HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hopleaf

Happy New Year! Last year I made a list of resolutions and I realized in order to accomplish them its probably a good idea to post them so you can see if your doing them.  Well this year I decided I would try something different and just have more daily gratitude.  Grateful for family, friends and looking forward to new adventures in the year ahead.  Cheers everyone! Hope you have a wonderful year!

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.