CONCEPT

Also known as Trip to Chicago, Part 8.

We arrived at Ida Noyes and quickly located the other judges in the process of setting up in the West Lounge.

The judges set up.

Behold. A Joe.

An early glimpse at the 2006 judge T-shirt.

DIARY

Got up. Walked to Hyde Park Blvd. Caught the #6 to Wacker and walked up to NMFF. I was nervous going into this building. It’s always strange, the places and unseen people who catch you offguard and tie your gut into unexpected knots.

DIARY

Not quite as much to say about this day. Jess and I slept in somewhat at Sams, then returned to Hyde Park via the Chicago bus. We stopped at “Steve’s Place” downtown for lunch. It was one of those half-sized shack greasy spoons, and while waiting in line I saw one of the most unusual Latin (?)

CONCEPT

Some two minutes after the loopy conclusion to The O.C.¹, I’m treated to and elated by a preview for… bum bum bum! … the remake of The Omen starring Julia Stiles. That’s right; she’s hanging from her fingernails from a height of what looks like about twelve feet.

DIARY

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END OF POST.

DIARY

The next morning, I woke about ten, Jess at eleven. Sky and Sam had left for work, and Bill was putting some fnishing touches on his assignments for film class. I made us all pancakes for breakfast with some improvising, then Jess and I headed out to meet Dan S.,

DIARY

The next morning we just barely made it up and out in time to attend Mass at St. Thomas. It was a lucky day to attend; many of our friends were there, including Thad and Katie and Father Mike made an appearance at the end of Mass.

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DIARY

The next five hours were dominated by GF #7, the Rites of Spring.

While this is technically the first installment in over a year, I’ve been maintaining a dialogue with the Chicago kids, most closely Amber, Sky, and Lisa for about six months now.… Read the rest

CONCEPT

Also known as Trip to Chicago, Part 2

THE SATURDAY BEFORE THE HUNT:

At Berston’s, the teams and judges met for kickball. It was the tall vs. the small. (Last year featured the hot vs. the not). I’ve been on the winning team both years.

DIARY

First installment.

The night before we left Jess and I had called Tom and Michael, my godfather and his partner, to ask if we might be able to meet them for a visit. It was a mixed result: they were in town for the day, but only just barely since they’re in the final stages of a very complicated move to Wisconsin Dells, WI.