Taste of Randolph Fest 2018

Well it’s official.  I booked my next trip.  Unfortunately it won’t be a new destination.  I’ll reveal it in later posts.  For now, I have to catch up on the blog!

Following Pride Fest Saturday, it was another hot day in Chicago.  My friends wanted to meet up for Taste of Randolph Fest that Sunday but we opted to go later in the afternoon.  I waited patiently at a nearby restaurant and ordered a margarita until everyone showed up.  I figured it would be more comfortable waiting in there than to wait outside in the scorching sun.  The humidity was unreal!

Once we gathered up all of the troops we headed to the fest.  It was fun catching up with everyone.  It was too hot to eat at the fest, so we mostly drank sangria and micheladas and had some light bites.  A friend of ours was celebrating his birthday at Bottled Blonde and we ended our night in there.  My birthday was right around the corner during that time, and Bottled Blonde made me feel worse about it.  Lol.  That place was too young for me, but at least I did learn that some places are not for me anymore.  Lesson learned…

West Fest Weekend Part 1

Since I kind of jumped into summer, I never got a chance to go through my summer wardrobe.  I have a full bag of clothes as well as shoes to donate.  Over the years, I might have glanced at them and said to myself I’ll eventually wear them, but let’s be honest.  My style has changed as I’ve gotten older.  Mini-skirts and short dresses were the first ones to go.  I am much comfortable wearing midi length.  Platform wedges that hurt back then have switched over to boots or sneakers.  It was time to do this!

I feel better downsizing my wardrobe.  Fall season is slowly creeping up and I’m praying I find practical sales for end-of-summer-fashion.  I  now think of shopping for vacation pieces since that’s when I really get excited.  It’s all about living out of a suitcase for a few days as far as I’m concerned!

Back to recapping July events!  I finished up an eventful July 4^th weekend, and work was short but sweet.  Not a lot of people came in the remaining of that week.  I got a chance to do some chores, workout and catch up on my reading at home.  I wasn’t hearing from anyone and it was nice---for a while.  That’s when the Gemini in me comes out.  I knew I didn’t want to spend much money, but some friends out of nowhere invited me to a neighborhood fest.  I haven’t seen this couple in a while and wanted to catch up.  I made my way over to West Fest and found them right away.  We all got there pretty late but at least we got a chance to see Mark Farina’s set.  Afterwards, my friends knew of a house party right around the corner.  We headed there for some drinks and were getting the itch to head somewhere else.  We decided to go to Bar Deville and danced away to some 90s hip hop.  I was having such a good time I didn’t realize we made a night of it!  All last minute!  Afterwards, we ate late night tacos and headed home.  I love surprises like this…   

Like a Ninja!

I’m still recapping my birthday weekend shenanigans.  I didn’t realize I did so much.  Here goes:

Saturday I did my usual routine.  Caught up on some reading; cleaned up the apartment; and did Leg Day at the gym.  My friend invited me to join him at the Taste of Randolph Fest around 5pm which was perfect timing.  I know I need to schedule my chores during the week and not let everything slide on the weekends.  I absolutely HATE leaving my apartment a hot mess.

The weather was acting up again.  Out of nowhere a storm passed through.  I patiently waited before I headed out.  Lately our storms have lasted no more than 30 minutes, but they come in STRONG.

I made my way down there but made sure I had my umbrella with me just in case.  The weather forecast mentioned showers later on but I was secretly hopping it turned out false.  By this time the sun came out and it felt wonderful!  I met my friend and we grabbed a bite to eat and had a cocktail in between.  He was looking for a friend who was going to meet him there at the fest.  They wanted to check out a band that was going to perform around 7pm.

I had mentioned to my friend earlier that I really wanted to see Taylor Dayne at Pride Fest.  I’m an 80s kid and LOVE 80s music.  She was definitely one of my favorite artists.  She was scheduled to perform at 8:30pm so I calculated my time to stay no longer than 7:30pm at the Randolph Fest.  I figured I would give myself an hour to go across town.

Luckily we found his friend and I made my quick getaway.  I really wanted to see her and didn’t want to miss this opportunity!

The night before my brother told me he had plans with his girlfriend to go the Randolph Fest but while I was getting ready, he called me up and told me they were going to be at the Pride Fest instead.  Apparently his girlfriend is a fan as well!

I texted him to let him know I was on my way over there to meet him.  I couldn’t believe I got there in time.  I was worried I wasn’t going to find them at that crowd, but they walked up to me right before she got on!

Next thing you know, we started to feel rain drops.  NOOOOOOO!  It started to rain, but I was praying it wouldn’t be heavy.  She came out and started singing.  The crowd was going crazy for her!

It DID start to pour, but she never stopped.  What a trooper!!  She kept engaging with the audience and dancing around.  I felt like a kid again.  She still has that AMAZING voice!  I was impressed.

She got drenched up there but never stopped performing.  I am forever grateful I got a chance to see my childhood idol!!  It was soooooooooooooo worth it!!

Do Division Fest with Mr. Pig

After a cool off in temperatures, it's heating back up in Chicago.  I'm still recapping last weekend's events.

Last Sunday the temperature reached 90 degrees!  I have to admit, I almost forgot how hot summer can get.  Lol.  I laid out for a bit on the balcony again after church.  So far, I’m slowly deepening my color.  I hate looking pale!!  Ugh!

I watched the One Night in Manchester fundraiser via internet.  I’m deeply saddened by what is happening today in the world.  The night before me and my friends found out about the London attacks while playing bocci ball.  It changed our moods completely.  I yearn to travel again, but with today’s current events, I wonder if I should lay low for now.  What do you think?

I made my way to the gym for leg day when my friend started texting me.  She was curious if I was going to go to the Do Division Fest.  I told her I hadn’t heard from anyone, and we decided to check it out  after the sun was setting.  It was still hot and my friend is pregnant as well.  We wanted to go at a time where it would not be uncomfortable for her.

Once there we walked around for a bit and caught up with one another.  The last time I hung out with her was a month ago when we stayed in and chatted all night with her friends. 

My sweet tooth was starting to act up and we decided that Caffe Gelato was the answer to our prayers.  I miss having gelato.  I miss Italy dearly…

Out of nowhere we came across a pig.  At first, it looked like someone was walking a black dog but then we noticed it wasn’t a dog after all.  People kept coming up to him and petting him like crazy.  Things like that kind of freak me out because I know the pig is not at his normal habitat.  But according to my friend, pigs are very intelligent, and he seemed to be fine with everyone coming up to him.  It was the dogs of other dog walkers that got me worried too.  I wasn’t sure how they were going to react to a pig, but they were getting along with him too.  

I got home in time to call my mom up.  I warned her about being busy for the Bad Axe Throwing Birthday Party.  So far, lots of people have come by to see her house, but no potential buyers as of yet.

 

Finishing up the month of June!

So far 2015 has been a difficult year but it didn't stop me from doing the things I wanted to do.  I struggled with days wondering if I would ever experience joy again, but then, out of nowhere, something wonderful would happen.  It's easy to disregard good thoughts when you feel you should be mourning, especially when there is a death in the family.  But Life can be beautiful, and you shouldn't ignore those precious moments.  Friends are your second family, and it was great whenever I got a chance to see them.  You wonder about the people who come in and out of your life.   Whether it's by choice or not, sometimes you get lost in the shuffle. 
Following up my birthday, was Father's Day, which fell on that Sunday.  On Friday for my actual birthday it was a brisk 68 degrees.  Hence me wearing my birthday-gift to myself.  On Saturday it warmed up to 77, but the rain wouldn't stop, putting a damper on the Taste of Randolph Fest.  But on Sunday it was beautiful!  A perfect summer's day with temps hitting 82 degrees!  I was excited that my friends wanted to get together and try the fest again.  I made my way down before I met up with my family later on.  It was nice walking around and soaking up the sun.  I didn't want to head out so soon, but my dad's wife wanted to have a Father's Day dinner.  My dad appreciated us showing up.
The following weekend, a friend was relocating to another city, so we decided to celebrate his new transition.  I often thought about relocating myself, but for the time being, I want to make sure my mom is ok.  We painted the town red!  Started off at Siena Tavern (my first time there) and then danced the night away at Underground.  I saw so many familiar faces that night.  People I haven't seen in 10 years!  It's funny how some things never change.  People chasing something they can't put their finger on.  I wish someone would catch me.  I'm right here.

Perfect Sunday for the Taste Of Randolph Fest!

Good luck on your move!

First round of drinks at Siena Tavern!

Underground with new friends!

This place is always packed!