Grutz says, "Ketchup." or "Ciaran says, 'Rioting, the game the whole family can play!'"

Keeping things in perspective.

My last post may have seemed a little random (oh, and rather off my regular posting schedule) and some expressed some concern. My cousin and her family are going through some challenges. A situation that puts all the things in our lives that make us so busy and so stress or seem so important or critical in to one simple category: trivial. Family, that's one I'd put in the 'profound' category.

Something I've been meaning to do....

Arnie and I go on many walks. Lately, they've been on the soggy side. But a few weeks ago we had one of those June days that, well, was truly a June day. Sunny, mild, dry, classic. So on one of our 4-5 walks I decided to document some of the sights of Pilsen. I've been meaning to do this for some time and will continue to do so. A quick note, I am often very critical of Pilsen in this blog. Of course it is not the worst place in the world, but it's very easy to point out the negative aspects or the stinking kids across the street that shoot off fireworks every night for the last three weeks. Oh and Pilsen makes it easy. Oh brother does it ever. But I'm not going into that now, just a few pics from one of our walks.

A block from our home is Miranda's Grocery. I have a cousin by the name Miranda. Interesting. You can also spy the giant smoke stack from the coal-fired power plant, too. It's pretty bad for you and here's the data from the Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Organization (PERRO).

You may notice that the sidewalk is higher than the front door in photo. That's quite common in Pilsen. In the 1850's Chicago 'fixed' its drainage problems by raising the streets (4-14 feet!) and installing sewers. Those that could afford it jacked their buildings up, those that couldn't, well, many didn't do anything or just moved the front door to the second floor.

This is an interesting church facade at 19th and Peoria. At first glance I thought it was a burned out shell. But as you can see....

....it's well maintained. I'm not sure what kinds of events take place here, but it's NOT open to the public.

One of the many religious murals in Pilsen. One of these days Arnie and I will document the dozens of others.

When in Rome Belfast do as the Romans Belfastians* do.

Ah, keeping the stereotypes alive and kicking in Belfast! Ciaran's getting doughy.†
(photo:Peter Morrison/
†That's not Ciaran, an no, he's not doughy.

So my wonderful friend Ciaran is back in his old stomping grounds of Belfast, Northern Ireland. And guess what? They're rioting. I'm pretty sure Ciaran has nothing to do with it, but I'm not holding my breath. Actually, I hope you all realize that Belfast is a great town and I'd love to go back and visit. Too bad many ONLY associate the 'Troubles' with this fine city. I think it's grand that the whole island is represented here, at DiscoverIreland. Check it out. Plan a trip. Take me with.

*I wasn't too sure how to refer to natives of Belfast and apparently no one else is sure either! Here's a link the Belfast Telegraph about this phenomenon. Enjoy!

Guilty as charged.

Much like Pilsen, Arnie can, at times, get a bad rap on this blog. Now, he is amazing. 95% of the time his is utterly wonderful. And 5% of the time he acts like a dog. So I can't get upset with him when he does something less than stellar. "Oh, right, you're a dog." Such as the following, what really inspired Carleen and I to crate him was shoe destruction and his one man show of furniture ruination. I'm sure I can salvage the chair, but first the evidence.

"Oh why did I finish the wood in bacon grease?!?!" Actually, I have no idea why he'd nibble on the armrest, but like everything he does, he does it well.

Here's the repaired armrest. Notice the "I'm pretending like nothing happened" pose by Arnie. "Guilty!" I say.

Up close of the patch. I had some very, very old wood putty that needed tons of wood glue to work. I mixed the two in a container that had some dried orange paint. Result: putty that looked like carrot cake (looks much better dry). I'll be painting the frame shortly. Arnie, "What? Why are you looking at me? I don't know anything about, what? A chair?"

Lastly, a little taste of what's on deck......

Yep, that's my lovely wife, Carleen, at her brother Matt's wedding this last weekend. Priceless.

I know some of this has already been said

January 18, 2011

RECAP: I know some of this has already been said, but we’ve been on hiatus for so long that I think you deserve a review. 

Who knew we’d be where we are now?  Well, I for one had an inkling.  The desire to be settled after 6 months of transition is overwhelming and Chicago’s dancing and friends are magnetic for me.

This year was/is an experiment in being, in action, and in experiencing what we could.  In August, after intense job and soul searching, we decided to pack it up and head to Nick’s mom’s place in Dubuque as a holding pattern until our plans solidified.  Our lease was up, the grit and crime of Chicago was getting under our skin a little too repeatedly, and we were feeling adventurous and free.  Theresa’s basement was a wonderful storage place for our belongings, and as soon as we were settled we bought a car and planned a massive road trip out west.  The trip was a defining experience in my life, and even now, there are moments when I am newly grateful for the time and grace that we lived in.  Two months later on the highway back to Dubuque, in the middle of flat Nebraska, I got a call from the Assistant Principal at Spry Elementary in Chicago.  How did she sift my resume out of the masses that had likely been piled on her desk?  How did my name get isolated on the entire Chicago Public School unemployed teacher database?  It’s still a mystery.  I interviewed for a 4th grade maternity leave position, or TAT (temporarily assigned teacher) on Friday morning, was offered the job on Friday afternoon, and started on Monday morning.  I embraced my new position, my new school, and my new students.  I immediately was challenged, I felt the internal shift from lay person to one who is dedicated to the growth of students, and I felt ownership over the learning that was taking place in my room.  I was inspired by my own successes.  We spent November, December, and half of January subletting from Bobby, a favorite person, hanging out with Rusty the beautiful, amazing fox mutt dog, and checking out Pilsen.  It felt almost like we’d moved to a new city; Pilsen is a Hispanic-centric neighborhood, there are 3 taquerias in a square mile, and my Spanish by osmosis is increasing.  

Present Day

My temporary job was slated to end on January 14, the teacher for which I was covering  indeed was coming back, to my dismay.  I wanted nothing more than for the principal to come into my room and ask me if I would stay, and continue to work with my students!  Alas, she returned.  A week or so ago, I spoke with the principal about the possibility of continuing on at the school in any capacity.  She let me know that positions were scarce, and if anything came up, she’d let me know.  The next day, she popped in to my class and observed the kids working, she happened to come in when the kids were incredibly engaged, working with rotating learning stations.  On the Wednesday, 2 days before my last day, the principal called me into her office and thanked me for my work and dedication to the students, and she offered to hire me as an ESP, or an aid in a Special ED classroom.  While it would have been great learning experience, I need to keep moving forward, I just could not go from having my own class to being an aid.  I am sure she sensed my hesitation to take a pay cut, and on Thursday, she offered me a cadre position (a permanent sub always assigned to Spry), which is actually not too far off from a teacher salary.  Again, I told her that in order for me to stay, I’d need to be hired as a teacher, getting full teacher salary and benefits.  On Friday, she let me know that she’d found a way to switch position numbers and make some changes in staff assignments so that she could hire me as a full time, salaried teacher.  I didn’t realize I was negotiating, but it seemed to work!  So, as of now, if all the paperwork goes through (CPS is infamous for pulling stops when everything is supposed to work out), I will be collaborative teaching in 3rd and 4th grade, through the end of the year.  

This happened on Friday.  Saturday morning I had 2 massage clients scheduled.  While I worked, Nick packed up our belongings at our sublet.  Saturday afternoon, we looked for apartments in Pilsen and Tri-Taylor area.  We viewed one apartment in Pilsen that we had some questions about, but seemed like a good match.  Saturday night we had a sleep over with best buddies Kristina and Paul, Sunday morning we went back to visit the apartment once more, to check out the laundry room, and to decide if it felt safe enough.  Everything passed, and we signed the lease right before the Bears game.  Grabbed sandwiches, got in the car, drove back to Dubuque to gather up some of our can’t live without items like my teapot and peacock china, and now on the return trip to Chicago, our car suitcased up, we stuffed ourselves in and got back on the road. Of course we are bed-less, so after we unpack our car-full, we will blow up the air mattress and make a pillow nest on the floor, if we have time, we’ll head to Ikea for some deliverable furniture to make our new place more homey.  It’s been a wild ride. 

And now, on the drive back to Chicago, the pull of the road still matches the magnetic desire to be settled.  I still feel romantic about taking to the road, driving until we find somewhere beautiful to spend the day, setting up our tent and getting the quinoa and grotta going on the stove. Sun wakes us up, I get my boots on, amble over to the camp toilet, tea is on when I get back, and we make a plan for the day that usually involves mountains, beauty, and being quiet.  

I realize I am still trying to have it all.  It remains that we are and will be happy where ever we are together, and in the interim, I will soak up this experience, I will dance as much as is humanely possible while taking on a new position, and I will spend time with the people I love as often as I can. 

Grutz says, "Back in the saddle again. By saddle, I mean Chicago." or "No, It's a 'Right Now' coat!"

Greetings one and all. I have been neglectful. I have been doing stuff. Lord oh lord. But now I can spill the beans. We're back in Chicago, specifically the Pilsen neighborhood. I'll get to that shortly, but first, some recap from our trip out west.

Arches National Park

Yes, some of the many arches in, um, Arches National Park.

During and after our travels Carleen and I discussed all that had happened to anyone and everyone. I found myself again and again saying more or less the same things over. Arches, too, was part of this continuous description. Out west, in the arid regions, things we're both drastically different and yet somewhat the same. Ok, ok, I sound like a moron, but Arches truly was different from Zion and Joshua Tree, but there were elements that we're so profoundly similar. The sky, the dryness, the lack of vegetation (ok compared to Iowa, the lack of vegetation). Stone and sand, wind and glare.

"Seriously, Carleen! Put down the damn camera and give me a hand! Christ!"

Everyone asks us what was our favorite park. Speaking for myself, honestly, I loved them all. Each Park and Monument so interesting and special in its own right. Yet, if I truly must pick a place, it would have to be (oh this is so hard)....Joshua Tree. Sparse and beautiful. Not boastful or majestic, but intricately detailed and minutely gorgeous.

More to follow, now to Pilsen!

Pilsen, home to the heart of the Latino Community of Chicago and a refuge for hipsters and artists. We live with Bobby Redwood, a med student, searching for the right residency program. We found him on Craigslist and has been a great roommate. Along with Rusty, the uber-dog. Pictures included later once I find the camera. It's quite a treat to step out our door and see, hear, and smell such a diverse community. The murals and Aztec discs. Spanish, mexican music, Croatian mass, the trains. Two tortilla plants (within two blocks!) bbq honky tonk, mexican cuisine. Sensory overload.

Aztec Sun art inlaid in the sidewalks of Pilsen.

Mural found at the end of the block, along the tracks, in Pilsen. (And no, it has not snowed here, I found the photo online, smartguy).

Smoked brisket? Yes, please! Around the corner from us in Pilsen.

Aside from the occasional (ok, one) moody drunk latino bemoaning how we're stealing the neighborhood (boo hoo gentrification!) the neighborhood has been amazing. It's very exciting and there seems to be a buzz. And that buzzing is the iphones in the hands of the hipsters. Boy oh boy, and I thought Logan Square had the masses of tight-jeaned youth! I've no problem with 'em. It's starting to get cold, so many disappear. I still think, like all social groups, they're kind of funny and worthy of any mockery. Anyway, I just saw this movie and supposedly(wink) they're going to film the sequel right here in Pilsen. Look out hipsters. Charles Bronson.

I'll continue later with more odds'n'ends from the trip, what I'm doing with my time now that Carleen is working for the man (boooo CPS booooo, hisssss), and more about Chicago. Oh, and what I'm thankful for. (Happy Sigh).