Holidaze 12/31/12

Holidaze 12/30/12

Holidaze 12/29/12

On the Way to Work This Morning

It's just three days after Christmas, and somebody has already tossed out their tree.

Holidaze 12/28/12

The Lake Effect

One of the peculiarities of living in a large city that sits adjacent to a larger body of water is that the body of water often makes up its own rules, especially regarding the weather.

Example: Today, the wind is blowing off of Lake Michigan, lifting moisture up and depositing it on the shore as snow. However, due to the size and shape of Chicago, it's not snowing everywhere. Right now, it's coming down vigorously downtown, while back in my neighborhood on the North Side, not a flake is falling.

Holidaze 12/27/12

Christmas Day

I awoke early to feed Olivia and give her the usual morning treatment--fluids, antacid and phosphorus binder, plus the biweekly anti-anemia injection--and then went back to be to nap for a couple more hours. When I got back up, it was snowing--not very heavily and not for very long (it had stopped by noon), but just enough to give the city a Christmasy coating.

Christmas Eve Breakfast

The Mexican Benedict at West River Cafe.

Holidaze 12/26/12

Santa looks a little deflated the day after Christmas. He's earned a long vacation.

Holidaze 12/25/12

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Holidaze 12/24/12

Holidaze 12/23/12

Holidaze 12/22/12

Christmas at La Casa del Terror

It may not be quite as festive as in years past, but it is celebrated nonetheless.

O Christmas Nom, O Christmas Nom...

The item on the left is an itty bitty house. The item on the right looks like he knows he's about to be eaten.

Holidaze 12/21/12

Somebody had one too many eggnogs at the office Christmas party.

At Lunch Today

This Week's Travel Reading

My friend Margo recently recommended this book series to me, because a) she knows I don't have a lot of reading time outside of work, and these books are brisk but exciting reads; b) she really, really likes the series; and c) she says I reminder her of Harry Dresden (given that I'm tall and pale, live in Chicago and am lousy with women, I can understand this.)

On the Way Home Last Night

Holidaze 12/20/12

A Tale of Two Lambs

The Nativity scene in Daley Center Plaza has, as you'd expect, animals and kings and angels and things, all gazing upon the Baby Jesus, who no doubt is monitored by cameras and has a GPS devices tucked in his swaddling, just in case somebody gets the not-so-bright idea to kidnap Him.

Many of the figures look old and ornate, like this lamb looking on from a short distance from the manger.

There is, however, another lamb on the scene--one who looks like he snuck over from somebody's lawn or front porch.

I rather like this less ornate, , more humble, slightly cartoony lamb. All are welcome in the eyes of GPS-tracked savior.

On the Wy Home Last Night

Holidaze 12/19/12

On the Way Home Last Night

Holidaze 12/18/12

At Lunch Today

On the Way to Work This Morning

Holidaze 12/17/12

Holidaze 12/16/12

For Breakfast This Morning

Blueberry French toast at West River Cafe.

Holidaze 12/15/12