Lazy Friday Afternoon

After a long week of some very late nights, I found myself this hot and sunny Friday with not much to do. I jumped on the opening in my schedule and ran out of the office faster than you could say "Christian Lacroix!" Why you would say Christian Lacroix is beyond me, but I was out faster than that. This weekend is the Air & Water Show, which is an annual event of death-defying aeronautical tricks. I, for some reason, have been out of town each year and keep missing the show (this weekend I'll be gone for Wedding Part 2). But the pilots have been practicing in their jets all day, so I thought I'd at least check out the preview. And I decided it'd be even more fun if I brought along my trusty friend: my Nikon D60 (oh how I love thee).

While I may live in one of the biggest cities in the country, with some rather tall buildings (they don't call it the home of the skyscraper for nothing), what I really enjoy is that it's still very much a midwestern city where you can randomly talk to strangers and walk two blocks and get lovely Great Lake splendor. And by two blocks, I really mean two blocks. That's my building right there, at the end of the inlet. It's really fun to walk out and see boats on the water. I love it! I also loved the two elderly men I ran into on my way out the door who asked me if I was on my way to a beauty contest, because I "sure look beautiful today." Awww, shucks.

From home I walk two blocks along these lovely trees (greenery is rare downtown and I get excited every time I see a tree)...


and then I'm at Navy Pier! It's so simple.


Well, this is actually the entrance, the other one is just to let you know you're going the right way. So, yay, now I'm at Navy Pier!


I am pretty obsessed with the Navy Pier ferris wheel. It's not exactly an awesome ride or anything, but it's crawling slow pace gives you time to enjoy the great Chicago views.

Hmmm.... would it be weird if I just went and hopped on by myself?


And now my favorite part: Lake Michigan. Gosh, I love the water. Any water.
It's so pretty and peaceful. This guy likes it. Hi, bird!

Look at that water. *sigh* I think I need a boat.

Look, even the police get their own boat! Hey, I'm part of the police too! Let me on your boat! What? Fashion police doesn't count? Fine be that way.

All this walking is making me hungry....

OMG, this place just said my two favorite words: fried dough.

Fried dough is in my top five foods. Right up there with Cool Ranch Doritos, chicken wings, foie gras, and barbecue sauce. (Yes, I'm counting barbecue sauce as a food)

Look at that sugary goodness. Yes, I'm aware I'm on a gluten-free diet, but I'm pretty sure there's a Fried Dough Exception Clause somewhere in the rules. And I didn't even eat all of it. (Though I did try)

I should probably try to walk it off. It's only 1197 miles to Miami. I should get there by... next year sometime.

And that, my friends, is how I spent my Friday afternoon. See, it's not just shopping and judgey ice queening for me.

Have a good weekend!