Zoo Ornaments

On Friday December 15th, we headed over to Torie's for her annual ornament exchange. To my and every other fellas luck, the exchange was opened up to the boys this year. It was previously a girls night event thing. Rachel and I were the first to arrive at Torie and Tim's. Once the party got bumping and people enjoyed some apps and drinks we started the main event. Let the exchanging begin! The exchange was pretty uneventful until Rachel and I went into an intense battle with another girl, trying to get the Hedgehog and the hat (seen below), but we ended up not making it happen. After some back and forth Rachel ended up with the hat and I ended up getting a dipped strawberry in chocolate, not edible though. After the exchange we all were hanging out and Rachel and I stuck it out, eventually throwing on some Jcubed videos to clear the party out. We were the last to leave. Party animals.

The next day on Saturday December 16th, Rachel, Torie, Nikki, and I hit up Yoga Sculpt at Core Power and got our butts kicked. Later that evening, Beth, Sarah, Danny and the kids came over to our place around 6pm. We ate tacos and tried to keep them away from everything in our apartment since nothing is child friendly. Then around 7:30p we headed on a quick walk / wagon pull to the Lincoln Park Zoo to check out the Zoo Lights. After the Zoo Lights, which was a way different experience when you are walking around with three little kiddies, we came back to our place and watched a couple of movies, including E.T. which put them to sleep real quick. Once the kids were asleep, we had a few drinks and were able to chat, they all headed out a bit after midnight. 

I met up with Rachel for lunch at Doc B's on December 18th near her work. She finished her first semester of grad school! So proud of her!

On Friday December 22nd, Adam, Brandy, Brian, and Megan came over to our place for some dinner before our High School reunion. We enjoyed some pulled pork, veggies, and macaroni salad. We then got an Uber to Old Crow River North. Reunion time! The reunion was super fun (blog all about it coming soon!) and it was great catching up with some old friends and classmates. 

Two days later, Christmas Eve was already here. It snowed a bunch that morning, which means snow for Christmas! Wooo! We did Christmas Eve at Grandmas and then went to Church with the fam in Darien. I got a special shoutout during the sermon as I was the only "Joshua" in church. After church we headed to New Lenox and hung out at Rach's parents house, sleeping there. Christmas day was spent with Rach's family and we spent another night out in NL. The next day was Rach's Grandpa's birthday, 94 years old this year! We visited him down in Manteno at the Veteran's home and then headed back to Chicago.

On Friday December 29th we went out to eat at Gilt Bar with Torie, Tim, Sarah, and Colin.  It was pretty delicious, we even got a sparkling cookie pan with ice cream for dessert! After dinner we went back to Sarah and Colin's to play some cards. Their pup Russell was making trouble, but I was the one who sampled his sour apple spray, not too bad! We played kitchen bridge until about 1am. Rachel got second place, and I got last, not bad for our first time playing.

Get ready for the New Year ya'll.

Josh

New Year, Same Me

With a new year will come a new blog and vlog format. Starting in February, I will be picking a topic for each month and focusing on that for my blogs. I am going to no longer talk about how I worked, slept, or ate food each day. I will still have days of significance blogged and vlogged about, however will be cutting out the day to day basics that have so pleased all of you for the past 2 years or so. 

For those interested in my day to day life, you are in luck, as this blog will still be formatted as that. Now let me tell you about how January, the first month of the new year, which resulted  in me doing and being the same me. 

The year 2017 technically started at the Corona Beach House, but you already know that.

The first morning of 2017, Sunday January 1st, Rachel and I awoke to John already being gone. We saw Beth off and grabbed an Uber to hit up the Shedd Aquarium by 11 am. On this day, my brother in law, Rob, would be proposing to his girlfriend Katie. Rachel and I met up with Rachel's parents, and Katie's mom once we were inside the Shedd. We found a spot camped out above the Otter area. After waiting for what seemed like hours, Rob and Katie finally strolled in to view the otters. I snapped photos and Rachel took a video as Rob got down on one knee and proposed to Katie. She said yes! Congrats to Rob and Katie and Happy Wedding planning! 

After we took some photos around the shedd of the newly engaged couple, we headed back to Rob and Katie's place and had a little party for them. Their friends came over and we all hung out chatting and enjoying the pleasant day. We got some pizza for dinner later that evening, and ended up hanging at their place until 1am or so. Drinking and stuff. You know how it is. We grabbed and Uber home. What a way to start the year! 

The next day Monday, January 2nd, I had the day off, and so did Rachel. We relaxed and chilled until making a homemade chicken pot pie for dinner. Yum.

On Tuesday January 3rd, I didn't have to work until noon, and someone had interest in purchasing our leather couch with the recliners. They came and picked up and paid. Great success! Back to working after that. 

We had our work holiday lunch at Dario's restaraunt Capri Sogno in Plainfield on January 4th. Everyone ended up ordering the same thing, Dario suggested, Rigatoni Vita Mia. Delicious.

On Thursday January 5th, after a long days work, I headed to Target where I ran into my cousin John. He gave me the grand tour and led me on my shopping trip. Good to catch up!

As I worked from home on Friday January 6th, or new couch was delivered. Rachel did an amazing job picking it out. It looks amazing. We had a little date night as I made some blue apron burgers and we watched tv. 

The next morning, Saturday January 7, I had to coach in the burbs. Once back in the city Rachel and I went to a Yoga Sculpt class. Kicked my butt as usual. We hung out at our place until later that evening around 7 when we caught a bus down to Sarah and Colin's for Colin's surprise Bday party.  Sarah did a great job planning it as Colin was super surprised when he arrived home. The party was fun and they have a super cute dog named Russell. When we were leaving, we decided to visit Rachel's work for some reason. She gave me a tour at 1am. 

The next day on Sunday January 8th, I really did nothing but hang out and chill all day. I went and watch the Cat's have their first indoor winter training that night. Lazy sunday. 

I spent the evening of Monday January 9th at my parents house. After working late, I headed over there to catch the second half of the National Championship game. What an amazing game. Clemson ended up beating Alabama by scoring with 4 seconds left. An instant classic!

Tuesday January 10th had me working late and eating shrimp for dinner.

I was able to check out the Cats storage locker on Wednesday January 11th as Beth and I pulled some jerseys out of storage and I inventoried for the upcoming season. They still have our jerseys from my sophomore season 2005 and the JV team still currently wears the jerseys from my senior season, 2007. Vintage stuff. I had to work late again that evening, seeming to become a thing..

To no one's surprise I had to work late on Thursday January 12th. I did some shopping at Jewel after and ended up finding an insane deal on pork. These pork roasts were on sale for $0.99 a pound. So I got 13 pounds of pork for $13. Quite the deal. I enjoyed a pasta dinner when at home around 10:30p thanks to Wifey. What a lady.

Friday the 13th of January, spooky scary. I started to watch this new show called The Magicians and loved it! Aly also loaned me the book, The Hard Hat, by Jon Gordon. It was a short but very inspirational read. I suggest anyone who can get their hands on it to give it a read. Made me tear up at times, and it is focused on lacrosse.

While I was working from home that day I also fired up some pork carnitas in the crock pot. 

Around 6p, I met Beth, Brian, Megan, Alyssa, and Chris at Whole Foods for their 5 at 5 wine tasting night. Unfortunately Rachel was stuck at work and not able to join. The wine tasting was clutch as always, although I think 4/5 wines were red, maybe all of them even. Still solid.

After the tasting I invited everyone back to our place for dinner. We did have 5 pounds of pork carnitas cooking in the crock pot. We grabbed some beverages on our way back and once back at our place, Rachel was there and prepped the taco toppings for everyone. We all ate and then ended up chatting, hanging out, and playing Cards Against Humanity until 1am. Thanks to everyone for coming over and making the night so fun!

The next morning was a little rough. I had to wake up at 7:30a on Saturday January 14th and head to work. After work I went to Men's Warehouse and bought my first navy suit. I only have ever bought 1 other suit, and that was for Adam's Wedding. Supposedly I got a good deal, but who knows? I picked up some Potbelly for lunch before heading back into the city. Once back, Rachel and I watched 2 episodes of the Man in the High Castle. A dramatized TV show about what life would be like if the Germans won WWII. I spent some time with Rachel before heading over to Grant's place around 7p. Rachel's cousins were coming over for a night out in the city for Kelly's 21st as well. Grant and I chatted and played some video games at his new place, which was very nice. I had a few scotches, as well as 5 of the double IPA Stone IPAs I brought. Did not plan on drinking almost all of them, but that happens sometimes. We headed out to meet up with some of his buddy's at Blarney Stone in Wrigley. The bar was pretty lame, and after 2 beers we decided to call it a night. This is where things got real interesting for me. 

Usually when I leave a place late at night, Rachel and I help each other get home. She was out with her cousins, so that wouldn't be happening this time. Blarney Stone was on Clark, just over a mile North of where we live, so I thought it would be a good idea to walk home. Little did I know I would stray off the straight path, it would take me over an hour to go home, I would end up in the middle of a park entirely lost, and I would snap about it. But at the end of the night, I made it home and was in bed by 2:30am. I was greeted by 3 screaming ladies a few hours later around 6am when Kelly, Amanda, and Rachel all finally arrived home. Late night for everyone!

I was ready for another lazy Sunday. Which is why January 15th was my second lazy Sunday in a row. Sleep and rest all day.

I spent my Monday January 16th, MLK day, coaching a lax tournament all day. That evening we made some homemade burritos, with carnitas of course. I ate two of them while Rachel and I watched the old classic film Gigi. The plot was kinda weird, as a full grown man falls in love with a 15 year old girl basically. It was fine during the times I guess? We watched a few episodes of the Magicians to close out the night. Love that show.

Tuesday January 17th involved another pork burrito for dinner. I also watched the Simpsons lax episode which had came out earlier in 2016. Pretty hilarious and spot on with some of the lingo and stereotypes.

It was also on this day that I learned the very sad news that Robbie Crowell has left Deer Tick. This is a huge loss for the live shows as he played the sax and the keys, especially during mange, my favorite jam sesh song that includes a long Robbie Tick solo on the keys. We will miss you brother! Best of luck with whatever you are doing and hope I'll see ya touring in the Chicago area soon with someone!

Believe it or not, I had pork for lunch again on Wednesday January 18th. I think I am starting to feel ill from it all. I ended up working later than expected. Surprise surprise, and then decided to spend the night at my parents. We enjoyed a French Silk Pie for dessert to celebrate Beth getting a new job in the city. Congrats Beth! Be sure to catch up on her Blog here... I finally got around to it and it is some quality material!

On Thursday January 19th, I ate a Patelli's chicken sandwich for lunch and had to work late once again. I was able to pick up Rachel and Torie on my way home as they were leaving a get together. Back at our place, our new rug should finally be here! And it was here, but it was literally outside of our lobby. Sitting in the pouring rain, and it had been all day. Seriously? Complaint headed their way.

I worked from home on Friday January 20th. After work Rach and I headed to Whole Foods for another 5 after 5 wine night with Brian, Megan, Torie, Tim, Chuck, and Julie this time. We decided to have everyone over again. With no pork on hand, this time the ladies went to Del Seoul and picked up gourmet tacos for dinner as the boys went to the liquor store and picked up some beers. After dinner we played "Adult Question" the game and as we were playing Aly stopped by. We had fun playing the adult question game, until eventually we switched to Cards Against Humanity. Everyone ended up being over a little past 1am again, before we headed to bed. Another fun night. Whole Foods 5 after 5 sure does get ya.   

I of course had to go to work the morning of Saturday January 21st. Rachel and her friends all went to a Women's March in downtown Chicago. I picked up some Wing Stop wings for lunch in the burbs and was home back to the city by 4:30p. That night I finished season 1 of The Magicians. I highly suggest it as season 2 has just began on SyFy, but season 1 is on Netflix. I spent some time consolidating my movies and sending a few hundred home to my parents for now. Rachel made a succulent chicken pesto pasta for dinner, so good. We cleaned and organized before heading to bed that night. 

My lazy sunday theme continued on Sunday January 22nd. I watched a couple episodes of the Netflix show Sense8, the movie 10 Cloverfield Lane, an episode of the netflix show Lemmity Snicket. Rachel made us some salmon for dinner. 

Monday and Tuesday January 23rd and 24th involved mostly work. I slept at my parents on the 24th. On Wednesday January 25, Beth's last day at 1223, we went to get wings for lunch at Draft Picks. Best of luck with the new job Beth! I'll miss ya! Another day of work on Thursday the 26th. 

I worked from home on Friday January 27th, watched the movie 33, about the 33 Chilean Miners who got caught underground in 2010. I met up with Rachel for a sculpt class. It kicked my booty. I had to leave the class and sit down at some points. Probably dehydrated. It was so hot. Rachel and I hang out at our apartment after the class and I fall asleep early around 10:30p

Another early morning on Saturday January 28th, after work I picked up my suit, did some shopping, came home and redecorated our apartment with Rachel. Our new new rug finally came, so we laid that down, we also rearranged the furniture. Rob and Katie come over around 9p. I made baked mastacholi for dinner and we ate around 11p. I also made a tasty oreo cookie pudding pie. We somehow ended up being up until 4:45am. Late night!

On this lazy Sunday, January 29th, I chilled at home until heading to the burbs around 1pm. We had a Top Golf event with the Cats. I hit some golf balls, ate lots of food, and had fun with the boys and some of the other coaches. When I arrived back to city, I had more pie while watching Zoolander 2, Episode 1 of season 2 of the Magicians, and Crooked Arrows.

The last two days of January, Monday the 30th and Tuesday the 31st were spent working, eating, and drinking, just like the rest of January was. I guess you can sum the start of 2017 up with one statement, it is a new year, but the same me. Let's see if I can make some changes starting in February.

Before heading out, check out a few of these cool links/videos.

See the most popular baby names in America over the past 100 years

See ya in February. Not entirely sure what the topic of focus will be yet.

Josh

Half priced what?

Song of the Week: Touch The Sky when Soul Meets Body - Death Cab for Yeezy. A mashup between Kanye and Death Cab. This mashup was posted on soundcloud for about 24 hours before Kanye's team took it down for copyright reasons. This seems to be a recurring theme with Kanye and his new album The Life of Pablo which he says will never be for sale and is only streaming on Tidal. I am sure this will change since his album had been torrented over 600k times early last week. It is 2016, you can't stop the people. The Death Cab for Yeezy album has been re-posted around the internet, but it constantly being removed, so we shall see if it lasts here. If you can't find the 6 songs that were mashed, holla at a boy and I'll hook you up.   Check it out.

Here is a notable event of the week, Rachel uses a car phone charger for the first time ever! Quite an accomplishment and very proud of her of making this big step in her life. A standard and busy work week was followed up with a jam packed weekend of wedding planning events, visiting friends and family, and a little bit of lax preparation. I am also going to mention that we stumbled upon some insane deals on alcoholic beverages. Basically half off on a lot of products, must keep this in mind for every February. Our hottest pick-up was a 4 pack of budlight that was taped together with packing tape. Save Dat Money, and for those who haven't, go check out your local store and see if there is any left! Check out this interesting article/visual about what muscles we are stretching when we do specific stretches. Pretty neat. Also Beth's blog about baking has me hungry, so I am going to go grab some lunch!

Movie of the Week: LCD Soundsystem's Shut Up and Play the Hits. An interesting look at frontman James Murphy's 48 hours before and after his final show. He had a late start and an early exit to the music industry. However, he is back in 2016!

Videos of the Week: Stumbled upon (searched) these two videos from the Delta Buds shows John and I attended back in June. There were some dudes with some nice cameras filming and I was wondering when they would release some of the stuff. These are the only two videos so far.

I don't know about you guys, but I am sold on Frog Fitness after watching this video. Let me know if you will be investing in Frog Fitness!

Making a Murderer: The Simpsons Version.

TV Show of the Week: Walking Dead is back and they are finally killing off some of the lame characters! Hooray!

Thanks for reading

Only 1 week until the madness begins! High School Varsity Lax!

Josh