This weekend was quite the Occasion. I traveled up to Chicago to visit with friends, celebrate the birth of Courtney, and go to Pitchfork music fest. I’d say the weekend earned two enthusiastic thumbs up! Fine holiday fun.

Friday, immediately after work, I headed to the big city or at least that was the plan. However, my life doesn’t work like that. I had to run home and pick up a few things I forgot to pack. Of course, I left my ipod at work. I REFUSE TO TRAVEL 3+ HOURS WITHOUT IT! But finally circa 6 I got on the road. It was a pretty easy trip, stop a gas station for some gatorade, hit up taco bell, listen to Harry Potter audio book. (sidenote: I always feel very cool listening to Harry Potter when I cruise up to a drive through or a toll booth).

Saturday started the weekend’o’fun. After a delish brunch at some Hari Krishna restaurant Molly and I headed to Pitchfork.

(please note the guy behind us. I have a feeling it’s not a ciggie he’s smoking!)

The first act we caught was Fleet Foxes. Foxes indeed.

They were actually one of my favorite acts. I’ve been listening to them non stop (no really I’ve had my headphones in listening to them as I run errands, when I’m cleaning at home. I’m obsessed) since I’ve returned. These guys can harmonize.

check out one of their performances here.

The heat was pretty intense on Saturday and it was so sticky. But the world is kind and Molly discovered the popcicles. I’m not kidding when I say these Popsicles changed my outlook on life. Fruity delishiousness was exactly what I needed right then

Seriously, don’t they look good?

After the pops we watched Vampire Weekend. They were great. I’ve just been loving their cd all spring/summer. I can’t get the video I took to imbed, but trust me, you’re not missing much. I’m a terrible videographer.

The rest of the day was spent listening to acts from the comfort of a poncho seat.

Here’s a list of the other acts I saw day 1:

Caribou (or the end of it)

Fleet Foxes

Dizzee Rascal

Vampire Weekend

!!! (I was loving their lead singer’s hot dance moves!)

We sadly had to leave before we could see Animal Collective. But Molly and I kept our head up because we were going to the wonderful birthday celebration for Courtney.

We decked out in our Sunday best and headed to a wonderful Italian dinner. Afterwards we headed to some bar in the Lincoln Park area. This bar was full cute guys, or so it appears at first glance. Here’s an example of what type of guy was at the bar. Emily and I are just chatting about life and we notice this guy behind Annie that keeps staring and pointing at her. He then calls over a friend and starts doing to same thing. This goes on for legit 15 mins or more. Finally the guy comes up to Annie and pulls out this beauty, “We’ve voted you best dressed here. We appreciate that you took the time to put yourself together tonight, so I want to buy the best dressed a drink.” Annie thinks it was ruffied.

Things like this go on all night, but we had a magnificent time. After last call we’re on our way out when a monsoon hits. I mean it is pouring down rain.

It looks a little like this.

For some reason, Annie, Molly, and Courtney decide to go get us a cab. Emily, Kathryn, and I enjoy the nice dryness of the inside. My friends are troopers. They came out of this looking a little like wet dog (but very cute wet dog).

Happily, the rain ended just in time for us to enjoy day 2 of Pitchfork.

Annie, Kathryn, Courtney and I went on day two.

Here’s who we saw:

Les Savy Fav

Ghostface Killah and Raekwon (at least Annie and Court saw them)

The Dodos

M. Ward

Spiritualized

Bon Iver

Dinosaur Jr

Spoon

They were all great. I didn’t know much of anything about The Dodos before I went, but they were fantastic as well. All the acts lived up to my high expectations.

There’s Bon Iver. Good work!

The BEST part the concert was the people watching. GOLD SOLID GOLD. The festival was one big Ray Ban commercial I swear. The place was filled with too cool hipsters – guys in skinny jeans, girls in headbands worn rambo style. The best game to play while people watching was, “Who doesn’t belong.” I loved the ladies with their Louis Vitton bags standing next to people with fanny packs. I was content doing nothing but watching people walk by. I really wish I was cool enough to be a hipster… someday maybe… someday.

There’s much more to say on this subject, but I’m tired so that’s all you get for now!