"In his domestic administration my father had this system . . . to keep a journal and insert in it all occurrences of any note . . . A record very pleasant to look at when time begins to efface the memory of events, and very well suited to get us out of perplexity: When was such and such a thing begun? When completed? What retinues came? How long did they stay? Our trips, our absences; marriages; deaths; the receipt of happy or unhappy news . . . An ancient custom, which I think it would be good to revive, each man in each man's home. And I think I am a fool to have neglected it." (Montaigne, Book I, Essay 35 (publ. 1580))

Saturday, August 19, 2006

More on our Chicago trip (August 3-7, 2006)


Here is some info about our Chicago trip (Patricia, Patrick, Paul Jr. and me).
  1. Food was v. good throughout. #1 food event was Arnie’s breakfast. Blackbeans, eggs, tortillas, potatoes with chorizo, coffee. And a Serrano pepper to nibble on plus a beer to sip on. Wicked good combination. (The Serrano pepper is pretty hot, read about it here.) Additional winners were deep-dish pizza (Gino's beats Lou Malnati’s, sorry Nicole), Sunday night dinner featuring Argentine meats at Tango Sur, and BBQ: a massive BBQ pork sandwich at the Pit, and BBQ everything at Patio.

  2. On Friday (August 4), we parked at Nicole’s house and did some fun tourist things in Chicago. Check out the video below as we take the El and visit NikeTown and Millennium Park. Then we had a beverage at a bar right outside Wrigley and lunch at Lou Malnotti’s. And saw WiggleyField (a dog park, as you might guess).




  3. Also on Friday (August 4), we drove out to Joanne’s place and then on to a rock-climbing wall at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Check out the video below. Only Patricia and Joann made it to the top. My personal effort was not impressive.





  4. Saturday (August 5) was the morning of the major breakfast noted above. And a big get-together at Joanne’s house, which included lots of volleyball. Very nice.

  5. On Sunday (August 6) we went bowling. Two games: Arnie was high score in game one (155) and Nicole was lights out in game two (189). Danny’s six-mile-per-hour rolls were amazingly effective. Said goodbyes on the south side and drove up to Nicole’s house. Walked to dinner at the Argentine place (the five of us plus Nicole’s boyfriend). It was interesting seeing the neighborhood on foot, lots of restaurants etc. Stopped at the neighborhood Walgreen’s for water and Nicole spotted somebody loading up a handbag and heading out. Clerk’s chase was short and futile. Some video below.





  6. Joanne had a dog named Daisy. Pretty big, but still a puppy and ridiculously full of life. Daisy loved to go after the cat, and the cat loved to slap Daisy around. This was endlessly amusing. Daisy also chased around inside the house, especially when Patrick blew in her face.





  7. Beautiful weather. Easy flights (except one passenger said we owed him a dinner, I think because EPG was chatting three hours with his seat-mate). Hotel also very nice, take a look here.

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