St Patrick's Day

In the middle of the afternoon we decided to take a stroll in our neighborhood. There are incredible sculptures all over, almost every other corner something creative to check out. In Daley Center/Plaza, there is a Picasso piece that kids love to play on. While I don't think that was the artist's original intent, it's a hoot to watch the kids clamor all over and slide down the obsidian surface of it.

The Big 10 logo was also propped up as a temporary exhibit. Though we did not go to the parade, we did encounter our fair share of drunkards. Two moments stand out to me...

First, a gaggle of gals, no coats and really no clothes, staggered our way. Hanging on to each other for support, dangling red cups sloshing amber liquid and having a grand time really. Now I've no problem with a bit of tom foolery as long as I don't have to clean up after it or be affected by other's choices. Drink and be merry! Just don't go out of your way to come up to me and try to bring me in to your experience. To their credit, they did try to share the sidewalk, and as our paths crossed, one of them leaned over and said real loud, "Your girls are going to be hot when they grow up!" The absurdity of the interaction is that Matt and I stared after them speechless, before looking at one another and reading the same look on each other's faces...true, our girls are quite lovely so she had a point, however the thought of our babies growing up into teenagers and beyond who will probably be engaged in the same jovial encounters was a bit unsettling!

Next up, the men who have imbibed too much. Loud, cursing, and inconsiderate. They do not think about sharing the sidewalk. As the group descended upon us we stood stock still, arms wrapped protectively around the babies while the sea of partygoers and well wishers swarmed around us. This group came out of nowhere! The parade was in the opposite direction and there are no bars near us. They must have been lost and too out of it to know the difference. But I tell you what, give them the evil-death-ray-mom-glare and they sober up just enough to know to take two steps away and keep the filth from flowing out of their mouths long enough until we are out of hearing range. That look, which must be intrinsic because no one really teaches it to you, is one that transcends languages and cultures, producing results you can rely on!