Pics of My Pets!

Okay, so I actually post somewhat regularly about my animals.... But any excuse for more pictures of them is fine by me! So here are some recent shots of Henry & Sisu at rest and Chloe & Scout at play.








Gosh, everyone else participating in Post Pics of Your Pets Day is actually writing about their animals.... So, for those of you who don't know, Scout & Chloe are Rhodesian Ridgebacks. I got Scout as a puppy from a local breeder, and he's been spoiled since Day 1. (He's about 7-1/2 now.) He loves to be outside and to explore, but he's afraid of cats. (Some lion hunter!) Chloe was rescued from a puppy mill; I got her when she was about a year old. (She'll turn 7 in August.) She used to be afraid of everything and everyone, but she's come a long way. Now she's sweet and cuddly, and she loves to chase squirrels. I got Sisu a couple years ago. My ex-boyfriend's fiance needed to get rid of him, so I took him in. And Henry is my newest addition. I got him from the Red Door Shelter a few months ago. He's still getting used to Life With Dogs. He and Sisu seem to like each other's company, and they both love snuggles and scratches. It's definitely a houseful. But I love it!

Curtain Call

Tonight Lisa came with me to see Beatrice et Benedict at the Chicago Opera Theater. It was a great show--creative staging, beautiful singing; very entertaining all around. This was the last opera of the season--it was a great way to close!

Health Care for All Americans

Barack Obama just unveiled his health care plan for the United States. You can find details of the plan along with reactions on his Web site.

Post Pics of Your Pet Day--Tomorrow!

I've accepted Kelly's invitation to participate in Post Pics of Your Pet Day tomorrow. Check back for shots of my furry offspring!

The Forks Are Still Grand

I got home tonight from a weekend with friends and family in my hometown, Grand Forks, North Dakota. In case I had any doubt, I was reminded that yes, my family is still crazy--especially my WAFF ("Weird Aunt From Florida"), Candy--in the best possible way. Saturday night the family convened at Grandma's place for hotdish, and we laughed so hard, my stomach actually hurt. This family doesn't pull a whole lot of punches--and they sure do love to talk (and laugh) about death! And medical stuff (phlegm, wounds, etc.). Fun! On Sunday, Mike and Renee had us over for a cookout. Our challenge became to get a picture of friend-of-the-blog Michael. (Throwing hot dogs does not deter us!) We played Shanghai/Shangri-La and Skip-Bo, and I was able to show off my fabulous game-playing skills. The way I did that was by letting other people win. On Monday (Memorial Day), Brenda and I both paid tribute to our grandfathers by visiting their gravesites. (The last time I was in Grand Forks was for Grandpa Tack's funeral in March 2005.) We had lunch at LaCampana (always a favorite spot of mine), and that night we went out with our moms for our traditional Girls' Night Out. This time around we went to the Eagle's Crest, where I enjoyed a walleye sub (not something you usually find in Chicago), and we celebrated Mom's birthday with wine and ice cream before heading back to Barb's house. Tuesday I spent the day with Mom, Candy, and The Grandma-nator. We made a trip to Widman's for Chippers and other treats. Mmmmm..... We also drove by the buffalo farm. That night, Brenda, her boyfriend Chris, and I had dinner and drinks at the Green Mill. I don't know when I've had so much food in such a short amount of time.... But it was all worth it. It really was great to see everyone again, and I enjoyed my relaxing stay at The Oasis with Brenda. The time always just goes by too quickly.....

Paging Dr. Furey!

Today was Jessica's last day at PIL. (She'll be going to school full-time now in preparation for medical school.) We had a very fitting good-bye party for her--strange and wonderful and fun. Highlights included Jessica's accordian solo (with orchestral Flarp accompaniment), a buffet of donuts (with ginger ale to wash them down), an eclectic array of gifts (including a sweater vest), and Jessica (who came to work in a formal dress and flip-flops) and Jim (in sparkly glasses) being named Prom Queen & King. We topped it all off with a trip to the Bringer Inn. PIL's going to be a lot less fun and interesting without Jessica around....

Happy Birthday, Carrie!

Last night, Lisa, Carrie, and I had dinner and drinks at the Duke of Perth to celebrate Carrie's birthday. We ate fish & chips and drank Scottish beer, and Carrie shared stories of her time in Scotland. (We've decided we're going there next year!) Carrie and Lisa split a flight of scotch; I couldn't even handle the smell. The evening was topped off with a fabulous slice of flourless chocolate cake. Mmmm.... I think Carrie had a good birthday. And we had a great time celebrating with her!

Free Hot Doug!

Here, Paul Kelly shows his loyal support for Doug Sohn, former PILer and proprietor of Hot Doug's, the Sausage Superstore and Encased Meats Imporium. As you may have read in any number of international sources, Mr. Sohn was the recipient of Chicago's first fine for serving foie gras after the duck-liver delicacy was made illegal in the Windy City. We're all hoping Hot Doug's will make it through this troubling time....

American Idols 2021?

Today for lunch, I met up with Kelly, her brother David, and her twin daughters, Evelyn and Sophia, at Taco Bell. I don't know if it was because they were wearing their fabulous new suede shoes or what, but those girls did not want to be confined to their seats. They wanted to sing and dance! Definitely performers in the making....

Dining Al Fresco (Before the Cicadas Come)

Last night, Connie, Joleen, and I went to dinner at Volo Restaurant & Wine Bar. (The three of us go out every other month and take turns picking where we go; each time we try to go somewhere we've never been before. This time it was Joleen's turn to choose.) It was warm enough that we got to sit outside--and what outdoor seating it was! Like being away on vacation somewhere. The food was a little more chichi than we're used to, but it was delicious. And so was the wine! We also got to congratulate Connie for finishing nursing school. Cheers!

We're Number One!

Chicago now has the highest gas prices in the nation, averaging $3.59 a gallon. In your face, New York and Los Angeles!

A Plug for My Girl, Gina

The multi-talented Gina Gershon has been very busy lately! She's got a new album, In Search of Cleo, coming out this summer, and she and her brother just cowrote a book for kids called Camp Creepy Time. AND she's been on Ugly Betty (love!) and will be appearing in the upcoming season of Rescue Me, another of my favorite shows. (The new season starts on FX on June 13th.) To learn more about what she's been up to, check out these interviews with Tavis Smiley, The Advocate, and TimeOutDubai (yes, really!).

Rollin' at the Derby

Last night, in an early celebration of Carrie's birthday, we, along with Lisa, Maria & Diane, and Eric & Mira, went to the see the Windy City Rollers in Cicero (and dressed accordingly). It was a lot of fun to cheer on those butt-kicking women--one of whom (Kara, aka "Typhoid Mary" of the Manic Attackers) is a fellow editor at PIL. (If you go to the Web site, be sure to check out the injuries page.) After the derby, Carrie, Lisa, and I headed to the Globe. It was a fun celebration all-around.

Ready to Rock for Barack

Yesterday afternoon, Lisa and I headed downtown to the Obama '08 headquarters to train for our upcoming trip to Iowa. We'll be canvassing in Dubuque to encourage people to caucus for Barack in January. We all hope and believe that we're finally on the road to a positive change in our country with Obama at the helm. There was a great article in the New Yorker recently about Obama the Conciliator. It's long, but well worth reading.

Dinner, Drinks, Dogs, and Diapers

Last night Nicole, Mandy, and I had dinner and drinks at Cafe 28. Delicious! Then we went back to Nicole's house and met her husband, Justin, and friend Jim, her menagerie of dogs (Mr. Furley the Pomeranian, Hank the chihuahua, and Marty Feldman the pug), and her adorable baby boy, Grey.

Biker Girl

My coworker Mollie is one tough chick with a really cool bike!

Unlocked Chambers, Bloody Jewels, and Good Old Freudian Fun

Thursday night, Scott and I met up for dinner at Caffe Baci, then headed over to watch Chicago Opera Theater's "Bluebeard's Castle" (starring the amazing Sam Ramey) and "Erwartung." Both were fascinating pieces with psychological symbolism; I especially loved "Bluebeard," even though I didn't fully understand it. We got to hang out with Adolfo during intermission, and it was nice to catch up with him, too!

If Only Mom & Candy Had Been There, Too...

Thursday during lunch, Jessica and I played Skip-Bo while enjoying spray cheese & crackers. (I will not be a poor winner and gloat about which one of us was victorious.) Next Friday is her last day at PIL, so we have to squeeze in as much fun and silliness at the office as we can....

A Man of the People

My now-very-eager-to-please alderman, Joe "Fois Gras No" Moore of Chicago's 49th Ward, became a local hero last night after chasing down a purse-snatcher. (I highly doubt that Don Gordon, his recent challenger in the runoff election, would have done the same.)

Prima Pasta!

Last night Heidi and I had dinner at Anteprima, a fabulous new little restaurant in Andersonville. The food was flavorful and perfectly cooked (grilled octopus as a starter, then I had a gnocchi-type pasta with pancetta...mmm...), and we split a delicious bottle of Italian wine. The cozy interior was designed by the same person who did M. Henry. We had attentive service, a nice seat by the window, and really enjoyed the whole evening. It didn't hurt that we had a great conversation, too!

Springtime Lillies

My cousin Chris and his wife, Marlene, recently had a baby daughter, Lilly Danelle. As you can see, she is quite adorable! And ready for the spotlight.