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oh my gawd

le sigh

George's Ice-Cream and Sweets

Walked over here last night after dinner with my mom to try their ice-cream for the first time. Once inside though I found myself completely wooed by their delicious looking sweets. Um red velvet cake, HELLO??? my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

But, because I went there for ice-cream I made myself stick to the plan. Which I later regretted.

Their ice-cream is super delicious. Just like lots of other ice cream . . . like my delicious ben and jerrys that i already own in my fridge. what i don't have in my fridge is scrumptious red velvet cake. see why i made the wrong choice?

I will be back. And I will get my cake.

****Update 12/14/09****

I finally got my cake! And it was just as a delicious as I thought it was going to be. In fact, this time instead of making myself choose between ice cream and cake I just got both. And seriously, it was the best decision ever. Because what tastes better than cake? Cake and ice cream! I might have been a bit skeptical of George's deliciousness before, but now I'm a true convert.

Union

Union by Robert Fulghum

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.”

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.

For after today you shall say to the world –
This is my husband. This is my wife.

Never Before Seen Pictures

+ Sometimes I hang out with Gracie and Alex and they do cute things. like this.


+ Other times, I go see Girl in a Coma at the National Museum of Mexican Art and they rock out. like this.

Honesty

So . . . . I have a confession.

I never made it to the pride parade. ugh.

BUT

neill and i DID get involved in an extreme DIY project that is finally finished. Well, it is drying. So, I guess that means it is almost finished.

I will share pictures soon. Here are your hints though:

+wood
+paint colors used were Golden Lead & Macchiato
+for the bedroom

I hope everyone else did make it to their pride celebrations or did other activities to bring joy to themselves and others!

Chicago Pride!

This weekend is one of my favorite summer events - the PRIDE PARADE! There are events going on all weekend and the official Pride Parade starts this Sunday at noon. Will you be there?

While in a lot of ways the pride parade is about getting some sun and having fun, its largely about showing solidarity with individuals who have been persecuted for their sexual identity and/or orientation. And for me, this is something that is very important. I believe that all people, no matter whom they love or how their gender identity does (or does not) correspond to their physical sex, should have equal rights. And this includes the right to marriage and all of the legal benefits that come with it. To me, the idea that a marriage should only be between a man and a woman is as misguided and arcane as the idea that marriage should only be between those of the same ethnicity or religion.

As an interfaith and interracial couple, I believe it is important for me (and hopefully Neill) to stand in alliance with those are not yet able to legally wed. Now this isn't something I've broached with Neill yet, but I would really like to incorporate this view point into our wedding ceremony. We are lucky that in this day and age we are able to marry, for in the past our relationship and marriage would not have this legal validation. And to enjoy these advances in social and legal equality without acknowledging the people in our society who have yet to gain this freedom, well . . . that just isn't something I want to do.

This isn't a full fledged idea yet and so in the future I hope to share with you a more fleshed out plan, but I wanted to share it with you in honor of pride week. Any ideas would of course be appreciated :)

Tori and Dean

I'd like to believe that I'm not the only one who has been watching the endless episodes of Tori & Dean that have been playing that last few days (on Oxygen). Right?

Well after a few too many of these episodes, I finally realized that Tori has a mammy. Do you know who I'm talking about? Patsy.

It hit me when Tori said something about how Patsy is such a strong maternal figure for her. First, that is kind of weird because I'm pretty sure that Tori is a grown ass woman and Patsy is supposed to be there for the children. but whatever. Ummm . . .. yeah. Modern day Mammy alert.

Cobra Lounge

I saw the Luchagores play here with a local band, Ready the Destroyer. Like someone else mentioned, the sound here isn't fantastic. But really, its on par with most of the mid-range venues around Chicago. Plus, it has a nice set up where, if you are in the front, you can be hella close to the band. I like that intimate feel. Of course...the rooms was only half filled when I was there so that probably helped.

Probably the best thing about Cobra Lounge though is the woman's bathroom. I loved it! So adorable! It is painted bright pink and has stark white fixtures. Its very story book or fairy tale or princessy. In contract to the somewhat seedy room, it was such a fun surprise.

Decent specials. Decent place. Crap location (unless you happen to live near there. In which, it is still sort of a crap location, but at least it is convenient).

Mexique

We just had a seriously delicious brunch here on Father's Day. I've been meaning to try this place out for a while and it did not disappoint! The french toast was sweet and light - not overly heavy at all. I also tried some of the delicious chorizo crepe (I think thats what it was called). We had such a good brunch that we are making plans to go back for dinner!

My only qualm is that someone at the table ordered a soup and a main dish. Instead of bringing him the soup first, they brought the soup out with everyone's food - except his. So by the time he finished his soup, we were all almost done with our meals and had to wait for him to get his main dish and eat that. Not a huge deal, but it did make me feel like the service was a bit wonky. Then again, we maybe should have specified what we wanted.

This little bump was not enough to detract from the restaurant as a whole though. Super good!

Prime Catch

So the food here really isn't very good. It is underwhelming at best. But, it has outdoor patio seating right on the water that is lovely to sit by. At least for me, being from Chicago, I was impressed with it :)

So, here is what you do. Come for lunch. Or a late brunch. Or just appetizers. Get a reservation for outdoors and see if they can't reserve a table by the railing so that you get the best view possible. Order oysters and clams on the half shell and maybe a shrimp cocktail. Get something to drink. Enjoy.

to what end

this picture makes me think of swimming through air. Saturday night was hot and humid. Discovered our destinations had no air. At party felt as though I was in Britney Spears' video. The one where everyone is all sweaty and licking on each other. And she is wearing a bra top (which I was not . . . thank god). Spoke with animal rights activists. One living off of his trust fund and ranting about the dolphins. Another looking for a safe house for some rats. Spoke with a Harry Potter nerd who was also telling stories of working at planned parenthood. Met a New Zealander aka a kiwi and talked about Flight of the Conchords. Late night tacos remind me of summer.

Abbey Pub

Ready the Destroyer & Children Collide at the Abbey Pub. Tonight. Doors open at 5, show starts at 5:30.

vacation is over

Now that I'm back and settled from Florida, it is time to get back to . . . Wedding Planning.

Oh yes. The capital letters are fully deserved.

You know the thing I enjoy most about planning our wedding? Working with Neill. This has been such a learning experience for me! I thought I had a handle on our communication. I thought that we were ahead of the bell curve when it came to expressing ourselves and recognizing each others' feelings. But man did trying to talk about planning a wedding drudge up all sorts of communication obstacles.

All of a sudden everything is loaded.

All of a sudden there are so many unspoken assumptions.

All of a sudden family drama is involved.

All of a sudden we seem to be unable to accurately say what we mean or be correctly understood.

For a while there, it was a total break down of communication. And that is not to say we weren't talking to each other. Oh we were talking alright . . . . talking loudly. But, I don't think either one of us were really listening all that much. And I don't think either one of us was really saying what we truly meant (or even cognizant of what we truly wanted).

Thankfully, we are both so stubborn that we never gave up. And after a few loudly spoken conversations, we finally had some "aha" moments. Ohhhh so when you say a photographer is an unimportant detail you mean that getting married is the most important thing to you, not that you don't care about the wedding. Light bulb!

At this point, I'm so grateful that we have this wedding to plan so that we can continue to work on our teamwork. Because, seriously, when Neill and I are working as a team we ROCK. And I'm being completely objective when I say that. Whenever we come together as a team I am always amazed that our end product is truly better than anything I could have done myself. And that is why I know his input in our wedding is vital. And that is why I will continue to work on myself so that is it easier for us to come together as a team.

the mariner's revenge

mini-lobster tails + french fries

oysters on the half shell

shrimp cocktail

halibut and mashed potatoes

fruits de mare with linguine

wedding bands

fjdksfjeilmnd

neill and i bought our wedding bands today!

completely spur of the moment but wonderfully stress free

i absolutely LOVE how everything will work together.

I was going to post pictures and descriptions, but I changed my mind and I'm going to keep it all a secret until the wedding!

I'm so excited!!!!

Also, we saw The Hangover. very funny stuff. GO SEE IT!

peoria lunch box blues

My mom's move is finally over.

big huge sigh of relief

I feel as though I've spent the last two and a half weeks packing EVERYTHING up and its all finally out of our old house and in her new, charming apartment.

We had a mini unpacking party last night and, with all the helpful hands, we were able to get a good start on all the unpacking that needs to be done. There is a still a ton left to unpack, but I think she will be able to handle it :)

I was only half joking when I told her I wasn't coming back over until everything was unpacked.

Now that this is behind me (sort of), I can concentrate more on other things going on. On Monday, Neill and I will be meeting with a photographer and on Thursday I'm leaving for Florida to visit my grandfather. Unfortunately, since I'll be out of town this weekend, I am going to miss Rib Fest, the Chicago Blues Festival, and Ready the Destroyer at the Cubbie Bear on Thursday.

What are you up to this week/end?

there is love and work

Oh man oh man. I registered for classes today! yikes! They start August 24th! And voila . . . here is my final schedule:

Do-Division Street Festival At Night

For day time festivities, including drinks served in big pine apples, check out my flickr.

Do you want this?

Do you want this? Its vintage looking and holds a ton of stuff.

Or this? Buy some cables and you got yourself a record player.

Or these? Great if you want to learn something this summer.

Or this? Make and then record your memories.

Holla back

~UPDATE~

You could work really, really well at this desk (currently located at chez Alisha and Neill). Price is negotiable :)

more creepy christians

So the murder of George Tiller really deserves a much more well thought out post because the whole thing is just ugly and infuriating, but I just can't wait to share this. It is from a blog called "Why Mommy is a Republican" so be ready to be enraged (or I suppose agree with what she says . . . but I don't want to go there).

To get you started, here are some snippets from the comments section of the blog . . .

"Tiller reaped what he sowed. And, like all dead abortionists, he left the world a better place purely by LEAVING IT"

"Murder is murder, even if the person murdered is a drug dealer, a child molester, or an abortionist" (I just love how being a doctor that performs abortions is equated here with molesting children)

"I'm thankful Tiller will kill no more children. He was a mass-murderer, and I'm thankful he's dead."

Personally, I am making a donation to the National Abortion Federation and I, unabashedly, encourage you to do the same.