around & around (chicago) she goes.

Snow.

2009-01-31T09:31:00.002-06:00

This has been a brutal winter. Only in Chicago would you spend 15 minutes wrapping scarves around your body, covering every bit of skin possible while still allowing yourself room to breathe. Then you step outside and enjoy the first 20 seconds or so before your body registers the negative temps, thinking, Oh, this isn't so bad, this... this... and then your teeth begin to chatter. The mascara you shouldn't have bothered to put on begins streaming in tears down your face from your eyes, that shouldn't really be exposed to these sorts of conditions.

At least sometimes snow is pretty. Sometimes.

gobama '08

2008-11-13T09:32:00.003-06:00

Lisa at the Obama Election Night Event, November 4, 2008, Grant Park

it's been hard to shake off this feeling of complete euphoria at the election of barack obama a little over a week ago. the day at work was such a buzz that it was hard to focus on anything. i had the jitters, bad, and i couldn't shake them. i left with three of my coworkers around 5 to eat burgers with bacon and cheese inside, and an onion brick, and down a few hard ciders while we watched the returns come in for kentucky, pennsylvania. we walked to grant park in a mob of other people, all trickling toward the same destination. we passed street vendors selling buttons, "I Was There.", and t-shirts with the profile of a man who now is recognized, everywhere. a roar of applause and screaming spread amongst the crowd when people announced that obama had taken ohio; they'd received the updates on their cell phones. we stood in line for a little under an hour near the entrance of grant park. the city was so alive. a building across the span of grant park lit up U.S.A., and against the already perfect skyline, the view didn't get much better.

once inside grant park, we had barely found a spot to stand when it came across that obama had taken virginia. virginia. it was an unbelievable excitement. we were still celebrating that fact when suddenly a news update flashed on the screen. president-elect barack obama. he had taken it. so soon, so sudden, it was his!

there were tears streaming down faces. kids were on their parents' shoulders, pumping their fists in the air. we turned and hugged each other, and others. we shook our heads and smiled. my cheeks hurt from smiling. not a few moments later, mccain's concession speech was broadcasted on the large video screen. the audience, aside from a few booes, was respectful and quiet. i think we used his moment of acknowledging defeat to absorb the fact that we had won.

several minutes passed. oldies songs streamed from the speakers and everyone continued to jump around, dance, hug, smile. so much smiling. then, a reverand took the stage and led is in a moment of prayer. he was followed by a beautiful rendition of our national anthem. and then, we were led in the pledge of allegiance. i held my hand to my heart and for one true moment, a beautiful moment, i felt pride. i will never forget listening to the echo of the crowd saying those words in unity, as you would a prayer.

the sky was clear. it must have been 65 degrees. the air was blowing gently. it was perfect. no one was crowding or pushing. then it was announced. the next president of the united states of america, barack obama. he took the stage holding hands with his daughters and wife. he looked tired, but elated. genuine. his voice sounded different live. deeper. it was hard to concentrate on his words because i felt like i was in a dream. i couldn't register the fact that he was mere yards away, speaking, at this moment. and what i heard wasn't a recording, it was his voice.

when we filed out of grant park after his speech, michigan avenue was a flood of people. groups of people were banging on trash cans, everyone was honking their car horns, people were break dancing in the middle of the street, there were chants of yes we did.

ray lamontagne video #1, for kate (& her mom).

2008-10-15T20:37:00.003-05:00

Burn, 10.11.08

icelandic, hopelandic, chicagoic

2008-09-25T21:08:00.011-05:00

the chicago theatre, wednesday september 24th

last night, i saw sigur ros perform at the chicago theatre. their sound takes me away. i always describe it as otherworldly, but that's cause its true. especially during the haunting final moments of untitled 8. this tour was colorful. their stage background screens were tied to cameras on the stage, and the strobe lighting was wild. also, i love a good confetti burst.

now some pictures.

me, in my seat.

the view from our seats.

opening band: parachutes, also from iceland. the lead singer of parachutes, alex, is actually jónsi's boyfriend.

opening: one of my favorite moments, Svefn-g-englar.

performing a song.

performing (another) song.

the projection screen was cool.

goobledigook, with the addition of parachutes' "drummers"

they were all so happy, drumming away.

then there was a burst of confetti!

yay, confetti!

this video captures the very last moments of the confetti falling and the end of Goobledigook:

taking a bow.

[set list, for my own record: Svefn-g-englar, Glósóli, Ný batterí, Untitled 6 (E-bow), Fljótavík, Við spilum endalaust/Með suð í eyrum, Hoppípolla/Með Blóðnasir, Inní mér syngur vitleysingur, Festival, Svo Hljótt, Heysátan, Sæglópur, Hafsól, Gobbledigook*, **Encore**, Illgresi, Untitled 8 (Popplagið)]

no love for beth cooper.

2008-09-21T22:30:00.005-05:00

i was just about to start reading I Love You, Beth Cooper when i decided to amazon.com it and check out some reviews, which led me to the web site for the book, which ultimately led to a page that revealed the book is already a movie starring hayden panettiere. now as i read, i'll just see the cheerleader from Heroes. great.

faces in the same places.

2008-09-19T09:09:00.002-05:00

when i took the diversey brown line train every morning, it was always hot and crowded and full of unfamiliar faces because you'd be on the train with whoever managed to squeeze under someone's arm or shimmy themselves up against someone's back or plow through however possible. now i take the belmont brown line train. because the belmont station is a hub for both red lines and brown lines, the brown line train that arrives usually unloads dozens of passengers who run quickly to the other side of the platform to hop on a red, allowing me to step into a cool train and take my favorite position - leaning against one of the glass walls, facing forward.

but that wasn't my original point. the belmont trains are cool and less crowded and full of familiar faces. i am beginning to think i am unknowingly following a precise minute-by-minute walk from my apartment to the train; crossing the street after identical turns of the crosswalk signs, traversing the steps at the same speed, and catching the same train each morning -- and so is everyone else.

some days, on the way from the train circa 5:30PM, i pass the same people on the sidewalk that i passed going the opposite direction that morning. like the girl with the cropped brown hair and the green scrubs and the pink crocs.

and almost every afternoon, just before i reach my building, i pass the guy with the too-small-for-his-already-petite-body-backpack that must contain a large bottle of ice, because i heard the crinkling sound each time he passes by.

on some days, this bothers me. i don't want to see the same people every day. i like remaining anonymous and familiarity when really there is no familiarity is kind of uncomfortable. on other days, i like that i'm sharing some common piece of my day with these strangers. i could be in any other city, on some other street, but i'm not, i'm right here. and so are they.

rain

2008-09-14T13:16:00.002-05:00

it's been raining non-stop since friday afternoon. today, at approximately 11AM, i finally purchased an umbrella. i can't explain my reasoning.

this morning, i ate my first breakfast at melrose, which has been "just down the street" for the past year and 2 months. i had a grilled croissant sandwich, with scrambled eggs, cheese, and bacon. the waitress complimented me on my top, saying "Gray is very in now you know." I nodded my head as if i knew what she was talking about.

loud jets are exciting.

2008-08-19T22:14:00.004-05:00

I love the kid's voice in the background.

i barely pressed "record" in time.

[the navy blue angels were in town for the chicago air and water show!)

2008-08-15T09:12:00.001-05:00

Q News

Friday, August 15th, 2008

Please join me in congratulating Lisa on her one year anniversary with Quarasan!

sushi.

2008-07-29T20:25:00.002-05:00

This picture just belongs in this blog. I call it, take out from Yuki Hana:

1 spider roll, 1 rainbow roll, and one salmon avocado. yum.

Theatre on the Lake

2008-07-21T22:09:00.002-05:00

Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Songs for a New World
Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Directed by Elizabeth Margolius
July 16 - 20
Lauded composer Jason Robert Brown (composer-lyricist of the hits The Last Five Years and Parade) has had the world talking about Songs for a New World ever since its exciting premiere. With a small, powerhouse cast and a driving, exquisitely crafted score running the gamut of today’s popular music, Songs for a New World is a great example of the next generation of musical theatre.

* * *

Just want to remember that I saw this play this past Friday night. It was really a refreshing, nice theatre experience. Theatre on the Lake is open to the lake, so it brings in a lot of air and a natural feel to the setting. The performers were talented, and as a result, I am intrigued -- and enjoying! -- the soundtrack. The picture above is the cast I saw.

it's a swell season.

2008-06-15T23:50:00.005-05:00

the swell season, chicago theater, sunday, june 15th

okay, so, i won't even attempt to describe how much i loved this show. they are so talented. and glen hansard has a graceful, unpredictable stage presence. both him & marketa paused before each new song, to whisper something to each other, or to describe for several minutes what they felt the song was about. at the end, after their microphones were turned off -- and after their encore -- the whole band played a song together, as loud as they could to be heard by everyone still in the theater. they skipped up & down the aisles, and it looked as though they were mentally straining themselves to leave the stage.

rockin' out

new song: "loved you wrong"video: glen talking about where he's played in chicago over the years. he talked more than any other lead singer i've ever seen perform. after this, he went on to play "hoover-fixer-upper guy", and then did a van morrison cover during which i thought he was going to break his guitar, which he had to stop & tune mid-song (during many songs), several times.

i loved it. that's all. good night.

soldier field 10-mile.

2008-06-13T19:33:00.002-05:00

back on may 24, 2008, i raced the Soldier Field 10-Mile.

conor was able to catch me on the jumbo-screen.
i cross between seconds 12 & 14. so cool! my final time was 1:53:42.

after the race.
so tired, but so happy!

early.

2008-06-10T06:24:00.002-05:00

i enjoy being awake at this time on a warm, sunny morning. the day obviously doesn't realize just how early it is, with it being so bright.

Do you want to go for a walk?

2008-06-09T13:36:00.002-05:00

Lars and the Real Girl
I absolutely adored this movie. Something about the colorful music, and the sweet, sad acceptance of the townspeople for Lars and his state of mind, and the way that Lars would whisper and smile at his female companion was so warm, so believable. The movie makes you ache for him and that piece of yourself that you will undoubtedly recognize in his character.

i watched the stars fall silent from your eyes.

2008-06-08T09:00:00.005-05:00

R.E.M.

Friday night I saw The National, Modest Mouse, and R.E.M. at the United Center.

A few notes:
1. The National is amazing. They've got it.
2. Modest Mouse doesn't like to play to the crowd. I left still wanting to hear my favorite songs.
3. Michael Stipes is one of the best performers I've ever seen. R.E.M. felt so real; Stipes forgot the lyrics to a few songs, talked to the crowd, and did the robot, several times. My favorites to hear live were Electrolite, The Great Beyond, and The One I Love.

take the death cab downtown.

2008-06-03T23:25:00.005-05:00

a gray chicago day turned into a hauntingly beautiful, hazy evening underneath the awning of Jay Pritzer Pavilion. i watched ben gibbard bounce on the heels of his feet as he played his guitar. fog floated in patches between the skyscrapers and purple neon lights darted from the stage to the crowd. it was perfect. it was chicago.

View from underneath the open air lawn. I was in the pavilion.

I didn't take this photo. I was probably sitting somewhere near the left hand corner.

Hello, this is Lisa.

2008-06-03T11:27:00.002-05:00

After 10 months, I finally did the inevitable... I set up my voice mail.

Now, when you dial me, you may get 1 of 4 options.

*ring*
Lisa [pause] Doyle.

*ring*
You have reached Lisa Doyle, copyeditor at Q. Please leave your name and message.

*ring*
You have reached Lisa Doyle. I am on the other line.

*ring*
You have reached Lisa Doyle. Except, I'm not here.

2008-06-02T21:00:00.000-05:00

I love book stores in German villages.

2008-05-22T17:21:00.000-05:00

warmth needs to find its way back to chicago.