The Apartment

Started a new blog with the stoop crew, its called The Apartment: Some Stories and Pictures From the Stoop. Its made up of Dan, Ryno, Stevie, Tina, Vorrel and I.

Water Balloon Wars

I love the summer. So far in this month alone I think we have gone through over 1200 balloons, soaking everyone and everything. This past weekend though we stepped it up a notch and went with not only water bombs, but also about 7 water guns and had a huge all out water fight...All in about a 15 Ft radius, which ensures everyone is soaking wet. Luckily though the sun was out all weekend to dry us off quickly.

BBQs and water fights in Chicago, can't think of anything better.

The Russian

The long awaited return of The Russian is happening on Thursday. Joe is coming back from Russia, hopefully to stay. He has been gone for a year living in a place where they still have a sickle and hammer statue in the town square and where during the winters it gets so cold they tell you not to go outside or your eyeballs will freeze. Joe was doing some teaching in Russia which is pretty impressive considering he did not speak or read Russian, he just had a love for the old USSR. From what I hear now though not only can he read it, he can speak it. I cant wait to here some stories and adventures, welcome back Joe cant wait to see you.

Cirque du Soleil - Corteo

July 14 to Aug 20 Cirque du Soleil will be at the United Center performing Corteo, well not exactly they are in huge yellow and blue spiraling tents in the parking lot. I have never seen a Cirque du Soleil show, but from everything I have heard people say both friends and actually reviews they are supposed to be truly amazing shows. So I thought I would let people know they were in town. I am going to definitely try and go, but the tickets are expensive, minimum $50. So it probably is not going to happen, which sucks.

Veni Vidi Vino

The Enoteca Roma and Letizia bakery are amazing places. They are two seperat entities, but are connected as one. The whole place feels small and intimate, but is really quite big, as I found out during the World Cup (viva Italia). The place is seperated into three parts, The wine bar, the bakery and the outdoor patio.

The Enoteca revolves mostly around, obviously, their wine, but they do offer a very well rounded variety of beers, also they have a great bruchetta menu and pizzas, Roma style.

The bakery is not exactly a bakery it is more of a coffee shop with an amazing amount of food. They serve sandwiches pizzas bruchettas and more. This place is good for lunch and dinner.

The only time I had been out on the patio was during the World Cup on Sunday, but it was really nice. It was set up so that everyone, which was about 80 people, were all facing a giant TV set up at one end of the patio. Small tables and chairs were spread out all around with giant red umbrellas blocking out the ridiculously sunny day. Some how amid the chaos we were able to get good seats and saw an amazing game.

This place is good for lunch, a date, or just hanging out, I suggest giving it a try.

"The Miracle on Dirt" - Al

Yep it happened, yesterday, the unthinkable. The Thursday 16" softball team that I am on, The Little Joe O'Connors, with a not so stellar record of 1 and 4 beat the undefeated 16" of Fury. It was one of the greatest softball games ever, great defense good hitting and all around heads up ball. The Little Joes took an early lead of 2-0 and held it till the top of the fourth., but then the bad guys scored three quick runs putting us down by 1. The team though immediately bounced back scoring 2 more. Going into the top of the 7 and final inning the fury scored 2 more runs and with what could have been a devastating blow to the little Joes the team took it in stride knowing they had the last at bat and a chance to steal one from a great team. Asak lead of in the bottom of the ninth and with a ground ball back to the pitcher it seamed like we were off to a bad start, but for some reason, even though Asak had been doing all game, the team didn't hustle and Asak was for sure going to beat out the hit. The other team then scrambled and through the ball away so Asak kept running and didn't stop till he slid into third on a close play. HOLY CRAP it was getting intense now, the tying run at third and no outs. Colleen came up next and hit a grounder to the short stop, but they were so concered with holding Asak at third they let her have the base. Finn came up next and squeezed one through. Al then hit a rip and got on base scoring Asak, TIE GAME. The winning run was now on base and Mcginty came up to bat a SMASH, and Colleen easily scored, The Little Joe O'connors pull the upset. That was truly an amazing game.

I am sure I might not have that story perfect, but it was going by so quickly and intensly my brain couldn't keep up with it all, so if i made a mistake, sorry, but the end result is the same...the 1-4 team beat the 5-0 team

King Tut

Well happy friday. This weekend I really want to check out the King Tut exhibit which is at the Field Museum. It looks really nice and all the things I have been reading about it say how amazing it is. It is there until January 1st, but dont wait until the last minute to go see this because they are actually selling tickets way in advance and it could possible sell out.