Tamales!

For whatever reason, I have an obsession with tamales.  Maybe because they're usually very cheap.  Probably because they're hard to find.  Definitely because I enjoy street food. 

I've had tamales twice from a 'street guy.'  One time from a cart guy on Bryn Mawr and another time at Will's from a guy going bar to bar.  5 for $5, its a beautiful thing.  Everytime I drive along Montrose on my way to Milwaukee or on the way back I dream about stopping.  Kelly never lets me, but soon!  Soon I tell you!

The other day, I was in Albany Park, by Kedzie and Irving, visiting a friends new condo.  I saw 2 carts that looked promising and my stomach was very excited.  I parked and walk a block to the corner of Kedzie and Cullom to find my treasure only to find one cart was a fruit cart and another only sold tacos and tortas.  Not to be denied. I saw another cart being pushed down the street away from me and ran, yes ran, 2 blocks after her, only to be denied once more.  To my great disappointment, it was not to be that day. 

If only there was a tamale truck that came by my apartment or office everyday.....   One can hope.

Wedding Season

Another wedding season is upon us.  This season I'm going to 5 weddings out of 6 invites.  I feel like I've been stuck in 'wedding season' for 5 years now and I don't see an end in sight.  Every year I average around 5 weddings or so.

I just went to my first this past weekend in Iron River, MI, in the Upper Peninsula.  Kelly and I had a great time, too good of a time in fact, but more on that in a later post.  We have 2 more in July, separated by a week.  One is in Evanston, a chicago suburb, and the other is in Madison on a friday.  I'm standing up in both and have never been to a friday wedding. 

The last 2 are both in September separted by a week also.  The first is in Chicago and the second is in New York/New Jersey.  Never been to a wedding in either.  I've been to weddings in the suburbs of Chicago, but never a city wedding. 

All of these wedding are always a good time, but its a lot of wedding to go to.  I'm going to predict 4 for next year, but hopefully it will be less. 

Packerpalooza

Every year my favorite bar, Will's Northwoods Inn puts on an event called Packerpalooza.  This year was its 3rd year.  It actually started out 4 years ago as Favre Fest, but since he went to the Jets and so on, they renamed it more appropriately, Packerpalooza.  They do it every year right around draft time and its nice to see everyone that we're friends with outside of the season.  Will's treats it like a game and does its usual dogs/burgers out back and 'halftime' raffle.

The first year they brough in William Henderson and Gilbert Brown.  The special guests all pose for pics and bring stuff that you can purchase and sign.  William was very nice, but I think Gilbert was a little ticked cause he was eating at the time.  And lemme tell ya, you don't want to interrupt a meal from a guy the size of Gilbert.  We have an autographed pic from William and one from Gilbert.  The second year they brough in Ahman Green and Mark Chmura.  We got mini helmet signed from Ahman.  This year they brought in Leroy Butler, inventor of the Lambeau Leap. 

We got a pic taken with him.  For a few games a year and for this event Frank Winters comes.  He lives in the city now and.  They've designated a table to him, which just so happens to be right next to ours.  He's always very nice and signs plenty of things for people and poses for a lot of pics. 
My friend Nate has a plastic Packer hard hat that has all the signatures of everyone mentioned above.  Its a great idea that I wish I would've thought of.  Its just awesome that all these players come into Chicago and we fans can come and appreciate it.

Gambling: Part 2

2 lessons learned:

Lesson 1
If you are at the casino, like I was, and am also asian, like I am, and therefore will have a strong, undeniable compulsion to gamble, then do yourself a favor and play a game that you like and are good at. 

Don't sit around and hope to get on a table that you want, like I did, and then go and lose money at a crappy game like video roulette, because you got bored and wanted to gamble just cause.

Lesson 2
If you have a friend that you know is either very lucky, or skilled, or you just know that he/she is going to win.  Stick to them like glue and bet on the same things they've betting on. 

My friend Tom with whom I've been to the casino twice now is one such individual.  On his first hand in Harrah's in New Orleans he won $300 playing blackjack.  I think he was up over a thousand that weekend.  On our last trip a couple weeks ago, he played a $5 slot machine and won $1100 on one pull. 

SOOO....lesson learned.  Don't play crappy games just to play.  And bet on Tom.

FACT: Asians like to gamble.

It's true.  My dad likes to.  I like to.  I'm not just talking about Chinese folks, ALL Asians like to gamble.  Slots, Bingo, Baccarat, Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Sports betting....you name, we do it. 

Personally, I really enjoy Poker, Craps, and sports betting.  Craps is something that I've really gotten into in recent years.  Unlike poker and sports, however, you can really only play it at the casino which is why I play it the most whenever I'm at one.  Also in Craps, much like Blackjack, many times if you win, everyone wins.  Besides, the wait is generally outrageous for a seat at a poker table anyways, unless your willing to rock the real high stakes.

I definitely enjoy the more interactive games.  Slots and Bingo are pretty boring in my mind.  Poker is the ultimate game.  You can bluff, strategize, and your playing against other people, not the casino.  The casino will still take its rake, but I guess I feel better if I lose to someone rather than the casino. 

Have you ever walked into a casino and noticed that there are an inordinate amount of Asian people.  Usually with a beer in one hand and a cig in the other.  There's a reason why they've built the Las Vegas of the East in Macao (island within ferry distance of Hong Kong).  Many of the same casinos are there are even there, i.e. MGM Macao.

This saturday I'll get my casino fix along with many of my brethren and hopefully win a little bit.

Things I've done that would go on my Chicago Bucket List

As I was writing the previous post about my Chicago Bucket List.  I came to the realization by asking people what might be on there list that people reading this wouldn't have a frame of reference.  They would have no idea what I've already done that would originally be put on the list so here goes again...

In no particular order:

• Cubs game (bleachers, 1st come 1st served)  (Rooftop)
• Sox game (was actually a Cubs/Sox game down at the Cell)
• Bulls game
• Chicago Fire game (Bridgeview)
• South Side Irish Parade - discontinued.  RIP
• Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science of Industry, etc...
• Chinatown
• Multiple festivals - Love summer Chi fests - Mayfest, Oktoberfest, Burger Fest, Sheffield Garden Walk, Belmont Sheffield, and many, many more
• Hancock Building
• Sears deck - yes Sears, not Willis - although I haven't been there since they opened the outdoor see through deck
• Trump Tower - been to the bar a few times.  Ate at the restaurant Sixteen for our engagement dinner.
• Went on a boat on the Lake - caught 311 and Matisyahu at Northerly Island from the lake, very cool
• Mag mile shopping
• Great America
• Arlington Race Track
• Lincoln Park Zoo - free, fun, and easy
• North Ave Beach - one of if not the most popular beach.  Pretty cool restaurant/bar on the beach thats shaped like a ship.  Been playing in a beach volleyball league in the summer for a few years now.
• Millennium Park - sculptures, etc.
• Off Broadway play - saw Mary Poppins

Food is coming next.  Oh baby!

Chicago Bucket List

I saw a local mag the other day that had an article about a Chicago Bucket List.  I didn't get a chance to read the article, but it inspired me to make my own nonetheless.  So here's a loose list of what I'd want to do in Chi and the surrounding areas...

In no particular order:

• Lollapalooza (Grant Park) - probably just 1 day.  Don't need to spend $200 on 3 days.  Sweaty, nasty, and expensive.
• Ravinia (Highland Park)- so many good concerts every year.  Missed the Counting Crows last year and Gipsy Kings the previous year.
• River dye (anywhere along the river downtown)- I've seen it a few days after, but I've never seen it during.  I miss the South Side Irish Parade
• Blackhawks game (United Center)
• Medieval Times (Schaumburg/Palatine) - cheesy, but I think I'd enjoy it
• Run a race - I've been talking about running a half marathon forever.  There are other cool races like Race to Wrigley and one that runs into Soldier Field.  I'm sure there are other themed/dress up in costume races as well that would be fun.
• Air and Water Show (lakefront) - I've heard many planes and even seen 1 or two, but I've never gotten the whole experience.
• Dinner cruise (Navy Pier) - this could be done in most cities probably.
• Blue Man Group (Lakeview) - I know that its not only in Chicago, but it does only play in a few cities.  Also, I've worked 2 blocks away for 5 years now.
• Tours (city) - Architecture Tour (water tour), Gangter Tour,  Ghost Tour, etc...
• Second City, Steppenwolf, Goodman Theatres (Lincoln Park/Old Town)
• Neighborhoods known for specific dining - examples include Greektown, Little Italy, Devon (Rogers Park - Indian Food).
• Metra- yes, kind of silly, but I've never ridden it.
• Segway Tour (loop)
• Art Musem (loop)
• Kingston Mines (Lincoln Park) - I've been to BLUES across the street.  The other Blues clubs on the southside are intriguing also.

I'm sure that I'm missing a ton of things for now that I'll have to edit in later.  My next 2 posts will be about the things I've already done that would make the bucket list and also a whole food section.  I couldn't figure out how to add that in without going on and on about it.

Tell me what's on your bucket list.  Thoughts Melissa (since your the only one who ever comments)?