We recently got to see our friend Nick Rosario perform in a local community college production of the musical, Hairspray.
After the Show: Steve, Amy, Stacey, Nick, & John
He played the iconic man-as-woman role of Edna Turnblad (John Travolta played this part in the 2007 film adaptation).
I was looking for something to read the other day, and to save some bucks, Amy suggested I see if there were any books I wanted to read from the library. Of course, the library! That great place where you can check out books for free.
Steve's Old Chicago Public Library Card
I wondered why I never thought about that, given that my Mom was a librarian for a very long time… and I got a lot of free books that way over the years.
So I went to the Chicago Public Library website to see if I could put a hold on some books and have them sent to my local branch. But apparently my library card, which I got when I was 10 years old or so, didn't even register as valid. As you can see from the image above, it's been "modified" quite a bit over the years, with new bar codes and labels attached to it as the library systems changed. You'll also note that it granted me the ability to check out "records and videocassettes," as well as gain access to a "typewriter."
It's nice to have hot water.
Hot Water Heater: Before & After
Back in February, Amy & I bought a new water heater for our condo. The previous one was original to the building… 17 years old! Over the past year or so we've noticed, shall we say, disappointing performance out of the old thing, so it was time for a switch!
The first Monday in March is always a school holiday here in Illinois, thanks to Revolutionary War hero, Casimir Pulaski. He was a Polish cavalry officer known for his contributions in training U.S. soldiers. On behalf of the large Chicago Polish population (myself included), I wish you a Happy Casimir Pulaski Day!
Corner of Pulaski & Addison
As a tribute to Pulaski, the city council voted in 1938 to rename the north-south running Crawford Ave. to Pulaksi Road.
Chicago also has a program for "Honorary" street names, which are denoted by brown signs that are hung along with the real green street signs. For some odd reason, someone found the need to create a "Honorary Casimir Pulaski Way"… on the existing Pulaski Road. I mean, the street is already named after Pulaski. Did you really need a honorary designation as well? Did someone not realize what Pulaski Road was actually named after? How idiotic is this?
Got to love Chicago politics!
Today is Steve's birthday and I'm celebrating! I'm so grateful to have him in my life. Here's a fun photo of him when he was a kid.
Isn't he cute?
Happy Birthday, Steve! 
Amy & I recently received this card in the mail from our alma mater, Taylor University.
If I read the text correctly, it sure does seem like they are trying to defraud their alumni giving numbers!
P.S. I still hate the new Taylor logo
Once upon a time there was a small, rural town by the name of Sawyerville. With all the main industries long gone, to help their tax base they attempted to refocus their promotional ventures towards tourism.
Welcome to View-Masterville!
Noting Hollywood's creatively-bankrupt strategy of making every possible movie in 3D to produce inflated ticket prices, the town's Chamber of Commerce thought they could do something similar.
It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of the 1979 album, John Denver & The Muppets – A Christmas Together. It's long been a Christmas tradition… and we're even sharing the companion TV special online during the holiday season.
3 versions of Muppets/12 Days of Christmas
One of the hallmarks of both the album and the TV special was The Muppets performing "The 12 Days of Christmas". The TV special's execution in particular had a unique take on this familiar song, with different Muppets performing each day with a dash of comedy thrown in.
Last year, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon paid tribute to this original take — 30 years after the original was broadcast — by recreating the song and style. And I must say, they did a very nice job in their modern version.
This is Part 2 of our State Street Showdown 2010. Make sure you read our Introduction before continuing…
Disqualified: Macy's
Another year, another time to mourn the loss of Marshall Field's.
Red lights in the trees on State Street (Last year it was blue)
As tradition here at the State Street Showdown, we cannot award Macy's a 1st Place award by default, given that there are no other competitors. Also, because Macy's is the Spawn of Satan. Continue Reading…
During our childhood, my sister and I would wait at the top of the stairs every Christmas morning. We anticipated my parents placing a certain LP on the record player. (Seriously, yes… our entire Christmas celebration would not start until a RECORD was played. How crazy was that? 
)
I grew up with this LP
The album? John Denver & The Muppets: A Christmas Together, recorded in 1979. We both strained to hear the needle on the record player drop onto the now scratchy record. The opening bars of "The 12 Days of Christmas" would begin playing and then we would rush down the stairs to see what awaited under the Christmas tree. It was a pretty exciting moment. One year, my sister tripped on her long robe while at the top of the stairs… and she tumbled down quickly. A little crying here and there… but hey, this was Christmas! Stop crying and start opening gifts!
