#36 - Help Someone With Their List of Goals

Funny how helping someone else with one of their goals was so easy to do!

All it took was for Molly to ask me to take a picture in the pool on inflatable animals. There were already inflatable animals, and we were already in the pool, so... check!

Once Molly posts her own experience of this, I'll add a link so you can understand why she had this on her list!

#13 - Fry Chicken

Growing up, I was never into fried chicken unless it was in fast-food or frozen nugget form. You know what? We're all idiots as children, and this was a very dumb opinion to hold. Fried chicken is delicious.

I first reconsidered my stance on fried chicken because during my time at Northeastern Illinois University. My coworker Erin Claudio loved fried chicken--probably he still does, but I haven't asked him recently--and despite how gross it was to watch him handle greasy bones, seeking every last bit of meat, I became curious about what I was missing out on. 

I don't remember what fried chicken finally changed my mind, but I was swayed. I particularly became fond of fried chicken sandwiches, though that was likely because this was also during a time of my life when I was drinking too much and needed some fat, grease, and bread to soak up all the alcohol from the night before. I still love some chicken fingers or a chicken sandwich the day after I've had a little too much wine, though thankfully those days are fewer and fewer between.

For some reason, even when I started cooking more, I considered fried chicken too intricate to make at home. It may have just been because I'd literally never breaded and fried anything until this past year. I didn't quite get the (very, very simple process) and assumed I'd need gallons of oil and a frier to accomplish the feat, neither of which I planned to acquire.

Then, during one of my many readings of Ruhlman's 20, I came across a rosemary-brined fried chicken recipe that looked quite delicious and quite simple. I asked Zann if I could make it for one of our Sunday night dinners. He said he doesn't really like fried chicken. Idiot. Still assuming it would take more oil than I would want to acquire for one person, I still didn't make the recipe.

Then, one day, I found myself with an unopened jar of napa cabbage kimchi. It had been purchased with the intention of using it from Stephanie Izard's bloody mary recipe, but I ended up trying my own version, without the kimchi, which I should not have done because it was very mediocre and then left with a jar of kimchi with no determined purpose. I started searching through the Serious Eats website to figure out one even does with kimchi when one is not at a Korean barbeque. 

I came across Kenji Lopez's K2FC recipe, which is a buttermilk-kimchi Southern fried chicken sandwich. With all of the fuss about chicken sandwiches in the news, my desire to learn to fry chicken, and this kimchi just sitting in my cabinet, I decided to give it a go. I went to the store and bought as many ingredients as a generic store carried, which meant everything but a specific Korean spice--at least I think I got everything because I got adventurous and did not refer back to the recipe after watching the video just once.

I came home with a package of 6 chicken thighs, along with the rest of my ingredients. I thought, well, maybe I should try a couple different versions of fried chicken. So, I took two thighs and brined them in McClure's pickle juice (a.k.a. the juice of the absolutely best pickles of all time, which are made in Detroit) as I kinda remembered reading something on Serious Eats about their version of a Chic-Fil-A sandwich (which has pickles on it)  and instead brining the chicken in pickle juice. I took another two thighs and soaked them in a rosemary brine with improvised quantities of water, salt, and fresh rosemary. I then opened the jar of kimchi, squeezed out the liquid, as I remembered Kenji telling me to do, mixed it with buttermilk, and then added the remaining two thighs (the biggest ones) to soak. I soaked all three batches overnight in the refrigerator. 

Pickled at the top
Rosemary brine in the middle
Buttermilk-kimchi at the bottom

The next day, when I was hungry enough to sample three types of fried chicken, I pulled them all out. I immediately regretted the pickle juice soak. I was certain I should have watered it down just looking at the kinda yellowish thighs. The rosemary thighs looked fine. The buttermilk-kimchi thighs looked like maybe they needed that extra Korean spice and might be bland.

I warmed up a bunch of oil (though not nearly as much as I had originally imagined I needed) in my cast iron skillet. I toss all three in the same type of breading (still with no extra Korean spices): egg then a flour-cornmeal mix with a sprinkling of the liquid to get those extra crunchy bits. I fried the pickled thighs first as I figured all of the versions had salt and it wouldn't flavor the oil significantly. Then I did the rosemary brined thighs. And lastly, what I assumed to be the messiest, the buttermilk-kimchi thighs. All three types looked slightly different when fried, and the pickled ones had some dark and soggy spots, and I cannot figure out why. I'll have to look it up.

Once they were cool, I sliced a bit off one of the pickle thighs to taste it. Damn. It was so good. I mean, way too pickly, but for someone who likes pickles (me), it was flipping good. The chicken was moist and flavorful. Yes, I should have watered down the brine, but I will absolutely try this again if it's my easiest option for a brine.

Feeling more confident, I then tasted a bigger big of one of the rosemary brine pieces. Holy shit. It was SO DAMN GOOD. I was really impressed with myself for guessing appropriate quantities and not even referring to Ruhlman's recipe (since that wasn't my focus for this experiment). I have to admit, in sandwich form--because yes, I also later tried them each in sandwich form--the flavor was lost a bit amongst the other ingredients. So this is the method I would go for just regular fried chicken because it was best when standing alone.

I saved the buttermilk-kimchi piece for the full chicken sandwich experience. While the chicken was cooling, I whipped the napa cabbage, saved from the kimchi jar, with mayo (no, I didn't make my own that day) and quickly created a sauce of honey, soy sauce, and garlic chili paste. The sauce went on the bottom, then chicken, then lettuce (I had forgotten to buy fresh cabagge), then the kimchi mayo on the top bun. 

My Angel

I took a bite and went to heaven. That's it. I'm dead. This may have been the best thing I've ever eaten. I didn't say best thing I have ever made. I said best thing I've ever eaten. It was so so fucking good. I literally felt high later while trying to work (at home, don't worry) and found myself wandering around my apartment singing, "You're killing it at liiiiiffeeee!" To myself. Literally singing compliments to myself. Alone in my apartment. My cat was not impressed. I was though. Like, so impressed.

So, there's my fried chicken story. I have to say it was a success. I definitely ate too much fried chicken over the next 48 hours with no regrets, but I'd certainly rather make these sandwiches to share because that is definitely too much fried food for a 48-hour period. 

So, invite me over. LET'S EAT CHICKEN SANDWICHES.

UPDATE: 11/10/19
I hosted a dinner for three international students at DePaul. Well, Stephanie Souvenir hosted while I cooked. I made the actual Ruhlman recipe for rosemary-brine fried chicken. It went over well. However, my oven is still smoking every time I turn it on as in keeping the bigger pieces warm while I fried the smaller ones, oil seems to have gotten everywhere. But it was so good I think it was worth it.

#22 - Try 12 New Bars in Chicago

The Scout

1 - The Scout
2/12/19 with Holly Zann

My company has season tickets to DePaul Men's Basketball, and Marquette, my friend Holly's alma mater, happened to be in town, so we went. We stopped for a quick drink prior to the game... which ended up being two quick drinks and two quick shots, which was weird. The bartender said that there were Patron reps there that night, and they were giving away shots. But we didn't see any reps, nor anyone else doing shots. But we did one anyway. Then she came back later and said she really needed to give away $200 in Patron shots and offered us another. I still have no idea what was going on. People were there, watching the Blackhawks game, drinking, hanging, in pairs and larger groups. No one else was doing shots. The bartender didn't really talk to us otherwise. I love Chicago.

Commons Club

2 - Commons Club at the Virgin Hotel
3/9/19 with Missy Liebs, Scott Jensen, Laura Masters, Megan Morrison, Beth Jager, Stephanie Loring, Brandon Loring, and so so so many others!

3 - Elephant and Castle
3/28/19 with Megan Morrison
New friends and talking about feelings. What a night. Oof. Haha.

4 - Old Grounds Social
5/14/19 with Megan Morrison, Missy Liebs, Laura Masters, Alan Lee, Beth Jager, and many others!
Fun spot for some questionable darts and delightful times with delightful people! Happy Birthday, Megan!

Between Tiny Tapp and Bar Santano

5 - Tiny Tapp
5/23/19 with Stephanie Souvenir
After a DePaul School for New Learning alumni event at River Roast, Stephanie and I decided to explore the new River Walk and found ourselves sipping wine with a gorgeous view of the city all around us. What a delightful little spot. The wine wasn't cheap, but it also wasn't cheap.

6 - Bar Santano
5/23/19 with Stephanie Souvenir
All we needed was to to home, but then I spotted a bright pink neon sign in an alley that said "BAR," so then we needed to check it out. We found ourselves in Bar Santano, a basement bar apparently part of the Rick Bayless family. As Stephanie said the next day, "We were heading home and then all of a sudden we were eating crickets." I had a nice glass of red wine and we dined on a actually awesome app platter that included cracker bread, guac, an amazing salsa, peanuts with tiny dried fish mixed in, and crispy crickets. It was the perfect combination of snacks and really wasn't that expensive for a Bayless spot. I would totally go back, but hopefully for happy hour and not after hours.

7 - Maria's
7/5/19 with Hilary, Nick, Jen, and David
When you're on your way to the hottest wedding in Chicago, you have to stop at a cool bar in Bridgeport to cool it down.

8 - Elevate
7/5/19 with Masters, Missy, Alicia, Suhil, Nick, Hilary, Beth
Our post-wedding bar was a little bougie, a little much, and a lot of fun because I times are always good with good friends. I love these people.

9 - Stocks and Blondes
8/1/19 with Masters, Megan, Jewel, and Jason
Sometimes you go to a really great one-act Broadway of Chicago show and then you want to hang with your friends (old and new) after. So you go to the really great restaurant that you had dinner at before the show, and it's new, so they let you hang later than the other customers, and then you start to feel a little guilty keeping you there, and then the owner greets you on your way out, and then you make you way to one of the few bars in the loop still open, which is Stocks and Blondes. I'd heard about this bar for years but assumed it was bigger and nicer. Instead, it was perfect.

10 - Paradise Park
9/1/19 with Masters, Alan, Missy, Scott, Megan, Brandon, Stephanie, Justyna, Carrie, Adam, Kathleen, Megan, Hilary, Nick...
One of my favorite people turned 40 and threw a delightful day of celebration that included three new bars I'd never been to before. The first was Paradise Park, which is in the Homeslice/Happy Camper family, so I was pretty familiar with the menu but not the new space in Wicker Park. It's a huge, open space and they were kind enough to give us the front deck area all to ourselves. Our wristbands were prepaid by card, where we could prepay a tip--super convenient. Laura and Alan provided salads, apps, and a ton of pizza, and I got to spend yet another day with so many of my favorite people!

Royal Palms

11 - Royal Palms
9/1/19 with Masters, Alan, Missy, Scott, Megan, Brandon, Stephanie, Justyna, Carrie, Adam, Hilary, Nick...
The party continued at Royal Palms, a new shuffleboard bar in Wicker Park. It's a HUGE space and was weirdly empty for a Saturday.


12  - Lincoln Karaoke
9/1/19 with Masters, Alan, Missy, Scott, Megan, and Brandon
We ended the night at Lincoln Karaoke where I finally got to experience the private-room karaoke thing. While they didn't have the Lizzo I kept demanding, we managed to turn every song into a group singalong and got to skip everything we got bored of. What a lovely night.

_______________________________________________________________

I managed to hit more than 12 new places, so here's a list of other spots and the lovely company I kept at them.

13 - D.S. Tequila Bar
9/15/19 with Stephanie Souvenir

14 - Cell Block
9/15/19 with Stephanie Souvenir

15 - Parson's Chicken and Fish
9/17/19 with Stephanie Souvenir and Drea Stoit

16 - Gemini
9/17/19 with Stephanie Souvenir, Drea Stoit, and Laney Cherveney

#9 - Watch 3 Movies from the AFI Top 100 List

The American Film Institute has created a list of the 100 greatest American films of all time. I learned about it fairly roundaboutly.

I have been listening to the delightful comedy-true crime podcast My Favorite Murder. Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark had always had secret obsessions with stories of murder, which weirded people out. One day, they met at a party and characteristically mentioned some murder they'd heard about recently and then ended up in a corner chatting all night, thrilled to have found someone else to finally, willingly, talk to about murder. The tension is that they're funny and problematic, and they're always trying to figure those pieces out, right on the podcast itself. It's such lovely modeling of trying to reconcile that (a) it's okay to experience joy and at the same time recognize the terrible things that happen in life, to even be so scared of them you're fascinated, and (b) we all have work to do on ourselves, so when someone calls you out, own it, thank them, learn from it, and do better. I love it so much that it's the only podcast that I've listened to 100% of the episodes. The first year or so was great. There was always one to listen to... until one day, when I fully caught up. And didn't know what to do.

I had started listening to The Dollop, another now favorite podcast, frequently mentioned as My Favorite Murder was getting started. There, one comedian (Dave Anthony) tells a story from American history to another comedian (Gareth Reynolds), who has no idea what the story is. Some of the episodes are so funny that I have cried laughing while sitting alone on the El. But then, so much of American history is really unfunny. I really value this podcast as these stories are important to understand how our country got where it is and that so many of our most obvious mistakes have been forgotten and are at risk of being repeated... or are, in fact, being repeated right now. It's a brutally honest podcast where I either belly laugh or sit with my hand in my palm, struck with shame at the terrible things that have happened within our country and on this land. So, I can't listen to The Dollop every day. Some days I'm just too raw. It's the same tension I mentioned above: It's okay to experience joy and at the same time recognize the terrible things that have and continue to happen. As Brene Brown has said, it's important to experience joy because joy gives us something to fight for.

So then, I was left searching for some joy, something to build me up, give me energy to continue my work in this world that has experienced so much suffering. A student had told me about this podcast where the podcaster interviews people from big, successful ventures about how they got started, how they build their dreams, and all of the things that go along with it. But I couldn't remember what it was called. So I just searched on my podcast app and came across the podcast I thought he was talking about: How Did This Get Made. I played the first episode.

This was not at all the podcast he was talking about. How Did This Get Made is a podcast where three comedians watch a terrible movie and then ponder to each other, "Guys, how did this get made?" It's Paul Shear, June Diane Rapheal, and Jason Manzoukas. This was the not podcast I was looking for but it was 100% the podcast I needed. What's more joyful than laughing at the most unnecessary things in life? The things that cost millions of dollars, all in the name of capitalism or ego, and are now, finally bringing joy to people. Plus, there's the added joy of how much these people like each other, make each other laugh, and invite others to make them laugh as well. It's just so damn joyful.

So wait... Why did I just give you a history of my journey to being a podcast listener? Because, on How Did This Get made, Paul Shear talks about another podcast he started where he and his co-host watch movies from the AFI top 100 and talk about them. The only episode I've listened to was about ET, the first movie I saw in a theater. It was a good episode. I haven't started listening to the podcast in full yet as I've discovered a few others I've put into my rotation (Dear Sugar, Reveal, This American Life) and am feeling a bit maxed out at the moment, but it did inspire me to explore this list.

AFI conveniently has a little checklist, and I'd already seen 32 of the movies on the original list. On the updated list, I've seen 34. So regardless of the list, this leaves tons of films as options.

1 - Raging Bull (1980)
1/6/19

I decided to watch the first film on the newer list that was streaming on one of the apps I already have. That was Raging Bull.

After watching quite a few testosteroney films from the 70's and 80's as I have been working on the Academy Award Best Film list (Rocky, The French Connection, and Annie Hall, I'm looking at you), I went into this one with some skepticism. The misogyny and toxic masculinity kicked off real quick. I had to focus on how good DeNiro was, already primed for this after watching The Deerhunter.

I then focused on how incredible the cinematography was for the time. The boxing scenes were so violent and emotional. The stakes seemed so high.

After focusing on the art of the acting and the craft, I came back to the story. I wondered if Jake really was the hero of the movie, if I was even supposed to like him. I kept thinking, this film is going to be one of those terrible troupes about how it's okay to forget about all of the abusiveness and violence because this guy is going to do something redeeming in the end, so it's okay to love him. But like... that's not where the film went. It was more about a guy who was so into himself that he wouldn't give up. But he didn't seem like a hero. He seemed lonely. And other people kept paying to keep his zig zagging career going. It was society who worshipped the violent bully. I'm still thinking about how our society continues to prop up mediocre white men, particularly those we pay just to tell us their stories, their stories about the amazing things they've done, rather than those who fight beyond themselves to make the world a better place.

A day later, I'm still sitting with the story, and I highly recommend this film.

2 - Some Like It Hot (1959)
6/2/19

I've never watched Marilyn Monroe in a film and now that I have, I get it. She was amazing. She melted into the character even though she was her flirty, feminine, silly self the whole time. The only other notable part of the film for me was that they filmed at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego--even though they claimed it was Florida--where I've spent some nice afternoons. The rest of it was weird. Men dressing up as women to escape gangsters, sure. Women in an all-woman band not catching on, weird, mostly the flirty comments the men would make towards the women. Then, tricking Marilyn Monroe (Sugar Cane) by also pretending to be a millionaire and then she instantly forgives him for it? Hated it. But again, she was spectacular.

3 - Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
7/13/19

This film was so much more complicated and sweet than I could ever have imagined. I have always assumed this film would be a less technical version of so many bank robber movies I've seen before, more tommy guns than lasers, more car chases than rappelling down buildings. There was some of that, but the film was more about the people. All members of the gang were complicated, hurting, and angry at their world. Their violence was directed at the systems they blamed for their struggles. They didn't fit with society's expectations, from Bonnie's sass to Clyde's seeming asexualism to C.W.'s tattoo. I assumed the characters were going to be a co-dependent, narcissistic, foie aux deux. While there were moments of arrogance, their deviance was not simplified to "crazy." They only revolted against symbols of the system that had failed so many. When interacting with common people, they sometimes approached with playful threats, but their threatening nature quickly changed to intentional kindness, teasing about people joining them, accepting them, and then moving on without inflicting harm. They were robbing banks during the Depression, when banks, too, were failing. The thing that prevailed was the police force, which seems so salient today. I truly enjoyed this depiction of these historical characters and the lovely acting throughout. I resisted this one for so long, and the more of these older films I watch, the more I realize there has been brilliant talent throughout history, and while the effects may not be as spectacular, the stories and acting are plenty to hold up a beautiful, complicated film.

#58 - See a Friend I Haven't Seen in at Least 3 Years

This is the bridge. #TRAB? #TRAV

Being single in my late 30's is a delight. I love it. But I'll be honest. Often when friends get engaged, I think, "Great. One less single friend and a little more risk of being excluded from 'couple things.'"

When my friend Laura got engaged, I was so thrilled. I love her. I love Alan. I love them together. I love hanging out with them separate or together. I have no doubt that Laura and my friendship will continue as it has for the last 20(!) years and I'm so excited to continue building my friendship with Alan and with them as a couple.

Once I processed the news of the engagement, I was selfishly thrilled because this meant I got to attend a bachelorette party and the a wedding in celebration.

I am so damn grateful to have a friend in Laura. Not only has she been a consistently amazing friend to me, she's somehow managed to be a consistently amazing friend to a number of some truly amazing people. I don't know how she has continued to stay so supportive, so thoughtful, so damn fun, and consistently in the lives of so many smart, fun, badass women.

This year, that translated into a dream of a bachelorette party in Charleston, South Carolina. Seventeen women from three states and two countries in a gorgeous, massive house on the beach. We drink, ate, and laughed and laughed and laughed. I know you all don't believe me that 17 women stuffed in one house could have a flawless weekend together, but then, that's probably because you don't know Laura.

One of the best parts of the weekend was reconnecting with friends I haven't seen in many years. Some of this is due to them moving away from Chicago and some due to my five years away from Chicago. It was super fun to see friends from undergrad, which somehow was 16 years ago now.

I managed to connect with a few more at the wedding itself, which was the #hottestpartyinchicago. Again, everyone was all smiles all night in celebration of the bride and groom. We may have been dripping sweat, but it didn't stop us from drinking, dancing, and laughing and laughing and laughing.

Laura, thank you for being such a good friend to me and building bridges between your friends. I love love love being a part of this group of smart, silly, thoughtful, supportive, welcoming, badass women. Thank you for bringing us together again and again.

#63 - Visit a New 826 Location

Eastern Market is now covered in colorful murals that embrace its history.

Such great art around the market

"I want to go to the Robot Factory," said my Dad amidst a lovely Saturday exploring the Eastern Market in Detroit.

I smiled and agreed.

He didn't know that the Detroit Robot Factory was.

I did.

And I can't believe I'd completely forgotten to look up where it was and to suggest a visit.

So, way to go, Dad!

We stopped in the new Detroit Robot Factory, a new location of the Liberty Street Robot Supply and Repair Store in Ann Arbor.

A.K.A. 826 Michigan's Detroit location.

Here are some links to other list items that have involved the delightful 826 family: volunteer for a cause, tutor, and visit a new 826 location. If you're looking to volunteer for a fantastic cause that will return the favor in energy and creative inspiration again and again, I highly recommend 826, which has locations all around the United States. I've now volunteered for 826chi and visited 826 Michigan (Ann Arbor and Detroit), 826 Valencia (San Francisco), 826LA (Echo Park), and 826 Boston (not in that order).

Since learning there was an 826 location in Ann Arbor, I've wondered why there wasn't instead one in Detroit since that's a way more logical place for it considering the academic environment and mid- to high-socioeconomic status of Ann Arbor.

Well, now Detroit has its own location with its own spin.

Dad in the Detroit Robot Factory

It's yet another small store front that hides a larger tutoring space. I really enjoyed the industrial yet whimsical style of the space, and I really loved it was on a little side street in the middle of the Eastern Market neighborhood of Detroit.

If you're ever in the area (which you should be as Eastern Market is such a cool area: a huge farmer's market surrounded by old and new local restaurants, bars, and shops) stop in, buy some goofy robot stuff, support 826 Michigan.

Thanks for the catch, Dad Guy!

#16 - Don't Drink for 29 Days

My word for this year is RELIEF
My secret word for this year is FREEDOM

My non-drinking buddy, JJ

29 days? Why 29 days?

Well, because since I've started this list, in 2011, I have included some length of increasing time to go without drinking. The first year it was 1 week. Then I tried a month. That didn't happen. Then I tried a month again. That didn't happen again. Then I tried 2 weeks. Then 3. Then 4 weeks again. Still couldn't quite make it, but that was also the most intensely stressful year of my life, with finishing and then defending my dissertation, job searching, moving across the country, disliking that decision, interviewing for another job, and moving again. In 2017, I did 4 weeks. In 2018, I tried 5 weeks, but I just couldn't quite get there. So, to increase my time and make my goal achievable, I went with 4 weeks and 1 day: 29 days.

I decided to start with the new year, partly because I didn't have any big drinking events on my calendar in January and because several of my friends practice Dry January. I figured both of those things would set me up for success and make me feel good about moving healthily into the new year.

The first few weeks were really pretty easy. I realized I had a habit of having something comforting to drink in the evening, something with a little sugar. I started with chocolate milk. That worked but it was tough to keep so much milk on hand. I switched to chamomile tea with a little milk and honey. That was a perfect substitute. Comforting and only slightly sweet. Plus, a half liter of milk lasted me a long time and tea and honey were easy to keep stocked.

Look, this town is beautiful and fun, even when sober

About 3 weeks in, one night, I ran out of chamomile and milk, and I struggled. That's when my red wine cravings came back. It didn't help that I'd subscribed to a wine club and a box with 15 BOTTLES of red wine had showed up at my door.

The last 7-9 days were tough. I really wanted wine. I didn't feel like I was craving the buzz, just the flavor. It felt similar to craving chocolate, though that particularly craving is rare for me, so maybe more like pizza or buffalo wings... mmm... buffalo wings... I just wanted it.

But I held strong. I made it 29 days.

One thing I've learned is that in doing this practice, I become pickier and pickier about what I drink. I don't really drink beer anymore. There's great beer sitting in my fridge that I should probably throw out it's been in there so long, untouched. I mostly stick to red wine, bourbon, or scotch. If I want something while out and there's no decent wine around, I'll usually go for a vodka soda. Maybe a margarita if I'm in the right place (like San Diego). But I'd rather not drink than drink something just to drink something. I want to actually enjoy it.

Here we are hiding from
the -30 degree windchill

I've also learned that even if I want a glass of red wine, one with dinner and one shortly before bed is plenty, and I can fill the time in between with tea. I learned I need to keep comforting herbal tea with honey and milk on hand so that becomes my habit when I want something other than water to drink in the evenings. That seems doable.

I'm grateful to myself for taking on this practice regularly so that I can reexamine my drinking habits and become a more mindful drinker. I don't see myself ever giving up drinking entirely, just like I haven't been able to give up pizza, but I can realize that those things in excess are hard on my body, and mind, and I'm able to develop new habits.

Special thanks to Stephanie Souvenir and Laney Cherveney, who had a sober Two Bar Tuesday with me, playing board games, sipping water, and eating snacks. It was a pleasant evening :)