Cool stuff I've done that you should do, too: Part I
It's Winter Break. You're bored.
You've played Apples to Apples more times than you can count, you're sick of going to Kafein, and sitting home and watching Animal House is only exciting for so long.
Luckily for you, I'm beginning my first installment of a new feature of this blog: "Cool stuff I've done that you should do, too." In this feature, I'll tell you about a few things to do in the area or around the country if you're looking for something to do. And since I've personally done all of these things, I can attest to their coolness*.
*Coolness is relative. Some people may find some of these events actually quite nerdy. But to me, sometimes nerdy = cool.
So here it is.
1) Skate at the Skatium.
As you may recall, I would love to go ice skating at Millennium Park. Unfortunately, this has not yet worked out for me, and probably never will. But that doesn't mean I'm going to give up on ice skating altogether: I go skating at the Skatium in Skokie. Bring your friends and skate your cares away for a reasonable price (about $4.50 to skate and $3 to rent skates). When you're cold or dizzy from spinning in circles, get off the ice for a hot pretzel at the concession stand or a cup of hot chocolate from the machine. Try your luck at Millennium Park, but if the outdoor ice rink gods do not shine favorably on you either, the Skatium is a nice alternative.
The Skokie Skatium is located at 9300 Weber Park Place, Skokie (near Skokie Blvd. and Church Street). Call them at 847-674-1500 for public skate times.
2) Write your own song.
Last year, for music theory class, I had to compose a song. I worked really hard on creating a melody and a countermelody that sounded good together. Add chords, enter it into a computer program, and let it play. Or, play it or sing it yourself. Add lyrics if you so choose! So if you're at all musically inclined, try composing a piece of music. It's very rewarding.
Required supplies: creativity. Recommended supplies: a piano, music paper, a music-creating software program, and some knowledge of music theory.
3) Get fondue at The Melting Pot.
This place is my absolute favorite. Choose from steaming chocolate mixes like "Cookies 'n Cream Marshmallow Dream," the "Yin & Yang" (dark and white chocolate living side by side in harmony), or the "Flaming Turtle" (chocolate, caramel, and pecans, lit on fire in front of your eyes). You're then given an array of "dippers" like bananas, strawberries, brownies, and cheesecake. I just go for dessert, but they also offer meat and cheese fondues if you're into that. Try to sit in the room with the live performer to add some music to your chocolaty evening. I'm not sure if I believe in heaven or not, but I would imagine that this place comes close.
The Melting Pot has a few Chicago-area locations (including Buffalo Grove and Schaumburg), but I'd recommend visiting their downtown location at 609 N. Dearborn in Chicago, near the Grand stop on the Red Line.
4) Exercise at Curves.
Sorry, boys, this one's just for the ladies. Girls, are you interested in something to do with your mom that doesn't result in having to toss those new skinny jeans? Join Curves together. Curves is an international workout facility for women of all ages (but let's just say that when I went to the one in Edgebrook this past summer with my mom, I brought the average age in the room down by a lot). It's a unique workout experience: if you've got 35 minutes free, you have time to exercise here. Music plays as you make two rotations around a circle of 15 stations and running boards for 30 seconds at each station. The stations use hydraulic resistance so you're working your full strength potential without having to change weight stacks. At the running boards, you're free to run, kickbox, dance, or walk at your own pace. The friendly "change stations now" voice comes up every 30 seconds to tell you to move on. Go with your mom or another female friend so you have someone to talk to. It's a great workout and a very small time commitment--and a fun mother/daughter bonding experience.
Curves has 10,000 locations worldwide. Visit their Web site to find one near you. Membership prices vary by location.
5) Eat and be entertained at Uncommon Ground.
Like food, music, and art? Then you'll love Uncommon Ground. Located in Wrigleyville, this restaurant showcases local, up-and-coming talents in art and music. For a minimum of $15 that can be spent on the delicious food, you'll hear an assortment of musicians performing a wide range of musical genres. In one night, you might hear a bluegrass trio, a rock guitarist, and an opera soloist. As you're listening to the sounds of the night, look around the room to enjoy the artwork on the walls--every few weeks is a new display of a local artist's work. And $15 is just enough money to eat well for the night: When I went there I had the hummus and pita platter (probably the best pita I've ever had, and I spent five weeks in Israel), the Triple Banana Nut Sundae (banana bread, banana ice cream, bananas, and toppings...it was insane), and hot chocolate (they claim it's the best in Chicago; it was good, but I'd need to do more research...do I smell an investigative blog post coming up?). Come every week and have a new experience every time. Bottom line: good pita + good music + good art = uncommon.
Uncommon Ground is located at 3800 N. Clark St. in Chicago, near Wrigley Field. See their Web site for a schedule of performances.
So there you have it. Five things to do to keep you busy over break. Stay tuned for more updates like these in the future.
Have you done any of these things? Leave a comment and let us know what you thought.
You have no excuse to be bored.
You've played Apples to Apples more times than you can count, you're sick of going to Kafein, and sitting home and watching Animal House is only exciting for so long.
Luckily for you, I'm beginning my first installment of a new feature of this blog: "Cool stuff I've done that you should do, too." In this feature, I'll tell you about a few things to do in the area or around the country if you're looking for something to do. And since I've personally done all of these things, I can attest to their coolness*.
*Coolness is relative. Some people may find some of these events actually quite nerdy. But to me, sometimes nerdy = cool.
So here it is.
1) Skate at the Skatium.
As you may recall, I would love to go ice skating at Millennium Park. Unfortunately, this has not yet worked out for me, and probably never will. But that doesn't mean I'm going to give up on ice skating altogether: I go skating at the Skatium in Skokie. Bring your friends and skate your cares away for a reasonable price (about $4.50 to skate and $3 to rent skates). When you're cold or dizzy from spinning in circles, get off the ice for a hot pretzel at the concession stand or a cup of hot chocolate from the machine. Try your luck at Millennium Park, but if the outdoor ice rink gods do not shine favorably on you either, the Skatium is a nice alternative.
The Skokie Skatium is located at 9300 Weber Park Place, Skokie (near Skokie Blvd. and Church Street). Call them at 847-674-1500 for public skate times.
2) Write your own song.
Last year, for music theory class, I had to compose a song. I worked really hard on creating a melody and a countermelody that sounded good together. Add chords, enter it into a computer program, and let it play. Or, play it or sing it yourself. Add lyrics if you so choose! So if you're at all musically inclined, try composing a piece of music. It's very rewarding.
Required supplies: creativity. Recommended supplies: a piano, music paper, a music-creating software program, and some knowledge of music theory.
3) Get fondue at The Melting Pot.
This place is my absolute favorite. Choose from steaming chocolate mixes like "Cookies 'n Cream Marshmallow Dream," the "Yin & Yang" (dark and white chocolate living side by side in harmony), or the "Flaming Turtle" (chocolate, caramel, and pecans, lit on fire in front of your eyes). You're then given an array of "dippers" like bananas, strawberries, brownies, and cheesecake. I just go for dessert, but they also offer meat and cheese fondues if you're into that. Try to sit in the room with the live performer to add some music to your chocolaty evening. I'm not sure if I believe in heaven or not, but I would imagine that this place comes close.
The Melting Pot has a few Chicago-area locations (including Buffalo Grove and Schaumburg), but I'd recommend visiting their downtown location at 609 N. Dearborn in Chicago, near the Grand stop on the Red Line.
4) Exercise at Curves.
Sorry, boys, this one's just for the ladies. Girls, are you interested in something to do with your mom that doesn't result in having to toss those new skinny jeans? Join Curves together. Curves is an international workout facility for women of all ages (but let's just say that when I went to the one in Edgebrook this past summer with my mom, I brought the average age in the room down by a lot). It's a unique workout experience: if you've got 35 minutes free, you have time to exercise here. Music plays as you make two rotations around a circle of 15 stations and running boards for 30 seconds at each station. The stations use hydraulic resistance so you're working your full strength potential without having to change weight stacks. At the running boards, you're free to run, kickbox, dance, or walk at your own pace. The friendly "change stations now" voice comes up every 30 seconds to tell you to move on. Go with your mom or another female friend so you have someone to talk to. It's a great workout and a very small time commitment--and a fun mother/daughter bonding experience.
Curves has 10,000 locations worldwide. Visit their Web site to find one near you. Membership prices vary by location.
5) Eat and be entertained at Uncommon Ground.
Like food, music, and art? Then you'll love Uncommon Ground. Located in Wrigleyville, this restaurant showcases local, up-and-coming talents in art and music. For a minimum of $15 that can be spent on the delicious food, you'll hear an assortment of musicians performing a wide range of musical genres. In one night, you might hear a bluegrass trio, a rock guitarist, and an opera soloist. As you're listening to the sounds of the night, look around the room to enjoy the artwork on the walls--every few weeks is a new display of a local artist's work. And $15 is just enough money to eat well for the night: When I went there I had the hummus and pita platter (probably the best pita I've ever had, and I spent five weeks in Israel), the Triple Banana Nut Sundae (banana bread, banana ice cream, bananas, and toppings...it was insane), and hot chocolate (they claim it's the best in Chicago; it was good, but I'd need to do more research...do I smell an investigative blog post coming up?). Come every week and have a new experience every time. Bottom line: good pita + good music + good art = uncommon.
Uncommon Ground is located at 3800 N. Clark St. in Chicago, near Wrigley Field. See their Web site for a schedule of performances.
So there you have it. Five things to do to keep you busy over break. Stay tuned for more updates like these in the future.
Have you done any of these things? Leave a comment and let us know what you thought.
You have no excuse to be bored.