latin caffein

Rawk!

Because the world is a strange, strange place...

I was supposed to be netting king salmon today. Somehow (don't ask) I ended up reading this fanfic instead. It's Firefly. With... um... penguins.
russian wisdom

Chicago Rules of the Road (Aka: Yes, You, Idiot)... then a book review

I'm the first person to admit the rules of the road as I learned them from friends, coworkers (and, once upon a time, carpool moms) include a certain flexibility. Speed of traffic, for instance, if 5 miles above whatever is posted and slowing to posted will get you glared at by working mom and nice old grandads alike.

On the other hand, flexibility does not imply bending the law until it snaps like a twig.

Today's idiot award goes to the guy in the shiny black Nissan (plate #334 5742). You had no woman in labor in your car. Yes, I checked. Ergo, there is an approximately 97% probability that you just are that reckless of a driver. Please have the courtesy to either cut down on the caffeine or switch to public transportation as most of us have no desire to get taken out with you.

*Looks around, waves, steps down from soapbox feeling better.*

In other news, I'm currently somewhat fascinated by the Reverend Dr. Andrew Greeley's Father Ryan mysteries.

Both the author and the main character are Chicago folk, but it's a Chicago that's nearly as foreign to me as that presented in the classic Blues Brothers movie. The fact that the primary narrator is a Irish Catholic bishop (and, as are most good guys worth their salt, a Cubs fan!) and therefore travels in circles rather different to my own may explain some of that.

Nevertheless, there's also enough familiar elements of the city that I have to sit there and occasionally bob my head in familiarity (Vacillation between white flight and regentrification? The old Irish, Polish, and Italian families? The structure of the city around the L and the Metra? Yeah... Chicago...)

Anyway, rather a good read if you like rambly mysteries with lots of little opportunities taken out to talk about history, church politics, sociology and whatnot. A little prone to stereotyping in some areas, but most decidedly not in other areas. Nice book for curling up with over a cup of coffee.
scottish

Eating Out in Towns with More than 2 (and 1/2) Resturants

I love Dillingham. I honestly do, more often than not. But I'll admit that there are lots of things available in Chicago that are not available in Dillingham.

Example: Eating Out

Yesterday was nice and shows two of the kinds of places that exist in Chicago, that aren't part of my life for most of the year.

Place #1: Suzi's Tea and Cafe
Chosen because I liked the name and it struck me as cozy. In Lakeview, on Lincoln Ave, this place somehow escaped my previous notice. Over 135 kinds of tea (including a damn good local blend of darjeeling), hardy food (with a few bazillion choices), friendly service, plus owned and run by locals. It was the comfort of the small-town with the choices of the city.

Place #2: Outback
No kidding, I'd never been to one before. Good selection of beers (US, Brit, and Aussie), good food (obviously featuring heavily with red meat, but not just), no one hassled us for taking up table space while we waited for our friend, and if the waitress thought we were weird for occassionlly slumping over on one another or busting into song (all when sober) it didn't show.

For the most part I find only having a few choices in Dillingham to be easier, but I'm really enjoying the variety while I'm here.

Don't get me started on theater...