Brad here for my first post. I decided it was time for me to post when I realized today that we were up to 2 followers. Thanks to you both KC and JoJo, er Frank.  Shea and I recently decided to venture out of the apt on a cold snowy day to do something that every Chicagoan is dying to do……Go to the Shedd Aquarium! After we piled on layers and layers and layers of clothes we traveled to the aquarium located at Museum Campus downtown. Could we have gone to the Museum of Art, Field Museum, Museum of Science & Industry and other world class stops, of course we could have….  We of course, opted for the cheapest ticket you could buy, in order to avoid a $150 expense, and we got exactly what we paid for. The aquarium needs to be cleaned up a bit as the exhibits looked dirty, old, and in need of spring cleaning.

Growing up, we had a 55 gallon salt water fish tank that I absolutely loved.  My dad and I would go to the pet store to buy these exotic fish and then marvel at their beauty.  I suppose this is the reason I get really excited to go to an aquarium.  Unfortunately, I was disappointed with this trip.  Maybe we should have opted for the more expensive ticket, or maybe we need to go back in the spring or summer. I won’t completely give up on the Shedd just yet. One positive that occurred, however, was the picture you see below that I edited to appear as though Shea and I were together:In conclusion, I suppose that maybe we should travel a little farther for our day trip or wait until warmer weather is upon us to enjoy the beauty of the seas. 

These days, Brad is out of town sometimes and when left to fend for myself during a blizzard, this is what happens:

We used the skillet for the first time the other week and made steaks.  They were so beyond delicious and flavorful we couldn’t believe it.  We still don’t get it b/c we just put salt and pepper on it.

To the one reader of this blog, I’m sorry if you were expecting more from us.

Emily and Billy came over and we laid around and ate apps, played board games and watched football.

Lounging around, ringing in the year.

E & B scored amazing tickets for the Bulls game and were sweet enough to invite us along.  We were center court, 16 rows up.  Not a bad way to go.  It was a bit difficult to discern who was having more fun: the group of three ten-year-old boys in front of us, or Brad.

Yes, I look like Puff the Magic Dragon in the pic above. Both because I look stoned and obese.  When we got home, we jotted down a few things we hope to do or accomplish in 2012.  They are, in no particular order, as follows:

1. Take more pictures and figure out some sort of scrapbook situation so we can reflect on all the things we do (we landed on this blog, fyi).

2. Go to more concerts since we both love live music.  Hopefully we’ll get to a music festival from this one.

3. I want to finish my other blog once and for all, and get to 365 new things, as originally intended.

4. Travel to Texas, Miami and Gatlinburg.

5. Downsize cable package, slash watch less TV.

6. Send birthday cards in the mail.

7. Be a better friend (Brad’s).

8. Go to the Kentucky Derby.

9. Save a certain amount of dough.

10. Reach $5,000 in sales at Paper by Shea.  And, sell the cards in a store.

11. Take an adventure trip (e.g. white water rafting, skiing, etc.)

12. Read the Bible (Shea’s).

13. Get a band situation going (Brad’s) for leisure time.

14. Grow an herb garden.

15. Play more golf.

Here’s to a great 2012!!