Chicago Pub

Ok, so here's a place I'll go if I want to get a seriously old world experience. The pub looks a little out of place, but it might be just what you need if you want to feel like you've gone back in time. Check out their webpage, and you'll see the atmosphere oozing out of the walls.

Mirror Image

Here's another picture taken by chance with interesting results. I was just hoping to get a good reflection of the train but also happened to snap the Chicago Sun-Times building in the process.

Sears Tower from the Train

I only frequent the Red Line El Train. Except the other day when I took the Brown Line to my meeting then got back on at the same train stop and realized the Brown Line only went one way, so I got on the Pink Line instead. Once the train started moving, I realized I was on the wrong train, so I had to get off at the next stop and walk over to the other platform to catch the Green Line back to the Red Line. Man alive. Confusing, but I figured it out. Even so, I wouldn't have been able to take this picture if it weren't for my mistake.

My Video Awards

My awards will be a bit biased...and our first winner is:



Of course she wins in best performance by a two-year-old. But there are a couple other videos that I'd like to honor today. First, for best parody of a video game platform; and the winner is: The Wii Video. Second, getting the award for most rapid evocation of tears; and the winner is: Team Hoyt. And finally, for most inspirational speech by an individual under the age of three months; and the winner is:

Downtown Chicago

Over the next few days, I'll be posting a few images from another trip downtown - this time only for a morning meeting. (I was more a local than a tourist this time.) This one was shot from the hip, but I like the (here comes a 99 cent word) juxtaposition of the buildings.

Sailing in Chicago

The other day, we were bumming around the house when, just like that, some sailboats sailed right past our window. For some reason, the sailboats seemed huge. When I went out to photograph them, my camera shrunk them to toys. Even so, this picture still shows how many boats there were out there on Lake Michigan. It's amazing how many boats the horizon can hold. I've counted over 100 on a nice day (scanning from the north in Evanston, where Northwestern has a sailing school, to downtown, where hundreds of boats magically appear at their yacht clubs in the Spring).

Internet Sports

I was at school working on lots of stuff (as you can see from the screen shot). The US Open playoff was streaming live online, and I couldn't keep away. I wasn't the only one.



Here are some comments from people watching the US Open playoff on their computers at work:

“If IT shuts this down, I will suddenly develop the 12 hour flu.” Justin, CA --- “The magnificence of this website is only eclipsed by the wonder of this live feed.” Timmy, IN --- “This is awesome! Thanks IBM and USGA for the feed. Watching on dual monitors :) Go Tiger!!” Michael, TX --- “Boss just walked in on me......he asked for the website address.” Obee, MD --- “Thanks USGA. I thought I was going to have to go home "sick" today.” Homer, AZ --- “I know I’m not the only one with my mouse over a fake spreadsheet document.” matt, MA --- “Love the raw feed with the pacific blue, misty La Jolla cliffs instead of commercials...nice!” Tim --- “The internet - man's greatest achievement.” Mark, AZ --- “The first time I have never had a case of the Mondays. Thanks USGA.” Matthew, FL --- “Thank you USGA, this is simply the best day of work I have ever had! juan, MA --- “Get to work Mr. Pierce, this is your BOSS!!!!!” David, NC --- “Thanks. Sent link to the boss and got a "That a boy"” Jason, WA --- “I haven't wasted this much time at work since Friday.” Bill, VA.

Have you ever heard such effusive praise for the Internet machine? Productivity, what? (All joking aside, it really was pretty amazing to watch online. During televised commercials, the camera cut away to a live feed of the California coast. And what a tournament to watch; Mediate was awesome, but Tiger…well.)