Monday, June 19
Chicago: day 6
Do I have to go already?
Walking around Lincoln Park with Reid yesterday, felt like I had been here forever. I guess it's because I have spent so much time here in the past, that Chicago is just a very comfortable place for me. It was the first place (I don't count the Grinnell bubble that was college) that I was living on my own, so perhaps that has a lot to do with it.
For those of you who were concerned about my enthusiasm for Chicago, I do miss Philly. It's just nice to revisit a place and find that it's just as great as before. At least I can acknowledge that while Chicago's great in the summer with all the street festivals and outdoor concerts, I am fully aware of the downsides of living here.
#1 Winter. That's a big one. Brrr! And it's not the fun, pretty kind you get up in Quebec.
#2 No ocean. Yeah, Lake Michigan, blah blah. Would you really go swimming in that? Granted, I have, but it takes a lot of hot weather and denial to willingly set foot in that muck. Besides, there aren't any waves. I'm talking above your knees. Storm-induced waves don't count!
#3 It's so big! The city, I mean. Literally, the buildings are huge! and the blocks are looong. 8 blocks here are a mile. 20 blocks in NYC are a mile. Dunno what it is in Philly, but I'm pretty sure it's similar to the scale of NYC.
#4 Cubs wingle game tickets were sold out the weekend they went on sale! And it's not even Cubs fans going to the game, as Reid put it. It's Wrigley fans. argh.
So in summary, yes, I will be on the plane back to Philly this afternoon. But the travel bug has bit me hard. So if anyone wants to take a weekend or overnight trip somewhere...
Walking around Lincoln Park with Reid yesterday, felt like I had been here forever. I guess it's because I have spent so much time here in the past, that Chicago is just a very comfortable place for me. It was the first place (I don't count the Grinnell bubble that was college) that I was living on my own, so perhaps that has a lot to do with it.
For those of you who were concerned about my enthusiasm for Chicago, I do miss Philly. It's just nice to revisit a place and find that it's just as great as before. At least I can acknowledge that while Chicago's great in the summer with all the street festivals and outdoor concerts, I am fully aware of the downsides of living here.
#1 Winter. That's a big one. Brrr! And it's not the fun, pretty kind you get up in Quebec.
#2 No ocean. Yeah, Lake Michigan, blah blah. Would you really go swimming in that? Granted, I have, but it takes a lot of hot weather and denial to willingly set foot in that muck. Besides, there aren't any waves. I'm talking above your knees. Storm-induced waves don't count!
#3 It's so big! The city, I mean. Literally, the buildings are huge! and the blocks are looong. 8 blocks here are a mile. 20 blocks in NYC are a mile. Dunno what it is in Philly, but I'm pretty sure it's similar to the scale of NYC.
#4 Cubs wingle game tickets were sold out the weekend they went on sale! And it's not even Cubs fans going to the game, as Reid put it. It's Wrigley fans. argh.
So in summary, yes, I will be on the plane back to Philly this afternoon. But the travel bug has bit me hard. So if anyone wants to take a weekend or overnight trip somewhere...
Thursday, June 15
Chicago: day 2
back to this again!
honsetly though, I've missed it.
Let me be cheesy for a moment and say that Chicago is magical to me. First of all, I'm the 'expert' of my company when it comes to this city. After all, I called it home for a summer! Before we left I ran up a list of things to do. My coworkers were shocked that I actually took the effort to find half a page of events and exhibits. Hello! This is Chicago! Not podink 'illadelph.
Yesterday, once we satiated our grumbilng stomachs with an overpriced, poorly served meal at the hotel (we're out at the airport and don't have many choices - McDonald's anyone? blech!) my coworkers went to their rooms to rest while I made a beeline for downtown. There was an amazing classical concert in Millenium park: Shostakovich, Debussy, Tchaikovsky. Details here. Laying on the grass, reading a good book, soaking in the skyline with the sun setting behind it... what more could I ask for? (ok, maybe some nice wine and cheese - everyone else had some!) The experience took me back to my childhood, being dragged to concerts in Central Park for the 4th of July.
On a more personal note, I was reminded of an anecdote my mom told me about when I was 3yrs old. Apparently, I was crying one time and she asked why. I replied, 'The music - it's so sad!' And yesterday at the park, I once again understood the power of spectacular music. No, I wasn't crying, but I had to put my book down at times, as the music rendered me immobile. There's no way to sufficiently explain the feeling of that concert in words. Which is why we have music in the first place.
Today will be mostly visual stimulation as I plan to make the rounds of my favorite Chicago museums downtown: Museum of Contemporary Art, Art Institute, Columbia's photo gallery, Cultural Center... and then there's a SummerDance salsa session this evening. The fun never ends!
oh... and then there's the business meetings. One this morning which I suppose I should get ready for. Never fear, there is always more to come! You know, this traveling thing is pretty cool. I should do this more often...!
honsetly though, I've missed it.
Let me be cheesy for a moment and say that Chicago is magical to me. First of all, I'm the 'expert' of my company when it comes to this city. After all, I called it home for a summer! Before we left I ran up a list of things to do. My coworkers were shocked that I actually took the effort to find half a page of events and exhibits. Hello! This is Chicago! Not podink 'illadelph.
Yesterday, once we satiated our grumbilng stomachs with an overpriced, poorly served meal at the hotel (we're out at the airport and don't have many choices - McDonald's anyone? blech!) my coworkers went to their rooms to rest while I made a beeline for downtown. There was an amazing classical concert in Millenium park: Shostakovich, Debussy, Tchaikovsky. Details here. Laying on the grass, reading a good book, soaking in the skyline with the sun setting behind it... what more could I ask for? (ok, maybe some nice wine and cheese - everyone else had some!) The experience took me back to my childhood, being dragged to concerts in Central Park for the 4th of July.
On a more personal note, I was reminded of an anecdote my mom told me about when I was 3yrs old. Apparently, I was crying one time and she asked why. I replied, 'The music - it's so sad!' And yesterday at the park, I once again understood the power of spectacular music. No, I wasn't crying, but I had to put my book down at times, as the music rendered me immobile. There's no way to sufficiently explain the feeling of that concert in words. Which is why we have music in the first place.
Today will be mostly visual stimulation as I plan to make the rounds of my favorite Chicago museums downtown: Museum of Contemporary Art, Art Institute, Columbia's photo gallery, Cultural Center... and then there's a SummerDance salsa session this evening. The fun never ends!
oh... and then there's the business meetings. One this morning which I suppose I should get ready for. Never fear, there is always more to come! You know, this traveling thing is pretty cool. I should do this more often...!
Tuesday, June 6
World Cup Countdown!!!
Stop the World Cup!!!
This site is absolutely outrageous!
I'm hoping it's done in jest, because it is rather clever (if poorly translated into English... which is almost more amusing). Regardless, World Cup in 3 days!!! I'll be watching the first game Friday at noon (Germany v Costa Rica) at a German beer garden (Ludwigs for any Philly locals who care to join me). How much better could it be? well, being there I guess!
Predictions:
USA knocked out in first round of elimination v Brazil
...any takers?
...any other predictions?
This site is absolutely outrageous!
I'm hoping it's done in jest, because it is rather clever (if poorly translated into English... which is almost more amusing). Regardless, World Cup in 3 days!!! I'll be watching the first game Friday at noon (Germany v Costa Rica) at a German beer garden (Ludwigs for any Philly locals who care to join me). How much better could it be? well, being there I guess!
Predictions:
USA knocked out in first round of elimination v Brazil
...any takers?
...any other predictions?
