Riverfront in Milwaukee
September 30, 2010
September 15, 2010
Detroit Rock City!
My first trip to Michigan started off with a disappointing viewing of the Virginia Tech Football Team. Adding to the disappointment was the barren town of Troy, Michigan (just outside of Detroit). The week was filled with trips to various suburbs of Detroit...luckily we were lucky enough to drive pass 8 Mile road several times on the trip. We were also given free Tigers tickets, and got to visit Comerica Park. The park was beautiful; however, they went a little overboard with the use of tigers as decorations. You had several areas were you could just stand and view the field and the city as well. We also took a lap around Ford Field (home of the Lions) which was absolutely humongous.
Going out on a ledge I took a chance and got my haircut (first time on the road) in Detroit . My homegirl Chelsey treated me right...so anytime you're in Detroit and need a haircut visit Salon NV - ask for Chelsey.
After the 3 day tour of the suburbs we headed to Kalamazoo for the night. Kalamazoo was absolutely out of control. We went out to Wayside...and watched the NFL opener. From there we went downtown Kalamazoo (location of Western Michigan University). The Monaco Bay Bar had a special call "You Call It's". Any drink you wanted for three dollars - needless to say we took advantage of the offer and enjoyed Ketel One and Sprites all night long. Monaco Bay was a piano bar which was very fun and filled with a great crowd!
Leaving Detroit and heading up north to Milwaukee!
8 Mile and The Home of the Tigers
September 14, 2010
Chicago Take Two...
Trump Tower
Labor Day Weekend 2010 was spent in Chicago...the week leading up to it was filled with a trip through Indiana. My first night in Indiana I discovered one of the most delicious foods I have ever tasted. The Italian beef sandwich from Portillo's was unbelievable. I had my first one in Merrillville, Indiana. Portillo's started as a hot dog stand in Chicago and has grown into a chain of restaurants. They have satisfied many celebrities from Brian Urlacher, Henry Winkler, and many others. I would recommend Portillo's to anyone visiting Chicago/Merrillville, IN. Along the way through Indiana, I had the privilege of being greeted on a street corner by a man in an orange vest, and he was wearing a sign demanding Obama be impeached. The photo on this sign had Obama's face adorned with a "hitler" mustache. The gentleman was kind enough to provide me with some literature on why this impeachment needed to take place...needless to say the piece of paper was riddled with nonsense that strung together was not coherent whatsoever.
Despite the strong desire I had to meet more street corner Obama-haters, we headed off for Chicago as soon as possible. Friday night we hung out at Justin's Bar and enjoyed some delicious food and service. After closing down Justin's we headed out withe some of the staff and visited a 4 am bar, which opens late to accommodate the service industry. The following morning was filled with college football watching and relaxing. For dinner we visited Bull and Bear (allegedly home to Chicago's Best Burger) and watched the late games and started pre-gaming.
Saturday night marked my first trip to "Vision" a techno club in Chicago where Cosmic Gate was spinning (apparently a big deal in the techno scene). Vision was a ginormous club consisting of 3 levels with balconies and staircases all looking down over the main dance floor. It also had lounge areas where you could just hang out if dancing was not your thing. On the other side of the lounge was another 3 story dance club...the main stage was more of a trance scene and the other dance floor was a fusion of hip-hop/house. The club was packed and wild...see videos!
Sunday was a productive day...I walked the magnificent mile and saw the Hancock Tower and the Old Water Tower in Downtown Chicago. Also took a walk along the Riverwalk and heard some wonderful street drum music from what appeared to be a father and son. Sunday evening was spent back at Justin's and then out to another late-night bar.
A three day weekend of nights lasting until the wee-hours of the morning was out-of-control. I returned to the hotel via taxi at 6:30 am (watching the sunrise on lake shore drive was pretty excellent)...then it was off to Michigan for a week of work around Detroit!
The Commonwealth known as Kentucky...
After that wild trip to St. Louis it was time for a trip to another Commonwealth, Kentucky! The journey started in Lexington, where we worked at Thursday Night Live in Downtown, Lexington. They shut down two blocks of town and had a live music festival. People could walk from stage to stage and listen to live music. The bars were open along the stages and several liquor companies setup kiosks outside were you could try their alcohol. Unfortunately after our shift ended we packed up and had to head to Louisville for the next days work.
It was in Louisville, where we worked at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium at Louisville University. We got to tour the press box and get a great view of the field. Later that day we went enjoy 4th Street in Louisville. The entire block of fourth street is closed off and you must be 21 and up to enter the street. The street is lined with restaurants and bars of all sorts and kinds. There was a techno club, a comedy club, and several other popular locations. Some of the bars had beer pong and corn hole you could play...and it was open to 4am. Needless to say it was a wild time, and led to many hours of recovery.
Quick trip to Kentucky...then it was off to Indiana!
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