See What Working Does to the Blogger...

Well, it's been a long, long time, nah? I'm going to use the excuse that I've got a job and am working, so blogging takes a back seat. But really, no one is reading this, so I don't think it's a great loss.

Happy Easter everyone, even if you don't believe, so there.

The weather is finally trying to be more Spring-like. But, typical Chicagoland, it's still COLD. Maybe next month the temps will FINALLY get to the point of actual warmth.

Went to downtown Chicago on Sat, April 4th. Mainly to go to the Art Institute and renew our membership. We let it lapse last year as I was unemployed and it was deemed a "luxury." But now, I'm working, so...

Also, there was the exhibition, "Becoming Edvard Munch" which, she-who-must-be-obeyed wanted to see...she's of Norwegian heritage, so...

It was really great. As members we got in free for the first hour. Got those audio thingeys you hang around your neck. Very good narration and music. Actually made the whole experience better.

Then to renew membership at the Chicago Architectural Foundation. Wifey is a real architecture fan and actually thought of becomeing one...but, you know how that goes sometimes. A very "bad" store...to many "shiny" things to buy.

Lunch was at The Gage, a "modern American bistro"??? Great food, though. My pot roast (Angus beef) was one of the best in a restaurant. Her fish and chips was also really good.

A really fun, great day...except for the $26 bill to park in the city lot. Do the people running the city really think that high prices and taxes is an INCENTIVE for suburbanites to go downtown? Really?

Last night was "date night." Took SWMBO to Harry Caray's at Yorktown Center. (Yeah, like I'm going to drive downtown on a Saturday night to high parking prices and 10.25% sales tax.) Wonderful food. We're going to do that more often. Hey, we're not THAT old...yet. SO much left over that we had a nice lunch today, too. I think I'll ask her out again...(joke).

On the Hawaiian front, this week is the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in my old hometown of Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii. They stream a lot of it on the Internet as so many ex-pats are interested. This is THE hula festival in Hawaii, an invitation-only competition. Many halaus (dance groups) are honored when they're selected to participate. Tickets are almost impossible to come by, but those lucky enough get to see it live. I'll just have to be satisfied with online video.

Fly-In season is starting up. This year we're definitely going to AirVenture or Oshkosh as we all know it by. WhiteKnight Two, Burt Rutan's spaceship launcher aircraft, is supposed to be there. It really is the center of aviation for a week. So many innovative things to see; so many beautiful aircraft to drool over; and a great airshow every day. Looking forward to it.

Also planning a trip back to the "old sod." Maybe late in the year or early next. Hawaii tourism has taken a real hit this year with the economy and such. Empty hotels and high unemployment. Need to do our part. It's been too long between visits. Need a shot of "da aina."

Enough...

A hui hou...