They don't call 'em itch mites for nothin'

Remember when we thought we had bed bugs? The mystery has been solved. Chicago's infested with itch mites. They fall out of trees onto you and then several hours later little crazy welts show up and itch for a couple of weeks. I got a bunch of new bites in the past couple of days, because it's been so warm out and I've spent some time sitting outside. Anyway, they're not kidding about the name. These little fuckers itch.

I've been working all the time. And I've been tired. Spent a lot of evenings crashing early at home lately. Let's see, what is of note since last posting...

My family's cat Penny died. She was a sweet one. They spend a month or so dealing with her as she got pretty sick, but it seemed sudden from my perspective, since she was fine the last time I was home. I think about her from time to time. We miss you Penny Lane.

It's really, really hot and humid in Chicago. Especially for October! Today was the Chicago marathon and they called a halt to it early. I guess people were dropping like flies. One person actually died. Scary.

Last night, Ben, Poppy, her friend Joy and I had a little dinner party together. We decided to all make Indian food, and it all turned out great! Poppy made curried shrimp, she and Joy also made a yummy eggplant dish. Ben made saag paneer, and he made his own paneer cheese from scratch! It was really cool, and delicious. I made the desserts: coconut custards and galub jamun. Everything was delicious. Very rich. And spicy! We sat in Poppy's dining room, eating and sweating and mopping our brows with our napkins. Did you know that riesling pairs really well with spicy Indian food? Well it does. Everyone was stuffed by the end of the night.

Ben and I saw The Magnificents at the Viaduct last week. It's by House Theater, with some collaborators from 500 Clown. Good show; good spectacle, magic tricks, neat videos, interesting characters, audience interaction, surrealism.

The most exciting happening since last post was of course Jenna and Jeremy's wedding last weekend. Let's see if I can make this slideshow work:



It was a beautiful day, ceremony, and reception. We had a great time. The farm was incredible. Different friends of the couple played music all night long, since they know so many professional musicians! I played a song I had written for Ben. It was his first time hearing it, and it was very romantic, and I was very nervous. He loved it, and I was happy, and a lot of folks got teary. We were all googley-eyed and in love all weekend. We had a fun time road tripping out there, eating lunch at a small town Pizza Hut, dancing at the wedding, holding the limbo stick for some kids, staying at the hotel with Andrea and Aerin, sticking out as city folk over breakfast in "Historic Galesburg," and driving home to catch the end of the Packers game at Will's. Will's is so great, and ridiculous. Here, you really ought to take the tour. But it doesn't really look like that, because every time I am there it's during a game and there are about 300 green-and-gold-decked Wisconsinites packed in every corner. In fact, when we went last weekend, we couldn't even get inside. We stood outside on the sidewalk, watching the TVs and cheering along with everybody else.

Ben and I are planning to go there tonight to watch the Packers/Bears game. It's sure to be crazy. We're trying to decide how early we want to go to try and get seats/a good corner to stand in. There are free cheeseburgers, and a halftime raffle for cheeseheadstuff, and pitchers of Leinie's galore. Every time I go I always want everyone I've ever known who is a big Packers fan to go to Will's for at least one game. Seriously, it's worth making the trip. I know that sounds silly, to come to Chicago to watch Wisconsin football, but the crowds are so amazing, and the vibe is so exciting and fun. Lambeau is always sold out anyway, so you might as well make the trip hang out in this little corner of "God's Country."