I had to run away!

[coffee]

After 6 years of Hard times, Work, Family matters, Bills, Customers, Friends that want stuff for free, I had to run away for a lost weekend. My girlfriend was all over me to take some time off and spend my birthday (4/12) doing something (that she liked of course). So I told her she can plan the trip.

I finished most of my service calls on my birthday and filled the tank with gas. I got home and everything was packed. I didnt have to do a thing except change clothes! She did it all. I had no idea where we were going until we got everthing in the car and took off down the road. Then she told me!

"We are going to Chicago. I got us a deal on a very nice room at 'The Wit'. I also have reservations at Sulivan's Steak House. From there we are off to the 'The comedy Bar'. Then saturday we are going to the casino's ".

If you have never been to 'the Wit' in downtown Chicago, Its quite a place. Everything in such a place is catered to you. We had a room on the 24th floor. Below is a shot out the window. Sorry if its a bit blurry but its my cell phone.

Our room had a seperate bedroom from the living room/kitchen area. Here is a shot of my girl already checking out the 'bar' in the bedroom

Sulivan's Steak house was a great place to eat! I had a ribeye that would just melt in your mouth! It was absolutely fantastic!
Everything is kinda in walking distance from the Wit but we took a taxi everywhere as it was just easier. We parked our car at the hotel until the drive home.

The comedy bar was ok. I was to understand that its owned and frequented by James Bolushi. We didnt see him there but we watched some up and coming comedians and then took off for the hotel again. When we got to the hotel we headed to the top floor where they have a bar and big dance area. I have to say I really do not dance at all. Infact, Alot of the people there where alot younger than me. So, We had a few drinks and headed back to the room.

Next day we hit the casinos. Nope - I didnt win millions. But we had some fun on the slots and then drove the rest of the way home.

Its amazing how revitalized you can get on something like this. I didnt realize that I was getting so dragged down from working all that time and the pressures of life. I guess I will listen to my girlfriend alot more from now on.

coffee

 

[SilverLeaf]

Nice! Everyone needs a break every so often, and it sounds like you had a great one!

 

[angry_geek]

Sullivan's is great. We'll be in Chicago next weekend. My new York strip is waiting for me at Joe's.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Doing some random "get-aways" with the other half are great. I love some of those high rise hotels...get a room way up high, with ceiling to floor windows. Have some wild sex right up against that glass, enjoy the view!

 

[bertie40]

This is my particular vice.
(No, not that one.)

In essence I enjoy my own company, so, if the chance arises, I run off to a London concert for an self indulgent overnight stay. The last one (too long ago, I need a new trip) went like this.

This sounds sad, but to me it's luxury. I've done this a few times, it's all familiar territory.

Go into Leeds centre, have a few pints.
Grab the train to London
Have a beer on the train
Get into London Kings Cross, have an incredibly unhealthy Kebab

Go to my fave "cheap & nasty" hotel in Shepherds Bush Green, directly opposite the Shepherds Bush Empire. This is circa 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

Go to the pub next door.
More of the same.

Go to the nearby multiplex and grab a current movie. Prometheus, (oh Ridley, what happened ;( )

Go to the pub, drown my sorrows concerning that mess of a movie, get a meal.

Go to the concert, the last one was Tangerine Dream.

Stayed back after the concert, met the band and had a poster autographed.

Return to the multiplex, another pint just before the bar closes, and grab another late night movie.

Come out in the early hours, grab a McD.

Return to the hotel circa 2.00 am

Crash.

Wake up, grab breakfast and make my way home.

 

[bertie40]

The best break was a weekend away in Amsterdam that my wife organised for us both.

Long story short, we were on a train in holland which i expected to come into Amsterdam Central station.

It didn't. We arrived at a provincial city playing host to a Bruce Springsteen concert. Lovely surprise. xx

 

[Blue]

The only time I get away is to go see my GF, on the other side of Michigan. I'd give anything to have her live closer to me, but as things are (has a young kid, father has visitation rights, etc.), it's not in the cards at the moment. Nor is her taking me anywhere on a mini-vacation. Being a single mom with a job that's quite a distance from her home and not exactly the best-paying -- but offers insurance -- is really painful at times, for both of us.

Chicago's a great place to visit, and an even better destination for a road trip. I had fun playing "Drunken Musical L-Train" about a decade ago.

 

[16k_zx81]

Go to the nearby multiplex and grab a current movie. Prometheus, (oh Ridley, what happened ;( )

Yeah, man. That has to be candidate for "biggest letdown/ disappointment in series" ever.

What an amazing waste of time. Such a promising idea, and a woefully unimaginative execution.

I took it so seriously, he's now officially off my christmas card list.

 

[frase]

looks great, especially that sun couch by the windows

My wife and I went away for the evening last saturday, was weird being away from our two little girls. Was a great night went to the comedy festival down here in Melbourne to see a few shows.

 

[Steve202]

I've always wanted to go to some of the big cities in the US, the views from the hotel rooms look awesome.

Last year I had a week away fishing with the girlfriend and her mom and dad, and really enjoyed it. It was a welcome break and I was surprised on how much energy I had when I returned.

 

[pceinc]

We all need to take more breaks from work. I've been my own boss for 18 years and have only taken 2-3 vacations that lasted more than a 4 day weekend.

I have a client with homes on the beach in Kitty Hawk, NC. They have bugged me for years to take the place for the week. One day while at their office I mentioned my anniversary was coming up. The owner insisted that I take him up on his offer to take the place for the weekend and that he fly my wife and I down on his plane from New Castle DE airport. So I spent a few days planning everything. Told my wife we were going away for the weekend and to pack clothes for warm weather. I drove to the airport, introduced my client and we departed. My wife did not know where we were going until we landed in NC and she saw the license plates on the cars. She does not have a good sense of direction when it comes to traveling. It was a great weekend of relaxing and eating at great restaurants.

 

[Martyn]

Enjoy your break Coffee or should I say Coffee break

I used to have an apartment abroad we would go to twice a year but since I've started this business (3 years) I've had just the weeks break in January. Because of that we have just bought a caravan and am now booking one weekend in four away from computers in the UK lovely countryside.

 

['putertutor]

As a dad, a little piece of me dies every time I tell my kids "We'll do that later" or tomorrow, or whatever. My refreshers generally revolve around spending more time with them. If I can pull away from a day for a hike up to a mountain lake and some fishing, or a day kayak trip, or even just going and grabbing one of them from school and taking them to lunch.... It's amazing what spending some good time with them does for me.

We just booked a family trip to Disneyland for late summer, just after school starts. I am a kid at heart anyway, but get me to Disneyland, and I'm 12 all over again. My parents took the whole family there every summer when I was growing up, so it's a neat place for me to take my family.

Now, for just the wife and me? There are some pretty sweet mountain resorts around here, and we have been known to run off for the night or weekend or longer. If you want a ranch style vacation, this place is about as good as it gets. It can be pricey though.