Oh, Canada or How I May Have Just Repeated A Title Cause There Are Only So Many Available For Canada Posts

It happened again. I found myself in Canada. Toronto specifically, plus the part between Detroit and Toronto, but that was mainly experienced through a car window. This marks my sixth visit to our friendly neighbor up north and I am not even six-years-old. Dad hopes Canada has a 'visit us ten times and get honorary citizenship free' offer, then I can go to the University of Toronto while he feigns illness, moves in with me, and basks in single payer health insurance. Unfortunately, this was the quickest of the six visits, so not much activity, but nice visits with Aina and Zane, plus lots of bread, thanks to Papa.

Thanks Christopher Columbus

A long, long time ago this Italian guy Christopher Columbus was paid by Spain to go look for land and the riches that come with it. The land Chris found was in the general area of where America is today, which was good enough for some serious and continued recognition in street names, statues, circles and- most importantly- a holiday that nets me a day off from school. And what did I learn from this year's day away from the education grind? Well, without Columbus' discovery of "America" I would not get to go to zoos with my family or play mini-golf and skee ball with my dad. Thanks Mr. Columbus!

Unlimited Rides

Every August my new school, St. Helen, has a carnival complete with rides and games. I've attended it each of the last three years, but now that I am a St. Helen student, I am able to purchase a magic green wristband that leads to unlimited rides.
On very the first night, it took me about 30 minutes to get my monies worth; thanks to about five trips through the Fun House, another few through the Indy Adventure and about four trips down the Fun Slide. Dad joined me a couple times on the Matterhorn and Pharaoh's Fury, plus had one go around on Zero Gravity, which I can be seen above waiting to exit from, but can't be seen on while flying through the air. Dad could only stomach the one ride, but not me. By the end of the weekend I rode it almost 10 times! I may have ridden it more, but Gigi's heart might not have survived my going up one more time.

Weekend At Owen's

Even with school starting, there remained one last gasp of summer fun, when my cousins- Alexa, Madison & Quinn aka The Girls- came to Chicago for a visit downtown, a sleepover, a Sox game, and pizza, pancakes and gelato.
The weekend started with a trek out to Naperville through some serious rain to pick-up the girls. We headed back to Chicago, where the weather cleared up and allowed for a quick bus trip to Michigan Ave. for some window shopping and head scratching when we got to the city's newest public art piece, a giant sculpture of Marilyn Monroe. We hoped the bus back to West Town and stopped or some pizza at Roots, then dessert at Black Dog Gelato. Stomachs filled we headed home for bed.
The next morning we slowly made our way out the door for brunch at a brand new restaurant nearby called Prasino, which also has a location near Gigi & Papa's. That sat us in a cool alcove, where we all enjoyed our food, which was mainly pancakes. The weekend visit with my cousins ended with a trip to U.S. Cellular Field for the White Sox vs. Texas Rangers. It was a hot day, so we ventured from our seats to find a mini-carnival midway set-up in the outfield concourse. I played some games, won prizes and hung out with stilt walkers and the Sox mascot Southpaw. Madison tried the batting cages and we both tried to throw strikes at a moving target, which Madison had better luck with. We left the rare Sox victory early to beat the heat and the traffic back out to the burbs, where the summeresque weekend came to an end.

KINDERGARTEN

On Thursday, August 18, 2011, all 3'11" and 49 lbs. of me walked through the doors of St. Helen School in Chicago's Ukrainian Village neighborhood and began my educational career with my first day of kindergarden... at my third school.
Only 16 years and 9 months to go until I enter the robust job market.

The End Of (Summer) Days

It had to come to an end eventually and that day was Wednesday, August 17, when my summer vacation officially ran it's course. However, thanks to the downtime between Summer Camp and kindergarten, I had a great last three days of summer. I spent one whole day with Gigi & Papa, Casey and my Dad on the very last day.
We started the day by visiting Dr. Z and receiving good news that I only had to wear my patch two hours per day. Post eye Dr., we went back home, hopped in the car and headed to Novelty Golf & Games (ne' The Bunny Hutch) for a round of mini-golf. I love me some mini-golf and when I am reminded that I am not a lefty and I concentrate for at least a second, then I am a pretty good shot. Dad had a tough time because he was distracted by the fact the place was stuck in time. Although, he was not distracted enough to not win the round.
After mini-golf, we headed to "Aunt" Silvija & "Uncle" John's for a famous quesadilla and a trip to the super awesome Lincolnwood pool. I splashed around in the kiddie pool before Dad persuaded me to try out the water slide. I had previously been skeptical about the slide because you have to be able to get to the edge of the pool after you hit the water, but Dad assured me I was tall enough to walk myself over and he waited in the wings the first couple times. After that though, I was hooked and didn't need any help at all. Twenty plus times down both slides later, it was time to head back home. Not surprisingly, I fell asleep, and Dad probably wished he could have slept through the next two days, to let his now water slide sore body heal.

Pure Haven

Papa gathered the family for another trip to South Haven, Michigan, where we once again stayed in the big house with the big pool to match. Everyone enjoyed the usual sunsets and ice cream, corn and hamburgers, and beach and dunes. However, this year also brought some new things, at least for me. For example, I played the card game War with Gigi and my cousins, we took a day trip to Saugatuck, Dad took me and the girls to minigolf and we all enjoyed a huge thunderstorm that very briefly cut the power to the house. The storm ushered in the best part of the trip, when we went to Lake Michigan on our last day and I battled almost five foot waves. Luckily I had my life vest on and Dad played a human backstop, which prevented me from falling under the water. Can't wait for next year's trip.

Crashing Gigi Camp

Every summer Gigi hosts her grandchildren for a few sessions of Gigi Camp, which feature various arts & crafts projects, movies, museums and Papa driving us to those places.
A few days after my Gigi Camp session, Dad and I decided to crash my cousin's last one of the summer, so on a beautiful- albeit too hot- July morning we hit the bus and headed for the Brown Line, which would take us to our first stop, The Sears (ne' Willis) Tower. This was my first visit to the tallest building in North America and my Dad's first visit in longer than he could remember. There's plenty to look at and learn from on the way to the Skydeck and it goes without saying the view from thousands of feet above Chicago is stunning, especially from the new Ledge that seemingly floats outside of the skyscraper.
After our sky high trip, Gigi, the girls, Aunt Lori, Dad and I headed to Navy Pier via water taxi, another first for me and also for my Dad, who can't say enough about the perspective of Chicago from the Chicago River. At Navy Pier, we had a nice lunch at Riva, then headed to see Pinocchio at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. I liked the play and it's songs and Dad found the seat very comfortable.
When the play ended we said our goodbyes and headed the bus back home. Not surprisingly I fell asleep and Dad got to carry me the three blocks home in the heat and humidity. I have it pretty great sometimes.

Pitchfork Music Festival - Take 5

Mid-July means the annual Pitchfork Music Festival and this year's was the fifth I've attended or so I'm told. I can't recall, although I have seen pictures of past ones I've been to. This year, thanks to my friend Megan, I was on the VIP list and got my own wristband and laminant.
After I said hello to a few people, my first stop was the Ice Cream Man for some free ice cream, which I ate on Dad's shoulders while watching The Dismemberment Plan. Then we headed to see Twin Shadow, where I scored some nice balloons. We ended the night hanging out backstage listening to the music in the distance and playing with friends. Before heading home, I ate a hot dog and even more ice cream, then checked out some random spotlights on the way to the car.
Next up Lollapalooza.

Millennium Mondays

UPDATE 07.04.11: I went again. This time on the Fourth of July on what Dad labeled the most beautiful day of the year in Chicago. While I did not get to hear any music, due to an earlier than normal arrival, I was able to tour the Lurie Garden and make a return trip to the Crown Fountain. On the way home we hung out in an almost deserted Daley Plaza and played on the Picasso.




Millennium Park has been somewhat of a staple of my early-childhood in Chicago. There were a few afternoons in the park with Mom and Dad and some early-evening meet-ups with Gigi & Papa at Pritzker Pavilion for some classical and/or opera. However, the past couple years, Mondays have been the favorite due to the Downtown Sound series in the Pavilion. Thanks to this free event and others like it, I've had the pleasure of- mainly hearing- Amadou & Mariam, Besnard Lakes, Decemberists, Dirty Projectors and others I can't recall.
Last Monday, we finally made it down for a show, where Dad, Chad and I met the O'Conors for some food and drink while Ben l'Oncle Soul performed. During the set break, I got to run around my favorite part of MP, Crown Fountain. The cooler and kind of cloudy day meant a young lady and I had half the fountain to ourselves. I took advantage of the obstacle free space, until Dad heard the first notes of Kings Go Forth and signaled for us to return to the lawn for some more pizza and beer (water for me). I knew I'd be back soon, so I did not put up a fight.

I'd Like The Goo-Gen-Heim

Ever since I was a lil one I have loved The Guggenheim Museum in New York City, mainly due to my Dad's Frank Lloyd Wright pop-up book. Dad is a huge fan of architecture and Frank Lloyd Wright in particular, so he and others made sure to feed my early-interest with photos, Legos and books, like A.C. Hollingsworth's I'd Like The Goo-Gen-Heim.
All of this enabling culminated in a visit to NYC for my 5th birthday. Casey, Dad and I arrived in Brooklyn, where we were generously supplied a place to stay by Dad's best friend Dave. It was a comfortable studio in the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower, but luckily the bed was big enough for the three of us. Once we had our headquarters established, we headed out each day for a whirlwind tour of Brooklyn and New York. We hit the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, Coney Island, The Met, Central Park, the American Museum Of Natural History , Times Square, The Empire State Building and- not surprisingly- The Guggenheim. We even took a ride on The Beast, which raced us across the New York harbor to the Statue Of Liberty.
Dad told me he had been to New York many times, but this was his first time really being a tourist in the city, which he seemed to enjoy. He especially liked the paddle boats in Central park, Casey dug the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Met (me too) and I liked the Goo-Gen-Heim. Of course.

High Five

Just a little taste from my birthday bash at Schubas, where the Boogers put on a rock show after an awesome party upstairs that featured hair coloring, t-shirt printing, and tattoos for the younger set, adult drinks for the old folk and cake for all.

The Big 05

I am having a bash tomorrow at Schubas to celebrate the big 5th birthday! Photos and stories to follow.

Play Ball!

Last Saturday was a dream come true... for my Dad, but was also a lot of fun for me, when I took part in my very first tee ball game as a member of The Pirates. Dad was the assistant coach and I went 2-for-2 (everyone did!) plus I managed to field a ball before the inevitable mele of three-to-six-year-olds piled on me. The game ended in, I think, a 28 to 28 tie.
The best part of my tee ball experience was the filed. Located in Humboldt Park, it is in a miniature baseball stadium complete with grandstand, score borad and an announcer, who luckily only said out first names, thus avoiding the Rucins butchering.
Mom, John, Casey and some other friends all came down to see me play and afterwards I went to brunch at Feed with some of them. I ate pancakes and got the Golden Egg from the chicken machine. That means I get $6 off my meal next time I visit. Highlight of my morning.

Bunny Bunny Bunny Buuuuunnnnnyyyy, Buuuuunnnnnyyyy

While the day he arrives is not as consistent as Santa Claus, the GIANT Easter Bunny had as much success as the fat man at finding my home, breaking-in, and hiding a basket full of candy and gifts. As if the breaking and entering was not enough, the bunny littered our yard with plastic eggs filled with MORE candy. This scenario played out at my cousins house too. Amazing. And thanks to Gigi, Aunt Lori and Sylvija, I ended the day with four baskets and a Dad shaking his head while weathering a sugar high.

The Shedd

Chicago is littered with worthy cultural destinations, including the Museum Campus, where you can find The Adler Planetarium, The Field Museum and The Shedd Aquarium. On the first nice Sunday of the spring, Dad decided it'd be a good idea to meet our friends Michael, Alister and Audrey Johnson at the Shedd for an afternoon of aquatic adventure.
After finally giving up on trying to game Mayor Daley's parking scam, we walked to the entrance to see a gigantic line. Luckily for us, the Johnsons arrived earlier and, due to a friend's generosity, got to wait in the short line to receive free tickets. Once we were inside, we walked around looking at giant snakes, whales, fish, penguins, and more fish. We even got to dress as penguins and climb around a mock penguin enclosure and saw the whale/seal/dolphin show, before heading back to the car.
I really wanted to go to the Adler too, but Dad claimed it was closing soon. I laid off him after we discovered a nearby hidden park with a big jungle gym and other oddities, including big hills we could run and roll down. Not surprisingly, I fell asleep in the car on the way home.

Makin' Da Pizza Pie

Presented with a rare Friday night with me, Dad decided we should make a pizza and watch the season finale of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. We made a quick trip to Trader Joes for the fixings, then headed home to begin making the mess that eventually lead to the beautiful and OK tasting pizza above. As for Clone Wars, the hour long episode included Chewbacca, yes I said CHEWBACCA. Dad got the chills.

DJ Ball On The Ones & Twos

At the crack of Noon last Saturday, I made my DJ debut, when I helped my Dad kick off the final Claychella at Lincoln Hall. Earlier that morning Dad (DJ MR) was doing a bit of on-line promotion and asked what my DJ name was. "What are you talking about?" I asked. "You need a name to DJ, DJ what?" Dad asked. "Ball," I replied. So, that was done and we headed to the club.

At LH I helped Dad press buttons- including some he didn't want me to press- I put on headphones and danced a little, then hung out with our friends that showed up. Finally, we grabbed some lunch before going to see Rango, the reward for my first successful DJ gig. We both loved it.

A Parent's History of Owen Martin Rucins Pt. 2

Ahhh, the simple days when I could be put on my back in the grass and left to my own desire, which apparently was blindly conducting an imaginary orchestra in the sky.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

A couple weeks ago I caught a glimpse of a commercial promoting a monster truck rally called Monster Jam. I was amazed and asked if I could go. Dad kind of laughed it off, but later that week Casey got word that our friend Nick and my friends George and Angus were going, so we looked into it and next thing you know, we are sitting in a suite at Allstate Arena watching huge trucks jumping through the air and crushing mid-'80s era sedans.

Speaking of the '80s, one of the intermission distractions was a battle between two super slow moving "transformers" (seen above) that utilized fire and "rockets" to try and destroy each other. The fight was accompanied by some great zynth-pop instrumentals. Dad was cracking up.

Thanks to Nick and Mike for letting us join in on the fun and to Casey for persuading my elitest Dad to soak-up some rural culture right here in the big city.