son) house last night courtesy of a friend of the family who is living with them. All the houses over there were amazing, and the Caray's house had some amazing memorabilia in it (see above). It felt like a museum instead of a basement of a house. Definitely a cool change of pace.

More on Fort Collins, CO

We took a drive through the foothills for about an hour and saw some of the scenery. One of my favorite parts was a small town about 20 minutes in with a population of 47 1/2. It's amazing how quick you lose civilization.

Although we didn't get to the New Belgium brewery, we did hit up Coopersmith's for dinner and had some good beer. Stonehouse (?) I think was the name of it, was a cool bar that we went to on Thursday night.

Off to Atlanta next week!

Fort Collins, Colorado

Off in the Rockies (or at least the foothills) this week. The town is nice, the views, when it's sunny, are pretty off in the distance. There are a bunch of breweries over here (Odells, New Belgium, Coopersmith's, etc) that I think we'll hit up if they are open past 5pm.

Staying at the Hilton, and it's very nice. Super comfy beds. Internet is not free, but we're stealing the meeting rooms internet so all is good. Work out room, pool, room service, and all that stuff that I never use.

Yesterday we saw a Pepper concert at the Aggie Theater in Old Town which was a pretty cool spot to see bands. I liked Pepper, and I think I will be listening to them more. The show was a lot of fun and the opening bands pretty good as well.

We'll see what else the week brings.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

This week is a constant reminder of the "Tuscaloosa Heart" episode of Scrubs, the song "Sweet Home, Alabama" and Forest Gump. Mainly because those were the only previous ideas of Alabama I had.

The weather is warm, but really rainy. The southern twangs are very cute. The racism and sexism I was expecting hasn't really shown up yet. The University is really nice.

We ate at Archibald's BBQ today which was literally in an old shack in the back of this guy's house. It was pretty awesome ribs and definitely a unique eating experience. Once I figure out how to get the picture from my phone online, I will put the picture of this shack up.

We're staying at a Howard Johnson motel, which is kind of sucky, but oh well. Typical motel. At least I have internet, unlike the guys' room.

And that's about it so far. New state for me though, woo hoo!

Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Quick wrap up of the quick stay in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

Stayed at the Wyndham Convention Center in Milwaukee across from the airport. It was nice, decent work out room (which I actually used twice), in and outdoor pool (which I didn't use), mini fridge in the room, and free internet. The business center was way too pricy, but most of these places are.

Took a quick trip to downtown Milwaukee and ate at Benihana's which was a nice change of pace. In Oak Creek, Erv's Restaurant and Georgie Porgy were pretty cool local spots.

For my New Years resolutions, I plan on exercising more when there are exercise rooms in the hotel and to attempt to eat better at restaurants.