08.14.08 bursting bubble

I love Chicago.  I really do.  I love Lyric and Lakeview, and of course the Bean.

That said, sometimes it doesn’t love me back, like for instance the very intense woman that drives the 8:52 CTA 156 bus with the constant yelling, and most recently, the vandals that cracked the Neon’s complex lock system and stole the radio.  It was a hard realization that the Neon had been deflowered in the South Loop, having survived the tough streets of Temple and North Philly, Cleveland, DC, Cincinnati, and brief stints in Jersey - but really just surviving passing through that state is miracle. 

My car and I have been through a lot together - summers in Breck, long drives to Nana, and the occaisional meandering through back roads to heal a broken heart.  More than anything, it hurt to see such disregard for my bubble, the necessities of my life strewn about in no particular fashion.  I know they are a criminal element, but manners are manners, and I’m still shocked at their absence in society.  I suppose it’s wrong for a thief to leave an apology note, “hey, sorry about the mess, I really needed this 5 year old Sony to support my meth habit.”  Call me a dreamer.

I should also add that I’ve recently discovered someone has been living in Media, PA for the past 6 years with my social security number.  I care less about the apology from him, I’d just like my identity returned in the condition it was, and that he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  Or flogging.

08.05.08 neon bubble

The neon and I have been through a lot, it must be said.  And surprisingly, we’ve both managed to come out of it in one piece.  Last night we experienced the first big storm in Chicago - enough to short out the warning alarm system for the city.  Looking out, I could see the bolts of lightening, and below I could see giant swirls, containingwater, wind, and the occasional shrub.  When I checked on the car in the morning, I noticed that on the street where I’d parked there were halves of trees on cars, around cars, and even in cars.  Not the Neon.  Completely unscathed, the car actually looked better - it looked cleaned.

07.25.08 the goodbyes

It wasn’t until today when I dismantled my librarian life did it really hit me that I wasn’t coming back on Monday. Seeing my volumes of nerdy and oh-so-important research books packed in boxes with my special Indian ink pens and Conte Televisions 649’s (ok, that’s actually a fantasy, those pencils are really hard to find) really meant that unlike my belongings at the house, this was not just a remodeling, a readjusting. This is for keeps, for reals.

It is almost inconceivable this is my last night as a resident of Priscilla Lane, the last night thunderpaws will knock on my door to remind me to feed him, the last time I’ll wake with Ixi ready for coffee 3 hours ago and my bedhead an embarrassment, or a slew of other things that make priscillaneous tick.

In all this, I know I have been very lucky, and I’ve known this the entire time I’ve been here, and I’ve known it because of the amazing people that are my family, who’ve profoundly changed my life without even knowing.

07.24.08 tour du fromage 2 & 3

I have to list my favorite cheese fries separately - they are both equally good and I love them in different ways.

Locale: Aurthur’s, Hyde Park Square

Dish: Loaded fries (no bacon)

With a side of sour cream and ranch dressing, the perfect American fair dish comes out in a hot crock smoldering in cheddar, American, and provolone cheese. It is usually the perfect ratio of cheese-to-frie, and I don’t think I ever been disappointed. It was once fabled that I ate two of these in one sitting. I will neither confirm nor deny.

Locale: Teller’s, Hyde Park Square

Dish: Stag fries (no bacon)

Yes, I’m sure these would be better with bacon, as is everything in life, but the vegetarian in me always turns it down, man I hate her. Anyway, these fries are covered in Vermont white cheddar, topped with garlic malt vinaigrette and chives. Of late they’ve been quite good, although depending on the chef sometimes they are a bit stingy on the cheese, making for one huge mound of fries - I’m sure we can imagine my feelings on that. It is a large serving, and I learned that they really should be eaten in the restaurant and not as carryout, but I’m sure that’s true for most melted cheese dishes.

Honorable Mention…

Locale: Palamino’s, Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati

Dish: Crisp Potatoes Gorgonzola

First of all, these are waffle fries which is always a really good idea. The Gorgonzola cheese is mixed with Alfredo sauce, but the heaviness of the cheese is well-matched to the frie. The menu overall has many good cheese dishes, including a baked macaroni dish - but the best Mac ‘n Cheese, found at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, possibly changed my life .

07.23.08 the three questions

Lately, I these three questions have been constantly asked of me. Always in the particular order that I’ll give you, the questions point at and underscore what has come to exist in the past four years as a collective mind-set called: priscillaneous, or wendixi, or bebedidi, or what have you.

Question #1. Wendy’s leaving? WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?!

I don’t know. Cry, pull my hair out, not be able to find my passport, or glasses, or car keys

Question #2. Are you going to find another roommate?

Um… that would imply that Wendy is replaceable, which I will hasten to inform you, she is not. Just as no Chicago clarinetist would be able to replace me.

Question #3. Are you going to get a dog then?

Since Simon really thinks he is a dog, poops outside and comes running when you call him, why would I want real dog who I’ll have to walk and scoop poop from?

Yes, so with the impending abandonment that I will be suffering (Saturday), please send cheese or flowers and not edible fruit in empathy. Please call me, as I will be home alone with the sound of Law and Order in the background and possibly downing a bowl of fried rice. However I must happily remind our faithful friends and readers (and stalkers) that priscillaneous has not met it’s end. As a state of mind, it really cannot die. You will continue to see and read about us, bigger and better, in the larger two state radius of Ohio and Illinois.

For those following the OPfWD, this is officially PHASE 2. Whee!!!!

07.22.08 dismantle for phase 2

In packing for the impending move to Chicago, the boxes and chaos is a very real reminder of the physical and emotional dismantling of my life. It is hard to see one’s life in boxes, but helping to start this new part. In doing so, I’ve had to rethink what I can’t live without, and what will make the list of things that will arrive with me for phase 2.

Previously, I had mentioned a few things very dear to me; the brown betty, my grandmother’s ring, a snow globe, and a few others. In addition, very soon to be Chicago bound - a framed picture of what is priscillaneous, B&H critical edition of Kullervo, photos of my niece, a stack of postcards and letters with words that make me smile, a dressy dress because I can’t let go of being fancy, and finally, a miniature green glass mouse, green for obvious reasons and mouse for obvious reasons, always perched next to my alarm clock being the last and first thing I see.

07.21.08 if you love me

something that occurred to me whilst watching our neighbors from priscillaneous central:

if you love me you will tell me. if you love me you will be kind. if you love me you will have good manners. if you love me you will support my cheese habit. if you love me you won’t ever think there is a thing such as too much green. and if you love me, really love me, you will never ask me to build a retaining wall for the house, especially if i am 5 months pregnant and it’s 95 degrees in july.

Catfood on Groundhog Day

Ixi keeps various bowls of “stuff” around the kitchen. Usually they contain tasty treats such as japanese candies, almonds, scones, apples, an occasional onion or potato, and at least two fruits of the earth. Ok, sometimes, a bowl may contain…catfood. Yes, three bowls to be exact. One per cat. Two mornings ago, Ixi was sampling some honey-roasted soy nuts whilst conducting business on the computer. I think we can all guess what happened next. Reach for nut, put in mouth…confused look on face as taste buds kick in…slow, “hey…this doesn’t taste like…ahhh” spit spit. 

 

She said it tasted like corn. And fat. Corn + Fat.

 

The same day Ixi received this text message from me: Groundhog just ran into Walgreens and is under register two. How many times can one say that, right? I knew something was going down when I saw the cop and several employees looking down at the ground. Naturally, I thought someone had died. Sounds reasonable. Anyway, I was quick to stick my nose into the business at hand and asked “What’s going on!?” Thats when I learned a gigantic rat-like critter had run in from the parking lot, through the automatic doors, and burrowed under the check out counter. They all figured it wasn’t a rat unless it was the biggest anyone had ever seen. I grabbed the flashlight from the cop who was making sure the Ground hog didn’t get “out of hand” ( Really, what’s a groundhog gonna do?) and sure enough, I did spot a massive rodent. There proceeded to be a stream of other cops, who, having heard of the “situation”, had to check it out and make fun of Groundhog Cop.

 

Wendy asked me if I saw its shadow.

07.11.08 tour du fromage 1.5

Locale:  Biggs Supermarket, Hyde Park Plaza

Dish:  Munster Gerome (wheel)

I wouldn’t think that normally really great, speechless-making cheese could be found at a large grocery chain such as Biggs, but they have a pretty nice selection.  And what’s also nice is the muenster Gerome, probably my favorite cheese ever.  It melts well, has a pretty strong flavor - the typical muenster pungency, but coupled with the creaminess of a traditional French brie and goes great on any cracker of bread.

07.10.08 tour du fromage

My close friends know that my love of two things knows no bounds - Kelley green and cheese.  In the next two weeks I intend to experience all of my favorites.  Today’s menu:

Locale:  Kona Bistro, Oakley

Dish:  grilled three-cheese sandwich with chipotle and tomatoes

Overall this is a fantastic melt.  The chipotle adds some nice heat to it, and the tomatoes give some nice texture.  The cheese is probably some kind of cheddar blend, and while there is definitely a healthy amount, it is hard to distinguish between all three.  I will say that is a fairly greasy meal, and since I ate this at about 1PM I wasn’t hungry for the rest of the day.