Sitting, waiting, wishing... Chicago: Day 4.

We are really enjoying Chicago! Yesterday was a day filled with hurry up and wait. That is always fun! Vice President Biden was our guest speaker. Regardless of how people feel about the current administration, I think it's an awesome opportunity to hear someone in office speak. (So...let's keep it nice!) Our morning meetings were cancelled so that we could all go through secret service check points.  I knew we were going to wait. I just don't think I realized how long a line of 10,000 actually is. We walked from one end of the conference...to the other end. I even saw a sign pointing to Lake Michigan and was a little worried that they were going to pass out life jackets because the end of the line ended in the middle of the lake. Instead, we ended in a large room where we zigzagged in lines. Only teachers could do this with no ropes, no yelling, No breaking line, and keeping hands to his/herself. Everyone was trying to entertain each other as we waited. Someone even started with a classic 1,000 bottles of beer, but was told they needed to start with a higher number. The lady behind us was from Minnesota. She decided to pass the time by talking every single second to two of her male colleagues. It was the funniest thing ever. When she went to the restroom, they were both saying,"oh my goodness, will she ever shut up? I've hung out with her before, but it wasn't this bad." I offered one of them my headphones. I said you can stick the cord in your pocket and pretend. He just laughed. When she returned she continued to talk....telling them that the shoes she had on were her favorite and most comfortable, but they discontinued them so if they ever saw them, please buy all they had in stock in a size 7. I'm sure they will get right on that. People towards the front were giving people tips on how to get through quicker. We were told that no umbrellas would be allowed in. Molly was like, really? I'm going to hit the VP with an umbrella? Obviously she had forgotten the part in Batman Returns were the Penguin used his umbrella with its built in machine gun to take out a few people. The secret service are on top of it. When I think of the secret service, I always think of stoic men in suits with ear pieces and dark glasses. Maybe I'm mixing them up with Men in Black. The guys at the check point were in white shirts with secret service badges on the sleeves, black pants, black leather gloves, but still hot. I'm not sure if wearing a badge on your arm that says secret service makes it a secret anymore. Maybe there are different levels of secret service: not so secret, kinda secret, and super secret.

The "Not So Secret" Service

Anyway, they were very nice and even chuckled when a group of ladies dropped to their knees and sang hallelujah once they were through. They use metal detectors to walk through, but check everything by hand. No x-ray machines for them. Since I already had one encounter with them this week, I stayed on my best behavior. I think several ladies requested a pat down and that's why it took so long! Just teasing. It was exciting to see the VP in person. I took several pictures and one of the workers told me where to go to get a better picture without getting in trouble, but she mentioned that I never heard that from her. I love a rule breaker. I was able to get pretty close. Downside was I had to move on my knees to get there. I didn't miss my calling as a cat burglar. I was also relieved that the secret service near the stage were at least wearing suits.

The leaning tower of Biden

After the meetings, we decided we would walk around to find a place to eat. We ended up at a little sushi restaurant called Sushi Taiyo. Molly loves sushi and I'll never ever try it, but they had other things. The restaurant looked so cute. Many of the restaurants we have visited are very small with additional sidewalk seating. The waiter came over to take our drink order so I asked what they had. He replied we have RC Cola, Diet RC, or ginger ale. I just laughed and said seriously? I explained that we were from TN, home of the RC Cola  and Moon Pie Festival. He then thought we were kidding. Tn should jump on this and have a RC cola and sushi festival. It's win/win. I ordered chicken and brown rice and I was super excited when it arrived..on fire. I love a little theatrics with my meal. Molly ordered salmonella on a plate different kinds of sushi and she loved it. One was eel. When I think of deliciousness, raw (or cooked)fish never comes to mind. (I like my meals to be less like an episode of Fear Factor.) Did I mention that I heart you, Molly??
We stopped for frozen yogurt yumminess on the way back.

Before we crashed, we were treated to some unprofessional fireworks, thanks to the rambunctious kids across the river.