We've got competition!

07-28-06_1939.jpg
Originally uploaded by carolyn8.

Friday evening, I was on Michigan Ave. waiting to catch the bus home. All of a sudden, I blink, and these five guys set up a breakdance floor and are warming up with spins and handstands. They all have their City of Chicago licensed performer thing clipped to the antenna of their radio, and one guy keeps tailing commuters trying to imitate and parody their strut. It's pretty funny.

Their name? Chicago Tribe Crew. I suppose they had a similar ethinc makeup, one organized Chinese guy, one energetic Chinese guy, a crazy Indian...but instead of the Mexican, they had a Slav. :) The Mexican must've been sick that day. Or working. :)

Eva Milking Cow

Eva Milking Cow
Originally uploaded by brady frequent traveler and eater.

No comment!

World Strip Poker Champion

Who's in??

***

DUBLIN (Reuters) - It started as an April Fool's joke but an Irish bookmaker's proposal to hold the world's biggest strip poker contest will become reality next month.

Paddy Power floated the idea as a joke but it generated so much interest -- and hundreds of requests to take part -- that the Dublin-based company decided to organize a contest.

So next month, 200 poker buffs will risk baring all in an attempt to become the first World Strip Poker Champion -- and earn a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

The winner will also receive a "Golden Fig Leaf" trophy plus 10,000 pounds ($18,630) in cash.

"This will be the most fun you can have with your clothes on -- or off!" Paddy Power said in a statement for the tournament, which will be held in London on August 19.

Malden Bridge

Malden Bridge
Originally uploaded by brady frequent traveler and eater.

Several weekends ago, Eva and I spent a lovely weekend out in Syracuse, Cooperstown, and Malden Bridge. Malden Bridge is a tiny town located near Albany. We stayed with my old boss, Laura, and her husband, Bob. Laura is still a management consultant, but Bob bravely gave up the traveling life and now tends to a flock of sheep, a herd of cattle, two dogs, and a lot of feed corn. The place feels like its in the middle of no where, but its actually right next to an interstate. They have lived here for about eleven years now - the house looks fantastic and complete, but one wing is just the shell. You walk in and are greeted by beams! Eva and I highly recommend the farm life, at least for a short weekend stay.

First night with Anais

This cat is very cute and sweet, but when it turns 8 pm she turns into something else. Runs around cconstantly banging into the fireplace its crazy!!!! But she is still very cute. One day down 6 more to go!!

Boogie Boogie!

So while I was working, I had the Tour de France on (my quads burn just watching those guys climb mountains, I'm convinced I burn calories just by watching)...

Stage 15 is particularly grueling. It's 116 miles, and ends with a climb up L'Alpe d'Huez, which is basically one big bitch with tits. It has 21-hairpin bends "packed with feverish sun-drenched supporters, some screaming encouragement or obscenities, others throwing water or beer in the riders' faces."

Roadside fans have also taken to painting the street with signs of encouragement, arrows, etc., and savvy marketers have painted the names of their businesses. I happened to glance up, and lo and behold! Painted on the Alps in huge white cap letters, "BOOGIE BOOGIE!"

Manish, is this what you decided to do during your time off??

Foie Gras: *sigh*

Only in Chicago would food be a major city council issue. However, I do admire creative pricing strategies...From a reuters wire item:

"The foie gras ban prompted praise by some and ridicule by others worldwide, with Chicago's own Mayor Richard Daley suggesting the council could better spend its time focusing on more serious issues.

The chefs at this week's gathering agreed and contemplated strategies to combat the ban, including filing a lawsuit, or trying to get around the ban of the sale by foie gras by giving it away for "free" along with, say, a markedly overpriced $20 plate of lentils or $40 glass of wine."

Full story

My Boojie Babies

They grow up way to fast...but you have to admit...they are beyond cute!!! My nephew and niece respectively

Kitty Update: a little devil in the making!

I am now an official cat owner as evidenced from the scratch marks I have from head to toe.

Today, Anais decided that mommy was not allowed to do anything unless it was with her. In that vein she kept fighting with her favorite toy at my feet until they were totally destroyed. Every time I played with her and then dropped toy on other side of room, she would bring it back to me, almost like a dog would so that I could play with her again.

Tomorrow will be her first vet appointment and I've decided to have vinyl claws put on her to protect my furniture. If these don't work, I'm afraid I will have to declaw since she is just way too active. So much for cats ignoring their owners most of the time. :-)

Meet my first-born: Anais

Birth date: April 16, 2006
Weight: A girl never tells
Favorite things: To hide under sofa and play catch the blue feather mom has dangling of the end of a stick.
Newest trick: Today I learned how to jump on the kitchen counters and I'm teaching myself to use mommy's computer.

P.S. Just discovered window-sill. There go the blinds!!

First Impressionism

First Impressionism
Originally uploaded by OldOnliner.

How cool is this???

Vote for your favorite girl kittie name!!!

So I'm finally getting a siamese kitty. Carolyn is taking me to pick her up Saturday morning. And you all get to help me pick out a name. You can suggest anything you like or go to the following site and choose your favorite!!! Thank you!!!

http://www.kittynames.com/

Movies in the Park!!!

Movies in the park start on the 18th! James Dean *swoon* Rebel W/Out a Cause. We goin'? We goin'?

SOLID.

Ran a 5K up in Antioch this weekend, and am thrilled to report that I hit a new personal record...I finished the course in 31:31 (mm:ss), averaging a 10:09 mile, and I was the fastest runner from Chicago in my division...then again, I was also the only runner from Chicago in my division. :)

Dave also hit a new PR, but I'll let him post his results! Me, I'm thrilled. The lead in my division ran the course in 20:59. Unbelievable. My goal this year is to run it in 31:04. I don't think I'll ever hit the low 20s. :)

New dining table and chairs, YAY!

We went to the Domicile warehouse out in Skokie this weekend, where I found an awesome 1/2" glass top dining table with black oxide base and four really cool black leather chairs with contrasting white stitching. Tres cute! Will hopefully get delivery on Monday, if not, then later in the week. Then, will just need to find a new couch and coffee table for the den. But that'll likely come from Ikea. :)