Archive for the ‘ hobbies ’ Category

Invasion of the Nerds

12th August 2011 | 0 Comments

And so begins my weekend at Chicago Comic Con. I haven’t been back in several years, so it should be interesting, to say the least. I’ll be resurrecting my typical battle plan: Day One – scour the booths for 50% off graphic novels and novelty items, armed with a prioritized list; Day Two – check [...]


This is what happens when I’ve got a lot of time on my hands and a lot of fresh ingredients

25th April 2011 | 1 Comment

I went on something of a cooking bender this weekend, which might have something to do with the fact that spring is in the air and the Farmer’s Markets are starting to reappear in the city. My produce share from Edible Alchemy this week was overflowing with delicious goodies and since I’ve got a busy [...]


If you’ve ever been curious about Burning Man but aren’t up for a week in the desert, how about a weekend in the Michigan woods?

19th April 2011 | 0 Comments

Tickets for the second annual Great Lakes Regional Burning Man event, Lakes of Fire, have just been released. You can read about it here on Wildfire Weaver, the website for my fire dancing performance/industry news. If you’ve never heard of fire dancing, take a look around the site. You might be surprised to find that [...]


24 hours until Baconfest and my shot at the Golden Rascher award for best amateur bacon cook

7th April 2011 | 0 Comments

Come Saturday afternoon, some 2000+ Chicago bacon enthusiasts (including yours truly) will descend upon the University of Illinois-Chicago Pavillion to spend three hours wandering a smokey, salty, porktastic wonderland, featuring bacon-themed dishes by 50 of Chicago’s best restaurants, a bacon booze bar and exhibition hall of purveyors of all things bacon. I’m beyond excited (and [...]


Always wanted to make your own chocolate truffles? Well, here’s your chance!

16th February 2011 | 2 Comments

If it’s not apparent by now, I’m obsessed with cooking. It’s not for nothing that negotiations often take place over food because few things generate a sense of contentment and congeniality more than a good meal. I love how the preparation and enjoyment of food brings people together and creates connections where previously there may [...]


Who needs potato chips when you can make crispy kale?

24th August 2010 | 0 Comments

…with less than 10 minutes of prep work, 5 simple ingredients and roughly 20-30 minutes cooking time in the oven, those curly, innocuous-looking leaves can be transformed into a delicious snack food that will satisfy the same cravings as potato chips, but with more nutrients and less empty calories.


Puzzle store offers Teacher Appreciation Days deals

23rd August 2010 | 0 Comments

Attention Chicago-area teachers – Marbles the Brain Store is offering a 10% discount and no sales tax to teachers at their 5 Chicago area stores (55 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL, 4745 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL, Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie, IL or 123 S. Washington St., Naperville, IL) today and tomorrow [...]