David Gray and Lisa O'Neill.

We went to see David Gray last night at the Chicago Theatre. A class act. Really enjoyed it, despite some sound issues, feedback, etc. They had crowded the musicians together to get a more intimate feel, which suits his music well, but they were so close together that the roadies couldn’t get in to switch off their instruments between songs. Lots of traffic jams that broke the pacing.

Further, Chicago Theatre persists in allowing people to carry in drinks. This leads to a huge rush in and out of the theater between songs. Very distracting in a venue like that.

We were treated to an interesting opening act. Lisa O’Neill, a charming, odd little creature from Dublin, had a voice at once cute and mindful a wife chasing her drunk husband out the front door with a rolling pin. Perhaps I’m simply projecting the Irish in me. Anyway, I really enjoyed her. She'll get better with age.

The Ten-minute Photog

Yet another lesson this morning in what not to do. I had to get a neighborhoodscape and cityscape shot. I misjudged, by hours, when the good morning light would come out. I was hoping for those "interesting" warm beams you only get at the beginning and ending of the day. It was overcast and early, and about an hour after

I got home, the sky cleared and an unexpectedly rich sun shot in from the west.

I don't care enough to get back out there. They will have to accept my gray shots. I have some real work to get done today.

Speaking of gray, Amy and I are off to see David Gray tonight at the Chicago Theatre. Looking forward to it.

I'm not a photo junkie, but I keep discovering amazing photographers. If you get a moment, click here on Alessandra Sanginetti's site and look at The Adventures of Guille and Belinda and the Enigmatic Meaning of their Dreams. This series of photos and the relationship she captures breaks the heart.

It was a banner weekend for Chicago area gastronomy. Amy and I ran out to Geneva Saturday morning at around 11:30 a.m. I'd been told to check out Bien Truchas, a little Mexican restaurant right on State Street. There is some kind of Rick Bayless connection there, but I'm not sure what it is. Not unlike Bayless' places, though, there was a line waiting outside the door when they opened at noon, though. I don't have time to wax on about what made the place awesome. It just was. The guac was amazing. We had pork tacos and chicken tacos and ceviche and the best limonada of my life. It was like discovering Rick Bayless had opened a place just a few miles from where I live. Will go back repeatedly. Wow.

That evening, Amy's cousin and her husband took us to North Pond , a gorgeous little restaurant located on the grounds of Lincoln Park. Just approaching the place was great, because (kind of like Tavern on the Green), you have to approach the place on foot through the park. The food was indescribable. We did a tasting and had quail eggs, squab, scallops, the best beef of my life, creatively prepared root vegetables--it just went on and on. Truly blown away and grateful for the experience. Just amazing. We are so lucky to 1) know expert foodies and 2) live where it's worth your time to be a foodie.

Last week was aperture, minimum and maximum depth

next assignment

I am deeply frustrated with my photography class. The class and instructor and fellow students are great. I'm just unable to find any time to do these assignments. There are kids in my class doing genius stuff, using wine glasses as lenses, bringing out great colors in Photoshop, etc. I have no time to mess around. We were assigned a shadow and a reflection shot this week. I lucked out a bit in that the sun came out this weekend and shot through our guest room onto the bedspread. My bonzai and a small statue were in the way, and it made for a reasonably pleasant shadow. Further, the snow is melting, making for some puddles. Not great, but there's no time for anything else. I don't regret taking the class; I just regret being 38 with responsbilities beyond messing around with cool stuff.

New Hair Day

We finally got Crumley his haircut. He was getting a few mats and smelled a little rough. Better now, and better for him as well. He seemed constantly hot.