Michel and Sarah's Excellent Adventures

My dad brought over an article in the Chicago Tribune, about art displayed in front of houses of Oak Park, and other cities. terrainexhibitions.com Michel and I biked around Oak Park where some houses had art displayed, most on the 700 block of Highland.  Sometimes it was hard to guess which houses have art for this exhibition and which houses have just a huge balance ball in their front yard for other purposes. Then I noticed that the art always has a descriptive plaque.  This is us in front of 1157 south Taylor. Better picture and description here   http://www.terrainexhibitions.com/#!1157-south-taylor/cdpk  This sculpture in front of an Oak Park house is by Pat McDonald and is not associated with the exhibit. I think the people who bought the sculpture are visionaries and that it is a great idea to support the arts in this way. Here is a link to more info of this sculpture. http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Monumental-sculptor-Pat-McDonald.htm...

Michel has gone back to work teaching High school this week. For his last weekend of freedom I left him to do what he most wanted to do. So he went in the the basement to sculpt. He is in terrible need of a head to sculpt and no heads have volunteered so I reluctantly offered my own. As a woman who is a victim of our media and culture's war on women's self esteems, this is not my idea of a fun thing.   I tried to read "Infinite Jest" by David Foster Wallace. In other words we hid from the world as usual. He, or DFW,  was raved about in a recent class I took.  I'm arriving late to the hip party of his fandom, but I want to see what all the hubbub is about. I'm hooked. The book is as thick as a brick. But reading him or listening to him is like weight lifting for the brain.  It is hard work, but it feels like the brain is better for it. As though I feel an afterglow similar to after a run. From what I can understand The protagonist is not being u...

Amendment to an earlier thing I said: The reason I have had no or very few pictures of having fun is that I am multi-phobic. I just made that word up. I fear traveling, going fast in cars, being in small spaces, speaking in public. I used to shake visibly when talking to boys. I had a depressive period when even going to the library made me panic, for no logical reason. Taking the El, ever since riding in a smoky car made me panicky, is now a big deal. Last week I took a measly ten minute ride on the luxurious Metra, and it was the first time I did not panic. It was also the first time I took a train in years. So I, at forty-four years old, am trying to stretch my wings. Go outside my comfort zone. Yesterday,  Jeanne Wilson, my best friend, gifted me two tickets to see the Cubs. I took Michel. He too, by the way, has had bouts with anxiety, and in my opinion has not had enough fun in life. For instance, when I met him, he said he watched TV by looking out the window of h...

For the second installment of Michel and Sarah's excellent adventure, we face many fears and go see clowns perform at a cemetery. I, for one have a clown car load of phobias. The entourage (my parents) joined us. Also, it was my 44th birthday.   So, yeah, a clown made out with my dad. I had to remove the sound portion of the makeout due to the fact that I was screaming.  The mayor of Forest park spoke, a little too long. Clowns gave out toys and candy to kids and my dad wanted all the toys, leading the clowns to think he was special needs. My parents' dog was dressed in a clown collar. Notice in the video my dad says "John Wayne Gacy" after the mayor says we should recognize the great contributions clowns have given us. And they probably do give us a lot. This event was free and adorable minus the mayor with the thick Chicago accent and ulterior motives whatever they were, I don't actually know if he had motives. Sunday started with...