corncakes + red pepper sauce

i rolled into chicago yesterday afternoon.

last night, karen and i met manolis for sushi in karen's neighborhood.* i have not laughed so heartily in a very long time. we carried on and on and on.

this morning, karen and i met mary for breakfast at wishbone. as ever, it was such a pleasure to see mary and to check in with her. she and i resolved to run the chicago half marathon in the fall. (she ran it this past fall; i ran it in 2001). you in bird? karen resolved to cheer for us with her cup of coffee.

tonight, karen and i are headed to park west to hear autumn defense. psyched.
even more psyched to see donna tomorrow in naperville for brunch.

yeah! i love reconnecting with old pals.

i am not, in fact, quite as tired as i appear in this picture.





*neighborhood extended