the astronaut's birthday

friday night paul and i headed down to the MCA to see a show called "The Astronaut's Birthday" which was put on by Redmoon Theater. It was one of the most unique viewing experiences i've ever had. We all sat outside the main pavilion of the museum, and the front windows were used like a huge screen. the theater group used a mix of old school projectors (think middle school science class), puppets, and actors to for the visuals, and there was a story-teller who was providing the dialogue. i know i am not explaining this very well, but trust me when i tell you it was amazing. i forgot my camera (of course) so all these pictures are from the chicago stage review.

great wall.

i was walking down the street today on my lunch break, making a quick run to whole foods, when i passed this lovely wall on wells street. i was in a rush and didn't have time to get a great photo, but i sure do like it.

chicago french market.

i'm going to finally go try the chicago french market today. i'll be picking up yummy things with a friend for a picnic. i have my fingers crossed for delicious cheese and fresh berries.

go hawks.

i am not a big sports fan, and certainly not a big hockey fan. but the chicago blackhawks just won the stanley cup! there is something undeniably cool about biking home from a packed bar to the sounds of people celebrating in the street. and small time fireworks put it over the top. everyone is so happy!
it's pretty contagious.

monster.

paul and i just went for a bike ride down to hubbard and noble to check out a little public art he passed by the other day. he wouldn't tell me exactly where we were going or what we were seeing, so the surprise was pretty cool. turning the corner and seeing this big guy was a fun highlight of the day. the sculpture is by tony tasset, a chicago based artist who has a lot of works in the mca exhibit going on right now, and who will have a giant eye ball erected in millennium park later this summer. we also ended up being there right as the owner of the gallery who put the work there, kavi gupta, was walking by. he was so nice and down to earth and we had a great little conversation with him about art, bikes, and other lovely things. it was a pretty great moment.

volume 2.

last night i went to millennium park to see the free she & him show. it was super crowded and i could officially see nothing, but it was still a really lovely night. they both sounded really great in person, and it was a gorgeous night. i had some serious chicago love when i was walking around downtown as well. of course i only snapped one picture, and it's not of the beautiful city skyline, but oh well. i have to get better about taking pictures!

yes please.

if there is one thing i absolutely love about chicago (other than riding my bike everywhere) it's the restaurants. they are amazing! these are some of the ones that have been on my list to check out.

the publican. pork, mussels, and beer.


kith & kin. famous for crocks of deliciousness.


dmk burger bar. i love me a good burger.


urban belly. a bowl full of yummy noodles and dumplings.


great lake pizza. once voted the best pizza in the country.

images via esquire, the chicago tribune, the chicago sun times, garrett's table, and time out chicago.

delicious dish.

there are some really amazing restaurants in chicago,
but the bristol is one of my very favorites.

i've been here a couple of times. first for my birthday, then when my mom was in town, and also for a staff dinner. each time it was ridiculously yummy. it's nice but not stuffy, so you can go there in jeans and not feel out of place. i have yet to try their brunch, which is next on my list of things to do. okay i'm getting hungry i have to stop thinking about this!

oak park, illinois.

one of the things i love about chicago is the amazing history here. frank lloyd wright got his start right outside the city, in a town called oak park. last summer paul and i rode our bikes there (so we might have inadvertently gone through a super tough neighborhood to get there, but that's all part of the fun, right?). the houses and town were just breathtaking. pretty cool to have these so near by.