And It Has All That Jazz! - Chicago 7/15

Friday was our busiest day at the conference. We started it off right with breakfast at the Cambridge Diner. The pancakes there are fabulous, the price was right and the service was friendly - which is probably why we went back on Saturday and Sunday morning, too!

We attended lectures on a variety of topics during the day which were all fascinating. We found the lectures on artificial cornea implants, stem cell implants, aniridia fibrosis syndrome and the possibility of regenerating the optic nerve fascinating.

On our lunch break, we visited the Cheesecake Factory at the base of the Hancock building for some tasty sandwiches. We finished our meal off with both dulce du leche and peanut butter cup cheesecake both of which were absolutely fabulous! We recommend them highly!

Our day ended on a "high note" with a visit to Tommy Gun's Garage - a real live speak easy from the era of Prohibition. We were greeted by "Gloves" the doorman and his machine gun. Once we gave the right password (we could tell youz but we'd have to kill ya), we were ushered in to our table. Before they went in, though, Gloves told MeLissa that she should get Mark liquored up so that he could take his place! Lucky for Mark, MeLissa is a little wary of guys who tote machine guns!

Once we were settled at our table, our waiter, Babyface, fetched our drinks and Vito (da Boss) ventured by to ensure that we were enjoying ourselves. When he learned that we lived in California, he took it upon himself to tell us to not go back but stay in Chicago - tempting....very tempting!

Gloves and Vito made a second stop by our table later when Mark was away. Vito told Gloves to stay with MeLissa - something Gloves was more than happy to do - and to let Mark know that he shouldn't leave such a beautiful woman alone if he knows what's good for him. MeLissa was, naturally, a pretty nice shade of scarlet by this time. Thankfully, Mark came back in one piece and without cement shoes!

After a hearty lasagna dinner, we sat back and enjoyed the show. There was a lot of singing and dancing by the gangsters and the "molls." Things got crazy at one point when the police raided the place and subjected several guests to sobriety tests despite the fact that we all were only participating in a church revival service. *wink, wink* He wouldn't buy it - especially when he noticed that the Bible in use was "The Bartender's Bible" - oops. Eventually, though, he got the right motivation (some greenbacks and a bottle of Irish Whiskey) and he went his merry way. At the end of the show, though, he reappeared with a completely different demeanor - he was downright drunk...and quite happy about it, too!