Category: everyday life

Charcuterie Board Class

We often have interesting office events after work, and I try to attend when I do not have a conflict. These events often conveniently fit between the end of my workday and some later evening activity.

On Thursday, we had a charcuterie board class. I missed the original sign-up, but signed for the waitlist, and once in a lifetime, I was lucky to be the only person moved from the waitlist to the actual event participant.

If nothing else, all of us could take our delicious boards home (I still have a little bit left in the fridge), but I also learned something new (and that’s me thinking I have these skills). One of the revelations: never do cubes! Cubes are boring 😂! I also learned why you want to cut in wedges – the cheese tastes differently close to the rind, so you get the full palate if you cut in wedges. I also learned how to make salami flowers, and why breaking cheese into pieces “naturally” is good. And – all these goodes were for me to enjoy!

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at Joffrey

I was there last night, and I didn’t realize it was not only the Joffrey’s opening night but also the first performance of this ballet on that side of the pond. It was unimaginably good, but so looong, it was torture on a weeknight! They should have at least started at 7 PM, not 7-30!

I read a rave review in the Tribune this morning. First, I wanted to post some quotes, but the article resonates with my impression so much (up to the choice of words!), that I will simply copy it at the bottom of this post.

Note – the ballet runs till June 22!

Continue reading “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at Joffrey” →

Original Sin

I heard about this book, Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, on the Apple News podcast about a month ago, and I knew right away that I needed it! I listened to it non-stop until I was done. I see that it gets mediocre reviews; some say that the authors should have criticized more, some that they shouldn’t have touched this topic. But I am convinced it’s the right book at the right time.

When I started listening to it, I was shocked by how much was hidden from the general public, and wondered how in the world the people close to the President could set up such a massive cover-up. But then, listening further, I relived all the hesitations again, all of the many unknowns, and as horrifying as it is, I felt that I could understand. It’s a very depressing book, but an absolute must-read. We must learn the historical lessons and take in all the excruciating consequences of the 2024 election disaster.

AI

Last week, I had my first positive encounter with AI. I needed to reschedule the A/C maintenance, and I forgot to do this during the business hours. I called shortly after five, hoping that maybe they are still open, or I could leave a message, and the call was picked-up by an AI assistance, who introduced herself. And I might not even figure out that she was AI, if she won’t say so. Not like completely unrecognizable, but a striking difference from the automated answering system; it was an absolutely “human” conversation. She said that “she got it,” and my appointment changed to the day I requested. I was still not sure whether I could rely on her answer that everything was set, and I called the office a couple days later and they confirmed that my appointment was indeed changed.

I was most impressed when she asked me to spell my last name :)).

The War of the Worlds at the Lifeline Theater

Ninety-five minutes of sitting still and holding my breath! This play, by and large, exceeded my expectations!

If you are wondering how much this play is related to the famous H.G. Wells book, the answer is – very little! Yes, it’s about the Marician invasion on Earth, but the action takes place in the US, and even more specifically in Illinois, at some fictional point in time. There are definite hints that the action takes place in the past, but at the same time, it’s a sharp satire on nowadays media, television, reporting, politicians, and what else. All the characters are unmistakably recognizable, so you can’t stop laughing (or crying)!

The previews just started, so you can still see it!

An Event with Ron Wynden

I am ashamed to say that I didn’t know anything about the book “It Takes Chutzpah” until I saw the advertisement for the library event. And I should be even more ashamed that I didn’t know who Senator Wyden was.

The only reason I made a note about this event was the mention of Governor Pritzker being a part of this conversation. I checked out what this book was about, asserting the topic and the fact that the Governor thought it’s worth reading prompted me to get a book and mark my calendar.

I put aside the book I was listening to at that time, and started to listen to the Senator Wyden ‘s book. When I learned which initiatives and legistlations he championed, I became really ashamed, and thought that my knowledge of the Senators is tilted towards the Midwest :).

I came to the library about 30 minutes before the event start, and there was a line (these events are not ticketed).

When they let us in, I hurried up to get the good seat. What I should have done was to get a copy of that book in the hallway by the auditorium, but it didn’t occur to me that they could bo sold out – which happened to be the case! I didn’t need the paper book for myself, but since I already read it, I thought that I wanted Igor to have it, especially when I could get a signed copy.

The event was livestreamed, and if you have 40 minutes to spare, I think it’s totally worth it.

As for the books, a person right before me in the line, got the last copy! For me and everyone behind in in the line, they offered an option to sign an insert which they will paste into the book when it will arrive, so I hope to have one which I signed for Igor in a week or so.

Also, you know how I always ruin the photos having my eyes closed?! This time, when they took a photo of me with the Senator, I was OK, but his eyes were closed!!! No luck!

Fort Sheridan

In the spirit of my recent listen, Embrace Discomfort (5 hours in a semi-wild environment, once a month), I decided to spend one of the days of this long weekend at Fort Sheridan. And the book is just an excuse, although I really liked it! I love going to Fort Sheridan, and I only needed a small push – I knew I would enjoy it! I didn’t spend the whole five hours there, but I had a great time! Surprisingly, it was warmer there than in Rogers Park, or maybe it’s just that the wind was not so strong. And I didn’t even listen to an audiobook or anything – just the birds and the roaring of the waves!

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Museum Of Surgical Science

I learned about this museum on WBEZ (the third museum in Chicago, which I discovered on the radio!). It has been on my list for a while, and I had different ideas about with whom I should go there, but I ended up going by myself this Saturday. I really enjoyed this visit, and now I am thinking who I should invite to go with me next time 😀.

It was my first outing with the repaired right eye, and I do not know what exactly changed, but it was way easier for me to read all the signs. Somehow, things stopped duplicating at that distance, and lines stopped running away.

As for the museum itself, I could easily spend twice more time there (which I would probably do next time!) Tons of pictures below.

Blood transfusion history
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And One More Eye Surgery

It’s funny that something that should be a major event in my life is just one of many good things that happened during the last week.

Since the time my left eye became so much better than my right eye after the lens replacement, I knew I wanted to do something with the right eye :). Who would have known things could be so much better! The same surgeon who did my last surgery and who is a true miracle worker, told me he can do Lasik on my right eye, and that was enough for me to say yes! With any other surgeon, I would be skeptical.

It took a while to find the date when the surgery could be done (I had to stop wearing a contact lens five days before, and I was traveling non-stop). I chose May 23, so that the surgery would be “after everything”. Also, I ordered temporary glasses for these several days. It was a complete waste of money, but I was glad I did, because I had five events during these five days! It was still extremely uncomfortable, but I managed 🙂

The surgery itself was very quick and uneventful. (I felt mildly stressed because I had to wait for a long time before they started, but that was it.) I asked not to administer sedatives, because I didn’t want to ask anybody to escort me home. They still gave me a local anasthesia, and everything was fine. It’s weird when you see and feel somebody messing with your eye😀, but not a big deal. I saw better immediately, although it was supposed to happen later. I still feel like my eyes do not work completely together, so it’s like I see with each eye better than with two together, but we will figure it out 🙂

And if you think about it, it’s amazing how much medical science has advanced in recent years!

Guarneri Hall

One more “first time” this week – I went to a concert at the Guarneri Hall. It’s a shame I didn’t know about its existence until I heard the story on WBEZ. Since then, I have tried to find a concert that I would love to attend, that I could attend, and one that is not sold out! Finally, all stars aligned, and I was there on Thursday!

It is a former recording studio in the heart of the city, with only forty people’s capacity, that delivers an unmatched experience for any music lover. I can’t even describe the difference in the quality of the sound it makes. I sat with my mouth open for the duration of the concert!

It turned out that they have a reception after each concert; I didn’t stay because I didn’t feel right staying for just fifteen minutes and leaving, but I will definitely plan to stay next time.

Thursday was the day when they announced the next season and opened the sales, and I already got two tickets, and now I’m torn between wanting to purchase each and every concert and not wanting to risk wasting money if I won’t be able to attend. I will do one more swap :).