The Britney Adventure

I'm gonna write about Chicago now. It's been like a month but I still really want to talk about it.

So Charles and I went to Chicago last month so I could see Britney. Yes, I actually refer to her as if we are friends. So does Libby. It's just how we roll. We went to Chicago for our honeymoon so it was special to us beforehand. And I think we enjoyed it even more the second time. It was different this time cuz we explored the city with childhood friends of mine, Libby and her brother Matt. They lived a few houses away from me during some of the most important developmental stages of my life. They had a younger brother, Luke, back then... He died a few years ago in a car accident... I can't talk about it. But we've been friends since forever and I love them dearly.

Libby and Matt had never been to Chicago so it was new and wonderful for them. I tried to pretend like I new what I was doing, but it was pretty obvious that I'm permanently clueless. Our flight was late getting in due to thunderstorms and then we got lost in the airport and I got cranky. But when we finally got to our hotel (Sheraton Garden Inn at O'Hare) we were starved so we went out to eat. Harry Karrey's. Fabulous. We did NOT follow the recommendation to wait two hours after eating before going swimming. Old people in the pool, sucked the fun out of my 'Cannonball Surprize.' They were gross, they were all making out and stuff. And when I say 'old', I mean like 60+. The guy was all fat and hairy. He looked like a polar bear. It was unsettling. Tore my contacts. :(

The next day was filled with pirate adventures! We took the shuttle from our hotel to the airport where we boarded the train. Take the train! If you ever go to Chicago, take the train! It's so fun! and fast! I was pretty nervous about it at first ( I have a transportation phobia) but it's really awesome. We walked to the Feild Museum and said hello to Sue; the largest, most complete, best preserved T-Rex in the world. They seem to be taking good care of him, I guess. Libby, Matt and I have an attatchment to Sue since he was discovered in South Dakota when we were kids. He belongs to us. He lives in our hearts, lol. No, seriously. the museum also had a brand new Pirate Exhibit. I wanted to be a pirate after that. It was very cool. Got to touch some pirate treasure. They wouldn't let us take pictures though.

Walked some more. Seriously, I think we walked like 12 miles just that first day. Saw some weird stuff made out of metal. Art students. So weird. This big bean looking thingy, it looked like Flight of the Navigator. Ate some pretty amazing pizza at Pizano's. Frank Sinatra recommended it. Drank more coffee. Walked back to the train, back to the airport, then to our hotel. Charles and Matt played pool in the hotel bar. I think our bartender was French, he was very smooth and professional. The entire hotel staff was impeccable. Libby and I talked and laughed and talked some more. It was so fun to be able to reconnect with one of my oldest friends. No one is as funny as Libby!

The next day we decided to walk the Magnificent Mile; the most expensive block in the city. It's a whole mile of the most prestigious and exclusive stores in the world. Versace, Louis Vutton, Prada, Cartier, etc. We had fun. I bought a $20 shirt at Forever 21, lol. I'm not a big spender, but it was fun to look. Had some more coffee. Ate pizza at Giordano's, soooo good! Stopped at Sears on our way back to the train and bought some contacts so I could see Britney later that night. Sears rocks! The only place in town with contacts in stock!

Got back to the hotel. Fresh make-up, new clothes, messy hair, insert contacts. We walked to the arena, it was like 5 minutes from our hotel. Charles walked us to the door. He and Matt didn't attend the concert with us. That would be really weird. When we walked into the arena it was like stepping into an alternate reality. I was suddenly very lost. My mind started to try to process all I could see and hear. I have never seen so many scantily clad young women, er, people in my life.

This is when it got real. I knew this moment was coming. The whole trip, there it was, lurking in the back of my mind. The Spirit was moving in me. I felt it. I had tried to get out of this trip months ago, I had changed my mind, I didn't want or need to be here to see all this. I had tried so hard to back out but I couldn't. And as I stood there, in a swirl of pink and glitter and booze, I realized, I had to be there. I had to feel Him and His power in this place.

The concert itself was amazing. Britney is very talented. She is a true Showman, no doubt. It was weird for me though. I watched it with two different view points. It was like my mind had been completely divided and I could see from both of them at the same time. So much of the show was artistic and beautiful and it appealed to my flesh. I wanted it. I liked it. But then the other side, the Holy Spirit moving in me saw all the darkness and evil just covered up by all the sparkle. And I prayed. Not just for Britney, but for everyone there. And for very best friend standing next to me. I guess there's more involved than I can put into words. Even now, the memory overwhelms me. God protected my mind and heart even while I was in the midst of chaos. He was my center. It was good.

I don't expect anyone to understand. I'll obviously not be going to another Britney concert, I'm still surprised I went to this one. So are a lot of people, lol. We all have our 'indiscretions' that we're not proud of. But I got tired of hiding mine a long time ago. I put it all out there, I don't know how to pretend anymore. God deals with all of us differently. And He is constantly drawing me, compelling me to be His. To let go of all I consider to be 'mine' and to just simply rest in His glory and grace.

Thus ends the great Britney Adventure. I'm so glad I went and I hope I was coherent enough for you to understand why it was important for me to go in the first place.