Livin' it up!

... Talk about living up the summer life in the big city on Lake Michigan ...

... On Tuesday night, after a day of relaxation, reading and grilling, we biked to the lakefront to watch the fireworks. It was a spectacular display, of course, but I think I might have had more fun riding home. ... 'Biking it' is huge in our city, so when the fireworks ended and like 90 percent of the thousands of spectators started making the mad dash to their cars, where they were likely to spen the next two hours in one maddening traffic jam, it was fun to watch the packs of bicyclists, including Kates and I, boarding bikes and whizzing by the stalled cars and crowded streets -- safely of course ...

... By the time we got to what's usually one of the busiest streets in the city, there was barely a car on the road -- because they were still stuck in the downtown traffic. And we glided home under the glow of the street lights ...

* * *
Wednesday night ... we were riding to the lake again. This time to catch my friend Liz and the city pops band, playing a rock 'n roll themed show ...

... '60s music and nostalgia galore.

... If you've never heard 'Satisfaction' and that classic guitar riff played by a line of trumpets -- it's worth the trip.

* * *

Last night: The Brewers-Cubs game at Miller Park, aka Wrigley Field North.

... With the legend Greg Maddux on the mound for the Cubs and oh-so-close-to-being-an-all-star Chris Capuano going for the Brewers, it was a flat-out pitchers duel. Despite a rough first and third, Maddux only gave up two runs on six hits in six innings. But Capuano was better, pitching a complete game shutout for the Crew, giving up only six hits.

The only play worth noting for the Cubs was Aramis Ramirez lacing a shot off the right field wall to start the seventh. Although it looked like it might've been gone on contact, Ramirez notoriously loafed around his way to first base and then turned it on when the ball bounced off the ball. He turned second for third, but by Geoff Jenkins' throw was right on the money at third, and Ramirez was a goner ...

The Cubs may be done, but the Brewers are just 2 1/2 out baby!!!