New work on the site

Yep. No free print just yet though— I'm still cooking on that.

If you don't feel like poking around the site, to figure out what's new, you can go here, here, here, here, and here. Cheers lovers.


My butt hurts from sitting in front of my computer for so long. Maybe I'll treat myself to this movie tonight:



(Bonjour Monsieur Brody!)

currently listening to: Passion Pit

First date with the new bike: 30 miles

Biking 30 miles today was not the intended plan, but time flies when you're having fun… on a shiny new bike!

My friend Jennifer and I started the day at 8am, headed down to the Green City Farmer's Market, rode up the Chicago River trail to Skokie, headed east to Evanston, and then back home (with several unmentioned stops in between destinations). A lot of good groceries were bought, a lot of good food was had, and not to mention some good walking and biking too. An excellent first date with my bike, with an excellent friend.

From the farmer's market: fresh Italian-style cider donuts, purple asparagus, savory cheese/mushroom/herb crepes, dogs sitting butt-to-butt, AMAZING rhubarb & mint sorbet, and my take-homes for the day:







En route on the bike path along the river and up to Evanston, a family of Canadian geese:


Late lunch at Lulu's with Chinese ramen noodles, and a demure blue horse presiding overhead.



And now 12 hours later back at home, I'm pretty beat. I'll post new work on the website tomorrow.

Chicago Critical Mass

Gathering at Daley Plaza for a "Happy Friday" ride, trying to fend off hunger, and loving the fact that Cat bought her husband a Super Grover vest.


………………

Wax on, wax off:


Antipasta from Spacca Napoli:

Riding around the office

On my black 3-speed, I would get to work in 40-45min. This morning I got to work in 20-25min.

currently listening to: ELO

Portland on my mind

When I think about Portland, OR, how it looks, how it smells, how friendly the folks are, how much closer it is to my family in Seattle (vs. Chicago), how it'll be hiking with my imaginary blue Great Dane in the mountains/along the ocean, how it makes me feel… this is what I hear in my head:

And yet…

Picked up the bike— it's beautiful! I had the biggest smile on my face in the store, and during the test ride, and when my friends showed up to check it out, and all during the celebratory dinner… It's everything I had in mind. So smooth, so quiet, so light, so comfortable… I can't believe it's real and HERE.

And yet… When I brought it home, I went out to run an errand, only to come home and find the front tire had popped… So sad.

I've yet to acquire the tools and education to fix a flat, so it's back to the shop tomorrow.

Here are a few teaser photos my friend Alan took:


Last minute on-the-spot changes: eliminated the quick release system on the wheels, and replaced them with a Delta locking system. Added a kickstand, and a blinking reflector light to the rear rack. (Did you notice in the photo they were able to mount the double head lamps in the front? Yessss!)

Celebratory dinner at Riverview Tavern: Tuna Melt with Summit Hefeweizen


I have my A++ bike cohorts to thank, who let me geek out to them the entire time of building and development: Siouxsie and Alan


I'll have more legit photos to come, once we take the bike into the photo studio… Stay tuned!!

currently listening to: AC Newman

It’s ready

I got the call, the bike is really, truly, ready for pick-up. I'm so excited I'm having a hard time trying to focus on work till 5pm hits, and then head over to the shop. I've been listening to Jon Brion to try to help me calm down. To no avail… Are you freaking out? I am…

……………

In the meantime I'm illustrating a piece for work, which I'm calling "WWPRD" (What Would Paul Rand Do?) Here's a fun crop:

Military Bicycles

Found this interesting article from Chris Bray on "The Bikes of War."

le Sigh

It's a blessing and curse when you find so many cool things in this world to covet… My new favorite store: Pop Deluxe in Madison, WI.

In the words of Queen, "I want it all, and I want it NOW."

Photos from Pop Deluxe:

Sunday Funday

Woke up at 4am this morning to do Bike the Drive, Chicago's biking event that closes Lakeshore Drive off, to cyclists only. We started at Grant Park, headed south to the Museum of Science and Industry, and made our way back north to Uptown. Total: 24 miles.

I didn't have the new bike, but I was able to trudge on the heavy 3-speed Hercules. I took a nice 2 hour nap after.

Photos from John and Cat:

………………

Side note: a long bike ride deserved a good homemade meal. Warm quinoa salad, with cumin-peppered zucchini and tofu, topped off with sliced almonds, cilantro, avocado, and a fried egg.

Hella Good

Have you ever happened upon an artist's site, and feel like you've just hit the motherload? This lady just rocked my socks off: Hella Jongerius

I want all of these plates so badly…





It's the same feeling I had when my friend John introduced me to Elsa Mora.

Type Update

I have to choose a new font for my bike, the lines in Altea were too thin for stenciling, masking, and hand painting. I'm now considering Emigre fonts Fairplex, BaseNine and Priori— they still have a good weight in their style, while being subtly decorative, and not feminine.

“Who cares? It's Friday!”

That’s what my co-worker heard me say, when she first walked into the building this morning, (giving her a good chuckle).

A long work week like this one, deserves excellent comfort food and release— ground nut stew from The Handlebar, accompanied with a whiskey & soda, (it really was a long week!), and finished with plantain “bananas” foster.



And since I still don't know when my bike will be ready, I'll just go ahead and delight in more photos of my lovely saddle:

……………

On a “Holy crap! That’s crazy!” note— my cousin is officially a famous Hong Kong pop singer! I kid you not! She sings and writes all her own material too. I’m extremely proud and floored at the same time. Meet my cousin, Chita Yu:


currently listening to: NPR

More Mixte to Love

I love the design of this custom built mixte frame from Frances. I especially love the sloping curve of the down tubes.

Blago in Chicago: part deux

We found another one yesterday, biking to Bari for lunch. This time on Hubbard and May Streets.

currently listening to: Telepopmusik

The New Modern Wing

The Art Institute opened their new Modern Wing last Saturday. I went down to the opening ceremony, which was full of Mayor Daley fluffs, Olympic plugs, cuttings of ribbon, and the ever dapper architect, Renzo Piano.



All in all, a beautiful, lovely, modern space, with natural lighting— which I argue is a pro and con to showcasing the artwork… It’s times like these I’m happy I’m still living in Chicago.

(Below: Felt wall installation in the new architectural gallery, art-deco utensils, political wallpaper, and Alex Katz lips…)




……………

Side note: Killer multi-grain, granola + blueberry stuffed pancakes topped with yogurt, honey and bananas from Yolk. Fiber-full indeed.

currently listening to: Department of Eagles