The Ukraine Girls Wanna Knock Me Out!

Our bartenders at Brando's Speakeasy.

Hi again. I don't know if I am going to finish the story of Chicago today because A) I am not really sure if I remember it all which is why I checked-in on Facebook continuously that day/night in hopes that those check-ins would spark my memory and, B) I am really tired. I got off of work at 06:00 and came home and got about five hours of sleep. I then went and got the boat (there was no issue as I imagined in previous blogs), I brought the boat home and uncovered it and hooked it up to the battery charger then I went and picked-up the lawnmower at the repair shop... I have to get a nap before work or it will be a REALLY LONG night (TWSS). I LOVE falling asleep watching Cubs games but have never tried while they are playing the St. Louis Cardinals.

So, where was I? We left the game early because the Angels were blowing-out the Cubs and I think we were really out to drink rather than watch baseball. I really don't drink all that much (alcohol I mean) these days though I have had my share in the past. Maybe it was trying to recapture some of our yute. Greg and I met in college and went to two different colleges together. We also had a special bond because we played ball together and he played second base and I played shortstop - it's a bromantic story. I don't remember if we got on the Red Line again and went to a bar or we went to a bar before we got on the Red Line. But, according to my "check-ins" we went to Brando's Speakeasy on Dearborn. Anybody who knows me knows that I am one of those friendly, loving drunks. There were two black guys and a black woman celebrating a birthday at a corner table (we were sitting at the bar, of course) so I walked over and sat down. It was his 43rd birthday so I bought him a drink (his friend told me to buy him a Zima but they didn't have Zima so he got whatever he wanted - I cannot remember, shockingly, what that was). Brando's was a very nice place. By the time we left I knew everybody in the place. I was Norm Peterson in so many ways. They had karaoke but Greg and I weren't that drunk. I think we spent quite a bit of time there and then headed to the train. Of course, we missed the train that we wanted so we had to wait at Union Station for the last train of the night. We waited right there we didn't want to sleep in the sewers.

Our bartenders at Slugger's (they wanted me)

As long as we were waiting we went to McDonald's in the train station. I started asking everyone where they were from and the girls behind us were from the Ukraine. I offered to buy their food for them but I think they thought I was a creeper and said no. They are very wise to be in Chicago and not let a drunk stranger buy them food. The homeless-looking skateboarders in front of us from California said I could buy there's but they were getting a lot of food and I think seriously were like vagabonds or drifters or hobos... I gave them $5 so they didn't have to count too much of their change out. The Ukraine girls who wanted to knock me out (couldn't help it, sorry) saw that I was not a creeper though they still were smart not to take french fries from a stranger. I think we soon got on the train and headed home. Time goes much faster when you don't have anywhere to be and you are drunk in a train station with Ukraine girls and homeless California skateboarders.

While on the train, watching Greg sleep, a guy in the seat up top fell out of his seat and the cops come over to see if he fell out of his seat because he was dead (he was not dead). They asked him, "did you know that you fell out of your seat?" I did not hear his response but he was lying on the floor upstairs on a train. Pretty sure he had a good idea he wasn't at home in his bed or this is a weird-ass dream. The engineer or whatever the guy who runs the train is called these days came over the speaker and said, " Mechanical train problems... we are going to try to make it to Westmont and see what happens." Things like that just add seasoning to a story; I rarely sweat that kind of stuff anymore. I have blogs and podcasts to do... I need stories and adventure. And, I have seen Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Anyway, we kept going and stopped at all of the stops and got back and we lived to tell the tale. I know I left LOTS out but if you are not easily embarrassed by our out-going and adventurous natures Greg and I are available for bachelorette  parties or just a night out (we are both off on Wednesday nights if you are looking to hire us - VERY CHEAP).

I have been writing for five innings now and am gonna miss my nap if I don't wrap up now. Thanks for listening to me try to recall one night in my life. We had a great time; that much I do know. Just writing my adventures even makes me sleepy. The next Major League game I am scheduled to attend is August 17th (Cubs / Cards) when my brother is home from Hawaii. He's single. Maybe I will have to introduce he and Fabio to my bartender friends at Slugger's. I'm such a Pimp Matty! Have a great Frinight. TTT?...MITM (out)! GO CARDS!!!!!!