Why is it when you're running a race you feel like you look so fantastic (physically fit, healthy, well dressed) and yet the photographers at Brightroom never seem to capture that same image? T and I ran the NYC Scotland 10K in March - her first of that distance. It was an awesome course, through Central Park and a very fun day (though it took her awhile to admit she enjoyed it). As a runner, I can't get enough of MapMyRun - if you haven't visited, you must check it out. It charts your course using Google Maps and tells you the exact distance you've traveled.  I'm slightly obsessed and find myself charting my walks with Stella just to count every step.

Friday night we decided to give Via Carducci on Division another try. The LP establishment had been a favorite for years when we lived in the 'hood, and their pizza delivery was on speed dial. When we saw the store front go up on Division last summer, we anxiously awaited the opportunity to endulge in a cozy, carb-filled experience. Perhaps we went to soon after it opened, perhaps we loved the original too much. Disappointment was high and nearly unrecoverable. Nearly. After almost a year, and several positive recent reviews, we decided to give it another shot. The food has definitely improved, though some argued still nothing special. I had eggplant parm, the boys had spaghetti bologanse and chicken parm. And we had a nice bottle of wine Stag's Leap. Yet inspite of the improvements, the poor service overwhelmed the experience. I won't bore you with the details but the service was poor. With all the great options in the neighborhood and on Division alone, it doesn't look like we'll be back to VC anytime soon.

See what others are saying about Via Carducci here.

Here is a picture of the mom robin sitting in her nest. We also had a pretty cardinal at the feeder today. I finally put up the sun from Christmas on the fence - it will look better when the garden has been planted.

It is finally spring in Chicago and to welcome the season, we have a robin's nest in the backyard. I noticed the nest, empty, on Saturday. By Sunday the mother robin had taken on her post and sits tight throughout the day. The dad sits perched in a nearby tree and dive-bombs anyone who walks in the backyard, limiting our ability to drive anywhere. Pictures of the eggs will be tough to do without disturbing nest. I'm expecting baby robins in less than two weeks. Maybe by then I'll know how to upload a photo to the blog...