On Shoes for the River

Next Saturday I will be making my way to the remoter parts of Oregon. I will be flying into the Medford and driving to an even smaller town NEAR the already small place of Cave Junction. This is a family trip, as I will be meeting my Sister, her husband and children and traveling with my mother and father. This is something my sister has wanted for a long time. An area of the country that they travel to relatively often. The home of her husband's family and apparently a part of the country that is so beautiful it is not to be missed.

In preparation for the trip I've been instructed that I will need proper shoes to walk around in water and rock. Where we will be staying is near a series of rivers that beg to be waded in an walked through, their basin both enticing and rocky.

Given my lack of active wear knowledge, I've done a bit of research and recently came to the conclusion that Chaco Sandals were probably the way to go. I've been hesitant about the price tag, but certainly I would never wear a pair of Keen's. Also, after trying on a pair of Teva's which, really really really remind me of middle school, I realized there was not comparison. The Chaco Sandals were of an incredibly high quality and worth the investment.



Here's the thing that makes them special. Besides the quality of the sole and the support they provide, the straps wrap through the sole and adjust to your foot as you move and walk. You can actually feel this and the mobility it provides.

My plan is to give them the ultimate test by breaking them in at the Pitchfork Music Festival this weekend. I may catch a couple of hipster glares, but I'm willing to take the risk in the name of comfortable feet.

On Sprout

When Scott and I were in NYC, in particular, wandering around Brooklyn with my friend Paul, we happened across a boutique plant store called "Sprout." We wandered around a bit and enjoyed the selection of unique plants. Paul even purchased one.

I kept thinking during our time int he store that this place reminded me of a place in Chicago, which I thought was also named Sprout.

Earlier this week I mentioned to Scott that I wanted to check out the Sprout here in Chicago as I had a couple more pots on the porch to fill. As I looked up the hours on the website, I realized they were indeed the same store. Two locations, here and in Brooklyn. How funny that we would happen upon the other as it was tucked away.

Tuesday, we made our way to Sprout Chicago and I picked up two plants for the office and two for home that I'm quite thrilled with.







Might I suggest that if ever you're in the market for unusual plants, you stop by this store in either Brooklyn or Chicago? Their selection is truly unique and they have a bevy of terrariums that are just fun to look at. I'm quite excited about my purchases.

On a Change Jar

As previously mentioned, iced coffee is for me, a simple pleasure. It serves a big purpose in a small way. I can't pinpoint it exactly, but it's good for my belly and my soul on some level. Which, got me thinking about some of the other stuff that has a similar effect.

Ever since I've been a child, I've kept a change jar. My father did something similar as did my brother. At the end of each day, you empty out your pockets into the jar that sits atop your dresser and look upon proudly as it nears the top. The jar is only to be fished through if you're looking for laundry money or tolls for the toll road. This is the way of the jar.




The big enjoyment comes when the jar is full and you can empty it into a ziplock to take to the bank. It used to be that we would have to roll all of the change, but thank God machines were invented to count this stuff for us.

I dunno, for me this is another one of those things. I love to find change in my pocket and contribute it to the jar. Even more, I love taking it to the bank to find out how much $$ I've saved, as though I've accomplished something. This is the sort of $ that is great to treat someone to dinner with. It seems extra and special.

On Iced Coffee

While going through some old pictures today to think about updates for my website I happened upon thiser here iced coffee photo.



This is from my old place, when I used to actually make my own iced coffee and enjoy it at home. This was also before I moved directly above the Sweet Bean which so graciously supplies me with the beautiful beverage each morning in Metropolis format. I remember being kind of enamored with the gradient that existed in this photo. My cream slowly creeping into the coffee with the ice cubes at the top.

What it is about iced coffee and why do I want it so voraciously during the summer. Additionally, how does my strong desire for it magically turn off during late September, early October. Oh, mysterious drink.

I've had this talk with a number of folks who prefer a morning dose of the warm stuff and I can get behind that, should I be sitting in air conditioning, but usually upon my walk to the bus/train or following my bike ride into work I can think of few other things I'd want more than a little bit of cold java. The warm stuff just wouldn't suffice. So, in honor of the summer java, I re present this picture for your enjoyment. May you have many a caffeine high from the cold stuffs.

On a Recital

This post comes to you from the fingertips of a proud teacher. I wrote a while back on my conversion to that of "teacher," and this weekend I was privy to some of the fruits of my labour. My incredibly dedicated and talented student, Iva, gave her first recital. She has been studying voice for about two years and has an incredible talent. There were about 25 people in attendance and after the 30 minutes of singing, I think they were really impressed that all of her hard work has paid off. I wanted to share a quick song with you all. She is accompanied by my dear friend from childhood, Robin Agne.

He's Gone Away

On Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

Ok, I realize this one might get me knocked out of your RSS feed, but let me say I take this risk with good reason. This Saturday, because of the lack of any movies of substance in the theatres this summer, Scott and I ventured to see the Joan Rivers documentary. I actually was anticipating being quite entertained as I had seen a few clips online and thought it would be a rather light-hearted romp... so to speak. Boy was I right and also wrong.

The documentary is meant to be a "year in the life" of Joan Rivers, a 75 year old comic who always wanted to be taken seriously as an actress and will do almost anything to sustain her career in show business. The thing about documentaries is, that whether or not you like the person you are watching, you at least get to see the somewhat human side of them, so in this fashion you learn much about Joan. The ways in which she has struggled, the ways in which she is self-aware, the ways in which she supports those she loves, and the ways in which she is (like we all are) a mess. That's the really human part.

The thing that struck me the most and was maybe most fascinating as a psychological study, is how her life rides such a fine line between comedy and tragedy and she has somehow built a career on this. It really is tragic, everything she has gone through. But she seems to need this. Additionally, she never wanted to be a comic. She wanted to be an actress and to this day longs to be an actress, yet can't seem to be vindicated in this light. It is both hysterical and terrible.

Throughout the film, Joan's standup act in interjected. She does this act weekly in small clubs throughout New York and you can't help but be reminded what an incredibly funny woman she is. Comedy takes guts and she has them, more than most.

So, let this be a recommendation for you given the fact that there are very few other things in the theatres (that aren't animated). Go take a look if you have the chance. I found it worth my while.

On Summer Storms

I posted a few weeks ago about a crazy bout of storms we had in Chicago. Well, this weekend and the past few weeks have been filled with many more. There is something so refreshing about a summer storm, but also so frightening. The warm air makes everything feel that much more volatile and the rapid nature in which they seem to come about seems alarming. But, the way in which they can refresh a hot summer's day is something that we are all thankful for.

Anyway, Saturday in the midst of a rainstorm, I picked up some film I had developed picturing the previous storm I mentioned. I thought I'd share.

On Dressing Well

Could I ever be this cool?

via The Sartorialist

On sandals from India (Minnesota)

Last summer I made the way to St. Paul, MN to spend some time with my uncle and other family who had gathered for a reunion of sorts. It was a pretty wonderful time in a town I knew a bit as a teenager, but have grown to really enjoy as an adult.

On the second night into the trip the family was spending some time in the local hotel where some were staying. There was a pool for the kids to play in and the adults were able to hang in the lobby to catch up. After a bit of conversation I meandered into the gift shop to find an odd bit of things to buy. The gift shop was run by an Indian man and much of the merchandise seemed to be from India, including the sandals pictured below. Both my sister and I tried them on and decided to purchase. They seemed like practical house slippers and I believe the cost was somewhere around $10.

There are a few every day staples in my life. These sandals have become one of them. They sit at my door waiting to replace my outdoor shoes when I am home. They also are perfect for the beach and for travel in general as they are light and easily transportable. Overall, I'm quite fond of these Indian sandals I purchased in the hotel lobby of St. Paul, MN.

I've heard my sister even wore hers out and has sought out another pair on the net. I imagine someday I'll do the same.

On Weekend travel to Wisconsin

I had the privilege of traveling this weekend to the small town of King, WI to spend time on Lake Stratton. It was exactly what one would hope for in a weekend of July 4th at a summer house on a small lake. With the small exception of a day full of rain (which was filled with games, reading and just sitting), the weekend was a lovely one in the woods.












Might I suggest that if you have such an opportunity you take it? Really, it's good for the soul to get away and do just about nothing. It makes the return oh, so difficult, but the time away is worth it.

On Inspiration Friday