Thief

I use a commercial shared kitchen for the business, and it's a great concept. Except that it's a little like living with roommates again. You never quite know who's drinking your milk or eating your frozen burritos. And you want to maintain a good relationship, so if someone drinks your milk here and there, who cares?

So anyhow, I bought a case of mini chocolate chips. 12 bags in a case. So when we open it up and use one, there should be 11 left. 12-1=11. Basic math. But... there were only 10.

Okay, no big deal, I tell my bakers. It's fine. Just one bag. It's bound to happen. It's like $2. Whatever.

And then we go back the next time. I count. Only nine bags.

My one baker says, "Leave a nasty note! They're STEALING from you! From US!!!"

I mulled over it for the next couple of hours and finally wrote this:
Hi. :) We're so flattered that you love our chocolate chips so much. Next time we go in on an order, we can definitely order more for you. Just call us ahead of time: xxx-xxx-xxxx. Thank you so much!
And then I left it inside the box.

I don't want to be rude, and I really don't want to rock the boat. But honestly, I feel a little bit like Ross:



I don't know. Maybe I was too snarky.

Chi-town

Reasons I love Chicago:

1. The people. I really think Midwesterners are nice. Especially once the snow has melted and we can all come out of hibernation.
2. The food. Really. There is an abundance of amazing food here. It's a wonder more people aren't totally overweight and broke.
3. The energy. I can't really explain it. You just have to almost get hit by a cab during rush hour in the Loop to feel it.
4. The sports. Particularly the Cubs. I've adopted the Lovable Losers.
5. The museums. We have a Seurat!
6. The water. Lake Michigan might have higher levels of E. coli on some days other than others, but it's still a body of water that's big enough to fake us Californians out as being an ocean.
7. The summers. They make the winters worth enduring.
8. The neighborhoods. I love how people say, "I live in Lincoln Park" with a certain air of arrogance. It kind of makes me want to move to Lincoln Park. Same goes for "Gold Coast."
9. The fact that we get lots of visitors. Because this is the crossroads of America. And because lots of people we know fly through O'Hare and get stranded.
10. The festive-ness. I love how the city celebrates whatever the big thing is that's happening. Like a Presidential candidate who wins from Chicago. Or the 10,000th Cubs win. Or the IOC in town to evaluate Chicago as a host for the 2016 Olympics. Or St. Patrick's Day.

And here's one final plug. Just in case the IOC is reading this blog.

D, please - let's not move again. Especially not to Houston. I like it here.

Intimate conversation

I could only hear a portion of their very hushed conversation, but here's what I could decipher:

"Hello, hippo... you have a big nose... how come you move your head side to side?... look at that branch... can you pick it up?... look at that branch...

I didn't know it could dive, Mom. I didn't know it could dive, Mommy!"

This was our first time seeing an underwater hippopotamus. I laughed out loud. What a funny animal.

First in line

Last night, my friend Rasa and I went to see my favorite folk guitar artist ever.

Although he didn't sing to me specifically like he did last time, I did manage to strategize my way into his life. Via being first in a very long line at a post-show meet/greet. Embarrassing, I know.

And really, not for nothing. I somehow convinced the tour manager to give me his contact information. Next time they're in town, I have ins and welcome permission to drop off cupcakes. AND I got this great picture (and an autographed CD for C) out of it.

He's super talented. Beautiful lyrics. Amazing melodies. Quirky inspiration. I like him a lot. Go iTunes Joshua Radin. (Wow, I wasn't even paid to write this. Word-of-mouth marketing works when it's something this good.)

P.S. Thanks to new friend Jessica who saved the day by taking this picture for me (and actually followed through with sending it over) when my phone died. :)

Lake Michigan in February, Part 2

Friday: 10 foot waves.
Saturday: a snowy, icy expanse.

Spring, GET HERE NOW!

Lake Michigan in February

Look at these waves I saw driving up Lake Shore Drive this morning:

While I've just about HAD IT with this particular Chicago winter, at least the lake is thawed out enough to send 10 foot waves crashing over the barricade.

That said, I really wouldn't mind if spring showed up any day, so I could have an excuse to wear these:

or

I would even wear these for a day if it meant that spring would hurry up and just get here.

The gladiator shoe. Apparently Spring 2009's hottest trend. Huh?

So spring, would you hurry up already?