Out Like a Lamb

March, what I believe to be the longest month, is coming to an end. It saw snow, rain, 60 degree days, and a few windstorms. Today was stormy and humid, and all the kids were buzzing with an energy usually felt in the drawn out days before a break. We have two weeks left before ours - one of which is taken up by standardized testing, the other which includes report card pick up day and third quarter grades. It'll be eventful, but I'm ready for April!

Here's a look back at March (spoilers, it's mostly me walking and reading!):

Another Slice: A Pizza Place Update

Since Jesus and I moved to the Old Irving Park neighborhood, we've been trying out new restaurants to turn into our local favorites. We have plenty in the running (and more to test in the warm months to come!), but there are already a few standouts. In the pizza category we have new options for deep dish, a cracker crust stand by, a new to Chicago standout, and redemption for an honorable mention from my last pizza post.

Chicago's Pizza
Good For: traditional Chicago deep dish, plus a million other Italian options.
Ambiance: casual and familial. The Irving Park location is small, so prepared to be cozy on a busy day.
Notes: BYOB at the Irving location.

La Villa
Good For: the whole family, and then some (or delivery).
Ambiance: old school charm, complete with checkered table cloths and plenty of bread sticks to go around.
Notes: La Villa is open and delivers late, and they also feature a banquet hall, catering services, and lunch.

Warehouse Bar & Pizzeria
Good For: watching the game, especially if it's the Badger game, and drinking beer (16 on tap).
Ambiance: modern yet country, with great Wisconsin-caliber service.
Notes: if you didn't guess, this is a Wisconsin bar that specializes in pizzas - I recommend trying a red and a white sauce specialty pizza.

The Boiler Room
Good For: Happy Hour and a slice after work.
Ambiance: much more relaxed on a weekday evening than it is on weekends - The Boiler Room redeemed itself with it's PB&J (slice of pizza, PBR, and a shot of Jameson for $8.50) and easygoing weeknight atmosphere.
Notes: cash only, but using their ATM gets you a free shot of Jameson.

Coming Soon:
Lou Malnati's: this deep dish carryout/delivery only location is almost complete, and I'm sure Jesus and I will be testing it out when the weather is nice and we don't want to cook.

To Try (Still):
Pizzeria Da Nella: It has now been seven (7!!!) years since my last slice of true Neapolitan pizza. 

The Broke Diaries

The Broke Diaries: The Completely True and Hilarious Misadventures of a Good Girl Gone Broke by Angela Nissel
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Sum it up in a sentence (or two): Angela Nissel's diary of her senior year in college definitely lends support to the idea that "being poor is expensive," but something is lacking in this otherwise honest and clever memoir.

First thoughts: There were times when I was reminded of Nickel and Dimed (Barbara Ehrenreich), but I wanted more of that style and less of Nissel's narration of her days. Memoirs are hot or cold for me, and this adaptation of a blog felt like a straight copy and paste from the online platform into print pages - while tidbits of daily life are common in blogs, where they're doled out in small chunks over days and weeks, that same text crammed into a book read in three days feels dull. I would've enjoyed more examples of "broke" dilemmas, even categorized: broke eating, broke phone bills, broke entertainment. The book would've felt more useful then.

First questions: How did Nissel become "broke" in the first place? Was she always, or did it come as a result of student loans?

Recommended for: Perhaps college students could relate better - I know I'm not that far removed from college, but I had to remind myself that she was "still in school" every time she made a money blunder.

Final thoughts: Disappointing overall, though maybe it was a better read in 2001. It's definitely dated. The humor didn't quite translate on paper - the wording of things is clearly how she speaks, but it's my guess that her delivery is what makes her words funny, not the words themselves.


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Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

I hesitated to post this recipe - partially because I thought I already had, partially because it's just so stinkin' easy, I feel like I'm getting away with something every time I make it. And I make it a lot - it's my most adaptable recipe and the best crowd-pleasing-yet-non-fussy, feel-good-and-taste-good go-to I have in my arsenal when I'm entertaining.

The basic recipe, from Ali at Gimme Some Oven goes like this:

-chicken
-salsa

Put them in a crock pot and walk away. Then come back about six hours later, remove the chicken and use two forks to shred it. Put it back in and mix it all up.

Seriously, it's that simple.

You could kick it up a notch and add a few things: frozen corn, a can of black beans, or chopped onion and peppers. (I've started to.) And when you serve it, make sure to include all the fun fixings: lettuce, tomato, cilantro, salsa, rice, tortillas, avocado, lime...and a few friends to share with.

10 Cloverfield Lane

I saw 10 Cloverfield Lane in theaters just over a week ago, and I still find myself thinking about it - it's almost haunting. There's not a lot I can say to describe the movie itself without giving too much away, and I really think the power in this distant cousin to Cloverfield is its mystery. It was developed and filmed under several pseudonyms, with the first trailer for it appearing just two months before its full release.

Being kept in the shadows is a major theme of 10CL, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. Throughout the movie we're never quite sure who is trustworthy, who holds the power, and what will happen next. We know there was a car accident, we know there are three people in a bunker, and we think there might be something happening out in the world, but we only have guesses as to what it is.

10CL hits hard with the creep factor, and all three principal actors are spot on for their roles. I loved the soundtrack, the simmering suspense, and how the story kept me thinking the whole way through (and then some).

Happy Happy Day

Happy Day of Happiness! I myself am feeling very happy these days. It feels good to know I've intentionally worked for "happy" (see: so many blog posts) and it's paid off - which isn't to say all of my happiness is my own doing, as I'm sure a big portion is my "growth" mindset (even not Happy things can lead to Happiness) and plain old being in the right place at the right time.

A short growing list of what's making me happy this Sunday afternoon:

• brunch w/ my boo this morning (I was on coffee/bacon/fruit duty; he took care of pancakes and eggs.)
• our new furniture rearrangement is doing wonders for the energy in the apartment
• my newest journal is the perfect size for scribbles and doodles and word webs, aka I heart nontraditional journaling practices
  
• i finally decided on a Bluetooth speaker thanks to my brother's recommendations and it's currently playing an acoustic playlist that goes with my chill out day
• we fed Jesus's fam yesterday & in exchange they gave us an evening of joyful laughter (and a drying rack of clean dishes :) )
• this weather, i mean c'mon - sunshine + cool breeze + random rains = cozy sweater weather on its way to sundress weather
• Rachel & Jesus Travel 2016 - we all know the planning is half the fun :)
• a few special visitors arrive in about one month, which means even more planning as a tour guide and host
• friend dates
• inter-office bracket challenges (I'm currently in 7th, though that'll most likely change before the night ends.)

Someone Could Get Hurt

Someone Could Get Hurt: A Memoir of Twenty-First-Century Parenthood by Drew Magary
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sum it up in a sentence (or two): Drew Magary's memoir of "21st Century Parenthood" is filled with personal stories of the triumphs and tribulations that go with having children. The essays range from sweet and sensitive to rowdy and irreverent, and the whole way through I was both grateful for and shocked by his honesty.

First thoughts: See above. Also, I liked Magary's laid back writing and parenting style for the most part. A few times I was like, uhhh, should he be saying these things? He himself admits to self-editing certain parts so as to not scare people with his parenting, but I'm sure many things were exaggerated for humor.

Favorite quotes:

"No one makes it through life unscathed, but you usually get a grace period at the start." -p3

"People tell you that you should never take life for granted but that's wrong, because taking life for granted is an encouraging sign that your life is going well." -p8

"All the bullshit you sign up for when you start out doesn't just go away. It goes on and on and on until you stop running away from it and start embracing it." -p239

"Love means you never stop trying to be better." p 239

Parenting thoughts: This book could be an effective form of birth control; it's funny, but sad and scary too. More than once I asked myself if I was ready to be in the situations the book presented.

Final thoughts: I love the way the book was end-capped with one story (about the birth of his third child) split so that we got the set up early on, then read through stories of kids one and two before getting back to baby three. It gave a serious weight to the rest of the book and served as a balance to some of the crazy stories in the middle.


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Friday Night Links 27

Welp. My bracket is busted, no thanks to Michigan State (or West Virginia, Cal, Purdue, Baylor...). Even though I rarely watch college basketball, I'll still keep updating my ESPN app for the next few weeks. There's just something about being a part of a national event that makes March feel less like the longest month ever and more like a crazy race to April. Let's have the experts explain:

I may not have many teams left to "cheer" for, but there are still exciting games coming up.

Simply put, there's a joy to picking teams you may know little about, then getting to know their stories and feeling the highs and lows of the tournament along with them.

Even if you aren't into basketball at all, the economic impact and social media presence of the tournament can't be ignored.

Finally, if Buzz Aldrin is into it, why the heck wouldn't anyone else be? (Note: He also picked Michigan State to take it all, so that makes me feel better about my decision.)

Spring Cleaning

Jesus and I rearranged the furniture in our apartment yesterday. ALL of furniture - no room was left unaffected by our whirlwind of de-cluttering and moving around and adjusting and trying new things. Even the bathroom got the addition of our shopping cart as a rolling laundry basket. Our microwave has a new address. There's more furniture in our bedroom and less in the living room.

I know I'm not alone in feeling refreshed after a good rearranging, but I can't say it enough: if you're feeling weird or stuck or in need of something to put some pep in your step after daylight savings steals an hour from your weekend...move some stuff around. The physical act of moving furniture and thinking through a room's atmosphere also clears the cobwebs in your brain. It makes you look at things differently and revitalizes areas that have been lacking (like the dead space by our coat rack, which is now a blank wall).

Even if you don't agree, it's the best way to make sure every corner of the house gets swept at least every few months. :)

In a Different Key: The Story of Autism

In a Different Key: The Story of Autism by John Donvan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sum it up in a sentence (or two): A history of autism, told as a story with major characters, both heroic and antagonistic. The most inclusive/comprehensive piece of writing I've ever read on the topic.

First thoughts: As someone who isn't super familiar with autism, this was a fascinating read. It really is a story - a collection of stories - that altogether shows the big picture (maybe not the entire picture, but a lot of it) of something humans have struggled to categorize for close to 80 years.

Story thoughts: I'm really emphasizing this. This book was a story. Non-fiction, yes, but even down to the terms the authors used - "narrative of autism," "cameo appearances," "observations," "interpretations," - and how each person is introduced as a character with unique motivations and developments. And the cliffhangers! There was a lot of drama, things I didn't expect, things that kept me hooked. There were twists and turns and red herrings, almost like a historical mystery.

Favorite quotes:

"...the definition of autism has always been malleable." -p370

"If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism." -p371

Recommended for: anyone who works with, knows, cares about, is confused by, or has wondered about someone with autism, med school students of all specialties, teachers of all age ranges, historians, and social workers.

Final thoughts: Whew. Intense - but I feel a lot more educated (and like I should read further) on the topic of autism. It has a dramatic story - ups, downs, different "champions," different perspectives. This was both interesting and informative.

Editor's Note: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.


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Things My Students Say 4

Teacher: What's a perfect society?
Student: Not this!
Student: Tacos!
Student: No Donald Trump!
Student More teachers!

Teacher: Standardized tests are coming soon, be ready to read for two hours!
Student: Yes! I love reading!

Student, after reading "The Lottery": So...she doesn't win any money?

Student, looking at my wrists: Don't guys wear their watches on the right and girls on the left?
Me: Well, usually you wear it on the opposite wrist of the hand you write with, but you can wear it on whatever wrist you want.
Student: But, like low key, guys right, girls left...right?
Me: Um, no.

A list of "compliments" from students (mostly female) to my coworkers and me (also mostly female):

-You would look cute pregnant.
-You're not wearing make up today, right?
-Are those your real eyes?
-You could be in your twenties. Late twenties. Or maybe early thirties.
-Do you ever wear make up?
-That's your natural hair color I bet.

The Princess Bride (Book)

The Princess Bride by William Goldman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sum it up in a sentence (or two): The "good parts" version of S. Morgenstern's classic tale of action, adventure, romance, and revenge.

First thoughts: Why did it take me so long to find and read this book? I enjoyed the movie, but was afraid that the book wouldn't hold up. Luckily, the book is every bit as quirky. I recommend reading the intros (depending on which edition you have) - they are part of the whole "joke" of the book. The asides too - they tell a story all themselves.

Author's thoughts: More about the asides - I appreciated hearing Goldman's thought process in "deciding" which parts to keep in the book and which parts to cut out (or, in reality, which parts to flesh out and which to skim over with brief descriptions). In one, Goldman calls The Princess Bride his favorite book, then also admits "the wrong people die," in it. I loved the sentiment of valuing something despite the sadness. In fact...

Favorite quotes:

"The wrong people die, some of them, and the reason is this: life is not fair." -p238

"It was too unfair. You expected unfairness in you breathed, but this went beyond that." -p307

"'It appears to me as if we're doomed then,' Buttercup said.
Westley looked at her. 'Doomed madam?'
'To be together. Until one of us dies.'
'I've done that already, and I haven't the slightest intention of ever doing it again,' Westley said.
Buttercup looked at him. 'Don't we sort of have to sometime?'
'Not if we promise to outlive each other, and I make that promise now.'" -p356

Recommended for: readers, writers, fantasy lovers, pop culture nerds, adventurers, kids, kids at heart, book clubs, and jokers.

Final thoughts: Worth a read if you enjoyed the movie. Worth a read if you've never seen the movie, but enjoy a good story. Worth it if you enjoy a book-long inside joke.


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Reading Across My Apartment

Today, Dr Seuss's birthday, is also known as Read Across America Day. Lots of schools are participating in read-a-thons, read-a-longs, and other reading events this week, but I'm having my own personal celebration at home.

Whether it's at our dining room table during breakfast/dinner, on the sofa for some post-dinner relaxing, or in bed before I fall asleep, I'm reading anywhere and everywhere in the apartment these days - and out of it too, since I have 10-15 minutes on the train each morning. It helps that I have a hefty stack of books to enjoy (plus a deadline for getting them all read, since they belong to the library), and with temps staying low all I want to do when I get home from work is throw on my robe and get lost in another world.

This week I finished a rather large book about the history (emphasis on story) of autism, I'm nearly through a memoir of parenthood in the 21st century, I've been dipping in and out of Chrissy Teigen's cookbook, and I've got my eye on a blog-turned-book about living paycheck to paycheck. I guess I'm in a nonfiction phase. Whatever the case, I've been in a reading phase for over 20 years and I don't see it ending any time soon!

Real Life is For March

Let's enjoy Leap Day just a little longer. How about a short video of my February?

Sunday Night Survey: Febru-Any-Way-You-Want-It Edition

I was right: February raced by this year. True, we have one extra day of it tomorrow, but with temps in the high 50s, green and orange decor showing up all over the city, and stores displaying Easter merchandise...it's March. I won't be doing a liveblog of the Oscars tonight, though Jesus and I do have it (them?) on. We've also got dinner in the slow cooker and I personally have some Chardonnay in front of me. #weekendwins

Shopping: for the week's groceries.
Prepping: for the week's meals.
Eating: Italian, Korean, Mexican, bacon, and more Mexican.
Watching: Into the Woods, high school musical style.
Wondering: if we are out of the woods, winter style.
Getting: my first Thai massage.
Drinking: lots of water to stay limber.
Stocking: up on sunshine for the week.
Opening: a few windows.
Reading: In a Different Key, Someone Could Get Hurt, and Cravings.
Walking: and walking and walking (tune in tomorrow to see my One Second Everyday from February for proof).
Listening: to the rain on my windows.
Sharing: laughs with friends and family.

Lamb

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sum it up in a sentence (or two): Taken from the subtitle, this book is The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. A late addition to the Bible, this "Gospel" gives us a look into those years between Jesus's birth and death that aren't really mentioned in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.

First thoughts: Lamb is surprisingly respectful and thoughtful. Crude and a little far-fetched at times, yes. But clearly Moore did his homework to make this story rooted in some form of history. And it does answer burning questions while staying true to some form of theology. Questions like: What was Jesus (Joshua) like as a kid? As a teen? Did he have friends? What was daily life like? Plus, it's entertaining - especially having a guess as to how things end, I wanted to know how these characters get there.

Favorite characters: Biff and Joshua (Jesus) are quite likable, and they play off each other's strengths and weaknesses. Maggie (Mary Magdalene) is also a very real and relatable character.

Favorite quotes:

"Children see magic because they look for it." Biff, p10

"A Messiah has to bring change. Change comes through action." Joshua, p202

"Love is not something you think about, it is a state in which you dwell." Joshua, p253

Final thoughts: For all its humor and fun, Lamb gets real at the end. It made me tear up a little. It humanizes the story of Jesus's final days, provides alternate explanations for some events, and brings a sense of closure. I'm a little disappointed in the things Moore left out in stopping before the very very end, but everything still felt "in character" with the rest of the book. This would be a great book to read during Lent!


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Deadpool

If you are an adult who enjoys all types of humor (including the type that would make many people blush) and doesn't mind a little comic book violence in the name of "reality," you should probably go see Deadpool. If you think there are off-limits topics when it comes to humor, or you have a low tolerance for seeing others in pain, you should skip this addition to the Marvel Universe and wait for the next PG-13 installment.

Jesus and I saw Deadpool for Valentine's Day. It was a nontraditional choice, but that's how we roll. And despite its themes of justice/vengeance, spite, and combat (both verbal and physical), it was surprisingly tender during a few key moments. One could call it a love story with a grisly telling, or an action movie with heart. Heart and other body parts.

This green band trailer gets at the gist of the story (dude gets sick, needs a secret operation to stay alive but it also turns him "super" and super ugly (except not really, he's still Ryan Reynolds), he does it for the good of his relationship but afterwards realizes he should mess up a few bad guys since he can and because of what the operation did to him, his relationship is strained as a result of the operation and its effects on him, there's some death and destruction and comedic relief, a few X-Men show up, and upcoming movies are hinted at) ...BUT if you want a trailer that's more true to the mood and effect of the actual movie, I recommend checking out the red band trailer (NSFW).

The Martian (Book)

The Martian by Andy Weir
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sum it up in a sentence (or two): Mark Watney is alone on Mars. This is his story of survival paired with the rest of humanity's point of view from Earth.

First Thoughts: I'm usually not a fan of survival stories, but I really wanted to know how this one turned out.

Movie Comparisons: Maybe I was more a fan of this survival story because I'd already seen the movie, so I had a visual for many of the technical descriptions. Maybe I was a fan because I wanted to see if the endings matched up. Either way, I don't think seeing the movie took away from my reading experience. The two tellings are very similar, a testament to Weir's cinematic writing, and the vision of Drew Goddard, the screenwriter.

Drawback: Things seem to work out real well for Watney a lot of the time. Yes, he's stranded on Mars, but he just so happens to be the botanist and the fix-it guy/engineer? He faces loads of danger, but also comes across quite a few lucky coincidences.

Science Thoughts: One thing the book expands on is the technical background of everything Watney does. Instead of seeing him MacGyver things, he talks us through them. Luckily his way of explaining makes up for all the jargon, which I'm glad is included. Even though I had no idea what he was talking about 95% of the time, I'd rather he stay in character as a highly educated and qualified astronaut than use laymen's terms for the sake of mass appeal.

Favorite quote: "[Human instinct to help each other] is so fundamentally human that it's found in every culture without exception. Yes, there are assholes who just don't care, but they're massively outnumbered by the people who do." -p369

Spoilers!: The ending is different.

Final thoughts: My big issue, both while watching and reading The Martian was one of risk and cost calculations. If someone needed to be saved from Mars, would I support all the resources - human, financial, and otherwise - it would take to do so? Especially in comparison to all the less "sexy" rescues needed on a daily basis? Space is awesome and all, but several million dollars allocated the right way could save a bit more than one dude who chose to leave Earth. In the end, though, that quote up there says it. The Martian isn't about rescuing one man, it's about the human instinct to help other humans. We're gonna do it.


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Friday Night Links 26

While National Wine Day isn't until May 25 (a Winesday, perfect!), yesterday was National Drink Wine Day, a far more active holiday if you ask me. And I don't think anyone will mind if we stretch it out over the course of the weekend...

A few wine links to be enjoyed with a glass of your favorite variety:

First, a trick for choosing wine.

Hint: it's not about the price.

Next, is it the right time to drink wine?

Most importantly: who's raising a glass with you? Or are you drinking alone?

Finally, if you have leftovers...try a new recipe!

(ps, drink responsibly!)

Falafel with Cucumber Dip

One of the first kitchen tools I purchased after moving in with Jesus was a food processor. After years of getting by with a (cheap) blender, I wanted to be able to make dips and sauces like a boss. So far, I've made plenty of hummus, but the wonderful chickpea lends itself to so much more. Like falafel!

I followed this recipe, substitutions below. While a food processor isn't listed in the directions, I made it work. It made enough for dinner, plus leftovers for my lunch the next day - these reheat very well!

Falafel

1 (15 oz) can chickpeas/garbanzo beans, drained
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 egg
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
dash of pepper
[I didn't have parsley, cayenne, or coriander, so I left them out, but I did add about 1 tsp paprika.]
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp olive oil
1 c dry bread crumbs
oil for frying

1. In a food processor, combine chickpeas, onion, and garlic. Process gently - consistency should still be fairly thick. Pour into medium bowl.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together egg, lemon juice, olive oil, baking powder, and spices. Add to chickpea mixture and combine.
3. Slowly add bread crumbs to the mixture. It should hold together without being too sticky (ie, you should be able to form patties with it). If needed, add more bread crumbs.
4. Form into balls and flatten into patties roughly the size of a sand dollar.
5. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Fry patties until brown on both sides.

These are best when topped with the Cucumber Dip:

6 oz plain yogurt (I used Greek)

1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced

salt & pepper to taste

splash of lemon juice

[I didn't have dill, so omitted it, but I know it would've been tasty. I also omitted the mayo because the yogurt is creamy enough. I added some lemon!]

1. Mix together all ingredients. Chill. Use generously with falafel; also tastes great with pita chips, tortilla chips, and raw veggies!