My LIttle One circa 2011

 

Pretty Girl

How I Decorated my Cubicle for Christmas 2022

Ali Siddiq - Live at the Vic Theater in Chicago

 We left Milwaukee at around 4:30, too late to grab dinner and still make the 7pm show.  SpotHero found us a parking spot about half a mile from the venue, down Seminary, and it was a nice walk though what I imagine is Chicago's version of Bay View - plenty of nice shops and homes, plenty of people out walking dogs, a feeling of safety but with enough graffiti to remind you you were in Chi-Town. 

The Vic was built as the Victoria Theater back in 1912, the same year the Titanic sank, and apparently, they ADORED stairs in 1912. 

Now, I'm not talking about a simple, utilitarian use of stairs to carry patrons from one level of the building to another. Oh no. There are THREE flights of descending stairs and a winding passage (ending in a large step) just to reach the restrooms, and steps galore throughout. You want to move six feet to your left? Go down a flight, then up another.   Architect John E.O. Pridmore and M.C. Escher must have been kin. 

But all kidding aside, the theater is gorgeous. 

Here's Lisa with her $24 drink 

We had balcony seats (row K, seats 302 and 301) and our view was fine, although Lisa thought we lost a lot in not being able to see Ali's facial expressions. Both Siddiq and his opener (dang, I wish I recalled his name) were hilarious, and I laughed a lot. 

But while we could hear the opener fine, most of Ali's first ten minutes were a mystery, until people in the balcony started yelling that we couldn't hear. After that it greatly improved, although you still had to pay attention or risk losing a word or two. 

A great time, and we'd definitely see him again. Check him out on Youtube!

Sal Bando

Sal Bando might have been an awful GM for the Brewers, but he was an awesome 3rd baseman, earning 3 rings with the A's and helping the Crew to its first postseason appearance in 1981.

RIP

The older I get, the better advice this is

 

A Church Fish fry for Dem

Although he's been to a "fancy" fish fry at the Packing House, Dem had yet to experience the heart and soul of the practice - a Milwaukee church fish fry. So I took him to St. Augustine's for their very popular event. 

We both got fried fish (I normally order baked), fries (instead of round potatoes) and he had a few shrimp added to the plate, along with mandatory green beans that - gasp! - he did not eat. I had coffee, he had milk. 

I asked him if he's willingly eaten a single vegetable, any vegetable, since his arrival in September. .

 "Isn't there any vegetable you like? 

"Bok choy" he said. 

"Ok, that's great. I'll make sure we get some next week."

"Yes,I like it fried in oyster sauce. With chili all over it."

Pause. 

"So, basically, completely destroying any record that it was a vegetable?"

Laughs. "Sort of."

The church basement was packed, and loud. Father Philip said hello to us, and families were everywhere. Very young babies (I heard one said to be five weeks old) were on display by their parents, a sort of coming out party to the community. Along the wall, for the length of the rom, ran a narrow bench/shelf on the wall, ending right at our table.  

These two little girls, four or five at the oldest, and dressed in their Sunday best, would run down the bench and stop right by us.  I would nod and say "Hello Ladies." and they would run back down to their parents, then begin the journey back to us, again and again. 

Dem was confused, but I found the whole sense of community wonderful. 

Dessert was homemade, donated chocolate bundt cake.  The woman who served it to us? The mother of that five week old lol

Dem ate everything save for the green beans, and pronounced it good fish. I, personally, think it lost a little something after the break for Covid. But that might be nostalgia talking. I hope we'll be back again before Dem returns to Thailand!

(btw, that is Father Philip in the background, with the gray vest) 

Great news!

Surgeon just called. Fantastic news!!! They were not only able to unblock one leg...but both! Soooo she will not need to have the additional bi pass surgery. Mom's doing great!!! - Lisa

David Crosby

Folk singer/Songwriter, David Crosby, a founding member of both Crosby, Stills & Nash and The Byrds has passed away.  The day before he died he tweeted that heaven was "overrated" and "cloudy."

RIP.

Alec Baldwin has been Charged

Legally, I think this is warranted. He didn't intend to hurt anyone, but the standard for involuntary manslaughter is when a person recklessly or negligently commits an act that results in the death of another person. He seems to have ignored industry standards when he handled the gun (reckless) and moreover, as the executive producer, his failure to properly vet the firearms staff and supervise their work would satifsy the standards of criminal negligence. 

Do I think he'll be found guilty? He's got good lawyers, plenty of access to the press, and the death was a tragic accident, of a kind rare enough for the public to be divided on its merit. So I think he'll plea down to a lesser charge and avoid time, be that right or wrong. 

Nap Time For The Huckle

Nap nap  time. 

New Music from Miley Cyrus

Miley and her pettiness is the perfect storm that creates memorable music. I'm so here for it. Released on his bday too? Lol...she's never going to behave, she will 100% find a partner who embraces the misbehavior! -Lisa 

Amen

Lesson of the day: the ones who demand you take the high road seem to not be able to hold themselves to the same expectation . - Lisa

Happy 1.5 Year Anniversary!

These two young adults get to enjoy a year and a half anniversary today...no small feat in todays dating world! When YaYa got serious with this sweet, initially quiet, fun sized man I didn't get it. Not sure Dan did either. I now see this young man for what he is... ying to her yang. Her balance, her peace. He doesn't just play along for dress ups and date ideas he adds his own ideas and fully engages. They have evolved and blossomed into such a sophisticated couple. I can't wait to see them grow more. We have met his parents and they are lovely as well. He is considered family in our home and I can't wait to see their love grow. - Lisa

Smiley's 2nd Birthday Pictures from back in 2007!

 

NYE Sausage

Here's a great recipe Lisa suggested for New Year's Eve, and man, was it a hit!

You take two rings of one pound smoked kielbasa (turkey if you like, it doesn't matter), and cut them into bite sized circles. 

Add them to a slow cooker with a half cup of brown sugar, 3 cloves of garlic,  red pepper flakes, and add a cup of unsweetened applesauce.  Cook it on high for 3 hours, stirring frequently. 

Now, some notes: 

1,  3 hours is what they said to do online, but nuh-uh. Within 90 minutes it was pretty much done and we had it on "warm" the rest of the day.

2. You must use unsweetened applesauce, but all I had on hand were a pair of "lunch" sized snack packs, so I cut up and added a green apple. In my opinion it added positively to the dish, both in flavor and texture.

3. We added a smidge - and I mean a SMIDGE of a Thai seasoning and it was enough to make it the almost too hot for Lisa. I liked the kick myself. 

Try it yourself!

The Pest

Mind = Blown

I just realized that when I see Taylor Swift in June I will be as old as she was when I saw her live for the first time in 2011 - YaYa

Together Again

For six weeks our access to Angelcake's ashes were blocked by the placement of the Christmas tree in front of its shelf.  Now - finally - she and GusGus are reunited, as they should be. 

RIP

Note: Originally GusGus was in the white urn, Angelcakes in the brown. That's what you see here. That made no sense, given Angelcakes was pure white and Gus a common mackerel tabby. So after this picture was taken at Lisa's wise direction, I switched their urn, which now better identify with the remains they hold. 

Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift

For Christmas we bought the 4 kids - Swifties all - tickets to a candlelight tribute to Taylor Swift.

Tonight they journeyed there together, and by all accounts it was money well spent.

The venue was certainly GORGEOUS.

And aside from a tired, introductory joke about Swift's exes (followed, ironically,  by playing Lavender Haze, a song about get current six- year relationship), the show was a respectful and entertaining tribute.

I'm happy they enjoyed it, and even happier they enjoyed it together!

Lisa Marie Presley

Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis, has died at age 54 after cardiac arrest.

RIP

The Office Knickknacks Expand

The Pale Blue Eye

The Pale Blue Eye is a historical mystery set at West Point during the 1830's. A cadet is murdered and his corpse violated, and a noted constable, played by Christian Bale, is called in to investigate. He soon realizes he needs someone inside the Academy walls to help him, and he enlists cadet Edgar Allan Pole in his quest. 

Yes, that Poe. Yes, Poe really did attend West Point. 

The movie was atmospheric and engaging - up to a point. I think Poe's inclusion renders the story more of a novelty than it needed to be, and the odd witchcraft angle twists the film (briefly) into a 19th century  Da Vinci Code. 

I liked the movie, but its flaws are obvious. Watch it - if you don't have better things to do with your time. 

 

Jeff Beck

Legendary Yardbirds guitarist Jeff Beck has passed at age 78.

RIP

Life

the college experience of those working to live throughout their studies …. and the experience of those who have it paid for…. are so different. i am exhausted. i need this degree but i need to pay rent more. - YaYa