I didn’t need a lawyer in Canterbury, but if I had, I would certainly hire the one who has a fairy door and welcome mat.

Congratulations to Pinboard, a bookmarking service that has reached the age of 11 years. That's an eternity in the Internet world, but I'm not surprised, because it is a service that I not only love, but consider essential. I've only been a member for 10 years, and during that time I've stashed thousands of links, which are searchable, cached, and virtually at my fingertips. Additionally, I have an archive of every tweet I've made since joining Pinboard, which might come in handy in court one day. (I kid, I kid.) It's also remarkable that Pinboard remains a one-man, lovingly crafted artisanal software operation. If you're the type who bookmarks pages so you can refer to them later, you should definitely sign up.

The robed Hara Krishna follower approached me with an outstretched hand holding some sort of sticker. “Gift. Gift.” He said, gesturing with whatever it was.

I reached into my right pocket and his eyes crinkled with a smile. I extended my hand, offering him a “Bucktown” neighborhood button that we commissioned for our trip.

“No. No.” Shaking his head he thumbed the edge of his robe to indicate he wouldn’t, or couldn’t, pin a button on the saffron garment.

I extended my hand again, asking him to accept it anyway. He turned and briskly walked away saying “No. No. No. No. No.”

(July 2019)

Subtitled “The Unofficial Secret Insider Guide to Nonexistent Chicago Tours” this booklet by “Mr. Dan Kelly” (clearly a pseudonym) of Highland Park (of all places) demonstrates a fun and snarky sense of humor. The publication makes a compelling case for tours that are beyond the downtown area (“Rahmsylvania”) and cover more than just the insipid “touristy crap.” Examples include a walk along The 666 elevated cattle shoot, a survey of the Lake Michigan Lizard People who, having bred with humans, are responsible for a race of ensconced Alderpersons, and a stroll through neighborhoods where residents pound out paranoid NextDoor posts.

I thoroughly enjoyed this inexpensive self-published monograph (available at Quimby’s) and I was rather sad at the end that these tours exist only in Mr. Dan’s warped and hilarious imagination. For more of that, don’t miss his website.

Clarification: This was an overheard conversation; I'm not the guy depicted!

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For the record, as a frequent drive-thru customer, I have always had hand cleaner in my car. Sticky steering wheels are the worst! #BucktownBlocks #storycubes #dicetales #flashfiction #30words

Kaley’s favorite outing was walking with the kids. They’d be sure to pass the fire station for Kylie, and the neighborhood Little Free Library for Kyle. Oh, and a quick stop at Lululemon for her. #BucktownBlocks

Dog Walker or Nanny? Amy’s tally of people walking by her apartment’s front window during the pandemic was comprehensive in its simplicity. #BucktownBlocks

Ms Allred generally liked her daily commute to Pritzker School, alas not everyday was great because the Blue Line is frequently crowded. But today she couldn’t help smiling. She was standing in the back by a window and got a great view of the 606 right before getting off at Damen. #BucktownBlocks