My Phillies

I did not grow up watching the Phillies. My parents took my brother and I to a game once (1992ish?), not really sure why -- maybe my brother had asked to go? Either way, my parents got us nosebleed seats in the old Vet. I was scared out of my mind that I would fall forward and bash my nose on the concrete steps... ::shudder:: It was also kid's night, so Jeff and I each got a plastic Phillies mini-hat, a pictures of the roster, aaaand I think that's it. I don't remember much, just that it was against the Braves, and that we didn't like the Braves AT. ALL.

After that one game, I didn't really have any run-ins with the Phils. However, any time Elyza mentioned how much she loved the Colorado Rockies (she used to spend 1 months every summer in CO), I would always get defensive of the Phillies. I'm a very loyal person -- even if I'm not personally close with something -- if I'm connected to it in any way, it gets free defense-sessions from me, as long as it doesn't bite me in the butt. (Ex. If I defend some actor because they're from Philly, or went to BU, and then they have some sort of public breakdown due to Meth, or a theft fetish.)

Now, I get upset with my Eagles, but that's because they have me in some sort of push-pull abusive relationship. Just when you think they could win it all, they make some simple mistake and it all comes crashing down. The Phillies haven't had such an epic relationship with Philly/me. If they're doing poorly, they usually stay that way. If they're doing well, it's usually for a reason, and it usually stays pretty consistent. No surprises from them. 

Maybe that's it! I HATE surprises. And that's probably why I don't feel as confident in the Eagles as I do the Phillies! Hmm... However, I do feel a little more loyal to the Eagles than the Phillies... but that's probably because my relationship with Philly's football franchise is complicated?

Anyways, I'm rooting for Philadelphia in this World Series, not because I'm some bandwagon fan from "Philly". No, I'm an-East Side of PA, Philly Suburbs-raised girl, and therefore I am regionally loyal to anything from Philly and Eastern PA, and I've been rooting for the Phillies and all Philadelphia teams since I was little, even if I didn't know the players' names or the stats of their seasons.

Besides, Philly fans are too bitter -- we could use a little holiday cheer!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69SUdVw-LvY

Okay, back to Game 2:

GO PHILLIES!!!!!!!!!

My Night Working in Sin

This night was exactly what my parents warned me about...

Pam Anderson's Debut Fashion Show at The Venue at the Horseshoe Casino.

I was hired to be a cocktail waitress. I even got a uniform:

hot, right?

I carpooled with 4 other girls; only 1 of which had worked with this company before (our driver). So we weren't really sure what to expect. (Aside from our awesome outfits...)

The Horseshoe Casino is right over the Indiana border from Chicago. Other than the Casino and its surrounding buildings, there was nothing. A gas station, an empty field, a long stretch of highway, and the lake. That's it. And it was cold, bleak, and depressing. A perfect night for a casino! (Because what else are you going to do on a Friday night?)

Besides, this is PAM ANDERSON we're talking about here. She's so... current!... and young?... and wait, what? People besides Borat still pay to see her? Weird.

Anyway, The Venue floor, our workspace, was split into two areas. One very large portion of the floor filled with tables and bright white couches was the VIP section. Each table had a minimum of 2 bottle purchases. The couches had a 4 minimum. (Grey Goose was selling for $500/bottle that night...). Each table had name tags reserving them like "Aguilera", "Rodman", and "Reserved". That seemed to be the area that would have the most cash flowing.

The other tiny section was filled with little tables, 3 bars, and 7 game tables (1 roulette, 4 black jack, 2 craps). Me and 3 other girls were put in charge of this section. Go figure. There's ALL that VIP area to cover, and go figure I'm stuck in the back, furthest away from the runway and stage. Ah well...

After being assigned, we waited. Two hours later people started to come in. Turns out the VIP section sucked because no one came until 10pm, and everyone left by 11:30pm. My section on the other hand, was out of control. All the rednecks and weirdos that couldn't afford the VIP section flooded the gaming area, standing with their $5 bud lights and their Harley Davidson tshirts, staring at the runway, waiting for Pam Anderson to show her boobs.

These people were there to drink. Not to gamble, not to watch a "fashion" show. They were there to get wasted and waste life. It was quite sad, actually. But whatever, they were giving me money, so I supported them for that night.

Of course, my section was also filled with the wannabes, who I found to be even a sadder sight than my redneck friends. Because at least the people from Indiana knew they were being sketchy and having a weird Friday night. But all the Urbanites and the "I'm on the list"s from Chicago didn't have a clue. Wearing expensive suits and dresses with 5 inch heels, they all looked the same. Groups of girls all in black mini dresses, straightened hair, and horrible makeup. Drunk. I pretty much wanted to smack all of these people. They were all trying to get into the roped-off VIP area, but they didn't have the money to get in, even though they tried to act like it. And the more they were refused, the more drunk they became. (And sloppier).

And then there were the people sitting and playing at the game tables. WHAT DOUCHEBAGS. Thought they owned the room. Treated us all like crap. Were upset that the drinks weren't free, which I can understand because on the actual casino floors that's how it works, but c'mon, you KNOW you're not in the casino anymore. You're in a theater. Things work differently. But don't worry, you're still a douchebag in both places. And I'm not telling you whether or not I spit in your drink, had them make it light, or whatever. Screw you. ::shakes fist::

Luckily there were a few groups of people that were chill. 6 people in PR kept ordering drinks from only me, and leaving me $40 tips each time. Another group was with a classic rock radio station, and while they were drunk and kind of moody from losing at the tables, they still treated me well. And then of course there was my awesome table of older gentleman that kept ordering Hennessy XO from me :)

Then the A*Muse fashion show began. It was ok. All the clothes are "vegan" -- animal friendly, etc... Cuz that's what Pam Anderson is all about these days... Only half the line actually went together, though. After it finished, there was an awkward pause/high anticipation moment, then Pam finally showed her, uh, face! She came down the runway in a short, tight, leopard-print stretch mini that barely covered her. In the 90s, this would have been acceptable. But Ms. Anderson is 42. Gross. I mean, kudos to her still being that comfortable in what skin is left of her. She always was spunky. But at least be tasteful! Is that too much to ask? I mean, Madonna has perfected the "I'm old but still hot" look. Take some pointers.

Then she left. Everyone was disappointed. They drank some more. Gave me money. Left.

Overall, not a horrible night. Some guy was taking shots in the back where the waitresses' bar was; Another guy got plastered and had to be wheelchaired out; A guy named "Animal" said he should be able to get into the VIP area without questions asked because he once did coke lines off of Pam; a guy won over $10K after I dropped off his lucky drink; I met DJ Rock City, who was sweet.

My feet killed, though, after wearing heels for 7 hours.

My mom would have had a field day with this event. Most of the 7 Deadly Sins were out in their Weekend best: Greed, Lust, Envy, Sloth, Pride. There may have been some Wrath at the losing tables... Gluttony definitely wasn't there. No food + Only booze = Yikes.

An interesting experience; not sure if I'll put it on the resume.

Too Soon?

A few weeks back, I worked at 50 Year Reunion for Mather High School in Northern Chicago. The district had invited all graduating years back since it opened in 1959. In order to control the massive number of people who came to the reunion, they divided the school into different decades. The 2nd floor gym was the 70s, the gym was the 80s, the theater was the 90s, but the cafeteria, where I was stationed (on the hot dog machine no less...) was for the classes of 1959-1969.

It was packed. It seemed like everyone in the district had tried real hard to get these alumni together since they have all the early memories of the high school. There were even teachers there who taught the '59-ers! People were passing around old photos of themselves; the best were the couples who brought prom pictures and were still together after all those years.

It was quite the festive event.

However, at the end, the man in charge of security (and therefore in charge of gently pushing people out the door once the reunion was over) started thanking everyone for coming out and finished with, "We'll see you in 2059!"

Everyone proceeded to laugh, except me. I immediately went, "Oooh!" as if a biker crashed and burned in front of me. The joke seemed like a low blow because, well, they won't be around in 2059 -- unless medicine becomes miraculous in the next 20 years. Nevertheless, the people the joke was about found it hilarious as they filtered out the doors. I guess at 60 or 70 death is right around the corner, and you've already been through your midlife crisis where you realize you're approaching death a lot more quickly... so I guess they were okay with a dark joke like that, because they have to be!

I was merely concerned that some people wouldn't appreciate the joke; that they might be offended or something. Clearly I just need to lighten up.

2 Restaurants in Chicago

Chicago food... OOOOhhh Chicago food...

One of the reasons I want a job is so that I can afford to eat in Chicago restaurants. There is a reason Top Chef (Season 4) and Anthony Bourdain came to this city. The food is just... ah man, I don't even know how to describe it. Food is religion out here. It's on par with drinking in the middle of the day and sports. And the crazy thing is -- most of the food is not far out crazy concoctions. It's food we know. But made with the freshest, finest, most refined ingredients and skill. I mean, as the Chef of the Century Joël Robuchon says, "Cooking is about taking something simple and making it exceptional." And so far, I've been to two restaurants that are starkly different, but both exemplify this ideal.

RESTAURANT 1
First is the Landmark Grill + Lounge. Sean and I went here on our 3-year anniversary (09/30/09). That boy was quite the gentleman, paying for me to indulge my gluttonous habits. As our server (Jeffrey!) mentioned, they don't have any specials because they have the same main meals over a season, occasionally throwing in one experimental option. Now some people might not like this, but I love consistency/tradition/blah blah blah when it comes to food. When you've got something good, why change it? And that's exactly what Landmark has: comfort food, jazzed up. Also! On we happened to visit their establishment on Wino Wednesdays, which means that any of their regularly priced bottles were 1/2 off! (Sweeeeet). Sean and I split a bottle of Dr. Pauly, "Noble House," Mosel (2007). Sweeter and more berries than a regular reisling, but definitely more refined. (Okay, enough of my wino bull).

Our waiter found out that it was our first visit to the Grill, so we were given a lot of time to look over the menu. (Too much time if you ask me... but whatevs.) We started with their gnocchi with mushrooms, basil tomatoes, and parm. The mushrooms were cooked perfectly -- full of savory flavor that balanced the eggy-sweetness of the gnocchi. We cleaned that plate. Nothing was left. Our server made fun of us. :)

For my entree I had the oven roasted salmon with a crispy skin and herb-butter sauce, zuccini-potato pave in the middle. First off, their plating is beautiful -- sharp and balanced. Second, the salmon melted off when I touched my fork to it. Perfectly cooked. The buttery salmon was delectable with the crispy veggies. Sean had braised boneless short ribs on top of herbed golden barley, with eggplant cannelloni. I had a bite. Delish. And since it was our first time, we received a bowl of button top mushrooms that were cooked in a red pepper and sherry sauce, compliments of the chef. We figured it was something they do every time for new-commers, because we saw extra side dishes go over to regulars of the restaurant. ::shrug:: Whatever, they were delicious as well. I just wish I could have finished them all!

After all that food and wine, Sean and I were busting at the gut. Buuut, it was our anniversary, so we got dessert as well :) Sean got the peanut butter chocolate semifreddo (semi-frozen) and I ate the pecan-crusted pumpkin bread pudding with a pomegranate sauce. However, when our desserts were presented to us, they had a little something extra: "Happy Anniversary" written in REAL cocoa sauce. *sigh*

RESTAURANT 2
Later that week, on Phil Silberman's recommendation, Sean and I visited Crisp on a cold, rainy night. It's a fried Korean chicken restaurant, and Eastern spices smack your sinues the instant you walk in. It's a small space, with 3 long tables on the with benches on the right, and one bar along the left wall with chairs facing a mirror. We ordered the special: buy 1 full chicken and 2 sides, for only $20. That's right: a full chicken. Everything but the head and feet. Score. And we had half cooked in their BBQ sauce, and the rest in their Seoul Sassy sauce. The BBQ was smoky and peppery. The Seoul was gingery sauce, similar to teriyaki, but just don't call it that. (The menu says not to, mainly, I think, because it's *not* teriyaki! haha)

We sat at the middle table by ourselves, waiting eagerly for our food. At the table was a roll of paper towels, an assortment of sauces, and utensils (chopsticks). At last I heard one magical word, "KAY!" Yes! Our chicken was ready. Our tray could barely fit all of our food: the chicken took up most of it, and the rice and mushroom sides had to sit over the edges. The skin was crispy, but the chicken was falling off the bone. Oh my god. Chicken heaven. Everything was good.

And then a family of 3 joined us and it truly became a family-style meal ;) Good times.

Both restaurants a success. One fancy, one homey. One delicious. Another also delicious. One moderately expensive. The other, affordable. God I love them both.