^I really did enjoy Chicago. And by the sounds of it, you were in what I would call Lakeview and Jon would call "Boystown". Did discover there was also a "Girlstown" as well.
Anyways, since I'm back, here's the Trip Report in most of it's entirety.
Day 1:
I woke up roughly 8am, which is very unusual for me. But being an hour behind made me realize it was actually 9am, much more normal. Maybe it was the couch...
Jon had ran off early to catch a date with someone I never met. As such, he said I could go "explore downtown."
Walked to the Red Line station outside his apparent, and waited for the train to come.
My god, there's a lot of buildings.
Half to downtown, I saw the "Christ died for our sins" sign next to a Dunkin' Donuts. Yes, I saw this:
But, my batteries died before I got to get a good picture of it. When in downtown I had to buy a new "cheap" set. It was roughly 11:30 and was hungry. So, I looked for some food. Trust me, this wasn't hard. There's a McDonald's on EVERY SINGLE BLOCK.
This one happened to be huge, and themed to Martin Luther King Jr.
Outside they were building some sort of tree art..thing...
Afterwards, I went to Millennium Park. I love this park, and it most likely my favorite park in any place.
If you don't know what's there, I'll help you out.
Advanced yet relatively overdone myspace shot:
Where am I?
Another thing is this weird looking stage (which was closed):
It's pretty damn big. But look! It's another weird short (It's me standing there, I assure you).
Then you have a bridge connecting to the other side of the park. Very artsy. Very twisty, VERY long.
Another Joe shot (Since you always could use more Joe):
I forgot to grab my camera, and it took an interesting picture of my bum side.
They had a playground. And, being the 8-year-old at heart, tried to play on it. But, 200lbs on something built for 60lbs is not going to work well...
Some site promotion:
"YEAH!"
Would like to take a mention on how tall these buildings are:
And how foggy it was. The building: WHERE DOES IT LEAD?
Jon then called and we met back up at the bean. It was another hour or so till my college visit. So, we went to the cultural center Chicago.
...no photography allowed...
Then my visit rolled by. After walking up the same section of street 12 times, we found it.
Inside, they had several examples of what they had to offer, and several people who went there and moved on to highly successful lives.
Someone check on this please?
I liked the college, so it was very nice to visit. Our next stop was more of something I wanted to check out:
The Apple Store. I wanted to see if a Macbook worked for me. I can say honestly now that it's freaking awesome.
My brother decided to "get revenge" and take me to his old workplace. American Girl...
It was really weird, but something that little girls could enjoy. Unfortunately, I'm not a little girl...
But dear GOD it was huge.
After a interesting day, we got back to the apartment to go visit my sister, staying at her friend's place. I didn't bring my camera.
Now, if you recall, my original plan was to see "Watchmen" while there. Showtimes were not till late and cost about $12 a ticket. I'll watch it here instead.
Day 2:
The fateful day: the interview at Six Flags. I can sum it up quite nicely as such: If I were just a few minutes earlier.
If I were just a few minutes earlier I could have made the Red Line instead of waiting 20 minutes for it.
If I were just a few minutes earlier I would have not missed the Metra that was hourly, making me 30 minutes late.
So I waited:
And waited...
And wait-there it is!
The metra is a train of sorts that travels as far south as Indiana and as far north as Wisconsin. They're very nice inside, but pretty pricey.
After an HOUR long trip, I made it to Gurnee. Here's the Metra in full(ish)
Another bus ride taking about a half-hour dropped me off at a corner. I didn't know what was there that was a park. But something seemed...hidden...
Thus, after walking in the mud, I found the "other" entrance I was suppose to find.
And, what you wanted:
Six Flags Great America
The park was still in pre-season and putting itself back together. It could here lift hill clicking while they were testing.
A shiney nickel to anyone who name both of this rides:
These lovely trailers is were I was interviewed...and trained as well. They were really awesome in the way it was set up. If you were waiting, you were watching a movie. The repeatedly reviewed anything and everything to make it clear what was/wasn't allowed (Hair length, body jewelery, tattoos, shoes, etc.), even their goal to be the cleanest park in 2009.
If you didn't already know, I got the job as a ride host. Woo. But, We all know why you came to this trip report:
I couldn't get many rides, but a few I did manage to grab.
For those who also missed the Iron Wolf question, I have the answer.
It was originally designed to run and hold 3 trains. But, due to it's short length, could only run 2 quickly and effectively. Thus, the track was never changed and the 3rd train sat as an extra.
B&M sexiness.
I found another entrance by my bus stop, and went to take some shots. Love these shots: I missed the bus for them.
Rolling Thunder: hear my cry
Raging Bull: B&M orgasm
It looks awesome, shame it was closed for the season
Drop tower which name escapes me:
Then I waited for the bus.
Patiently...
After getting on 2 different, but wrong, buses, I got back to the metra, waiting an hour there (having, of course, just missed it). I got back to Chicago about 9pm. My brother asked if I was hungry, and told me to come to Chili's if I was. It made my day better.
Day3:
I went home. Nothing really happened, actually.