Sunday Morning Exploration

The West Loop area is an interesting blend of factories, public housing and ever-creeping gentrification. I love this part of town and I've been casually exploring it on my bike. I spied this mill from the rooftop deck of the Bottom Lounge a few weeks ago and now I'm sort of fascinated by it. I love the cistern on top, the huge, weathered silos and the train tracks that flank the northern part of the complex. The ADM mill looms o'er this part of the city as a implacable reminder to the boutique-a-fying, chic neighborhoods of Chicago that industry is still a backbone of this town.

A spray-painted Blago in a jogging suit running under a viaduct. Awesome.

Wen on Deck

Spring bring forth grand porch ideas. Unfortunately, it has also brought some rotten squirrels on to my deck, who have uprooted my potted plants. I had words with one of these rats with blow-dried tails over the weekend. He just looked at me is if to flip his middle claw at me from the tree branches. The war is on. And of course there are pics of me canoodling with Magpie, my cat.

Lobelia are gorgeous.

Potting flowers in old wood boxes found in the basement.

Test driving the new tent...

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.