Chicago Auto Show 2012: First Weekend

Here we are again:  back in Chicago and up on the Toyota Live stage and on the huge LED wall.  This year, our guests include Bears, Cubs, Turtles, Snakes, and Fire.  Yes, some are local sports heroes while others are visitors to from the Shedd Aquarium.  Either way, the Windy City always provides colorful characters on our stage....especially 1985 Chicago Bear, Steve McMichael.  If you've ever met him, you know what I am talking about!

Check out my insider's perspective on the Toyota Prius for the Chicago Auto Show's daily web series. (And holy close-up shot.....back up, camera dude!)

 Dancing on the stage at the Charity Preview to the Biebs. "Baby, baby, baby, oh!"

 There's a turtle on the stage....we named him "Prius" since he is hydrodynamic like the hybrid which is aerodynamic.

Hanging with Steve McMichael after the show.  He's pretty funny and larger than life.  

 I just have to say that Earl Bennett liked me way better than my co-host.  Hahahaha.......

Um, I had the opportunity to wear a Superbowl ring.  POW!  It was huge on my little fingers.  Thanks, Steve!

Opening Weekend at the Chicago Auto Show

I have no idea what is going on in this photo, but I love unusual action shots.  This definitely qualifies.

 I know what you are thinking, "Wait, there's no red carpet post about the Grammys!".  Yep, you are correct.  I watch the Grammys from a distance:  I love Barbra Streisand and oh, her prom dress from 1988, I caught a glimpse or two of Eminem's performance, and when they announced Album of the Year, I thought, "Who is that?".  My obsession with the red carpet circles around movies, glamour, and Hollywood.  I am not sure I can wrap my brain around Lady Gaga and her egg.  I need my couture, unless that was a couture egg?

This weekend, I was running around on stage at the Chicago Auto show for our annual visit.  The weekend was packed with guests who are sponsored by or in partnership with Toyota, so it was fun working with radio personalities, soccer players, and snakes.  Here are a few highlights from the weekend:

Hanging with country music radio personality, Ramblin' Ray from US 99.5.  He's a big fan of the Tundra and always a lively guest.

Partners for Clean Air brought a superhero, "Breathe Easy Man"!  I haven't stood next to a man in tights since my dancing days.....












The Shedd Aquarium has also been a repeat visitor to the Toyota Live stage, but this year, they brought animals!  The photos aren't great, but he's holding a snake.  The snake was really cute and I learned that snakes utilize their sense of smell via their tongues.  His tongue was going crazy that day.  I sure hope I smelled good because donning a baseball cap in that outfit sure didn't make it look like I know how to dress.

In the photo below, I am peering at a painted turtle.  He kept swimming with his little legs in the air.  I really wanted to take him home, but I was afraid my kitty would eat the turtle for lunch.

The ladies with the Chicago Fire players, Kwame Watson-Siriboe and Sean Johnson:

One final action shot with the Chicago Fire: