Def Leppard and Journey concert!

I obtained tickets to see Def Leppard and Journey at Wrigley Field and couldn’t be more excited!  I LOVE 80’s music and knew this was going to be a good show.  What I didn’t expect was the lack of enthusiasm by other people who just weren’t interested in going with me. I asked two people if they would like to come with me and they both laughed and said it wasn’t their thing.  Umm…HELLO??  These rock stars were the prime sound of pop rock music!  How can anyone NOT be interested in seeing them live?  I ended up asking a co-worker if he would come with me and he happily agreed.  Whew!  

I did my usual Saturday routine and cleaned up around the apartment.  A friend who stopped by to talk ended up taking me to the restaurant where I was supposed to meet my co-worker.  We ordered some cocktails before heading out to the show.  Unfortunately, we were under the impression that the Pretenders were going to start a bit later, but they didn’t.  They were the opening headliner and we missed a few songs.  But we caught some songs and they sounded great!

Next up was Journey with their new lead singer.  It was surreal listening to them again.  I remembered so many songs they played.  Once Def Leppard got on, the crowd was super pumped.  Journey had the crowd going and watching everyone sing along was electrifying.  I enjoyed my night out at Wrigely!  I have never been to a concert there before…

Friday the 13th at Taste of Chicago

This summer Friday the 13^th fell during the Taste of Chicago.  I decided to take a walk down to Grant Park after work to check it out.  I knew that I was I was going to be busy the following day.  I obtained tickets for the Def Leppard & Journey concert at Wrigley Field and wanted to be low key that evening, (I never go out on Friday the 13th btw).  It was another hot weekend in Chicago.  I was sweating up a storm once I got there.  I was craving a jibarito sandwich.  I figured I would walk in and walk straight out to enjoy my meal when I heard some house music playing.  I found the Chicago Summerdance stage and people were slowly gathering around.  I stayed for a bit and watched people dance.  I did not want to stick around when it closed because of the rush, so I left early.  Regardless, I’m glad I treated myself to my sandwich.  Quick fact:  the jibarito was invented here in Chicago!

West Fest 2018

This year I went with my friends on a Sunday for West Fest.  Normally this festival runs all weekend, but over the years, we noticed the crowd was usually significantly better on Sundays.  Again, Chicago was battling hot temperatures.  I laid low the rest of the weekend and was ready for my friends to pick me up after church that day.  We luckily found parking and decided to have a late lunch at the infamous Tecalitlan Restaurant right by the corner of Wood street.  Believe it or not we also lucked out getting a table.  Again, we had a great time catching up with everyone as little by little more people joined in our group.  We spent a good amount a time at the restaurant and decided to join in on the fun by finding a spot not too far from the stage.  There we listened to some good old house music before heading home early.  We didn’t want to stay out once the festival was over since it would be hectic to get an uber.

Chicago Summerdance 2018

I am so scared.  I get this incredible rush that goes straight to my stomach.  I’ve been trying to fight off feeling at least once a day.  My anxiety now has been giving me migraines, tension at the shoulders, as well as vivid dreams at night.  I’m pretty much miserable.

I finished a book on “Less is More” and have been going over my notes.  Sometimes, reading soothing passages makes me feel better.  I’m wondering if I should bring a book along this trip.  I am trying my best to be strong about this, but I’m so nervous.  I am also doing my best not to worry my mom about my insecurities.  She is going to be flying out to Mexico once I come back to visit her friends.  She hasn’t flown in over 20 years and I don’t want her to get the way I do.  I know through experience that fear is taught.  I  would feel horrible if I jeopardize this for her.  She is very excited.

Back to recapping my events in July.  My friend out of nowhere texted me that she was going to be downtown.  It was Friday, and I had just gotten out of work.  I wanted to do some window shopping, and decided to go to State street.  Luckily I was still in the neighborhood.  She was attending Chicago Summer Dance at the Spirit of Music Garden stage.  I made my way over there and found her with her family.  It was nice catching up to her.  I miss her a lot and wanted to see how things were going for her.  Jesse de la Pena was mixing too.  Chicagoans love a free house party!

Hump Day July 4th

This year, July 4^th fell on a Wednesday.  It was an odd day for many reasons.  Namely, most workplaces acknowledged the holiday on Wednesday only.  It was a nightmare leaving work on Tuesday with so much traffic.  I normally take the Blue Line to commute home, which also takes you to O’Hare airport.  The trains were packed of travelers heading out of town.  I laid low the rest of the evening since it took so long to get home.  I was invited by my friend who lives not far from me for a barbeque the following day.  I haven’t caught up with her in a while and I wanted to see how she was doing.  I couldn’t eat too much because my mom invited me and my brothers over for dinner.   What a feast!  I did my best to low carb it, but how can you not take advantage of classic July 4^th barbeque?

My mom also gave me a be-lated birthday gift since I did not want to celebrate my birthday this year.  I’m telling you, I was not in the mood for it this year.  I have to say, it was sweet of her to do this.  I need to stop being a grouch about this…

Mamby On the Beach!!

In July I got a chance to go to a music festival and I loved it!!  There's no denying how much I love dance music.  Over the years I would attend as many as I could, but now that I'm older, my body can't physically take a full 3 day weekend of untz untz.  It can be exhausting.  I couldn't pass up this festival which was premiering by the beach.  Off I went on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
Me and my friends headed up to the main stage which oddly resembled the Sydney Opera House.  Hence, housemusic was playing and we were in heaven.  I had so much fun that day!  Since I had to work in the morning, we didn't stay for the whole thing, but we definitely got our music fix. 

LOVED the graphics at the main stage...

Packed house!

Good times!

Festival selfie...

They even had a teepee!  lol