Day Fifty - 6.8.10 - Old Time Photography

In my experience, when it comes to family photos, there are two camps; 1) Keep them in the albums, or 2) Keep them on the walls. I grew up in an album family. The Bransens, who have kindly taken Lauren and me in during our transient phase, are a walls family. At various locations throughout the home on Stewart Ave., multiple family photos of myriad shapes, sizes, content, and time periods adorn the walls. As I walked upstairs in an effort to find Scooter, the family feline, I was struck by this photo of Grandma and Grandma Bransen, taken before they were even parents. Older photos have a very distinct look (almost like they were hand drawn by a skilled realist), and because of time's passage the look is just a little bit weathered, but still striking, visually distinct, and full of history. In today's age of quickly disposable digital snaps, it is rare that a simple portrait can seem so powerful... I'm a big fan of this photo (and I think that Grandma B kinda looks like Peggy from Mad Men (Season 3 Peggy, not Season 1 Peggy)).

Day Forty-Nine - 6.7.10 - A Chimp With A Mustache

In uptown Park Ridge, for some unknown reason, there are various sculptures of wild animals (in outrageous colors) just standing around. I must say, they seem out of place in such a classic suburban town center. But I must also say, I love chimpanzees, I love mustaches, and if you combine the two, well that is just money in the bank. I just might chimp-nap that purple guy this weekend.

Day Forty-Eight - 6.6.10 - More Progress

On Sunday, Lauren and I stopped by our new condo to check on the progress, and we found... progress! Kitchen cabinetry is being installed and the bathroom tile was in. It was a relief to see that things are finally starting to come together. The place is supposed to be 100% complete in a couple of weeks. We'll believe it when we see it, but at least we know now that good work is being done on what will become our first home. On the financial end, something called "rate locking" is happening soon. It is finally all starting to sink in...

Day Forty-Seven - 6.5.10 - Elly's Breast Friends

Today, Lauren's sister Lindsay (front row, second from the right) and many of her friends from college began the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, in which these ladies, along with thousands of other women (and some men sprinkled in) will walk 40 miles in 2 days to raise awareness and ca$h for breast cancer research. The group was inspired by their good friend Elly (far right) who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and has dominating the disease ever since. Together, this group raised around $25,000.

As Lauren and I waited at the mile 12 marker for the ladies, we saw many other groups walk by, all donning their own combination of pink clothes and accoutrement. One recurring theme embedded in the walk was that humor has a place in fighting cancer. I saw countless bras on top of shirts and numerous t-shirts emblazoned with witty slogans and mantras. Lindsay's group of friends dubbed themselves "Elly's Breast Friends." Pictured above you'll also see shirts that say "Save 2nd Base." The walkers exuded resilience, determination, levity, and a positive attitude (all reinforced and encouraged by this gentleman who was riding on top of a pink Ambulance that was blasting Whitney Houston).

++ As you'll see I've added the date to the title of this post (and will continue to do so) - This is just clarify that this photo was, in fact, taken on Saturday (Day 47), but not posted until Sunday (Day 48). We'll call it "the press of business" that prevented me from posting on the say day the picture was taken. I will naturally continue to take one photo per day, but occasionally will post the day after (if things get busy or my photo is taken and night and I don't get home until after midnight). Dig? ++

Day Forty-Six - Light The Lamp

Caught Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals at friend Dave's place, which is a wonderful domicile in all respects. Hanging in his dining room is this intricate spherical light fixture. The design itself is dwarfed only by the amazing shadows it cases on the kitchen ceiling. Unfortunately, the Flyers lit the lamp in Philly one more time than the Hawks did, winning Game 4, 5 goals to 3, and knotting the series at 2 games a piece. It is now a best of three series. 2 in Chicago. 1 more in Philly. Go get 'em Blackhawks.

Day Forty-Five - The Excitement of Al's

Attended an all day conference today on legal issues facing Not For Profit Corporations. All in all, the conference was interesting and informative, but not something I'd call exciting. In fact, excitement levels hit an all-day low when the catered lunch at the conference turned out to be trays and trays of pre-made sandwiches and wraps. I loathe pre-made sandwiches for multiple reasons, but most of all because there is a 99.99999% chance they already have mayonnaise or a mayonnaise based scuzzy sauce slathered on the bun. Nasty. And don't even get me started on wraps.

So I called a lunchtime audible and decided to walk around the area of the city where the conference was located (near the Kent College of Law on W. Adams) in an effort to find a more acceptable option. The very first place I found was the yellow-gold glowing beacon of light that is Al's Italian Beef. This place is a Chicago fixture, but until today, I've never tasted the succulent, au jus dipped, beefy sandwich (with hot giardiniera). It was incredible in every way and was the perfect amount of lunch-time excitement to get me through the rest of the conference. Thank you Al's.

Day Forty-Four - Hawks Drop Game Three

Hockey 102 started today, and it is definitely more intense than 101. Raced home to catch the third period and overtime of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals, where the Hawks just fell to the Flyers. The Hawks lead the series now 2 games to one, but I'm allowed to be grouchy for the rest of the night because of the loss. Tomorrow, the excitement builds for Game 4. Go Hawks.

Day Forty-Three - The Way To Really Fly

Today was our first day commuting to the city from Park Ridge while Lauren and I live in the suburbs waiting for our condo to be completed. The commute is a short one, nothing like the hour plus trek that I recall from my days living in Elgin while I studied for the bar exam in the summer of 2006. All in all, the commute was not bad; I did a little reading (for work and for pleasure), and on the way home Lauren and I listened to Aziz Ansari's comedy record Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening. Funny stuff I thought (Lauren not so much), especially the bit about his cousin Harris. Comedy gold.

Day Forty-Two - Remember

Happy Memorial Day. Thanks to all who have given their lives for our country. To honor them, eat a hot dog, a hamburger, and a brat. Fly your colors. Remember those who have served and who are serving. Watch the film Taking Chance. It is on HBO right now...

Day Forty-One - Not Your Ordinary Pizza Party

Friends Doug and Andrea Marello had a pizza party last night. There were good friends, good cocktails, good beer, good wine, good cookies, and most of all, phenomenal pizza. Every pizza (there must have been at least 40) was expertly hand crafted by Doug right down to the homemade sauce and crust. Topping and flavor combinations were plentiful and all pies caused the party goers to sing the praises of the chef and the hostess. I'm convinced this is some of the best thin crust pizza I've ever had, and as my growing waistline will eloquently describe to you, I've had my share. For me, it's all about the crust. This crust was the perfect balance of thinness, taste and texture, crispy enough to stand up to the fresh and delectable toppings resting on top.

I have no doubts that Doug's pies are restaurant ready. He could sell these round masterpieces 365 days a year. There would be lines out his door. If Doug and Andrea ever turned this into a commercial venture, I'd be there once a week, waiting in line, chatting with the other salivating patrons about how I was there at the beginning, when the Marellos were churning these hot, crispy, savory, cheesy, herbaceous, meaty, and mouth-watering pizzas out of their home oven. Even the Noid would wait in line for this stuff. It is that good. This was definitely a pizza party like no other...