I have always wanted to be in Chicago on St. Patrick's Day. Chicago has what is considered to be the quintessential celebration with over 2 million people celebrating, watching the parade and checking out the Chicago River "dyed a luscious green" to quote Capt. Hook from the musical Peter Pan.
I had my chance back in the day. I was National Sales Manager of a pair of radio stations in Richmond, VA., traveling around the country to major cities, pitching our awesomeness to ad agencies. Our Chicago rep firm, Katz Radio, and I had a solid relationship. The guys and I always had a fantastic time together when I visited, working hard during the day and making the rounds of the fun restaurants, dives, sports bars (new at the time) at night. I remember one evening, after eating & drinking Sambuca, we took a cab to Oak Street Beach and walked around barefoot, wading in the water of Lake Michigan and threatening to go swimming. Yes, we had a great time together.
They invited me back for St. Patrick's Day the following Spring. I considered it an honor, a much-coveted invitation, particularly as Richmond was not at the top of their money-making list. They told me we'd go to the parade, take a ride up the river & drink green beer, go to their favorite Irish pubs and just have a great time.
I was so excited!
Until I became pregnant. The joy of becoming pregnant after three years of trying certainly diminished the disappointment. I did regret the missed opportunity; one of many, I might add.
And that is life.
May the road rise up to meet you
May your beer always be green.
May you visit Chicago on St. Patty's Day just once in your life.
9 comments:
"May you visit Chicago on St. Patty's Day just once in your life."
Hi! C.G...
Oh! yes, I have visited Chicago on St.Paddy Day.Thanks, for sharing the beautiful image Of The Chicago River and...
"May the road rise up to meet you
May your beer always be green."
deedee :)
i will take that blessing...so cool you are finally getting to go....would not mind being in NYC for it as well....um...that is not the nature color of the water right? or is this the day after...after all the green beer....ha....
I didn't know about the green river in Chicago on St. Patrick's Day. And thank you for the lovely benediction. I am feeling quite blessed on this day! :-)
deedee, lucky you! I'll probably never be there on St. Patty's. It just sounded like a once-in-a-lifetime fun thing to do...kinda like Mardi Gras. Once is probably enough.
Brian, they dye the river green on purpose. Far as I know it's a non-toxic, non-polluting dye.
I've never been nor am likely to get to go. I have visited Chicago many many times and was offered a job in radio there which I turned down. Another tiny bit of regret. Ah well.
DJan, you are most welcome!
Aw,...too bad on the timing! Chicago really does it up big, don't they? That river looks amazing!
Happy SP day!
Eating a lot of cabbage makes me go like that, too.
I've heard about it, but never seen a photo of it before. thanks!
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