my day | Peaches Prattlings

{August 21, 2017} Aladdin, wow! And the meet, oh my!

Today was a day for first meetings and theater!

This afternoon we went to see Aladdin at the Cadillac Palace theater in Chicago and it was wonderful! The sets, the glitter, the fireworks, the costumes, the choreography, need I go on?!

A fantastic cast, bringing the story to life, both the ancient tale and the Disney animated movie. Everyone was fantastic, but who stole the show? The genie of course! He was larger than life, animated, excited, energetic and food Robin Williams proud, you know he made the movie… fabulous! We all loved it!

Who is we, you may be asking, well… you know how I talk about DLP and WIS, the two women I joke that I’m dating in Chicago, because I go out with each of them every week. They are the work wife and work girlfriend respectively and, you know that PSM knows about them. Well, today, they met each other and PSM! DLP met WIS and WIS met PSM. It was awesome!

Now, when I mention each of them, they can have a face to go with the name! My circle was complete!

After the show, a good meal at a local place, them PSM and I headed to the airport, we are both going to be in St Louis for the week, will we see each other? No telling, go figure!

Such a great day!

{August 20, 2017} Sleep in… brunch…culture… silliness

Guess where I am and guess who’s with me!

About 6am, my hotel room door, in Chicago, opened and PSM walked in! We get to spend the weekend together!

We talked for a bit, caught up on our Friday and then sacked out for a few hours.

Eventually, we needed sustenance, we headed out to The Chicago Diner, if you remember “Meat-Free Since ’83”. We started with poutine, I texted WIS, make get jealous! Then it was a Monte Cristo for PSM, made on french toast and Country Benedict for me and a small vanilla milkshake to top it off. Way too much food for us, the homeless guy was thankful.

Then we started walking, passed a bar with some live music and an even livelier crowd, dropped in for a drink then headed back into the city again. Guess who is also in town…The Blue Angels! I tried to get a few shots as we were walking.

We hopped into a taxi to take us to the Art Institute, there is a Gauguin exhibit that will be leaving in a few weeks. It wasn’t only his paintings, which he took up later in life. It was paintings, mixed in with sculptures, wood- blocking, screen printing, wood carving and painting, pottery, fan design.

What a talent! I didn’t know that much about Gauguin aside from his Tahitian paintings, which is what he is most known for, well, to me at least.

Then it was back to the hotel for a rest, then out to a local place for a less than stellar dinner, another happy homeless inhabitant of Chicago.

A short walk, check out the roofto bar, a chat with you and then…zzzz

Tomorrow, another full day and then travel. Goodnight!

{August 19, 2017} Here fishy, fishy, fishy

A night at the aquarium, just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

Tonight, I went to my first work event. What I mean by first work event is for the Chicago office, not a local project team event.

I met DLP at The Shedd Aquarium near Soldier Field. A few other coworkers from my project were there. I also saw people I had been on projects with before and met some new folks.

It was a nice social event, the aquarium was closed to the public, there was food and drink and we were allowed to wander through the aquarium looking at all the wonderful exhibits. The best part… no little people, this time, so it wasn’t crowded and you could actually get close to the tanks.

We started with the amphibians and sea horses. I think a few of them were ready to give birth!

The jellyfish are amazing, so graceful, brilliant and deadly. In the Caribbean reef we were treated to a diver feeding the inhabitants. There was a very persistent stingray who wouldn’t leave the diver’s side, so cute. They really do glide and look like they’re smiling when they swim by.

We got to pet sturgens, admire the baby crocs, talk to the different species of turtles, play find the fishes. Since it was evening, the lights in the exhibit rooms were very low as were the lights in some of the tanks, have to mimic their home environment.

As they closed the exhibits, they told us the inhabitants were going to sleep and we should do the same, that was our cue to leave.

What a fun evening, looking forward to whatever comes next!

{August 16, 2017} Ground Control…a new vegan place!

Tonight was date night!

WIS found, as she always does, a new vegan restaurant for us to try! Wahoo! I am a very lucky person to have people who want to share veggie/ vegan with me!

Tonight we went to Ground Control in Chicago. No, I didn’t see Major Tom!

This is a cool, eclectic place. Pinball machines, backgammon and checkers boards in the tables, interesting artwork, nothing really flowed, but it worked. You walk in, take a moment and you’re hooked, good vibe, atmosphere and you feel like, yeah, I can hang here.

I got there first, which doesn’t happen very often these days! So I settled it, anywhere…I was the only one there at 530pm, by the time we left, it was a full house.

I ordered a cup of tea, it was a little chilly and rainy, comfort, ah… and I was a ‘Starvin Marvin’, so I thought a pre- dinner snack… garlic smashed potatoes with gravy…vegan!! I don’t usually get to order smashed potatoes because, for those creamy, dreamy smashed potatoes, butter and/ or heavy cream, as it should be! Oh my, but these were wonderful!

When WIS arrived, we settled in and ordered…

Fried green tomatoes with a tangy remoulade and hummus with olives and veggies, quite the kick! And tasty!

Then, main courses. I had the Southern Fried Tofu with more smashed potatoes, beer braised greens and corn and peppee relish. WIS had the Kimchee Grilled Cheese with caramelized onions, avocado and smoked gouda. Wow, just wow!

Then…must have dessert! I don’t eat dessert very often, but when it’s vegan… raspberry and lemon cake, again, vegan and again, Y U M!

So many fabulous vegan restaurants in Chicago, every one “how can this be topped?!”

{August 16, 2017} Movies in the Park…Hidden Figures

Fifth, sixth, maybe eighth time I’ve seen this movie, only gets better!

If you know me, you know I love movies and if I love a movie, I’ll watch it a few times, maybe more.

And if you know me, you know I love going to the movies and I love going with friends. And movies outside, bonus!

Tonight, the trifecta! A fabulous movie… in the park… with friends! How can you beat that!

After teaching, I went to my hotel, dropped my laptop bag, changed into jeans, headed out too pick up snacks, then…Millennium Park for movies in the park!

I met up with DLP and JM, my new movie in the park dates. We had all sorts of snacks, meats, cheeses, guac, hummus, chips, fruit and sweets for dessert. What more do you need?

We snacked, chatted, caught up and then roll film. DLP and I had seen the movie together, JM hadn’t. There were also a lot of folks around hadn’t, it was fun hearing their reactions.

DLP and I knew what was coming, but we still cheered, clapped and cried, just where we were supposed to!

If you haven’t seen this movie, it’s so inspiring, thought provoking, emotional, uplifting, and so much more.

What’s our next adventure?

{August 10, 2017} Being appreciated…

It seems to be very underrated, but it can do so much!

When you do something, hopefully you’re not doing it only to get noticed, especially when it comes to work.

You do your job because you love it, want to do it and do it well. If you do your job to your best abilities, hopefully, a good result is to get noticed and maybe even recognized. And when you go above and beyond, it’s cool when someone does notice.

A few months ago we got an email saying the company knows how hard we’ve all worked and what a great job we’re doing, we got what they called ‘High 5’, which included a prepaid American Express card that says High5, how cool is that!

Then, about the same time, I received an ‘Applause Award ‘, I think I told you about that when I received one in the past. This is when you are recognized for doing something that goes above and beyond.

It feels great when someone says ‘Thank you’ for doing a great job, seriously, if someone recognizes that I’m doing a good job, my job, or went above and beyond or that extra mile, or seeks me out for a new project or something extra at work, that gives me a great sense of pride. The High 5 and Applause awards, those are just icing on the cake.

Thank you!

{August 8, 2017} Short, but sweet visit

In Vegas, I had a nice visit with family friends.

One of my mom’s oldest friends, that being a friend she knew longer than others, since they were twelve, that’s a while, I should think.

The family friendship has lasted for a long time, even after my mom passed, our families are still family. When my dad visits Las Vegas twice a year, he spends time with SF and family.

The last time I was in Vegas by myself, I had a girls night and afternoon with each of them, it was great.

Yesterday morning, I got up, finished packing, checked out of the hotel and headed to my wonderful visit. Hugs, food, kids, catch up, reminisces, love, family, photos and like that… it was time to go to the airport.

I love seeing them, I’m looking forward to my next visit, dad will be there in a few months. It was great, felt like no time had passed and like being home.

{August 6, 2017} Well, I didn’t expect to see that.

Yesterday, when I went into one of the hotel lobby bathrooms, I saw something I definitely wasn’t expecting to see.

I walked in, saw two women standing at the sink talking. I also saw their duffle bags open on the floor and it looked like they were getting changed to go up to the rooftop pool, maybe kill time until their room[s] were ready. Not unusual to see in a hotel restroom.

This was not the case.

When I came out of the stall to wash my hands, I looked in the mirror to check if my face was whereI had left it, glanced to my left and realize that they are both connected and pumping.

I smiled when they saw me and I said that wasn’t what I expected to see when I looked up. They both apologized and I told them they had nothing to apologize for. This is something they needed to do and I wasn’t bothered or put out in any way. My sister pumped and I’ve worked with women who pump, it’s important and why apologize.

I wished them well and went about my day. Good luck ladies! You have my respect!

{August 6, 2017} What a day! Vegas style baby!

What a day, a great one!

It was a long one… ready… set… go!

I arrived in Las Vegas late, took forever to get the rental car, so I arrived at the hotel about 130am, I was hungry, definitely not sleepy and it’s Vegas, so, off on search of food.

I found Nacho Daddy! It was recommended and they have vegan! I didn’t know, but Las Vegas has s plethora of vegan! It was awesome! Kale chips, beans, rice, guacamole, salsa, vegan queso, vegan sour cream. O M G! I’m in heavan!

I couldn’t even finish it, so when I asked for a box and if there were homeless in the area, the bartender asked if I would really give it to the homeless, she gave me two bags full of leftover food, how awesome is that!

As I walked up and down Las Vegas Boulevard I was very overdressed! I had jeans and a shirt on, there were women in Daisy Dukes, hot pants, body suit, and I mean the kind gymnasts wear, nothing else. I did eventually find a homeless man, asked if he was hungry and then asked if there was anyone else to give the rest of the food to, he said he lived down below and there were 80 of them, they would be so thankful. I’m so glad!

I finally got into bed about 330/4am, the city was still hopping, which meant it was 530/6am back in Chicago, um…I set the alarm for 11am, but of course, I was up about 9am, go figure!

After I did what I was there for, I headed out to The Mob Museum! I was excited that I actually made it! Every time I go to Vegas, I try, but this time, Wahoo! It was awesome!

Anyone who knows me knows I like most things mob. I’m fascinated by the stories, the history, the movies. On occassion, I’ve been known to quote a line or two. I also have the need to sit with my back to the wall, no chance of getting capped! Ha!

It also happens that Myer Lansky is a cousin, he married into my family, on my maternal grandmother’s side. I thought it was cool, she, not so much. If you watch The Godfather, Hyman Rothstein was based on Lansky.

The museum is in an old post office, which has been deemed a historic landmark. The courtroom was actually used for some of the mob trials, the judge’s bench is actual bulletproof, how cool is that?!

The stories, the history, the characters, the locations, the mobsters, their molls, the FBI, the cops, the prosecution,the actual brick wall from the St Valentine’s Day Massacre!

They got Al Capone on tax evasion, go figure, that’s how they got a lot of them and they still aren’t sure where Jimmy Hoffa is!

What an experience! Bucket list, check!

I left The Mob Museum and walked down the block to Fremont Street. Fremont Street is a street in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is the second most famous street in the Las Vegas Valley after the Las Vegas Strip. Named in honor of explorer John Charles Frémont and located in the heart of the downtown casino corridor, Fremont Street is (or was) the address for many famous casinos such as Binion’s Horseshoe, Eldorado Club, Fremont Hotel and Casino, Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, Golden Nugget, Four Queens, The Mint, and the Pioneer Club.

It wasn’t too crowded, it was still early. Don’t get me wrong, it was crowded, but when the sun goes down, hold on to your hats, maybe even your wallets.

I walked through what is the new Fremont Street, converted into a party spot. They added a curved roof some years ago, then a zip line, bands at different points, people dressed in character and you pay to take your pictute with them.

Then there is all the fabulous neon signage and the signs with all the lightbulbs.

When I got through to the other side, so to speak, I was getting hungry and about to turn around when I found Container Park. An entire park made of shipping containers. Every shop, restaurant, bar, kids play structure, containers, it was fabulous!

As I was walking through, I found Pure Vegan! It was fabulous! I got a sampler plate with letuce wraps, nachos, vegetable noodles with different sauces, yuca fries, just wow! I hope the homeless guy who got my leftovers enjoyed them!

After dinner, a walk through the park, enjoy some acoustic music in the open area that was quite kid friendly, lots of giant legos to play with, space to run around and a chalk wall that you could add to, see what I created for PSM? It was a great place to spend some time.

Then back through Fremont Street, now it’s dark, sun goes down, the people come out to play.

Live bands at different points, music coming from the casinos, people walking, talking, dancing, drinking, shopping, having a good time. The lights, the sounds, the sights. Not for the faint of heart or if you don’t do crowds. But great for people watching! Fabulous!

After a bit, back to the hotel, a dip in the rooftop pool and get ready to crash, tomorrow I am going to see some family friends and head back to Chicago.

I hope you enjoyed my day almost as much as I did!

{August 4, 2017} Happy Birthday JCT!

It’s August 3rd, happy birthday to anyone celebrating their birthday, but today is my friend, JCT’s, birthday!

JCT and I have been friends since 2009, wow! We met on the same project I met RJS and ST, we hit it off and we’ve been friends ever since. She has recently come off the road traveling for work, we used to swap stories, ideas, give each other advice, how to get the best bang for the buck.

She and I have a lot in common and some fabulous differences. Her family seems to have adopted me! Am I complaining, not a chance! Her brother and I have been friends for a while. I call her mom, mom, her daughter calls me auntie, how awesome for me and their dogs, well, let’s just say their boy pug, BooBoo, has a great affection for my arm, we’ll leave it at that!

JCT and her mom love cooking for me, I never turn down home cooking, especially some of the great Chinese treats they make! I love listening to JCT and her mom have conversations, Chinese, Chinese, Chinese, Home Depot!

When I’m in Atlanta and our schedules connect, I will spend the weekend or at least the night. We talk, talk, talk, I know, shocker! Then we put on our pjs, lean the recliners back and talk some more and then fall asleep, sometimes while we’re in the middle of a conversation.

Weeks can go by, sometimes a little longer, we pick up the phone and it’s as if we talked yesterday. Those are the best friendships and I love counting her as not only a friend, but a sister.

祝你生日快樂，親愛的朋友。我愛你。

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