Day Twenty-One - Three Weeks In

Here we are, three weeks in to this project. The response has been very positive so far, and it seems like quite a few people have a look every once and a while. For that I'm very grateful. Thank you all for your viewership and readership, I hope to keep your attention and keep the product up to snuff for the next forty-nine weeks.

Day Twenty - Dancin' Rod

The Sebastian wedding celebration continued last night and into this morning in the Fulton Market area of the city. The Mars Gallery became the site of the one of the most inspired and relentless dance parties ever in the history of dance. The floor was literally bouncing. The roof was figuratively on fire and we didn't need no water. Pictured are two of the main culprits in the dance assault that occurred last night, Brian Deines and Rod "the Bod" Holzmacher.

Day Nineteen - The Sebastians

This is Michael and Sally. They're married and tonight they're having a marvelous party tonight to celebrate their wedded bliss. Last night a group of us had dinner and went out to our go to neighborhood bar, Lemmings. A good time is always had at Lemmings, especially when Samurai Bartender Sung is serving cold PBR on tap and whiskey shots. Here you have the wedded couple sharing a private moment after last call...

Day Eighteen - Big Fleur

Lauren bought this flower. Singular. It is the biggest flower I've ever seen. Aside from a sunflower. This is the biggest non-sunflower flower I've ever seen.

Day Seventeen - Revolution Brewery

Two snaps tonight from the Revolution Brewery in Logan Square. Met up with some good friends at this new and popular joint tonight for a little pre-weekend get together. The beer was delicious and the food looked spectacular (I'll return to dine for sure)... Two great nights in a row now, sure to be chased by two more fine evenings with the arrival of the Bowlins (including new family member Gary D.) and the Holzies for the nuptial celebration of Michael / Sally. Good times behind, good times ahead... more pics to follow...

Day Sixteen - MDQ + Game 3

It has been a fine Wednesday evening. Lauren and I attended the musical production Million Dollar Quartet at the Apollo Theater here in Chicago. The performances were excellent as the actors and musicians told the tale of how Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley came together one night at Sun Studios in Memphis and had a blow out of a recording session. Very entertaining stuff. Equally entertaining is that we made it home in time to find the Hawks ahead by a goal after 2 periods against the Canerds. Off to watch Period 3... Go Hawks

Day Fifteen - We About to Have Some Church Up In Here

This is the St. Mary of the Angels church located near my home. This place is massive (it can be viewed easily from 90/94), and is really quite beautiful from the outside. I'm sure the inside is stunning (see the website... wait churches have websites?), but I've never walked through the doors. This is because St. Mary of the Angels is run by the priests of Opus Dei. In The DaVinci Code, those guys were ultra-freaky-deaky (self-flagellation and mortification of the flesh!). Maybe I'll get over it one day and go inside. Until then, I'll admire the outside... thanks a lot Dan Brown.

Day Fourteen - Try Harder

So this makes two posts so far about street art in my neighborhood (and I must confess I've always been generally interested in street art and graffiti, especially when it is creative and thought provoking, See Banksy), but this one carries some real significance. The pictured location is mere steps away from where two young women were savagely attacked by a bat wielding gang member on April 23rd. That type of violent crime rarely occurs in Bucktown these days, but it serves as a reminder that Chicago is a city of nearly 3 million people, most of whom are great citizens, some of whom are real scumbags. This impromptu addition to the viaduct wall (unknown if this appeared before or after the attack) reminds us also, as community members, to try our best to do the right thing most of the time... or at least not to commit violent felonies.

Day Thirteen - MS Walk

This morning the Bransen family (with significant others, and significant canines) mounted up and walked with thousands of others along the Chicago lakefront for the 2010 MS Walk. The event raises awareness (and ca$h) for multiple sclerosis research in an attempt to find a cure. Today, we walked for the wonderful Judi Bransen, Lauren's mother, my mom-in-law, who has been bravely kicking this disease's rump for nearly fifteen years. She is an incredible mother who refuses to let MS slow her down. Put simply, we are very proud of her. Go Judi.

The walk took the participants from Grant Park, though the museum campus, along Lake Michigan, and back to the park. On the return through the museum campus, friend and brother-in-law Tim spotted this dino-skeleton outside the Field Museum, donning a Johnny Towes sweater. While it reminded me of the brontosaurus sized stinker the Blackhawks laid on Saturday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semis vs. the Ca-nerds, it also reminded me that Chicago is the greatest sports city in the world, with the greatest fans on the planet. No doubt in my mind. Here's to hoping that the Hawks swat the Canucks in Game 2 just like Judi's been swatting MS for the last fifteen years. Go Hawks.

Day Twelve - My Name is Ozziemandias, King of Kings

This is Ozzie. On his green throne. He runs the show at the apartment. After all, he's logged the most hours at the apartment by far. This is his domain and he rules with an iron paw. This, however, is his relaxed pose, front legs crossed, looking like a true gentleman...