kaz
@karenkaz.com
Chicago: Belmont Cragin, #bikechi, CTA rants
Personal: greyhounds, cats, homeownership, sometimes sports
Work: marketing, data, analytics, nonprofits, city planning nerd
Personal: greyhounds, cats, homeownership, sometimes sports
Work: marketing, data, analytics, nonprofits, city planning nerd
Wearing the Christmas noodle sweater that N bought me before Frank died and which arrived after, which makes me sad. This is the only Christmas noodle in our lives this year. 😢
December 25, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Wearing the Christmas noodle sweater that N bought me before Frank died and which arrived after, which makes me sad. This is the only Christmas noodle in our lives this year. 😢
The problem with watercolor as an alternative to being on one’s phone is there is too much waiting for layers to dry.
December 25, 2025 at 8:16 PM
The problem with watercolor as an alternative to being on one’s phone is there is too much waiting for layers to dry.
Milton is learning watercolor with me
December 25, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Milton is learning watercolor with me
not part of any Discourse, just enjoying our one Christmas tradition.
December 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
not part of any Discourse, just enjoying our one Christmas tradition.
espresso update: really thought i was gonna have it dialed in today but switching to a bottomless portafilter was too huge of a change. i think it needs way more grounds than i used so the shot pulled super fast (20s).
i now have a notebook to write all this down because it’s too much to remember
i now have a notebook to write all this down because it’s too much to remember
December 25, 2025 at 3:08 PM
espresso update: really thought i was gonna have it dialed in today but switching to a bottomless portafilter was too huge of a change. i think it needs way more grounds than i used so the shot pulled super fast (20s).
i now have a notebook to write all this down because it’s too much to remember
i now have a notebook to write all this down because it’s too much to remember
espresso update: we have *easily* spent hundreds more dollars on accessories.
this does not include the new cabinet we bought because we don’t actually have the counter space for this. that doesn’t arrive for a few weeks.
money has no meaning, though, so we’re enjoying the ride.
this does not include the new cabinet we bought because we don’t actually have the counter space for this. that doesn’t arrive for a few weeks.
money has no meaning, though, so we’re enjoying the ride.
December 24, 2025 at 10:06 PM
espresso update: we have *easily* spent hundreds more dollars on accessories.
this does not include the new cabinet we bought because we don’t actually have the counter space for this. that doesn’t arrive for a few weeks.
money has no meaning, though, so we’re enjoying the ride.
this does not include the new cabinet we bought because we don’t actually have the counter space for this. that doesn’t arrive for a few weeks.
money has no meaning, though, so we’re enjoying the ride.
this is going to sound like a complaint but trust me that it isn’t one.
the problem with your dog dying around christmas is that you get random cards and packages that you think are christmas gifts but they are actually (very kind) condolences.
the problem with your dog dying around christmas is that you get random cards and packages that you think are christmas gifts but they are actually (very kind) condolences.
December 24, 2025 at 5:47 PM
this is going to sound like a complaint but trust me that it isn’t one.
the problem with your dog dying around christmas is that you get random cards and packages that you think are christmas gifts but they are actually (very kind) condolences.
the problem with your dog dying around christmas is that you get random cards and packages that you think are christmas gifts but they are actually (very kind) condolences.
Reposted by kaz
There is, in fact, too much news today — 🎄Holiday Edition🎄
December 23, 2025 at 8:27 PM
There is, in fact, too much news today — 🎄Holiday Edition🎄
Reposted by kaz
I took a picture earlier this week that I think encapsulates the isolation and danger of living in a city that doesn’t #plowthesidewalks and a neighborhood where reactionaries want to tear out an under-construction safety project on Archer Avenue.
It’s a message about priorities.
It’s a message about priorities.
December 11, 2025 at 11:18 PM
I took a picture earlier this week that I think encapsulates the isolation and danger of living in a city that doesn’t #plowthesidewalks and a neighborhood where reactionaries want to tear out an under-construction safety project on Archer Avenue.
It’s a message about priorities.
It’s a message about priorities.
pulled a 30g shot in 26 seconds 💪
shot was a little sour at the front so i think i need to go a touch finer in the grind and aim for more like 28-30s but still pretty pleased compared to the *way* too long, bitter shot i pulled yesterday. of course milk hides a lot of sins.
shot was a little sour at the front so i think i need to go a touch finer in the grind and aim for more like 28-30s but still pretty pleased compared to the *way* too long, bitter shot i pulled yesterday. of course milk hides a lot of sins.
December 23, 2025 at 2:25 PM
pulled a 30g shot in 26 seconds 💪
shot was a little sour at the front so i think i need to go a touch finer in the grind and aim for more like 28-30s but still pretty pleased compared to the *way* too long, bitter shot i pulled yesterday. of course milk hides a lot of sins.
shot was a little sour at the front so i think i need to go a touch finer in the grind and aim for more like 28-30s but still pretty pleased compared to the *way* too long, bitter shot i pulled yesterday. of course milk hides a lot of sins.
wake up, take meds, think i hear Frank whining while i’m in the bathroom, cry.
December 23, 2025 at 11:26 AM
wake up, take meds, think i hear Frank whining while i’m in the bathroom, cry.
I do not approve of skinny Santas
December 23, 2025 at 1:18 AM
I do not approve of skinny Santas
another update: I hit my goal of 50 books!
update: your dog dying and reading as your form of escapism makes up a lot of ground. up to 47 books read.
I don’t think I’m gonna make my goal of 50 books this year (I’m at 41) but honestly it’s not impossible.
December 23, 2025 at 12:28 AM
another update: I hit my goal of 50 books!
this kind of thing makes me think about the inherent contradiction in the way that society/cities/traffic engineers both want to exonerate all bad driver behavior when it comes to consequences, but also rely entirely on good driver behavior when it comes to building infrastructure.
I waited at Michigan Avenue’s worst bus stop so you didn’t have to experience it
December 22, 2025 at 10:18 PM
this kind of thing makes me think about the inherent contradiction in the way that society/cities/traffic engineers both want to exonerate all bad driver behavior when it comes to consequences, but also rely entirely on good driver behavior when it comes to building infrastructure.
fuck, i edited the first post and fucked it all up. this should read:
the one thing that may hold up my ability to get more data skills and therefore a promotion (here or elsewhere) is my brain absolutely always wants to pick the incorrect way to parse "End date is more than 0 days from now."
the one thing that may hold up my ability to get more data skills and therefore a promotion (here or elsewhere) is my brain absolutely always wants to pick the incorrect way to parse "End date is more than 0 days from now."
the one thing that may hold up my ability to get more data skills and therefore a promotion (here or elsewhere) is my brain absolutely always wants to pick the incorrect way to "End date is more than 0 days ago."
December 22, 2025 at 9:55 PM
fuck, i edited the first post and fucked it all up. this should read:
the one thing that may hold up my ability to get more data skills and therefore a promotion (here or elsewhere) is my brain absolutely always wants to pick the incorrect way to parse "End date is more than 0 days from now."
the one thing that may hold up my ability to get more data skills and therefore a promotion (here or elsewhere) is my brain absolutely always wants to pick the incorrect way to parse "End date is more than 0 days from now."
the one thing that may hold up my ability to get more data skills and therefore a promotion (here or elsewhere) is my brain absolutely always wants to pick the incorrect way to "End date is more than 0 days ago."
December 22, 2025 at 9:53 PM
the one thing that may hold up my ability to get more data skills and therefore a promotion (here or elsewhere) is my brain absolutely always wants to pick the incorrect way to "End date is more than 0 days ago."
Reposted by kaz
PSA since I find awareness of this is low: grapes and raisins can be incredibly toxic to dogs! if your dog eats grapes or raisins you should contact a vet
www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-...
www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-...
Grape and raisin toxicity
OverviewGrape and raisin toxicosis happen when a dog ingests fruits from the Vitis genus. Eating grapes, raisins, Zante currants, or sultanas can cause acute kidney injury (AKI) in dogs.
www.vet.cornell.edu
December 22, 2025 at 5:02 PM
PSA since I find awareness of this is low: grapes and raisins can be incredibly toxic to dogs! if your dog eats grapes or raisins you should contact a vet
www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-...
www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-...
got an email yesterday from quince (the clothing/bedding company) advertising bottles of Dom Perignon? i did not realize they had expanded from fabric-based items to... liquor sales?
December 22, 2025 at 5:42 PM
got an email yesterday from quince (the clothing/bedding company) advertising bottles of Dom Perignon? i did not realize they had expanded from fabric-based items to... liquor sales?
Pulled my first shot on the espresso machine and it was terrible, partly bc I didn't trust my instincts that said "hey that's not enough espresso" and sure enough, the grinder auto-stopped before it was done grinding and I had shorted it by like half.
December 22, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Pulled my first shot on the espresso machine and it was terrible, partly bc I didn't trust my instincts that said "hey that's not enough espresso" and sure enough, the grinder auto-stopped before it was done grinding and I had shorted it by like half.
Reposted by kaz
cut my life into pieces
this is my
this is my
December 22, 2025 at 1:36 PM
cut my life into pieces
this is my
this is my
The Paprika downloader also gets around the Epicurious paywall lol
BTW the Paprika recipe downloader gets around the Good Housekeeping paywall 👀
I would be lost about the Paprika recipe app (which has a browser and will save a local download of the recipe, or you can manually transcribe them)
December 21, 2025 at 1:18 PM
The Paprika downloader also gets around the Epicurious paywall lol
Reposted by kaz
- an Upstate NY/Chicago sports bar with Italian Beef on Weck, Chicago/Upper Midwest style Garbage Plates, Buffalo Wings (& variations that are inspired by Giardiniera, celery salt, Chicago BBQ, & mild sauce) called Lakes & Canals
December 21, 2025 at 12:04 AM
- an Upstate NY/Chicago sports bar with Italian Beef on Weck, Chicago/Upper Midwest style Garbage Plates, Buffalo Wings (& variations that are inspired by Giardiniera, celery salt, Chicago BBQ, & mild sauce) called Lakes & Canals
2025 keeps rolling out the hits. mom has lymphedema, a complication from her mastectomy and other breast cancer treatments a few years ago. 😕
December 21, 2025 at 12:08 AM
2025 keeps rolling out the hits. mom has lymphedema, a complication from her mastectomy and other breast cancer treatments a few years ago. 😕
fun when surprise grief makes you start crying mid-cooking breakfast and your contact falls out so you have to run upstairs to take the other one out and you know your food is burning
December 20, 2025 at 5:07 PM
fun when surprise grief makes you start crying mid-cooking breakfast and your contact falls out so you have to run upstairs to take the other one out and you know your food is burning
Btw there is already a TV commercial from some PAC (Common sense something or other?) urging Johnson to sign the alternate budget. Saw it at the gym this morning.
December 20, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Btw there is already a TV commercial from some PAC (Common sense something or other?) urging Johnson to sign the alternate budget. Saw it at the gym this morning.