Category Archives: Chicago Specific Fun

Jan 16 2013
2 Comments
Chicago Specific Fun, Fun at Work, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Solitary Fun

Day 114: Beginnings

I started a new job today! My title is Development Associate, and while some of my work will be in individual campaigns, most of my job is grant writing. I’m going to make money writing. I never imagined that would be the case but am so pleased that it is.

My hours are part time, some in the office and some at home for writing, which works so well for me, especially managing my RA. I can easily schedule doctor appointments and can write from home on days when I’m not feeling up to going out. It also means that I can stay on in my current position two days per week to help out during a particularly busy time.

In order for this set up to function well, I have to have a laptop to take to work, home and anywhere else I might want to write. This was my special, secret present that necessitated a trip to the Apple Store. I’m writing this post on a MacBook Air. It is so light, so cute and I have everything synched to keep me efficient.

I’m very excited about this change, about beginning a new career path, about working in smaller theater company, about writing, about free weekends, about meeting new people, about developing my skills, and about raising money for valuable programs and projects that bring theater to youth and underserved communities.

Jan 15 2013
1 Comment
Chicago Specific Fun, Food/Drink Fun, Friends and Family, Fun for Couples, Nightlife

Day 113: Birthday!

It’s my birthday! And I am quite the lucky girl. Not only did I receive the secret, yet to be revealed, Apple gift but also a new, professional quality, digital camera, a lovely dinner out AND tickets to Book of Mormon. The hubs may have gone a little overboard and I love him for it.

Broadway in Chicago gets national tours and, in the case of major hits like Wicked and Book of Mormon, sit-down productions. Book of Mormon was originally scheduled to be in Chicago December 2012 – February 2013, but has now been extended through September 2013. And most of the performances are sold out.

Winner of the Tony for Best Musical, Book of Mormon is written by the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with Avenue Q writer, Robert Lopez. That should tell you something about the humor in this show. But within all of the crass language and crude (yet hilarious) humor I found a meaningful and hopeful story of faith and goodwill.

The hubs and I were saying on the cab ride home that it is a true musical that pays homage to ones that came before it in sets and choreography as well as music. And it is original! Not a movie adapted for the stage (Legally Blonde, Bring it On, Shrek, Addams Family, Tarzan, etc) nor a jukebox of a famous musician’s songs shoved in to a nonsense story (I’m looking at you Times They Are A-Changin the Bob Dylan musical).

Even though Parker and Stone are famed TV writers, which I’m sure had something to do with how this show got to Broadway, their investment in the art form deserves major props. I’m hopeful that they will continue to do so with their new production company, Important Studios.

Dinner at Lockwood in the Palmer House was lovely, everything excellently prepared. And my relaxing day of talking to my grandmother (it’s also her birthday today), learning to use my new gadgets, and catching up with a friend was super chill. All in all a fun and unforgettable birthday!

Jan 02 2013
3 Comments
Chicago Specific Fun, Fitness, Friends and Family, Fun for Couples, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Day 100: 2013 Arthritis Walk on May 17

Last September, I started writing this blog and since then, I’ve received so much love and support, more than I could have ever anticipated. Back in September, I desperately needed that love and support all for myself. Now I feel strong and healthy and would like to pay it forward by uniting my family, friends and readers to walk in and donate to the 2013 Arthritis Walk in Chicago. For general information about the event, click here.

“As the Arthritis Foundation’s signature event, The Arthritis Walk® raises funds and awareness every year to fight the nation’s leading cause of disability. We aren’t just fighting arthritis and helping the millions of people who live with arthritis pain. We’re making the impact of arthritis unacceptable and taking a stand, moving together to help prevent and treat this serious and painful disease through research, education and community programs.

Participants walk for friends or family members with arthritis, and those with arthritis wear blue hats to signify their action to take control of their condition. The event features a three-mile and one-mile course, with arthritis information and activities for the entire family. Pet owners are encouraged to bring their dogs at participating events.”

I started a team under the name Year of Fun. I’m looking for people to join my team, which means you will walk with me on May 17 and help me meet my team fundraising goal of $3,000. To join my team, click here. If you would like to donate to me and the Year of Fun team, click here. From here, you can choose to donate to me individually to help with my pledged amount for the Year of Fun team or to donate to the team as a whole.

By joining the 2013 Arthritis Walk®, you become part of Let’s Move Together, a nationwide community that encourages people to prevent or treat arthritis through movement. Start moving today for better health!

Dec 27 2012
Leave a comment
Chicago Specific Fun, Fun at Work, Nightlife

Day 94: Something Good

I was having kind of an icky day at work. A mix of stress combined with cranky people and general tiredness had me feeling blue until I was given the task of booking some complimentary tickets for tomorrow night. This is a fairly ordinary task working at a theater, but what made this special was that the tickets were for active duty soldiers and veterans through the USO of Illinois. I had been so focused on my day, how I felt and how much stuff I had to do that I forgot that all of the work my colleagues and I put in every day goes towards making art that not only entertains but also speaks to the human condition. It brightened my day booking those tickets knowing they were going to people who have devoted their lives to service. Even though I was not the one who made the decision to give them free tickets, I still felt like I was doing something good. And it lifted my spirits right up!

Dec 18 2012
Leave a comment
Chicago Specific Fun, Food/Drink Fun, Fun at Work, Holiday Fun

Day 85: Work Holiday Celebration

It’s my second photobooth in four days! And while I still want to write a photbooth focused post, today is not the day. Because our work holiday party was out of control. Not only did we have a photobooth, open bar and what seemed like an endless supply of fried food and sweets at 3:00 in the afternoon, but also a video produced by the staff featuring many different departments. (Yours truly even made an appearance). Not to mention the bake-off and cake walk with all kinds of prizes from cake to theater tickets to flavored vodka.

It was a fun way for large staff to all get together to celebrate. Now, some of us are back at work, until the shows start this evening.

photo(1)

← Older posts
Newer posts →