Derailment

I have had this blasted song ping-ponging around between my ears for over 24 hours:

... but finally, thanks to Jim Henson's Little Red Book's post today, I have an old familiar ear worm to torture me...

Quite frankly, I'm not sure which one is perkier... or more annoying.

Get Your Kicks

I got mine between Chicago and Bloomington, IL, this last weekend. Pix to follow later in the week.

Many thanks to the fine folks at the Chicago Architecture Foundation in for allowing Mr. Bill and I to tag along for a trip designed for their docents, instead of the general public!

Late Night Ramblings

Where've I been? Busy, my friends -- very busy.

First of all, Seanachai Theatre Company's new show, "That Was Then," by Gerard Stembridge, opens this Saturday, but has preview performances available for $10/ticket this Thursday and Friday Nights.

It's a black comedy, and the early buzz is fantastic. Follow us on Twitter to get updates on meet-the-cast and dinner theatre availability. Join us at the IAHC, won't you?

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Yes, I'm now tweeting -- for Seanachai. Another "never" crossed off my list. (Tweeting, not Seanachai, that is!)

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Brian Jacques may be gone, but the world he created in Redwall lives on. My favorite characters were frequently to be found among the dibbuns. What's a dibbun? Behold:

Badger babies! How utterly adorable at this age!
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I just found this cool site where a page a day is posted from Jim Henson's "Red Book," and sometimes a good deal of historical information comes with it.

If you're a Muppets, Fraggle Rock, Dark Crystal fan like me, you'll love this!

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Via Pat Hickey, why I luuuuuuuuuuurve me some Col. Allen West:

“Over this past week I have watched and listened to members of the House of Representatives from across the aisle.

“I am appalled at their ignorance, belligerence, and dishonest rhetoric filled with empty emotional platitudes. Have they no shame in realizing that their inept, incompetent failures are the reason why we are debating this continuing resolution. They failed to pass a budget during the 111th Congress.

“Have they no honor in realizing that their fiscal irresponsibility over the past four years has resulted in our standing on the precipice of a fiscal canyon from which we may not recover.

“Also troubling are the events in the state of Wisconsin which mirror those that happened in Greece several months ago. We are witnessing the abject hostility of a unionized entitlement class that is being lauded by the liberal left, seemingly to include our President.

“It is such a critical time for our Republic, yet there seems no visionary leadership — it is as if America stopped producing adults. I have never seen a greater assembly of petulance and sophomoric behavior as what I have witnessed this week on the floor of the House of Representatives.

“To those across the aisle, please explain to the American people how your economic policies have created a better environment for long-term sustainable growth.

“This debate is about jobs and the economy.

“It begins with remedying the spending problem on Capitol Hill. It includes tackling the burdensome taxation and regulation policies strangling our country. It is the understanding that Keynesian tax and spend policies did not grow America’s economy, but the indomitable, entrepreneurial spirit of the American people.

“Government sets the conditions for job and economic growth, it does not create jobs."

I love a guy who'll call a spade a spade. Well done, sir.

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What else was I busy with? Well, I spent a good deal of the weekend up to my eyebrows in bridal photography websites.

Don't faint! It's not for me.

I now have not one, but two weddings to attend in September -- one in Houston and one in Las Vegas, and both of which make me very happy. I can't wait!

Weekend Rambles

Friday:

1. The Hubble IMAX show (interesting) and Jim Henson/Muppets exhibit (absolutely charming!) at the Museum of Science and Industry
2. A stroll through the Chicago Cultural Center, with lots of time spent on the Vivian Maier street photography exhibit (fantastic -- don't miss it!) and the Portrait Project and Project Onward (loved!)
3. A force-march (I'm famous for these) over to Klay Oven for a delightful dinner
4. Another death-march back across town with stops at the original Billy Goat, the Wrigley building and Tribune Tower
5. Back to DP for cocktails at the Miner Street Tavern
6. Home

Saturday:

1. Brunch at the Sugar Bowl (huge! "Crepes? I can't get through a day with you on crepes!")
2. Gold, Sue and Africa exhibits at the Field Museum of Natural History
3. A leisurely drive up Lake Shore Drive and the Lake Michigan Circle Tour as far north as Glenview
4. Zip back down to Golf Mill Mall for a quick dinner of pulled pork sandwiches (who knew food court food could be that good?) and then off to see True Grit (how many Oscars will this movie be nominated for?) at the AMC theater
5. Back to Jimmy's in DP for the end of the Packers/Ravens game and cocktails

Sunday:

1. Lunch and Bears game in the bar at Jimmy's
2. A swing through Shop 'n Save to pick up exotic groceries that the mad Minnesotan can't get up in the frozen north
3. Home and collapse

See you later!

Update: Add a massage at the mall for the Minnesotan, another visit to the food court and The King's Speech (stupendous) to the day's activities. I didn't get a heck of a lot accomplished this weekend, but we covered a hell of a lot of ground in the process!

P.S. -- Whoohoo! Go Bears! Go Hawks!

Sunday Schedule

My friend Mike blew into town to clear out the cobwebs and stretch his legs a bit. This is a look backwards (literally) at our day yesterday:

Oh! And we had dinner at Ma & I. Pear sake, prosecco, wasabi shiu mai, tuna, cold smoked salmon, wasabi and pickled ginger in great quantity, Panang curry (with chicken), green tea ice cream. Faaaaaaaaabulous!

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Ear Worm of the Day:

I heard this this morning on Rick Kogan's The Sunday Papers show on WGN Radio, and it's been bouncing around my brain pan ever since. Lovely!

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I'm off to brunch at the Sugar Bowl. Catch you in a bit!

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Later...

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Remember those lovely people who were so kind to the motherless, dying child of their neighbor? My Barstool Blog Son has the video evidence of their sincere expression of sympathy and follow-up offer of friendship.

My belief in the great Karmic Wheel was affirmed when I saw this news today:

'Devil of Detroit St' woman who taunted terminally ill girl is now arrested after 'trying run down' another neighbour in her car

Let me perform the introductions -- Petard, Hoist. Hoist, Petard.

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Here's a little tip about what to do when you're faced with a person who is passed out cold before the paramedics arrived.

Good stuff to know!

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Only five chapters to go? Be still, my heart! (But I'm not holding my breath. Really, I'm not.)

Sunday Schedule

CHICAGO WEATHER: Temps topping 90 degrees in many areas; showers expected after 3PM

Why in the world am I fighting turning the A/C on??? It's freaking HAWT, not to mention humid with a capital HOOOO.

Yesterday and the day before were gorgeous -- cool, sunny, breezy. Perfect sleeping weather. I want that back right now.

(Yes, I'm still sick and unreasonable. Why do you ask?)

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A Chicago Bucket List? I can check 48 items. To personalize that lislt I'd take a few things off (e.g., Bike the Drive) and add a few things to balance (e.g., an architectural walking tour). I guess I'd better get moving!
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Quote of the Day:

"A patriotic song is an emotion." -- Irving Berlin

Yes, indeed, it is.

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The Princess Mom met Mrs. Schmich at the Pearly Gates and they are exchanging travel stories right about now, I'm thinking.

There comes a time in most lives when travel truly is impossible. But that time may not be as soon as you imagine. If you can, give your parents the gift of travel. It will be a gift to yourself.

Yes. I can't imagine not having taken all the wonderful trips I took with the Princess Mom when neither my brother or sister would go.

I still miss my own mom a lot... and my heart goes out to columnist Mary Schmich. It doesn't matter how old they are, how sick they are, how much their memory has slipped, how ready they are to go -- it's still a punch in the gut.

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Popcorn Shrimp (because it's infectious):

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More fun headlines today:

Soldier/politicians facing increased scrutiny
Congressional challenger blasts 'hair-splitting' over military record

Here's what I think the simple response should be: "Oh? And tell me about your military service, sir/ma'am. Which branch of the military? How many tours of duty? Yes, I thought so. *sniff*"

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Best post title in a long, long time.