all that and a bag of

At first Chicago Summer 2011 was a hard-to-open bag of chips. Then it finally and definitively tore open (the temp got above 80°F and the city got over its rain problem), and all the Fritos spilled out on the floor at once. Corny though this sounds—and yes, I do mean that literally—I'm standing behind my chips metaphor. This season was that anticipated, is that explosive, and will be gone that fast....



David and Randy's wedding at the Bottle. Together for 35 years!



In his toast, Randy said that when he met David, their mutual love of rock music helped them rescue each other from "the disco abyss"! (Photo by Marla.)



Azita at the Rainbo.



Drag City cowboys at the Pitchfork record fair.



The kids decked out their booth real nice.



Grown ocean.

you've got my rapt attention

Fourth o' July.





Backyard BBQ.





















America!



Made butterflies out of coffee filters with the Misericordia gals.







My second summer playing in the Ultimate Chicago Sandblast tourney at Montrose Beach.











(Not my pic.)



Score! (Also not my pic.)



"Shock the world!!"



It was a blast.

after the gold rush

Part 2 of CA trip.



Coast Cafe in Bolinas.









Secluded park in secretive town.



Grass Valley.





I jogged around the neighborhoods one morning and saw so many charming houses.



But this one's the charmingest.







Cherries we picked from the tree in the yard!





Nevada City: another well-preserved California Gold Rush town.



This pic does this this gnocchi no justice, but the food at New Moon Cafe in Nevada City is reeeally good.



Karaoke at The National. Introduction to local culture.



The Yuba River.



Respect the power of the river!







Backyard BBQ.