This is why I tell people to always read the plaque

Lived here over five and a half years and still haven’t had paczki, do I rectify this today

Terrifying

57 degrees on the day I submit the final draft of my manuscript, there could not be more ideal timing than this

El Asadero for tacos al pastor, La Chaparrita for tacos de tripa, Tiztal Cafe for chilaquiles, Doña Chio for huaraches and tacos de chicharrón, La Pasadita for carne asada, and Carnitas Uruapan for carnitas of course

Aaaaand whipped up pad see ew for lunch, I know my wok hates to see me coming

Had a bunch of basil leftover from last night and had everything I needed for pad kee mao so I made pad kee mao

If you’re wondering where, it’s roughly the area encircled by Hollywood, Los Feliz, Boyle Heights & Expo Park. If it were plucked out and made its own place, it would be one of the most populous and dense cities in America. And if you live and work in it, as I used to, it might as well be just that!

I was craving pad kra pao so I made some pad kra pao

Cheesecake Factory (1995) by Jordan Mozer & Associates, a delirious 90s fantasy with elements that feel…let’s say, appropriately digestive.

Free tip: if you want to tank your productivity for an entire workday, consume a gigantic plate of chilaquiles at 10 am.

It's Sunday. Here's a church (and a former synagogue). 1508 S. Millard, Chicago. Bikur Cholim Anshe Rosh Poland was located here from 1928 to 1953.

Also not to be old man yelling at clouds but I had to spend the first 30 mins of this movie listening to people behind me whispering to each other and I realized I can’t think of the last time I’ve gone to a movie without having to deal with some sort of distracting moviegoing behavior 🫩

Tonight’s watch: Bi Gan’s Resurrection. Sometimes inscrutable but consistently ravishing, with two scenes (not counting an astonishing half-hour long take) ranking among some of the best things I’ve seen this year.

Used the wrong trimmer setting and ending up having to go full mustache but honestly I could get used to it

People on Letterboxd: what do you like about it? I’ve toyed with the idea of joining because I love watching/discussing movies but I’m curious as to what the central pros are

Braved the cold for dinner at Pizz’Amici

I literally cannot stop thinking about Josh O’Connor in Wake Up Dead Man

“Replica” as if Pisa didn’t rip off Niles

When your office is based in the Twin Cities and your team is having a holiday party, you and your only other Chicago coworker make your own afternoon outing

So begins the daily countdown to being back in sweatpants by the radiator again 🙂‍↕️

Thanks to my sternly-worded maintenance request, our porches are now ice free

If I stop posting, it’s because I broke my neck taking out the garbage

Foolishly bought a Costco tub of spinach artichoke dip multiple days in advance of a party, there’s no way this thing makes it unscathed until then

Heading outside

But first, dandan noodles and Hainanese chicken in a Chinatown basement

Got the whole day free. I think it’s time for my first Chicago architecture walk in over a year since I started writing this book. 🫨

I no longer identify as a glass brick hater, I hope @maxchavez.bsky.social is proud of me

Sushi night with oomf

In very exciting news, the Joong Boo up near and Peterson and Pulaski is also now selling their gigantic wang mandu 🤤

Terrific Lao meal at Lao Der tonight! The khao piek sen, a comfort bowl of chicken broth and pillowy noodles and meatballs, was so good that I’m already planning my immediate return.

Forgot I bought a Barbican tote in August so I’ve been taking it with me everywhere all week

Tonight’s watch—my first time seeing this somehow!

Some new photos by @gardnergareth.bsky.social of the ceramic subway mural of mine that was just completed in Birmingham

Got to play with a pug at my barbershop, so it’s been a really good day

I feel like I just found a gold nugget! During my daily streetview ambling I just now discovered a 1925 apartment building designed by RM Schindler that was thought to have been demolished for the 101 freeway. But it wasn’t! It was *moved.* (first screenshot is from US Modernist)

First full draft of my book is submitted and in the can — only one way to celebrate.

Ah yes straddling a bike lane separator is exactly where I’d park a giant truck

One more flight, my seventh in a month and a half, and then it’s home for the foreseeable future to finish writing this book 🥸

Back in the 626 😎

Yesterday’s travel day back home:

New suit goofin’

🚨ROCHE DINKELOO ALERT 🚨

All Souls Church (1823) by John Nash

4901 Searle Parkway, Skokie IL. 1941, Herbert Banse

66 Frognal (1938), designed by Colin Lucas

Hopkins House (1976) by Michael and Patty Hopkins (thanks for taking me here @anfurman.bsky.social!)

Broadwalk Court (1934) by Robert Atkinson

Portcullis House (1992-2001) by Hopkins Architects