So it’s been a long time since I’ve written. I had a blast writing my last blog/story and I think I psyched myself out. I kept waiting for a new story to find me and then I could relay it to you through my blog. But every time I thought I had found a great story, by the time I got home the idea had fizzled out. I didn’t think it would translate well, or I would get lazy thinking about the storyline. And so, nothing kept happening. So I’m going to dial it back a bit, say Hello, show a few pictures and give you a brief run-down of what we’ve been up to. It’s no story and most likely not a bit interesting to those who aren’t friends, just a friendly blog re-boot!
This summer has been busy, rather chilly but one of realized goals. Eh, small goals. I still have not made enough art to start thinking about showing but I have been knitting a great deal and I’ve improved quite a bit. Knitting, jobs, proposals, these things pretty much comprise this summer.
Gabe and I got his business up and running. We have our DUNS number and our Naics codes and our EIN number and we are registered with the proper registries. We wrote 4 proposals this summer… well, Gabe wrote them and I helped organize, collate, stuff envelopes and lick stamps. They were government RFP’s so we don’t expect any rush on responses for them. (That will be a story worth writing about!) There are a bunch of RFP’s coming out in FY2010 and so we are gearing up to write some more proposals. Gabe is also putting together proposals for sculpture in our immediate area that need some attention.
I changed jobs. Again. I now work at Rootstock Wine and Beer Bar. It’s a cozy little joint two blocks from my house. Yes, two blocks. And many of you knowing where I live, might be asking, “Really? A wine bar in that neighborhood?” Whats cool about the location is that it’s a neighborhood that is filled with working class families, struggling artists and restaurant industry workers who can only afford apartments west of Western Ave. It’s a blue collar neighborhood that is pretty close to Wicker Park and Bucktown but edgier and a little more interesting but with less places of entertainment. It’s also heavily populated with young thugs and ruffians so, unlike Wicker Park, the sidewalks aren’t clogged with strollers, joggers, and panhandlers. Rootstock itself is a cool place. They have a killer beer list, all micro-brews, gourmet imports and master reserves. There is something for everyone and most likely, you’ve never heard of it. The wines are great also; small batch, boutique wines and unexpected grapes. The underlying emphasis throughout is organic, bio-dynamic products and sustainable practices in regards to the wine, food and beer. Even the furniture and place settings are recycled! They’ve also been written up several times: The Reader, Time Out Chicago, Sun-Times Centerstage, and Chicago Magazine to name just a few. Rootstock is owned by three partners whom I work alongside of every single shift. They are a good group to be sure and I feel really comfortable there. I was also recently hired on as a part-time seasonal employee of Nina, an upscale yarn shop. Yes! Now I get a discount on my yarn habit! Though I am super excited to be there, I’m not so sure that it’s a good idea to have such a discount… my stash is big enough already! In fact, I still have a very sizable fabric stash from Cy Rudnicks! I start there next Saturday. I’m knitting a sweater to wear there for my first day!
Besides visits from various family members, I had two vacations this summer as well. I got to see both my best friend Jessica and my family. At the end of July, Jessica flew me out to Rhode Island so that I could spend some time with her and her girls, Nina and Chloe. They are darling and very attached to Jessica. It was fun (obviously) and we sat up late in the night sipping vodka gingers or wine talking and laughing, much like we used to. Jessica made some delicious vegetarian dishes, one of which I ate years ago when I spent Thanksgiving with them one year during college. I loved watching the girls and seeing little bits of Jessica in them and figuring out which traits were inherited from their dad. That vacation really made my summer! About a month later, I found a $100 plane fare to fly home. I quickly made arrangements to visit my family. I spent 2 nights at my Moms house, had dinner with Dad and Pat, and then Mom, Mickey and I drove down to Kansas City to spend a night with my sister Bridget and Dan. We went to the petting zoo waaay down on 138th and Switzer. I didn’t even know there was a petting zoo the entire time I lived in Kansas City! It’s called the “Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead” and it is awesome! Mickey had a blast! Well, we all did! We also ate lunch at Dan’s new restaurant, The Farmhouse. It was really good. I had a fried green tomato sandwich that was delicious and Mickey had Belgian waffles that I couldn’t stop sneaking bites of! Mom said her omelet was one of the best she’s ever had. After the petting zoo, where Mickey slipped in the mud and was covered from shoulder to ankle in mud, we stopped and had frozen custards. Mickey’s was chocolate and he finished his look by smearing chocolate all over his face! Haha! It was classic!
That’s really about it for me I think… I do want to apologize that this isn’t a story, but merely a rundown of my life currently. I personally don’t think it’s that interesting but several of you have asked what happened to the blog and have I abandoned it. I haven’t. And so, hopefully I will soon have a story worthy of your readership! Until then, Adieu!
Posts
