Nononono #s 21 - 28 and other stuff
More Nononono!
And, guess what? It's not as dramatic as![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
zz_neena's self-cleaning meltdown, but my oven just decided to stop working. The stovetop is fine, the broiler is fine, so I won't starve (and, more important, I can have tea!), but it's annoying. I have a service appointment scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, thank goodness, because otherwise I wouldn't be able to get someone out until next week, when, of course, I'm back to work. Fortunately, I'm not doing Thanksgiving, but I am having folks over on Sunday, and I want to bake. If they can't fix the stove, I'm still okay, because everything else is either cold or done on the stovetop, and I can take a couple of folks up on their "what can I bring?" offers and say, "Dessert!"
I went tonight to see a sneak preview of Milk, the Gus Van Sant biopic of Harvey Milk with Sean Penn. I definitely recommend it, though like any biopic it leaves out a lot and collapses or elides a lot. It's really more of a political biography than any attempt to understand where Milk came from and what led him from the closeted world of corporate New York to being the leader of a nascent gay rights movement in the Castro. Van Sant does, I think, downplay some of what might be seen by some as Milk's less than admirable qualities: he could be a manipulative cuss (but then, aren't all good politicians?). But he does a good job of showing how Milk's political campaigns ultimately succeeded through his understanding and use of the old adage that "all politics is local". The cinematography is interesting, with archival news footage and recreated news footage seamlessly woven in. However, I must be getting old, because the actors who played Cleve Jones and Anne Kronenberg looked way younger than their ages at the time! For a much more in-depth biography of Milk, go read Randy Shilts' The Mayor of Castro Street
And, guess what? It's not as dramatic as
zz_neena's self-cleaning meltdown, but my oven just decided to stop working. The stovetop is fine, the broiler is fine, so I won't starve (and, more important, I can have tea!), but it's annoying. I have a service appointment scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, thank goodness, because otherwise I wouldn't be able to get someone out until next week, when, of course, I'm back to work. Fortunately, I'm not doing Thanksgiving, but I am having folks over on Sunday, and I want to bake. If they can't fix the stove, I'm still okay, because everything else is either cold or done on the stovetop, and I can take a couple of folks up on their "what can I bring?" offers and say, "Dessert!"I went tonight to see a sneak preview of Milk, the Gus Van Sant biopic of Harvey Milk with Sean Penn. I definitely recommend it, though like any biopic it leaves out a lot and collapses or elides a lot. It's really more of a political biography than any attempt to understand where Milk came from and what led him from the closeted world of corporate New York to being the leader of a nascent gay rights movement in the Castro. Van Sant does, I think, downplay some of what might be seen by some as Milk's less than admirable qualities: he could be a manipulative cuss (but then, aren't all good politicians?). But he does a good job of showing how Milk's political campaigns ultimately succeeded through his understanding and use of the old adage that "all politics is local". The cinematography is interesting, with archival news footage and recreated news footage seamlessly woven in. However, I must be getting old, because the actors who played Cleve Jones and Anne Kronenberg looked way younger than their ages at the time! For a much more in-depth biography of Milk, go read Randy Shilts' The Mayor of Castro Street
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My week (or most of it).
I did the most bizarre trial this week. A double jury. Two guys were charged with burglary to a motor vehicle, but could not be tried together as they had conflicting defenses. (You know, "I didn't do it, he did".) But there was a civilian witness from out of state, so the prosecution asked for a double jury. This means that a separate jury sits as to each defendant. They are both in the courtroom when there is testimony that relates to both defendants, but when there is testimony relating to only one defendant, or during cross-examination by one defendant's counsel, the other defendant's jury leaves. There are also, obviously, separate opening statements and closing arguments. This leads to much to-ing and fro-ing (or, as one juror was overheard to say, a "Chinese fire drill").
These sorts of trials are quite common in Cook County (they've even had triple and quadruple juries - I don't know where they put them!), but not where I am. So there was much improvisation. I tried to find an admonishment/instruction to jurors in this situation, but there's none in Illinois. I finally found some language in a federal case out of the 10th Circuit and put one together, which the judge did give the jurors.
I don't, however, think that my judge will be inclined to do this again, as he said to another judge: "A bit of judicial advice; don't do a double jury!"
I lost, as expected, as did the other defendant. But my jury was out for five hours, as opposed to one-and-a-half for the other guy's. One of our misdemeanor assistants second-chaired the case with me. Ordinarily, I wouldn't have had a second chair on a case like this, but since opportunities to do a double jury are rare, I thought I'd give someone else a chance to sit in. I hadn't tried a case with her before, and I'm very favorably impressed. Her skills need work, as she's a relatively new lawyer, but she is eager to learn and a hard worker.
Unfortunately, because my jury didn't come back until 9:00 Thursday night, I missed the rescheduled going away party for my coworker (the one I mentioned had been cancelled due to a hostage situation a couple of weeks ago). I've called her, though, and we're going to have lunch next week.
Last night, I went to an ora felice (happy hour) at Casa Italiana. It was geared towards people networking for their businesses, not something I need to do, but I don't pass up the opportunity for wine, noshes, and practicing my Italian! One of the people who came was a woman who had been in class with me a couple of years ago. She had stopped taking classes because she was hired on by a big architectural firm to work on a major renovation project of a historic downtown hotel. Now that that's over, she has gone out on her own. Her husband, also an architect, will join her in this endeavor, but not for maybe a year. She was saying that she wants to do work mostly in hospitality (restaurants, hotels and the like), but when I said that was too bad because the only project I had was my tiny second bathroom, she and her husband were both interested, especially when I said that I want to bring it back to period, because he works a lot with older homes (my building is 1910). I expect, too, that when you are just starting out, no project that brings in money is too small! So I will be calling her, and may finally get this project off the ground.
On the way home, I stopped at a new produce store a couple of blocks from me (very new - they opened on Wednesday). It's called Open Produce, and is focused on sustainability, a laudable goal. Their stock is not huge, but it's varied, and they have a sheet of paper on the door for customers to write down suggestions for what they'd like to see. The prices are pretty reasonable, the staff is friendly (if still a bit green - oooh! pun!), and they are open until 11:00 p.m. almost every day.
This morning, I took my car in for an oil change, and as it was a gorgeous day, rather than wait in the dealer's boring waiting room, I decided to go up to the Green City Market. Never got there. Two blocks up, I discovered another farmers' market, so shopped there instead. I got some lovely tomatoes, golden raspberries, fingerling potatoes, and, in a sure sign of fall, butternut squash and chestnuts. Also some flowers - dahlias and tuberoses.
These sorts of trials are quite common in Cook County (they've even had triple and quadruple juries - I don't know where they put them!), but not where I am. So there was much improvisation. I tried to find an admonishment/instruction to jurors in this situation, but there's none in Illinois. I finally found some language in a federal case out of the 10th Circuit and put one together, which the judge did give the jurors.
I don't, however, think that my judge will be inclined to do this again, as he said to another judge: "A bit of judicial advice; don't do a double jury!"
I lost, as expected, as did the other defendant. But my jury was out for five hours, as opposed to one-and-a-half for the other guy's. One of our misdemeanor assistants second-chaired the case with me. Ordinarily, I wouldn't have had a second chair on a case like this, but since opportunities to do a double jury are rare, I thought I'd give someone else a chance to sit in. I hadn't tried a case with her before, and I'm very favorably impressed. Her skills need work, as she's a relatively new lawyer, but she is eager to learn and a hard worker.
Unfortunately, because my jury didn't come back until 9:00 Thursday night, I missed the rescheduled going away party for my coworker (the one I mentioned had been cancelled due to a hostage situation a couple of weeks ago). I've called her, though, and we're going to have lunch next week.
Last night, I went to an ora felice (happy hour) at Casa Italiana. It was geared towards people networking for their businesses, not something I need to do, but I don't pass up the opportunity for wine, noshes, and practicing my Italian! One of the people who came was a woman who had been in class with me a couple of years ago. She had stopped taking classes because she was hired on by a big architectural firm to work on a major renovation project of a historic downtown hotel. Now that that's over, she has gone out on her own. Her husband, also an architect, will join her in this endeavor, but not for maybe a year. She was saying that she wants to do work mostly in hospitality (restaurants, hotels and the like), but when I said that was too bad because the only project I had was my tiny second bathroom, she and her husband were both interested, especially when I said that I want to bring it back to period, because he works a lot with older homes (my building is 1910). I expect, too, that when you are just starting out, no project that brings in money is too small! So I will be calling her, and may finally get this project off the ground.
On the way home, I stopped at a new produce store a couple of blocks from me (very new - they opened on Wednesday). It's called Open Produce, and is focused on sustainability, a laudable goal. Their stock is not huge, but it's varied, and they have a sheet of paper on the door for customers to write down suggestions for what they'd like to see. The prices are pretty reasonable, the staff is friendly (if still a bit green - oooh! pun!), and they are open until 11:00 p.m. almost every day.
This morning, I took my car in for an oil change, and as it was a gorgeous day, rather than wait in the dealer's boring waiting room, I decided to go up to the Green City Market. Never got there. Two blocks up, I discovered another farmers' market, so shopped there instead. I got some lovely tomatoes, golden raspberries, fingerling potatoes, and, in a sure sign of fall, butternut squash and chestnuts. Also some flowers - dahlias and tuberoses.
Dreary and wet
It's been raining basically constantly since Friday, so I have not budged from the apartment since I came home Friday night. Yesterday, I got nothing accomplished, but I did discover, when I went down to get the mail, that we have a leak. Water is dripping onto the stairs just above the second floor landing. I put out a bucket, and sent an email to everyone. The annoying part is that we just had the roof done a few years ago. On the other hand, that means the work should still be under warranty. What a pain.
Then I made some cornbread and had some hot from the oven slathered with butter. That was good!
Today, I've done laundry and my Italian homework, and am going to pay some bills. How boring.
But I'm also going to see Caroline, or Change, by Tony Kushner, over at the Court Theatre. That, I'm looking forward to.
Then I made some cornbread and had some hot from the oven slathered with butter. That was good!
Today, I've done laundry and my Italian homework, and am going to pay some bills. How boring.
But I'm also going to see Caroline, or Change, by Tony Kushner, over at the Court Theatre. That, I'm looking forward to.
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PhotoFriday: Spiral
Spiral hanging candle holder
Originally uploaded by mojosmom.
This candle holder hangs in the space between my sun porch and my living room.
The latest
My plan for Wednesday was to come home, dump my stuff, and then go to a "style" event at the home décor shop across the street. I would then return home, have dinner and watch the Top Chef finale. I did some of that, but when I came home from work, my downstairs neighbor and friends were sitting around outside, and Marva said, "Do you want a hamburger?" Naturally, I said "sure!", and she fixed me a plate with not just a burger, but a wheat roll, potato salad and baked beans. Yummy.
Then I did go to the event, which was all about finding what colors suit you in terms of your home. I normally find these sorts of analyses fairly uncompelling, but some of the the tools she used did actually make some sense in terms of making one think not only about the use of the room, but the feeling you want to convey, and I think it helped me focus on, and maybe even make a decision about, the color I want in my dining room.
I was so pleased with the outcome of Top Chef! I'm don't make a habit of checking out the latest "in" restaurants, so I wasn't familiar with Stephanie Izard's Scylla, but I am always happy when a Chicagoan gets recognition, and she surely deserved to win. Her cooking has been so consistent throughout the show, and she is so focused and (for the most part) incredibly calm in the kitchen, and works well with others. (I must say that I'm constantly amazed at how many of these contestants don't work well with others.) She is, apparently, looking for space for a new restaurant in or near downtown, and I'm sure she'll do well.
I mentioned a while back that some folks are trying to reconstitute the Chicago Barnard Alumnae Club, and so on Thursday a small group of us went to an author reading by Lily Koppel, who wrote The Red Leather Diary, and is also a Barnard alum. For those who haven't heard about this - Lily was a writer for the New York Times and was living in a prewar apartment building on the Upper West Side. One day, as she was on her way to work (late), she saw a dumpster outside her building, filled with old steamer trunks. The building was clearing out storage space in the basement. She climbed into the dumpster! And rescued a bunch of stuff, including a red leather diary written in the late twenties and early thirties by a young woman named Florence Wolfson. A while later, she met a private detective and decided to try to find Florence -- and she did. That meeting led to her decision to write a book about the Florence who wrote the diary.
After the reading, we Barnard women sat around and chatted. Lily is a charming young woman, and I can see a lot of similarities between her and Florence. I can see why they are so simpatici, even with nearly 70 years difference in their ages, both so curious about life.
Poor Marissa got her claw stuck in my computer this morning! Right on the underside, there are little holes (vents, I imagine), and she was lying on the desk in front of the computer and started rolling about and stretching. Suddenly, there was a howl and I realized she'd gotten a claw in one of the holes and couldn't get it out. Of course, when I tried to help, she just squirmed a lot, which made it worse, but eventually I got her free and she went dashing off to sulk. However, no harm was done and she is back lying on the desk. I have tried to explain to her that if she would just let me cut her claws instead of fighting me when I do so, these things wouldn't happen, but she doesn't listen.
Then I did go to the event, which was all about finding what colors suit you in terms of your home. I normally find these sorts of analyses fairly uncompelling, but some of the the tools she used did actually make some sense in terms of making one think not only about the use of the room, but the feeling you want to convey, and I think it helped me focus on, and maybe even make a decision about, the color I want in my dining room.
I was so pleased with the outcome of Top Chef! I'm don't make a habit of checking out the latest "in" restaurants, so I wasn't familiar with Stephanie Izard's Scylla, but I am always happy when a Chicagoan gets recognition, and she surely deserved to win. Her cooking has been so consistent throughout the show, and she is so focused and (for the most part) incredibly calm in the kitchen, and works well with others. (I must say that I'm constantly amazed at how many of these contestants don't work well with others.) She is, apparently, looking for space for a new restaurant in or near downtown, and I'm sure she'll do well.
I mentioned a while back that some folks are trying to reconstitute the Chicago Barnard Alumnae Club, and so on Thursday a small group of us went to an author reading by Lily Koppel, who wrote The Red Leather Diary, and is also a Barnard alum. For those who haven't heard about this - Lily was a writer for the New York Times and was living in a prewar apartment building on the Upper West Side. One day, as she was on her way to work (late), she saw a dumpster outside her building, filled with old steamer trunks. The building was clearing out storage space in the basement. She climbed into the dumpster! And rescued a bunch of stuff, including a red leather diary written in the late twenties and early thirties by a young woman named Florence Wolfson. A while later, she met a private detective and decided to try to find Florence -- and she did. That meeting led to her decision to write a book about the Florence who wrote the diary.
After the reading, we Barnard women sat around and chatted. Lily is a charming young woman, and I can see a lot of similarities between her and Florence. I can see why they are so simpatici, even with nearly 70 years difference in their ages, both so curious about life.
Poor Marissa got her claw stuck in my computer this morning! Right on the underside, there are little holes (vents, I imagine), and she was lying on the desk in front of the computer and started rolling about and stretching. Suddenly, there was a howl and I realized she'd gotten a claw in one of the holes and couldn't get it out. Of course, when I tried to help, she just squirmed a lot, which made it worse, but eventually I got her free and she went dashing off to sulk. However, no harm was done and she is back lying on the desk. I have tried to explain to her that if she would just let me cut her claws instead of fighting me when I do so, these things wouldn't happen, but she doesn't listen.
Busy, busy, busy!
The combination of the arrival of spring and the impending arrival of futurecatnz has inspired me to great diligence. I went to the dry cleaners, the grocery store and the drug store, did two loads of laundry, cleaned the windows in the spare room and kitchen, swept and damp-mopped a bunch of floors (though, not surprisingly, masses of cat hair magically appeared as soon as I was done), ran the dishwasher and baked a cake. It's a reine de Saba (Queen of Sheba), using Julia Child's recipe, of course! I am taking it to a surprise party for my hairdresser; her staff is throwing it for the 18th anniversary of her salon. Since Meseret is Ethiopian, and Sheba is traditionally identified with the area that is now Ethiopia, it seemed appropriate. It's also a very yummy cake, and easy to make.
Yes, I felt the earthquake yesterday morning. In fact, my first thought was "earthquake!" Then I figured the cats were just wrestling on the bed, but they weren't, nor was either of them doing that "scritch behind the ear with the hind leg" thing. I just went back to sleep, and woke to find out that my first thought was correct.
I missed the movie at Casa Italiana last night (L'Avventura) because I didn't get out of work in time. Traffic sucked big time, and I never would have made it.
futurecatnz has inspired me to great diligence. I went to the dry cleaners, the grocery store and the drug store, did two loads of laundry, cleaned the windows in the spare room and kitchen, swept and damp-mopped a bunch of floors (though, not surprisingly, masses of cat hair magically appeared as soon as I was done), ran the dishwasher and baked a cake. It's a reine de Saba (Queen of Sheba), using Julia Child's recipe, of course! I am taking it to a surprise party for my hairdresser; her staff is throwing it for the 18th anniversary of her salon. Since Meseret is Ethiopian, and Sheba is traditionally identified with the area that is now Ethiopia, it seemed appropriate. It's also a very yummy cake, and easy to make.Yes, I felt the earthquake yesterday morning. In fact, my first thought was "earthquake!" Then I figured the cats were just wrestling on the bed, but they weren't, nor was either of them doing that "scritch behind the ear with the hind leg" thing. I just went back to sleep, and woke to find out that my first thought was correct.
I missed the movie at Casa Italiana last night (L'Avventura) because I didn't get out of work in time. Traffic sucked big time, and I never would have made it.
Good stuff
I took off early from work today because the plumber was coming. As usual, they gave me a three-hour window. NOT as usual, he came within an hour of the earliest time! Yay! Fixed both issues without much difficulty (sure, it's easy for him; he's a plumber! After he left, I did laundry.
I received the announcement of Sentieri Tours' Thanksgiving in Tuscany trip. Seven nights, all breakfasts, a cooking class and one dinner prepared by a private chef, four dinners at local restaurants, two rental cars, and an hour of Italian class every day (hmm, that sounds like a Christmas carol!), all at a pretty reasonable price! Therefore, I regret to inform you that Mojosmom's annual Sunday After Thanksgiving Open House will not take place this year as she will be here (assuming she can find a relatively decent air fare).
I received the announcement of Sentieri Tours' Thanksgiving in Tuscany trip. Seven nights, all breakfasts, a cooking class and one dinner prepared by a private chef, four dinners at local restaurants, two rental cars, and an hour of Italian class every day (hmm, that sounds like a Christmas carol!), all at a pretty reasonable price! Therefore, I regret to inform you that Mojosmom's annual Sunday After Thanksgiving Open House will not take place this year as she will be here (assuming she can find a relatively decent air fare).
Repairmen
Today has been a day for having repairmen at the house. And I couldn't be more pleased.
A while back, we had repairs done on our roof, and the vibrations of the guys walking around up there jarred loose a bad patch job on one of my ceilings. So I had the plasterer out to fix it. I had gotten a couple of estimates, and this guy was the first one I talked to. I pretty much knew I was going to hire him right then, because he checked things out very carefully, explained to me what was going on up there over my head and was generally very observant and clearly knowledgeable.
His behavior on the job matched that. He arrived (a bit late, but he had called to warn me) with lots of tarps, and cleaned up after himself. And he was wearing a bow tie! With white shirt and pants! Nice guy, too. I'll be recommending him.
Now I just have to find a good painter. That room has needed painting for years! I want to paint some of my other rooms, but that one needs it.
As long as I had to be here for the plasterer, I also scheduled the plumber. I've had an annoying drip in my bathroom sink that's just gotten worse. Joe fixed it neatly and speedily, and, in an act of supererogation, reversed one tap so it turns the way it's supposed to. (It never really bothered me, just seemed a bit odd, but I suppose plumbers place more importance on these things.)
My boss let me "work from home" today, and, in fact, I did get a lot of work done. I had brought a couple of files home, and read a pile of police reports. It's very nice, too, to be able to sit at home and access our office Westlaw account, so I could research and write a motion. I'm set up so that I can get my office email, and I think I will ask to get the access to the court clerk's records as well. That would have been useful today.
I should do this more often!
A while back, we had repairs done on our roof, and the vibrations of the guys walking around up there jarred loose a bad patch job on one of my ceilings. So I had the plasterer out to fix it. I had gotten a couple of estimates, and this guy was the first one I talked to. I pretty much knew I was going to hire him right then, because he checked things out very carefully, explained to me what was going on up there over my head and was generally very observant and clearly knowledgeable.
His behavior on the job matched that. He arrived (a bit late, but he had called to warn me) with lots of tarps, and cleaned up after himself. And he was wearing a bow tie! With white shirt and pants! Nice guy, too. I'll be recommending him.
Now I just have to find a good painter. That room has needed painting for years! I want to paint some of my other rooms, but that one needs it.
As long as I had to be here for the plasterer, I also scheduled the plumber. I've had an annoying drip in my bathroom sink that's just gotten worse. Joe fixed it neatly and speedily, and, in an act of supererogation, reversed one tap so it turns the way it's supposed to. (It never really bothered me, just seemed a bit odd, but I suppose plumbers place more importance on these things.)
My boss let me "work from home" today, and, in fact, I did get a lot of work done. I had brought a couple of files home, and read a pile of police reports. It's very nice, too, to be able to sit at home and access our office Westlaw account, so I could research and write a motion. I'm set up so that I can get my office email, and I think I will ask to get the access to the court clerk's records as well. That would have been useful today.
I should do this more often!
Lazy, boring weekend
I spent most of last week coaching a trial advocacy seminary. Friday night, there was a pizza party for participants and faculty, and three of us killed a couple of bottles of wine and debated the problems of the world, country, state, county and city. Unfortunately, we solved none of them!
The weekend has been very lazy. I've basically run errands and done stuff around the house and read. I slept until 9:30 this morning! I never do that! Reading Donna Leon's A Sea of Troubles, I came across this passage: "He found Paola at the kitchen table, head bent over a copy of either Panorama or Espresso, the two weekly magazines to which she subscribed. Her custom was to let back issues pile up for at least six months before reading them, for she insisted that this was sufficient time to put things into proper perspective . . ." So I went and threw out any New Yorker or Opera News dated before January, 2007 (and there were too many).
I shampooed one of the few carpets in my house, which is in a small sunroom off the living room. Of course, it takes a while to dry, and Lilith was quite startled when she went in and discovered the carpet was damp. It was quite amusing to see her tip-toeing around the perimeter! After all was dry and vacuumed and the furniture back in place, she was content once more:
And just so Marissa doesn't feel left out, here's a cute photo of her, too:
She is "helping" me get the box of light bulbs down off a shelf.
The weekend has been very lazy. I've basically run errands and done stuff around the house and read. I slept until 9:30 this morning! I never do that! Reading Donna Leon's A Sea of Troubles, I came across this passage: "He found Paola at the kitchen table, head bent over a copy of either Panorama or Espresso, the two weekly magazines to which she subscribed. Her custom was to let back issues pile up for at least six months before reading them, for she insisted that this was sufficient time to put things into proper perspective . . ." So I went and threw out any New Yorker or Opera News dated before January, 2007 (and there were too many).
I shampooed one of the few carpets in my house, which is in a small sunroom off the living room. Of course, it takes a while to dry, and Lilith was quite startled when she went in and discovered the carpet was damp. It was quite amusing to see her tip-toeing around the perimeter! After all was dry and vacuumed and the furniture back in place, she was content once more:
And just so Marissa doesn't feel left out, here's a cute photo of her, too:
She is "helping" me get the box of light bulbs down off a shelf.
Party-ing
My downstairs neighbor, ceramic artist Marva Jolly, had her annual sale/open house yesterday. I love her work. I can't afford her larger pieces, but she had works ranging from $10 to $1200. My favorites, though, weren't on sale. I picked up a couple of small ones, one from a group that were experiments on the way to something that hasn't been created yet. I'm thrilled to have a piece that's the beginning of the process. It reminds me of some Japanese ceramics I've seen, very organic, and, though it's pottery, it looks almost soft and fabric-y, like a small, squat drawstring bag. The texture is a mix of rough and smooth, and there's a vertical band through it, like an intrusive rock. I like it a lot. The other piece is very different, a small dish like a flower with the petals curving up to form the sides.
I'd arranged with my friend Victor that he'd stop by to return a bit of crockery, and then we'd go over to Jim & Kevin's together. He was coming over at 7:45. I decided to take a nap first, and thought I'd set my alarm for 6:30. Next thing I know, the phone is ringing and the clock says 7:30!!! (Turns out, I'd set the alarm for a.m., not p.m. I've never been so grateful for a wrong number! I dashed into the shower and was frantically dressing when the phone rang again. This time it was Victor saying he was running late. "Oh, good!", I said!
Jim & Kevin's party was excellent as always. The weather was very clement for December in Chicago, so we wandered out onto one of their terraces. It wasn't quite clement enough to stay out there long, but long enough to admire the view. (They're on the 26th floor of a building one block from the lake.) I was wearing the jacket I mentioned here and it was much admired, not least by a guy from the East Asian Studies department, who appreciated the Chinese look of it. Having had a fair bit to drink at Marva's, I was restrained in that area, but pigged on the food.
Today, I thought of going to see a film about Antonio Gaudí at the Siskel Film Center, but fortunately heard in time that there was a Bears game at Soldier Field, so decided to avoid that mess. And then I got very involved in straightening up the apartment. Really. I actually got some of the books off the floor, and neatened up a storage closet. This involved depriving Lilith of a box that had been sitting on the dining room floor and which she had taken over. Sorry, cat, I need that to put stuff in. Late this afternoon, I went across the street to a new home décor boutique, Style Central, that recently opened. The owner was having a poetry reading/champagne and nibbles event; she says she may do it monthly, and I hope she does. It was very pleasant. I indulged a bit, enjoyed the reading and bought a glass ornament. Clear glass with little bumps all over the surface that catch the light beautifully.
I have been madly organizing Stacey's visit, calling people and arranging get-togethers. So far, we're booked for an open house at my friend Caroline's, we've got Christmas dinner lined up, and two other dinners. Waiting to hear from one more couple. We want to go to see Hizzoner, which got a huge spread in today's Chicago Tribune magazine. I expect tickets will be in great demand, but I've got a connection (one of the theatre company owners is my friend Jamie's niece). Somewhere in here we'll rest.
I'd arranged with my friend Victor that he'd stop by to return a bit of crockery, and then we'd go over to Jim & Kevin's together. He was coming over at 7:45. I decided to take a nap first, and thought I'd set my alarm for 6:30. Next thing I know, the phone is ringing and the clock says 7:30!!! (Turns out, I'd set the alarm for a.m., not p.m. I've never been so grateful for a wrong number! I dashed into the shower and was frantically dressing when the phone rang again. This time it was Victor saying he was running late. "Oh, good!", I said!
Jim & Kevin's party was excellent as always. The weather was very clement for December in Chicago, so we wandered out onto one of their terraces. It wasn't quite clement enough to stay out there long, but long enough to admire the view. (They're on the 26th floor of a building one block from the lake.) I was wearing the jacket I mentioned here and it was much admired, not least by a guy from the East Asian Studies department, who appreciated the Chinese look of it. Having had a fair bit to drink at Marva's, I was restrained in that area, but pigged on the food.
Today, I thought of going to see a film about Antonio Gaudí at the Siskel Film Center, but fortunately heard in time that there was a Bears game at Soldier Field, so decided to avoid that mess. And then I got very involved in straightening up the apartment. Really. I actually got some of the books off the floor, and neatened up a storage closet. This involved depriving Lilith of a box that had been sitting on the dining room floor and which she had taken over. Sorry, cat, I need that to put stuff in. Late this afternoon, I went across the street to a new home décor boutique, Style Central, that recently opened. The owner was having a poetry reading/champagne and nibbles event; she says she may do it monthly, and I hope she does. It was very pleasant. I indulged a bit, enjoyed the reading and bought a glass ornament. Clear glass with little bumps all over the surface that catch the light beautifully.
I have been madly organizing Stacey's visit, calling people and arranging get-togethers. So far, we're booked for an open house at my friend Caroline's, we've got Christmas dinner lined up, and two other dinners. Waiting to hear from one more couple. We want to go to see Hizzoner, which got a huge spread in today's Chicago Tribune magazine. I expect tickets will be in great demand, but I've got a connection (one of the theatre company owners is my friend Jamie's niece). Somewhere in here we'll rest.
Entry tags:
The Annual pre-Thanksgiving academic debate
So I went to the 60th Annual Latke-Hamantash Debate tonight. It began with a bit of a cappella singing from the Chicago Rhythm and Jews, followed by the panelists and moderator processing in full academic regalia. We learned, from a philosophy professor, that the Hebrew letter which represents the number 60 can, depending on how it's written, look like either a circle (latke) or a triangle (hamantash), thereby proving something or other. The psychiatry department then chimed in, discussing the Ur-myth of Esther, in which the chimps and the humans fought over her, the humans using a circular, discus-type weapon to defeat the triangular-weapon-wielding apes. The next speaker (another philosophy professor, citing Spinoza) argued that the whole debate was moot, that hamantashen don't exist! Really! Because triangles can't exist and as hamantashen are triangles, they can't exist. Q.E.D. But wait! The Dean of Rockefeller Chapel then showed that hamantashen are in the Bible and latkes aren't. Well, what does she know, she's a goy. Oh, dear. I guess the debate still hasn't solved anything. But it was great fun. I didn't stay for the latke-hamantash reception, because I hadn't had dinner, and that really didn't appeal as a meal, so I went to the Medici for steak frites.
Oh! I nearly forgot to say that, if there are any academics out there (Dr. Zugenia?), a new academic journal is about to be launched. It's working title is "The Journal of Latke and Hamantash Studies", and they're looking for papers! So if you are aching to publish your scholarly work on the question of the "superiority of latkes, hamantashen, or other Jewish holiday foods", now's your chance!
Autre stuff
When I got home, there was an SUV parked in my neighbor's spot in such a way as to prevent me from squeezing into mine. It didn't look familiar, but I thought they might have bought a new car (it happens), so I knocked on their door to ask them to move it. Rashid looked and said, "that's not our car". I knocked on the other neighbors' doors, but none admitted to the car or to having visitors. So I called the towing people. Naturally, a couple of minutes later, someone was out there moving the car. I figure somebody heard me and a neighbor talking. Why do people do this shit? If you have to park where you shouldn't, at least leave a note saying where you are. Would have served them right if they'd been towed.
I'm going back to the doctor tomorrow to see about this pain in my arm. I'd almost rather that it were constantly sore, rather than having sudden pain when I move it the wrong way. I get lulled into a false sense of security, if you know what I mean.
I need to go buy some booze for the open house. Fortunately, my liquor store delivers, so I won't need to strain my arm hauling a case of wine up three flights of stairs.
Oh! I nearly forgot to say that, if there are any academics out there (Dr. Zugenia?), a new academic journal is about to be launched. It's working title is "The Journal of Latke and Hamantash Studies", and they're looking for papers! So if you are aching to publish your scholarly work on the question of the "superiority of latkes, hamantashen, or other Jewish holiday foods", now's your chance!
Autre stuff
When I got home, there was an SUV parked in my neighbor's spot in such a way as to prevent me from squeezing into mine. It didn't look familiar, but I thought they might have bought a new car (it happens), so I knocked on their door to ask them to move it. Rashid looked and said, "that's not our car". I knocked on the other neighbors' doors, but none admitted to the car or to having visitors. So I called the towing people. Naturally, a couple of minutes later, someone was out there moving the car. I figure somebody heard me and a neighbor talking. Why do people do this shit? If you have to park where you shouldn't, at least leave a note saying where you are. Would have served them right if they'd been towed.
I'm going back to the doctor tomorrow to see about this pain in my arm. I'd almost rather that it were constantly sore, rather than having sudden pain when I move it the wrong way. I get lulled into a false sense of security, if you know what I mean.
I need to go buy some booze for the open house. Fortunately, my liquor store delivers, so I won't need to strain my arm hauling a case of wine up three flights of stairs.
Entry tags:
Taking a break
( Redecorating )
( Fresh Air )
( That seminar mentioned above )
Oh, by the way, I have not forgotten about the photo meme. Pictures are slowly but surely being taken, and I hope to have the roll of film used up over this weekend so I can get it developed and pictures posted by mid-week.
Okay, back to housework.
( Fresh Air )
( That seminar mentioned above )
Oh, by the way, I have not forgotten about the photo meme. Pictures are slowly but surely being taken, and I hope to have the roll of film used up over this weekend so I can get it developed and pictures posted by mid-week.
Okay, back to housework.
(no subject)
I went to replenish my supply of Lapsang Souchong this afternoon. As I got to the store, I noticed a group of young women hanging around the door, which was a bit odd, and as I reached for the door, saying "Excuse me", one of them said, "we're closed." Now, as it was 12:30 on a lovely Saturday afternoon on a busy street in Lakeview, that was a bit startling. "Our power is off," she said. "The whole street is out. A transformer blew." And indeed there were flashing lights and utility trucks up the block. So I had to go somewhere else and pay a lot more. Oh, well.
As I had some time and was near the Brown Elephant, I went in and browsed their books, finding a couple to keep and a couple to release. One of the latter was intended as a Christmas gift for someone, but on checking his BC shelf, I see he has it already (guess I'm pretty good at figuring out his taste!), so I'll find someplace/someone else to release it.
Then I went up to the Gerber/Hart Library for an author reading by Anthony Bidulka and Robert Taylor. I was not familiar with either author, but Ottawabill had emailed me that Bidulka, whom he knows, would be reading in Chicago and that I might enjoy it. So I went. And a good thing, too, as there were exactly two people there in addition to the host, though from what he said, that's typical. Which is pretty sad. However, neither Taylor nor Bidulka seemed to mind. They read from their books, and we had some interesting conversation about books and writing.
One wall of the landing outside my apartment has been a bit bare since the Ellings moved, as they had had a large print there which, of course, they took with them. I've been thinking about putting up a print of Dard Hunter's work that I've had for a while, and today I finally got around to it. It's in a wood arts-and-crafts style frame and suits the spot quite well.
As I had some time and was near the Brown Elephant, I went in and browsed their books, finding a couple to keep and a couple to release. One of the latter was intended as a Christmas gift for someone, but on checking his BC shelf, I see he has it already (guess I'm pretty good at figuring out his taste!), so I'll find someplace/someone else to release it.
Then I went up to the Gerber/Hart Library for an author reading by Anthony Bidulka and Robert Taylor. I was not familiar with either author, but Ottawabill had emailed me that Bidulka, whom he knows, would be reading in Chicago and that I might enjoy it. So I went. And a good thing, too, as there were exactly two people there in addition to the host, though from what he said, that's typical. Which is pretty sad. However, neither Taylor nor Bidulka seemed to mind. They read from their books, and we had some interesting conversation about books and writing.
One wall of the landing outside my apartment has been a bit bare since the Ellings moved, as they had had a large print there which, of course, they took with them. I've been thinking about putting up a print of Dard Hunter's work that I've had for a while, and today I finally got around to it. It's in a wood arts-and-crafts style frame and suits the spot quite well.
(no subject)
The day did not start off well.
I have a combination fan/light fixture in my study. I went in there this morning, turned on the light, and blam! One of the light bulbs exploded, taking the housing with it, which caused a wire to break in a puff of smoke. Fortunately, that was the extent of it. But there I was, dressed for work (not casual Friday, either), having to haul out the vacuum cleaner to get all the bits up off the rug. Ah, well, I've been thinking of replacing it, anyway, though I wasn't in any rush. I guess tomorrow there'll be a trip to Home Depot, and a call to Jon to install a new one. I just hope there's no wiring issue, but Jon will be able to tell and deal with it. He knows these buildings.
Not casual Friday because it was opera night. Aida. Excellent Amneris (Olga Borodina), good Radames, inconsistent but not bad Aida.
Good news yesterday from the Supreme Court (state Supreme Court that is). In the very last case I did in my last job, I raised a sentencing issue. My client got screwed out of a large chunk of sentencing credit by the cynical, manipulative behavior of the prosecution. The trial court disagreed with me, two of three Appellate Court judges disagreed with me, but the Supremes said I was right. Kudos to the guy who did the appeal. Unfortunately, my guy won't get the benefit because he's finished his sentence, but it'll help others down the line. Nice.
I also blew up at a guy on one of my legal listservs. He'd made an uncalled-for crack about PDs yesterday and I was biting my tongue. But there was another post today that was the last straw. A whole bunch of other folks posted to support me, and the guy ended up apologizing.
So the moral of those last two paragraphs is: don't mess with me. ;-)
I have a combination fan/light fixture in my study. I went in there this morning, turned on the light, and blam! One of the light bulbs exploded, taking the housing with it, which caused a wire to break in a puff of smoke. Fortunately, that was the extent of it. But there I was, dressed for work (not casual Friday, either), having to haul out the vacuum cleaner to get all the bits up off the rug. Ah, well, I've been thinking of replacing it, anyway, though I wasn't in any rush. I guess tomorrow there'll be a trip to Home Depot, and a call to Jon to install a new one. I just hope there's no wiring issue, but Jon will be able to tell and deal with it. He knows these buildings.
Not casual Friday because it was opera night. Aida. Excellent Amneris (Olga Borodina), good Radames, inconsistent but not bad Aida.
Good news yesterday from the Supreme Court (state Supreme Court that is). In the very last case I did in my last job, I raised a sentencing issue. My client got screwed out of a large chunk of sentencing credit by the cynical, manipulative behavior of the prosecution. The trial court disagreed with me, two of three Appellate Court judges disagreed with me, but the Supremes said I was right. Kudos to the guy who did the appeal. Unfortunately, my guy won't get the benefit because he's finished his sentence, but it'll help others down the line. Nice.
I also blew up at a guy on one of my legal listservs. He'd made an uncalled-for crack about PDs yesterday and I was biting my tongue. But there was another post today that was the last straw. A whole bunch of other folks posted to support me, and the guy ended up apologizing.
So the moral of those last two paragraphs is: don't mess with me. ;-)