Ok, I did say that the Uncommon Ground was the “most Sunday-civil” brunch places in the neighborhood. Well, that is true (generally), but NOT on game day. Uncommon Ground for Sunday Brunch But NOT on GAME DAY
While my cousin parked behind the house, I ran to the Uncommon Ground to get on the wait-list and it was 45 minutes long.
So, we headed to Yakzie and grabbed Bloody Mary’s and Burgers. Yakzie’s for Burgers…Instead of Brunch
We were delightfully surprise with their Tang burger which comes with homemade …

We had planned to eat brunch at Uncommon Ground on the corner of Clark St. and Grace Ave. But, by the time we arrived (12:30 pm), it was a 45 minute wait. Since the Cubs game started at 1:20 pm, we decided to eat elsewhere and chose Yak-zies.
Since we were with Nicole’s cousin, Gina Skreens, we needed to buy an extra ticket. I thought we could buy a ticket for under face value, but the warm weather increased demand. The game was not sold out but the cheapest seat at …

The original plan yesterday was to only go to the Cubs game. I went with my colleague Charles Merritt. The Cubs won a back and forth game 9-7. Fukudome put the Cubs in the lead 7-5 with a clutch two out double in the bottom of the 7th inning bringing on supportive cheers from Wrigley faithful.
After the game, Charles and I went to the bar on the Northwest corner of Sheffield and Byron. I don’t know the name of the place but it has an “Old Style” sign outside of …

On a Sunday Cubs morning, Saturday-night slumber is broken by helicopters and airplanes swarming outside our place. Some of these choppers are advertising planes. “RedBull GIVES you WINGS.” Some are television choppers.
But, the oddest thing is being woken up by a small air fleet on game days. This is a spring and summer ritual.
Since we are awake, we are headed to brunch at one of the best (and most Sunday-civil) brunch places in the neighborhood.
Uncommon Ground for Sunday Brunch
We will then go to …

I teach ice skating on Saturday mornings at an unreasonable hour (6am). When I left for the rink, I was in snow pants, a ski jacket and I still saw one lingering, black snow pile behind our garage. Come 12pm- right before the Cubs game- it seems as though Spring decided to show up. There is sun and 65 degree weather. The snow pile has vanished into muck.
Ever the skeptic, I drove home with the snow pants and superstitiously decided to leave my snow …

I am going to my 4th Cubs game this week as the Cubs host the Astros today at 12:05 pm. The weather is actually supposed to be nice with highs in the low 60’s!

Instead of going to work, I worked from home yesterday (at least I was working) and attended the final game of the series between the Brewers and Cubs. Instead of Kerry Wood starting and Ryan Dempster closing, Dempster started and Wood earned his first career save.
The Cubs avoided the series sweep beating the Brewers 6-2 in a cold day at Wrigley Field.

After the last post, I feel that I need to clarify the level of obsession that the Ultimate Fan has with Jose Canseco…
If Jose Canseco were a real religion, the Ultimate Fan would be the highest priest and perhaps the only member of the congregation.
Yes, that is an air-brushed, Canseco-head on his tee shirt. This photo is courtesy of Ultimate Dodger Fan, Will (AKA BigWillieStyles…who is our paparazzi and quite a great sports photographer). Check out is work at:
BigWillieStyles’Sports Photos
Now, I did a little research to see if …

I have a moral dilemma. My husband’s childhood sports idol, Jose Canseco, is signing his new book, Vindicated, at the downtown Barnes and Noble. I got a frantic call before leaving for work. The Ultimate Sports Fan was out of breath…“Jose is signing autographs downtown at the Barnes and Noble.”

Assuming that he would skip out of work and drive back into the city, I was excited for him. “Will you go for me?” Apparently, if you cannot make it to see your idol, …

It was not a shutout but it was impressive. The Blackhawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period and never looked back winning 6-2 to keep themselves in the playoff hunt.
I had bought $10 tickets ahead of time since I knew student tickets (and the game) would sell out – which they did.
After the game, we tried to take one of the bar shuttles that stop at the corner of Wood St. and Madison Ave. but the West End Bar & Grill shuttle was already full. We …