Gray Today

This is what it's like in Chicago today. The sky is gray. The lake is grey. The snow is getting pretty gray. And did you know that you can spell grey however you want? (Well, within reason.) I've just discovered that it can be spelled with either an "e" or an "a." That both are technically correct. That g-r-e-y is how the English traditionally spelled it and g-r-a-y is an American variation. I read somewhere: "gray" is a color and "grey" is a colour. But we, fellow people, are free to spell it how and when we want to.

The Diner Grill

Oh, a gem has been found. There's a little diner that we pass on our way to screenwriting class called the Diner Grill. Tonight we finally stopped in at this little whitewashed building (formerly two old train cars) and sat on two of the ten stools along the counter. There are no tables and there is no pretense. The grilled cheese was warm and gooey and even though I wanted a chocolate shake like Eric ordered, I needed a diet coke to stay alert through class. The guy behind the counter looked into my face and knew me in a moment. And he poured the rest of Eric's shake into a separate glass for me. Now mind reading...that's service. This great little joint on the edge of the Lakeview neighborhood has been around, in one form or another since the 30s. They are open 24 hours 7 days a week and are known as one of Chicago's best people watching spots. They are famous for what they call The Slinger, which is comprised of hash browns, grilled onions, two cheeseburger patties and two eggs over easy covered in chili. There is actually a sign taped to the wall that says "The SLINGER. Don't ask, just eat." It's such a mess that the diner will award you a certificate if you can eat it in one sitting. And no, I will never have that certificate. But cheers to places that name their food concoctions things like "slinger" and "garbage omelet." They make me certain that I live in Chicago.

Snow

Well folks, we just got our first hefty snow of the year. I took this photo after I gave up trying to get Max to the park over yonder.

Black Squirrel

The picture was taken from far away, so this feels more like a Sasquatch sighting. But I saw a black squirrel today! For those of you who live in or around Omaha, Nebraska, this is no big thing since you have one of the largest population of them in the world, but we think they're pretty cool around here. (Yes, I speak for millions.) Scientists have determined that black squirrels aren't their own separate species but are a variation of the grey squirrel where a fairly rare genetic variation has kicked in. They are a "melanistic morpheme" or in hip science people speak, "color morph." They are sort of albino... except the opposite.
Not only did I see a black squirrel today, but I also came across a cool publication called Chicago Wilderness Magazine. I'm a big and sudden fan. Click the title above to see what they say about black squirrels.

Lincoln Square

One of our favorite hangouts in Chicago is a quaint little north side neighborhood called Lincoln Square. Several friends live right there and it's a good place to meet up with those who live wester or souther. It's home of German Fest in the fall (as the population is quite German) and of several great cafes, bookstores, bars, boutiques and The Davis, a cozy four-screened, movie theater. Lincoln Square began as a farming locale off the beaten path, but right after the great fire, people swarmed up to the area. Here they could still build the cheaper wooden houses which were now outlawed in the city. Yep, the people came. Pickles, celery and flowers became big business and taverns opened to quench the thirsts of the farmers and shoppers alike. Eventually, Chicago proper crept up and swallowed the neighborhood whole.

Good German beer is one reason to be in Lincoln Square but so is the friendly-family, green and happy feeling in the air. (You know the one you get after drinking the beer). No really, it's a great little family neighborhood. People really do seem to know each other. And there are at least two trees for every dog. It's sort of my own little Chicago dream to live there some day. I would want to live in one of the houses along the Chicago River that have their own docks on the water. Then I could throw my canoe in and race the brown line train into the city, which is the very reason Eric says we will never live there. He knows I'd do it.

Evanston Symphony Orchestra

Today we went to see Erin play her violin in the Evanston Symphony Orchestra's Christmas show. (Sorry about the blurry photo.) I must say that after the impressive tunes, occasional dancers and big whopping choir during the second act that we left in quite the holiday mood. Santa Claus and loads of little elves even showed up during the christmas carol sing-along. And I really wanted to sing but I'm afraid that the candy cane in my mouth took top priority.

Charmers Cafe

I must make an announcement. The Mill in Lincoln, Nebraska has finally lost its best coffee joint in the world status. At least in my humble book. Coming in as my new number one is Charmers Cafe here in Chicago's Rogers Park. I haul my laptop over there on a regular basis when I need to get work done but want to get out of the apartment. So not only is it a little relief from cabin fever, it's a warm cozy place with great coffee, tasty bagel sandwiches, kind employees and free wi-fi. It's the first cafe with regular hours to open up in the neighborhood in quite a while. And it's the little touches that make this place dear. They give you a little box of Chiclets with your bagel, artwork in your steamed milk, outdoor seating in the summer, a water dish for dogs and colored paper and colored pencils for children ages 0-99. They even have an orange squeezing machine for fresh juice and ample vitamin C. Though I think I'll always be emotionally attached to the taste of the coffee at The Mill (I have yet to find a match) they brew tasty and local Metropolis coffee at Charmers and I think they've somehow cast a spell on it, because I must return, even just a quick drop in when on a walk with Max, almost every day.