DC OR BUST Part 4
Now that I’m back, I’m gonna crank out these last stories of my trip…hopefully. And since I’m fully rested again, I’ll be sure to make them exciting.
So where was I, oh yes, just went thru racist-ville scary town. We arrive to Chicago the next day at about noonish. Steve, our road manager, was able to redirect the blizzard in Chicago and the bus made it in safely. BUT no one told me it was going to be 10 below!!! HOLY COW! It’s boot camp days all over again marching in the snow. Except the list of things I didn’t bring came more to a realization besides my toothbrush. I didn’t really think to bring gloves or a beanie or even boots for that matter. So as we pulled into the Park Hyatt of Chicago, we had about an hour to settle in, shower, go NOT #1, and try to start shooting while there was still light out.
I found a Walgreens right at the corner of our hotel and I got me some gloves and a Chicago beanie. No boots but hopefully I can survive. As I was purchasing my stuff, the register people saw my camera and asked what I was doing. I told them I was running around Chicago today filming Rick Fox. They laughed at my California, so spoiled life. Luckily, they gave me the advice to buy some hand warmers. They said to put in inside my gloves and my socks. OH BOY, did that advice pay off later.
So our goal for Chicago was to hit up Obama’s house, Grant Park, and whatever else we can squeeze in. First stop, Grant Park, where Obama gave his acceptance speech…4 months late. We open the doors of the van and BOOM, the place is covered in 3 feet of snow. First thought, dude its freezing. Second thought, damn NO BOOTS! and of course to get the best angles and the great footage the crew trek into the middle of the park. Frostbite galore. Heat pack, please save me.
Next stop was Obama’s house. Because he is President elect (at the time) police cruisers protect his house 24/7. Sometimes I think it would be cool to live next to someone famous. Then I think, traffic and parking would suck. I rather be normal. Luckily, we got a great interview with a neighbor of Obama. The police said we could only film across the street and so more snow marching. I feel like I’m following history here though. First Denver for the Democratic Convention, now to Obama’s house in Chicago and his “hood”. (mental note – lets follow Obama’s life in Hawaii next time so we don’t have to suffer in this 10 below weather…please).
Next we find Obama’s spot to grub and get his hair done, did, do. We end up at a place called Dixie Kitchen where he gets some southern eatin. Of course with Rick, they are more than happy to let us film. Right around the corner is his spot to get his haircut. We were too late to catch his actual barber that probably instantly became famous, but another barber told us that they named his haircut. The Barrack. I would just call it a number 1 guard on the clippers but sure, lets call it the Barrack.
We end the night with Rick treating the crew to Gibson’s, a famous steak place in Chicago. With so much crappy junk fast microwave food we’ve been eating on the road, the steak house was a very nice gesture from Rick. I must say, I’m no where close a connoisseur in steaks as I am in chicken, so I asked the lovely waitress for the recommendation. W.R.’s Chicago’s cut it is aka the biggest piece of meat I’ve ever eaten is the winner. Check it out. And the after picture too.
After dinner, I started editing some of our footage for Extra TV. Oh boy, looking forward to the few hours of sleep in a nice bed. Next stop, Indiana to see Rick’s first home in the US and the high school he went to. Did you know he’s born in Canada and raised in Jamaica? I think exploring the US is helping him decide whether or not to become an American citizen. I know since Bush’s contract is up maybe it’s ok to be American again, right??? We can only wait and see.
Here’s a group shot of the crew (minus Steph our still photographer who i stole this pic from) at sunset somewhere in America. OH click on the thumbnails to enlarge the pics. I just figured that out.
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Tags: Chicago, part 4, rick fox
