An homage to my favorite word (sorry mom):

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The other day on Biography Channel I saw a show on H.H. Holmes.  I did not know anything about him — he was supposedly America’s first serial killer and was alive and kicking during the 1893 World’s Fair.  Most of his murders were committed in a special hotel he had made specifically for the occasion of the World’s Fair, which was later dubbed “Murder Castle.”  I am wondering now how I have never read Devil in the White Cityconsidering my love of all things Chicago and crime related.  The book details how Daniel Burnham, the architect who was in charge of planning for the World’s Fair, inadvertently created a perfect setting for Holmes to lure his victims.  I have heard of this book but did not know what it was about until now.  Has anyone read it?  Thoughts??

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By popular demand (I couldn’t find The Soup version but this clip can stand on it own anyway):

Things I Live For: Chugging Fresca/Nestea/Gatorade, The sticker man at Phish shows, Being lured into Spanish nightclubs

Quote of the Day: “I keep my friends eternally – We leave our tracks in the sound – Some of them are with me now – Some of them can’t be found” –Neil Young

Last fall, I decided it was time to bring back Goldschlagger.  You may be thinking: “Goldschlagger?  That stuff I drank in high school when I was sick of Pucker’s Sour Apple?”  And the answer is Yes, that Goldschlagger!  It was during the first Cubs playoff game when I decided a regular Jagerbomb was simply not going to do the trick.  I don’t go near tequila or Jameson, the bar I was at didn’t have Blackhaus, and vodka/SocoLimes/fuzzy navels/chocolates cakes etc etc are never an option.  So I pulled “Let’s do Goldschlagger” out from the depths of who knows where, and since then it’s been a way of life. 

Bama, Biggie and I went on a Goldschlagger binge that weekend — every bar we went to was shocked when we asked for it, but they eventually were able to find a dusty bottle in the back somewhere.  When we went to game 2 of the playoffs, I had a sign that said “Goldschlagger is Back!! P.S. Go Cubs!”  We were so excited about Schlagg that the guys in front of us asked: “So, do you guys like work for Goldschlagger?!”

“We got Schlagged” - ”You look Schlagged” - “I got really Schlagged last night…”  it was quickly becoming a very versatile shot.  In November I took the World Tour to Iowa when I visited my cousin Nibbles at college.  He said, upon tasting it for the first time: “It tastes like Christmas!”   I even named my fantasy football team “The Schlaggers”– we schlagged our way to second place! 

The flecks of gold, taste of cinammon, and kitschy-ness of ordering Goldschlagger all make it a shot that is fun, delicious and exciting!  So the next time you’re out, do yourself a favor and order a round of Goldschlagger.  Everyone will immediately know how awesome you are. 

(Photo courtesy of God-Sister)

Pet Peeve of the Day: Having to press 1 for English

Quote of the Day: “My fault, my failure, is not in the passions that I have, but in my lack of control of them.” — Jack Kerouac

It seriously blows my mind how few people I know actually religiously watch the Soup (Friday’s on E! at 9:00PM).  Shit is fucking jokes!

I always thought it was Turkey Tetrazzini, but it turns out you can make it with chicken too: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chicken-tetrazzini-recipe/index.html

And, according to Wikipedia, Tetrazzini can be made with anything… tuna (gross), chicken, turkey etc.  Mushrooms appear to be a highlight of the dish so I don’t think I’d be tempted to leave someone for this…  An awesome grilled cheese?  Well that’s another story…

Things I Live For (Look ma!  A new category of awesomeness!): Flyovers at sporting events, People who wink at me, Bringing (and reading) the sports section to Wrigley

Quote of the Day: “And after all the dead ends and the lessons learned – After all the stars have turned to stone – There’ll be peace across the great unbroken void – All benign, in your time – You’ll be fine, in your time” –Bob Seger

Last week I happened to be reading an article on skin cancer in Glamour magazine of all places.  I had a small mole on my leg that I had been suspicious of for a little over a year and after reading the article, I decided it was time to go get it checked out.  So I went to see my dermatologist (Dr. Brieva at Northwestern– he’s THE BOMB!).  Turns out I needed to have a biopsy done on the mole and after several anxious days of waiting, I learned it was an abnormal mole that would eventually turn into melanoma, aka cancer.  Now I need to have it totally removed and I should be fine, but it was a scary little episode.  If you know me, you know I enjoy a good tan and sitting on the beach more than anything in this world!  So hopefully I will still be able to do that, except now I’ll have to be more careful.  And to avoid being pasty, I will need to invest in some serious spray tanning sessions– I’ve never done this, can anyone give me any tips?? 

So the point is, had I ignored this mole, I would have woken up with cancer in a few months, a year, years, who knows?  It is something that is totally treatable if you catch it early enough, so I insist that you get a mole check if you are the least bit worried about anything.  I am someone who doesn’t have the fairest of skin– I tan very easily and rarely burn, yet melanoma is now something I have to be aware of.  Ok, now my little health rant is over, but please be aware of this– not to be dramatic but, it can save your life!!!  AND scene.

Pet Peeve of the Day: Bucket boys and the suburbanites that “jam out” to them

Quote of the Day: “Sometime we live no particular way but our own – Sometimes we visit your country and live in your home – Sometimes we ride on your horses – Sometimes we walk alone – Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own” –Grateful Dead

In honor of Opening Day at Wrigley, below is an excerpt of an essay I wrote (I forget what the assignment was) back in college in the Spring of 2003, (hence the Sosa reference):

But people don’t come to see games simply because of Wrigley’s prime location. They come to see what exactly it is like to experience a game inside the “Friendly Confines.” Walking through the main entrance, one can always be welcomed with the chant of the same vendor that has been there seemingly as long as Wrigley Field. He shouts, “Hey now! Line-ups!” to help sell his programs as he greets newcomers and welcomes back regulars. The distinct scent of stale beer seeping into cement is always prevalent in the dampness of the lower concourse upon first entering. The mixed smells of fresh popcorn, Chicago-style hot dogs, peanuts, nachos, and cracker jacks soon follow.

Walking up the stairs into the ball park is my favorite thing to do. The transition from down below to up into the field always seems so pronounced to me. Coming off a city street I walk everyday and entering a stadium filled with so many people is always quite amazing. I’ve probably seen around a million games, yet each time I can’t help but smile when I first look out onto the field, and then around into the stands. After dodging many vendors and fans on the walkway in the stands from behind home plate to down the first base line, I can settle into my seat. Looking around me I recognize many people who have had the same season tickets for years, like my family. After exchanging friendly conversation, we focus on the field. As Sammy Sosa comes out into right field, everyone cheers, hoping that he’ll throw his practice ball up into the stands.

Sometimes the actual game seems secondary to coming to Wrigley Field, since watching a Cubs game doesn‘t necessarily always involve watching the actual players. Whether it’s the drunk guys with their shirts off in 30 degree weather, the little kids with their mitts on the whole game hoping to catch a ball, or the businessmen discussing important matters with clients, there is always something going on, or someone providing a great dose of people watching. Sitting on the first base line is advantageous because it is where the opposing teams relief pitcher warms up. The heckling from the crowd is non-stop, and occasionally there is even a new, creative comment thrown out instead of the typical, “You suck!” A lot of people find baseball to be a boring sport, but at Wrigley there is never a dull moment. Someone is always getting kicked out of what they thought were their seats, getting too drunk, passing “the cup” around and betting on each play, scrambling for a foul ball, attempting to flag down a vendor, yelling at someone for standing in their way or for wearing a Chicago White Sox jersey, trying to smoke in the stands, or daring each other to run out onto the field, (which is one of the most entertaining things that I have been fortunate enough to experience more than once).

But all these different sorts of people aren’t together in one huge arena for no reason. There is a reason they are all able to get along, (well for the most part), and sing “Take me Out to the Ball Game” at the seventh inning stretch together. It is the Cubs, Wrigley Field, and the feeling that they get when they go there. Going to a game is a familiar thing, the players aren’t far from you, and it seems like it could just be your friends playing a game in front of you. Nothing seems extravagant or outrageous. It is all very simple: people going out just to see a ball game. In a time when everything is expanding, and becoming more technical, I think it’s important that Wrigley has managed to keep its charm. Sure they put up lights about 10 or so years ago in order to accommodate night games, but that’s pretty much been the last most drastic change. (Well, some consider the death of the great Harry Caray a drag…) Going to a game at Wrigley Field is like going to see a baseball game in your backyard, (whether it actually is yours, like for me, or not doesn’t matter). You know you’ll have a good time, see some old friends, and make some new ones.

Every year around November my dad debates whether or not he should re-order our season tickets. He always wonders if it is worth it, since there’s a lot of games where the tickets go unused. Yet this too now seems part of the Wrigley Field tradition because I know when it comes down to it, he will always end up ordering the tickets again. Whether the Cubs just had a horrible season or not, we both know it’s hard to deny a seemingly innate urge to witness first hand what they are capable of doing next season. And what better place to witness history than Wrigley Field? Opening day is just around the corner on April 7^th, and like the past how many years, I won’t be at school, but rather sitting in Wrigley Field, watching my favorite baseball team kick off the best season of their careers.

Pet Peeve of the Day: Mock turtlenecks

Quote of the Day: “This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh… people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.” –Terence Mann, Field of Dreams