Snuck out of Chicago for a few days to visit one of my best friends for a week.
Five years ago I brought Ford and Vad home for the first time. Five years of cuddles, snoot boops, kisses and a lot of love. So grateful to have these little guys in my life. 🐈⬛🐈
How it started…how its going. Happy Birthday to my little guy Vadim 🐈⬛. I can't believe you are 6 years old, still always my little baby.
Great night catching up with some friends before the NMI Impact Concert. Tonight was a great reminder of all of the work that the CSO does through the Negaunee Music Institute to support music education and access around Chicago.
Since I was gone for a whole four hours Vadim is demanding cuddle time as recompense.
Amazing performance tonight of the rarely staged opera Bluebeard’s Castle by Bartok. Christian Van Horn and Ekaterina Gubanova were amazing and it is always great to see Esa-Pekka Salonen lead the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
One of the best events at Symphony Center all year! Tonight was the CSO Overture Council’s Soundpost Renaissance Remix fashion show. Tonight we raised $25,000 to support the Negaunee Music Institute which supports music education across Chicago. So proud of my friend Kimi who produced this night!
Braved the icy weather to head down to Symphony Center tonight with friends for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Starting with Fanfare for Uncommon Times by Coleman, which speaks to today in ways I’m not sure they expected when they planned the program months ago. What a great concert.
Catching Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park zoo before the end of the season with some of my favorite people.
Missed my train downtown by 30 seconds, got blessed by the CTA holiday train heading north before I could catch the next train.
Got to work with the Maud Powell String Quartet from Elgin today as they performed before today’s Chicago Symphony matinee. They were great talents, and really helped to put the audience in the mood for Merry Merry Chicago.
My friend David had his annual Holiday Harmonies concert tonight for some of his friends and clients. Fun night catching up with some of my favorite people in Chicago.
Not sure what was going through Ford’s mind when I snapped this pic. What am I saying, he’s an orange cat, so nothing 😝. Love my little guys.
After a break for the holiday, back to Symphony Center for Grieg and Rachmaninov with a Cello Concerto by Lutoslawski in between. The Cello Concerto was 23 minutes of “what am I listening to?!” in the very best way. Johannes Moser was amazing on Cello, he was acting as much as he was playing tonight
So sorry Donny, hoping for the best possible outcome.
End up having to stay in Chicago for Thanksgiving, kinda shocked I was able to pull together a home cooked dinner at the last moment. Definitely hit the spot.
I saw it late in their preview run in Chicago, my only regret was not seeing it earlier so I could go again before it transferred to New York.
So first attempt at getting the boys in their carrier for a trip to St. Louis failed with Ford spending 4 hours hiding in a spot of my apartment that I have no way to dislodge him from. He finally decided to now make an appearance and he has 0 remorse. But still a cute boopable nose.
I came into it without knowing the opera/story and didn’t read the synopsis, so the absurdity of the storyline is what did it for me, but I also know it’s not the strongest overall entry in the opera cannon. And Ying Fang is amazing.
Enjoy, it’s been my favorite Lyric production this year.
Yep, it’s always a challenge. They usually figure out something is about to happen and hide under the bed but they haven’t yet so I might have surprise on my side today.
Thanks, I’m about to try to get both of the kitties in their kennel for the drive. Hopefully my arms remain scratch free
Attempted to give Ford a claw trim before we travel tomorrow, I think he’s forgiven me.
When your relatives start arguing at Thanksgiving, calmly grab your favorite serving bowl of food like you're going to the kitchen to refill it, and just don't come back. Quietly escape with your favorite food.
This has been survival tips with Jen.
It was so good! There were so many amazing Easter eggs scattered throughout. Especially the classic riff.
So glad I was able to see Wicked tonight. 10/10 perfection! I am going to have to go again.
Same
Feel better soon.
