A Recap of Jazzin' at the Shedd

they look kind of like mushrooms

these look like spaceships

spaceshroom!

penguins!

starfish (duh)

I went for the fourth of July.  Happy birthday, America!  It was lovely.  Nice, inexpensive entertainment and a good chance to see the good ole Shedd Aquarium on a weds night!  Highly recommended.  

Windy City Live

So this past Monday, I was in the studio audience of Windy City Live!  It was awesome!  My roommate from freshman year of college won tickets and invited me to go with.  This was my second time being on a TV show (I was on The View back in 2008).  I can be seen several times throughout this episode.  Also, here are some pics!  I wasn't familiar with Windy City Live prior to this, but I have to say - great lil show!  I will definitely be watching from now on.

Cheating On My Hair Girl

So I may have touched on this before.  I know I've touched on the subject of getting one's hair done in Chicago before.

So, I have a hair girl.  I like my hair girl.  However, kind of like someone in her first long-term relationship, a part of me wonders what else is out there.  I am generally happy with her work, but I'm uncertain about a couple things.  And I guess, since it's so f*#^&$! expensive, I've started to expect nothing less than perfection.

However, as we all know - sometimes the grass is not greener.  So here is my question - can I go to another hair person, then, in the instance I do not like said person better, can I go back to the old person?  Is it that I've cheated on my hair person?  Or is he or she simply happy to have his or her customer back?  Have any of you ever left a hair person and gone back?   Has anyone ever been confronted by a hair person for someone else having touched his or her hair?  Has anyone ever run into a hair person out in public after having left him or her?  Is this overly paranoid?  Your thoughts?

People Walking and Reading

A couple times throughout the past couple years, I've witnessed a random phenomenon throughout downtown Chicago.  People walking and reading.  I've seen it in the Merchandise Mart.  I've seen it on Michigan Avenue.

I get it that the book is good.  And it get it that you might be at a part where something really interesting is happening.  Maybe a big plot twist is about to be revealed.  I get it.  BUT STILL.  I don't get how one can do this and not crash into something.  I find this infinitely more difficult than walking and texting, and I struggle with that.

Your thoughts?  Do you see people doing this?  Is it just around me?  Have you ever seen anyone walk into a pole or another person whilst doing this?  Is it happening in the suburbs too?  How about other parts of the country?  Do you do this?  Weigh in!

Thanks for the Heads Up

This picture was taken at Public House last night.   I can't help but wonder if this is 100% a precautionary measure, or if, perhaps, this is in reaction to an incident.  And, if so the latter, I'd really like to hear more about the incident.

Improv Comedy

So, for various reasons, over the past couple weeks, I've ended up at several 'improv comedy' events.  I like improv, however, I have two issues with it:

1)  It's become a little too prevalent that it's lost its novelty.

2)  I feel anxiety for the actors.  I imagine they are feeling anxiety.  I could be completely wrong.  But I know if I were in their shoes, I'd feel anxiety.  The pressure to be funny.  In front of a live studio audience. Who could potentially be mean and boo.  Or could potentially feel sorry for me and laugh and clap patronizingly.  I am really not sure which would be worse to someone trying to make it in comedic acting.  I actually think it might be the latter.

Anyhow.  Does anyone else feel this way about improv comedy?  I still like it, in spite of those issues.  What are your feelings on improv?  Does everyone else accidentally type improve every freakin' time?  Your thoughts?

Why I Like Little Tiny Corner Coffee Shops

Kind of like Avis Rental Car - we're #2, we try harder.   Photo taken at Kickstand Espresso shop in Lakeview.  And M is for Mocha (I assume).

Update on My Haircut

(Editor's sidenote:  Because you care.  You do, really....)

So, as I said in an earlier post, I had scheduled a haircut/highlight for this past Sunday.   A coworker had recommended the salon (which shall remain nameless).  She told me the name of her girl; her girl was out of my price range.  I spoke to the receptionist and requested a girl in a lower price bracket.  I described my hair - she made a recommendation.  Let's call said girl 'Sarah'.  The receptionist penciled me in with Sarah on Sunday for a cut & partial for around $105.

Saturday rolls around.  I see a missed call on my phone from an unknown number.  Thinking perhaps it's Mr. Right or someone telling me I'd won a contest (or more likely a local alderman candidate asking for my vote), I curiously listened to the voicemail.

"Hi Jaime, I'm calling from XXXX Hair Place to confirm your appointment tomorrow at 1 with Jenny for a partial and haircut.  Please let me know immediately if you cannot make it."

Well, I, too, noticed a brief discrepancy.  I called to ask about it.  Jenny?  I thought I had Sarah?  Granted, I don't know the first thing about either.  Maybe Jenny is better?

"Oh, yeah.  We had a scheduling conflict, so we moved you to Jenny because it worked better for us.  She's great.  She's the same price."

I got in the shower a little confused.  Granted, I was going in cold either way, and, perhaps, as suggested earlier, Jenny would be a better fit for me.  However, something about the situation rubbed me the wrong way.  They moved me?  Without asking me?  Had they called me up and asked me, I wouldn't be as lukewarm about it.   What if Sarah was MY hair girl that I was attached to?  Granted, they probably had some notes that stated I was a new client and didn't have a specific request - but STILL.  I was getting in the mindset to be styled by Sarah.  I had started to do some background research on her.  I was spending over $100 at their salon - maybe that wasn't a big deal to them, but it was to me.  I deserved better treatment for that money - not as just some afterthought getting shuffled into the one opening that works for them.  Nobody puts Jaime in the corner!

Anyhow.  I called back shortly after and canceled.  They didn't ask why, and I didn't feel like getting into it.  If my business wasn't important to them, I wasn't about to yell at them and tell them that it should be.  So now I'm back to square one - looking for an affordable, decent hair girl in Chicago.

Am I being oversensitive?  Is this a common practice?  Anyone have a hair recommendation in Chicago?  Your thoughts?

Women's Haircuts

So, it's been over four months - I am due for a haircut.  Also, I, like millions of women in America, have gotten in this crazy habit of highlighting my hair.  My mom told me, when I first let dye touch my hair 'once you start, you'll never stop'.   I am pretty sure cocaine is an ingredient in hair dye.

Anyhow.  My hair is long, straight and thin.  And I've pretty much been getting variations of the same haircut for the past 12 years.  Still, it is, quite possible screw it up - as I have experienced.

A couple years ago, a good friend recommended a good hair girl within Chicago.  She does well.  I cannot say that I am in love with her - but she has gotten the job done.  Maybe it is not possible that I would get a haircut that I am 'in love with' - in fact, I'm not sure it's happened.  (Don't we know if we are in love?  Can only love break your heart?  I digress.)

Ok - recently - she has changed locales.  And prices.  I am not sure exactly what I was paying before, but now she is up to $55 for a haircut and $85 for a partial highlight.  No.

So, I have cold called a new place which got good reviews on yelp.  I will be getting my hair cut for $35 and my highlights done for $70.  I have called around.  This is on the cheap end, if we take supercuts/greatclips/etc. out of the running.

Ok - how much does a woman's haircut cost in Chicago?  How much SHOULD a woman's haircut and highlights cost?  Does everyone pay around this amount?  I have raised this question in the ultimate forum, facebook, and got a mix of responses.  Someone suggested that the real issue is supply and demand - there are enough women out there who are brainwashed into believing it's necessary to spend this amount of money to get a good haircut.  How much is a reasonable amount to spend on one's hair?  Is a hair salon really any better of quality than Supercuts?  Your thoughts?

Birthday Recap

The Holiday Club

Ok, there's a problem.  It appears as though something is wrong at the holiday club.  Today, when I drove by, all the letters were off (see the picture above) and there was 'Tyvek' wrapping all around it.  Maybe they are just doing renovations.   We, the good people of Lakeview/Uptown, cannot afford to lose the Holiday Club.

I also couldn't help but notice something similar happening around Tropico.   Again, maybe they are just redoing their awning.  Not here to start rumors.  I am just secretly afraid the neighborhood is going to shit.  It anything happens to Tac Quick or Pizza Rustica, I'm moving to the suburbs or Wicker Park.  Ok, fine.  I'm not.  But maybe I would consider something almost as drastic.

It's That Time Again....

Within these bags are yellow pages.  They were dropped off about a week ago.  There was clearly a huge rush by everyone to get her book.  Yep, it's yellow page season in Chicago.  Who ISN'T excited? I can't believe they haven't all been picked up already yet!   Hopefully no one tries to smuggle more than his fair share.  There aren't enough to go around.

Christmas Shopping

So yesterday, one of my best friends was in town.  We painted the town red.   I never know what to do with tourists, except take them to all the places I regularly frequent.

Anyhow.  Saturday, we took on downtown Chicago.  I ended up shopping at a bunch of places I don't normally go.  The result, I must say, was a positive one.  Not what one would expect to hear, but I got a good 75% of my Christmas shopping done.   Needless to say, the gifts cannot be posted here.   Almost everyone on the receiving end of a Jaime Christmas gift is, of course, a reader.  :)

Sushi.

I think Sushi might have some addictive component to it (like coffee or alcohol).  I semi-regularly crave it and if I don't get it, I get cranky.

What are the best sushi places in Chicago?  I have been to quite a few good ones - Sushi Samba Rio, Coast, Friends Sushi, Kanok, Jai Yen, Oh Fusion (formerly Katachi), but I feel there have to be a lot of other good ones lurking around that I'm missing.  Any thoughts or recommendations?

Exercise Girl at the East Bank Club

Ok.  Someone else out there HAS to know who I'm talking about.  It's the woman who, at some time between 9-11 am goes out on the roof of the East Bank Club and really, really breaks it down, 80s dance move style.  On one hand, she seems to have no shame.  On another note - it seems as though she thinks no one can see her.  I wonder what, really, is going through her mind.  Does she think no one can see her?  She's on the roof of a three story building, surrounded by about 12 high-rise buildings.  She is highly, HIGHLY visible, IF she thinks about it.  Well, regardless of all - I enjoy her.  She entertains me.  She makes me wish I could dance, scratch that, LIVE, with such abandon.

Does anyone else know of 'exercise girl'?  My coworkers and I coined the nickname.  I imagine we cannot be the only ones....  She's like a Chicago landmark (well, a moving one).  Anyone out there?  Please don't hold back.

There's A Problem

I think Camille's might have closed.  The location in downtown Chicago.  It was one of my favorite lunch spots.  I loved their wraps and chips.  Something different.  And delicious.  Yet another restaurant I like closed.  File this with Caliente on Sheffield and Mambo Grill.

Sigh.

I think I have a party in mind to blame.

Catch Up on My Life

So I had a paid furlough this week.  It was sweet and reminiscent of last year's furlough, but nicer because it was paid.

I had a chance, for the first time in a long time, to give my apartment a very thorough cleaning.  It needed it.  I feel better about my surroundings.  The 'feng shui' is right.

However, this took my ENTIRE week.  I could use a second week to explore Chicago as a tourist.  I wouldn't mind doing the Shedd, etc.   There were just too many things that needed to be accomplished.  Sigh.  All those weekends going to the beach this summer got the better of me.  Oh well.

I am sure this is one of the most thrilling, exciting posts that my readers have read.  Sorry.

Sneak Peek - Kat's Wedding

Art

So, there is a large blank spot above my television.  Now that I'm such a dignified adult, living on my own, I need some art in my life.

Now, I found some art I like whilst window shopping in Lakeview (www.franklieart.com).  How could I not like a wine bottle with a purple frame and leopard print curtain?  I am still thinking of it, however, it is toward the top of my price range.

Now, quick question - where does one buy art in Chicago?  Where does one buy reasonably priced, not too modern of art?  I am curious.  What have you other young Chicagoans done for art?   Please advise. 

Mambo Grill

Ok, I am upset.

One of my all time favorite restaurants in Chicago, Mambo Grill, appears to have closed.

Actually, this may have happened a while ago.  They pulled one of those 'closed to relocate' deals, but then never relocated.

Well, I am inconsolable.  This was one of the best restaurants in Chicago.  Nutritious and delicious - or at least the latter.  The one thing I didn't like about it was there were some great things on the lunch menu that couldn't be ordered for dinner.  Otherwise - spectacular.

Does anyone out there know more about Mambo Grill and it's fate?  Am I wrong?  Will it reopen?  Please help?!