HOW I WORK OUT ON THE ROAD

1. Bring 10 minute workout DVD to work
2. Bring iBook to work
3. Set up iBook on trunk of car.
4. Go to favorite spot at Franklin Street close to the viaduct where the bums hang out. Beautiful park. Great view.
5. Proceed to do 10 minute Ballet Workout or the workout of choice.

As long as the workouts are standing workouts I can do them with the iBook set up on the trunk of the car. I bet I get some workout partners at the limo lot at O'Hare Airport pretty soon. I already have some O'Hare walking partners. People see me walking around the lot and they join me. One lap around the limos is a quarter mile so it is easy to tally my walks if I forgot my Nike + iPod.

No Shoes

I'm spoiled. I forgot to bring my running shoes with me today. Not just any shoes. My Nikes. I like to walk, and since I have so much down time, I bought myself a Nike+ iPod. There is a little transponder that fits in my shoe. A receiver plugs into my iPod. The Nike+ iPod keeps track of my distance, time, and calories. I can push a button while I am walking or running to get my stats read to me. Pretty cool. I can choose to hear a woman's voice or a man's voice. When I reach a new record, it congratulates me. This makes it lots of fun to walk. I still hear my music through the iPod.

I walked a couple of miles in my black shoes. But it just wasn't the same. I miss my Nike + iPod. Sigh.

Trump Tower and IBM Building

Trump Tower and IBM Building
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Trump Tower coming up

Trump Tower coming up
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

I've been watching Trump Tower come up over the last year or so. It dwarfs the Wrigley Building. Not sure if I like it or not. In typical Trump style, it is overbearing and flashy.

Thinking about a better camera

I'm sure these pictures would be better if I had another camera. The steps might be easier, too. How I do it now:

1. Download the pictures from the phone to the computer using BitPim.
2. Import the folder of photos into iPhoto.
3. Put the pictures on Flickr.
4. Upload to Blogger

I thought about using Picassa, but Picassa gets thumbs down from me. The cool features on the Picassa uploader aren't available for Mac.

Of course I would be much more prolific if it didn't involve so many steps. Any ideas, you guys?

Lady in the park

Lady in the park
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Conducting a heavenly orchestra in Grant Park.

Tents setting up for the Blues Festival, Grant Park, Chicago

Tents setting up for the Blues Festival, Grant Park, Chicago
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Chicago always seems to have something going on in the summertime. There were tents here as far as the eye can see!

New construction in Chicago

New construction in Chicago
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

This new puppy is coming up next to the Aon Insurance Building on Randolph Street. The Aon Building used to be the Standard Oil Building, then it was the Amoco Building. It never got to be the BP Building.

Something's coming up in front of Sears Tower.

New construction
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine
It's called The Legacy at Millennium Park -- a residential tower that will eventually be 819 feet of shiny glass. Thanks to the guy who found this picture where I posted it on Flickr. He left a comment letting me know what this building is. I just love it when y'all leave comments for me!

Who says Chicago isn't green?

Eco truck
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Sopraffina restaurant has a 100% green truck

Allium

Allium in Chicago
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Giant allium, which is in the onion family. It was taken in Millenium Park - the background is the Frank Gehry band shell walkway.

Remodeling

The house is starting to look nice. Here's my new fridge and stove. I love the ceramic tile in the kitchen. Just have to get the carpet people back for a few touches, get new door latches installed, and get a new kitchen counter and sink! I am really happy with it.

Pansies - Grant Park, Chicago

Pansies - Grant Park, Chicago
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Love the yin-yang in the middle

Chagall mosaic in Chicago

Chagall mosaic in Chicago
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

This mosaic by Marc Chagall is in front of the First National Bank building.

Swans and their little babies

Swans and their babies in Chicago
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

I was driving by a pond on the way to work this morning and just had to stop to see the new baby swans. This was in Franklin Park, near O'Hare airport in Chicago.