Mac’s appearance was Obama’s first celebrity event of the evening. Later at a Lincoln Park nightclub, Obama spoke to a raucous crowd of music fans, who paid up to $500 per person to see a performance by Wilco lead singer Jeff Tweedy, and two other band members.

“Before these guys go, I want them to know that I had heard a rumor that they had suggested that I had nothing by them on my iPod,” Obama said. “That is not true. I love Wilco.”

Have I said that life is good?  Life is good.  There is a comfort in deciding the things that are important to oneself.  I think my entire young life I was searching for the things that mattered to me, and I think I have found them.  The things that have stuck with me for a decade or two.  It all seems so simple.  15 years ago I would never have felt such satisfaction from French-pressing a perfect cup of coffee while listening to great music, but now it’s enough.  It really is the little things.  Anyhow, the things making me happy this weekend are:

Joe’s
I met Lydia and Heather for part one of Lydia’s going away sequence.  She and her husband are moving to Florida to expose the redneck that they both have boiling inside of them.  But in the meantime we are dining at Michelin starred restaurants.  Joe’s has been in existence since 1991 with a revolving door of the west’s best chefs.  All of our meals were amazing.  I would recommend either the “Summer Solstice” prix fixe menu or the tasting menu.  I had the “Summer Solstice” and all 4 courses were very good.  I plan on Michelin star searching for the rest of the summer.

Centro-Matic / South San Gabriel Dual Hawks double album
I have long been a fan Centro-matic.  I first heard them during my brief tenure living in Denton, TX, and I was instantly drawn to the drawling vocals and lyrical depth of the prolific Will Johnson.  They have long been regarded as Denton’s finest, then Dallas’ finest, Texas’ finest…with Dual Hawks their reach needs to be expanded.  I love the early lo-fi recordings, but this album sounds polished, tight and stands up to the finest albums released this year.  Go to their Myspace page and listen to “Rat Patrol and DJ’s” and the “I, the Kite”. Then buy the album on iTunes.

Barbecues with Friends
Every Sunday we are grilling at Shelton’s new poolside apartment.  Tonight I made Grilled Tilapia with mango on a bed of couscous with french greens.  Shelton went to Greenblatt’s and got the perfect Sauvignon Blanc pairing; nothing is better in this world then good wine and good food with good friends.  Nothing.  I get by with a little help from my friends.  And my legendary neighborhood Jewish deli.