A day off... finally!

So... today was my first day off of work since January (when I started this new job) that wasn't a holiday or weekend. We have a low census right now so they asked me if I wanted the day off, so I said why not?!? (I had a dream the night before that I was just wailing on someone (faceless) person at work... I didn't think I was that stressed at work, but maybe?) I decided to actually do something semi-productive with my day instead of just sit around my apartment like I usually would. I sucked it up and took the train into Chicago... yes... by myself. For those that don't know, I don't really like to do things by myself. Of course, when you're single, you can't help but do things by yourself if you really want to do something, and I think I've missed out on things lately because I don't want to do it by myself. So I went into the city... went to the Art Institute (which I haven't been to in about 3 or 4 years)... went to a lecture there on Leonardo di Vinci which was super interesting... and got to see all of my Impressionist painters that I love (namely, Monet, of course). It was nice to take my time and really appreciate the artwork.
I did go into the modern gallery. I don't get modern art. Since it's art I can appreciate it... I just don't understand it. I can throw a whole bunch of paint on a canvas... make it different colors and thick in some parts... so why can't I get paid a ton of money and have my art on the walls of the Art Institute? I think I like the sculptures better than the paintings... I guess I "get" them more. If someone wants to explain modern art to me, that would be great... the last modern art I saw before this was at the Pompideu in Paris... I didn't really get it there, either (but some of it was cool... don't get me wrong!)
I spent about 5 or 6 hours at the Art Institute, so I figured I'd walk the loop a little bit and people watch on my way back to Union Station. So... I'm walking down Adams St... and what do I come across but... The Berghoff!!!! Now, my mom told me that they closed last year... I couldn't believe it was open! The menu on the outside looked similar... still lots of German dishes... so I called my mom to tell her. She told me to go inside, grab a menu. So I did so... talked with the manager for about 10 or 15 minutes and go the scoop... the Berghoff did close at the beginning of 2006... opened as 171 West a few months later under the ownership of the Berghoff's daughter. I guess so many people came there wanting the schnitzel and the rest of the German food that they put it all back on the menu! The chef that had been at the Berghoff for the past 30 years is still the chef... so... it's basically the same place, under (slightly) new management/ownership, and with a few more eclectic things on the menu but still with the german favorites (including the beer) that everyone loves! I told the manager that my mom used to come to the Berghoff often when she was younger, especially with my grandpa when he worked downtown... the whole family used to go... and I told him how my mom was so excited when I called her and told her that it was still open and that it's her birthday next week... and he told me to give HIM a call (I got his card) and he'll have a special table set up for her and make it very nice and memorable for her. ROCK ON!!!! (Now my mom just needs to figure out when she wants to go...)
Tonight when I got back home I did a bit of shopping for the sailing trip on Saturday... got a cute shirt dress to wear... as long as it's warm enough!
And now, I'm off to bed... one more day of work... then the weekend!
V