As Far As I Can Tell

Last weekend in Chicago was the best in a while. Maybe it’s because it was the last weekend before school and work consumed us, or quite possibly the perfect weather. Chances are it was that plus good friends and good food.

On Friday we met up with Ivo and ate bbq tofu at the Flying Saucer. The first time I ate there I didn’t like the breakfast I had ordered, and was borderline going writing it off. I’m glad I gave it another shot since it’s one of my favorite places to eat now. Afterward we saw Lost in Translation at the Landmark. Hopefully this movie gets a wider release; it’s beautiful in so many ways.

Saturday we met up with Matt and Paul to take in the Renegade Craft Fair in Wicker Park. This was the impetus for the trip and was worth the drive. Over 70 vendors from Chicago-land and beyond were there selling crafty shirts, bags, pouches, journals, and other made-with-love items. Meredith bought an awesome pillowcase skirt amongst other things. I just got a journal since most of the stuff was targeted at girls. I got some ideas from it though; so watch out.

Afterward we thrift shopped and ate at the Handlebar, a new-to-me restaurant in the neighborhood. There were lots of veggie entrées that I’ll probably return to try out. Once back at Ivo’s I got a call from Brian Frain saying he was in town for the day, and had called up our friend Corey who had recently moved to Chicago. Meredith and I met up with them plus Miles and Nicole at the bar. Afterward at Leo’s Ivo, Andrea, and Bill showed up. Figure in that Derek Bell was working there and the place was full of either current or ex-Kalamazoo kids. It was really good to see everyone.

Pink and Yellow

Peanut the rescued greyhound

Ivo, right before napping

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I just got back from the Art Spiegelman lecture. The auditorium was packed, with some people having to sit in the aisles. He talked for nearly 2 hours about not only his own work, but the history of comics and what inspires him so much about them. I’m glad I went.