Chicago

** addendum, 7/19**
KJ was disappointed that I didn't mention this:

While driving to Chicago, we listened to Sufjan Steven's The Avalanche: Outtakes and Extras from the Illinoise Album; this album features three versions of the otherwise cute song "Chicago." It was an apt listening choice, although KJ found the album otherwise lacking. Specifically, he snarled that it was "just a way to make more money."

Now, back to the rest of the post:

We spent the weekend in Chicago, visiting Jared and Cathy Silver, friends of mine from those heady undergraduate years.

But first, I made Kevin look at some modern and contemporary art with me at the Art Institute.

Self Portrait; Amy and Kevin in the reflective kidney bean.

Kevin, eyeing a Miro.

Our weekend was fun, and relaxing, and all kinds of crazy hot. (As we pulled up to Jared's house, we heard this weather report on NPR: "Today, it will be hot; tomorrow, it will be hot.")

As far as activities and events, we mostly just hung out in a low-key, heat-avoidance weekend. We did brave the heat an 80's hair metal cover band (aptly named "HairBangers Ball") perform at a street festival. Because, really, isn't 80's hair metal the greatest era in music, ever? Like, certainly more impressive than the British invasion. I'd like to say that we just stumbled into this, but there was a certain amount of planning and intention.

Don't let their calm demeanor fool you: Cathy, Jared and Kevin are rocking so hard.

Many wigs were worn. Also, the lead singer had about fifteen stomach rolls. Super hot.

I've been honing my Boggle skills over the past few months, and thought that I could take down not only Kevin (a formidable opponent) but also Jared and Cathy on their home turf. So, I pushed hard for a Boggle game. Alas, I was thoroughly routed by all three. Perhaps words like "throater" did me in. Also, Jared and Cathy have one of those 5x5 Boggle boards, which are just way too intense. But, as Cathy said, "you didn't go on vacation to take a test."

Three satisfied winners.

There's a blue-collar movement afoot in my generation, I think, driven primarily by men emasculated by their stuffy office jobs and a sneaking suspicion that their skill with a garlic press will leave them vulnerable when the coming environmental apocalypse is upon us. Here's evidence of such a movement: Jared Silver, accountant at large, painting his parking lines in the 100+ degree Sunday morning heat. The color? Safety Yellow, of course. And man, these lines are safe.

We'd originally planned to go from Chicago to Lake Michigan/Indiana Dunes, but I realized that I'd already tempted the Heat Stroke Gods once this summer and made it out unscathed, and that my luck was bound to run out sooner rather than later. So, we opted to remain in climate control, and instead caught a lunch and movie, went to a katrillion degree mass, and then drove back to Indiana. It's a wonderfully scenic drive through Northern Indiana - some sample commentary includes, "cornfield, cornfield, soybeans, soybeans," (pause, sniff, plugged nose) "dat's a hog farm."

I'd also like to mention that Cathy Silver runs a spectacular bed-and-breakfast from their urban home. This is not true. However, she should, since the level of hospitality she offers is charge-worthy. The comment cards left on our pillows were a particularly nice touch...