Best of 2011

Top 10 CD's of 2011

1. Radiohead-King Of Limbs
2. Elbow- Build a Rocket Boys!

3. Other Lives-Tamer Animals
4. The War on Drugs-Slave Ambient
5. M83- Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
6. We Are Austines-Rise Ye Sunken Ships
7. Bon Iver-Bon Iver
8. Low-C'mon
9. James Blake-James Blake
10. Lykki Li- Wounded Rhymes

I didn't think this was as strong a year as last year and I seemed to find more singles than whole CD's I liked.  Saw some great live acts at both Pitchfork and Lolla.  One of the most surprising performances was by Future Islands at Lincoln Hall. 

Happy Halloween

I think I was 8 in this photo.  My mom made this costume and I think it got a lot of use over the years. I love how people go all out now and really get into decorating. I walk around the neighborhood near where I work looking at all the houses.  There is also a candy store near me that has all the candy I grew up with.

I take a day of around this time as well so I can enjoy the last days of fall.  I wanted to see the other piece by graffiti artist ROA.  It was kind of hidden behind this building near downtown in this industrial area.  Was amazing to see in person and perfect for this time of year.

Also wanted to check this park not far from there called Sterns Quarry Park.  Has an interesting history as well as it was a landfill and is now a green space, park and spot you can go fishing.

The running path along the lake I use sustained damage from a recent storm.  The 2nd within weeks of each other with 25 foot waves.  It washed away a large section of the path and people could no longer use it but I ended up jumping a fence and cutting through the golf course which is next to it.  They are in the process of trying to fix it but not sure if it will be usable.

Nicodemus The Cat

This was my grandma Peurrung's cat named Nicodemus.  When I was growing up whenever we went to my grandma's apartment he was sitting near the front door.  She would change the bows around his neck so it was always fun to see what she chose.  I ended up getting him several years ago because he was pretty broken from so many falls.  I enjoy putting things together so I felt like I could fix him and now he sits near my door.  I always think of my grandma when I look at him and I am honored to have him.  I don't remember the history of how she got him but I love his name.   Here is what I found out about the history of his name Nicodemus.

Summer Turns to Fall

Few videos that remind me of fall.

Sights, sounds and tastes of summer

Public pool I do laps and hang out all summer

My favorite Chicago Beach-Montrose.  Food vendors walking around selling treats.

Me and my niece Maggie at Pitchfork Music Festival

My friends enjoying Pitchfork Music Fest.

Farmers Market

Farmers Market

My friend John and I at Lollapalooza 20 Anniversary Year.

Lobster Corn Dog at Lolla.  mmmmm

Cincinnati famous ice cream sold at Whole Foods-summer flavor Strawberry Chocolate Chip.

Roof top view at friends house

Street Art and Summer

 I was invited to a summer solstice party few weeks back.  One of my favorite days of the year because it stays light so late.  We ended up having this huge storm come in.  The party was at this converted warehouse space that is across from the train tracks in Wicker Park.  The tenants who live there know a lot of garffiti artist and this one famous one named Roa wanted to do a piece on his building.  Roa has a world wide reputation and works all over the globe, including New York, Los Angeles, Mexico, Belgium. Poland, and now Chicago.  Check out both links.  The first one shows him doing the piece and some other works.  He did another piece here on the south side which I hope to go see. The other link shows some of his other work which I think are pretty amazing.

Warrior Dash 5K

Last weekend I did this race called Warrior Dash with my sister Julie and my brother Pete.  Its a race that has all these crazy obstacles like climbing walls, mud pits, creeks with logs you had to go under or over, tires, old cars, giant blocks, rope climb up a ramp, up muddy hills, fire and the last one which was a giant mud pit that you actually had to swim through because they had barb wire you had to go under. A lot of people really got into it and had costumes on. And at the end they had a giant hose to spray so you could rinse off a bit. Boy did we get muddy!  What a great day and a great challenge.  Reminded me of a cross between Survivor and The Amazing Race.

PHOTOS

Chicago Art Institute Field Trip

I have a friend who works at the School of the Art Institute and she invited me to go hear an artist whose exhibit was opening at The Art Institute Of Chicago.  A contemporary photographer named  Uta Barth.  Its the first time I ever went to hear an artist whose work was showing there which must be a great honor.  She was very interesting and while its not really my kind of photography I found her to inspire me in my own photography.  Was another cold and blustery Spring day here.   So it was perfect weather to do something indoors.

Chagall Window

New Modern Art Wing

Spring Project.

I have been wanting to fix these old chairs a friend gave me and finally got around to getting it done now that we had some nice weather finally.

I bought some outdoor material at a local craft store. I had to go out to the suburbs to buy spray paint because they don't sell it in the city because of graffiti.  Which makes no sense to me.

I choose colors that I love blue and green.  And I must say what a blast to spray paint even though I ended up getting it on my feet.  Was a great project to do and I'm now inspired to do another spray paint project.  So stayed tuned.  I am going to make my outdoor space fun for summer.