Chicago 2018 – A British Adventure in the Windy City
Jet-Lagged in Jolly Old England
Well, it’s official – Chicago 2018 is now a part of our history. My wife Michele and I, two Brits on a Chicago adventure visiting my cousin Julie, touched down in the UK, bidding farewell to the Windy City’s skyline and hearty deep-dish pizzas. Reality hit us hard – alarms blaring at the ungodly hour of 05:20, rejoining the daily grind of rush-hour traffic, and worst of all, getting accustomed to the encroaching chill of British weather. The sun-soaked memories of Chicago felt like a distant dream.
Inbox Overload: The Post-Holiday Blues
Our rude awakening continued on Wednesday morning as we stumbled back into the world of work. 500+ emails stared at me from my inbox, and a daunting 34 incidents awaited my attention in the Engineering Applications queue. By Friday’s close, I still found myself buried under a pile of 200 emails and an ever-mounting workload. But hey, no complaints here – this is the toil that keeps the mortgage monster at bay.
Lazy Saturday and Family Reunions
Saturday rolled in, and, much to our surprise, so did the mid-morning sun as we slept in until a luxurious 09:30. We could blame jetlag, but who can resist the siren call of a comfy bed after such an adventure? Our day began with a visit to Brenda, who seemed her usual sprightly self. Laughter filled the air as we reminisced about the Windy City. As Brenda grew restless and meandered off, we headed to Timperley to visit mum and dad. They, too, were in good spirits, and we cherished the moments of sharing our Chicago tales. Later in the afternoon, a short drive brought us to Sam and Matt’s, where we caught up with the grandchildren, Harry and Nancy. Harry and I engaged in a fierce battle of dinosaur ‘Top Trumps,’ and who emerged victorious? Well, it was, of course, the young dinosaur aficionado – Harry! From there, it was a race back home to catch the Saturday evening game – Manchester United vs. Newcastle.
The Thrills and Agonies of Football
As we settled down to watch the match, our beloved United delivered a shocking performance in the first half, falling behind 0-2 within the first 10 minutes. The second half brought a glimmer of hope, but it was a hard-fought battle. In the end, we celebrated a 3-2 victory, but it was clear that both Woodward (Chief Executive) and Mourinho had their work cut out to salvage the season’s shaky start. The fans were divided, some calling for Mourinho’s head, while others demanded Woodward’s departure.
Post-Match Adventures and UFC Drama
After the game, we ventured to Darren and Tracy’s, engaging in lively chatter and sipping on a couple of frosty beers. The night was young, and hometown beckoned.
Sunday dawned at the ungodly hour of 04:20 as I eagerly checked if Conor McGregor had already grappled in UFC:229 against Nurmagomedov. He hadn’t, so I dove into the undercard, waiting for the main event that finally kicked off around 05:20. The match didn’t go as McGregor fans had hoped – Nurmagomedov emerged victorious with a chokehold and submission on the Irish champ. The aftermath was nothing short of chaotic, with Nurmagomedov leaping into the crowd, trading punches with McGregor’s corner team, and a subsequent brawl in the ring. Some speculated it was all a scripted drama to boost earnings for a future rematch – who knows?
Lazy Sunday and Whiskey Surprises
After a well-deserved lie-in on Sunday, I embarked on the last lawn mow before winter took over, meticulously vacuuming every nook and cranny of the house, and tidying up the garage – yes, even the garage got some love. With chores behind us, Michele and I lounged in front of the TV before receiving a delightful surprise. Our friends Warren and Dawn paid us a visit, bearing a gift – a delightful bottle of whiskey to celebrate my birthday. Cheers to good friends and thoughtful gestures!
As the day turned to evening, my brother and I shared a catch-up session. The icing on the cake was settling in to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars go head-to-head with the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL.
In Summation
Returning from Chicago 2018 was bittersweet – back to the grind, but with hearts full of memories and the promise of future adventures. We navigated work, football woes, and the whirlwind drama of UFC. In the company of family and friends, we reminisced about our Chicago escapades and were even blessed with a birthday gift. Another week in the life, and who knows what next week will bring?
