Nina Simone

Oh Nina Simone I know how you feel.  I know the fish in the sea does as well, because we are very happy together.  The river knows too, but don’t tell the fish.  You know how it is Nina.  Oh and Nina don’t you like how it feels when you get out the shower, wrap up your wet hair in a towel then smoke a cig?  Yeah, I do too.

Curiosity killed the cat

I keep getting a call from a random number. They call once a day at different times without leaving a message.  I know this means it is either a telemarketer or someone calling me to let me know I am being cheated on. It has been happening for two weeks. I know curiosity killed the cat. I wish that didn't happen because I would have the cat answer my phone.



MEOW!

Inappropriate food

So it has been well documented on my blog that I don't cook.  I often graze on what ever is in my cabinets and frigid when I am left to fend for myself.  I also do not know when it is inappropriate to eat days old leftovers or food that is past it's stamped sell by date.  Mr. Pony does a lot of sniffing of food for me.  I admit that a few times I have poured milk in my coffee only for him to open the frigid a few hours later, sniff and proceed to dump out the carton.  This usually gives me an immediate stomach ache, but no real illness yet...

Well the other day I had a delightful night having sushi with a friend.  We had a few pieces left so I decided I'd bring them home for Mr. Pony.  I usually bring him leftovers even though he scoffs at them, but some how they disappear every time.  Either he is eating them or I have a sleep walk/eating issue.  (I am okay with both of these scenarios.)  Anyway, I left the doggie bag in my car.  Mr. Pony found it the next day and left it on our counter to remind me of my forgetfulness.  I came home and dumped it in our compost bin.  When he saw the open container with no sushi he thought I ate it.  Can you believe that?

I can too.

Contents of my pocket

I lost my wallet.  Well, I actually don't have a wallet or purse but I lost the contents that would usually be in a wallet.   No weird charges have been made on my account.  Correction, no weird charges that I didn't make are on my account, so I guess I will have to start cleaning.

All recent pockets have been checked, my closet is clean, but still no wallet contents found.  I did find $23 so I am going to head to the coffee shop.

I returned from the coffee shop and averted a crisis.  My pile of money and plastic cards were hiding under my "to be recycled" items on my kitchen counter.

I can't believe I wasted all that time cleaning my closet.

I don't need a wallet right?

Do you want to know what tastes good?

SUMMER

Multiple choice

Why is there tin foil wrapped around this tree?

A.  It is hot new trend, tin foil tube top for your tree.
B.  The tree is protecting it's thoughts from aliens, the CIA and Bob Saget.
C.  Ma' Pony's invention to prevent those damn neighborhood cats from getting at the robin's babies.

Win your very own with a correct answer.  Prizes will be awarded in one week.

I am pro-drowning

The EPA is requiring Chicago to clean up the Chicago River, which basically means they have been told to take additional treatment steps before dumping sewage in the river.  Seems like a good idea right.  Well some top water reclamation district officials have opposed the effort because if the water is safer to swim in more people will drown.  I never thought I would be pro-drowning, but I am.

There is a great article in the Chicago Tribune:
EPA: Cost to clean up river wouldn't break the bank $7 per household per month would be maximum hike, analysis says

Bravo!

As the older gentleman, with his own cushion and arm that twitched to the beat said, "Bravo!"  Composer Mason Bates, "The B Sides" was performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra last night.  It was an amazing night.

The Civil Wars

Pro-cras

Today is the first day of the rest of my life, but so is tomorrow.  Let's regroup then.

Hobbies

My hobbies:
1. Writing
2. Gardening
3. Eating
4. Drinking

My boyfriend's hobbies:
1. Ju Jitsu
2. Cooking
3. Picking me up when I am too drunk to ride my bike home
4. Collecting bail money

Paperless

It takes a lot of paper to be a paperless.

Flight of the Bumble-Bee

Food I get to eat V

Braised oxtail with brown rice, onions, celery and green peppers.

Bone in

Bone out.

Meaning?

We are all search for meaning.
Life has meaning.
Right?

We spend all are time living so it must be for some purpose.
We would be doing something else besides living if it didn't mean something.
Right?

Sometimes we find meaning.  It feels great.
Then we blink and it's gone.
We will find it again.
Right?

Things that meant so much, now 10 years later mean nothing.
If it meant something then, shouldn't it mean something now?

It meant something.
Right?

Todd "I'm going to skip that word" Stroger, hooray!

Oh Todd Stroger.  I remember the first time a saw your pretty face.  You were on television being accused of having your employees campaign for you during work hours.  You eloquently corrected that silly reporter.  Go Todd!  Then that sneaky report started snooping around.  Jerk!  As he walked out of your office he saw your employee stuffing envelopes with your campaign letters.*  Obviously she was on a break!  (I screamed that my television.)

Remember when you were talking about the important food desert issue?  That was awesome!  Someone put together the attached video so the world could hear your speech.

I was really afraid the "media" wouldn't cover any more of your adventures, but I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my Chicago Tribune this morning -

Stroger wants to collect unemployment

Todd you are wonderful.  Keep up the good work.

*I don't recall exactly what happened, but it was really similar.

My Hood - The Hand Chair Edition

Do you have one of those really fun hand chairs laying around and don't know what to do with it?  Well why not mount it on your wall so it looks like God's hand?  Perfect.

Food I get to eat IV

Today Mr. Pony whipped up a huge patch of tuna salad.  Ingredients involved Tuna, olive oil, green peepers, celery, and dill pickles.

My mercury count - Low

Brunch today - Tuna salad, salad and cottage cheese

Lupper - Tuna salad on flat bread with tomato and the 7 year Wisconsin Cheddar I just smuggled over the border.  

Mercury count - Jeremy Piven 

My hood - The Human Hair Edition

I know it's hard to find so if you need some let me know I'll pick it up for you.

Food I get to eat III

Sunday mornings are my favorite.  Especially when I get to drink coffee and watch CBS Sunday Morning.  Nothing is better.  It is a Pony Family tradition learned from Pa' Pony.

Today I had a delicious omelet with queso fresco, sauteed onions and cilantro.  Simply, just like my favorite Sunday mornings.

Ma' Pony visits the Chicago Art Museum

This past rainy Sunday I visited the Chicago Art Museum with Ma' Pony.  Ma' Pony was a volunteer picture lady for my elementary class.  She exposed myself and fellow classmates to works of art and explained the meaning.  Looking back it was a really cool program.

Our main reason for the visit was to experience Marc Chagall's America Windows.  His stain glass window is mesmerizing.  While I was mindless admiring the pretty window Ma' Pony was figure out the meaning.   We checked her interpretation against they description on the wall, they all were correct except for the last panel.  She thought is was a tribute to the Titanic sinking.  What do you think?  Look at the far right of the last panel.

The Art Institute claims the sinking of the Titanic is actually people dancing.  I think they are just trying to cover up the true meaning.  The bottom right is the Titanic and the people above it are floating in the water.  You decide for yourself.

It seemed our other reason for the visit was to be called ma'am and told not to do things.  I was told not to take photos several times.  Apparently they frown upon taking photos of photos.  Ma' Pony likes to get way to close to art.  I think we heard "ma'am don't touch" about 247 times and it was a surprise to her every time.  She was also told not to touch a window treatment.  I am not sure if they "guard" knew it wasn't a piece of art.  Ma' Pony held in her Bitch comment until we got into the next room.

Ma' Pony was impressed with the pritzker pavilion, which the art museum has an excellent view of, even on a gloomy, February day.  I told her how the area used to be really ugly with below grade train tracks.  She seemed to think the $450 million price tag was worth it, since almost half was covered by private donors.  She asked if Oprah donated any money.  I told her I didn't think so.  While rolling her eyes she said, of course she only buys presidencies.  Ma' Pony was once a supporter of Oprah but her getting involved in the 2008 presidential campaign and not for the first strong female candidate was the end of their relationship.  Oprah may not care but Ma' Pony is boycotting her.

This will come as a surprise to no one but there was a lot of wonderful art.  We especially liked Gerhard Richter's ICE, seen below.

However, the Peter Fischli David Weiss: Questions, the Sausage Photographs, and a Quiet Afternoon Exhibit was not enjoyed by Ma' Pony.  "This is what people do when they have no talent.  They come up with a gimmick and hope it sticks.  It must have worked.  All these people in here are spending their time looking at crap thinking it's art."  I snapped the below photo only to be told "Ma'am photography is not allowed in this room."  Ma' Pony responded with, "Don't worry I don't even want to look at it let alone take a photo."

We spent a very enjoyable day wandering around.  I recommend if you go to the museum to become a member before going.  Members get to skip the line to get in, they can bring guests for "free", it is tax deductible and they get other discounts and perks.  Become a member.

Smuggling

I am a smuggler.  Last night I crossed the border with New Glarus, 7 year old Cheddar, a belly full of grass feed beef that was an amazing cheeseburger from the Old Fashion in a previous life and a smile on my face put there by my friends Mike and Andy.  

Food I get to eat II

Dinner 
Steak sous-vide with shallots, red wine vinegar, oil and garlic.
A side of brown rice, cauliflower and lentils with turkey.

Add the good stuff...

Delicious.  The fat melts in my mouth.

Garfield Park Conservatory

Up close:

Vadim Repin

Vadim Repin played with Chicago Symphony Orchestra last week.  It was so good I thought I would share.

Chicago Symphony Center

Food I get to eat

I live with an amazing cook.  I eat really well, unless of course I have to fend for myself.  Left on my own I usually eat a handful of cereal, a piece a cheese, a couple of pickles and whatever else I can find to graze on.  

Thankfully I was not left to fend for myself.  Dinner tonight was stew, made from veal stock that was simmering on our stove all day yesterday.  The brown rice, black beans and hominy was left over from last night's build your own taco bar.  Goat and collard greens were added to the left overs and veal stock.  

I poured the wine myself.

ANTS!

 While living in Costa Rica I spent countless hours watching leaf cutter ants.  I first noticed a long green line on the sandy ground.  To my surprise the line was moving.  Closer inspection revealed ants carrying leaves.  As we followed the line we found the bush they were decimating.  It was really beautiful to watch.  Although the bush would probably disagree.

Now back in the States I spend countless of hours watching TV.  I think my countless hours are better spend watching ants.

MY PHOTOS

 Leaf cutter ants up close

Ants carrying their leaves down the tree

That green line is all ants carrying leaves

Let's see how long you watch.

Here is a cool video about leaf cutter Ants.

You still want more?

Fun with taxes

I saw this while I was preparing my taxes.

Lovely.

How about the weather?

The thing about weather is that everyone talks about it.

If there is a lull in the conversation, how do we fill it?  Weather.
If we are meeting someone for the first time, what usually comes up?  Weather.
What affects everyone? Weather

So, if there is a major life threatening storm coming all the media needs to do is what it does every day, update the 5 day forecast.  A lot of people will read it, more people will talk about it and eventually everyone will know.  In a 22 minute newscast 5 minutes does not need to be about weather.  The news in Egypt take up more time than a snowstorm.  Yes it is snowpocalypse.  Word will spread.  Snow happens every year.  Major storms have happened in most adults memories so they know how to react.  Major upheavel in Egypt happens less often than snowpocalypse.  Please report on it like it is snowpocalypse.