Happy (belated) Memorial Day!
I'm up in north Chicago in Evanston (staying at the Holiday Inn in Skokie). As with most of the suburbs, nothing really exciting to talk about. The Holiday Inn is a pretty typical Holiday Inn, very deserving of their 2.5 stars...this one is designed more for huge conferences and parties so is a bit fake-fancier (by this I mean fake chandeliers and very large open spaces designed for tables that are not there). Decently priced room service, pool, hot tub, pretty comfy beds, fridge/microwave, fully re-stocked shampoo/lotion everyday, free internet.
When Facebook decides to work again, I will share a very interesting bathroom photo...check out my mobile photos on FB if you just can't wait. It was taken at Bat 17... a very delicious restaurant with huge portions (and a funky bathroom) in downtown Evanston.
In the suburbs again next week!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
St. Paul/Minneapolis Photos
Here's a few photos from the last week. From top to bottom: St. Paul capitol building, St. Paul cathedral, fake Liberty Bell, view from my window, Metrodome.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
West St. Paul, MN
Moved hotels and are now staying at the Best Western Kelly Inn in downtown St. Paul. It hasn't started out too well. The walls are pretty useless, I can hear conversations, tv, music, arguments, etc next door like they are next to me. I'm hoping this quiets down soon, or I'll have to start being not nice. If they keep me from sleeping, I'm really not going to be nice at all. Problem 2 was it took room service 4 times to get my bill/food correct. 4 times! No exaggeration there. Plus they added on an 18% gratuity so I couldn't even change the tip based on the service. Now, the poor guy said he was really new to serving, but really, check the receipt against the food on the plate. Oh, and there was no shampoo or conditioner in the bathroom! None at all! So I'm hoping the front desk has some, because the stuff I took from last week isn't very good and I really don't want to buy any. So, not too happy with the hotel thus far. Bed is big and comfy, nice view of the capitol building from my room, free internet, pool and hot tub, and a small exercise room.
Sidenote: If you are in Minneapolis, go to Longfellow Grill. We ate there a couple of times and it was delicious every time. Everything is homemade and they have tasty healthy options as well.
Sidenote: If you are in Minneapolis, go to Longfellow Grill. We ate there a couple of times and it was delicious every time. Everything is homemade and they have tasty healthy options as well.
Friday, May 15, 2009
St. Paul, MN...part 2
2 things off my list complete.
Went to the Twins game on Tuesday and had a lot of fun. Our seats were great and being in a dome eliminates any weather problems. The people around me gave me a hard time for being from Chicago, but I could cheer on former White Sox players Joe Crede and Magglio, so it was all good. I also got myself a free Twins hat.
Watched the finale of LOST. Very dramatic. Should be a good last season.
The Holiday Inn Metrodome is nice. About a 10 minute walk to the Metrodome and very close to the University of Minnesota campus. Rooms are decent size, comfy beds, free internet, reasonably priced room service, decent fitness room, nice pool and hot tub (up on the 14th floor with a view of the city). Only inconveniences are parking in the garage next door that you have to pay for and no hair conditioner.
Staying in downtown St. Paul next week for our new adventures in West St. Paul. More updates soon!
Went to the Twins game on Tuesday and had a lot of fun. Our seats were great and being in a dome eliminates any weather problems. The people around me gave me a hard time for being from Chicago, but I could cheer on former White Sox players Joe Crede and Magglio, so it was all good. I also got myself a free Twins hat.
Watched the finale of LOST. Very dramatic. Should be a good last season.
The Holiday Inn Metrodome is nice. About a 10 minute walk to the Metrodome and very close to the University of Minnesota campus. Rooms are decent size, comfy beds, free internet, reasonably priced room service, decent fitness room, nice pool and hot tub (up on the 14th floor with a view of the city). Only inconveniences are parking in the garage next door that you have to pay for and no hair conditioner.
Staying in downtown St. Paul next week for our new adventures in West St. Paul. More updates soon!
Monday, May 11, 2009
St. Paul, MN
Here starts a two week trip in Minnesota. It wasn't a bad drive up, had some nice scenery and nice weather.
Things I want to do in the next 10 days:
Go to a Twins game at the Metrodome. (We're doing this tomorrow. I'm excited for this 1. because the Metrodome is within walking distance of the hotel and we won't have to drive 2. It's dollar hot dog day tomorrow 3. We got tickets that sell for $40 for $25. The players will actually be life sized. We have good seats, right off the third base line, 11th row. Thank you Craigslist! 4. It's in a dome! I've never seen a baseball game in a dome. It doesn't matter how cold/rainy it is...cough...cough...Kansas City...we are enclosed in a cozy dome.
Go to the Mall of America. Well, why not? I've never been there and it's something to do. Biggest mall in America. Maybe I'll even take a roller coaster ride if I'm feeling crazy, but probably I'll just buy a shirt or two.
Acme Comedy Co. After thoroughly enjoying the comedy club in KC, this one is supposed to be the third best in the country. The comedians playing this week and next both seem pretty funny, and it's pretty affordable.
http://www.acmecomedycompany.com/acme/shows.php
Watch the LOST finale. No one tells me what happens if I don't get to see it on Wednesday night. I don't care how dorky this one makes me sound.
Those are my hopes for the next ten days. Anything else will be bonus. Any other suggestions? I'd see a musical, but I keep lapping the same musicals I've already seen in other cities. Myself and Broadway musicals are touring the country together. For example, this week, Phantom of the Opera is playing in Minneapolis, which I already saw in Des Moines. Last week, RENT was playing in Dallas, which I already saw in Chicago.
Today makes 15 states for work since August, and 18 states/provinces overall since August.
We're staying at the Holiday Inn Metrodome this week, and I'll review it in a few days once I get a better feel for the place.
Things I want to do in the next 10 days:
Go to a Twins game at the Metrodome. (We're doing this tomorrow. I'm excited for this 1. because the Metrodome is within walking distance of the hotel and we won't have to drive 2. It's dollar hot dog day tomorrow 3. We got tickets that sell for $40 for $25. The players will actually be life sized. We have good seats, right off the third base line, 11th row. Thank you Craigslist! 4. It's in a dome! I've never seen a baseball game in a dome. It doesn't matter how cold/rainy it is...cough...cough...Kansas City...we are enclosed in a cozy dome.
Go to the Mall of America. Well, why not? I've never been there and it's something to do. Biggest mall in America. Maybe I'll even take a roller coaster ride if I'm feeling crazy, but probably I'll just buy a shirt or two.
Acme Comedy Co. After thoroughly enjoying the comedy club in KC, this one is supposed to be the third best in the country. The comedians playing this week and next both seem pretty funny, and it's pretty affordable.
http://www.acmecomedycompany.com/acme/shows.php
Watch the LOST finale. No one tells me what happens if I don't get to see it on Wednesday night. I don't care how dorky this one makes me sound.
Those are my hopes for the next ten days. Anything else will be bonus. Any other suggestions? I'd see a musical, but I keep lapping the same musicals I've already seen in other cities. Myself and Broadway musicals are touring the country together. For example, this week, Phantom of the Opera is playing in Minneapolis, which I already saw in Des Moines. Last week, RENT was playing in Dallas, which I already saw in Chicago.
Today makes 15 states for work since August, and 18 states/provinces overall since August.
We're staying at the Holiday Inn Metrodome this week, and I'll review it in a few days once I get a better feel for the place.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Random Dallas stuff
I have to say I really enjoyed staying at the Hyatt. Expensive (well, not the $55 a night part), but well worth it. I'm glad a convention cancelled on them and we could stay there.
Didn't do much tourist-y stuff in Dallas, AND I forgot to get a Texas shot glass. I'll just have to go back to Texas again at some point.
Two restaurants of note:
Houston's: A slightly expensive, but very good restaurant. American food with an awesome burger. I'm sure the other food was good too, but I enjoyed my burger.
The Iron Cactus: In downtown Dallas, and they had the best Tex-Mex I had while we were down there.
Neither of these were recommended by airport girl, but we still appreciated her help. I wish I got to the Dallas Museum of Art...it was free Thursday nights from 5-9pm for those who do go explore Dallas. It got to 93 degrees on Friday, and it was awfully nice to feel hot summer weather. It's coming Illinois!
Lastly, I leave you with this question: You know how when a plane is late to the gate, and once you get on the plane, the pilot says they can make up time in the air? Well, if they can go that fast, why don't they go that fast all the time?
Didn't do much tourist-y stuff in Dallas, AND I forgot to get a Texas shot glass. I'll just have to go back to Texas again at some point.
Two restaurants of note:
Houston's: A slightly expensive, but very good restaurant. American food with an awesome burger. I'm sure the other food was good too, but I enjoyed my burger.
The Iron Cactus: In downtown Dallas, and they had the best Tex-Mex I had while we were down there.
Neither of these were recommended by airport girl, but we still appreciated her help. I wish I got to the Dallas Museum of Art...it was free Thursday nights from 5-9pm for those who do go explore Dallas. It got to 93 degrees on Friday, and it was awfully nice to feel hot summer weather. It's coming Illinois!
Lastly, I leave you with this question: You know how when a plane is late to the gate, and once you get on the plane, the pilot says they can make up time in the air? Well, if they can go that fast, why don't they go that fast all the time?
Monday, May 4, 2009
Dallas, Texas
"You'll always have an amazing time in Texas!" was the last line of the voice-over during the Texas On Tour promotion I worked last summer. Four days of that line once the canoe-videotape ended, and here I am, in Texas a year later. So far, not quite what I pictured. No southern accents, so men walking around in cowboy boots and hats, no shoot-outs in the street. Of course, we're in downtown Dallas, surrounded by skyscrapers. Not quite the wild west.
We're staying at the Hyatt Regency downtown, which is really nice. Priceline decided to bump my 3 star request up to a 4 star, so thanks Priceline, this place is great. Of course with 4 star hotels, you have to pay for everything, such as internet and parking, but the internet is cheaper than some places. The regular exercise room is closed right now, so there's a temp one which is adequate. The 30 story glass elevator is really fun to ride up and down in. I'm on the third floor, and the only weird thing is you can hear the fountains in the lobby from my room. It always sounds like it's raining. The lobby is really pretty though and the rooms are nice.
Special thanks this week to "airport girl" who is a burlesque dancer from Dallas. At O'Hare, she wrote down a list of places for us to eat in Dallas, and so far she is two for two on recommendations.
We're staying at the Hyatt Regency downtown, which is really nice. Priceline decided to bump my 3 star request up to a 4 star, so thanks Priceline, this place is great. Of course with 4 star hotels, you have to pay for everything, such as internet and parking, but the internet is cheaper than some places. The regular exercise room is closed right now, so there's a temp one which is adequate. The 30 story glass elevator is really fun to ride up and down in. I'm on the third floor, and the only weird thing is you can hear the fountains in the lobby from my room. It always sounds like it's raining. The lobby is really pretty though and the rooms are nice.
Special thanks this week to "airport girl" who is a burlesque dancer from Dallas. At O'Hare, she wrote down a list of places for us to eat in Dallas, and so far she is two for two on recommendations.
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