Smoque and Mirrors?

Last night I indulged in Chicago institution-in-the-making.  Smoque.

If you are looking for high quality food without pretention, this is your place.  The food was outstanding and the place was packed at 8pm on a Tuesday night.  This is a no-frills affair (large grouped tables, no table cloth) and BYOB... but it delivered.  Go to Smoque and "pig out" if you get the chance.

Wrigley on Ice

Wrigley Field is home to the Blackhawks this month and transforming into an ice-rink this holiday season... who'dathunkit?

Go Cubs Go!

Wouldn't be a proper blog without a nod to our hometown heroes. The Cubbies have a shot of pulling it off this year. I can feel the excitement in the air. I live so close to the park, that it is literally a way of life for me. Not a moment goes by where I am not reminded of the Cubs. My walks to the El... omnipresent royal blue hats... and the well-wishes posted on the doorsteps of those folks that live on Addision. Waveland Avenue is a street that holds great significance to me. It is the street that borders left field (hence the title of the blog) and it borders my domicile. It is a historic street and a lively street. The Cubs are on their way to winning the World Series and I am hoping that I witness this historic event in my lifetime. Go Cubs Go.

Say Something.... Anything...

You know when someone comes up to you at a birthday party or wedding (or whatever) and asks you to say something clever...? With my new blog, I feel that way right now. So at the risk of saying something stupid, pretentious or unimportant, I will choose to simply say... wow, I have arrived in Web 2.0. I have now officially launched into the Internet age. Why am I blogging? Not sure, but I am guessing it is more curiosity than anything else. The plan right now is to simply jot down the random musings that occassionally clog my mind. These are the things that usually make life interesting. Not guaranteeing anything truly revolutionary or brilliant... more likely if you do stumble upon this, you will think that most of my thoughts simply come "out of left field". Hence the name.

For example, I saw the movie Bourne Ultimatum last night. Great movie. I did not see the first two in the series, which may explain some of the questions I have, but I have to admit, it was a real nail-biter. Although I was technically supposed to suspend my disbelief for the few hours I sat in front of the silver screen, I had some very practical questions that weighed heavily on my mind. I could hardly help but wonder the following things:

1) Where did J. Bourne get the money to fly from Madrid to Rome to Turin to etc.?
2) Why didn't anyone recognize him anywhere he went, if he was among the highest level security threat?
3) How did he get a clean shave in every scene?
4) Where did he do his laundry?
5) Why doesn't glass cut him?
6) How did he get past airport security every time?

If anyone has any theories (or actually took the time to read the books) and has practical answers to my questions, I welcome the thoughts.

I will not spoil any ending or plot twist for anybody, but I will say, it was simply awesome. Go see it. Perhaps I have been deprived of a movie for too long, but I do think it was one of the better flicks I have seen in a while. Thanks for the personal indulgence.

That's it for now.