South Side Irish Roots Revisited

First of all, I want to send a shout out to my boy Ian. You know I can't get enough of that PopoZao. Besides, he's the rookie of the year. Its science.

Now, on to St. Patty's Weekend 1 of 2 in Chicago. Now, unlike some loser cities (I'm looking at you Chattanooga), Chicago's celebration of St. Patty's is usually a week long celebration. Especially this year since the actual day falls on a Friday. So what do my friends and I do? We plan three straight dinners of sushi, Lebanese food, and Italian food. Makes sense to me.

Friday was good times as Ian, Teo, & I hit up tourist bars in Blue Agave and Mother's (not 2, the original sucka). The lack of cougars was a little alarming, but we had fun regardless. We saw one of the coolest kids around dancing to some 50 Cent. He looked like he should be on Beauty and the Geek. After several hours of hitting the sauce, I head home. With visions of donut burgers in my head (thanks to The Vaughan), I stop at 7-11 and pick up half of the recipe. Alas, McD's was closed and I was left with simple donuts. Still good though.

Saturday was best summed up by us getting ditched. Xtina and Mo were to blame, but they made up for it with some great drunken antics later. But the day was not lost as it was 60 degrees and we just chilled on my porch drinking some beverages, JB and I with beers, Ian with a Shamrock Shake. Yeah I capitalized that, respect the Shamrock! Obviously, our next stop took us to the Signature Room for more beverages (Ian switched to alcohol at this point as enough time had passed. The last thing you want to do is have a shake and chase it with a beer.) I proceeded to order the manliest drink I could find - The Fish Tank which consisted of blue rasberry vodka and had gummy fish floating inside. It took me 20 minutes to get the fish out and then I dropped Nemo on the floor. How you mock me! The evening led us to Kan Zaman, where we entered soaking wet when the t-storm began. All I can say is - One Man Hookah. Try it, I dare you. Its intense.

Finally, its Sunday at 9am and all I can think about is chugging some beer on the south side. I meet up with Ian at McD's to get a base in my stomach. Fantastic sausage mcmuffin folks, fantastic. The day was just a blast. Drinking on the bus, drinking in the bars, drinking on the sidewalk. All good stuff - Ian tells the rest so check it out. I want to fast forward to our return to McGee's. I remember getting there and taking Jameson shots with JB, who sally-ed out of the parade but came to the bar out of no where. The next thing I know I'm at home and HBO's new show Big Love is halfway over. Dammit! Why didn't I go to Mo's for lasagna and Sopranos! After several conversations with friends in the next few days, I learned that I was actually at Mo's. Apparently, I went to the bathroom and never returned. I have no idea why I left, how I got home, or what happened. Maybe I should cut back on the alcohol? Maybe you should shut the hell up.

Side story from Xtina and Eva's adventures at the parade, who we never met up with. They flagged down a woman with a van for a ride after the parade. The woman went on about how her kids were at the parade and probably drunk. Then she told the ladies that unlike her kids she was not drunk. She had only had 7 beers. Shocked by this remark, Xtina and Eva watched in amazement as the woman cracked open numero ocho while cruising the south side. Now I'm officially against drunk driving, but this short story just seemed too funny to leave out.

All in all, a great weekend with plenty of booze. Can't wait for St. Patty's Weekend 2 of 2...