First, there was Dark Lord [...]]]> I’ve been trying to wrap up a few things in anticipation of a fast-approaching knit and crochet hiatus.  At the same time, I’ve also been spending some fun time with friends over the past couple of weeks.  Walking, sampling some very fine craft beers, shopping and making new friends along the way.

First, there was Dark Lord Day.  Sounds ominous but it’s the one day a year when Three Floyds Russian Imperial Stout is made available to the public. Eight-thousand or so lovers of brew descended on the brewery in Northwest Indiana.  Good times, good times.

Dark Lord Day 2010

Next, my foodie pals from Chicago Bites stopped by the French Market on the day the Mayor of Paris paid a visit.  This prompted a search the for the best croissants in Chicago dubbed CroissantQuest2010.  I have fond memories of my first time on Paris, living on the cheap.  Freshly baked, flaky and buttery croissants along with cheese and a piece of fruit served as a great way to start the day.  I want to relive at least that part of my youth, calories be damned!

Since I had to walk along Michigan Ave on my way to the first bakery, I stopped to take a few pictures of the tulips dressing up the flower beds between the Tribune Building and Water Tower Place.  Aren’t they lovely?

White Tulips

Stacks

In between the outdoor fun, I did manage to finish 24 crochet squares for a baby blanket to be donated to charity.  The squares are laid out and just waiting to be crocheted together in the next few days.  Look for a post detailing that later in the week, at which time I will also show you a DIY project involving neoprene, flowered fabric and Velcro.  You will be wowed at my ingenuity (::tongue -> cheek::).

Just ask the cargo shorts boys, the gray-beards and babies and tattooed ladies who came out en masse for Lollapalooza 2009 in Chicago’s Grant Park.

I had reservations as the date approached. For one, [...]]]> “The blues had a baby, and they named it rock n’ roll,” sang the legendary Muddy Waters, and boy, is that child still wailing!

Just ask the cargo shorts boys, the gray-beards and babies and tattooed ladies who came out en masse for Lollapalooza 2009 in Chicago’s Grant Park.

I had reservations as the date approached. For one, the hellish humid 90′s descended just in time for the 3-day festival. For another, I have this thing about really large crowds.

Thankfully, I went to Lolla with friend B who knows my propensity for panic and was willing to stop and patiently remind me to just b-r-e-a-t-h-e. With that most excellent advice, I was able to watch and listen and really get into the rhythm of the crowd. What did I spy with my camera eye?

People with singular style like Star Child, Tats in Plaid and Cow Man

Veteran punks and rockers reminded me that somewhere within still lurks a thrashing headbanger.

Lou Reed

Perry Farrell

Dave Navarro

And did I mention beer?

Sadly, time and last-minute festival entrance changes squashed our plans to see Neko Case. A half-mile distance between stages meant we also missed The Killers. Jane’s Addiction more than made up for it with their punk-laced hard charging drums (thank you, Mr. Perkins) and sweet guitar licks. The biggest surprise of the night was indie rock group Band of Horses (Flash warning!). They were new to me but they make some mighty fine music.

By nightfall, a steady, cool breeze began to flow across the park. What a perfect note on which to end a rockin’ day.

Thankfully, the sunshine prevailed over the rain clouds allowing for a little exploration of this neighborhood around Montrose and Wolcott.

Section of the mural on the side of a now-shuttered Italian restaurant:

Chalkboard at the cafe inside the Lill Street Art Center. Sadly, no pie was consumed [...]]]> First, it was off to Glenn’s Diner for a leisurely lunch.

Thankfully, the sunshine prevailed over the rain clouds allowing for a little exploration of this neighborhood around Montrose and Wolcott.

Section of the mural on the side of a now-shuttered Italian restaurant:

Chalkboard at the cafe inside the Lill Street Art Center. Sadly, no pie was consumed so I think a return trip may be called for to rectify that.

By the time I was headed south on Lake Shore Drive, you could tell the clouds were returning for rain, round two. I admit that I held the wheel with one hand and the camera in the other. Warning: do not try this at home!

By the way, I’ve made a couple of attempts to knit again but 2 inches of lace hardly rate a show and tell. I know this is a crafting blog but, hey, creativity and vision can come through the eye of the camera, too. One of these days, I vow to play with yarn again!