Jason loves Chicago!

Our friend Jason was in town again this weekend, and fun ensued as usual.  On Saturday we had lunch with his High School chum Elliot Bowles.  For those who don't know, Elliot is the chef of his eponymous restaurant Graham Elliot.  We had lunch with he and his lady friend before heading to the Museum of Science and Industry to get our learn on.  Later that night we headed to Graham Elliot for dinner.  This was our second time there and it has not disappointed thus far.  The food and atmosphere are both top notch.  

Jason and Elliot

Merchandise Mart and the Sears Tower sportin' the Christmas Colors

Model Train set up at the Museum of Science and Industry

I'm on a roll....

Another photo was published yesterday!

http://chicagoist.com/2008/10/08/extra_extra_325.php

Eat more fish

The little lady and I are trying to eat a greater percentage of vegetarian and fish dishes (we already were for the most part). We aren't cutting out red meat by any means, but simply cutting back. Being a big ol bleedin' heart blah, blah, whatever, I have concerns about fish farms, etc. We almost always buy from Whole Foods so I don't worry as much, but it's still something in the back of my mind. That's why I was excited when I found this handy dandy pocket guide. Shedd Aquarium created this guide to help consumers make good fish type choices as far as the environment is concerned. It's called the Right Bite Card. It separates different fish types into three columns based on the fisheries and fish farms that are healthier for ocean wildlife and the environment.

Maybe I'm just a big dork but I feel better about my purchases after being able to reference this list. Feel free to check it out if you are a big tree hugger like us.

The Michigan Economy

Oh, Michigan. Such a beautiful state. And yet, such a horrific economy. I just read this article about a Chicago woman who just bought a house in Michigan off of Ebay. For $1.75. Even I could afford that.

With a winning bid of just $1.75, a Chicago woman is getting an abandoned home in Saginaw, Mich.

The Saginaw News reports 30-year-old Joanne Smith recently was the top bidder for the home during an auction on eBay. Her bid was one of eight for the home, which she says she plans to sell.

Smith says she hasn't seen the property or visited Saginaw. The newspaper says she also must pay about $850 in back taxes and cleanup costs.

--Associated Press


The good news is, you can get a vacation home for less than lunch!

Hitler hates the Cardinals too.

Check it, y'all.

Damian is a published photographer!

Pity Post

Ok, so I wanted to post something (anything) so I'm throwing up some pictures from (you guessed it) our last Cubs game this year. Or at least the last one we have tickets for as of right now. This could change. I know this is a total cop out and lazy but whatever. Take it or leave it.

Here are a few of the pictures from the game. Oh yeah, the Cubs won of course...

Proof of Wheaton's greatness!!!

Ok, admittedly we are unabashed Wheaton supporters, but now we have statistical proof that we are not crazy! Money magazine has produced its 2008 best places to live and Wheaton came in at 54 nationwide. Sure, Naperville is ranked number 3, but I still think we are better than Naperville. But that's just me.

Can I see your ID, kid?

Check out this video of a kid drinking beer at Wrigley. It was caught on WGN so this kid's dad is in some hot water once his mom sees it! We have been frequenting the bleachers this year and we have seen plenty of drunks that are likely below the legal age but this is just getting ridiculous.

Seadog!

During the last weekend in June, Phil and Tammi came over to Illinois for an architectural boat tour aboard the Seadog. It was actually something that we had been wanting to do for a while so when Phil mentioned it, we jumped at the opportunity. Of course, everyone knows you can't go boating on an empty stomach so we had lunch at RL before the tour. I had no idea the place was even there before, but man have we been missing out. The food was simply fantastic.

After lunch we walked over to Navy Pier where we were scheduled to catch the boat. Luckily we were early which gave us time to wander around Navy Pier. The boat tour was a lot of fun (though not exactly what we were expecting). Some of the things the tour guide said are under suspicion but he was a lot funnier than expected. Overall it was a lot of fun and a great day (except for the random shower that came through). We are now inspired to look into different architectural tours in the city. Chicago is truly an amazing city for architecture and we hope to take advantage of that!

Here are few pictures from Navy Pier and the Seadog!

Not a bad day to be on the water.

Look at that blue water. Who wouldn't want to live here?

Sears Tower looking all tall

333 Wacker Drive

The Weeping Shitter of Wheaton, Illinois

Someday, I will sit down and post all of the before and after pictures of the work we've been doing to the house since Januaryish. I promise. The pictures are taken, and even uploaded to my computer (usually the biggest hurdle). Now I just need to find the words.

But anyway. We are down to the last room in the great redecorating blitz of aught eight: the downstairs bathroom. Now, if you've ever painted a bathroom, you know that despite their smaller size, they are the biggest freaking pain in the ass to paint. Lots of cutting and awkward angles. (I'm always glad that I do yoga when I have to paint a bathroom.)

And this house? Oh my god. The things I have seen when painting this house. Three layers of painted-over wallpaper? Check. Outlets painted to match walls? Check. The white molded enclosure of our bathtub mysteriously painted white? Sure. Why not?

So between the fact that it's a bathroom and past experience painting rooms in this house, I was prepared to not enjoy this project.

Little did I know what was in store for me.

The walls were papered in a red plaid and the ceiling painted a deep red to match. Obviously primer was called for. So I got my primer and brush all ready and got to work. About halfway through, I took a break (possibly to get a beer, but it's hard to say). It was then that I noticed that the primer I had put on first was beaded up and rolling down the wall.

Uhh. Okay.

My stellar investigative skills told me that the walls were oily. I'd wiped them down before I started, but only with water. Everyone knows that oil is hydrophobic. When you need to clean something greasy, you need the big guns. And that took care of it.

Or so I thought.

I started painting again. Then I noticed that the oil drips were back. Oh yes. There was oil dripping down the walls of our bathroom. Obviously , this was beyond my skill set (see: 409), so I reached into my bag of librarian tricks and googled it.

Turns out there is only one explanation. We aren't talking about a statue of the virgin, but that doesn't make it any less miraculous.

Am currently trying to figure out how to sell it on eBay.

Wanted: World-Class Pediatricians

Oh, if only we knew one ...

Jason!

Jason came to visit us last weekend, making him our first repeat Maryland visitor.

Also, still our only Maryland visitor.

Friday night we got to check out Chef Bowles' new place. Amazing, of course. The food was fantastic, the atmosphere relaxed, the music leaned to the new wave 80s I love, and, of course, I can't say enough about the company.

Saturday, the weather was gorgeous, so we decided to hang out by the pool. D made ribs, much wine was consumed ... it was a perfect day.

On Sunday we took the train back into the city to hit the Museum of Contemporary Art. Rather than walk, we decided to take the water taxi.


For two bucks, it's a pretty great way to see the city.



Then we headed to the museum, where we were treated to an underwhelming exhibit by Jeff Koons (including a special treat: pornography as art). I was disappointed that the museum doesn't seem to have a permanent collection. It's just exhibits. Although I did like the Calder exhibit.

After a stroll to Navy Pier, we hopped the train back home:

(The photographer suffers for his art)

... where D made us his fantastic pork chops and we drank the amazing Champagne that Jason sent us for Christmas.

(Note: amazing champagne and amazing flushed cheeks)

Then he left. 

Despite our pleas and tears and promises of a full-time position as our pool guy. It was quite the scene Monday morning at O'Hare departures, but I'm not proud. 

Even though we hate the leaving part, Jason's visits are always a good time: lots of laughs, great food, and wine.

So today, we restocked:

(Why, yes, that IS a St. Supery wine ...)

New basement, new hole.

We already showed you that Cat found himself a hole almost immediately after we moved in. But, since that hole led directly into the basement ceiling, we decided it wasn't the best place for Cat to hang out. Since we almost had to tear out our entire basement this spring (pictures are coming, but that is another post for another day), it seemed like a good time to wall up Cat's hideout.

We considered doing it up Cask of Amontillado style. Briefly.

Cat, true to form, stared longingly at the wall where the hole used to be for about a day, then bounced back:



I'm sure that fiberglass insulation is good for his little lungs.

Devil Cat

Lest you think that Maggie is our only ill-mannered pet:



It seems that cat missed us when we were gone for Memorial Day weekend. So much that he needed to dig D's mostly gone mocha out of the trash.

Unwanted Visitors

This is the male duck that, along with his lady friend, made our pool his home this spring. We haven't seen him in weeks, but she's out there everyday. And she seems sad. I feel bad for her, but not bad enough to keep me from siccing the Maggot on her.

Yesterday, after we chased her away when we woke up, she was sitting in the neighbors front yard, staring at me as I pulled out. Just waiting for us to go to work.

Ducks are so crafty.

Who knew?

Gah.

We turned our air conditioning on for the first time this year about an hour ago. It is really humid here and about 75 degrees right now. I just checked the weather though, and discovered this little gem of a severe weather alert:

...PNEUMONIA FRONT MOVING DOWN WESTERN LAKE MICHIGAN...

A PNEUMONIA FRONT CURRENTLY IN FAR SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN WILL CONTINUE TO RAPIDLY DROP SOUTHWARD INTO NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND INDIANA TONIGHT. THIS FRONT HAS BEEN MARKED BY A DRASTIC CHANGE IN TEMPERATURES AND A STRONG WIND SHIFT. TEMPERATURES ALONG THE LAKE FRONT HAVE DROPPED FROM THE LOW TO MID 70S TO THE MID TO UPPER 40S AS THE FRONT PASSES.

A PNEUMONIA FRONT IS A RARE... METEOROLOGICAL PHENOMENA THAT IS TYPICALLY OBSERVED ALONG THE WESTERN LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE DURING THE WARM SEASON. THESE FRONTS ARE DEFINED AS LAKE MODIFIED SYNOPTIC SCALE COLD FRONTS THAT RESULT IN ONE HOUR TEMPERATURE DROPS OF 16 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR GREATER.

A pneumonia front? WTF? Did they just make that up?

Am going to go turn off the air now. Apparently we were being way too optimistic.

Now accepting reservations!

OK. So it's still a little cold (water temp = 50 degrees) and a little dirty (there was a mishap with the removal of the cover ... lots of leaves at the bottom), but those are temporary problems. 

Ahh. Finally.

As I read this story, I'm sort of blown away to think that it was snowing here 10 days ago. It seems so long ago and far away.

 

Also, pool opens in two weeks, yo. Start blowing up your water wings now.

Cubs games!

Until now, we would plan a trip once a year (if we could) to go see a Cubs game in Chicago. Now that we live here, it's a wee bit easier. So far, Damian has been to three games and Ashley has been to two. And the season has just begun...

The first game of the year for Damian was the second game of the year for the Cubs. It was against the Brewers and they lost. So we will move right along.

The first game that we both attended was against the 'stros. That was a win! We went for Steve Davis' (someone we went to high school with) birthday. We got to Murphy's Bleachers before they opened and managed to get a choice spot at a table on the outside patio right along the street so we could enjoy a few Old Styles before the game.

Dante' always seemed to be hovering around the beer...

Until he passed out.

Kerry Wood going for the save

CUBS WIN!!!

Then we went to Tigger's house?

Dante' managed to rally for beer pong

Then we went to Tuesday's game against the Reds. It was the first time back for both Dusty Baker and Correy Patterson. There were a few boos. Maybe a lot.

View from our bleacher seats

Visual proof that we did indeed attend the game

Cubs win again!

Manual Labor

Maggie is a big help around the house. Especially when it comes to home improvements, etc.

Removing wallpaper is her favorite.

Two Brothers Brewing Company

I hesitate to post this since it will only seem to confirm thoughts that we drink too much. But it was just too good not to give it a mention. Earlier this week, Ashley and I went to Two Brothers Brewery for dinner. We had been meaning to go for a while now. It is just a few minutes from our house so there are really no excuses not to go. Especially since we are all about the local beer. As it turns out, we have been missing some good stuff! It's a fairly new brewery (they have been around for 10 years but as a very small operation until recently) so you never know. They only recently opened the new brewery down the road from us. It was some of the best micro brew we had ever tried! Ashley had the Cane and Abel, and I had the sampler flight. Combine that with the fact that the restaurant had a cool pub vibe, the people were friendly, and the food was excellent and you have a winner. I'm pretty sure the guy who came to talk to us for a few minutes made up 50% of the two brothers. I think it's safe to say we will be going back from time to time. So if anyone is looking for some good micro brew, you know where we live...

Wildlife

Continuing on with the job hazard theme, I thought I would post these pictures I took the other day when I was pulling up to my office. I almost didn't see them because they blended in with the ground, but two coyotes were standing right along side the road looking for some white deer to snack on.

They didn't seem all that concerned that I was stopping to take pictures. I wanted to get closer but figured I would just keep hoping for a better zoom lens instead.

Work Hazards

Every job has its challenges. That's why they have to pay you right? Work can get hectic and stressful but it's all a part of paying the bills like the Man intends. I'm fine with that. But sometimes work challenges can get a little bizzare. Take the other day for instance, when I was walking down a system in one of our old labs and came across this sign:




It's the first time a room has threatened me with cancer deliberately. We have lots of rooms that say radiation hazard, etc. but I've only recently seen these that smack you across the face and dare you to enter. No wonder we don't have a true retirement plan. It keeps the job interesting anyway.

Like Riding a Bike

Damian and I both forgot about potholes. 

In Maryland, there is either not enough snow or not enough snowplows (equally likely possibilities) to make potholes a real problem. They are more the exception than the rule. 

Not so in the Midwest. The midwinter appearance of potholes is something that we had both completely wiped from our memories. Unfortunately, a few weeks ago, it all came back to us in a axle-breaking rush. 

I don't know about D, but I have since rediscovered a driving skill unique to drivers in cold winter climates: pothole avoidance. It's the ability to anticipate and swerve to miss every pothole on a road without leaving your lane and sideswiping the Prius next to you. 

Turns out, I've still got it.

Valentine's Day, or Just Another Drunken Thursday

D and I have never been big with the Valentines. We acknowledge it, but that's about it. There is no "gazing into each others eyes" *cough*amalah*cough* and rarely are there hearts and flowers. (There were some beautiful flowers last year, but I think that might have been a first.)

So, this year, our 11th Valentine's Day together, we decided to keep with tradition. The second Thursday of the month (be it Valentine's Day or not) means only one thing to us. zOMG! THERE ARE TWO BOTTLES OF WINE IN DARIEN WITH OUR NAMES ON THEM!

We spent the evening with Tim and Maggie at Wine Styles tasting their six "sexiest" wines, chosen mostly for the kitsch of their names (see: Fourplay, a blend of four grapes). D picked up some sushi from the Japanese steakhouse next door and I brought some chocolate covered strawberries from Graham's as my Valentine gift for D. (D's gift for me? Assorted truffles from Graham's.)

Kitsch aside, I think that this was the best tasting ever. Normally, there are 2-3 wines from each tasting that we like enough to buy. Last night, we walked away with 7 bottles of wine (including our two club wines). Yikes! 

First, was a wine we already knew we loved: Zonin's Primo Amore Juliet. We had already decided that this would be our go-to summer white. It's sweet and crisp and a little fizzy and a lot cheap! Anyone who comes to our pool this summer can expect to be offered a glass of this deliciousness.

But! We also got to try, for the first time, Juliet's partner Romeo. Romeo smells like the rose on the label and has all of Juliet's good qualities: a little bit of effervescence, a little bit of sweetness. I'm looking forward to trying this again to figure out where they differ. If I had to say from memory, I would say Juliet has pear notes and Romeo has berries. (Maybe I should read those PDFs I just linked to. They would probably tell me.)

Another wine we had never tried was Syrahtica. Get it: Syrah+tica like Ero+tica? Clever. And in the spirit of clever suggestiveness, check out the label. Now stand on your head. AHH! NAKED LADY! Sort of. Anyway, if you can get beyond the name and the label, this is a really good wine. At the front, it tastes like any other Syrah--fruity, big, a little chewy. Then, it sort of surprises you with a really smooth, spicy, dark finish.

Our last purchase was two bottles of Trentadue Chocolate Amore (one for us and one for my port-loving brother). It's an interesting merlot-based port-styled wine that tastes like raspberries and chocolate (a combination that one of us--the one who isn't me--can't resist).

The good news is that we reached 1000 points on our club membership and got $50 to spend in the store! The bad news is, that means that we've spent $1000 on wine in the last 7 months. Mom, stop worrying. I swear this is not that hard to do when we are trying to keep the Young family flush with vino. Most of that grand was spent on the case for Labor Day, the case for Thanksgiving, and the case for Christmas. 

So that was our Valentine's. (I'm leaving out the part where we went home, watched a movie, and I fell asleep on the couch, making it truly just like any other Thursday.)

Alpine Valley

Last weekend I decided to take advantage of the nice weather and went to Wisconsin to meet a coworker at Alpine Valley. Alpine Valley is a ski "resort" just over the border from Illinois. It doesn't have the longest runs in the world, but it did have a decent number of them and the conditions were great. Here are a couple of pictures from the slopes.

The Terrain Park

Yes, I actually hit these jumps and landed them. My legs still have a little left thank god.

View from the top

Another view from the top

The kid in the red and black on the left is Frank Jr, and the red white and blue in the center is Frank Sr.

While it wasn't the biggest place, it wound up being a nice day of skiing. The slopes had almost zero ice, the terrain park was in great shape and it was warm and sunny. That is Midwest skiing at it's best!

Maggie loves her some snow

She really does love the snow. Not a fan of ice though. But let her outside in some fresh powder and she couldn't be happier.

See how content she is?

In fact, she loves the snow so much that she hates it when we shovel. Less snow to walk in. If you don't believe me, just check the video below to see how much she hates the snow shovel.

Of course, she isn't the brightest dog. And no matter how tough she thinks she is, a metal tipped shovel will always win in the end. We didn't realize she was hurt until we went inside and saw she was leaving puddles of blood on the floor. She never yelped or limped or anything. Just stood there bleeding. We didn't really want to go to the vet and explain how this happened, so we just doctored it up ourselves. Within a couple of days, the wound was fine. But she still smolders with hate every time we shovel the driveway.

Kind of pathetic looking don't you think?

The 11th Commandment

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's snowblower.


(Actually, the very nice man in the picture above using the snowblower across the street let us borrow it when he was done. Might have been because we stopped after tossing every shovelful of snow to look longingly at him. I'm baking him some cookies today because ... SNOW DAY!!)

End of the Yellow

And also the smeary peach. But mostly the yellow.

Our house is very, very yellow. The siding is yellow and most of the main floor is the same, pale yellow with some green undertones. It's not the worst color, but there's just so damn much of it. The walls and ceilings in the entryway, dining room, living room, hallway, bathroom, and our bedroom are the same yellow. The previous owners loved this yellow so much that they painted the trim and doors and EVERYTHING THAT WOULD STAND STILL in that yellow.

We will triumph over the yellow and have started the long process. For some reason, winter makes me want to paint stuff. Which is good since it means that I can't open windows to vent the fumes.

This is the dining room before:

And this is our dining room now (try to picture it with this dining room table):


One of the rooms on the main floor that wasn't yellow was the kitchen. It was sort of smeary peach. I suspect it was originally the same yellow, but they ragged (or something -- I'm not up on my faux techniques) an orangey color over it. I decided the effect was similar to mixing ketchup, mayo, and mustard and smearing it on the wall. Not that I've done this.

Before:




And after:




It's the same green, but looks very different against the white cupboards in the kitchen than it does in the dining room. I think it will look even more different once that mahogany table is in there in a couple of weeks.

This weekend? The bathroom!