Day 2 in the lou.

We woke up yesterday and after getting a slow start, darted off to one of my favorite breakfast spots in St. Louis, Rooster!

Dad and I had mimosas, Mom had a bloody mary, and we stuffed our faces with their signature crepes. I personally had the B.E.L.T. (bacon, fried egg, lettuce, and tomato) sandwich with guacamole. It was heaven.

After Rooster, we ventured down to the Arch but because the north entrance was closed, their was a HUGE line of folks waiting to go up the south entrance and we opted not to wait. Dad said it reminded him of Disney World lines (and then he shuddered).

Since the basilica in St. Louis is near to campus and a GORGEOUS site to see, we went to take a quick tour of the massive structure. I obviously didn't take this photo but it gives you a glimpse of what your eyes will take in once you're inside.

Seriously, it's breathtaking. But it's also entirely too large to feel a sense of community. So large in fact they have flat screen tv's off the wings since those folks cannot see the altar. I've only been to mass there once but didn't feel it was the best spot for us for Easter Sunday so we're headed to the Jesuit church on campus in a few...

Last night we went to Kota, a local decent place that got the job done but wasn't a place to brag about before heading to the Fox across the street (literally, hence the food location) to see Next to Normal!

I loved it! The show centers on Diana, a mother with bipolar disorder and how her family copes with her disorder. I was nervous throughout the first act that my parents were hating it and that clouded my ability to simply just let the show engage me but by intermission I figured whether they liked it or not was beyond my control and I was LOVING the music. The plot is dark, twisted, and sad but the music has a Rent/Spring Awakening feel to it (probably because there's some connections between the three) and overall, I give it two thumbs up. It's probably the smallest cast I've ever seen with only 6 cast members but each is incredibly talented. We had incredible seats (lower balcony, dead center) and since the set is a house with three levels, I think it was the perfect seat to be able to see every level without having to crane our necks up and down. Looking forward to listening to the soundtrack now that I know what's happening. The only downfall? The lead actress who won a Tony for playing the role wasn't in the show last night. The standby did an excellent job but I wonder how much better the regular lead is. Who knows!

All in all, an excellent Saturday. Looking forward to hitting up Easter mass and then brunch!

Cheers.