What I love! | Peaches Prattlings

{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 17, 2017} Friends…beautiful night…dinner…boat

It was a beautiful night to be out and about in Chicago.

I had a great class today and topped it off with dinner and a boat ride on Lake Michigan.

It started with a walk down Michigan Avenue towards Navy Pier. Along the way we passed these fabulous painted pooches, Chicago’s K9s for Cops. They are all over the city and so much fun! Not sure which is my favorite, but Dick Tracy is up there!

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Then it was on to meet LJ for dinner, I was with someone from her project in Philly who is here this week for a meeting. We went to Harry Caray’s, it’s a Chicago landmark, like he was. I will say the memorabilia was great, not so much the food for me. But I was there for the company, not the food.

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Next, a ride on the Sea Dog, one of the boat tours at Navy Pier. This one was one of the faster boats, so it was a windy, full of spray, lets get moving, cheesy guide, great boat ride. And the city at night…fabulous! Collage 2017-08-18 06_35_28

A walk back to the hotel, settle in, talk to you and then…night night!

What’s our next adventure?!

{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 9, 2017} My rhinestones have lost their shine…

Goodbye Glen Campbell.

I turned on the radio today and all I heard was Glen Campbell and all I thought, before another word was said, was, “no, not another one, not him too”.

He is most known for his hit Rhinestone Cowboy, there are others, but that’s what sticks in my mind, now in my ear!

He wrote music, performed, he was part of the famed “Wrecking Crew” of L.A. session musicians that included Hal Blaine, Leon Russell, Larry Knechtel and Carol Kaye. The crack band played on records by Phil Spector, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, the Monkees, the Beach Boys and Frank Sinatra.

He even had his own tv show at one time, using his family of 12 siblings as material!

Glen Campbell was 81 and finally lost his battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Keep those rhinestones shining.

{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!

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