Stuck in a Funk, Cheese and Beer, Goodbye Chicago

Hello blog readers if you're out there... Time for another update from the road.

I was going to post a few days ago about my last day in Chicago, but something happened to boost my anxiety over the level of uncertainty ever present in my life. I heard from another school! ...and, duh duh duh, another WAITLIST. AHHHHH!!! I know it's not a no, but I thought there was a real chance I could just be accepted at this one, and this just prolongs my period of uncertainty about my future. So I have one rejection, two waitlists, and one program that I'm still waiting on. That's some serious stress. I'm qualified, damn it!!! I just want to get in and work my butt off. Is a chance really so much to ask for?

So, what I decided to do is buy a Netbook, finish my Boston University application, keep my fingers crossed and enjoy my trip! It took me awhile to get my mind to that place, but cheese and beer and this new Netbook helped. I'm going to pick back up where I left off before I nearly lost my mind with anxiety...

My last day in Chicago, I slept in late, and went down to Wicker Park to browse around some of the shops on Milwaukee Ave. I'm still struggling with confusion over a sheer quantity of products. I looked at shoes, and I just don't know what I like anymore. I don't have that filter.

As I was walking around the area, I realized that I had been in that neighborhood before. My band played a show there once in the back of a burrito joint. I think the burrito joint is gone, but the record store is still there. They have a huge assortment of records, dvds, used cds, and other random merchandise. I found Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville in the last chance cd bin for $1.99. Hope it works... I haven't tried it out yet.

Later I went back to Sara's apartment and received the email that left me indefinitely in purgatory. Then I lost my desire to do anything else big and exciting in Chicago except eat Giordano's Chicago Style pizza and drink beer. Luckily, Sara, after sleeping on a pile of fabric for 3 hours the night before at her desk at school, felt much the same. We sat around, ate pizza, drank Blue Moon, and watched the Whole Nine Yards. It was good laughter therapy. I thought I had seen that movie before, but I didn't remember it when it came on. It is HILARIOUS though. I'm going to buy it if I ever see it around. Who knew Matthew Perry was really that good at physical comedy?

The next morning we went to Ann Sathers for breakfast. I usually love Ann Sathers and I was so excited to go! I've been there on many occasions and have always left really happy and full of good food. After just a short wait at the location in Lakeview, we were seated and ordered their famous cinnamon rolls, and I had a breakfast wrap. The cinnamon roll was just as amazing, sweet, and chewy as I remembered. The breakfast wrap, however, left a whole lot to be desired. On the menu it said there was salsa on the side. I thought they forgot it so I asked... she told me it was on top. I thought that was curious, and I almost said "where?" but I waited for the side of salsa. When it arrived, I understood why... there was almost no color to it. That would be just fine since you don't judge a good salsa on color necessarily, but it tasted just as bland as it looked. No wonder I didn't know it was already on the burrito. I was also disappointed in the wrap itself. It was full of oil from the sausage and also lacking flavor. Despite a disappointing breakfast, I must throw in that this is the first time that's happened to me here, and knowing their potential I will go back anyway. I will still recommend Ann Sathers to uninitiated Chicago visitors. Just don't get the breakfast wrap, but cinnamon rolls, A+++.

After breakfast, I left for Milwaukee, and I must admit... I was in a worse mental state as I hit the road. I seriously felt like smacking my head against the steering wheel, screaming and having a complete mental breakdown. I thankfully arrive without getting pulled over or having my eyes more than just well-up. I got to my friend Colleen's mom's condo, put my stuff away, and then Colleen and I made plans to go to Sprecker and the Miller Brewing Company. We called Sprecker and they were all booked for the day, so we made an appointment for a Sunday tour and tasting, and headed to Miller.

Miller is fun, kitchy, a little cheesy, but seriously, just what I needed. We got there, took a quick photo, and then went in to see their video explaining the history of Miller Beer and repeating the slogan "It's Miller Time". They take us through all the facilities, and then end the tour with "What time is it?" where everyone then shouts "It's Miller time". Then you go taste Miller Lite, Miller High Life, and a yummy wheat ale from the newest addition to the Miller family: Leinenkugal. This little tour really was enough to get my out of my mood and drop my anxiety at least 5 notches. On a side note, we were tasting in the Champagne room... it's funny to tell people you were doing a tasting of Miller High Life in the Champagne room. Ha.

Anyhow, after the tasting, we decided to experience some Wisconsin cheese, so we headed downtown to a place called the Cheese Bar where we did cheese flights and drank beer samplers. The cheese was amazing! I'm a real cheese lover and it really brought a smile to my face. After finishing up and purchasing some of their delicious varieties, we went out to meet Colleen's friends and get a few drinks. It was definitely a fun day.

So now I'm in Madison. I'll tell you more about Milwaukee and my day today in Madison in my next post. Until then, Cheers!