By Recommendation

Literally everyone that I asked for suggestions from, of what to do in Chicago, mentioned the Architecture Boat Tour On The River. So yesterday, Jason and I decided that would be our main activity for the day. We are trying to keep costs down and the $42 a person price tag was a bit of a deteriorate for us, the Canadian Dollar is so low in comparison to the American that everything is pricier than we would like it to be. However, this was seriously mentioned by everyone as almost a mandatory experience.

We waited fairly late to head into downtown because it was the Chicago Marathon and was going to be packed. When we were trying to find a place to stay in Chicago for this weekend we couldn't figure out why everything was booked and so insanely expensive, it is one of the reasons that our AirBnB ended up being so far away from downtown was that we couldn't find or afford anything closer. It wasn't until Meg mentioned it recently that we figured out that Canadian Thanksgiving is the same weekend as the marathon and that was why. Tomorrow is also Columbus day, but that doesn't seem to be that major of a holiday, we didn't even notice it happening in NYC last year.

When we did get downtown in the early afternoon it was still really busy, lots of people in running gear with medals on. We went fairly quickly to the river to get tickets and found out they were sold out until 5:00pm, we got those and prepared to wander downtown, which we hadn't really done yet. We went to Millennium Park and saw The Bean. Ate our packed lunch and walked along the lake and river front.

Turns out 5:00 is the perfect time to do the boat tour! The docent/guide kept mentioning how beautiful the low light was on the buildings since he normally does midday tours he was quite excited. The tour lived up to the hype. I could have stayed on that boat listening to the guide talk about architecture for hours more. The 90 minutes flew by and having the different styles pointed out and explained was an incredible experience. I would FOR SURE recommend this as an important thing to do when visiting the city.

Trying True Deep Dish Pizza For The First Time

Jason at Giordano's - Hyde Park

Oct 11, 2015 - Photo by ME with my phone

After the cruise, we went looking for deep dish pizza for dinner, lots of Google Maps searches. Teri had mentioned the chain Giordano's as a good place to go, I had also noticed the Lou Malnati's as a popular place with lots of locations as well. We took The Loop, the elevated subway system, to go to one Lou Malnati's place that was close by, the line up was insane. Then I remember that Giordano's had a location near our apartment, turned out it was walking distance away and we just headed south to that one. There was a much smaller line.

I loved deep dish (or stuffed) pizza! Definitely my preferred in the whole Chicago and NYC pizza debate. Jason leans much further on the side of New York but still enjoyed the Chicago style.

Salad On A Hot Dog

Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A post about my Dad each Sunday, named after a song that he loved.

Rob and Andrea showed us a cool little pizza place near their apartment downtown. One Pizza is a counter style restaurant, with seating or take-out. What I was most impressed with (besides the great crust or interesting and vast selection of toppings) was the single price point for a pizza. They offer individual pizzas, which if eating in their entirety at dinner leave you very very full. Splitting worked at lunch the next day to satisfy both Jason and I (yes, we visited the place twice.) Whether you pick one of their signature pizzas or create your own it is the same price, any combination of toppings.

I really enjoy that there isn't this counting of the number of toppings, or prices for premium choices. I am sure that it works out financially that few people would take advantage and create an insanely expensive pizza covered in an unreasonable amount and number of toppings. Then I remembered my dad...

In Port Dover there is a huge hot dog stand and they have lots of condiments on the counter for you to dress your footlong yourself. You may have noted that I said condiments but there were some odd options like onions, shredded cabbage, corn, cucumbers, etc. My dad would load it up like his hot dog was a plate at a salad bar - had to get his money's worth.

Bracketing Thirty

Happy Birthday to two of the greatest friends I could ever ask for!

I am back from a quick trip to Ottawa. Jason and I drove up for the weekend. We got to celebrate two birthdays and see a lot of people. I miss my friends from there so much and it never feels like enough time: brunch with Heather, a quick hug from Justin, Erin AH stops by for a party. It was also great to stay with Jenn and Jon, in their new home they purchased this past summer.

It was a prime weekend to catch people on their birthdays! We didn't choose specifically to go up for that reason; we hadn't been in a while and it was a weekend that worked. Anna turned 29 on Friday and I left work early to ensure we could make it in time for a bit of the party she was having (got a quick catch up with Wes too which was nice.) Steph is turns 31 today, though we mainly celebrated last night with games, nachos, pizza, and pie. A quick visit with her and Dave this afternoon to toast some cupcakes before the drive back to Toronto meant that I did get to see her on her actual birthday too.

Money Challenge - Week 4 - Update

COUPLE CHALLENGE
Time Frame: One week. Monday April 8 to Sunday April 14, 2013
*Dinner: No ordering in, getting take out, or going out to eat.*

UPDATE
Chris: Technically made it, but had a work dinner last night, which was eaten out but I didn't have to pay.
Jason: Made it through the week - ordered pizza for dinner tonight, couldn't even make it past Monday.

Money Challenge - Week 4

COUPLE CHALLENGE
Time Frame: One week. Monday April 8 to Sunday April 14, 2013
*Dinner: No ordering in, getting take out, or going out to eat.*
Notes: I am not terrible about making dinner any more and I am cooking a lot more than usual. However, there is still usually at least one night where I eat dinner out, either because I am meet friends, going on a date with Jason, or need to grab food before some evening activity. Then I also, out of laziness, order in a couple of times a month. Groceries and cooking is always cheaper, there are great deals in restaurants and fast food places but they are never better then making your own food.
Insight: Nicola said that her and Drew did this and quit cold turkey for an extended period of time. They also hadn't been eating out or ordering in very often but thought that it would be a good cost saving measure to stop altogether. At first she said it was really difficult and they felt deprived. But then they got used to it and this past weekend they got home late and were tired but there wasn't really any food in the house. So, Nic went to the cupboard to figure something out, "We have a can of tuna, I could make something with that?" Then Drew suggested ordering in a pizza which Nic had actually forgotten was even a possibility for dinner. So there is hope! 

Joke Of The Day

--- from Twitter

Wanna hear a pizza joke? Never mind, its too cheesy...

Champagne Birthday

I turned 24 (on the 24th, which makes it my Champagne Birthday). It was a really nice day. I woke up really early to go to a huge garage sale being held nearby with some friends. Then we watched Aladdin, which is one of my favorite movies. After a restful afternoon I started to get ready to go out. Anne did my make-up, which looked great. Jerrica and I got pretty tipsy and a few of us headed out on the town to look for some dancing. We were less than successful, probably because we went out too early, to the wrong places, in the summer when lots of students have left the city. It didn't matter because I had a great time anyway. After we got home we ordered pizza and hung out. I great way to spend my birthday, as I edge my way to a quarter century.

A Saturday In The Market

---Cost For A Night Out In The Market---
Predrinking Booze $5-$10
Predrinking Mix $2-$5
Bus Downtown $2
Cover $2-$10
1 Fancy Drink $6-$10
2 Bar Rail Drinks $10-$12
2 Shots $6-$12
Late Night Shwarma $5
Cab Home $10
-----Total $48-$76-----

Who can afford to go out and drink any more?

I went out this Saturday with no money and couldn't have any of these things, making me very sober and it hard to get home (direct buses stop running early.) This estimated total doesn't even including treating others, dinner beforehand or the pizza that you inevitably have later on when you get home. Mind you that is alot of booze so your looking at a night that goes from 7pm-4am. It has been a while since I really went out and partied, looking at the numbers, I now see why!

The Long Roller Coaster

I'm still trying to wrap my head around yesterday. It was such a huge emotional roller coaster and mental whirlwind. It started off early as I had to have a bath. I wanted to head over to the school, so Em walked with me, I haven't even seen her the last little while, let alone hung out. I went to the gym where there was a fencing tournament. A sport I know absolutely nothing about. We saw The New Roommate fence and it was just mesmerizing, fencing is so cute, interesting, sexy and amazing all at the same time. We didn't stay long since I was really tired. My nap, once I got home, was cut short by The Band showing up. We set up the house for sleeping. They are wild and crazy as only boys in an up and coming metal group can be. My Little Brother's Girlfriend and the other girl that came with them stayed at the house with me and we all prepartied. We caught the end of their set when we finally made it to the Cafe. The entire experience there was so intense. There was a violent mosh pit and The Band had two onstage injuries. I'm so proud of my brother and the rest of the guys, I was awestruck at how good they have become. I left rather quickly, without telling anyone, and somehow found my way back home. After passing out for a bit, I got to spend some time with Ami watching "Friends" and Em treated me to pizza, which we later shared with The Band. I got an angry call from My Little Brother Mike who had thought he lost me. Soon The Band came back and things became even more chaotic. The Lead Singer took off all his clothes, much to the dismay of everyone, then there was some naked fighting in the living room that I had to breakup. All this was filmed and I hope is not posted on YouTube. Everyone who slept downstairs had to wear ear plugs since The Bassist snores so loudly. The ear plugs meant a peaceful sleep for me but I woke up cold and confused.

Pizza Hut

I have been craving the Pizza Hut family sit in meal for a long time. You know the one, it comes with a salad, garlic bread, pasta, and pizzas. I got to go this evening, I may have pulled the "break up" card to get to go but it worked. TallT, Kristen, WifeT, and the Princess went with me. It was a four course, four hour dinner, great times, good laughs.