Chris' New Camera

My brother got a new camera. He's been taking some pretty good shots of my nephew Lennon.

Almost forgot about this one.

Chicago Tourist Pictures

My parents seem to know how to work a camera. Check out these three shots from their visit in September. I think they look like postcards.

Chicago Trump Tower and Hotel

Bridge to Millennium Park from Art Institute's new Modern Wing

Tribune Tower and Chicago River

This weather is missed already

My parents, back then

My dad recently emailed this photo to my brothers and I. My mom followed it up with a little history that I thought was kind of great. Enjoy.

We met in June, when I was 19 and Jeff was still 18 and dated all summer. He went back to U. of Dayton and we kept dating when he was back in town.
The second semester of so the following school year (sophomore) Jeff got a collapsed lung from exhaustion, due to all night poker games, cigarettes, beer, classes during the day etc. I visited him when his parents got him back to St. Louis, to a hospital. We dated pretty much exclusively after that, not counting an occasional breakup for a few weeks or a month or two, when we sampled a variety of other companions.
This photo taken almost 2 years after we met. Jeff and friends had been renting a clubhouse on the Meramec river so we could drink underage. Maybe kids payed something to come to the parties there?? There was always a big crowd, lots of music and dancing and beer, an outhouse, perilous drives home after the parties. Most of us still had curfews back then, so that had to be dealt with in devious ways. Since I was one of the earlier birthdays, I really was a procurer of several six-packs of beer for a few of us. Many of the other kids had fake ID's of older siblings to help out.
The sign behind us in the photo said"Information Center". It directed you upstairs to a sort of attic-like room where we kept our coats. There may have been a mattress up there. I honestly don't think kids used it for anything more exciting, but the possibility was always there. The little clubhouse wasn't heated or cooled well, if at all, so the upstairs wouldn't have been comfortable.
I think we were dancing to that "shake a tail feather" song and having a wonderful time just when this photo was snapped. I love it. We had a lot of fun out there untill we gave it up when most of had gotten old enough to buy beer with our legal id's.
We were married after dating 4 years. Seems like yesterday sometimes. It's been an entertaining life. We're still dancing and we're still crazy about each other.

Awkward Family Photos

Kate tipped me off to this blog and it must be shared immediately with you all.
Awkward Family Photos
Nice find.

My Nephew, The Latest

This is my nephew Lennon. He lives in St Simon's Island, GA with his parents Chris and Dawn.

In other news:
-The trip to Kate's lake house in Michigan this weekend was excellent. Saw lots of Amish people, Tom caught a fish, I shot a pellet gun and bought a 6 months supply of pure maple syrup.
-Hannah moved in to my place last weekend. I hurt my back a little, but, thanks to Brendan, as well as Hannah's preparations, the move went smoothly. We're both pretty excited about the whole thing and the place is looking great so far.
-I saw Mastadon last Thursday. I got to go backstage and on their bus and the night was a hoot all around.
-Has anyone been to Five Guys on Clyborn at Webster? That's a great burger. The fries are fresh and come in a massive quantity.
-If you are on Twitter and a political junkie who wants to know some inside scoop on White House activities, follow Mark Knoller. I've really been enjoying his tweets.
-Tom thinks this news of the "ledge" at Sears Tower Skydeck is newsworthy and so do I. Now they'll have something more to compete with Hancock's drink and view deal.
-My first Critical Mass of 2009 was a success. It was short and sweet, but we had a nice posse including Julie, Jason, Jaime, Jayla and a first time ride by Tom (third mention!) and Ryan & Laura Dowling Keller. I took this photo on the early part of the ride while riding using my phone.