Category Archives: Nightlife

Feb 07 2013
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Fun at Work, Nightlife, Solitary Fun

Day 135: New Job, New Party

Tonight I had my first opening night party at my new job. I don’t know many, or really any, of my new coworkers well. I don’t know anyone in the show nor do I know any of the VIPs. Working within this environment is one thing. Socializing in it is a whole other thing, especially when I tend to be a little shy at times. Add that to just having seen an emotionally challenging show and it could equal a socially awkward night for me.

While it was looking like it could go that way at first, I got some free food in me and managed to engage new people in several different conversations, including a few total strangers. For this I am very proud of myself and I’m hoping it lasts until tomorrow night when I have another work event to attend.

Feb 05 2013
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Chicago Specific Fun, Food/Drink Fun, Nightlife

Day 134: We are the UET

I had an amazing college experience at the University of Evansville. It’s hard for me to put in to words how it changed me from a shy, theater-nerd to a confident individual. In high school, I often felt like an outsider, but in college, I found an inclusive group of amazing people who where passionate about theater in the same way I was (am).

Tonight, along with a fellow alum and the hubs, I hosted an event in my home for Chicago area UET alums attended by the Head of the department and another faculty member. When I was in school, I was close with both of these professors, so it was great to catch up with two of my mentors. It was definitely a fun evening meeting recent grads, new Chicagoans, and even a few seniors auditioning for grad schools and catching up with friends from my time at UE that I haven’t seen in way too long. Some folks from Milwaukee even made the trip down for the party!

Sometimes I forget how much fun and how life-changing college was for me, but one night with all these amazing people reminded me. I’m so grateful for that time in my life and am thrilled to see more alums making their way to Chicago and doing well.
Love the UET.

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Feb 02 2013
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Food/Drink Fun, Friends and Family, Fun for Couples, Nightlife

Day 131: Fried Cheese Curds

The hubs and I are in Wisconsin! I’ve had so many cheese curds today. The fried ones are the absolute best. I don’t know what else to say other than go to Wisconsin and eat them.

Jan 19 2013
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Fun for Couples, Nightlife

Day 117: Double Feature

The plan for today was to take in a double feature, the 4:35pm showing of Silver Linings Playbook and then the 7:35pm showing of Argo. The hubs and I are on a quest to see the Oscar nominated movies. We made it to our favorite theater (Cinemark in Evanston-yeah we like our movie theaters like we like our Chillis, suburban) in time for Silver Linings Playbook.

I really liked this movie. It had the structure of a romantic comedy, yet the depth and sensitivity of a story about a young man’s struggle with mental illness. I found this combination fascinating and moving. The writer/director continued to turn the world over and over, often making the viewer, at least me, feel as unstable as the characters within it.

When we got out, it was getting close to 7pm. Instead of just sneaking in to the other theater for Argo like most people, we left to go buy tickets. And it was SOLD OUT. I can’t remember the last time I tried to go to a movie that had been out and it was sold out! The lesson, though, is that if we would have snuck in, we probably would have gotten caught. Eek.

Instead, we drove home, got Indian take out, and planned to watch another movie. Or maybe just DVR. But the intent for a double feature was there. And I’m sure it would have been really fun. Anyway, I’m glad we saw Silver Linings Playbook and got to eat Indian food.
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Jan 15 2013
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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!

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