from the midwest

Leaves, tanks, and cold autumn air

2009-10-17T15:41:00.007-05:00

I know, I know, I know. It's been well beyond weeks since I last placed an update on the blog site. I've been meaning to for some time. Birthdays. Gatherings. Outdoor events. Pictures have been taken. But nothing ended up on this site. Of course, none of YOU have actually demanded anything of late. No inquiries, posts, or threats to be had.

But no real excuse -- aside from life just getting in the way. A VERY ramped up work schedule has sucked most of the leftover energy right out of my system. After a long day, a traffic-filled trip home, and a late dinner, the last thing I end up thinking about is the blog site.

But I decided to add a small update today. It's Saturday. It's chilly out. Everyone is relaxing. I don't feel like starting new projects. So why not a few photos?

Last weekend, we took a journey -- about 1.4 miles down the street -- to Cantigny Park for their annual fall festival. In years past, we haven't found our way into the park very often, despite how beautiful it really is. But this year, it's just been too convenient and offers up many things to keep Su busy. So a fall festival, complete with games, things to climb on, food, and a hayride seemed just the ticket for the day.

Although not the 40 degree temperatures. A day more than 20 degrees below normal just didn't end up quite as "festive" as we had hoped. And it made the hayride pretty darn chilly.

But we did have some fun. The ride was still nice, as it provided a beautiful tour of the park. And some hot chocolate was a perfect remedy to the biting winds and chill. And a little bit of extracurricular climbing on the tanks (yes, it's a park full of military vehicles, the First Division Museum, and many other displays and recognition for our country's veterans) for Su helped knock out some of the energy. And, at the very least, it got us out of the house and into nature for a little while.

Winter is approaching fast. So we have to take advantage of these wonderful outdoor opportunities. And here's hoping for 60 degree temperatures NEXT year!

Take me out to the ball game

2009-07-21T14:06:00.016-05:00

Ah, yes. The ball game. America's pastime. And the White Sox. America's team. Okay, they're admittedly probably not even CHICAGO'S team. Seems like it's easier to show undying allegiance to the lovable losers on the north side rather than show support for an organization that's produced far more winning in recent years. Better scouting. Shrewd trading with a tighter budget. They've got Sweet Lou. We've got the Oz. They have Wrigley. And, frankly, they can have it. We've got the Cell. They have Harden, Soriano, Aramis, Zambrano... Ah, who's kidding whom? They can keep 'em all.

But I'm drifting a bit, aren't I?

The White Sox have been a part of my life for the last 30+ years. Starting with about 1977 and the infamous lineup of Zisk, Gamble, Lemon, Soderholm. That lineup put a charge in Chicago baseball for most of the summer until poor pitching proved to be too much to overcome. But that 90-win season (and let's not forget those hideous softball-style uniforms) forever placed the team in my heart. And the Sox have been part of the "household" (defined by the period of marriage, kid, etc.) for the last 20+ years. And with that devotion comes much bias in the house. And with that bias comes much influence. And that brings us to Su.

Su has been a White Sox fan for almost all of her 7 years of existence, starting with her early pajama-style jumper, the gift cap from Uncle Clement, the small ballpark giveaway bat (with etching misspelled as "Chacigo White Sox"), and her full range of t-shirts, most of them sporting the name/number of her favorite player: Paul Konerko. She's also was the only kid her age (4 and 5 at the time) that could actually SAY the name Tadahito, not to mention know that he played 2nd base for the team.

But it was only just this past weekend that we took her to her first actual game. She finally reached an age where we felt confident in her ability to hang with us without getting tired and/or whiny during the 1-1/2 hour drive, the 3+ hour game, and the return trip home. Courtesy of Uncle Bill, we were able to take Su to the Saturday game against the Baltimore Orioles. Great seats (21st row, 1st base side, edge of the net) and great weather (not too hot) provided the foundation for a great day of baseball.

And the home team didn't disappoint. With Mark Buehrle on the mound, it was a fast-paced game, wrapped up in about 2-1/2 hours. Timely hitting and solid defense gave the Sox the lead and, despite a little shakiness in the 9th, they held on for the exciting win. Su was able to see her favorite (Paul-ee, Paul-ee, Paul-ee) up to bat and play first base. Anita's fave (Jermaine) hit the go-ahead home run. And all of this was wrapped around a "Beach Bash 2009" theme for the day. And that also meant free Sox beach towels!! Su couldn't believe it, asking the staff person, "You mean we get to KEEP these?! Sweet!!"

Mixed in with the game was food and fun. Su was thrilled to get the ballpark hot dog, the Gatorade, and most important -- the COTTON CANDY (see pic). And as we were leaving, a very kind vendor, closing up his concession area, gave Su his last item -- a 1/4 pound cookie.

Somewhere in between the cookies and candy, the Sox won and gave Su a victory in her first appearance at the Cell. We hope to do it again very soon.

Rocky Mountain High

2009-06-24T21:49:00.018-05:00

Wow. It's been well over 2 months since my last posting. I can't believe 2009 is just about half the way done. So much I wanted to add to the blog over the last weeks. Su's horse-back riding. Easter. Yikes. Easter? Okay, enough about past events that I never discussed. Time to talk about the current good stuff... VACATION!

I'm not proud of the fact that it's been about 7 years since our last true vacation. I'm not talking about the "extended weekend" breaks, like a trip to Madison, WI. Nope, a real vacation. The last time we were on a plane was 2003 -- when it all started with Su. So fast-forward almost 6 years from that time and Su finally gets to board a plane again!

We decided to take a trip out to Boulder, Colorado this past week. Boulder has been a location on our radar for some time now. Beautiful locale. Much to see and do. Enough activities for the little gal. And also enough adult things to do that can also be done with a young'un. So off we went last Thursday.

Flying is certainly not my thing. In fact, with advancing age, my anxieties seem to increase in intensity. But Su loved it. Shrieks of delight followed every little bump or turbulent encounter. But I think she received a huge dose of reality when it comes to flying... the day is just agonizingly LONG. Adding up the car ride to the airport, the "lead time" required to be at the airport, the in-air time, the shuttle time (to the rental car) and the drive from Denver to Boulder, it was about 8 hours of total travel time, putting us in our hotel room by around 8:00 p.m. mountain time. Wow. So we quickly checked in, dropped off our things, and walked about 2 blocks down the street to a Mexican restaurant for a quick bite to eat. Not much closer to the hotel at that hour. It was decent. We were hungry.

Friday: I went for a run in the mountain foothills. Between the added elevation (running at 5,000+ feet) and the incline, it was one intense workout heading up. Now heading back was a blast. All downhill! Then it was off to breakfast, into the car, and a trip north to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park!!

What a beautiful drive that was. Highways filled with scenic beauty, hundreds upon hundreds of cyclists out there charging up through the hills. And the slow, steady climb to the city of Estes Park, and then the continued climb through the mountains until we reached our destination for the day -- Bear Lake, elevation about 9,500 feet.

It was about 65 degrees, yet we also were walking through snow. A gorgeous day, surrounded by more mountain views, snow capped peaks, beautiful lakes, and even elk!! After taking a shuttle from the car up to the lake, we then spent some time hiking around the lake, as well as adding some other passable trails. But short on snacks, water, and (later) energy, it was time to shuttle it on back to the car and make our way down the mountain. Next time, we'll pack better, go higher, and see if we can't get near the highest travel point -- about 12,000+ feet. THAT will be mighty cold, too.

We spent some time touring Estes Park, then headed back down to Boulder. Su and I went to the hotel pool for a little while and Su actually made the leap from hanging on the poolside to actually SWIMMING! What a treat that was to see. Suddenly, she looked like a little fish splashing through the shallow end of the pool. Anita and I were both very proud of what she accomplished. She had a blast.

Then it was off to downtown Boulder, to the Pearl Street Mall -- the several block long, outdoor mall with shops, restaurants, and outdoor entertainment. A huge tourist attraction and actually a lot of fun. So much to see.

With food in our bellies and much more walking taking place, it was time to head back to the hotel and much-needed rest.

Saturday: Another fun run in the mountain foothills started off my day, this time advancing further and pushing it to about 8.5 miles. The breathing seemed a bit easier this time around. Breakfast was then next on the agenda, followed by a day of parks, hiking, shopping, and more food. Plus some more swimming. A great day.

Sunday: This time, my run along the Boulder Creek Path went in the other direction, as I decided to take the path east to discover more of Boulder. A great path that follows along Boulder Creek, with a great mix of sun and shade, as well as bridges and the sound of rushing water. After breakfast, we went for an extended hike this time, with a lot of actual trail work and rock climbing. Su just LOVED this part of it. While tentative at times, the thought of being a "rock climber" was just so exciting for her. She held up well and we also brought the needed amount of water and snacks.

After reaching the bottom again, it was at this time that we saw the posted sign on a nearby info area that said "You are in rattlesnake country." Great. Fortunately, they are supposed to be Prairie rattlers and not aggressive. Still, it would have been nice to have seen this before the walk. Or maybe not.

In the latter part of the morning, we took a trip down south to Golden, Colorado -- the home of the Coors Brewery! We went for the free tour, which was actually pretty cool. Su was a bit bored by the tour, but Anita and I enjoyed it. And the free sampling of beers was worth the trip. Nothing like a cold Killian's Red to cap a tour. And, because of Father's Day, they were handing out free cake to the dads. So, of course, I took a couple of bites and the rest went to Su. Probably the highlight of her tour experience.

A return to the hotel for some cool air conditioning and then another trip to the pool for Su and I. By now, Su has advanced to attempting some side-stroking and even a backstroke effort! She's certainly showing quite a lot of confidence in the water now -- something she didn't possess at all just a couple of days ago.

Monday: Sort of a melancholy day. By now, the full realization was upon us that the trip was near over. We were to check out by noon and head on back to Denver to board the plane. I went out for one last run and then we all had a good breakfast, knowing that the food needed to sustain us for a while. It would be some time before we'd be back in Illinois and in search of late dinner.

Su kept wishing we could stay, as did I. In fact, Su is already planning for College at the University of Colorado. Hmmm... Maybe mom and dad would have to "retire" to Boulder when Su ventures off to college out there. It's a plan, right?

And as I type this, having taken a couple of extra days off from work, I stare at the clock, realizing that this post now needs to end, sleep awaits, and then it's back to the daily grind.

Depressing? Yes. Work is just no fun these days (maybe another post on this...). But we're just really glad that we were able to enjoy this trip together. And plans for next year are already underway.

Bear Lake - Su and dad

Bear Lake - more Su and dad

Bear Lake - Su, dad and mom

Hotel entrance - Su and mom

Visitor's Center on the way to Bear Lake (Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park)

Su and mom downing some cold ones at the Coors Brewery walking tour

Su at the park, hamming it up

Toothless grin

2009-04-06T20:24:00.005-05:00

It's happened!

The first wobbly tooth to fall out on its own.

(The first two bottom teeth don't count. They were yanked out by the dentist.)

This one fell on its own free will. During bacon and eggs.

There was much excitement throughout the household.

The Tooth Fairy would soon visit. And Su is a happy gal.

Corn Weenie: the birth of a star

2009-03-08T13:23:00.013-05:00

A bit of a silly post here. But it occurred to me that it could be one worth sharing. Besides, how many times in one's life are you likely to be able to use the words "corn weenie" in a story of any kind?

At the end of January, a call went out from a friend of mine that just screamed of urgency. And only a select few of us could come to the rescue. To make a long story somewhat short, it seems that radio station WFMU (found on the dial in some areas or through the internet) was reaching out to listeners to produce a remix of a classic old recording (rumored to be created in the 80s at some point?), I believe entitled "Learn How to Speak Hawaiian," and referred to by some as the Corn Weenie song. This clip (or song) had been played for some time on the station and tortured listeners. So it turned into a remix challenge -- results of which would be aired, posted for play on the website, and later available on a CD compilation.

Anyway, Intangible Arts (my favorite blogger) reached out to many of us on January 31st ("Time-sensitive CORN WEENIE alert!") asking for a contribution -- namely the audio of us saying the words "corn weenie." Whether it be via MP3 or by telephone answering messages, the goal was to collect various versions of the words and form the "Corn Weenie Chorus" needed to complete the remix.

Incidentally, Intangible Arts is also Chester Hawkins (aka Blue Sausage Infant), perhaps my favorite experimental musician (and friend since the late 90s). His mission was to capture some of the original recording and put his own stamp on the mix, incorporating these added chorus contributions.

As many of you know, I spend a bit of time in the studio myself and saw this as a chance to have a bit of fun. I decided to incorporate Su's help! I fired up the basement studio mixer and asked Su if she wanted to give dad a hand with a new recording. Of course, she thought that sounded "sweet," so we proceeded to rattle off a few different takes on the corn weenie theme, laughed hysterically all the while. We anxiously sent our final MP3 results out to Washington D.C. via email and waited for the final product.

The end result was 3:30 minutes of pure fun. The original loose recording (see link near the top of the story as a reference point -- if you can get through the early bits) was transformed into a sort of corn weenie psychedelic stomp -- complete with corn weenie chorus -- and the addition of other weenie contributions added in as the song builds.

But for fans of Su, the payoff is at the very end of the song. Play it out through to the final seconds. Just when you think the song is about over and fading, you'll hear Su's starring moment.

It's a riot. It's fun. A star is born.

Also, I became aware this week that the CD compilation is available now through WFMU (with contributions to the pledge drive). I, of course, sent in my cash just to have the actual full-fledged release, forever showcasing Su at 6-years old. Well, there's that and about 100 different interpretations of the Corn Weenie song. Not for the faint of heart, I suppose.

At her young age, Su is already reaching an international audience. Something old dad never accomplished in all his years of playing.

So for your listening pleasure, I present EPIPHANY AT PORT SAID -- or the Corn Weenie Song -- by Blue Sausage Infant. Just click on the link here and enjoy.

Opening of the eyes

2009-02-18T19:49:00.018-06:00

This past Sunday was a pretty special day for the family. For those few of you actually peeking at this blog once in a while, you might remember a post I wrote up in November about our visits to the Chicago Nichiren Buddhist Church. Around September or so of 2008, after about 8 years attending a temple in West Chicago, we started making the journey into the Chicago area instead. A lot of research and examination went into this decision. And it only took a few visits to realize that we had truly found our home. For a little background on that discovery, please read the earlier post.

At any rate, we reached a point as a family where we decided that it was time to actually become members and give up that "guest" status. This decision actually was arrived at sometime in December, but it took nearly 2 more months to make it back to the temple location. January's service was canceled due to extreme cold and the early February make-up date was canceled due to a water pipe issue in the sanctuary. So that brings us to this past Sunday.

The path to membership is actually an easy one. And probably made all that more more so because of the previous years of practice and having already a solid grasp on the teachings of Buddhism. It wasn't like we were thrust into anything altogether new -- just improved! And all it took was a verbal exchange to the priest, Rev. Hosho Higuchi, expressing our wishes.

So on Sunday, we traded in our old Gohonzon and enthusiastically accepted our new Shutei Gohonzon, bestowed on us after an "opening of the eyes" ceremony. The Gohonzon is a calligraphic mandala used by members in their households and they generally are inscribed by Nichiren Shu clergy. The link included here connects to a youtube.com video that displays the remaining undamaged 125 copies of the Gohonzon that Nichiren wrote between 1271 and 1282. Kind of cool. The copy dated the third month of 1280, regarded as the most significant, is now preserved at Myohonji Temple in Kamakura, Japan. The incribed Gohonzon then resides in an altar display at each member's home, where daily practice occurs. Members face the Gohonzon while reciting Lotus Sutra passages and chanting the Odaimoku (Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, or "Adoration to the Scripture of the Lotus of the Perfect Truth").

Anyway... Enough historical background.

In addition to our membership and receiving our Gohonzon, we also participated in the New Year's ceremonies (Setsubun), also postponed earlier due to the weather conditions. The Setsubun ceremony is another important date for Buddhist believers. So it made for a very celebratory day.

Setsubun literally means “seasonal division” but it usually refers to the Spring Setsubun. Close to the Lunar New Year, the Spring Setsubun can be thought of as new year’s eve. Therefore, it has a special ritual of cleansing away all the evil of the former year and drive away disease-bearing evil spirits for the year to come. This ritual is called MAMEMAKI (bean scattering or bean throwing) and it is performed by those who are born on the corresponding year of the Animal Zodiac (2009 is the Year of the Ox /the cycle runs every 12 years). The beans are thrown and people shout out “ONI WA SOTO! FUKU WA UCHI!” (“Demons/Evil Spirits out! Luck/Blessings in!”). It is also customary to eat the beans one for each year of one’s life plus one more for bringing good luck for the year to come.

Because of the length of the morning ceremonies, the "bean throwing" did not take place, else there would have been quite the cleanup effort required afterword!

In addition to these ceremonies, good friends Kent and Daryl (shown below) decided to undergo the eye opening ceremony for their two new statues -- one representing Nichiren and the other Sakyamuni -- that will be placed at their home altar. I've included a photo of the two statues, shown alongside the temple Gohonzon, basking in the incense and good vibe of the ceremony (photo shown above).

Last was the lunch, served downstairs in the lower level under the sanctuary. Every month, members contribute meals, desserts, drinks, saki (!), and good conversation. Many of the meals are served in more of a Japanese style and can be hit-or-miss for someone more discerning, like Su. But this week was a variation of chicken strips, along with rice, egg, some fruit, and even cake! So Su ate very well and really enjoyed herself over the course of the day.

After cleaning up and saying our goodbyes, we drove the nearly 1 hour journey back home and settled in for some quiet time and naps. A very festive day for all -- and a memorable one.

Holy sombrero, Batman! It's...

2009-02-15T16:03:00.003-06:00

Sunday morning came with the revelation that Winfield seems to have a new superhero in town. Louder than a speeding locomotive. Able to leap piles of Polly Pockets in a single bound. Armed only with her blanket/cape, sombrero, thundering feet, and booming voice... It's, it's...

Anyone got a name?

Ring in the new year

2009-02-11T19:41:00.006-06:00

I know. I know. Nothing has been posted here since just after the holidays. And the last flooding episode. Unfortunately, I offer no real excuse worth beans. It's just been hard to sit down, sort through photos and get this site up to date. Since the new year, work has been a struggle, weather has been a downer, and there seemed very little to report.

In fact, the pix for this particular post are already a couple of weeks old. Not exactly current events!

We just had our annual Chinese New Year bash in West Dundee. Every year, Ron & Wendy -- our most gracious of hosts -- voluntarily agree to take on a household of parents, growing kids, high volumes of noise, and add that to an already active mix of children and dogs currently residing in the home. Every year, Wendy puts together a feast for the eyes, filling the place with the aroma of incredible Chinese food. And every year, about 5-6 families make the journey from various part of Illinois (and sometimes Indiana) to share in these festivities.

As seems to be the case every year, we arrived at the scene first -- and were immediately greeted by 2 lovely little gals, all decked out in their Chinese dresses. With each passing year, these two darlings just keep getting taller -- and prettier. And they made wonderful greeters. Within moments, Su had her shoes off and was rushing off upstairs to what would be an evening of non-stop playing.

Over time, one family after another arrived, until the house was pulsing with noise and thumping with feet. And if you've ever heard Su's feet... well, you know what I'm talking about!

This was an interesting night -- in the fact that it seemed over almost as soon as it began. With all of the socializing, eating, and chasing of little ones, the evening leaped from snacks to dinner to dessert and then soon to home... in what seemed like mere moments. Of course, it really had been 5-6 hours. But perhaps that's the true sign of a great time?

The one surprise in all of this was that Su really didn't eat. In fact, right around dinner time, she was complaining that her stomach hurt. I sat with her a while and sensed she was pretty tired, too. She didn't even want to resume playing OR sample any desserts... so we KNEW something was up. I eventually laid her down on the sofa and within minutes she was fast asleep.

In fact, she didn't so much as budge when kids came storming through the room. She didn't even lift an eyelid when the yelling and screaming were a couple of feet from her. And she wasn't awake when the annual kids photo in the stairway was taking place. At first, we were disappointed that Su wasn't able to be part of this moment. But then a solution to the photo arrived: The kids lined up behind the couch where Su was sleeping! So we had our group photo after all. And Su still didn't wake up.

At least she had several hours of playing in before being overtaken by this little "bug." From what we can tell, it was just some sort of stomach thing, mostly gas. Her stomach was bloated like a basketball. But by morning, she was back to her old self.

Loud.. and thumping through the house.

No bones about it

2009-02-11T19:39:00.002-06:00

A photo of Max. And why not?

Are you kidding? Flooding in December?

2008-12-31T09:32:00.008-06:00

Enough is enough. We've been in the house nearly 6 months now. A little over three months ago, we had the supposed 100 Year Rain and the flooding that resulted. As some of you might remember, we were almost a house-boat at that time. But we managed to get through that and, in the process, make some upgrades (although costly) to the house that would help with extreme conditions. New drain tile system in the basement. New sump pump (1-1/2 horsepower) with a high-end backup system. We figured it would take one heck of a storm -- and perhaps power loss -- to reproduce those results.

We didn't expect to be tested in December.

The previous week or so had provided much snowfall. Five inches here. A couple of inches there. All told, we had quite an accumulation of the white stuff. I had already cleared the driveway numerous times. And we even had snow pile up and block our back doorway (see photo inset later in this story). Driving to and from work was always an adventure. And one "rush hour" evening produced tales of 4-6 hour drives for commuters. Ugh.

That snow was then followed with a below-freezing day on Christmas Day. Our high probably reached about 15-18 degrees.

And then the fun started. Temperatures started warming up. And they kept warming up. And the rains poured throughout the first half of Saturday. Snow piles were melting rapidly and, with the freezing cold ground, had nowhere to go. So the result was flooding. Lots of it. Houses backing to the river were faced with similar problems from a few months ago. The river rose to the backs of these homes. And the snows piled up at the end of the street produced a visual not unlike last September.

The water kept filling the ditch by the roadside until it overtook the ditch, rose over the driveway and partially up into the yard. Again, no river running down the road, but the effect was nearly the same: the pump just kept on running -- trying to keep up. And then later in the evening, the 2nd pump kicked on. And the two worked together for two solid days without a break, trying to push out the water just pouring into the sump system.

Unnerving? Without a doubt. I even pulled a few important items out of the basement. And I just hoped that these pumps would keep the water at bay until the ground could start handling some of it. We barely slept for two nights as we listened for the pumps, continually checked water levels -- and even had a scare when the 2nd pump had stuck and wasn't pumping out the water. I caught that just before it reached the top of the sump pit. Yikes!

Anyway. By Monday, the 2nd pump had dropped off to mere back-up status. By Tuesday, the main pump was finally getting a break, although only about 5 seconds between pushes. The basement stayed dry. The drain tile system held with no water seepage. And the music studio lives on for another day!

Just a few days prior, Su and I had a chance to hop on the huge snow hill at our nearby park. I'm sure glad we took some time out of the day for that. A day later, there wasn't even a snow hill remaining. Just water. Everywhere.

Reportedly, 2008 was a record year for our area, with over 50" of rainfall. I'm really hoping that 2009 doesn't end up being another record year.

Home for the holidays

2008-12-31T08:56:00.009-06:00

2008 brought us many changes. New digs. New neighborhood. New schools. New life - sort of. But with the new digs also brought us a new role, or at least one that hadn't been in effect since about 1997: Host of Christmas Present.

With mum feeling a bit under the weather of late and not really having the stamina for the yearly holiday hosting, we agreed to take it on and see where it all goes. It would be the first time that the humble abode would take on so many live bodies (instead of the usual "not-so-live" bodies?) indoors at one time. And with cold, cold weather in the forecast, we knew that it would be pretty cozy and everyone would need to be on their best behavior.

And I do believe it worked. There was much merriment in the household. Music drifted in and out; the aroma of warm food or cool desserts swirled through the kitchen, and the cold beers made regular appearances from the walk-in cooler once operating full-time as a garage. Yep, it was all quite enjoyable. Kids played well together -- with only the occasional "I'm bored..." spewing from the lips of some pre-teens. Nothing that wasn't handled with the click of a TV remote control. Hey, I'm not their parent, right? What do I care if they harmlessly watch some of the tube from the back room.

All in all, a success. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. And grandma went home when SHE wanted to -- not having to wait for everyone to leave, as she would have had to do in past years. Hopefully she found it to be to her liking. And we'll just see what 2009 offers.

And how did Su make out? Wonderfully, as usual. Some of her favorites are shown here. The digital drum set was a fun surprise for her. Cheap entertainment and not much volume. Good combination for beginning drummers.

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The day before (Christmas Eve) was spent out at Anita's parents' place. It's been our 20 year tradition to travel down there for the holiday eve and spend the following day here locally. And it's worked out so well all of these years. Never a conflict in scheduling between parents. Never having to do the "two Christmas" thing like some families. A full day dedicated to each side of the family.

Christmas Eve always ends up being the more relaxing of the days for me. Anita's family tends to get along really well. It's been that way for several years. None of the same tension that seems to come with my own family gatherings. It almost seems -- dare I say -- normal? Good conversation, good food, and just a lot of fun watching Su play with her cousins.

And sometimes, depending on the Bowl schedules, you even get to catch a glimpse of a Notre Dame football game -- and witness their first bowl victory in what seems like decades.

And the weather cooperated with us, too. The predictions for a snow-filled day and messy travel were squelched and all we really had to contend with were strong winds that reduced gas mileage in the Santa Fe considerably. Other than that, a pretty uneventful trip to and from. You have to like that.

And after a full day of running around, eating, and opening gifts, the drive home was a quiet one. Su was fast asleep within about 10 minutes -- and mom followed a short time after that.

Yep. It can be lonely being dad. Or just quiet. Happy holidays.

From up high

2008-11-26T22:06:00.016-06:00

(Part 2 of Sunday activity from 2 weeks ago)

Another pretty cool thing that has developed since making the journey to the Temple each month (see previous blog entry) is the newly found opportunity to actually see bits of Chicago again. As mentioned earlier, the missus and I have not exactly been huge fans of the densely populated metropolis. When we were a bit younger (okay, maybe MORE than a bit...), we would take many a weekend journey out that way to pick up a live concert or comedy show. And there was actually a time when MY own band played out in that general direction. We didn't think much about how irritating the drive was back then. Either the traffic has worsened considerably over the last 20 years or we've just become less tolerant. Or both. I vote for "both."

But since we're now out that way a bit more, we've used the journey as a means of showing Su a little more of what we typically don't see here in the suburbs. Two months ago, it meant a trip to Navy Pier and the Children's Museum. She really loved that one. A couple of weeks ago, it meant:

The Sears Tower

With the exception of about 5-1/2 years, my entire lifetime has been spent 20-40 miles outside of Chicago. And not once in all of that time had I ever ventured into the Tower. And it's been there for quite a while now. But now we're feeling the desire to show these wonderful iconic locations to Su -- and, in the process, also experiencing some of this for the first time. Good fun.

Su was simply amazed. For some reason, she had associated the words "tall building" with much lesser structures like the historic courthouse building in Geneva. Nobody would confuse this building with being tall. As you can see, we didn't get out much in recent years. But this city full of skyscrapers was just so exciting for her. And I have to admit that we enjoyed it a little bit, too. Not the driving. Not the parking. But the view.

So in we went. After paying an almost criminal amount of money to take the tour, we boarded the elevator and found ourselves at the top of the 110-floor building in seemingly no time at all. Not at all what I expected. Remember the elevator scene in the Blues Brothers movie? The agonizingly slow elevator ride accompanied by "Girl from Ipanema" muzak? Sort of what I was expecting. I'm not sure we were on this thing for more than a minute. Just remarkable.

Of course, what was even more remarkable was the view. Su ran from window to window, all the while declaring her disbelief at how far she could see and just how far up we really were. And this was on an overcast day. I imagine that a clear day would just be breathtaking.

Anyway, enough about that. Most of you reading have probably already been up in the tower -- perhaps even more than once. So consider us just a little late for the party. The building was completed in 1973. I just wanted to give it about 35 years for the crowds to die down a bit...

A new and improved path (to the city)

2008-11-21T16:08:00.011-06:00

This past Sunday resulted in a trip into Chicago. This is something that we don't do very often. I'm not a "city" person. The missus isn't a city person. And there is little there that we typically consider worthwhile that would motivate us to take on loads of traffic and parking headaches. But we've found a reason now -- and it exists at 4216 North Paulina, the home of the Chicago Nichiren Buddhist Church.

For the last nearly eight years, we've been attending Buddhist services right here in nearby West Chicago. But a lot of additional research and a different focus led to the discovery of this little gem hiding in the midst of a typical city neighborhood. Chicago Nichiren Buddhist Church is the Illinois home of the Nichiren Shu sect. I won't go into the details of what differentiates one sect from another, but the Nichiren Shu philosophy, its view of the Lotus Sutra, and its positioning of all relevant Buddhist teachings scratches us exactly where it itches, to borrow the phrasing.

We started attending a couple of months ago and are completely smitten with the low-key atmosphere, the positive exchanges, the friendly mostly Japanese membership (some Chinese), and the more accurate focus on the legitimate Nichiren teachings, as well as the more universally known Sakyamuni Buddha, acknowledged as the original Buddha. Services are available every two weeks. We are on more of a "monthly" schedule, A) because of travel, and B) because the Chief Priest himself only usually makes the journey once a month from Schaumburg. Might as well make our visits count!

Overall, it's a relaxed, enjoyable vibe, with the required recitation and chanting, hand-held drums to accompany the Taiko-provided rhythms, and all of the beauty one could possibly hope to see presented in such a humble city dwelling.

Once the service is complete, friendly exchanges take place for a while. Usually a lesson or just an interesting, relevant story. Then this is all followed with a lunch served in the lower level, where Japanese dishes are offered up to any takers, along with some sort of dessert. During our last visit, a Japanese member had just turned 88 and was celebrating, so various cakes were offered up. On Sunday, another member was celebrating an occasion and brought in chicken and other goodies.

No, we don't go for the food. It's a nice bonus, though. We actually had other lunch plans for the day (next blog to come) and had to scoot out of there. But each visit reassures us that this is certainly a welcome place to be and we've been made to feel right at home from the first moments. Su is already quite popular. I guess that's not a surprise. She's not exactly shy!

Our sweetheart

2008-11-06T20:21:00.003-06:00

I don't think there's much to say. Six years old and in first grade. Where did the bangs go? The baby face?

Tricks and treats

2008-11-06T19:57:00.012-06:00

Believe it or not, one of my early thoughts regarding the move back to Winfield was about what it would mean to Su on Halloween. In Geneva's Randall Square area -- the land of track housing -- pulling in a ton of candy is almost a certainty. Houses are close together and it only takes a walk around a couple of blocks to pull in enough candy to ensure that current students in dental school will have jobs waiting for them when their studies are done.

Winfield, in past years, produced far fewer young ones in costumes parading up and down the streets. Houses are further apart. Most of the south side of the neighborhood lacks any sidewalks, and only a few corner streetlights to light the way. Some years were lucky to produce maybe 15-20 kids at the door. You could peer through the front window into the streets and see the dark shadows lurking, but not many ventured to the door, with parents preferring to stick with familiar houses.

Our current address places us in one of the most remote areas of the village. It takes a lot of work to find us -- and many might not find the journey much of a payoff in candy loot. And such was indeed the case for our home this year. We produced a total of 10 kids at the door. Seven arrived in one group, two came from next door, and then there was one other brave child, willing to ring the bell, set off the ferocious bark of Max, retrieve his treats, and head off into the darkness.

Su and I, on the other hand, did surprisingly well. With a tip from a neighbor, we picked the perfect direction to head out. Houses were far apart and there were many hill to climb, but Su was more than up to the challenge. Running from house to house, she trampled through leaves, hopped over ditches, climbed up and over rocks, and really worked hard for her treats. And houses were very much in the giving mood. It wasn't long before I was carrying the overflow of candy to lighten Su's load. The evening was topped off with one house that was grilling up hot dogs for the kids. Yep, the grill was out in the driveway, condiments and juice available, and picnic benches to rest weary legs. Of course Su said yes to a hot dog fresh off the grill.

So, with me now carrying two bags of candy, the juice, napkins, and the flashlight, Su chomped down her dog as we headed back home. A fitting conclusion to a fun-filled night of treats.

Back again -- and Reunion 2008

2008-10-29T19:53:00.009-05:00

Hi! Remember us? I'm thinking that many folks started to wonder what happened to the updates. Since the flood (below), the blogging opportunities went from infrequent to nonexistent. Why? Well, a multitude of reasons, really.

Most impacting was the flood itself. As you can imagine, there was no shortage of things to do for some time. Between chaos and cleanup, the weeks that followed were a bit out of the ordinary. Pumps working overtime. Continued seepage (don't you hate when that happens?). Money quickly getting allocated for unplanned uses.

Added to that burden was work. The day job. Well, the job that became day AND night. And some weekends. Too many hours, too much stress, and not nearly enough energy to even begin to approach this blog site.

Toss in a few surprises like extremely bad back problems, a bout of food poisoning, and several filled weekends with birthdays and assorted family/friend events and you get the general idea. Something had to give. And the blog slipped to pretty much dead last on the priority list.

But at least one of those planned events was worth waiting for. It was even worth fighting off the food poisoning and gutting out (no pun intended) what could have been a miserable Saturday. What would possibly make me pull myself out of bed, get in the shower, and drive 1.25 hours with a headache and nausea?

The yearly reunion at the Zupec's place -- to celebrate with the families from the midwest who accompanied us on our incredible journey to China 5 years ago. Since that life-changing event, most of us eagerly return to Gurnee each fall to spend time together, compare our lives, share tales, wax nostalgically, and -- most important -- watch the kids simply go nuts with each other.

It's pretty amazing, actually. Most of these kids haven't seen each other since LAST fall, but you wouldn't know it. Almost from the first instant that each kid set foot in the home of Mike and Cinda, the routine from previous years was immediately remembered. Each kid would come in the door, remove the shoes, run down the hall, and make a beeline straight down the basement stairs to the play area, joining those already there. No warm-ups needed. No shyness. Just an immediate bonding -- one that I've never witnessed in any other setting.

The kids all played together, yelled and screamed, ran around, ate, and simply had a spectacular time. And no fighting! Go figure! With each year, the volume level in the house gets louder. The kids get more expressive and the personalities yet more developed. They grow bigger and more beautiful (sorry Colvin and Tristan... that would be "handsome" in your cases) each and every year.

The parents? Well, we get older and perhaps a bit slower. But we seem to enjoy each others' company no less. While we all live very different lives apart, it all comes together for one afternoon and evening. Such wonderful people. We had the pleasure of spending such incredible moments together in a faraway land. And, five years running, we've had the chance to stay in touch, rekindle friendships, and cherish these children.

We're already looking forward to next year.

Next up: The Chinese New Year!

A river runs through it

2008-09-17T21:41:00.007-05:00

For the last week or so, I had been hoping to put up some really fun pictures from the previous weekend -- a wonderful 3-days of enjoyment spent on and off at our Winfield Good Old Days festival. Celebrating 40 years since the first festival ("1968" was the theme), it was a splendid time for the three of us -- and especially so considering that we have just returned to the neighborhood we love and it just seemed even more special.

But before I could get around to uploading the pictures, something completely unexpected occurred. Not just unexpected, but unprecedented: Hurricane Ike. Now one might normally think that, being in the more northern part of Illinois, how can we possibly be subjected to the nightmare of Ike? That's all the way down in Texas, right? What's the worst thing that can happen? A little rain?

Yes, a little rain. Followed by a lot of rain. And even more rain. For days. It just kept coming. Sometimes hard. Always steady.

Time to back up for a moment: When we bought our place in Winfield, we knew that the area was subject to a little water once in a while. It is lower-lying area and there is the west branch of the DuPage River to consider. But we didn't back up near the river. And we were houses away from any danger spots. And we were not in a flood plain. Plus, we were in a house that only taken on water twice in 31 years -- both times due to power loss.

So we felt pretty confident that we could handle a bit of rain. Until Saturday morning. Anita woke me up at 6:00 a.m. to say that there was water in the basement. Shocked, I went down and took a look. The sump pit was completely full, with water coming over. And the pump wasn't running. Hmmm... the floater was stuck. Problem solved, right? Turns out that one pump wasn't nearly enough to combat the incoming waters. And we found out the hard way that our backup pump wasn't working.

And it continued to rain.

My brother-in-law Gene stopped by and applied his extensive plumbing knowledge to our problem, quickly installed a 2nd pump and the 2-pump system kept the waters at bay in the basement. But the waters continued to build up outside. By Saturday night, our roads were flooded and we barely made it back to the house following a birthday party we attended. All night we watched the waters edge up the driveway and yard. We watched it creep in over the backyard as well. I kept marking the progress with sticks in the yard.

By morning, our place looked like a house-boat. Water was up to nearly 12' from the front of the house. And maybe about the same from the backyard. And what used to be our roadway now was a fast-moving river. Over 2' of water rushed down the block. Houses east of us completely consumed by water, some basements taking on 7' feet of water. Houses at the other end of the block also entirely surrounded, with water going up and over the foundations.

And we were pretty much stranded. No vehicles coming in or out. Nothing to do but nervously wait it out. Stocked with food and water, we just hung on for the rain to end.

By the time the rains ended -- about 4:00 p.m. on Sunday -- the area was a disaster. But our home, along with about 3 others, were spared the flooding nightmare. Somehow, we were just high enough in elevation to hold off the water. Instead, the current continued on down the road, leaving us stunned and in utter disbelief.

Along with a neighbor, I waded from house to house checking to see who might be in need of a hand. Pumps were emptying out basements. Cars abandoned at roadsides and filled with water. But all were doing pretty well. Most had managed to move furniture to higher ground and had 2 to 3 pumps working overtime to solve the water problems.

We didn't come out entirely unscathed, though. The event pointed out some problems. For example, we didn't have a pump strong enough to push out the water. And our backup never worked. It had been improperly installed and seized up. And worse, we don't have a functioning drain tile. Whether it be collapsed or deteriorated, it was useless. Water came in (and continues to do so) through walls and floor. While the pumps held, the water found other areas to enter.

So we are still a couple of days from possible cleanup. Two attempts to try to suck up water have resulted in more water entering in from the walls to fill back up again. So we wait until the ground is dry. Then we evaluate the damage. The basement studio is now in the dining room and living room. I am reluctant to place items back down there again until we can feel confident about the water flow. And if work is required to jack-hammer the concrete to add a new drain tile system, that would certainly ensure that nothing is placed down there for awhile.

It wasn't all humorless. While stranded at home on Monday, myself and a neighbor tried chasing down some stray carp swimming down our street. Yep, fish were all over. Some snakes, too. All probably lost and trying to find their way back to the river. Actually, they probably assumed they were IN the river.

And as the waters recede, more and more fish are left beached in yards and on driveways. Small-mouth bass. Large carp. Hoses. Debris. Wood from the neighbor's woodpile. You name it. If it was not bolted down, it floated downstream.

We're pretty much fine. Some major expense coming, but it could have been a lot worse. Su didn't miss any school. I missed one day of work. And we have quite a tale to tell for years to come.

Later, I do promise to put some pictures from Good Old Days. Thanks for reading.

You can put it on the board...YES!

2008-08-24T19:39:00.007-05:00

Well, it wasn't all a celebration. Our first White Sox game in several years didn't produce the outcome we had hoped for, but we had fun nonetheless.

A couple of home runs by Jermaine Dye (Anita's favorite player), a perfect game through 5-2/3 innings by Javier Vasquez. Then the wheels came off and the game spiraled out of reach. Bases loaded. No outs. A series of walks and hits. Suddenly 3-0 became 5-3.

But we enjoyed some tasty beers, some decent food, a great, rowdy crowd, a couple of home runs that produced exploding fireworks from the scoreboard, and a fair amount of time spent at ground level in the picnic area.

We hope to do it again soon. And better results are expected.

Note: The Sox did rebound on Sunday, with a 9th inning, come-from-behind effort that led to an eventual victory.

Go Sox!!

Some images from the game below...

First grade jitters

2008-08-24T19:23:00.007-05:00

This past Thursday was the start of the new school season for Su. First grade. Yep, she's officially a "student" now. Full days. Lunches. More homework. But it was also the first day for Su in a new school system. Su's preschool and kindergarten time was spent in the Geneva school system. She had already developed a certain sense of comfort with her old routine. She had made a few friends along the way. And she just LOVED riding the bus. So the world was a safe and predictable place.

But with our move back to Winfield, it not only meant the start of a new school year, but also all new faces. Of course, a huge reason for trying to get this move accomplished this year was to get Su into a new school system before she really developed any lasting friendships. Our view was that kindergarten, while fun, would be forgotten soon enough. But getting into the school system that would take her from grades 1 through 8 was more important.

We also knew that, with Su's personality, she would have no difficulty at all making new friends and fitting right in. Heck, it's only first grade, right?

We were so surprised by what started to take place as the school year crept closer. Su was actually NERVOUS. And the nervousness eventually gave way to fear. And her last night of sleep before the first day was not easy for her. The look in her eyes and the fear on her face showed through. This continued through to the next morning, breakfast, and the walk to the school.

I had decided to start later at work so I could accompany Anita and Su on the walk for her first day. I tried to joke and keep her mind off of her fears as we walked the .3 mile distance to her school. But to no avail. By the time we got there, she was deathly silent (not something that happens often!). And she clung to me in line while fighting tears. It was so tough to watch. Even when her new teacher came over and introduced herself, it did nothing to ease the fear.

All we could do was wait and see how her day concluded. We had a feeling that all would be just fine once she was settled into her classroom. But the wait would be tough as we hung on to hear the verdict on Day One.

Of course, it's as we expected. She came home wired and happy. She loved the first day. And she loved the second day, too. She really likes her teacher. And she's starting to talk to a few kids. The fears are gone. Anxieties forgotten.

And now nothing left but reading, writing, and arithmetic. Hmmmm... Does it get much better than Day One? Seems to me like it would be all downhill after this! :-)

But seriously. This should be a great year. Being back in the old neighborhood, closer to work, Su in school, and everyone extremely happy.

Not quite the babe

2008-08-17T15:20:00.005-05:00

As a follow-up to the zoo, my second day off of work really featured just one plan for the day: fishing with Su. With another great day of weather on the horizon, it seemed like a wonderful opportunity to take Su out for some fishing at nearby Blackwell Forest Preserve. Su had been pressing me to go fishing for many months now. I realized that this was something that she really wanted to try -- and not just a one-time declaration. So it was with a bit of confidence that I purchased Su her very own Princess fishing pole for her past birthday. I really wasn't sure what she'd think when opening up the gift, but was delighted that she was actually quite excited about the whole idea! In the last days of our Geneva house (pre-move), Su spent many days actually practicing her "casting" down the hallway or tossing accurate attempts from the family room into the kitchen.

So there really was only one thing left to do: get my fishing license. A few weeks ago, I picked up my license and the nearest Wal-Mart and then crossed my fingers for some good weather. As luck would have it, that day would come on Friday, my second day off. So after my morning run, I returned home, cleaned up, and announced to Su that we'd be going fishing. She was just thrilled! We gathered up our poles, gear, and mosquito repellent and made our way to the lake -- first stopping off for some bait (WORMS!? They're SQUISHY!) and some beverages.

While not exactly conjuring up any comparisons to legendary fisherman Babe Winkelman, we still managed to get a few "hits" now and then while soaking up the morning sunshine. And, as luck would have it, about 1 hour into the day, Su latched onto the big one! After watching that bobber go under the water and stay under, it was time to walk it in. After spending the first hour of the day stressing the importance of "patience," she now was seeing the fruits of her labor.

It was quite a battle. Her little Princess pole bending under the strain of the classic tug-of-war, Su managed to lure the giant shark -- err, fish -- up to the shore and, using all the might she could muster up, hauled the giant sea creature up for all to see! A triumphant moment and a testimony to the sheer will of the little 6-year old girl from Winfield.

OK. Maybe a bit over the top. But you can see for yourself what counted most: Su was just thrilled and was beaming from ear to ear.

We didn't catch a thing the last hour. We mostly just lost a lot of worms. But the experience left a great impression on Su -- and I suspect we'll be doing this again very soon.

And, yes, we threw the little guy (or gal?) back into the water.

The Babe would be proud.

Talk with the animals

2008-08-17T15:08:00.008-05:00

I had an opportunity to take a couple of much-needed vacation days this past week. With good weather in the forecast, we thought it would be a great opportunity to work our way to Brookfield Zoo, a destination we had not visited since a bit before Su entered our lives. We had taken her to smaller zoos over the last few years, more in line with the attention span of a young one -- not to mention the greater amount of walking that would be required to take in a larger zoo like Brookfield.

As mentioned, we had beautiful weather on this particular Thursday and we headed out for a day at the zoo. All told, we spent a good 4 hours or so walking the zoo grounds, taking in a little bit of lunch, and an ice cream treat when nearing the end of our day. With over 3+ hours of walking during the day, Su was quite tired and even succumbed to the calls of the sandman while driving home.

Just a few shots below from our day.

Bowling night out

2008-08-17T14:47:00.009-05:00

One of the perks from having a good realtor relationship is finding out that you're appreciated -- even beyond just whatever commission amount you may have helped toss over his/her way after the transaction is complete. We've used the the same realty company now for 3 different occasions: a sell in 2004, a buy in 2005, and a sell AND buy in 2008.

But what has been enjoyable is the continuing relationship in between (and after) these different moves. Our realtor Joyce Courtney (Re/Max Home Court) has made a point of continually offering up customer appreciation events over the years. Kane County Cougars baseball games, bowling events, evenings out with high-caliber food and raffles, and assorted other ways of saying "thank you."

Well, this year was a family bowling night at St. Charles Bowl, in St. Charles, IL. It was a Friday night out, where the whole alley was rented out and reserved just for Joyce's customers. And because it was a "family" night, we were able to take Su along and have a wonderful time together. It was unlimited bowling, pizza, snacks, and drinks (well, aside from alcohol -- although I didn't mind throwing a few bucks toward a couple of cold ones during the evening).

We had a really great time. Su, with the benefit of some "bumpers" along the gutters, bowled a whopping 70 by her last game -- even learning to put aside the standard 2-hand roll method and adopting the 1-handed delivery -- all plenty impressive for a 6-year old.

Anita and I, both former league bowlers, each looked like we hadn't bowled in about 6 years or so. But we still had a great time watching Su toss the ball out there and then come running back each time with arms flailing. I'm not sure whose form she adopted. I doubt it was something displayed by Pete Weber or others on the bowling circuit. But whatever the influence, it was working for her.

And for us. A wonderful night out together.

Birthday girl

2008-07-20T23:23:00.003-05:00

While pictures of Su's birthday party -- belatedly held on July 19th, after moving into the new place -- are to come at some date in the near future, I felt compelled to share this one picture taken today while she wore her brand new dress, compliments of Grandma and Papa Peltier.

To my birthday girl: You've been through so much in recent weeks. And you've tried your hardest to help us, even when it was difficult to do much to help with packing and cleaning. You've rolled with the compromises to your actual birthday (see previous post of pre- and post-move activities) and didn't moan at all when told that your actual party would have to be held off a bit until we moved into the new house.

Your patience (for a 6-year old) has helped us to put the chaotic past behind, settle into our new digs, and put together the proper party together for you, free of the stress and uncertainty that filled the last 4 months.

Now we're all home and happy. And we had one heck of a great bash for you on Saturday, didn't we?

Happy Birthday. We love you so much.

- Dad and Mom (and Max...)

Leaving Geneva

2008-07-20T22:57:00.010-05:00

It's been a while between posts and I do apologize for the lack of details in recent weeks. As many of you know, we've been in the midst of a family relocation, returning to Winfield after about 4.5 years away.

The official move and "close" was on July 9th. The days before and after have been nothing short of exhausting. The days leading up to the move were spent packing, packing, cleaning, and packing. In between, we managed to squeeze in a bit of packing.

July 7th (Monday) was a workday -- and also Su's birthday. She was shortchanged a bit on her actual birthday, but we did make it all work out. We turned the 6th (Sunday) into her day, devoting the time to her that we knew wouldn't happen that following day. A morning trip to see KUNG FU PANDA was a special treat for her. We had a lot of fun throughout the day and capped it later with presents and her choice of dinner. For this, she kept the venue close and we walked to our local Applebee's location. All told, it was a very good day.

But by the next day, it was the start of what would become about 1.5 weeks of whirlwind activity. A hectic work day kicked off Monday, followed by the pickup of the U-haul trailer. No, we weren't moving ourselves. We had what proved to be a very hardworking and personable crew doing the dirty work. But what I insist on during every move (and there have been a few...) is moving my own music studio and office. And anyone who has seen the pile of clutter knows that this is no small feat.

So Monday night was spent loading up the U-haul. Tuesday morning, bright and early, the movers arrived. And by 1:30 or so p.m., the house was mostly empty, save for essentials (food, clothing), blow up mattresses, a couple of folding chairs, and a smaller TV to pick up the evening White Sox game. Yes, priorities.

We ate dinner on the family room floor, devouring up veggie dogs, a couple of beers (we had to lighten the load in the U-haul!), and some post-meal treats. Later in the evening, we retreated to our mattresses, completely exhausted and still knowing that there was so much more ahead.

Wednesday started early with the last of the cleaning, packing, and sealing up the house for good. We managed to squeeze items into every last remaining space in the U-haul, the Santa Fe, and the Camry. We pulled away from Geneva for good at approximately 10:15 a.m. We stopped by Mom's house and dropped off Max (the dog) for a while, stopped at a friend's place to drop off Su for a while (no fun for any 6-year old at a house closing) and headed into Winfield. There, we dropped off the trailer in front of the new place and headed for the closing.

By 1:30 p.m., we were finished, with keys in hand and piles of paperwork that basically said that we owe the bank lots and lots of money that I have to pay until I'm about 72 years old. Yikes. That hurt just typing it.

When we arrived back at the house, the movers were there with all of our belongings and promptly started unloading. By about 5:10 p.m., we were officially "in" the house. It was ours. And nothing but piles of boxes and furniture surrounded us.

And we couldn't be happier about the decision.

I took off Thursday to really try to make a serious dent in the unpacking process. Slowly, the place started to truly feel like HOME. By Friday morning, as I prepared for work again, I felt like we had truly reached our destination.

Oh, and the commute was a meager 25 minutes. What a treat!

I will follow up with pix of the house once we have it more presentable for viewing. In the meantime, I'm just sharing a few from the first days of the move process. Some from the loading and the first shots from the outside, as well as looking out into the driveway from the garage on the first rainy morning that followed.

You're the Swedish thing...

2008-06-25T20:18:00.010-05:00

Hard to believe it's already been a year since I wrote my last little summary of Geneva's Swedish Days weekend. My gosh, so much has happened since then. And oddly enough, my overall feelings about these events and the city of Geneva haven't really changed that much. It's a beautiful area and there is certainly a charm about the location. But unless you really get into that whole Third Street shopping and have the extra cash just begging to spring out of your wallet or purse (I prefer the wallet), there really isn't that much to do.

Well, unless you have a kid. Then you can turn it into a little bit of fun. And this year's fun was almost a carbon copy of last year's fun. Face painting. A chance to climb the fire engine. Some live music. Even a demonstration by the fire department for kids detailing how to react in the event of fire.

This year, we even saw a couple of people we knew. Su's kindergarten teacher and a school friend of hers. Otherwise, no familiar faces. A few dogs being walked. Lots of school kids enjoying a brief amount of freedom sans parents.

Aside from the fire department demo, Su also went on her first small roller coaster. I tried my best to take a photo, but the delay on my camera made that an impossible task. I did manage to get part of the front of her body in one shot. But nothing else to show the joy on her face. The first moments, as the coaster jerked from its stopped position, brought about a sense of worry and anxiety. You could see it in Su's eyes. But after a trip around the tracks, suddenly the expression was one filled with absolute joy. The screams ("those were GOOD screams, mommy") were an indicator that this little girl was going to handle fast-moving rides much better than her parents!

Otherwise, not much else. It just made for a nice evening and a chance to walk off a little bit of dinner, mingle in the crowd, and wear down the little gal just in time for bed.

Next up: Good Old Days in Winfield. And by then, we'll be in walking distance. Two more weeks to go until moving day!

A day for dad

2008-06-17T22:43:00.007-05:00

[There are 3 posts for the price of 1 today... read on!]

Over the last nearly 5 years, the term "dad" has taken on much greater significance for me. Each and every day, I get to hear that word escaping from the lips of a special little girl. And most days, it still leaves me a little speechless. Me? Dad? Coming home from work and hearing someone shriek out "Daddy!" as I'm entering the house. Does it get much better than that? Oh, sure. Max barks continually and spends the next 3-5 minutes whining. But it's not really the same thing, is it? And Anita stopped shrieking upon my arrival many years ago. Guess the thrill is gone. :-)

This particular Father's Day was especially nice from almost the first moments of the day. I started out with a leisurely morning run and got caught out in a storm for a bit. But it quickly passed and the day did nothing but look up from there. Su woke up in a great mood and greeted me with "Happy Father's Day!" Then Su presented me with her special gift -- a White Sox balloon to float proudly around the house! And that was capped by a wonderful White Sox sweatshirt, which will be worn with much pride during cool evenings in the fall -- as we cheer on another World Series run (Sorry, Cub fans, but your pitching isn't going to hold in the 2nd half. Lilly? Marquis? Ha!).

We went out for late breakfast/early lunch at our favorite local diner -- called The Geneva Diner (surprise). Some of the best casual dining in the area, though. Breakfast and lunch only. The place was packed when we arrived. Probably a lot of dad's getting honored at this point in the day. But we were able to sit down at the counter -- a new experience for us. There was something rather neighborly about the whole experience. Overall, it was a very pleasant lunch.

We then took a little drive into Winfield to glance at the new house for a tiny bit. Saw the current owners and chatted for a while. All parties are quite excited right now. In 3 weeks, we'll be in the house and neighborhood we've been seeking (since we left back in '04) and the current family will be heading off to Phoenix to return to family, as well. We drove around, looked at the parks, the schools, and then daydreamed about the very near future.

We capped the afternoon with a top at Graham's in Geneva for some world-class ice cream. We finished up just moments before the rains hit again and headed home. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and enjoying some free time before the next work day would follow.

It really can't get much more special than this.

Going home again

2008-06-17T22:39:00.002-05:00

Returning to the neighborhood we love. Back in Winfield. Closer to work. Closer to Barone's. Closer to Ashoka. Closing July 9th. More details to follow.

What's all the racket?

2008-06-17T22:19:00.004-05:00

Earlier in the spring, Su surprised us with the following declaration:

"I want to play tennis. Can I take lessons?"

What? You've never shown any interest in tennis. We don't watch tennis. None of your friends play tennis. Oh, sure. Why not? But here's the deal: If we sign you up, you've got to finish it out. If you don't like it, you have to see it through.

OK. That's fair.

So Su is playing tennis now through the Geneva Park District. And she's actually having a lot of fun. I had the opportunity to see her on her very first day. Unfortunately, the camera was not with me. The day pretty much went like this:

Swing and a miss. Swing and a miss. Swing and a miss. Oooh. A tip! Swing and a miss. Then the instructor worked on her 2-handed form. Swing and a miss. Oh, a hit! Cool! Swing and a miss. And then another hit! Sure, not far or fast. But she's making contact. Now THIS is getting excited. And where is my damn camera? Oh, yeah. On the kitchen table. Another hit! Whoo-hoo!

So we're in week no. 2 now. And we even picked up a used kid's racket for $1.50 at a garage sale over the weekend. So now she has a racket with her own name on it. And she's having fun. Not Bjorn Borg just yet. She's not Bjorn Ulvaeus, either (ABBA).

And she's not quite Bjorn to run... Ooooh. Sorry. That was really bad.

What? No "Danishes for Dad" Day?

2008-05-10T22:39:00.006-05:00

This past Thursday, Su's kindergarten class had a special "Muffins for Mom" day in celebration of Mother's Day. Of course, Anita was thrilled to be able to spend some time with Su during one of her school days. But what was even more fun were the events lined up to pay tribute to "mom."

Miss Lefevre and the kids all worked hard to put together quite the production for their moms. There were several songs sung and even a very touching story read by a couple of the students, complete with on-screen photo support. Anita was able to bring along the video camera and capture some very special footage. And if I had any kind of free time, I'd convert some of the video and post it here.

Considering how little I've been able to contribute to this blog of late, just be content with what I can provide tonight. Su and mom are fast asleep and dad now has an opportunity to sort through the photos and place a bit of narrative alongside.

All in all, a very fun day for Anita. Su also prepared little gifts: a flower, a little piece of jewelry, and a beautifully colored butterfly. And, of course, there were the goodies. My understanding is that there were more than just muffins there. Sounds like many tasty treats were offered.

Note to Su: I'm expecting donuts on Father's Day!

Aluminum tunes and dusty vinyl

2008-04-22T09:29:00.010-05:00

So, in case anyone missed it, Saturday was Record Store Day around the nation. I had mentioned it in an earlier posting, hoping it would drum up some excitement about an often-overlooked establishment -- and the true music shopping experience.

A quick link to the event website provided a list of participating stores. Our own suburban location was represented by Geneva's very own Kiss the Sky, located on 3rd Street in the downtown district. I was actually surprised that there had actually been a little press written about the event, too. Granted, no giant billboards or planes circling delivering messages in smoke. But, considering the state of the music world, any kind of recognition is a plus.

I managed to get over to the store late in the afternoon, probably close to 4:00 p.m. To my surprise, the place really was hopping. A wonderful mixture of young and old pouring through merchandise: CDs, old and new vinyl (yes, new vinyl is on the rise again...), t-shirts, posters, and other assorted items. There were snacks available like sushi, cookies, pastries, and a few plates that were already quite picked through (my punishment for arriving late). There were drawings for t-shirts, goodie bags with purchases, and sales on vinyl.

I managed to come home with a few goodies myself. I arrived carrying my 3-page long "wish" list and was able to cross a couple of the items off, as well as finding a few new releases.

If I had any complaint at all about the event, it was that ONLY the vinyl purchases were celebrated with discounts. And only when reaching a certain total. Now I do understand that vinyl is an important part of past glory -- and is even starting to find an audience with younger fans again. However, the bulk of the store is CDs. And considering that the CDs are already priced higher than any online source, it would seem to have been a great time to pass some savings down. The vinyl available at the store, while pretty tasty, wasn't extensive enough to satisfy the wish list anyway.

I did find one wonderful 3-record vinyl import release by Stereolab (Aluminum Tunes) in pretty good shape. And I picked up 4 CDs as well. But not the stash I was hoping to return with -- especially after saving my pesos for so long in anticipation of the event. And the record I did buy (not cheap by any means) did not produce any discount.

So, overall, I do feel some satisfaction in helping contribute to the bottom line of a local establishment. And I'm very excited to see that so many people came out to take part in the celebration. But I would like to see more done next year to make it worthwhile. There were a lot of folks there buying CDs for $16-$19 that commented on the cost. I can get a far greater selection and price online. So please make it just a TAD easier for me to justify paying out some bucks. I have a budget. And I crave music.

Also, I really wanted the Record Store Day t-shirt. When I asked, I was told it was only something that could be won with the drawing of names later. Employees were wearing this wonderful shirt and it was hanging up on display by the counter. What better way to advertise for next year's event? Sell me (and others) a shirt!

Better start saving now for next year's event.

A little bit of catching up

2008-04-14T23:49:00.008-05:00

[Su's cousins, L to R: Joey, Reese, Noah, Su, Holly, Tommy, and Shelby]

I actually don't have much of a post. At least not in terms of providing exciting news. But I figured my long-haired photos of yesteryear were probably sitting at the top of the page long enough and it was time for something a bit more interesting.

Since the last posting, things have been busy in kind of a "quiet" way. Easter came and went. The daytime work schedule has been keeping me more than busy, with too many late trips back home. The construction has resumed on I-88, so now my drive has crept back up to being near unbearable most days. I've been supplementing with a lot of extra freelance work of late, too. A couple of large projects came up near the same time and I've been struggling to keep up. One large design project wrapped up last Thursday. One is in review mode by the client and I'm putting the finishing touches on one last smaller job. Then it's time for a break.

No news on the house. We had quite a bit of activity in the first 3 weeks after listing. About 10 showings to date. But this past week produced only 1. Weather was uncooperative, but I suspect that it's just an overall slowing period. While interest rates remain low and existing home sales aren't totally bottoming out, the pace isn't the same here in Geneva right now. It's pretty much hit-or-miss. A house near ours sold in about 2 weeks. Others sit for months. So we wait and remain a bit frustrated.

Su is doing well. The rapid rise to "girl" status is amazing. And spending a couple of nights with her cousins (Anita's side, not pictured) last month during a sleep-over brought about new additions to her vocabulary like "dude" and "awesome." Her cousins are teens. She's not yet 6. It's pretty strange to hear the words coming out of her mouth. But it's fun. She's doing well in school and her personality is strong and confident. She's also just started up in gymnastics this past week. So the confidence continues to grow.

And she has joined Dad for one more session of Tae Kwon Do at the Geneva Park District. You can read the earlier entry on the success of that program. It should be another 7 weeks of fun for the two of us. And I think Anita enjoys the small break. She continues to handle all in the household without complaint. She keeps everything running near flawlessly. And with so much going on between school, house showings, family events, and fulfilling all of the household needs, that's no small feat.

I don't really have much to add. It's kind of a scattered summary to throw out a few nuggets while hoping for free time to do more with the next entry. Hmmm... Record Store Day is fast approaching. Perhaps an update to the blog will be forthcoming. Plus, more birthdays and even a family trip to the dentist. OK. No dentist details.

Noise on the web

2008-03-30T15:56:00.017-05:00

[editor's note: all pix are old. very old.]

If you've been looking at some of the other "links" available on this site, you may have noticed a new area I've added called IMPORTANT NOISE. Over the last few months, I've found myself getting more involved in the world of music out in the myspace universe. Aside from the countless people sites out there, which I've never participated in, I was surprised to find what a large music community was out there. Not just never-before-heard artists with home studios, but also some of the biggest names in music. I was first made aware of this network through communications with good friend HAWKINS (bluesausageinfant). After a bit of time, I finally decided to take the plunge and resurrect some of my own musical ambitions, past and present.

You'll now see some links to what I consider to be some of the more interesting artists producing music in recent years. I'm not talking about mainstream. And I'm not even talking about music with vocals. Heck, a lot of it isn't even in the old verse-chorus structure. This is abstract. Emotional. Spontaneous. Some loud. Some soft. There are a lot of incredible artists out there trying to redefine musical boundaries. Some of the artists have been around for decades. Others much newer but no less ambitious. I'll be adding more over time as I continue to network with various artists.

What I decided NOT to do was use this as a forum focusing on past efforts. My history of rock and alternative rock goes back to about 1985 or so. And, at least for the time being, it's had its day. I have nothing but great memories from those efforts. But I elected to use this music area as a way to break away from my past and focus on more of the experimental work I've dabbled in the last few years. It's not all polished. It's not all concrete. But it's all me. It's not radio-ready. Some take time to develop. Some don't develop much at all. It's music for music's sake.

Anyway. There are 6 tracks out there on the reanimation link currently (myspace limit). They are likely to change over time. The first 3 are recent solo efforts. Just spontaneous compositions based on a small foundation. RISORGIMENTO, MELD, and THREE MARTYRS OF ATSUHARA are just me and a little bit of free time. A lot of fun to create. Heck, THREE MARTYRS was spawned entirely because I couldn't get the rhythm of our old clothes dryer out of my head. In fact, the intro and outro sounds ARE the dryer! The last 3 songs do pay homage to my past, as I have to, for the time being, show where it all began. The tracks here aren't necessarily the big hits (well, one is), but are there because of what they mean to me. CANVAS was early Every Part of the Animal and one of the highlights of the days as a trio. I NEVER SAID was the college radio "hit" from latter-day EPOTA and, to this day, is the best pop/rock effort I ever wrote. Radio-ready in almost every way. AFTER ALL was a solo effort that eventually was recorded with the other half of my first band, Quixotic. Not a radio hit, but a song I've always loved.

These aren't for everyone. Can any music be? I certainly don't apologize for the efforts. I enjoy the art and hope that some of you might elect to share in some of the experience. And please take a listen to some of the other artists out in the community. There are a lot of exciting results being posted out there and you're not likely to hear much of this through everyday music outlets.

Enjoy. Maybe? Play Loud!

Winfield bound?

2008-03-19T07:53:00.013-05:00

OK. Don't tell me if you've heard this one before. Moving? Yes, moving. What do you mean, "Are you moving AGAIN?" It's not like we move every year, right? It just feels like it. I guess there have been more than a few times in our past where U-Haul or Ryder has benefited from our circumstances. Let's review the history, shall we? It's kind of a fun journey:

1) Wheaton, IL apartment: 1988-1989
2) Glen Ellyn, IL rental home: 1989-1993
3) Dallas, TX townhome (rental): July 1993-January 1994
4) Rowlett, TX rental home #1: January 1994-March 1994
(to be fair, we found out on our 2nd day here that the house was under foreclosure)
5) Rowlett, TX rental home #2: March 1994-June 1995
6) Tucson, AZ rental home: July 1995-May 1997
7) Winfield, IL house purchase: 1997-2004
8) Muscatine, IA apartment: February 2004-May 2004
(company-paid housing for job relocation)
9) Muscatine, IA rental home: June 2004-July 2004
(this was to be a purchase, but seller failed to disclose plenty)
10) Muscatine, IA house purchase: July 2004-June 2005
11) Geneva, IL house purchase: June 2005-present
12) ???

So what's next? Actually, it's not that big of a deal this time. No out-of-state moves. No job relocation. Well, sort of. A lot of this move has to do with getting closer to work. Some has to do with just going back to an area we love. And part of the motivation to do it now is to be settled in before Su starts up school in the fall.

When we moved back to IL in 2005, the circumstances were entirely different. I was self-employed, working from home, and could really just pick any affordable place to live and exist. And that's what we did. We found an affordable pocket in Geneva. I worked from home for the better part of 2005 through May of 2007. But when work slowed, I found new employment that required a lengthy drive to work. Unfortunately, it's been a time-consuming and costly one.

I've spent far too many hours sitting in my car and far too many dollars spent on filling up the tank. We decided it was time to get back some of that free time and pull back some of those dollars going toward gas and tolls. Also, we've spent a lot of time daydreaming about returning to an area like Winfield again. With it's more centralized location to the things we like to do, its close proximity to wonderful running trails, and the quaint, quiet wooded feel of the area, it's a more natural fit for us. While it's a great city, Geneva has just never quite felt like "home" to us.

So the process started all over again. Our house went up for sale officially on Tuesday and immediately produced a couple of showings. Our sign wasn't even out yet, so it was like our little "secret" from the neighborhood. This morning, the sign was up, so now the word is out. But we already have an offer on a place (contingent) in Winfield. And we're hoping we can keep up the activity level on this house and maybe find our way to a solution soon.

I'll try to keep everyone posted. At least this move is local!

Save the date!

2008-03-07T09:14:00.007-06:00

Where do you plan to be on April 19th? After reading the news today in the entertainment section of our local newspaper, the answer became more than obvious. The ONLY place you should be is at your local vinyl-and-CD authority. For April 19th is...

RECORD STORE DAY!!

I didn't know there was such a day. And maybe not before this year (although, as a youth, I would proclaim almost ANY day to be Record Store Day). I saw the little blurb in the paper. Local merchant heroes Kiss the Sky were participating! And my eyes lit up when I caught the phrase, "...when Kiss the Sky joins indie stores throughout the country to pay homage to record-store culture via live music, mega sales, and overall "High Fidelity" camaraderie." Geez! Camaraderie, too?!

For grins, I visited the Kiss the Sky site and was surprised to see an actual banner ad for an actual Record Store Day web site (graphics above). When I linked onto the Record Store Day site, there were the words right in front of me:

"On Saturday, April 19th, 2008, hundreds of independently owned music stores across the country will celebrate 'Record Store Day.'"

Additional:

"On this day, all of these stores will simultaneously link and act as one with the purpose of celebrating the culture and unique place that they occupy both in their local communities and nationally."

So do you need any more encouragement to take a journey to your local participating establishment? Not sure if one near you is involved? Just visit the Record Store Day website for a complete list of stores that are sharing in this milestone day. Do your part. Get involved. Share in the fun. Make some purchases. Keep these key members of our community in business for a long, long time.

A little tiger

2008-03-04T07:57:00.007-06:00

This past Saturday was the last class of Tae Kwon Do for Su this session. It's hard for me to believe I'm actually disappointed. While I had a feeling that the "family" class would be good for Su and I, there was no way for me to know just how much fun we'd actually end up having together.

Last fall, we had signed Su up for a Tae Kwon Do class for individuals -- kids whose ages ran from about 5 years to 9 years. The class was through the Geneva Park District and run by Bill Cho's United Tae Kwon Do Center in St. Charles. We initially decided to try out the class because: A) we figured an additional winter-time activity wouldn't be a bad thing, and B) I figured the class could go a long way into developing some confidence and coordination. I had taken lessons some time ago and had accumulated a few belts before hanging it up, but knew that it could be a lot of fun for her.

Su did seem to enjoy the class, but like with a lot of activities, wasn't sure if she really wanted to do it again. And that's fair. We have given her the chance to try out different activities and only want her to experience something new once in a while before ruling it out. When that particular session was up, we decided to give it one more shot -- this time as part of the "family" class, giving the parent a chance to participate with the child.

This seemed like a great opportunity to spend some time with Su, keep her interested, and also add a little bit more exercise to her winter-time routine. Su wasn't sure about another class but at least was a good sport about trying it again.

And we had a blast. Working through routines, bonding exercises, counting to 10 in Korean, reciting the 5 tenets ("Courtesy, SIR!..."). We had so much fun together. And I witnessed the changes in Su as she became more confident in her abilities and also did a fantastic job of memorizing routines and language. For me, the class was a lot harder than I thought it would be. The routines came back to me quickly, but the hard part was performing a lot of these exercises with a 5-year old on my back! Running relays, push-ups, all with Su hanging on my backside. It was hard, it was fun, and the 8-week session seemed over before it began.

We're thinking about trying one more session together in April. I'll see how Su feels about doing this with Dad one more time. Su especially loved the interaction with Master Han (Master Yong Soo Han), who was especially great with the kids, and Master Jeff, who added additional assistance and training.

Tae! Kwon! Do!

The Year of the Rat continues

2008-02-18T19:02:00.008-06:00

As mentioned in the previous blog entry, the wonderful thing about our Chinese New Year celebration schedule is that we get to do it multiple times and continue to spend time with extraordinary friends. This past weekend was our yearly celebration with our travel group. And like past years, this bash was hosted in wonderful fashion by Ron and Wendy. This gathering brought together five of the travel group families, as well as a couple of families that were part of an earlier travel by the hosting family.

The house was festively decorated and the food, all painstakingly prepared by Wendy, was in abundance -- and just out of this world. There was certainly no shortage of refreshments, chow, and great desserts.

From the very first moments upon arriving, Su was greeted by her special friends and immediately ran off to start playing together. You wouldn't know that it had been months since they'd last seen each other. Members of the travel group continued to arrive, filling the house with good cheer and (with each additional child) that much more noise. It was certainly a "charged" environment. Everyone was in particularly good spirits.

The evening was capped off with a dragon parade, colorfully prepared and colored by the kids, who draped the long paper figure over their heads and stomped around the house, feet puncturing the rolls of packing ("popping") wrap laid out in front of them to guide their journey around the admiring parents.

After quite a bit more playing, everyone started to slowly exit. As usual, we seemed to be the last ones there. The true sign of a good time. Even at the late hour, Su still didn't want to leave. Of course, we had to explain that a good guest is one that will eventually leave!

Despite the tired exterior, Su somehow managed to stay awake in the car during the 35 minute trip home. But once home, it was quickly off to bed and followed by a VERY lengthy time in bed. Actually, the same was true for ALL of us.

Xin Nian Kuai Le

2008-02-18T18:28:00.011-06:00

Happy New Year! It's that time again to recognize the Chinese New Year. As expected, this has become an important tradition in our household in recent years. We have a lot of fun with Su during this time of year. And due to the many wonderful friendships we've made through our adoption process -- both with our travel group and locally -- sometimes it seems like the celebration never stops.

We initially had a small family dinner on the actual holiday, with the three of us paying a visit to our local establishment, China Taste. Despite it's not-so-Chinese sounding name, their food is actually far and away the best in the area. Always mouth-watering. And always with very good service. The only downside? No beer served at this establishment. Sure, you don't HAVE to have alcohol when celebrating. But sometimes a refreshing Chinese beer goes a long way in complementing a meal.

That very next Saturday, we did go out for yet another meal of Chinese food, visiting the East China Inn, this time accompanied by cold beverages. We spent the evening with Su's pal (and former roomate) Cole, his sister Lina, and their terrific parents. Su was even able to wear one of her special dresses that we bought while in China. She looked just beautiful. Another night of good food and great company. The kids had a wonderful time and it helped set the stage for a little post-dinner playtime -- a chance for the 3 of them (probably feeling very restricted by restaurant rules) to let out some steam.

It was a fun-filled night. And we returned home with a very tired little girl.

Near extinction

2007-11-29T11:20:00.000-06:00

Once upon a time, there were many. Some towering over local sidewalks. Others nestled in decades-old homes. Others hidden amongst the brick landscape of small downtown locations. Wheaton. Glen Ellyn. Bloomingdale. Lombard. Lisle. There were sightings everywhere. Some were warm, inviting, with an alluring song extending out like a familiar hand. Others were dark, cold, and almost daring you to come near.

But you did. The temptation was always too great to resist. And having made the bold leap into the unknown, you were rewarded with candy for the senses. The incense, almost intoxicating, and a constant reminder that these were new worlds. The images. They almost leaped off the walls and shelves. Where do you turn first? Eye-catching psychedelia. Bold new designs. Glistening shrink wrap. Vinyl as far as the eye could see.

And the sounds. Yes, the sounds. This was a brave new world, wasn't it? Extending well beyond the reaches of commercial radio, we were treated to a musical vision not intended for the masses. Some of what was shared was intense. Loud. Almost ear-splitting. Was this music? How come none of my friends were listening to this? Some experiences were almost cerebral. Who were these new artists reshaping or tossing away the old mold? What I heard was fresh. Not quite so familiar. Smart. Lyrics that were almost poetic. Song structures that seemed to take you on an actual journey, not just a 3-minute break at the highway rest stop. And some experiences were just breathtaking. Music that seemed to spit in the face of tradition. Artists playing time signatures that seemed to zig when you thought they should zag, showing a musical dexterity that would cause the average rock star "wannabe" to cramp up with exhaustion trying to keep up with the speed and precision.

25 years ago, they were out there. You didn't have to look too hard to find these small offerings of musical bliss. I felt secure knowing that I had a place to go to get away from the norm, the mainstream, the conformity. And there was the indescribable, absolute joy that came from those first moments returning home, tearing off the wrapping, revving up the turntable, and settling into a wonderful journey. The music. The artwork. The liner notes. All for me.

And now they are almost all gone. First, it was almost in slow motion. One disappeared. Then another. And then they were herded away in the middle of the night. Lonely shops. Empty bins. Unable to survive the changes brought about by the music "business" (as well as a mostly conforming public), they threw up their collective arms in frustration and surrendered. The music seemed to die. And what's worse. Nobody seemed to care.

Sure, some of the more densely populated downtown districts have managed to hang on to these beacons of hope (as blogger pal hawkins occasionally details in his DC platform). A few hung on through the tough times. And a few others might have quietly entered the scene. But out in Suburbia, it continues to be a sad time.

But there is cause for some hope. A survivor. Here in Geneva? It's true. Having established a loyal following in nearby Batavia, Kiss the Sky has decided to rise to the challenge in full, tightening its belt, padding its armor, and planting itself right in the heart of the downtown river community. I say "bah!" to the gourmet pet treat stores and expensive collectibles. "Humbug" to the trendy clothing boutiques and pricey restaurants. And I can say WELCOME at the top of my lungs to our new neighbor.

The familiar lights are back. The incense. The selection. The music knowledge from owners and employees who actually care. Vinyl is still secondary to the CD format here. But the back room is changing more each week. At least I have a choice. It's not just Hannah Montana and Celine. Britney or The Jonas Brothers (just TYPING those names almost caused me to weep). Nope. Real artists. Real music.

Monday was a vacation day. My first order of business had to be Kiss the Sky. And there was a familiar giddy sensation at the end of the experience as I sorted through my new purchases in the car. Cluster. Circle. Dead Kennedys. Comets on Fire. Wire. Six Organs of Admittance. More.

Much like 25 years ago. Please don't ever leave me again. Please.

The season begins

2007-11-29T07:57:00.000-06:00

This past week officially kicked off the holiday season. For the next month and more, we'll be involved in the yearly routine of attending family feasts, birthdays, and assorted gatherings leading up to and including the new year. Whew!

Anita and I have been pretty fortunate when it comes to the holiday scheduling. Over nearly 20 years, we've rarely been put in difficult situations, like having to toggle between multiple party locations within the same day. Thanksgiving is one of those occasions that has always produced the same plan: Thanksgiving day at my family and the following Saturday is downstate further at Anita's family location.

[Friday is always reserved for our family feast at Barone's Pizza in Glen Ellyn. Ah, tradition...]

This past Saturday was the annual drive to Bourbonnais to visit with Anita's family. We were thrilled that this visit coincided with the opening up of the new southern extension on I-355. Years in the making, this addition to the tollway system now knocks off about 15-20 minutes of driving time and actually provided a less stressful route.

So, having arrived safely (and early!), we settled in for a relaxing day of eating, drinking, and socializing, as well as watching the painful end to the Notre Dame football season (fortunately producing a win). And Su enjoyed hours of fun with her cousins, Sarah and Erin (shown in photo).

And a great turkey day to all: an ode to my family

2007-11-21T07:46:00.000-06:00

Just when I started to accept the fact that we had moved into November, now I'm just amazed that we're almost ready to move OUT of November. Yikes. This month -- hell, this YEAR -- has been just a blur. So much has happened since the start of '07. Some of the highest highs and lowest lows.

Has it already been a year since we found ourselves in the middle of intense job interviews in Des Moines (IA)? Has it been 11 months since walking away from that very job offer (and acceptance) and electing to keep the family camped right where it currently resides? 8 months since the closing of the design studio in Aurora, which placed me right back into hurried self-employment mode? And almost 6 months since I accepted my current Mgr. of Communications title in Downers Grove?

Anita went from stay-at-home mom to looking for a job (during the last scary self-employment period) back to stay-at-home status. And Su went from preschool into kindergarten, somehow rolling with the changes and stress, all the while keeping us on our toes as she continues to grow from small child into little girl.

As for thanks: Through all of the rough stretches, anxiety, and sleepless nights. Through all of the sniffles and colds, t-ball games, and school projects. Through all of the unexpected events (roof, flooding, car). Through an almost-insane work schedule during the late summer and fall. And through all of the moments meant for laughing and enjoying -- I thank the 2 most important people in my world: my wife and daughter.

During one of the strangest years to date, I continue on because of them.

[And there's still over a month to go!]

A man for most seasons

2007-11-05T15:30:00.000-06:00

Back when we lived in Tucson (AZ), I remember having many a discussion regarding the importance of having "seasons" during the year. In the midwest, we have 4 very distinct seasons, although some can sort of merge together leaving you wondering what happened (usually the absence of a true spring or fall). In Arizona, we did have seasons. They just weren't as vibrant. Monsoons brought about great beauty in the fall. And winters were downright gorgeous. Summers were just plain hot. But I can't say I truly "missed" the midwest seasons when we were away.

I didn't start to appreciate these changes until we moved back to the midwest in '97. Running in the springtime was a joy. And, for me, there is no greater time to run or train than in the fall. Feet beating down on a crushed path through miles and miles of forest preserve is a splendor not to be taken lightly. The cool, crisp air -- just enough to actually show your breath in front of you but not have to cover up -- can almost take your mind off of the work and pain associated with a long training run.

Of course, once the temperatures sink down into the 30s and below, it signals the end of comfortable running and the addition of many layers of warmth, many more hours of darkness, and a serious lack of motivation. And thoughts turn toward the desert again. At least for a few frigid months.

The joy of fall is also accented by the beauty of the leaves. Breathtaking colors. When we lived in Winfield (IL), we were surrounding by giant oaks. It also meant dedicating entire weekends to the act of raking. Hours and hours spent moving piles from the back of the property to the roadside for pickup. Walls of leaves.

Now in Geneva, in a newer subdivision, this isn't so much a problem. We don't have tall trees. We don't have much to rake. There lies the trade-off. We also don't have the same beauty. I can finish my raking chores in about a half hour. Seems great, I suppose. But I would trade it in a heartbeat to get back to our old surrounding.

But at least we had enough leaves to create a little fun for Su...

Trick or treat, smell my...

2007-11-01T11:24:00.001-05:00

Of the many changes that take place with parenting, Halloween tradition is probably one of the more fascinating. It seems like 20 or more years go by with little interest in the day -- aside from remembering each year that you need to stock up on some candy -- and all of a sudden you're thrust into the middle of it all, courtesy of a 5-year old.

Truth is that, aside from a few parties attended as adults, there really wasn't much to take from it all. But having a little one anxiously awaiting costumes, candy, and school parties makes it all too easy to start to share in the enthusiasm. Whether it's shopping for a costume, decorating the house, or watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" for the first time since childhood (does anybody really understand why half of that show was filled with Snoopy in his "flying ace" segment?), I found myself actually enjoying some of the circus environment.

And so, on this particular day, I had the good fortune of setting up some "work at home" time, allowing me to actually participate in Su's good fun. Her elementary school had their Halloween parade outdoors around the school. All grades participate and family can show up outside to watch it go by. Anita and I took a small break from the day to go see. Su was all smiles, waving to the crowd -- even before she knew we were there. Obviously, she's not shy in public! Once they turned the corner and headed back to the school, the show was essentially over and we headed back home.

After a few more hours of work, I shut down and helped get Su prepped for the afternoon of walking the neighborhood. The two of us spent almost 1-1/2 hours on foot. Early on, she was running from door to door, at one point exclaiming (arms raised into the air), "This is the best Halloween ever!" Of course, her long history gives her quite a reference point. :-) Still, it was fun to hear her enthusiasm. She was loud. She was polite. And eventually she was... TIRED.

Yep, a mere 15 minutes after her declaration of joy, the feet were dragging, the bag of candy was dragging, and her eyes were displaying none of the glee from the other side of the street. I transferred the weight of her bag into the bag I was carrying (always good planning to help lighten her load) and encouraged her to complete the final strip of homes. Hey, we were heading that way anyway, right?

Overall, she had such a great time. Her costume was falling apart the whole way and the strong winds made it impossible to keep her hat on. But we both had a blast. She made a killing on the candy and saw so many of her friends along the route (amazing how many friends a 5-year old can have this early into the school year).

Once home, we dined on some Indian food, shared a few choice wrapped goodies, and Su soon faded and actually asked to go to bed -- almost an hour early!

Reunion

2007-10-30T08:05:00.000-05:00

In recent years, the month of October has come to mean something special to us all. No, not because it's time to dress up like ghosts and goblins. Certainly not because it's the month of the Chicago Marathon. And, no, not even because the month of October has now been crowned with a 2005 Chicago White Sox World Series sweep.

Nope. October means that it's time for our annual reunion with the midwest travel group that accompanied us on our amazing trip to China. Every year since that wondrous event has been celebrated at the home of Mike and Cinda Z., parents of adorable little Mia. October doesn't actually have anything to do with our travel month in 2003. But it has somehow become the month most available to families on the calendar. And so it went for 2007 as well. Anita, Su (pictured in the blue sweater), and I packed up the car with CDs, books, and beverages and headed to the reunion.

While all of the families are located in the "midwest," we're not all very close in driving distance. The Z family are up in Gurnee, about 1-1/2 hours from us. One family is in Chicago. Another in Indiana. There has been a strong effort -- this past year in particular -- to find ways to keep the kids familiar with one another and allow them grow together. No easy feat, but certainly well worth the effort.

As always, Mike and Cinda were incredible hosts, sharing space, food, and spirits. The food was wonderful and the company even better. The kids had an amazing time together. And aside from some unanticipated wrestling moves and one bloody nose (the kids, not the adults), everyone came away from the day happy, fed, and extremely tired.

It is funny to see how the kids respond to each other with the passing years. The first year of the reunion featured more emphasis on toddler activities. Adults split time between watching kids, feeding kids, changing kids, and chatting with adults. With each passing year, the kids have evolved into independent little rug rats. They eat together, converse with one another, and bathroom accidents seem to be a thing of the past (thankfully).

And... the adults can actually find the time to really be adults, enjoying the conversation of good friends and remaining thankful that such a special event brought us all together.

I'm certainly realistic enough to know that life does get in the way from time to time. And there might be a point where these gatherings become difficult to maintain. As the priorities of people change, whether it be due to distance, jobs, location, or any number of reasons (no... birthdays do not count as an excuse), getting everyone together on one date might prove difficult. So we certainly treasure what we have right now. And we look forward to many more opportunities to share our lives.

I've seen your picture...

2007-10-11T16:42:00.001-05:00

... Your name in lights above it. (Steely Dan - "Peg" from AJA)

I realize that it's been a while between posts. And for that, I apologize to the 4 or 5 people whom actually read this blog once in a while. I had several different event photos to put up on the site. Some t-ball. Some daily activities. But then came school pictures.

I'm still a bit stunned by the photos that arrived courtesy of Su's kindergarten class. Is this the same little girl we've been watching for the last few years? I THINK it's her. After all, she answers to the same name when called. Well mostly. And she seems to have the same mannerisms, eat the same foods, and has a voice that -- to borrow from SPINAL TAP -- seems to go to 11.

But we're certainly seeing a little girl growing up right before our eyes. Amazing. But she can still toss on a baseball shirt (Go Sox!) and mix it up with other dozen boys out on the t-ball field.

Back to schoolin'

2007-09-10T15:22:00.000-05:00

Finally, a little activity before boarding the bus. As you might remember from previous readings (the small handful of you actually reading this site), our first attempts to capture some photo magic with Su starting kindergarten were thwarted when tornado sirens turned the afternoon and evening into an all-out frenzy of activity.

Well, a little over a week ago, I had the opportunity to work from home and I managed to snag a couple of pix of the little gal before she boarded her bus for school.

Su is having a great time with her school routine. She loves the bus (maybe her favorite thing), is making friends at school, and has already been a teacher helper. Of course, little does she know what's in store for the next 12+ years or more. Tee-hee.

Happy Monday!

Magic carpet ride

2007-08-27T08:17:00.000-05:00

The day started out innocently enough. In fact, it was to be quite an exciting one. Thursday was Su's first day of kindergarten. And she was just giddy about taking the bus to school. I even arranged to get off work early and planned to be home to photograph the moment when she returned home from school, bounding off of the bus.

About 2:45, the bus was nearing its stop on the route near our home. But so was an unbelievable storm. We had been watching the skies for a little while and knew it would be a photo finish to determine what would arrive first -- our girl or the rains. We had heard that nearby DeKalb was in the midst of a tornado warning. Shortly after, so were we.

The bus that we watched go up one side of the nearby block failed to come up our side. And the tornado sirens wailed. A neighbor yelled out that the buses had been sent back to shelter areas. We hustled back to the house, grabbed flashlights and the pooch, and took cover in the basement as the winds and rains pelted the house. And within moments, we also lost power.

The initial blast did pass and we went upstairs to assess the damage. Nothing terrible in our area, although we would later find that nearby spots weren't nearly as fortunate. But the question of the day soon became: Where was Su's bus? Frantic calls to the school and transportation service confirmed that the bus made it back to the school (a VERY odd choice to take the 10+ minute drive back to the elementary school with a bus full of students when the middle school was 2 blocks away, as were other safe locations, in the middle of a tornado warning). After some time, all buses were released, although it took quite some time for us to be hooked up with Su.

Through it all, Su had been virtually oblivious to what was happening. She arrived smiling and waving. And had no real idea what the fuss was all about. Other kids on other buses were rain-soaked from open bus windows. Su didn't even realize that there had been a warning. She was just bored with the additional time back at the school and on the bus. But we were just plain relieved.

But that was short-lived. Our power didn't return all day. And the additional pouring of rain that continued through the day -- mixed with all of the rain we'd accumulated over the last week or more -- evolved into something unplanned. With nowhere to go and no power to the pump to push it out, the rain water invaded our basement.

Frantically, I worked to save items of value. Up went boxes, work samples, and children's toys. And the biggest task -- saving the music studio. If there was a shelf or a chair above the safe level, I piled on with electronics, boxes of equipment, and a couple of decades worth of recorded works.

With nowhere to go outside, water kept moving in from the outer walls of the basement. But with most items out of harms way, we just waited out the storms. By midnight, the power was restored. Water was quickly retreating. Of course, it was too late for the carpet.

So the weekend was spent tearing out old, soggy, cat-pee smelling (previous owners had cats -- apparently some who must have treated the entire basement as a litter box... cats suck), and hauling it up to the roadside curb. After serious cleansing, next comes drying, painting, and new carpet.

Oh yeah. On Friday, Su took the bus back to school. And this time the bus arrived on time. No winds. No rain. No problem.

Do not sit on the cows

2007-08-20T08:02:00.001-05:00

This weekend was sort of a first for us -- at least in recent memory. This was our first little getaway for a couple of days since we were fortunate enough to have Su enter our lives. Well, the first overnight excursion that didn't involve a job interview of some sort. Yep, it had been that long. Destination? Madison, Wisconsin.

As the weekend approached, we were a little worried about the changing weather forecast. The chance for cooler temperatures didn't bother us -- not on the heels of so many 90 degree days of late. But the rain could be a problem. But we forged ahead. We had a room booked at a Holiday Inn Suites (complete with individual kid's suite), the dog-sitter was all set up, and we had a full tank of gas. Onward!

Of course, part of the way into our journey, the drizzle started up. But remaining optimistic, we wanted to make the most of our rare chance to get away. Upon arriving in Madison, we kicked off with lunch at Zuzu Cafe. What a find! And only a block away from the next stop on our journey, the Henry Vilas Zoo. After thoroughly enjoying the hummus plate and a relaxing, casual environment, we headed over to the zoo. Again, a little rain didn't dampen the mood. We had umbrellas to serve us when needed. And Su had a wonderful time.

Little did we know that this was to be the high point of our visit. After we left the zoo, the rains started to come down that much harder. We attempted to take in a little bit of the downtown area, but outside strolling became impossible. We rushed through a visit at the Children's Museum (highlight: Su with her first cow-milking experience), hiked back to our car, and then made our way to the hotel to check in.

Still, we were hopeful. We spent some time in the hotel pool (more of an indoor park), and then headed out for dinner. We dined at Sa-Bai Thong, reported to be the best Thai food in Madison. While the service was good and the atmosphere enjoyable, the food was average at best. And not nearly enough bite to the curry dish I had ordered.

Then the rains turned to storms. In trying to get to our car in the lot (in order to pull up to the door for the gals), I was nearly hit by a speeding car. And the rest was all downhill after that. Storms raged all through the night and into the morning, flooding out all of our entertainment options.

After attempting to drive around the rain-soaked city in the morning, we gave up and just headed home. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. It had been several years since we had an opportunity to enjoy ourselves away from the house, work, and employment-guided circumstances. The drive home was made that much longer by the lack of visibility during the next wave of storms.

A crushing end to a weekend with much hope. And so we head back into another work week.

Take it to the Max

2007-08-15T15:04:00.000-05:00

I don't have an awful lot to report on with this post. More than anything, it's just a way to correct an awful realization: Max hasn't seen his furry little face anywhere on this blog site! At least not in the last several months.

For those of you not familiar with our huggable mate, we adopted Max from the Kendall County animal shelter in Yorkville (IL) when he was about one year old. Since that time, he's seen the arrival of our little girl and has managed to stay somewhat sane during our moves into 4 different "homes" over the past 3.5 years without any transition issues. He just goes with the flow.

Max recently enjoyed his 6th birthday. He's a giant walking pile of fur and a constant provider of drool and hair. But he's a goof. And he's wonderful with Su and her friends. Sure, he's not fond of the UPS delivery person. And he also seems to have a problem with certain print brokers in my industry. But the rest of the world is a happy, happy place for him -- and we're fortunate to have him in our family.

Sorry, Max. I'll do a better job of providing info on your future exploits. Gomez and your other canine "brothers" are asking. I'll try not to disappoint.

Gotcha!

2007-08-12T14:03:00.000-05:00

Amazing. Has it actually been four years since our journey to China? Has it really been 1,460 days since officials from a far away land handed over a 13-month old child named Su over to two individuals who had no clue just what the heck they were doing? Four years ago on this date (August 11th of 2003) ended a 19 month adoption process and brought about the first day in the actual start of our new "family." And, frankly, I can't remember much about what life was like before Su entered our lives.

Part of the tradition in some adopting circles is to acknowledge the actual date that the new addition actually is handed over to the new parents. This day is referred to as GOTCHA DAY. It's a special date that deserves recognition, as it's a momentous occasion for the parents and becomes a special day for the child, more unique than birthdays or miscellaneous holidays. And it creates a wonderful opportunity to relive and retell the events that brought this family together.

Our Gotcha Day turned out to a very fun-filled day despite the continued 90 degree heat and awful humidity. We decided we weren't going to let the uncomfortable conditions take us out of having some outdoor fun. We decided to cope with the heat and embark on a little biking journey. We attached the trailer, strapped in Su, and headed out for the Batavia Art in Your Eye fine art show and festival. It was a chance to stroll through some art displays and also spend a little time in the park alongside the Fox River.

Later in the day, we dined at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants, El Tesoro in West Chicago -- a favorite of Su's. Feeling quite full from our dining experience, we elected to take a trip to downtown Geneva and walk the main strip of shopping and assorted gathering spots. Armed with a handful of coupons from our volunteer time associated with the Geneva Viking 5K run last month, we strolled into Graham's for some incredible free ice cream. Feeling even more uncomfortable with the added calories, we elected to walk a little bit of it off before heading back home.

We concluded the evening by viewing one of the DVDs from our journey 4 years earlier, just staring in amazement at the footage of this little baby, once unable to even so much as crawl, and just marveling at how far she had come in such a short period of time. How far we ALL had come.

Kids and crocs!

2007-08-07T12:48:00.000-05:00

Hmmm... Time to plan the day's activities. Let's see now. It's hot. The sun is beating down. Humidity is about 90%. It's just miserable out there. What to do? How about the Journeys of the Heart Annual Picnic!

In fairness, one can never really plan in advance for outdoor events and not expect weather to be a factor. The good news is that there was a breeze blowing and there were even a few trees to provide much needed shade. And it's really about the kids, right? It's certainly worth some sweat, sand, and sunscreen.

For the 2nd year in a row, the Journey's picnic was held at Wheaton's Northside Park. This annual event is a wonderful opportunity to meet up with other families who have chosen to adopt through the various programs offered at the agency. It's a great time to meet up with old friends, meet new ones, and just stare in amazement at how much our babies have grown.

Aside from playing, running, feasting, and sweating, this year's event also brought in a traveling reptile show. And it was a huge hit with the kids -- and adults! Chris Boerema's Traveling World of Reptiles spent part of the afternoon with us and just wowed the kids with creatures of all sizes and textures. Some friendly. Some not so much. All handled in a professional and educational way. The kids got to pet some of them. Some kids were selected to hold turtles, place a frog on a nose, or a tarantula on a head. Good fun for all!

After more sweating and playing, we ducked out of there around 4:00 or so. About 10-15 minutes later, the thunderstorms moved through and concluded the days events. We were all pretty wiped out after a day in the sun. But it was just a great day to bring so many people back together again.

That's it until next year!

2007-07-24T17:30:00.000-05:00

The festivities are now officially over until this time rolls around again next year. We've just completed the 2nd installment of Su's 5th birthday celebration tour. And now we can relax, let the house resume its normal, semi-cluttered state, and focus on the rest of the summer.

Until Su entered our lives, I just never had any idea on what parents go through with birthday celebrations. We learned quickly (3 years ago) that it's insane to have one huge party with family and friends. There is just too much going on and there is no chance to enjoy any of it. So we followed the path that many parents before us have taken: splitting the party up.

Actually, it's great for the kid (extends the festive mood) and pretty good for the parent, as we can enjoy smaller gatherings, relax a bit, and remove a lot of the stress. Of course, a family with multiple kids may have a different take on all of this. Hee-hee.

Anyway... This weekend's party was a special one for Su -- and for us. The party consisted of close friends -- ours and Su's. All of the families involved share a similar path in building a family through adoption. Wonderful kids and equally wonderful parents.

[Pictured above, Front L to R: Lina, Grace, and Su / Back: Colvin and Jacob]

We were sorry to have to carry on without Su's friend Hannah, home sick and being cared for by her mother. Both were missed immensely. But the kids carried on valiantly in their absence, having a wonderful time playing together, eating cake and ice cream, and beating up on the dads.

Same time next year?

Gimme Five!

2007-07-09T08:04:00.000-05:00

If you followed the news this past week, you couldn't help but pick up on stories that suggested the added importance -- or perhaps luck -- associated with the arrival of this particular date: 07-07-07. For reasons I still haven't really understood, July 7th became one of the most sought after dates in recent memory for people planning weddings. ESPN had a lot of fun suggesting that there was some additional importance with the date, finding strange and wonderful links to fate and/or luck (Something about a player with the uniform number 7 getting a clutch hit in the 7th inning to drive in a run that made the score 4-3... yes, totalling 7 combined runs!). I could probably spend a huge amount of time dismissing this need to hand over an element of luck to ballgames, marriages, and whatever other life events occur.

For OUR family, however, this date took on added importance in a very REAL way: the 5th birthday of our daughter. For us, July 7th meant that Su has completed 5 calendar years of living, loving, and learning on this planet. No more kiddie parties watching a toddler smear cake and drool. This is a young lady we're now watching grow up right before our eyes. Beautiful, funny, intelligent, and continuing on toward greatness: in the form of whatever she chooses to be in life.

And July 7th also meant another blistering hot day for a party. Family and a few friends came by to celebrate with Su and share in a day of food, beverages, music, and chatter. Pizza from Taylor Street was a huge hit. And the near-90 degree temperatures assured that coolers filled with water, soda, and brews would not go to waste.

Su had so much fun. Between the heat and the activities, this little girl was tuckered out beyond belief and went to bed with a smile that spelled out the obvious: She had a wonderful time. A very REAL birthday celebrated on a very REAL day. No luck. No hocus-pocus.

Happy Birthday, Su!

The Swedish Thing

2007-06-25T10:04:00.000-05:00

This past week brought the return of the annual Swedish Days in Geneva. For reasons I have not quite entirely figured out, there seems to be a lot of hype surrounding this event in the downtown area. The typical selection of food vendors, tents with wares being displayed, info booths, people walking dogs, and the carnival madness, blaring the latest kid-friendly rap hits.

I certainly don't have anything against festivals that bring out the community spirit. It's a great opportunity to walk around and get to know your neighbors. Well, at least that was the case when we lived in Winfied. Their annual Good Old Days celebration was a smaller, sweatier version of Swedish Days, but more home spirit. You never knew who you might run into at the beer tent. But Geneva is an entirely different animal.

Don't get me wrong -- Geneva is a beautiful city. The river location makes it especially quaint. Yes, it's high priced. And yes, the almost-famous shopping along Third is for those with a lot more money, a stonger need for purchasing baskets, fashion, or trendy dining. But you can almost push that all aside and enjoy the picture-perfect setting -- if you have enough cash in your wallet to stay long.

But unlike Winfield and other smaller local festivals, you don't usually run into people you know. For some reason, people will travel a long way to come to this event -- as well as others in Geneva (Festival of the Vine and the Christmas Holiday Walk). What this means is that you tend to be more alone in the crowd. Unless you are a neighbor to one of the $800K homes nearby, you're not likely to be sharing any home-grown spirit here.

So what's left? A little pizza, some soda, some walking around, face painting (inset shown--Su with ladybug) and a chance to play on the fire engine.

Employment comes knocking (or Winds of change)

2007-05-26T13:52:00.000-05:00

So why the photo of the windmill? No real reason. Actually, this is just a nearby landmark that I've had the pleasure of observing almost every weekend when I go out for my Saturday morning long run. And I really just thought that this was a very cool picture I managed to take on an overcast day. My runs along the Fox River will take me through some beautiful sections of St. Charles, Geneva, and Batavia -- the site of this windmill. The scenery is peaceful and sometimes inspirational. And there were many weekends were I would spend the better part of a run pondering the next move in my career.

In some ways, I felt like I had exhausted almost all energy and hope in the recent months. Since the move to Iowa in early 2004, the career path has been somewhat rocky. While there have been good moments, most of the results have been very short of fulfilling. My 13-month stay at Allsteel (Muscatine, IA) was both educating and frustrating. With physical and mental health failing fast, we decided to return to Illinois and regroup. I reestablished my self-employment structure, picked up most of my old clients and worked at home for the next year. The early months were profitable, but a slowdown was to be coming. And the next move sort of dropped into my lap -- a position as Creative Director at Creative Graphic Solutions, in Aurora. After just a few short months, I was soon aware of financial issues with the parent company and the design studio. While I wasn't out of a job, efforts by ownership and sales to turn things around didn't produce the desired results and I was soon having to think ahead to my next move.

The end of 2006 brought about a whirlwind set of circumstances. I interviewed out in Des Moines for a position as Creative Director for one of the top companies in the area (as mentioned in earlier postings). I was offered the position before the Christmas holiday season. But we ended up walking away from that offer at the start of January. As the 2007 year progressed, I was often left wondering if I had made the right decision in passing up on that position. The studio was failing and I didn't know what would come next.

I wasn't even sure I wanted to remain in this field. Years of churning out design work, branding, billing, estimates, in addition to the worry and the frustration over the lack of a career progression (no "ladder"), no raises, no paid vacation or holidays (for the self-employment years), and just wondering if perhaps I needed to look into something entirely new to inspire me. I was contemplating possibly a career coach. Maybe a mid-life school effort to change careers. But where would I find the time or money? Ugh.

I took a chance and threw a few resumes out to the world. There were not many opportunities out there that seemed worth pursuing. And the best descriptions were quite a distance away. Some out of state (again). Some just an unreasonable distance to drive (about 1.5 hours each way). Did I really want to spend 3-4 hours a day in a car for some unsatisfying corporate gig just to make a decent salary?

The answer arrived about 1 month ago in the form of a phone call from Coventry Health Care in Downers Grove. I had sent a resume out on a Friday afternoon for the position of Manager of Communications. On Monday morning, they came knocking. The first interview was a great success and I was really impressed with the company and the expectations of the role. But more important, I was extremely excited about the people. This was not an ordinary corporate setting. Some sort of intangible quality set them apart early. This was evident in my face-to-face with the Director of Communications. I was pretty sure things went well. And a couple of days later, I was called back for the 2nd round of interviews. I was no less impressed after that exchange. And just as excited about the possibilities. A day later, I received a call that an offer was being constructed and to let them know if anything were to change in my job situation. That afternoon, the verbal offer was in, followed by the actual offer package in the mail the next day. I was very happy with all of the components being offered and accepted a day later.

I started my new position 2 full weeks ago. I have never been more happy with a career decision. In my new role, I achieve an almost perfect balance of design and management. I oversee branding and design, handle the communications needs (presentations, print, advertising, events, marketing, etc.), and also benefit from one aspect not found in most of the positions I've pursued -- an actual balance of work and family. No kidding. You mean we actually get treated as professionals? We can do our job and then go home at a reasonable hour? I can still catch my running club on Wednesday nights?

I have a long drive now. Not terrible, but not like the last several years. But I drive home with a very fulfilling feeling of accomplishment and a strong suspicion that just maybe this might be "home" for me.

Stay tuned.

Let's play two!

2007-05-26T13:27:00.000-05:00

Wow. Has it really been 1 whole month since my last posting? Apparently. There have been so many changes over the last weeks and I never really knew where to start with the updates. New employment for starters. But that's a story for another posting. For now, I just wanted to concentrate on Su's recent accomplishment -- finishing up her 2-month instructional t-ball classes.

Even last summer, it was very evident to me that Su could hit. Last July, we purchased a t-ball set, complete with small wooden bat. And with just a little guidance on the correct batting stance, Su was pounding the ball. But would she want to participate in an actual class to learn about the game of baseball? We signed her up to see what she would think.

She loved it. The class was part of the Geneva Park District and was carried out by an outstanding organization called All Star Sports Instruction. Coach Derek created this instructional company and was also Su's coach for t-ball (Coach Derek shown below, with Su's famous glasses). He was amazing. Great skills as a teacher and made the class fun for both kids and parents. Su had a blast. She learned about elephants and alligators (part of the teaching method), who's in the dugout (you-you-you... rapped to "Who Let the Dogs Out"), running to the right bases, scoring a run, and even the jargon -- telling the parents before the kids/parents game that they are "going down!"

The last week of class was indeed the game against the parents, where the kids could show off their skills. And it was so much fun. Su crushed the ball in her only at-bat and later scored a run. And Grandma and Grandpa Peltier were on hand to watch her play. Mom and Dad even got a chance to participate in the coaching drills (middle picture, above). Whee!

And after a fun day of running around in the sun, we capped the afternoon off with a lunch at the Geneva Diner, a walk along the Fox River, and a yummy chocolate brownie courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa.

Will there be more t-ball in the future? Maybe. But next up is soccer, also organized by the same great sports league. We'll see if Su wants to be the next Paul Konerko (her favorite White Sox player) or the next Pele (hmmm... maybe I'm showing my age with this pick).

Watch that pickle!

Take me to the river

2007-04-26T08:26:00.000-05:00

The past weekend was my first experience running the Illinois River to River Relay in downstate Illinois (VERY downstate). The event is an 80-mile journey across the lower portion of the state, starting near the Mississippi River and winding through highways, hills, towns, and amazing, tree-filled beauty -- all the way to the Ohio River. Our team ("Anybody Seen the Start Line?") was assembled from members of the Fox River Trail Runners. There are 8 runners on a team and a total of 240 teams participating. Each runner ends up with 3 legs of this 24-section race. Team vans filled with runners shuttle through the course, dropping off the next runner into the transition area and picking up their weary companion just completing their section. (Team L to R: Mary, Joe, Cara, Mark, Jennifer, Mike, Greg, Kipp)

If you have an opportunity to browse through the actual website of the R2R race, you can view information describing the various sections and see elavation views detailing the hardships encountered. As RUNNER 6, I had the distinction of taking on the hardest elements of the this course (which by no means undermines the difficulty of the other sections). But RUNNER 6 gets presented with the 2 hardest hill-filled sections of the course, sandwiched around a flat, easy stretch. "Hills" doesn't quite describe it accurately. A quick look at my last leg (Section 22) shows very much a MOUNTAIN. At one point, it was over 1.5 miles of the steepest grade I have ever traveled by foot.

The provided graphic (taken from the R2R website) breaks out the 3 legs of my journey. Section 6 was a mix of steep hills and rolling highways, a long downward stretch, and an uphill finish -- 3.3 miles in all. The next leg, Section 14, was the "relief" in this day -- a 2.5 mile sprint to the finish (15:19). And just when the legs are telling you that there isn't much left in the tank, the final 3.8 mile portion of Section 22 just devastates the psyche. You climb and climb... and climb. And then you climb some more.

Fortunately, I was greeted by an excited and supporting team when pushing into the transition area for the baton handoff. And a nice, cold one soon followed. All that was left were 2 more sections being handled by my teammates, a team run to the finish line, and a walk uphill to the Ohio River for a photo opportunity.

Today, my quads still hurt. Going down the stairs is a struggle. My ribcage is seriously bruised (longer story -- and nothing to do with the actual "running" of the race), and I couldn't be happier about my experiences.

I can't wait until next year!

Alone again, naturally

2007-04-06T10:59:00.000-05:00

I apologize to the very few of you who actually view this blog and probably wonder what happened after the last post. I hinted that employment change was coming 'round the bend and promised details to come.

The short of it is that the small design studio I was directing had a few too many financial problems to overcome. While I was keeping busy -- mostly with my own client work from previous self-employment -- there was not enough going on to sustain the overhead needed to keep the doors open. Had I realized just how bleak the view looked, I would have seriously reconsidered joining up last June. But, alas, I went into the change optimistic and enjoyed several months of solid and creative work.

Anyhow, I'm back to where I was a year ago -- sitting at home performing work for clients I've had for quite some time. A bad thing? Not entirely. I appreciate the relationships with my clients. I enjoy most of the work. And I truly need the income. Not many other ideal choices have been presented to me over recent months (okay, disregard the Des Moines experience earlier in the year...). Long commutes. Low pay. Wrong job descriptions.

My office is now back in full production mode, only I've moved up from the basement and ended up on the 2nd floor with an actual window. A new mac (shown), updated software, and the arrival of spring hopefully present a sign of things to come.

Scary? Hell, yes. Unlike when I first set up my business at the start of 2000, the circumstances are very different. Tighter financial picture. Uncertain work flow. It will be an interesting ride.

Where's that confounded bridge?

2007-03-15T09:11:00.000-05:00

So just why does this Thursday morning feel like the last few Thursday mornings? Probably because I still have the same cough as I did almost 4 weeks ago. Ugh! Time to get healthy.

A lot to report on, but most will wait until probably the next blog. More changes in the employment picture. More uncertain circumstances. Is it too late to change career paths? At my ripe "old" age, can I entirely reinvent myself?

Onward. We were fortunate to have a nice break in the weather. After what seemed like ages of freezing cold temperatures and high winds, spring has shown itself and given a nice teaser on what's to come more regularly. We even reached the 70 degree mark 2 days ago. This splendid release of springtime air allowed us to finally get out of the house for a while and do a walkabout last weekend. A fun trip to the Fox River (see photo) was the result. Su enjoyed the hike and the playground. Anita and I were just happy to be outside for a while.

Stay tuned. More detail to come on the employment picture. Creative Graphic Solutions is dead. The doors are closing soon. Long live the prospect of self-employment. (Sigh...)

Sharing smiles

2007-02-22T08:53:00.000-06:00

This is a short post, quite unlike the previous additions earlier this week. The sole purpose is to share this photo. Too many times I hear, "when are you going to send me any pictures of Su?" I keep asking if anyone's looked at the blog site lately?

Well, school photos just arrived at the house yesterday. And I must say we were pretty pleased. Can anyone believe that this is the same little girl as the one arriving in our lives with only a small trace of hair and chipmunk cheeks over 3 years ago? Geez, I'm staring across my office at a photo from only 1 year ago, taken before the Christmas holiday, and THAT little girl has already disappeared, only to be replaced by the young lady you see here.

How long before she wants the car keys?

Open house

2007-02-19T15:00:00.000-06:00

The New Year tends to bring out new goals for most. And the Year of the Pig certainly is no different for me. Most are the same: improve my diet, increase my running mileage, make more studio time, find a "happy" place with my employment picture... But the most important goal I have for 2007 is actually shared with many other wonderful individuals and involves our local temple in West Chicago -- Myogyoji Temple.

2007 has already brought about a rush of new "firsts" for the temple. Seminars at colleges. The development of new materials. Organized groups to spearhead marketing efforts. All of these becoming first-time efforts locally for a 3,000 year old religion.

Now, I'm not going to use this location as a forum to illustrate the history of Buddhism or get into discussions on whose religious beliefs are the best or most accurate or most valid. I mean, the answer is obvious, right? :-) No, I'm only using this opportunity to share a little bit about our weekend's events and the first Open House for a temple that has been in existence in the western suburbs since 1981.

Many great talents came together to put together information, materials, food, as well as provide endless amounts of enthusiasm and volunteer time. With my background, I had the great fortune of being able to contribute to the visual impact of our efforts. Starting the year with brochures and PowerPoint shows, and following that with signage and kiosk/displays for guests to view when visiting.

This past Sunday was the kick-off event. And a rousing success. Many first-time visitors showed interest, shared snacks and beverages, asked questions, and quite a few even stayed to observe evening ceremonies. What a day!

And we even had the great pleasure of having Su there to provide her personality and wit to the occassion. Somehow, she held up during the long day, only broken up by a quick lunch at El Tesoro in West Chicago (where they serve some of the yummiest authentic Mexican food in the area). She was sweet, fun, and radiant in her dress from China. She took it upon herself to go up to just about any friendly face and offer up a big "hi!" before scurrying off elsewhere.

Speaking of scurrying, 2007 is also off and running. And now, so must I...

Year of the Golden Pig

2007-02-19T09:15:00.000-06:00

I guess it shouldn't be much of a surprise that the Chinese New Year has taken on much more significance for us in recent years. In the past, the only reason I paid much attention had less to do with the holiday itself and more to do with the fact that overseas printing in China would shut down for a length of time, affecting any book publishing efforts I might have been involved with at the time.

But the addition of Su to our lives has opened us up to so many amazing aspects of culture around the world. And I'm not just referring to Asian history and lifestyle. All life. And with Su, we have had the incredible pleasure of now being forever linked to some of the most special people, all with equally compelling stories. In our local area, we have formed some incredible friendships with families all sharing adoption experiences. These families have become such an essential part of our lives -- even, to some extent, influencing impactful employment decisions that would have pulled us away. And we will also be eternally thankful for the opportunity to have traveled to China with some of the most wonderful families, all playing such an enormous role in making that journey so incredibly special. Fortunately for us, many of those families are located within reasonable driving distances in the midwest.

The Year of the Pig is now upon us. I didn't realize until recently that it's actually the Year of the GOLDEN Pig. I'm sure you've already heard quite a bit in the news about what this really mean. Children born this year will end up prosperous and lucky. Well, we're already as fortunate as could be. And we were able to share that fortune with many of the great friends mentioned above. And the kids? A photo alone can tell the story that all of my endless blathering would fail to communicate.

(kids' photo courtesy of Ron and Wendy -- wonderful food preparation courtesy of Wendy)

Happy New Year!

Fresh snow for new beginnings

2007-01-22T13:55:00.000-06:00

I was amazed to see how long it had been since the last posting. Has it been over a month already? Last reported, the Shanahan clan had just returned from a second trip to Des Moines in pursuit of employment prospects.

So how did all of this end up? I guess it depends on your definition of success. On the 22nd, just before the holiday break, Mike was extended an offer by ITA Group. Salary terms were as promised, and the prospect of working for this prominent company seemed to lack any perceived downside. Strong financials. Great management. Wonderful family location. The end of many recent struggles?

So what happened? Mike turned down the opportunity. Too much doubt had crept into dark recesses of his mind. Too many sleepless nights. And no clear idea as to why. Friends? Family? Finances? Too soon to pack and move again (after Muscatine, IA)? Maybe all of the above. Maybe none of the above.

While there was some lingering doubt about the final decision, at least restful nights have returned to the Shanahan household. The anticipated moving date has come and gone. The U-haul cancelled and left for far more assertive souls out there.

So... after a New Year break filled with flu-like symptoms and way too much deliberation, we move along into 2007 with much hope and determination to make the most sensible decisions for our family. We appreciate EVERYONE who have contributed their thoughts, opinions, and even guilt-laden sentiments.

Mike has remained on, at least for the short term, at his current place of employment in his current Creative Director role. The promise of some marketing support and patience may mean an upward swing in business over the course of the year. For now, he remains busy -- although does not benefit from having a true staff anymore. The design industry is continually changing, as well as more competitive.

As for Su and mom? Well, they are doing well. School and activities keep the pair quite busy. And every once in a while, we get a surprise from the weather patterns and get to tackle some fresh snow...

The road most traveled

2006-12-19T12:19:00.000-06:00

Well, we were at it again. Another weekend getaway to West Des Moines and the last of face-to-face interviews at ITA Group. Now comes decision time -- both for ITA Group and for Mike. What a wonderful company. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, we had an opportunity once again (actually twice) to stop and dine at the World's Largest Truckstop -- Iowa 80, located almost exactly at the midpoint of our 308 mile journey along I-80. The rest stop presents a diner's paradise (Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Wendy's, Dairy Queen, just to name a few), shopping, and even a little package of Snowman Poop, selling for about a buck (don't ask).

Iowa road trip

2006-12-05T09:54:00.000-06:00

A long yet fruitful weekend. Good fortune was certainly on our side for most of it. The Shanahan family left Thursday late morning for Des Moines, IA in pursuit of future opportunities. Mike was scheduled for an interview with ITA Group in West Des Moines on Friday. We had a wedding reception to attend in Muscatine on Saturday. Then hopefully a Bears' game to catch on Sunday. Looming was a not-so-favorable forecast that predicted the arrival of anywhere from 10-15 inches of snow.

But with Max, our faithful canine companion, remaining behind under the watchful eye of our sitter, we scooted out of Geneva about a half day or so ahead of the predicted snowfall. And the rest was a whirlwind of activity: interviews, hotel rooms, car rides, and bitter cold weather.

In between all of this was a wonderful wedding reception for friends Hannah and Brian. Su was able to dress up for the occasion (see picture above) and was a dancing machine on the dance floor. And we were thrilled to see old friends from our previous adventures in Iowa. After a long night, all of us turned in for the night, including Su's pals (L to R: Rusty, Sprinkles, Sunflower, and Brown Cow).

The aftermath: A smooth ride home, paved streets, a healthy and happy pooch, and a successful interview. Where do we go from here? Stay tuned over the next few weeks.

...and thanks for all the fish

2006-11-27T09:10:00.000-06:00

Over recent years, I had always felt that I would do my part in preserving the proper order of the animal kingdom. I've been a vegetarian for over 7 years. I usually elect not to squash the life out of a spider -- even if in the house. I won't wear fur. Although I'm guessing that last one has more to do with the awful imagery accompanying that thought -- and the emotional scarring it would inflict on anyone forced to absorb the visual of me draped in an animal hide. But we adopt from shelters, support the Humane Society, and do our best to avoid squirrels on the roadway.

But I was disheartened to realize that I had been ignoring a large problem here in the midwest... the near extinction of our fine feathered friends: the aquatic birds of the family Spheniscidae -- the PENGUIN. In all of the years growing up in the western suburbs of Chicago, I can't recall ever running into one of these adorable, waddling creatures. Had I only known the severity of the problem, I would have started my crusade years ago.

I thank the wise, compassionate souls that took the time to create this public service announcement on the bridge along the Fox River. Had I not been running along one of my favorite river paths, I might not have had the great fortune of reading this cry for help.

Waddle on, my feathered friend...

Your Lion Eyes

2006-11-01T08:45:00.000-06:00

Okay. One collective large groan for the title of this entry. G-R-O-A-N. That's better. But it is the aftermath of Halloween and I'm sure it's just the last traces of the evening's sugar racing through my system. So now on with the summary.

Before Su, I didn't take much joy from this particular "holiday." Sure, it was fun as a kid. And, sure, we adults do like to "ooh" once in a while at a cute costume or clever theme. But mostly, it just meant stocking up on our favorite candy, distributing to the masses, and hoping enough was left for us and late-night snacking. With Su, all of that has changed. Her joy over costumes and snacks has transferred to us.

Su had a very fun day. Starting with her friend Grace's birthday party, it was non-stop action. The morning party led into lunch and was quickly followed by a tumbling class later in the afternoon. A quick recharge (naptime) and then dad was home early from work to take Su out for some "roaring" good fun.

It was a very cool night and a strong wind from the northwest. But Su had the perfect costume to combat the chill. The neighborhood homes were overflowing with goodies and Halloween themes. And Su's candy bag was half-filled by the first 8 or so homes. After almost an hour of walking, Su was dragging her tail behind her saying, "let's go home now."

But the energy returned as she itemized her collection of treats...

Faces of Autumn

2006-10-27T09:26:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine from the DC area (and a wonderful contributor to this very blog environment) was recently lamenting the slow arrival of the fall season. It seems as if the constant run of near-80 degree temperatures was not quite bringing about that necessary "chill" in the air that one requires when truly recognizing the entrance of the fall season and the future call of the frigid winter months.

But Sir Hawkins does not live in the midwest. We haven't seen a 70 degree day in weeks. And I doubt we'll see but maybe a handful of these days before truly settling in for the frigid months of December through February. The summer clothes are put away. The winter storm windows have been put in place. And we've already gathered around the fireplace to enjoy our first fire of the season.

While I can't yet offer him the brisk whoosh of ghosts he so badly craves, I can send him the eerie glow of autumn, courtesy of a couple of pumpkins. One face eagerly awaits the rush of cold to follow. The other face grimly attempts to accept the end of toasty warm summer nights.

Child's Play: Chuck E Rises!

2006-10-27T08:56:00.000-05:00

I suppose that we've been fortunate. Very fortunate. Despite our daughter Su being over 4 years old, we had managed to somehow avoid entering into that very pit of hopelessness -- despair, if you will -- that is almost sure to entrap most any parents of good conscience. We had somehow positioned ourselves among a wonderful circle of parents. Birthday parties at a child's home. Gatherings in the park. Fun at museums. No McDonald's Playland. No Chuck-E-Cheese.

Until two weeks ago.

Oh, the horror. The blood-curdling screams resonating through the entryway. The crying. The whining. The yelling. And that was just from Anita and myself. Add to that the cheese and sauce mixture they call pizza. The finger-shaped, crusted dairy (I think) product called cheese sticks. Fortunately, they serve beer. Unfortunately, I didn't have any.

Su wasn't too particularly taken in by the noise or the games. She seemed put off by the fast paced action and the volume of the place. But there was no way for Su to resist the lure of...

CHUCK E.

The gasp from her mouth and the wide-eyed look of awe when first introduced to that giant-sized rodent told me that we were not getting out of there early. Nope. We were in it for the afternoon. But all was not totally lost. We were able to exchange all of Su's winning tickets for a sticker, a tattoo, and a quick run for the door.

Gotta Love the Drake

2006-04-11T14:42:00.000-05:00

Last week, we embarked on a 5 hour journey to Des Moines, IA. While the original goal of the visit was business, or possibly future business, we did manage to breathe in a bit of the surrounding. If you haven't been to Des Moines, in particular the older neighborhoods around Drake University, it's quite a lovely place. A lot of culture, diversity, and a friendly vibe that is more than welcoming. Also running trails everywhere.

The Shanahan clan elected to spend a couple of relaxing days around a job interview I had scheduled at Drake. We stayed at a beautiful B&B, called the Butler House on Grand. Great accommodations and wonderful service. I highly recommend this spot for a getaway, whether business or pleasure. Stay in The Retreat, a fantastic room with enough space to spread out and relax.

While visiting, we were guided to an eclectic Chinese restaurant called the Cafe Su. Of course we had to investigate this place for two main reason: food and the name. What are the odds we'd go to Des Moines and find a cafe with the same name as our daughter? Wonderful food and a great dining atmosphere, all mixed in with a row of antique shops and gourmet pet treats.

While we don't yet know what the future holds for employment in Des Moines (although one can hope), we were at least treated to a fun and relaxing stay. We need a few more trips like this one.