Grace and Liz, setting up to play “Mindball.” For this exhibit, each person straps monitors to their foreheads… which measures stress levels. The lower your stress level… the more the ball goes towards your opponent.
They were pretty packed there, and we explained we were just wanting a quick drink, in and out. The floor manager and hostess were super nice and accommodating, and we got seated fairly quickly at the bar.
We got some drinks (Grace got a mocktail), and relaxed a little bit after a lot of walking. There may have been some sneaky switching of drinks during the course of our time here. But you didn’t hear that from me.
A nice walk in the cool Fall air. And a part of the grand experiment that is United States. While I have strong opinions on who I want to lead our country, I feel lucky and privileged, fortunate and honored, to have the ability to vote.
I can’t tell you how much this epitomizes the 20×2 Chicago event. Really fun, really surprising, and you never know what to expect. One minute folks are watching a baking tutorial with flour being mixed on stage… and the next, everyone’s tasting some great banana bread with their beers.
In the afternoon, I mowed the yard, did a bit of cleanup. And towards the evening, set up our fire pit so we could sit outside for a little while with some drams.
A long day, but faster than it seemed. Despite us being in DC for a few days, it felt like we didn’t have enough time to visit with Kirt, Tricia, Paige, and Lisa/James. It felt like a blur to me, but it was probably doubly so for Liz.
All in all, I’m quite awed by what Liz has done. I know Tricia and Paige also completed the marathon, but for Liz… this was her first. And something she’s been working and training for, for almost a year. I’ve seen the work and struggle up close, and trust me when I say to you: it’s a LOT.
For most of the day, but especially starting from here on out… Liz kept saying “I’m freaking out!”
After a bit, we moved outside and got to settle in on a bench just by the front doors. Took this photo of the nearby alley, where this (and other) shops are situated. I learned that Blagden Alley is a bit famous for its murals, and loved that we kind of “discovered” this interesting area within the city.
In our hotel room, with the assortment of powders and food and snacks she brought with, for the race.
Near the end of our run, with dusk and downtown Chicago in the distance.
At the end of class, with our cabinets ready to be transported to the car. L to R it’s me, our instructor Nick, and Liz.
The space is incredibly narrow, and took me back at first. But as we settled it, it got pretty cozy. We got seated at the far end of the row, where the seating kind of wraps around… allowing me and Liz to set next to one another. Definitely the best table in the space.
Hard to believe it’s been fifteen years since Liz and I got married. Time sure flies.
Of particular note: as we were sitting down, one of the veterans (Michael)… shouted out that he wanted to sit next to Liz, because “she gets everything right.” He was referring to one of the prior events (the March outturn), where Liz was really spot-on with a lot of her predictions (the tasting involves trying to guess the age, distillery, casks used, and ABV for each dram).
Our instructor, Nick, talking through how the newly installed drawer should function.