Category — Love

The 2016 Olympic Committee is having a video contest encouraging supporters to describe “Why Chicago should host the 2016 Olympics”.

I believe the answer is… Because we have a dance. And it’s called the Chicago-16. With the help of some wonderful friends, I have created a song and dance to answer the question of “Why Chicago?”

Below is a video explaining how to do the dance along with the text directions. We are going to film the dance at Plan B in Chicago’s Wicker Park on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 starting at 6pm. If you would like to be part of the video, please RSVP (jen@jenchicago.com) and show up! It’s all about having fun, not about having a PhD in dance!

Chicago-16 Dance Instructions from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

INSTRUCTIONS:
1-4: Starting w your right foot, walk four steps forward. Roll your arms parallel in front of you.

5-6: Step out w your right foot to the right side. Pump right arm and body as if to mimic two heartbeats.

7: Left leg closes to right. Right arm raises straight up.

8: Drop down to a closed-legged squat.

1-4: Pump your body by standing and squatting every other count.

5-8: Pivot turn (step right forward, turn 180 degrees, repeat) Return to the front.

1-3: Kick right front w heel on ground, switching feet every other count.

4: Straighten legs to the side and face left.

5-6: Slap belly with right then left hand.

7: Slide to your left, extending your right arm and dragging right foot.

8: Close.

REPEAT!

Before the season ended, I was blessed with the experience of sailing on a beautiful sailboat in Chicago.  James, the captain, and the crew of Big Meanie took me out for a glorious Sunday sail!  We competed in the last race of the season and my eyes were open to the majesty of being propelled along the water by nothing more than teamwork and Mother Nature.

Alas, my camera person didn’t show up, and I couldn’t film the race since my new team needed me on the ropes.  There was so much more that happened (two boats collided, a man fell overboard, crazy kooky wind shifts) however my hands were needed more “on deck” than on the camera during the race.

Still… it was another amazing Chicago experience that I will treasure. I found the following quote equally apropos to this post and to my life. Perhaps it will resonate with you as well.

“The sail, the play of its pulse so like our own lives: so thin and yet so full of life, so noiseless when it labors hardest, so noisy and impatient when least effective.” ~Henry David Thoreau

So true.

Sailing in Chicago… oh yeah! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

There is something very nostalgic, romantic and captivating about Navy Pier. There is so much to do, ride, see, experience and, of course, eat. All the hard facts about Navy Pier have can be found a thousand places online… so this is simply my experience. My date, if you will.

I have a crush on Navy Pier from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

I want to give Michelle a special “thank you” for filming most of this. She laughs at my jokes and that TOTALLY helps!

Some of the same reasons that incited my move to Chicago are the same reasons that I think it would be pretty sweet to have the 2016 Olympics here! Millennium Park is one of my favorite things EVER!

What do YOU love about Chicago?

Why Chicago?: Millennium Park from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Videography by Courtney Hannibal.

As you may, or may not, know Chicago is a candidate city for the 2016 Olympics. In addition to bringing in revenue and national recognition, it is being said that it will evolve the way we do business in the city. Mmm… evolution is good.

*sigh* I just love that Chicago was nominated. He’s so wonderful. (yes, it’s personification) And it doesn’t suprise me that others feel the same way I do. I really can’t get over how lovely and clean and efficient and exciting and nice and everything this city is…

…you know like when you are super-sweet on someone and then he/she just does or says the nicest thing(!) and you have to take a deep breathe to contain your delight? Yeah… that’s SO like me and Chi.

Anyway… in my quest to give you the inside scoop on Chicago, I am learning a TON about EVERYTHING! My head is spinning but it just makes me love Chi more!

However… In a separate post, remind me to discuss the fact that people keep telling me how miserable I will be in the winter. I don’t doubt it’s cold, but winter has her own problems. It’s SUMMA-TIME in Chicago, People! Please refer back to my boating video if you need a refresher. Don’t live in the past OR the future… Live now!

Back to the Olympics (OlymPIC or OlymPICS?) party. It was really cool and over at Millennium Park.

And you know how I like to skip over to Millennium Park. So much so, that I’m going to give her a nickname. Millie, I think. Hmmm…Yes, I like that. Okay, it’s official. Millie = Millennium Park

So, I went to go see Millie and I had a chance to chat with some volunteers, ride some crazy ride (that seriously scared me because my feet were slipping out of my shoes!) laugh with some nice young olympians, drink wine, hear Daley, dance barefoot, talk with some flipper guy and a whole lotta other stuff!

Well… just watch the video. That’s easier.

And for Pete’s sake, let me know you are out there! Hearing from you makes me smile… and you know how I like to smile, don’t you?

Peace out.

PS: Do you think the writing should be first or the video?

Chicago 2016 party from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.