July 30, 2011

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....

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

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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.)

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Azita at the Rainbo.

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Drag City cowboys at the Pitchfork record fair.

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The kids decked out their booth real nice.

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Grown ocean.

July 14, 2011

you've got my rapt attention

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Fourth o' July.

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Backyard BBQ.

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America!

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Made butterflies out of coffee filters with the Misericordia gals.

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

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Sandblast 2011 386

(Not my pic.)

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Score! (Also not my pic.)

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"Shock the world!!"

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It was a blast.

July 12, 2011

after the gold rush

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Part 2 of CA trip.

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Coast Cafe in Bolinas.

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Secluded park in secretive town.

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Grass Valley.

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

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But this one's the charmingest.

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Cherries we picked from the tree in the yard!

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

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

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Karaoke at The National. Introduction to local culture.

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The Yuba River.

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Respect the power of the river!

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Backyard BBQ.

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