Long Weekend Bliss
This is the first year we have lived here where the Nov 2nd heat lamp turn on date has come and I haven’t really needed it. Usually, I push the button fruitlessly somewhere in mid October cursing the CTA for not having a rule that is Nov 2nd or when the temp is below 40°F. Part of this is due to the fact that I was still riding my bike to the train during the month of October, which I only did because it didn’t feel like October. It really has been unseasonably warm here. This is really brought to my attention over this wonderful 3-day weekend I took. On Friday, Kirstie and I took a trip down to the Art Institute of Chicago, stopping for some Dunkin’ donuts coffee and treats. Being that it was so nice out we walked over to the park that is next to the gallery and finished our coffee and watched the filming of a “improvisational film”. Not exactly sure what that means but from what we saw transpire it sure did look interesting. The gallery wasn’t to crowded yet, it was still early, so we walked around in relative peace. While Kirstie went searching for the bathroom I was able to fully enjoy some of my favorite pieces, Rothko and Cylford Still, for an extended period. This was not without interruption while various couples, tourists, and families came through and pronounced, “what is that?”, and “I could do that!”. I agree the works are simple, but deceptively so. The smoothness and gentle wash of color in Rothko work is not easy to reproduce, and the large scale Still’s I equate to the sculpting of Mt Rushmore. Afterward, we took the ”L” over to UIC area and ate at our favorite greasy spoon called “Greektown”. The food here is non-descript fast Greek food but it holds a special place in our hearts because it was where we took shelter one very cold day in december during our first trip to Chicago. We were starving and cold and it was cheap and warm. Some say love at first sight. We usually get the vege-pita and Greek fries and try to get a spinach pie, which usually sells out early in the day. Friday was our lucky day and they still had 4 left. We ate up stairs in the same booth we have always eaten in. It was a nice day spending time in sentimental places in Chicago.