I’ve posted a lot about this event, but as a recap: twenty different Chicago creatives are invited all answer the same question. You can answer the prompt however you like (tell a story, sing a song, do an interpretive dance routine). The only rule: answer the question in two minutes or less.
Chris texted me a week or so back, letting me know there was a kind of Q101/Radio reunion event planned for tonight – at the Shamrock Club.
When we first moved to Hyde Park in 2014, it was Bernie who came over to our house and presented us with some home baked bread that Carol Jean had made for us. Their gift was one of our first interactions with the neighbors on our block, and it set the tone for all the other kind and lovely people we would meet, from our street.
I’ve been stressing a bit about this cleanup. The drywall we need to move is 10′ long, 5/8″ thick, and is markedly heavier than your typically drywall (because it’s soundproof drywall).
While the two of us are not without some modicum of rudimentary skills… we’re both looking at some of the more advanced courses (all of which require you to go through the 100-level intro courses). And Liz and I both felt like we could stand to get some basics under our belts.
I was adamant about not leaving our old trees on the front porch. Mostly because I have this worry that some random arsonist is going to walk by and see the opportunity. And set our house ablaze with the flick of a match.
Liz has mocked me mercilessly about this, the last few days. But I’m solid in my sense that doing so would be dangerous in the city. Tempting fate, by leaving this uber flammable thing that’s visible from the street.
Despite a lingering cough, Liz and I broke open one of the Christmas gifts that she had gotten me: two bottles from Bunnahabhain distillery.
One thing we spotted: a new line of shampoos, all inspired by the many different Girl Scout Cookie flavors.
What an odd simulacrum. I get that there are a lot of folks who like the cookies, but to want to bathe in the flavor? Seems strange.
At some earlier point, I had moved a lot of things we had upstairs down to the basement. Space is a premium at our house, and we’re constantly moving things from one place to another – to make temporary room.
Spent a little time today, reorganizing the basement area.
For most of last week, Liz and I were both mostly just recuperating from Covid. Not much of anything, other than a lot of coughing and a lot of sitting in bed, resting.
This week, we started to get a bit more energy. We’re still coughing more than makes sense, but have been going about doing a little house work over the holidays.
Liz broke out the new bunny tunnel that we got as a gift, from Katie and Tim. Hugo was pretty wary at first, but eventually wandered in and got to exploring.
Tonight, I posted up my list for my ten best days from 2023. Had a lot of contenders, but feel pretty good about what made the cut.
Consider this an invitation to explore the last year. And to explore the last twenty years, if you’re so inclined.
“If you return to love
The sky thick with sleepin’ doves
And the spider’s dirty web
Catch a ghost”
On arriving home, I heard the familiar sound of a grinder wheel. Curious, I headed into the basement – and saw Liz, standing next to some clamps with her trusty helmet on.
We brought a few things to share. And also got to sample some Armagnac that Katie and Tim picked up, while they were in southern France earlier this year.