The Packers played the Lions today. I was psyched because we were almost guaranteed the win with the Lions coming into today with a 0-15 record. .. not that the win meant anything to us really, we’re already out of the playoffs. Ed, who grew up outside of Detroit and is a big Lions fan, came over. He had me scared for a little bit when the game was tied up, but we pulled through at the end.
On a whim Dallas and I decided to go out for sushi last night. Most people were still traveling or in some sort of post-holiday hangover and not up to going out. Luckily Alden was up for it so we met him at Blue Fin, a place that Dallas and I have gone to for years but not much for the past few, since we were living much farther north. We gorged ourselves on maki and then went to Blue Line Lounge for a few more drinks. Last night we didn’t get the rain predicted, but it was sooo foggy. Glad that we can just hop on the train and go two stops to dinner and not have to drive anywhere. Happy birthday to someone yesterday who I am not supposed to mention, but who was at dinner last night!
Tags:alden·blue fin·blue line·blue line diner·blue line lounge·california blue line·cta·dallas·sushi
Mitch: “Take my photo so I can see if your flash hurts my eyes like my mom’s does.”
Jeff and Doug got this pinball machine when they were kids and now their own kids play it.
Hideto
Jeff & Mitch
Cory selecting a package in the gift exchange.
Mandy & Brad
Tommy
Auntie Cory & Hideto
Dallas
Danny & Kenji
Tommy loved the ice cream sandwiches made with Auntie Gail’s homemade cookies.
On Christmas day we always go to Dallas’ Auntie Gail’s house in Mt. Prospect. This year we didn’t have a ride, but we live so close to the Blue Line that we just took it out to the Cumberland stop and Auntie Laura picked us up. Very convenient, just so we don’t have a lot to carry.
Every year Auntie Gail makes beef tenderloin, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, corn and her mom’s lettuce/mayo/crab/?? salad. Always delicious. Also, around Thanksgiving every year Auntie Gail starts reminding everyone to bring a $10 grab bag, “no junk.” The exchange always gets a little crazy with people going after the same gifts over and over even though they have no idea what they are. It’s all about the packaging. Dallas and I got a fancy wine opener (from Naoko) and a deviled egg plate (from Auntie Laura).
This year it was fun to see Kenji, Doug and Naoko’s baby who was just born less than a month ago. He’s so tiny. When Tommy and Hideto were born I don’t think I saw them til they were much older. I stole Kenji away for almost an hour and then finally gave him up to the next person to hold him. Also, I’d only spent time with Hideto one time before. He was visiting from the Bay Area with his parents, Dallas’ cousin Scott & Krystyn and it was nice to see him again. He’s gotten so big!
Previous Christmases at Auntie Gail’s:
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
Tags:blue line·brad·cory·cta·dallas·danny·doug·gail·hideto·jeff·kenji·krystyn·laura·mandy·mitch·mount prospect·naoko·pinball·scott·tommy
This was a very good year, but, as was the theme for this country this year, it was filled with change. In the beginning of the year I was still working at Google, but uncertain about my future there. In May my contract expired. Instead of looking for a job right away, I decided to take the summer off, which may have been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I traveled some, but much of the time was spent biking and going to farmers markets and reading and enjoying the weather. I tried to relax and clear my head and enjoy every minute because I knew I’d be back to work in no time. In September I started at Roundarch. In October we bought a condo. And now.. the holidays. The thing I’m most looking forward to at the beginning of the year? Trying to get back into some sort of routine.. something I’ve not really had for quite some time. Through everything, all of the change, I am incredibly lucky to have the continual love and support of Dallas and my family.
 2007 |
 2006 |
 2005 |
 2004 |
 2003 |
 2002 |
 2000 |
- – -
To wrap a few memes into one, here are the places I traveled to this year (at least one overnight stay): Keystone, Austin, New Orleans, Waupaca, Connecticut, Cape Cod, New Jersey, Maine, Waupaca, DePere. Without an overnight stay, the list expands to include Appleton, Oak Creek, New York, Boston, and Green Bay, Oak Creek, as well as various Chicago suburbs.
finished 12.22.08
Jess and I swapped a few books and this is the one that I got from her. I loved it. The whole thing. There’s a lot of crude language and there’s a lot of Spanish, of which I understood maybe 1/3 of, but I loved it. Before I started the book I listened to a few interviews with Junot Diaz and now he is totally my nerdy author crush of the hour. Oh, and the book was also a 2008 Pulitzer Prize winner.
