twistedtrees

Come on guys, don't make me upload my little sketches by myself

You can easily reverse the photo in Photobooth. It's under Edit-> Flip photo or Auto Flip New Photos.

Anyway, looks like a good pickup. Although a pound seems like a lot. It takes me about 2-3 weeks to go through half a pound. But I only make about 12 ounces of coffee a day (2 6oz cups) so I could see people going through way more.

Trying to start sketching again. My goal is to do at least 1 small sketch a day, so I thought I'd start posting here to keep myself motivated.

"The Room"

I have the book "Rapid Viz" and am planning to go through it to learn some new techniques. I grew up drawing with a fine art slant, but over the past few years have tried to adopt an industrial design sketch style. Now I'm just trying to do stuff that conveys an idea.

I've been really inspired by one of my old classmates http://whyamiadesigner.com/

and this other dude that I don't know, but may have met once or twice http://blog.fueledbycoffee.com/

Some photos from this morning of around my neighborhood

Down Winchester

Snow drifts down Lawrence

Somebody's snowed in

Some car I tried to help push last night. They gave up

There's a car stuck down there too

Chicago for me, but you already have that with Aho's post.

Cotton Duck had them before me, and I sent them to Ordo

My coffee loving friends and I have had a long standing debate about who roasts the best beans here in Chicago. So we bundled up, got on our bikes and sampled the big three today; Asado, Metropolis, and Intelligencia. We unanimously went for Asado's current Siesta roast. Though each cup was spectacular enough to make it worth battling the near subzero weather. Couldnt think of a better way to tour Chicago than through amazing coffee.

hey, have you seen this? http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/restaurants-bars/91287/15-spots-to-drink-coffee-now

I gotta try Bridgeport now

me possibly...depending on how social I'm feeling.

yeah, but around here, a 12oz of the Tactical Penguin is running upwards of $80 a bottle. I hadn't planned on buying one, but good to know I'm not missing anything

Shit B-Dawg, you got the Vanilla BCS and don't even live around here, I totally missed out on that.

I just got boned to death on a 6pack of Hopslam (after Chicago's hefty 11% sales tax, shitty 3-tier distribution system, and my local store's upcharge, the total was $21) Aho, hope you found some, there's plenty out there, I don't know why Binny's sold out so quick. West Lakeview liquors has a bunch (not where I got mine, they're cool) and I was seeing signs for it on local liquor stores on my way to get lunch today.

I just got a Hario dripper this week too. Although, I think I may not have needed it, I've been having really good results with my Aeropress brewing by the inverted method:

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it's similar to french press in that you can get the timing precise, but you don't get the oils (or sludge) due to the paper filter.

Shit, I knew I had been slacking with the posts, but I didn't realize I hadn't posted anything in like 6 months.

Here's some of what I've been drinking.

Goose Island Fleur, excellent Belgian ale

Half Acre Thunder and Son Brown Ale

Half Acre Big Hugs Coffee Stout

And the ridiculously overpriced (and I'm an idiot for buying it) Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Rare.

^^ why would you come to chicago if you dont like meat

polish sausages

hawt dawgz

italian beef

chicago deep dish

sausages like you wouldn't believe

fried chicken

more fried chicken

ribs

oh god i'm goin to die before 30

Hot Doug's is great, just beware of a 1+ hour wait. Kuma's is great too, but if you want a burger that's as good (Pat LaFrieda beef) with no wait and a way better beer selection, head to Lincoln Square for Bad Apple. If you want a great burger and you're in Evanston head to Edzo's. They're on par with anything in the city.

Al's Beef is good for Italian beef and combos. I've only been to the one in River North but the fries were some of the best I've had in the city. I've heard Mr. Beef is just as good or better. Portilla's if you want to fight the tourists who couldn't get into the Rainforest Cafe, but they have good cheese fries and beer.

Only BBQ I've really had that's been great is Smoque and Smokin' Woody's.

Haven't really had any fried chicken that is as good as southern, but I've heard Feed is good (Humboldt Park) and Big Jones in Andersonville.

Pizza, I don't eat much deep dish, but Edwardo's, Lou Malnati's, Chicago's, Giordano's, they'll all be what you're looking for. Although I've heard if you want the best, go to the burbs for Burt's Place.

Thin crust, I can only vouch for Pizza DOC, Apart Pizza, and Spaca Napoli. They're all good, but from what I hear not the best. I think Great Lake Pizza in Andersonville takes that title.

Other food that's good

Mexican: Xoco in River North and Mixteco.

Coffee: the already mentioned Intelligentsia is worth it, Asado is great too.

Sandwiches: Hannah's Bretzel has some good stuff. Cafecito in south loop is great

Tango Sur for your Columbian Steakhouse fix

Purple Pig for small plate/tapas, Mercadito isn't bad at all either.

If you want duck, go to Sun Wah

There's tons more but that should be good to get you started.

Shit, didn't know SF got so real about their coffee

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Go ahead and look through the shopping thread, it has pretty much all the stuff you listed in it. There's also a thread about Chicago food that has good restaurant recommendations, or just read through http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewforum.php?f=14&sid=1fb3d32e5e7059f3122178dd8e80df3e

Don't know about hostels except for there's one down in the south loop right by the big Columbia college dorm. It shares an entrance with Cafecito which is a really good sandwich shop, and around the corner from Epic Burger.

Thanks for the invite for the beer swap, but I'll probably have to sit this one out. I'll be pretty busy with work over the next 3 weeks and I'll be in and out of town. Plus, if Aho is in that'll cover the Chicago representation.

I tried searching and was surprised that I couldn't find anything on Vegas.

What are some good places to go that are cool experiences? Shops are good, but coffee shop, restaurant, other types of establishment recommendations for places that have really good service or provide a unique experience would be great.

I'll be there in 2 or 3 weeks, so any help or recs would be great. Thanks.

Aho -- Can you get the Kentucky Breakfast Stout by chance? And Pilot, what is that beer on the far right in your picture?

I can't speak for Aho, but the thing about Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS), is it's a once-a-year release. It's Founders Breakfast stout aged in Bourbon Barrels.

So being limited release, it's actually hard to get, not impossible, just hard. So you can only get it once a year, and most stores around here in the upper midwest either sell out very quickly, or you have to put your name on a waiting list.

Here is their availability calendar: http://www.foundersbrewing.com/wp-content/uploads/the-lineup/beer_calendar.pdf

KBS is only sold in March, so sorry, but unless someone's got some cellared, it doesn't look like you'll have much luck for another 6 months. Sorry.

Aho -- Can you get the Kentucky Breakfast Stout by chance? And Pilot, what is that beer on the far right in your picture?

I can't speak for Aho, but the thing about Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS), is it's a once-a-year release. It's Founders Breakfast stout aged in Bourbon Barrels.

So being limited release, it's actually hard to get, not impossible, just hard. So you can only get it once a year, and most stores around here in the upper midwest either sell out very quickly, or you have to put your name on a waiting list.

Here is their availability calendar: http://www.foundersbrewing.com/wp-content/uploads/the-lineup/beer_calendar.pdf

KBS is only sold in March, so sorry, but unless someone's got some cellared, it doesn't look like you'll have much luck for another 6 months. Sorry.

Just a compilation of some of my favorite clips. Please add yours.

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I tried Burp Castle a couple weeks ago. Cool place, not a huge selection of Belgians, but good choices.

I forget where it is, someplace around East Village maybe?

I'll be visiting Chicago next weekend. Looking for

CD/Record stores: I went to jazz mart last time I was here and want to revisit. What are some other stores that I should take a look in?

Bookstores: Going to stop at quimbys and myopic in wicker park. Am I missing anything? What else is there besides Powell's?

As far as shopping I don't have much to spend and am just looking for some basics so I figured I'll just walk around Wicker Park and see if I see anything at the resale shops. Also going to stop by Belmont Surplus. Are there any neat stores downtown worth looking in?

Food: Probably just going to stop somewhere near where we are. Looking for pizza/mexican/hotdogs/ etc.

I might be staying with friends in Naperville or just finding a hotel downtown. Also, any good coffeeshops?

Bookstores: Check out The Book Cellar in Lincoln Square (not Lincoln Park) right off the Western Brownline stop.

Wicker Park shopping can get expensive, although I haven't been there for a while. I'm a sucker for St. Alfreds. Don't know if their Nike x St. Alfred pop up shop is still up, doubt it because it was a promo for the World Cup.

Coffeeshops?!? INTELLIGENTSIA downtown on Randolph, or try the one in Lakeview, just a few blocks east of the Wellington Red/Brown/Purpleline stop. Also, I'm a fan of Asado Coffee too on Irving Park.

Food, just check out LTH Forums.

so this is gonna be my theme for the next month, I'll be in NY for July

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know who produced this track? yeah, he's a dickbag, but this song's alright

edc crew where you at?

Just got a bag of super-fresh roasted beans from Asado Coffee here in Chicago. Can't wait 'til tomorrow to brew some up.