Known for its custom messages, the two of us argued about how the messages were “created.” Liz felt that it was a more manual process (turning on specific office lights by hand), and I was convinced it had to be a more automated one (involving a central computer or laptop that handled everything).
One of the things Liz and I were wanting to do this week was to visit a museum. We’d talked a bit about the Field Museum (I learned that Liz once worked there while in college). We also considered revisiting Shedd Aquarium.
The Ford kids are visiting the area, and Liz and I got to take them out for a day in Chicago. We had a lot on the agenda, and really went from place to place to try to do all the things.
On arriving here, there was just one guy ahead of me. I shared my relief that we were in a much smaller line, and the guy agreed. I learned he had arrived here with his wife and daughter, and the two of them were in the New License line. And all three of them had arrived here at 7AM, to try to beat the crowd.
This was my first visit downtown again in… a year and a half. I snapped this photo right before walking across the street, and looked up to see this guy standing a few steps into the intersection, yelling “Hey!” loudly and repeatedly.
I happened across this random post on Twitter, and learned all about Geofoam. I wasn’t aware such a thing existed, and was amazed to see how it was used/stacked as part of large construction jobs.
Spotted this while I was out grabbing lunch. It probably looks a lot funnier when viewed from across the street, right at the moment it switches from a red hand to this headless pedestrian.
I felt a little weird sneaking these photos, but I couldn’t get close enough to get his attention. At every intersection, he’d zip away before I could say anything… and one block later he’d be caught at the light, with me getting just close enough to snap a photo.
As I got closer, instead of a bicycle in each slot… there was a (fake) military-style gun. On each stand was a sticker that said “Unlock and load.”
I decided that today, I would use one of my last remaining vacation days to simply wander around downtown. I had in mind wanting to visit the MCA, and check out some art. Which, to be quite honest, is an a-typical thing for me.
I walked into a meeting room on Tuesday, and happened to glance out the window. Never noticed that right at eye level, across the way, was a gargoyle just sitting and hanging out on the side of the building.
On my walk to work this morning, I spotted a strange sight: a policeman, holding one of those mirrors on a stick (the kind you see in the movies, where they’re checking for bombs underneath cars). He was walking around the building at Washington and Clark, looking behind all the flower planters that were situated about seven or eight feet above the sidewalk.
Seeing this reminded me of the time I got to visit the top of the Merchandise Mart, and also made me think of the quadcopter I saw launched at the Grand Canyon.
Recently, one of the buildings where we have an office opened up their new rooftop deck. It’s meant to be used by anyone in the building with a keycard, and they had a bit of a shindig with the unveiling (lots of free food, giveaways, etc).
At first, I thought the crowd had blocked off State Street and the police were moving in to disperse them. After a few minutes, I realized that the police were part of the protest route and were simply bringing up the rear.