Gerald Arpino (1923-2008)
Co-Founder, The Joffrey Ballet
"This company was founded on invention, creativity, stimulus and vision.
I want to make history, not just repeat it."
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
manon at lyric
This is going to sound strange, for all the repeat-offending ticket buying I do for certain shows, but I don't really like to see operas multiple times. The exception to that rule is La Traviata (which I have seen twice at Lyric without Renee, three times at Lyric WITH Renee, once in Houston, once in New York, and once in Rome) and Thais, three times at Lyric with Renee, and soon to be at the Met once with Renee. Unless it is fabulous or features a singer that I am crazy about, once is usually enough for me. Although I would totally have seen Dr. Atomic again, had the chance presented itself, because I was fascinated by it... But very rarely does something operatic connect that deeply with me that I have to go see it a million times.
Anyway. I had seen Manon some years ago in New York, with Renee, and I saw Puccini's vastly inferior Manon Lescaut which, frankly really sucked. It wasn't so much the production or the singers (I am trying very hard to like Karita Matilla, but she did not do it for me in this role) but parts of the actual plot. Very similar to Massenet's Manon, but in ML, Manon gets deported at the end (long story as to why)and she and Des Grieux end up in Louisiana. Not so unusual, since it was French territory at the time, okay, whatever. But then she and Des Grieux are wandering around in the deserts of New Orleans(?) where there are no signs of life and one or maybe both of them dies. Huh? New Orleans is a port, yes? So if you are deported and you get off the boat wouldn't there be like a settlement there? In the port? Why all this wandering around? And how the hell did they find a desert under sea level? I know opera plots leave a lot to be desired in the reality department, but this just really really bothered me. Because they go out of their way to identify Louisiana as the god forsaken desolate place, and there is not any desert there. Swamps, maybe. Manon Lescaut was just not a great opera for me, perhaps in part because of my seat location and the annoying people surrounding me.
The Massenet one is far better, and Lyric's current production features the French soprano Natalie Dessay was in the title role. I had seen her a few seasons back in Lucia (gorgeous, chill inducing)and back in the day in Alcina and she is wonderful. An actress as much as a singer. She's done Manon so many times, it seems second nature to her. But not like she's phoning it in, or like it's easy, just like the character is part of her. Very fun to watch.
At the start of the opera last night, Bill Mason himself appeared in front of the curtain. Uh oh. Usually they send out somebody else to deliver the bad news. Bill assured us all that Natalie was fine, but that her Des Grieux, Jonas Kaufman, was very badly ill and not able to sing. I was very disappointed because Mr. Kaufman is an opera hunk and a half. However, the young American tenor they put on in his place was great though. He more than held his own opposite Natalie.
I don't remember a lot about Manon (aside from the plot) from the first time I saw it. Usually I remember every little detail, but all I remember is being happy to watch Renee, how great she was, her massive dress in Act 4, etc. There was a lot of weirdness in the Lyric production at the beginning that I don't remember at all, I will have to watch the dvd to see, but I think the stage nonsense in the production was dreamed up by the director. Why, I have no idea. It was distracting and confusing.
Massenet does not have the lovers actually deported, poor Manon dies while still on French soil, so there's none of that crap about the wilds of New Orleans which makes me much happier.
Go watch Lyric's video of the performance here
Anyway. I had seen Manon some years ago in New York, with Renee, and I saw Puccini's vastly inferior Manon Lescaut which, frankly really sucked. It wasn't so much the production or the singers (I am trying very hard to like Karita Matilla, but she did not do it for me in this role) but parts of the actual plot. Very similar to Massenet's Manon, but in ML, Manon gets deported at the end (long story as to why)and she and Des Grieux end up in Louisiana. Not so unusual, since it was French territory at the time, okay, whatever. But then she and Des Grieux are wandering around in the deserts of New Orleans(?) where there are no signs of life and one or maybe both of them dies. Huh? New Orleans is a port, yes? So if you are deported and you get off the boat wouldn't there be like a settlement there? In the port? Why all this wandering around? And how the hell did they find a desert under sea level? I know opera plots leave a lot to be desired in the reality department, but this just really really bothered me. Because they go out of their way to identify Louisiana as the god forsaken desolate place, and there is not any desert there. Swamps, maybe. Manon Lescaut was just not a great opera for me, perhaps in part because of my seat location and the annoying people surrounding me.
The Massenet one is far better, and Lyric's current production features the French soprano Natalie Dessay was in the title role. I had seen her a few seasons back in Lucia (gorgeous, chill inducing)and back in the day in Alcina and she is wonderful. An actress as much as a singer. She's done Manon so many times, it seems second nature to her. But not like she's phoning it in, or like it's easy, just like the character is part of her. Very fun to watch.
At the start of the opera last night, Bill Mason himself appeared in front of the curtain. Uh oh. Usually they send out somebody else to deliver the bad news. Bill assured us all that Natalie was fine, but that her Des Grieux, Jonas Kaufman, was very badly ill and not able to sing. I was very disappointed because Mr. Kaufman is an opera hunk and a half. However, the young American tenor they put on in his place was great though. He more than held his own opposite Natalie.
I don't remember a lot about Manon (aside from the plot) from the first time I saw it. Usually I remember every little detail, but all I remember is being happy to watch Renee, how great she was, her massive dress in Act 4, etc. There was a lot of weirdness in the Lyric production at the beginning that I don't remember at all, I will have to watch the dvd to see, but I think the stage nonsense in the production was dreamed up by the director. Why, I have no idea. It was distracting and confusing.
Massenet does not have the lovers actually deported, poor Manon dies while still on French soil, so there's none of that crap about the wilds of New Orleans which makes me much happier.
Go watch Lyric's video of the performance here
Friday, October 24, 2008
time to dance
This one is appropriate since it is the final weekend of the Fall Program which is unbelievably good, and I am not just saying that. And yes, since you ask, tickets ARE still available (I know, I don't believe it either!)
The piece in the video was performed in the spring of 2007, the first show I saw, and it is one of my favorites. You won't see it in this program, but there are three other gorgeous pieces. I'll be there tonight and tomorrow, so come and say hi!
The piece in the video was performed in the spring of 2007, the first show I saw, and it is one of my favorites. You won't see it in this program, but there are three other gorgeous pieces. I'll be there tonight and tomorrow, so come and say hi!
do you remember?
Back in school? When you had a substitute teacher and your real teacher didn't want them to screw anything up so they didn't leave any lesson plans, but gave them a video to plop in the machine instead? This happened a lot in my Spanish classes, and consequently, I've seen almost every classic Disney film in espanol. And Mrs. Doubtfire, in French.
Yeah, so this is a little bit like that, except with feathers. Enjoy.
Yeah, so this is a little bit like that, except with feathers. Enjoy.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
no republicans were harmed in the writing of this post...
All of our neighbors are sporting attractive McCain/Palin signs in their front lawns, the most recent addition was by our neighbor across the street, on Saturday or Sunday. Last night, my mom noted that the neigbor had "taken down" his sign. Innocently, I replied "Did he 'take it down' or is it, in fact 'in my trunk'?"
Tee hee hee.
Oh all right FINE. I did not take his sign (officer)*. There is nothing in my trunk except, uh, a shovel... and a really large, kind of broken umbrella...
* Really. I didn't. But I still think "McCain Sign Tipping" would be an excellent way to spend Halloween in Morton Grove.
Tee hee hee.
Oh all right FINE. I did not take his sign (officer)*. There is nothing in my trunk except, uh, a shovel... and a really large, kind of broken umbrella...
* Really. I didn't. But I still think "McCain Sign Tipping" would be an excellent way to spend Halloween in Morton Grove.
Friday, October 17, 2008
TAG!
Oh, how I love these things... Thanks, Bob...
Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog. Bob was my tagger.
Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.
Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
If you don’t have 7 blog friends, or if someone else already took dibs, then tag some unsuspecting strangers.
7 facts about myself, huh? Let's see:
1. When I was in grade school, everyone was made to play an instrument in the band or orchestra. I really really wanted to play the flute or clarinet, but on the day where you could go and try the instruments, I was not able to produce any sound from either one of them (on my first try, having never picked either one up before. Imagine that!) so they made me play the violin. Fits right? Dorky girl + glasses + braces = violin. Sweet. I played it for a few years but quit before high school. I was in choir instead and was much happier there.
2. My first car was a 1980 El Camino. An elder statesman - I named him "Winston". Once, when I was driving it in the city, someone rolled down their window and tried to buy it from me while I was in it.
3. I 'discovered' opera when I was in college, after watching a really bad tv movie about Aristotle Onassis called "Onassis: The Richest Man in the World" with Jane Seymour playing Maria Callas. Jane as Maria didn't sing at all, but the "character" of Maria totally captured my imagination and I was fascinated. She was a diva's diva and no mistake. I found out all I could about her, got recordings, read books, etc. Listening to her made me interested in seeing live performances, and so I started going to Lyric. At one of those performances (back in the days when Lyric could still afford her!)introduced me to a soprano named Renee Fleming. Following Renee to Houston, Ann Arbor, Milwaukee and New York City has led me to an awesome group of friends who have, in turn, introduced me to other things.
4. I am a raging hypochondriac. If I get a hangnail I am firing up WebMD to tell me what it might be.
5. I am afraid of elevators. I am not exactly sure why. I don't mind other enclosed spaces, so it's not that. Let me tell you, this phobia made it really hard when I lived on the eighteenth floor of Mertz dorm at Loyola, when I had classes on the fourteenth floor, and of course, when I worked on 13. I've never been stuck in an elevator, but it's a huge fear.
6. I think that pretty much everything is better if you add a little cheese.
7. Triskaidekaphobia is one of my favorite words. It means fear of the number 13 and while I don't have it, I do enjoy saying it.
Who can I tag? I think...
Emily
Simone
I wish I could do this via facebook, since I would tag Kimmy and Beth...
And, uh... anyone who wants to!
Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog. Bob was my tagger.
Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.
Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
If you don’t have 7 blog friends, or if someone else already took dibs, then tag some unsuspecting strangers.
7 facts about myself, huh? Let's see:
1. When I was in grade school, everyone was made to play an instrument in the band or orchestra. I really really wanted to play the flute or clarinet, but on the day where you could go and try the instruments, I was not able to produce any sound from either one of them (on my first try, having never picked either one up before. Imagine that!) so they made me play the violin. Fits right? Dorky girl + glasses + braces = violin. Sweet. I played it for a few years but quit before high school. I was in choir instead and was much happier there.
2. My first car was a 1980 El Camino. An elder statesman - I named him "Winston". Once, when I was driving it in the city, someone rolled down their window and tried to buy it from me while I was in it.
3. I 'discovered' opera when I was in college, after watching a really bad tv movie about Aristotle Onassis called "Onassis: The Richest Man in the World" with Jane Seymour playing Maria Callas. Jane as Maria didn't sing at all, but the "character" of Maria totally captured my imagination and I was fascinated. She was a diva's diva and no mistake. I found out all I could about her, got recordings, read books, etc. Listening to her made me interested in seeing live performances, and so I started going to Lyric. At one of those performances (back in the days when Lyric could still afford her!)introduced me to a soprano named Renee Fleming. Following Renee to Houston, Ann Arbor, Milwaukee and New York City has led me to an awesome group of friends who have, in turn, introduced me to other things.
4. I am a raging hypochondriac. If I get a hangnail I am firing up WebMD to tell me what it might be.
5. I am afraid of elevators. I am not exactly sure why. I don't mind other enclosed spaces, so it's not that. Let me tell you, this phobia made it really hard when I lived on the eighteenth floor of Mertz dorm at Loyola, when I had classes on the fourteenth floor, and of course, when I worked on 13. I've never been stuck in an elevator, but it's a huge fear.
6. I think that pretty much everything is better if you add a little cheese.
7. Triskaidekaphobia is one of my favorite words. It means fear of the number 13 and while I don't have it, I do enjoy saying it.
Who can I tag? I think...
Emily
Simone
I wish I could do this via facebook, since I would tag Kimmy and Beth...
And, uh... anyone who wants to!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
pearl fishers @ lyric opera
Last night, my personal Lyric season kicked off with Bizet's rarely performed Pearl Fishers, starring Nicole Cabell, Nathan Gunn and Eric Cutler. We were in NEW subscription seats, having moved from the upper balcony to the back of the first balcony. Way hey hey, movin' on up... Our neighbors were much better behaved, thankfully and we are conveniently located close to an aisle at the back of the balcony, making intermission escapes and after show dashes to the parking lot much more speedy.
So, anyway, Pearl Fishers... very very beautiful music, and well, plenty of opera hunks running around half clothed. Nathan Gunn cut a powerful figure as Zurga who conveniently was crowned king at the opening of the opera. It was very relaxed though, he was all, "We have to choose a leader" and everyone else was like "How about... you?" If only things could really be decided so easily. Anyway, then his friend the tenor shows up and they kind of relive old times through the one famous duet from this opera, and they vow to never let chicks get in the way of their BFF-hood. Bros before hos, yo. And then... you'll never guess what happens... a girl gets between them! The high priestess who is supposed to pray to keep everyone safe while they're diving for pearls has a thing for Nadir (the BFF) and they become secret lovahs for about half of a scene. Then the high priest catches them and sentences them to death. Quel dommage and sacre bleu. Their fate is in the hands of Zurga who's jealous of the secret relationship (he seems more upset over the loss of Nadir than the loss of the girl, whom he also secretly loved, but whatever). She comes to plead for Nadir's life, but it backfires and it just makes Big Z more angry.
In the end though, he goes and sets fire to the pearl fisher's camp and creates a ruse for the lovahs to escape - there's a bit of a plot twist where he discovers that Leila (the priestess) once saved his life so he pays her back by saving hers. Big Z is in trouble for sure, and the head priest shows up at the very end with a scythe... blackout and curtain falls.
So yeah. It got good at the end, but was a little slow going the rest of the time. The music, as I said, was gorgeous, and all three lead singers were wonderful. At the beginning, they announced that Nicole had a cold but would sing for us anyway (yay!) She sounded wonderful.
In two weeks... Natalie Dessay in Manon...
So, anyway, Pearl Fishers... very very beautiful music, and well, plenty of opera hunks running around half clothed. Nathan Gunn cut a powerful figure as Zurga who conveniently was crowned king at the opening of the opera. It was very relaxed though, he was all, "We have to choose a leader" and everyone else was like "How about... you?" If only things could really be decided so easily. Anyway, then his friend the tenor shows up and they kind of relive old times through the one famous duet from this opera, and they vow to never let chicks get in the way of their BFF-hood. Bros before hos, yo. And then... you'll never guess what happens... a girl gets between them! The high priestess who is supposed to pray to keep everyone safe while they're diving for pearls has a thing for Nadir (the BFF) and they become secret lovahs for about half of a scene. Then the high priest catches them and sentences them to death. Quel dommage and sacre bleu. Their fate is in the hands of Zurga who's jealous of the secret relationship (he seems more upset over the loss of Nadir than the loss of the girl, whom he also secretly loved, but whatever). She comes to plead for Nadir's life, but it backfires and it just makes Big Z more angry.
In the end though, he goes and sets fire to the pearl fisher's camp and creates a ruse for the lovahs to escape - there's a bit of a plot twist where he discovers that Leila (the priestess) once saved his life so he pays her back by saving hers. Big Z is in trouble for sure, and the head priest shows up at the very end with a scythe... blackout and curtain falls.
So yeah. It got good at the end, but was a little slow going the rest of the time. The music, as I said, was gorgeous, and all three lead singers were wonderful. At the beginning, they announced that Nicole had a cold but would sing for us anyway (yay!) She sounded wonderful.
In two weeks... Natalie Dessay in Manon...
Saturday, October 11, 2008
welcome to the MG...
I got inspired by RivB's (he's linked on my home page, I can't get the !@&#&$^ link thing to work again) list of 100 things to do in his hometown of Alpena, MI. Gosh, I said to myself, that is about 99 more fun things than one can get up to in good ol' Morton Grove. But then I got to wondering and started composing my own list. There's 100 things on it. Barely.
So, without further adieu, this is how we roll in the MG...
1. Go and get some soup at 7 Brothers (NOW! Before they close!). Call Heidi to find out what night they have their chicken rossamarina.
2. Take a new CRV for a test drive at Castle Honda.
3. Go and work out at "Club Fitness" at the Park District with the $7 resident day pass
4. Marvel that you are the youngest person at "Club Fitness."
5. Grab some Starbucks after your workout.
6. Get some cheap stuff at the Dollar Store
7. Head to Dominick's. Say hi to Luann
8. Read to Lucy (a guide dog) at the Morton Grove Public Library
9. Go to the Village Hall and take advantage of the Mayor's open door policy (because really? It's Morton Grove. What else does he have to do?)
10. Have a wet 'n wild trip down Harrer Pool's water slide.
11. Get some deals at Old Navy.
12. You look like you need a uniform. Or some scrubs, maybe? Go to the uniform store and go nuts.
13. Drag race down Dempster Street.
14. Sale at Shoe Carnival!!
15. Go to Kappy's for a snack. Feel sad that this will be your place to go when 7 Brothers closes.
16. Resolve to find another good family restaurant.
17. Tap your inner ballroom dancer and get lessons at Arthur Murray.
18. Stressed? How 'bout a Heavenly Massage?
19. Drive thru Burger King for a snickers sunday pie and a frozen coke.
20. Learn the history of Morton Grove (??) at the history museum. That should take 15 minutes.
21. Go to the Boy Scout pancake breakfast at the VFW hall.
22. Is it July? Get leered at by creepy carnies at the annual Krazy Daze Carnival.
23. Go to the bad side of town and take a dip at Oriole pool.
24. Run the mile around Harrer park with the Park View kids.
25. Go to the playground at Park View and recall that when you were a kid, there was no playground, just four or five metal climbing frames - on cement.
26. Enjoy the foliage in the forest preserve.
27. Go on a pony ride.
28. Avon calling... take a factory tour.
29. Get a bucket of chicken at popeye's.
30. Wonder how you will ever get to 100 at this rate.
31. Grab some live bait at the Ed Shirley fishing store (it is called something different now, I think, but have no idea what. This is how much I use my live bait.)
32. Hang around at Pequod's Pizza.
33. Wash down totally gross pizza with some beer from Bringer Inn.
34. Take a bike ride
35. If you are Jane's co-worker, you will take your bike ride after 33 but this is not adviseable.
36. Road trip! Off to Skokie for some shopping at Old Orchard.
37. Take a scrapbooking class at Michael's.
38. Also buy some yarn.
39. Throw a party and get all your supplies at the Card & Party store.
40. Listen to some soothing buzuki music and get cheap fruit at Produce World.
41. Don't forget the bowling!
42. Throw eggs at McCain Palin signs.
43. Go sledding down the hills by the expressway.
44. Back to Skokie. Watch your high school football team lose 200 - 7.
45. Spike your alumni tent cocoa.
46. Ummm.... Look through the Morton Grove Champion police blotter to see how many of your former classmates ended up in there.
47. Go back to Old Navy - it's performance fleece season!
48. Go to Zin-Mi Japanese steakhouse. Don't annoy the man with the knives.
49. Say hi to Robin in the Morton Grove Jewelers.
50. Get some snacks at Walgreens (there are several to choose from).
51. Collect golf balls and try to sell them back to the crazy golfers at chick evans.
52. Try not to hit a deer on Austin St.
53. Pick up a costume for your party at Magical Mystery Tour.
54. Annoy your allergies by poking through the dusty treasures at Magazine Memories. Don't linger too long though, or you will turn out like their slightly oddball proprietor.
55. Get better pizza at Giordano's.
56. Hair a mess? Say hi to Cathy at Faust of Italy for awesome cut and color.
57. Run around in Sports Authority and pretend to be athletic.
58. It is sad how much I have to think about this.
59. Nosh on some baked goods at Meier's Bakery
60. Find The Lord (or Allah, even. The MG has its own mosque!)
61. Go back to Park View and see how many of your teachers are still there.
62. Feel really really old.
63. Get some more coffee, at DD this time. Also get some ice cream and a sandwich, just because you can, baby. Just because you can.
64. Trade up on your fitness membership and go to Bally's instead.
65. Say f*ck this workout crap and get a Blizzard and some regional favorites at Dairy Queen instead.
66. Drink some bubble tea from Chill at the gazebo in Harrer Park.
67. Trawl the garage sales.
68. Rent the Mansfield Park field house for your rockin' party.
69. Back to Dominick's. Get a six pack.
70. Drink it.
71. Nope, still in Morton Grove.
72. Cheer on Kim's softball team
73. Got the need for speed? Go really fast down Central. Wave to my house as you fly by.
74. Go to 7/11 and hang around for a while. Buy a slurpee and a lottery ticket.
75. Hungover from Bringer Inn? Order Chinese from the Palace.
76. Switch banks from MB Financial to B of A. Just for the hell of it.
77. Go to the 4th of July parade. Jeer at local Republicans and heckle the wandering candidates. Or just get a boatload of candy.
78. Hang around on "the bridge" by the river. Maybe even club some rats, or something.
79. Cheer on da Bears/Bulls/Sox/Cubbies at Rivals
80. Rent a backhoe at Ace Rental and go around backhoing (tee hee).
81. Rent a U-Haul and... I don't know, drive around.
82. Help disabled children by volunteering at Molloy school.
83. Ole, everybody! Get some chimichangas (with a side of murderous intrique) at El Sol restaurant.
84. Get a room at the Best Western and go crazy with the continental breakfast.
85. Need the latest installment of the Buffy comic? Hit the comic store.
86. Visit the pot-bellied pig at the Morton Grove Animal hospital.
87. Go to Aldi's and pay 25 stupid cents for a shopping cart. Leave it at the farthest point in the parking lot for sweet revenge.
88. While you're on that side of town, take a side trip to Niles. Go to Fluky's, catch a movie at Golf Mill's new theaters, and find the latest Go Designer at Target.
89. Wait, there's a Walmart in Niles, too. That could be fun times.
90. Still in Niles, use your new scrapbooking supplies and go to scrap mania at Archivers. Make a huge mess, but only if your friends aren't working.
91. Relive the good old days at the Harms Road block party.
92. Be dazzled by the pyrotechnics display at the 4th of July fireworks. One. at. a. time.
93. Use your CVS card and get 4 miles of coupons. Sweet!
94. Go to the other dunkin' donuts (the one that used to be Mister Donut) for some coffee and munchkins.
95. Get all excited about mini-golf only to realize that Par King is closed. Damn. Back to Skokie.
96. Check out the sweet deals at K&G
97. Underage? No worries. The guy at the convenience store on Waukegan and Beckwith doesn't card.
98. Drive around town and look at the holiday lawn decorations.
99. If you are still in the mood for a drive, take in the scenic sights and sounds of the expressway on Frontage Rd.
100. Hang out at the Morton Grove train station. Hop a train somewhere else.
Whew!
So, without further adieu, this is how we roll in the MG...
1. Go and get some soup at 7 Brothers (NOW! Before they close!). Call Heidi to find out what night they have their chicken rossamarina.
2. Take a new CRV for a test drive at Castle Honda.
3. Go and work out at "Club Fitness" at the Park District with the $7 resident day pass
4. Marvel that you are the youngest person at "Club Fitness."
5. Grab some Starbucks after your workout.
6. Get some cheap stuff at the Dollar Store
7. Head to Dominick's. Say hi to Luann
8. Read to Lucy (a guide dog) at the Morton Grove Public Library
9. Go to the Village Hall and take advantage of the Mayor's open door policy (because really? It's Morton Grove. What else does he have to do?)
10. Have a wet 'n wild trip down Harrer Pool's water slide.
11. Get some deals at Old Navy.
12. You look like you need a uniform. Or some scrubs, maybe? Go to the uniform store and go nuts.
13. Drag race down Dempster Street.
14. Sale at Shoe Carnival!!
15. Go to Kappy's for a snack. Feel sad that this will be your place to go when 7 Brothers closes.
16. Resolve to find another good family restaurant.
17. Tap your inner ballroom dancer and get lessons at Arthur Murray.
18. Stressed? How 'bout a Heavenly Massage?
19. Drive thru Burger King for a snickers sunday pie and a frozen coke.
20. Learn the history of Morton Grove (??) at the history museum. That should take 15 minutes.
21. Go to the Boy Scout pancake breakfast at the VFW hall.
22. Is it July? Get leered at by creepy carnies at the annual Krazy Daze Carnival.
23. Go to the bad side of town and take a dip at Oriole pool.
24. Run the mile around Harrer park with the Park View kids.
25. Go to the playground at Park View and recall that when you were a kid, there was no playground, just four or five metal climbing frames - on cement.
26. Enjoy the foliage in the forest preserve.
27. Go on a pony ride.
28. Avon calling... take a factory tour.
29. Get a bucket of chicken at popeye's.
30. Wonder how you will ever get to 100 at this rate.
31. Grab some live bait at the Ed Shirley fishing store (it is called something different now, I think, but have no idea what. This is how much I use my live bait.)
32. Hang around at Pequod's Pizza.
33. Wash down totally gross pizza with some beer from Bringer Inn.
34. Take a bike ride
35. If you are Jane's co-worker, you will take your bike ride after 33 but this is not adviseable.
36. Road trip! Off to Skokie for some shopping at Old Orchard.
37. Take a scrapbooking class at Michael's.
38. Also buy some yarn.
39. Throw a party and get all your supplies at the Card & Party store.
40. Listen to some soothing buzuki music and get cheap fruit at Produce World.
41. Don't forget the bowling!
42. Throw eggs at McCain Palin signs.
43. Go sledding down the hills by the expressway.
44. Back to Skokie. Watch your high school football team lose 200 - 7.
45. Spike your alumni tent cocoa.
46. Ummm.... Look through the Morton Grove Champion police blotter to see how many of your former classmates ended up in there.
47. Go back to Old Navy - it's performance fleece season!
48. Go to Zin-Mi Japanese steakhouse. Don't annoy the man with the knives.
49. Say hi to Robin in the Morton Grove Jewelers.
50. Get some snacks at Walgreens (there are several to choose from).
51. Collect golf balls and try to sell them back to the crazy golfers at chick evans.
52. Try not to hit a deer on Austin St.
53. Pick up a costume for your party at Magical Mystery Tour.
54. Annoy your allergies by poking through the dusty treasures at Magazine Memories. Don't linger too long though, or you will turn out like their slightly oddball proprietor.
55. Get better pizza at Giordano's.
56. Hair a mess? Say hi to Cathy at Faust of Italy for awesome cut and color.
57. Run around in Sports Authority and pretend to be athletic.
58. It is sad how much I have to think about this.
59. Nosh on some baked goods at Meier's Bakery
60. Find The Lord (or Allah, even. The MG has its own mosque!)
61. Go back to Park View and see how many of your teachers are still there.
62. Feel really really old.
63. Get some more coffee, at DD this time. Also get some ice cream and a sandwich, just because you can, baby. Just because you can.
64. Trade up on your fitness membership and go to Bally's instead.
65. Say f*ck this workout crap and get a Blizzard and some regional favorites at Dairy Queen instead.
66. Drink some bubble tea from Chill at the gazebo in Harrer Park.
67. Trawl the garage sales.
68. Rent the Mansfield Park field house for your rockin' party.
69. Back to Dominick's. Get a six pack.
70. Drink it.
71. Nope, still in Morton Grove.
72. Cheer on Kim's softball team
73. Got the need for speed? Go really fast down Central. Wave to my house as you fly by.
74. Go to 7/11 and hang around for a while. Buy a slurpee and a lottery ticket.
75. Hungover from Bringer Inn? Order Chinese from the Palace.
76. Switch banks from MB Financial to B of A. Just for the hell of it.
77. Go to the 4th of July parade. Jeer at local Republicans and heckle the wandering candidates. Or just get a boatload of candy.
78. Hang around on "the bridge" by the river. Maybe even club some rats, or something.
79. Cheer on da Bears/Bulls/Sox/Cubbies at Rivals
80. Rent a backhoe at Ace Rental and go around backhoing (tee hee).
81. Rent a U-Haul and... I don't know, drive around.
82. Help disabled children by volunteering at Molloy school.
83. Ole, everybody! Get some chimichangas (with a side of murderous intrique) at El Sol restaurant.
84. Get a room at the Best Western and go crazy with the continental breakfast.
85. Need the latest installment of the Buffy comic? Hit the comic store.
86. Visit the pot-bellied pig at the Morton Grove Animal hospital.
87. Go to Aldi's and pay 25 stupid cents for a shopping cart. Leave it at the farthest point in the parking lot for sweet revenge.
88. While you're on that side of town, take a side trip to Niles. Go to Fluky's, catch a movie at Golf Mill's new theaters, and find the latest Go Designer at Target.
89. Wait, there's a Walmart in Niles, too. That could be fun times.
90. Still in Niles, use your new scrapbooking supplies and go to scrap mania at Archivers. Make a huge mess, but only if your friends aren't working.
91. Relive the good old days at the Harms Road block party.
92. Be dazzled by the pyrotechnics display at the 4th of July fireworks. One. at. a. time.
93. Use your CVS card and get 4 miles of coupons. Sweet!
94. Go to the other dunkin' donuts (the one that used to be Mister Donut) for some coffee and munchkins.
95. Get all excited about mini-golf only to realize that Par King is closed. Damn. Back to Skokie.
96. Check out the sweet deals at K&G
97. Underage? No worries. The guy at the convenience store on Waukegan and Beckwith doesn't card.
98. Drive around town and look at the holiday lawn decorations.
99. If you are still in the mood for a drive, take in the scenic sights and sounds of the expressway on Frontage Rd.
100. Hang out at the Morton Grove train station. Hop a train somewhere else.
Whew!
friday night in lincoln square
So, last night, Heidi and Jane and myself headed to Lincoln Square for dinner and an evening of Witty Women Writers at the Book Cellar. I jumped on the brown line after work (didn't get lost! woohoo!) and arrived at the book store way before the girls did. Left to my own devices while they battled traffic, I did what I usually do - I went shopping (US economy? You're welcome.). Yeah, anyway, we decided dinner was our top priority & went first to the Chicago Brauhaus. As we were munching our gigundous Bavarian pretzel, it came to our attention that we were sharing our corner of the restaurant with a Chicago White Sox player (sadly, none of us knew which one). He seemed nice enough, he blabbed on a cell phone in Spanish a lot, ate a gigantic pile of meat (and still needed to take some of it home), bopped appreciatively to the German oomm-pah band and posed for a picture with some of the restaurant staff. The staff (maybe the owner?) gave him a hat and t-shirt from the Brauhaus, a few free drinks, etc.
After dinner, we went back to the Book Cellar, hoping to hear one of our fave local Witty Woman Writers, Jen Lancaster. Let me just say, they are not joking around when they call it a "cellar" it is a very small space, and we squeezed ourselves into the vestibule which was a. not very comfortable and b. not conducive to hearing anything the speaker was saying. So we went across the street for dessert instead. Sorry Jen. But the cute bakery across the way? Had cupcakes. And interesting furniture arrangements in the ladies room. They also had strudel and actual phlaumkuchen. And you know us, we can never resist the call of the confectionary.
We'd hoped to venture back towards the end of the reading & maybe meet Jen & tell her how much we love her books & maybe talk about Twilight etc etc. But it was not to be. We went back to the cute shop I started the evening in and after that, we headed back to the MG stuffed full of schnitzel and cake.
After dinner, we went back to the Book Cellar, hoping to hear one of our fave local Witty Woman Writers, Jen Lancaster. Let me just say, they are not joking around when they call it a "cellar" it is a very small space, and we squeezed ourselves into the vestibule which was a. not very comfortable and b. not conducive to hearing anything the speaker was saying. So we went across the street for dessert instead. Sorry Jen. But the cute bakery across the way? Had cupcakes. And interesting furniture arrangements in the ladies room. They also had strudel and actual phlaumkuchen. And you know us, we can never resist the call of the confectionary.
We'd hoped to venture back towards the end of the reading & maybe meet Jen & tell her how much we love her books & maybe talk about Twilight etc etc. But it was not to be. We went back to the cute shop I started the evening in and after that, we headed back to the MG stuffed full of schnitzel and cake.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Today: Deanna Dunagan chats with Hedy!
Sun Times sez:
Can't get enough of the arts? Visit suntimes.com at 12:30 p.m. Thursdays to chat live with Sun-Times theater critic Hedy Weiss. Hedy will answer your questions about anything you ever wanted to know relating to the Chicago theater scene and about upcoming shows in the area.
Joining Hedy in today's chat is Tony-winning actress Deanna Dunagan, discussing her role in the hit play "August: Osage County" — and how she thinks the play will translate in its upcoming London production.
Can't get enough of the arts? Visit suntimes.com at 12:30 p.m. Thursdays to chat live with Sun-Times theater critic Hedy Weiss. Hedy will answer your questions about anything you ever wanted to know relating to the Chicago theater scene and about upcoming shows in the area.
Joining Hedy in today's chat is Tony-winning actress Deanna Dunagan, discussing her role in the hit play "August: Osage County" — and how she thinks the play will translate in its upcoming London production.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
speaking of life lessons...
In these troubling times, I have to tell myself to take it day by day. And also, I have decided that when faced with serious issues, I will just think to myself "What would a maverick do?" and then I will do that.
(Hee hee, thanks, SNL!)
(Hee hee, thanks, SNL!)
just when i thought i was out... they pull me back in!
Oh, Starbucks, you cunning little vixens. Just when I had sort of left you for Argo Tea, you give me your new Signature Hazelnut hot chocolate. I swear, it is like drinking nutella it is so decadently delicious (and not as sticky).
And, of course, there is a life lesson with every cup:
"The world bursts at the seams with people ready to tell you you're not good enough. On occasion, some may be correct. But do not do their work for them. Seek any job; ask anyone out; pursue any goal. Don't take it personally when they say "no" - they may not be smart enough to say "yes." -- Keith Olbermann
See? A lovely way to start the morning.
And, of course, there is a life lesson with every cup:
"The world bursts at the seams with people ready to tell you you're not good enough. On occasion, some may be correct. But do not do their work for them. Seek any job; ask anyone out; pursue any goal. Don't take it personally when they say "no" - they may not be smart enough to say "yes." -- Keith Olbermann
See? A lovely way to start the morning.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
north side heartbreak...
So the Cubbies are out of the playoffs... already. I guess we are used to it, huh? Maybe next year? Uh huh, whatever.
Anyway, Ozzie, we're looking at you & the Sox now. The city is counting on you, this afternoon, so don't screw it up. No pressure though, hahahaha.
In other news, I spent yesterday (and part of today, as it happens) doing my part to Support the Economy... so, yeah, I went shopping. I got some lovely lovely pants (40% off each pair, yo) and a new pair of boots. Also, in the continued interest of not getting an ulcer, I invested in Photoshop Elements so I can amuse myself on my Mac. Tee hee. I see many happy hours ahead of me... if I can only figure out how to use it.
Just so you don't think I spend all my time lying around and then going shopping, I also baked some muffins... mmmmm, muffins...
Why is the weekend always so short?
Anyway, Ozzie, we're looking at you & the Sox now. The city is counting on you, this afternoon, so don't screw it up. No pressure though, hahahaha.
In other news, I spent yesterday (and part of today, as it happens) doing my part to Support the Economy... so, yeah, I went shopping. I got some lovely lovely pants (40% off each pair, yo) and a new pair of boots. Also, in the continued interest of not getting an ulcer, I invested in Photoshop Elements so I can amuse myself on my Mac. Tee hee. I see many happy hours ahead of me... if I can only figure out how to use it.
Just so you don't think I spend all my time lying around and then going shopping, I also baked some muffins... mmmmm, muffins...
Why is the weekend always so short?
Saturday, October 04, 2008
N-H-S! Go West! *
Happy 50th Birthday Niles West!
Peggy (name changed to protect the innocent - she is a teacher in the district now and we don't want her young 'uns knowing what she may or may not get up to in her spare time...) and I went to the homecoming game last night. This being Skokie and not Texas, and not an episode of Friday Night Lights (even though it was, in fact, Friday) it was a good crowd but not overwhelming. It was cold and the team, to be honest, was getting trounced. We had dinner first and arrived in the middle of the second quarter. We left at the top of the 4th quarter as the Wolves were losing 57 to 7 (I wish I was exaggerating that score, but that is what it really was). It was only the second game I've attended and I like football. Still, it was kind of fun. We hung around, said hi to people we knew, and stopped in the Alumni Tent (after the first time, it kind of loses its thrill).
We did the usual reminiscing, and complaining about the name change in 2001 from Indians to Wolves. As class of '97, we graduated as Indians. There was a whole tizz and to do about the name and the mascot (even though we did not have any kind of Chief Illiniwek or anything like that. We had a goofily made up guy called "Big Red") and I remember there was a vote on what the new name should be. Wolves won, although I prefered the Fireants or, the one I made up, the Oakton Raiders.
Yeah. Now we're old. Oy.
* Words from an actual cheer I heard my freshman year. No joke. I am not sure how the letters "N-H-S" connect at all, maybe "Niles High School"? What about the "West" part? But I was also told by a cheerleader classmate that they were not allowed to say "Indians" during cheers, not because they wanted to be PC but because they were kind of incoherent with the shouting and it sounded like they were saying "Idiots." These are also the people who think "R-O-W-D-I-E" is the way to spell "Rowdy" and so I rest my case.
Friday, October 03, 2008
i think i've got the cure...
to the "economy sucks-my job is giving me an ulcer-we have idiots running the government-and i might have to move to canada if john mccain becomes president" blues.
of course, i am talking about a little suuu-pah-pah troou-pah-pah to brighten this gloomy friday morning... woo!
of course, i am talking about a little suuu-pah-pah troou-pah-pah to brighten this gloomy friday morning... woo!
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