ScubaSteve

Today Dad you’d be 72... Today would be a good day for you too Dad. It’d be a good day because today was my last day at the Chicago Fire Academy and we’d have a lot to talk about. It’s really incredible how things just happened. Tomorrow will be 11 years to the day that you walked out of the firehouse for the last time and retired as a Lieutenant on the Chicago Fire Department. Tomorrow I walk across the stage, received my badge and become a Chicago Fireman just like you. Today is a good birthday for you Dad, I love you and miss you! First Generation Class of June 16, 1971 / Second Generation Class of May 16, 2018 #cfd #fireman #chicagofiredepartment #chicagofireman (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqYLzaonVJ3Hv-xg9LPMGz2-YRMgASQXk1YTlo0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ayzraglcgdqa

After more than half my life dedicated to working in the restaurant industry today I put on the Chef Whites for the last time. “Oui Chef, Mise en Place..” @fewspirits #chefwhites #newcareer #lifegoals #chasingchildhooddreams #dreamsdocometrue #fuckishouldofwornabowtie (at Chicago, Illinois)

Gold Leaf Mint Juleps on Derby Day... Yes Please! #juleps #mintjulep #fuckishouldofwornabowtie #fancy @saintlousassembly #derbyday #derby (at Saint Lou's Assembly)

So this is the start of the night #fuckishouldofwornabowtie

Yummy! (at Punch House)

Caramelized Chocolate Churro Baltic Porter #porter #beer #localbrew (at Moody Tongue Brewing Company)

Great day to be on the water relaxing #supchicago #chicagosup #greatlakes #lakefront #paddleboarding #paddleboard #chicago #somelikeitcold #fuckishouldofwornabowtie (at North Avenue Beach)

What an incredible night with incredible people! Thank You @chefsarahjayne @monteverdemeg @monteverdechi for letting me be apart of last nights @dishaliciouswttw viewing party! The show is amazing!! @jaimecanete @chefgiuseppetentori @chefbillkim #wttwchicago #wttwchannel11 #wttw #dishalicious (at Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio)

Cheers to almost the weekend... #weekend #fuckishouldofwornabowtie

What great day for a paddle! #supchicago #standuppaddleboard #standuppaddle #fuckishouldofwornabowtie (at North Avenue Beach)

Saturday morning cappuccino in bed #cappuccino #espresso #bed #tetonka (at Chicago, Illinois)

Infusing some @fewspirits gin with burnt blood orange, Meyer lemon, lemongrass, fresh thyme, cassia buds, and charnuska! Can’t wait to try it!

Cuz sometimes I like to remind myself that I can cook... #steak #castiron #delicious #steakandmushrooms #sear #fire #flameon

In hindsight 2017 was an unexpected pleasure. I got to paddle board in the middle of winter, drink incredible wine with my best friends, get a picture with the 2016 @cubs #worldseries trophy, be at the James Beard Awards and witness my friend and chef idle @chefsarahjayne WIN her first James Beard Award @beardfoundation @monteverdechi , smoke an authentic #cubancigar, explore Napa and Sonoma Valley and visit one of the most incredible winemakers in know and dear friend, dine like James Bond @nextchicago #hollywoodmenu , spend the 4th of July with my best friends, taking in some incredible Cubs Games, lake house shenanigans, surfing at the #nondairylandsurfersonlyparty , taking my nephew to @monteverdechi , being an arm length away from @martinsexton , saw Hamilton, celebrated my sisters birthday with the whole family shortly before she gave birth to her first child and my first niece, oh yeah got a great shoutout from the @nhlblackhawks! Not to mention all the amazing wine I drank this year! So as you look back on your year, remember the #littlethings , They may surprise you! (at Chicago, Illinois)

Seven days, seven black and white photos of a moment in your life. No people, no explanations. Day 7 #blackandwhitephoto #blackandwhitephotography