Under 30

for only a little while longer, and I am getting sadder and sadder about it by the day. Not only because of aging woes, but also because I just discovered an addendum to the Under-35 program I've been participating in at the Shakespeare Theater for the past few years. There are also several 30-and-under discount programs at various area theaters, and time is running out!!! I'm hoping to jump in on a few before the clock strikes, but I wish I'd found out about them sooner :(

Farmer bounty

I talk the talk, but I don't always walk in the shoes I prize so highly. While I think it's awesome and wonderful and essential and terrific that there are local farmers' markets abounding, with plentiful, healthful produce available from local purveyors, I've never actually partaken of these glories close to home (on vacation, once in awhile, I'll take in a market for some local flavor and it usually is a great time and taste). So, only to keep a promise to a VERY close friend, nay, practically family, did I drag myself out of bed in the morning on the weekend to see what the close-by markets had to offer. (Technically, there is a Tuesday market on my way to work that I've been meaning to hit for...well, years, but I've never quite made it in early enough to justify to myself a side stop anywhere but Chipotle.)

So, this summer, I had this:

several times. Fresh-picked basil from the only prolific plants in our balcony garden, different varieties of heirloom tomatoes (some ugly, others crazily colored or striped, but all flavor-packed and delicious), and newly made cheese sold in cunning balls bought only after all the available options were sampled. Simple, yet fabulous.

So, yes I do so love the farmers' market. Now, if only they could arrange to open at noon...

9/8 Central

Damn you!!!!!

Sadly, now I understand what that oft' heard phrase means - your shows are on at STRANGE times and you will miss seeing them by THISMUCH (er, an hour).

Argh.

Unprepared

It turns out that 65 degrees in Chicago is different from comparable temperatures at home. While all the natives and those in the know are well into long coat season, the only long sleeved-item I have is my blue travel hoodie. It’s been everywhere with me this week. While it’s getting to see a lot of sights, I think it will be kind of...crusty by the time I get home. Ugh.

I got run over by a segway

Thrice.

That's pretty much the whole story, but I will add that segway travel DOES look terribly funny, feels even weirder than it looks (and your legs do get sore because these are heretofor completely undiscovered territory in your musculature), and, even though it requires a helmet (see, still another activity I can do with a helmet! I am officially addicted!), is a rather magnificent way to tour Chicago. At night, specifically. I will further add, however, that falling off the segway and thereafter being repeatedly run over by the several hundred pound of machine (okay, probably not quite that much, but still, those things are REALLY heavy) swinging desperately in circles seeking its temporary but beloved master/operator is not really a highlight of the experience. Especially when you KEEP FALLING OFF. Note that this did not happen to anyone else on my tour. Argh.

And yet. Chicago nighttime segway tours will make you laugh, shriek, and possibly run over small (boisterously annoying) children. Seriously, look into it.