We have become people that frequently are in an audience watching theater. While Ilene and I have always loved seeing live performances, and have done so with above average consistency, yet over the past few years it appears we have been on an escalating cycle of the more we consume, the greater our hunger. The above three were all seen in a single weekend.

How we got to this point is a product of several intertwined factors, each increasing the likelihood that we would wind-up viewing a couple dozen plays per year. First, I have the brain of a 5 year-old  that needs constant entertainment. Be it plays, movies, concerts or museums, I like to watch, and to lose myself in stories, and or, marvel at some new scientific discovery. I insisted on taking Lane to his first play at six months, and he was hooked. He fell in love with the theatre, and in high school and college was both on stage as well as working as a lighting designer. He was involved in show-so we saw those, and his passion resulted with us adding him to our season tickets.

           

   We also have a circle of friends that are very culturally aware; this increases both our desire and opportunities to partake in the artistic life of our city, and any other city we visit. As many plays we see, we have friends that seem to see even more. Not that I'm implying it's a competition, just that it reinforces the notion that we aren't crazy

                           

I don't always remember to take a picture, but these seem to be those where I remembered in the past year. I understand that we are privileged to have the opportunity to see so many works, Tickets aren't cheap, add to this the events at museums, concerts, clubs, and fundraisers and the total is more than I believe it is wise for me to tally. In short it is a great luxury.
       

Some Pictures as 2010 comes to close

2010 was been a difficult year, involving loss, and change, neither one are favorites of mine. Clearly I can not understate how hard these past months have been on Ilene. The loss of her mom Shirley has been a tragic, traumatic, and has left a deep scar. I have to say that she, Steven and Ed; have all shown a level of strength that I'm SURE I don't possess.

Lane's move to Latin for high school has been a challenge; but one that he is handling quite well. He has just finished his first semester, and by all objective measures, it went quite well.

I have explained to him that if I have "My expectations Too High" it's his own fault for getting straight "A"s for the past few years. 

So I will take break from looking at some less-than-stellar business results, and post some recent fun pictures.

 

Yes that's the Stanley Cup (not an empty keg of beer)

Friends Taylor, Nick &Donna

This was an amazing costume.

He wanted his hair black; so I found some "Temporary" spray to put in his hair.

By the start of the night he was the Fonz, but as the night wore on, his hair started getting a bit lighter, while his face started getting much darker; by the end of the night he looked more like

Al Jolson.

Sam and Alan were nice enough to travel to Detroit,
along with several other of our close friends;
I know it was a great support for Ilene.

End of the Year Pictures

At the close of 2009, once again Ilene, Lane and I headed down to South Florida. We have been making the Christmas vacation trip since we were first married (Back in the 1700s).
For many years we would stay with Shirley in her Ocean-view condo in Boca. It's a beautiful unit facing the inter- Costal on one side and the Ocean clearly visable from the oposit bank of windows. The pool was a little heavy on rules, but the beach was just accross A1A.

When Judy and Jerry bought their town house at Glen Eagles in Del Ray, we moved or base of opporations there. Since it is tricky for both Jerry and I to be gone from Urban Insurance at the same time; we arrainge to be in Florida while they are back holding down the fort in Chicago.
This works out well because it gives on the place all to our selves for much of the time.

Going to Florida is less of a vacation, and more of a home away from home. Having the luxury to keep clothes in Florida reduces the amount of luggage we need; but it does involve another type of baggage. Could you picture paul gauguin heading off to Martanique to "get a way from it all."
Im trying to imagine how he might have reacted if upon arriving he found himself surrounded by parents, In-Laws, extended family and friends, negociating dinner reservations for twenty. Or having to get up early to "Save Chairs" around the main pool; an action that often placed Ilene, the Chicagoan up against anyone of an army of New Yorkers, in a struggle that resembled a Charles Knight mural of Triceratops in a Life-or-Death battle against Tyrannosaurus.


(by the way--Ilene won)


Jori and Eleo had us over for a Christmas day brunch, where we exchange Hanukkah gifts.

The next day we were off to Flamingo World.
It is one those "Old-Style" Florida attractions, the kind of place that you would expect to find advertised on a 40 year-old bilboard. That a big part of it's charm. It makes me miss the old Parrot Jungle World,
The trick to getting an acceptable picture of me, is to get the person to stand very far back, and then take the picture with a camera with crappy resolution. Lane the Golf pro


The morning after a very fun "Sleep-over" Lane had with James Garlin, His brother Duke, and Jack. Morgan joined them for the big carnival at Glen Eagles.

Lane found this little girl in the airport, not only did he entertain her, he tried to teach her to play. Well at least he found a way to Kill time during our very long trip home.
Happy New Years

One Brave Kirsch

Kirsh Family hanging out in Mexico