Andi's Imaginary Friend Pat

Over the past few months, I've been hearing my friend Andi talk about her friend Pat. I have wanted to meet him for a while. Every time I went downtown, though, he'd always be out of town. I also never saw one single picture of him. I'm sure you can see why I thought he was imaginary. Andi also used to tell me crazy things when we were younger, like that her great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents were the king and queen of the United States. I'm not sure what's worse: that she told me that or that I believed her. 

Then, last Sunday, something happened. I learned that Pat was real. I went to Andi's apartment in Lincoln Park to watch fireworks from her rooftop, and then we went to Moe's Cantina in River North to meet this "Pat" character. 

About five minutes after I met the Real Pat, this happened:

Do you notice anything unusual about the picture? Sure I am with my girls and we are holding beer, but do you notice anything else unusual? Perhaps the lack of free hands? Because every hand in the picture is holding a beer?

Pat is a Bud Light Monster. The monster is dormant during the week, but the Bud Light Monster takes over as soon as he walks into a bar and has a few drinks. Then, the Bud Light Monster will not rest until everybody he knows in a one-mile radius has their hands full of Bud Light. Even if you kindly tell Pat that you want a gin and tonic or a Blue Moon or even one Bud Light, he will get you two Bud Lights. 

You know what I think? I think that Budweiser kidnapped him and brainwashed him in the same way that aliens abduct people in their sleep and then they forget about it the next morning.

Disclaimer: Before you see any more photos, please note that I am at least 21 years old and that most of the beers that I am holding are the same in each photo. In other words, I sipped my beer(s) rather than chugged them. I had to turn down the Bud Light Monster more than once since 1) I could only drink so much and 2) I only have two hands.

There were beers we could not finish.

We ended the night at Butch McGuire's when Moe's Cantina closed.

I was very well-behaved, but that didn't stop my incredible hangover the next day. I just don't have the tolerance of a college girl anymore. I also think I won't drink anymore. That is, after all, the best way to avoid a hangover. 

Thanks for all of the Bud Lights, Pat! I had a wonderful night!

It would also be irresponsible if I didn't show you what I had for dinner before going downtown that night. My dad made the best salmon I have ever had in my life. He wrapped it in foil and grilled it. If you live near a Costco, get your fish from there. That's where we get ours. 

He made a warm polenta salad with mushrooms and parmesan cheese. 

He also made a watermelon and asparagus salad. He wrapped these in the foil with the salmon while grilling it.  

Shoot me an e-mail if you want any of these recipes. I told my dad that it was the best meal of his that I ever ate. 

Time to go fry my brain....for real this time!