CandieRain informed us at a rather short notice that she was heading to Chicago. We scrambled and each took our turns entertaining our little New Yawk darling.

Thursday night, Candie, trip, henwy, frig and I met at Dave & Buster's for some dinner and fun. We enjoyed a talkative dinner, featuring FAR too much rat brain conversation for a dinner table, then headed off to the games. We had two rounds of Mechwars, in which I came in dead last twice. It was okay, though, as our goal was to destroy trip's crotch.

We had some skeeball, shooting zombies and boxing, in which Candie and I both beat all three guys in number of hits! We left there very tired and very broke.

Friday was my play date with Candie. We went to the very touristy Navy Pier. In all my life living in Chicago or its surrounding suburbs, I'd never been there, and of course, Candie, not having lived here hadn't seen it either.

It was a cold overcast day. The tops of most of the buildings were hidden in the low clouds, and neither Candie nor I were dressed in warm enough jackets.

This didn't prove to be too much of a problem, since most of the shops were, to my surprise, indoors. The place was also very crowded. We managed to enjoy ourselves, though, between bear-making, otter-finding and popcorn eating. We did also venture outside to ride on the scary-tall ferris wheel. Candie, who's somewhat afraid of heights, was a trooper.

From there, we headed to Geno's East on Wells Street for some real Chicago deep dish pizza. We had a good chat and she even got me to try calamari - though we didn't think any of the other Chicago Sissies would believe it. I even dove in for SECONDS. WOW!

The only landmark/sight Candie asked to see was "Rigley" Field, so I took her there, too. We walked around the entire girth of the place. She sung "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" with Harry Caray (or at least the sculpture of him), even though she *gasp* had NO idea who he was! FOR SHAME!!

I saw Candie again at Chicago Joe's with wooman, henwy, Oatsie and trip on Tuesday. It was a lovely dinner which broke down in fits of giggles and hysterics at Oatsie's "Aura Tales." We stayed way too long but had a really good time.

Not sure when Candie will return, as I think she needed to go back home for a rest! I still love the cute little New Yawk accent, Candie!!!

- Beef, April 22, 2003

An artsy photo of Oatsie and Candie, aka Beef forgets the flash.