Chicago Show Week - Part I

So it was a good thing I had a prequel to what Chicago was like for my work week, because what was in store for the actual show was definitely not anything I could have come into without training. And no I am not talking about work…imagine that.

So after a week in Dallas, I headed back to lovely Chicago. This time I left all of my really big sweaters behind since it was so nice the last time I was there. I also brought dance party outfits since I was assured I would be showcasing my fabulous moves in multiple locations. I was completely prepared for Chicago...or so I thought.
Rather than bore you with a day by day rundown of my trip, I’ll give you the highlights…

Check In: As soon as I arrived to my hotel I got in line for check in. Well, lucky me one of the employees suggested using the kiosks. Little did he realize that the kiosk wasn’t working. Somehow amongst me threatening to yell at him (in a joking manner, of course) and the growing line behind me, he decided to check me in himself. So after I berated him in front of his manager (all in good fun, I swear!), he decided to upgrade me for the week. This consisted of staying on the 33rd floor (Penthouse!), free breakfast and free internet for my entire stay…and of course the envy of all of my coworkers. What can I say? Some people just love me. :)

View from my Penthouse…

From Not So Secret World of Stephanie

From Not So Secret World of Stephanie

Viagra Triangle: One night the Dallas Crew headed over to the Viagra Triangle as it is referred to in Chicago. Apparently it is where old guys hang out and hit on the nubile ladies. Woo hoo sugar daddies! So we went to a little Irish pub and had a fun dinner with drinks. We decided to keep the fun going by heading over to a piano bar. Sure enough that is where all the Viagra poppers were hanging out. Although I think our entourage of people deterred them from getting too close. So no sugar daddy for me, but our San Diego coworker had to fend off a very hungry cougar. The night ended with me 'serenading' the table with Frank Sinatra and probably embarrassing the hell out of them. Then it was back to hotel in the dance party cab...

Dance Party in the cab...

From Not So Secret World of Stephanie

The Beginning of Shots: So on Tuesday night we had a company dinner with client. With over 20 people in attendance and an open bar, you can only image how hefty the tab was… We all ate at Café Bionda (you HAVE to check this place out if you are ever in Chicago) and had some of the most amazing food. It was a great bonding experience for the team, but then me and my boys (Joe and Dave!) decided that we had not had enough fun for the night, so we headed to a little hole in the wall bar down the street. To get straight to the point of bad decisions, our wonderful leader Joe bought the first round of our favorite drinks and shot of Tequila. Oh. My. God. How did my nemesis Tequila find me!?! Rather than be a good girl and let one of the boys take the shot, I had to prove that I was just one of the boys and could handle anything that they were taking. So down the hatch it went.... and stayed! I win! The rest of the night continued with more bad decision making. Joe and I played pool against some locals. I am pretty sure he got all of the balls in while I tried to distract the other team with sexy moves....which I am sure consisted of me trying to give sexy looks and poses but probably just ended up scaring the other team instead. Then of course, there were the multiple Irish Car bomb shots...once again I am one of the boys. Finally we left only to run across the street to buy lotion at the grocery store. Apparently we had to have the lotion that night since all of our skin was completely dried out by the water in the hotel. So I apologize grocery store workers with having to put up with us that night. The lotion was great though! Needless to say 7 AM came very early the next day...

German Food: I also had my first German food while in Chicago. It was awesome. Me and the boys had dinner with my Chicago twin and her boyfriend as well as mini Pleepleus. Then MB made an appearance as well. It was a very relaxing night and I am pretty sure we were all in bed by 11 PM!

Me and my Twin...

From Not So Secret World of Stephanie

Pleepleus drinking!

From Not So Secret World of Stephanie

First Dance Party - Chicago Style: So Thursday night The Boys, the Dallas Girls and me (yes I am enough personality and fun that I don't get lumped up into a group :) ) all went out to eat Mexican food and then have dance party. The dinner was great until we started talking about dance moves and my unknown new nemesis chimed in. First of all her name is Stephanie. If you don't know me well, I hate sharing my name. I like to be the only Stephanie in the group. Anyway, right off the bat she was at a disadvantage with me and not because of her personality...but then her personality made her my new nemesis. So Stephanie brings up dance moves and asks me what I like to dance to. Techno baby! Then out of nowhere she says "Oh it's on!" Uh, what? Did she just challenge ME to a dance off? Um, does she not know about Santa Hat night? Is this bitch crazy? So rather than laugh it off and accept her challenge. I went into crazy mode and decided to hate her. Yay rational! Oh yeah because did I mention my other nemesis was at the table and in my system? Yep, tequila always sneaks in.
Anyway, so we end up leaving the restaurant and head to dance party. So we get through the door and into the bar. We have one round and decide this was not the right location for us. So we all cram into one taxi...there are 6 of us....all grown adults. Since I am one of the last ones in, I get to sit on Stephanie's lap. I kid you not, the minute I sit on her lap she screams in pain. WTF! That's right apparently my light as a feather body hurt her...or as she said, I was hitting her broken rib in some way. Too late...you are now my ultimate nemesis. Someone give me tequila so we can make it a brawl!
We finally made it to the next location where I was the least fun person to hang out with. In true form, my boys know the remedy. The liquor me up with anything but tequila. This brought back normal Stephanie and of course awesome dance moves. Then more liquor brought about loud, obnoxious Stephanie along with slippy, almost falling dance moves. Needless to say I left on a very happy note, along with everyone else. Oh yeah, 6 AM on the show floor the next day hurt. Oh the things we go through for some fun on the road.

The crew minus my nemesis...

From Not So Secret World of Stephanie

Since this became longer than I thought....stay tuned for Part II of Chicago Show Week....or as some of us like to remember it as Chicago Drunkfest 2011.