Long Live the Album

Remember when you would buy cassette singles?

Dusting off dad's old vinyl Simon & Garfunkel albums and delicately removing them from the paper sleeve, gently placing it on the record player?

Go and support your local record store today.

My celebratory purchases: The Black Keys' Attack and Release and The Rubber Factory, Desolation Wilderness' White Light Strobing, Camera Obscura's My Maudlin Career and BSS Presents Kevin Drew's Spirit If...

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My Bundle of Joy

Today I picked up this rebuilt, vintage Schwinn from Boulevard Bikes in Logan Square. My little bundle of steel took her maiden voyage from Logan Square to Ukrainian Village this morning.

What a winning combo: Lula, bike shop and Logan Square Auditorium...all in one building!

"Hi momma, I'm ready!"

The rigorous inspection process begins...




I almost did a Facebook spoof and tried to make this look like a profile of a pregnant person, but I thought better...

Getting comfy

Ok, maybe I'm taking this a little far.

Resurrection Sunday

Another refurbishing project, this time I found some $10 old wooden chairs at a Howard Brown resale shop in Oak Park. I spent Sunday sanding them down and restaining them.

These beat up chairs had paint all over them. I think the smaller ones had been previously painted and then stripped. I'm curious how old these are or in whose homes these have been. This is the "Before" shot.

Again, I listened to Neko Case while doing this. In Middle Cyclone, she collected six unwanted, free pianos from Craigslist to record "Don't Forget Me" I dunno, something in her music makes you want to restore furniture.

Left stained. Right sanded.


Bandanas and ripped up jeans (not pictured)

The "After" shot.

They are still a little creaky, but usable and maybe just a little better lookin'

Restoration Chicago

Bringing back an old chair to glory on a Tuesday night while drinking wine.

A new seat for Maggie and Ollie to tear up.