Cloud Cover in Chicago

Dale promised his dad we'd post a picture of the odd cloud cover that sometimes comes in from the lake and hangs low over the city. This isn't the best picture but it was the best I could do while sitting in the passenger seat last weekend. That's the Sears Tower with the middle third obscured by foggy cloud mass thingy.

Fourth of July in Oak Park

Sarah G. came to visit for the 4th of July weekend! This is us waiting for the fireworks to start at the high school in Oak Park.

And, of course, this is me and Dale waiting for the fireworks to start.

Sarah and I had a lot of fun running around Chicago. We went to Taste of Chicago (and did not get food poisoning, which is awesome), to Marshall Field's/Macy's and saw the huge-normous American flag they had on display for the holiday (seriously, that thing is like five stories tall), and had ice cream at the Ghirardelli chocolate shop on the opposite end of Michigan Ave. We were too lazy to walk all those blocks so we hitched a ride on the free trolley. Good times!

Old Town Art Fair

A couple weekends ago Dale and I went to the Old Town Art Fair. It's a very busy art fair and one of the oldest in the Midwest. And it's big but not annoyingly so. Best of all? They have some really great artists.

Lewis Tardy does unusual (and expensive) metal sculpture. We thought the sculptures were amazing and you can check out his website here.

Another Tardy sculpture.

My favorite again this year is Nicario Jimenez--a retablos artist with works featured in the Smithsonian! He makes incredible dioramas from potato paste and gypsum powder!

I love these and can't wait to buy one! Anyway, the retablos feature traditional and everyday behaviors as well as political statements. The above feature "day of the dead" figures drinking and singing. Click on the pictures to get a better view!

A traditional retablo.

A spectacular three-story retablo tells the story of immigration to America today. The folks on the bottom are just trying to get into the country, the second floor shows police harassment of immigrants and the top floor shows dueling demonstrations of immigrants protesting and Americans response--with the police caught in the middle.

A spectacular detail of the larger work above.

Another tradition retablo.

More drunk skeletons!

You can check out Nicario Jimenez's site here.

Ultimately, we only bought one piece of art. Some girls at a nearby house were selling "affordable" art--this lovely drawing set us back $3 but I think it was worth it. Dale is a big fan of meerkats and this is a faithful representation of the little creatures.

Thai Festival at Daley Plaza

I (Rebecca) work just a block from Daley Plaza. The Plaza hosts events year round and I find myself wandering over there most days during lunch just to see what's going on. This week was the Thai Festival. There was a show everyday at noon, some food vendors, some gift vendors, and some random displays sponsored by the Thai Consulate in Chicago. The shot above is across the street from the Plaza. What follows are shots from the festival I took during the week.

Is it painfully obvious Dale did not take these pictures? I'm guessing it is. Anyway, the festival featured a Thai woman that carves fruit into elaborate flowers. Check out the huge flower/watermelon! Crazy!

The main stage featured traditional Thai dancing, boxing, fashion, and music (on various days).

These ladies were playing music on instruments I can not name.

It was a gorgeous week overall so I would get some tasty Thai food from one of the food stands and then walk over to the fountain to eat my lunch and listen to my iPod.

I also giggled while watching the birds drink from the fountain! It just cracked me up that they carefully dipped their beaks in for a sip.

Coffee in Chicago

One night last week Dale and I met our friend Hannah for dinner. Along the way, Dale ran into a breakdancing troupe. They've traveled about the world breakdancing and they are licensed street performers.

I dug the pictures so much I felt like sharing them all.

Handstand!

I love this one! He's way up in the air.

Starbucks outdoor cafe right next to the Adams/Wabash el stop in the loop.

Dale took pictures of Hannah as the wind was blowing her hair.
She's originally from Flint and Dale knew her when they were kids.

Rebecca's view

This is the view from my (Rebecca's) office window. The building in the foreground is the famous Marshall Fields headquarters (that top floor is where Frango mints were made for many years).

The tall buildings in back on the left are the corncob towers. The middle tall building with blue-ish windows is the new Joffrey Tower (once the Modern Momentum building). It's not as big as it looks; it's just two blocks away from my building.

The really big one that's under construction is the Trump tower. The one in front of Trump is 35 East Wacker Dr., I think. And that Batman-like black building in the back on the right is the Hancock.

The Glass Experience

Dale and I went to one of our favorite places--the Museum of Science & Industry--for the The Glass Experience. Check out the chandeliers.

The first section of the exhibit involved examples of glass and it's innumerable applications. This is a paperweight that looks like a snowglobe. I LOVE it, especially the little lady standing in the snow.

Eeek! Glass eyeballs!

Rolling Rock glass bottle form.

There was also an art glass exhibit featuring the work of the famous glass blowing artist Dale Chihuly.

There was a sea of huge Chihuly decorative bowls.

There were also artisans on hand working on real stained-glass projects.

Restoring stained glass if a good deal like putting together a glass jigsaw puzzle.

Antique stained glass lamp.

A huge decorative glass piece balances precariously on a tiny stem.

And finally there was a real live glass blowing exhibit. Pretty neat!

Dale was also nice enough to take a ton of photos of the Fairy Castle--but there are so many and I love that miniature house so much that I think that's a separate post!

Dale's Winter Photo Essay Part 2

Recently we had some snow and on 2/13/08 we had crystal clear blue skies.

This is what my morning commute looks like.

The shots below are from my office windows on the 28^th floor. The sky was so clear is was surreal. Unfortunately shooting though the windows caused a nasty color shift in the upper right corner.

Dale's Winter Photo Essay Part 1

Maybe I am a bit sadistic but I really enjoy a good snow in the city and today did not disappoint as you will witness below. Of course my joy is not supported by those around me who have to drive to work – including Rebecca – but since I am wholly reliant on the train and the trains are not affected by snow I am perfectly fine getting a few inches.

These first four shots were taken while at lunch at the Fidelity building across the street from my office.

I didn't realize until a few weeks ago that the moose is actually made up of car bumpers.

A view from my window at work.

After work I took a walk to Millennium Park a few blocks away. In the summer there are free concerts in the park, a reflecting pool, picnic areas, gardens, etc. It is really an oasis in the city. In the winter the activities are limited but they do have an ice rink and the video sculptures at either end of the reflecting pool are still in operation.

The Cloud Gate – “The Bean”

Video Sculptures

Cousin Chuck Visits...

My cousin Chuck stopped in for a visit recently with his boyfriend Travis. Chuck is taking a photography class and Dale was nice enough to show off all his camera equipment.

And this is Chuck's roommate Mander or "Mandy". Our cat Sidney decided Mandy had a good lap for napping. Mandy has a place just the next town over, in River Forest. When they come to town, they occasionally meet up with us. Great to see them!

January in the City

Dale took a few black and white shots of riding the el in Chicago in winter. I really like them!

Snow on the tracks.

Quiet mid-afternoon on the train.

I think this one is my favorite.

Dale's brother Wayne & family visit!

Wayne & Lisa and their kids, Lauren & Ian came to visit last weekend! The kids were fond of our very friendly and indulgent kitties. Witness the Sidney pass-off! Here is being held by Ian.

And by Lauren!

During the weekend, we spent some time on Michigan Ave. and stopped in at the Lego store. The kids with Lego Santa.

They enjoyed the wacky display at the Hancock Building (as did I).

We spent Saturday at Shedd Aquarium & Oceanarium. We caught the dolphin show in front of Lake Michigan. Neat!

We wore the kids right out!

I was very excited about this freaky fish. I made Dale take a picture.

Scotland Revisited

Just one year ago we were wrapping up or Scotland visit! In honor of the occasion, I thought I'd post this picture Dale took last summer. The Chicago Tribune building features stones and rocks gathered from some of the most important and memorable structures on earth--including Edinburgh Castle. It's a little piece of Scotland right here in Chicago!

Dale's New View

Dale works nearly 30 floors above the city on Michigan Avenue.

His company recently renovated and Dale got a plum spot--right be the windows. He was pretty happy about that. Good thing his coworker is afraid of heights, I guess.

This is the computer lab area and its view.

20th Birthday Party!

My company celebrated its 20th birthday on Sunday with a lovely boat ride from Navy Pier along Chicago's shoreline. The cake, above, was quite spectacular.

It was very hazy and overcast. This was the best picture we could get!

I got to meet a lot of folks I only ever talk to on the phone. This is me with Lisa Akbari--the author of Every Woman's Guide to Beautiful Hair at Any Age. She was lovely to meet after talking to her on the phone about her book so many times.

Dojna (Doy-nuh), me, Erin, and Phil. I work with the girls and Phil is Erin's boyfriend.
We very much enjoyed the champagne and appetizers.

Night Time Movie Shoot in the City

A couple of weeks ago, when we heard that Brangelina Jolie-Pitt was in town and that Angelina herself was filming at night all over Chicago, we decided to go downtown and get dinner and just peak around the "set"--which was actually most of the city! Look at those big lights! Dale was excited about the big lights.

It's a boom camera car. It's painted matte black so the movie lights do not reflect off it and into the scene! Neat!

Huge-normous light brightens the night sky for the movie shoot.

Another huge light brightens up the opposite end of the street.

We didn't see Angelina but we did appreciate a nice mid-week night out and a sushi dinner!

100 Posts in a Year!

This is our 100th post--and it just so happens that we started this blog just over a year ago!

It's been a big year--and we're very happy we moved to Chicago. There's been so ups and downs but mostly we're just so grateful to live near such a beautiful and friendly city and to have all the amenities--a strong economy, a wide variety of inexpensive activities just outside our door, and many new friends--that Chicago has to offer.

For example, Dale took a little walk after work a few weeks back and found a free Symphony Concert in the park! Just another day in the city.

Dale wants us to go next summer and enjoy one of the free symphony performances and perhaps pack a dinner to go. I'm looking forward to it.

Another lovely shot of our adopted city.

They look like odd pine cones. Hee!

Garfield Park Conservatory's Niki in the Garden

Garfield Park Conservatory has the greatest exhibit this summer! Niki in the Garden is the largest display of Niki de Saint Phalle's huge mosaic sculptures ever gathered!

The sculptures are both indoors and out.

These are three of Niki's "nanas"--oversized women that epitomize the joy of living.

The skull is the best! You can go inside it.

And the inside is spectacular! Mirrored and tiled.

Another of the spectacular nanas.

This is Dale's favorite photo of the day. Isn't that flower spectacular?

Flora and Fashion on the Magnificent Mile

Garden-inspired student fashions are decorating the Magnificent Mile this summer. Click on the link to see more. Dale took a few shots of ones he liked. I love the one above!

Each "dress" has been designed by a local fashion student to complement the garden. A local business sponsors the green space.

This one is my favorite; it's over the top! It's a popular picture spot now--I've seen gals put their heads on top of the dress form so it looks like they are wearing the dress.

Kwik-E-Mart

Chicago has one of only 12 "Kwik E Marts" in the country, we had to pay a visit to this Simpsons-themed 7/11! And it was a hoot. The 7/11 sign is covered up with the Kwik E Mart logo!

Bart & Milhouse sit atop the Kwik E Mart. Note the line to get inside--we were on our way out and got lucky with a short line.

Marge is out front, taking her groceries home and walking under the First Bank of Springfield sign.

A close-up of Marge Simpson.

Hey! It's the comic book guy!

Patrons waiting in line to buy some BUZZ cola!

Sadly, they were all out of Krusty-O's!

Mmm...Donuts! Homer's favorite pink with sprinkles.

Help! Let him out!

Poor Ralph Wiggum!

Maggie is guarding the donuts.

We had awesome Squishee's!

Mmm...Squishee! With novelty straws, of course.

Cops love donuts!

D'oh!

"Thank you, come again!"

Mmmm... DONUT!

Date Night

Dale and I had a date night last Saturday night. We headed downtown to Oysy, a very cool, modern sushi place. Dale has become nearly obsessed with sushi rolls in the last few months. It's his favorite thing! I'm actually almost sick of sushi. How can that be?

Anyway, Oysy was delish!

We then took a walk along Michigan Ave., where we saw an array of odd things (only some of which you'll see here). The oddities included butterflies twitterpating (and the one above, who mostly stuck to trying to hide from Dale's lens). We also saw Hare Krishnas singing and dancing on one side of the street (they had a good beat) and fresh-faced Amish gals singing for the Lord on the other side of the street. Very odd but both groups sounded lovely!

Near the Art Institute is a gorgeous garden featuring a water feature and a fountain, pictured above.

I thought the garden was especially beautiful. It felt like the sky was made of branches. So pretty and peaceful there--and right on the busiest shopping street in the city!

I'm a dork.

And we wandered past the reflecting pool at Millenium Park--a favorite stop of ours for people watching. Met a nice lady that was helping her daughter move into the city. Hope she had fun visiting all the Frank Lloyd Wright stuff we told her about. We spotted an adorable area where a couple on a big stage were teaching dance lessons for free and hundreds of couples were learning some traditional dance moves. It was great!

Finally, we saw the strangest thing: a line of port-a-potties burned to the ground (except the one of the right and three on the left end.

A gentleman walked up and Dale told him that the other ones were occupied but he could use this first one since it had three and a half walls. The guy jumped in after Dale said he'd capture the moment! Ha! Don't look at this one too closely or you might see more than you bargained for!

Oh, and the port-a-potties were in place because of the Taste of Chicago and related activities.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

I had quite the adventure this evening! My friend Anne had an extra ticket to Verdi's Requiem at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It was really a fun event and I'm so lucky to have made friends here in Chicago, especially those that afford me such lovely new experiences!

Click here to get a peak at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra hall. Sorry, no pics from me because they were not allowed. I could have cheated but I'm a good girl.

Friends Visit in Chicago

I had a nice weekend with friends from Michigan! Dale worked on Saturday so he didn't get to go to the park. Here's a glimpse of the weekend festivities:

Introducing Miss Maggie! This was my first chance to meet my dear friend Heather's baby girl and it was very exciting! She's quite a sweetheart and very well-mannered.

And here are the proud parents! Heather and Ryan. They are standing in front of the "bean"--a neat silver sculpture in downtown Chicago.

And there's the rest of the clan! That's Brent & Cindy and little Isabella--not even two years old! I had them stare into the bean! Ha!

Cindy and her son, Benn, play in the reflecting pool at the Millenium Park right next to the bean!

Benn was a little cranky in the big city but his mood improved when we got to the reflecting pool. It's a great place to people watch and to get your feet wet.

Or, if you're anything like Benn, you'll get your whole body wet when the fountain turns on!

Auntie Ree helps little Isabella. She was fascinated by the water and it was very cute. She seemed to take the reflecting pool quite seriously! She meant business.

Hey! Who's the huge dork doing a self-portrait? That's right, as usual, it's me.

Museum of Science & Industry Part 3

The Museum of Science & Insdustry has a massive model train set-up that shows how important rail is to the region and how it connects Chicago to the rest of the country. From the balcony, near the Boeing 727 exhibit, you can see the plane flying over the little city below. Too cute!

At street level the scaled-down Chicago is adorable!

Look at it! It goes on for miles. There are many landmark buildings and it gives a flavor of typical Chicago neighborhoods.

See the blue windows on the left side of the street? Those are meant to represent this building, which I talked about in this post!

Another shot of downtown Chicago! Trains are a very important part of life in Chicago. It sure makes it easier for us to get around.

We live on the Green Line. The trains represented in the Chicago model include the Green and Red Lines!

From the city, the trains spread out to the countryside, showing unusual terrain.

Trains move through the farm land! I LOVE this picture. It looks so charming and tiny!

From the balcony we got a shot of the spectacular bridge that separates the two sections of the model railroad.

Finally, we end up in Seattle! Isn't this cute? I've been to Seattle and it looks just like this! Ha!

Next time we go, I'm setting up the tripod and taking pictures of Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle! That was pretty awesome. Check it out here.

Museum of Science & Industry Part 2

In the Toy Making factory, you can watch a toy--called the Gravitron--as it makes its way from assembly to packaging. You can also have yours customized (we picked the name Monty but don't tell the other cats).

The museum of Science & Industry featured a huge selection of robot toys and a couple of bonuses--like the robot above. It's a Sentinel featured in the Matrix movies. Weird!

This is a model of a submarine launching a missile! Dale loved it because it was in plastic and the missile has cotton wrapped around the base to simulate the foam of the water. It was a neat little model.

The petroleum exhibit had a small room that illustrated the refinery process. Dale though the bubbles were neat!

Another great interactive opportunity! Dale got to ride a segway for the first time. He was super excited though the guide gal was a bit over protective.

More City Photos!

Things have been pretty quiet around Casa D&B! Nothing too exciting. Dale has been picking up photography assistanting gigs (which is pretty exciting in and of itself). I've been crazy insane busy at work, editing all of the company's 2008 calendars.