These two were coming out of the Westin River North, Chicago. Their hands were laden with goodies to toss for Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras in Chicago. Any party is all right by me.
Originally posted February 4, 2009
Showing posts with label Westin River North Hotel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Westin River North Hotel. Show all posts
Thursday, June 28, 2012
The King and Queen of Mardi Gras
These two were coming out of the Westin River North, Chicago. Their hands were laden with goodies to toss for Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras in Chicago. Any party is all right by me.
Originally posted February 4, 2009
Friday, January 4, 2008
Chicago, We're Glad You're Here!
I was bored, it was the day before Christmas Eve. I had to meet a customer at Midway Airport. Everyone was in a festive mood, and there were bands playing, and Christmas trees decorated with music notes. If you're ever at Midway Airport, they have great food from authentic Chicago local favorite restaurants. Be sure to get yourself some food to take on the plane. When I visit my son in California, I like to take him a corned beef on rye with mustard and amazing lightly dilled pickles from Manny's Deli. Manny's on Roosevelt Road is an institution in Chicago. Everyone from cops to the brokers from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade visits Manny's. (Wow, Manny's should pay me for this plug)
Band performing at Midway Airport
These guys were so good. There were bands playing at Midway Airport during December. I asked them to play Take 5, and the chops just rolled off their instruments like honey.
Leaning Tower at the YMCA Chicago
Chicago has its own leaning tower and it's all gussied up for Christmas. It really is the Leaning Tower YMCA, in Niles, Illinois, I swear it.
Chicago flag and crane
The Chicago city bird appears to be the building crane. Don't tell anyone there is a building slump in Chicago, just count the cranes in the sky!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Chicago Bulls Official Movers
Official mover to the Chicago Bulls basketball team! He was so happy that I asked him if I could take a picture of his car, he had me send the picture to his boss.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Rainy day in Chicago
Nothing to do on this rainy day, but listen to XM Radio in the car and knit scarves. I love that XM has six different holiday music stations. I am switching between hysterically stupid "Special XMAS," and traditional, and classical, and Chanukah music.
I am looking forward to midnight mass. I always wonder if I appreciate Christmas so much because I was born Jewish. Although I had a wonderful childhood, I felt deprived of Christmas as a kid. The whole world had Christmas. I felt like I was peeking in the window, looking in on something wonderful that everyone else had.
Brown horse in front of the water tower, Chicago.
Horse and carriage in Chicago, behind the old water tower.
Michigan Avenue lights, Chicago.
Fooling around with the Mac Book.
I am looking forward to midnight mass. I always wonder if I appreciate Christmas so much because I was born Jewish. Although I had a wonderful childhood, I felt deprived of Christmas as a kid. The whole world had Christmas. I felt like I was peeking in the window, looking in on something wonderful that everyone else had.
Brown horse in front of the water tower, Chicago.
Horse and carriage in Chicago, behind the old water tower.
Michigan Avenue lights, Chicago.
Fooling around with the Mac Book.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
The White City
Did you ever read the book, "Devil in the White City?"
It was a murder mystery set in Chicago around the time of the Columbian Exposition in the 1890s. The White City was the Museum of Science and Industry, originally built to house the Columbian Exposition.
The Ferris Wheel had its debut at this World's Fair. As did the first affordable portable camera.
Here are the ladies that have so graciously held up the museum with their heads for the past 114 years. The Art Deco building is cool and stately. The inside of the museum reminds me of the set for The Wizard of Oz.
Now the Museum of Science of Industry, the main building of the 1893 World's Fair.
I can picture the gypsies camping here in 1893, just like in the book.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Adventures in Driving
The best part of my job is learning people's stories. What they do. Who they are. What kind of businesses they are in. What their dreams are.
I occasionally drive famous people around. **Disclaimer. I swear to Pete that I will NOT mention your name, what you do, or anything identifying about you!** I wish I could, but I can't really mention any names. Usually they are really nice. I can only remember one that was a little ditzy, a young actress/singer. If her manager and her called each other Dude one more time.... well, let's just say it was annoying. CEOs are in general, charming, down to earth acting people. Come to think of it, I guess that's why they get hired.
I have so much fun doing what I do. My goal is to make the trip go so smoothly that there is no stress at all for the people I am driving. The perfect trip. On time. Clean Car. I offer to pick up lunches, send faxes, run errands, or whatever when my customers are in their meetings. They love that. They feel very taken care of. I guess it feels like Mom is driving them around.
Today is one of those fun days when I drive someone and don't have to pick them up for five hours, but I still get paid for the whole time. A CEO of a very big company flew in, I picked him up to give a speech at university. I will take him back to the plane later. I am driving the big Cadillac Escalade SUV.
Tomorrow and Friday I will drive some folks from London that are here to shop. I really look forward to when they come into town. They are more like my friends than my customers. I get to drive the big business class van. The fun is finding a place to park it near my house. I can't fit it into the garage. The Brits love to make fun of my strong Chicago accent. They like the way I say my name; Seaaaaandy. And while we are at it, I live in Chi-Kaw-Go, not in Chi-kah-go.
I like driving the Cadillac sedan the best. First of all it only has 350 miles on it. Second, you guessed it, XM Radio. The XM subscription ran out on the Escalade. I miss my 1940s music and my bluegrass station. Ooh, and Deep Tracks. I love that one.
Time to go for a walk. I need some exercise. I have time to get a few miles in. I am in a walking challenge, on BuddySlim. http://www.weight-loss-forums.buddyslim.com/fitness-challenge/2532-new-years-eve-walking-challenge.html
I need to get in 130 miles by New Years Eve!
On Buddy Slim I am known as Jasmyn. I wrenched my back and hip, running. I hope my hip and back get better in time for me to do 130 miles. I only started running a few months ago. I went the the Chiropractor, and she has me feeling much better. Dr. Heather if you are reading this, you are a genious! I can't wait to start running again.
I occasionally drive famous people around. **Disclaimer. I swear to Pete that I will NOT mention your name, what you do, or anything identifying about you!** I wish I could, but I can't really mention any names. Usually they are really nice. I can only remember one that was a little ditzy, a young actress/singer. If her manager and her called each other Dude one more time.... well, let's just say it was annoying. CEOs are in general, charming, down to earth acting people. Come to think of it, I guess that's why they get hired.
I have so much fun doing what I do. My goal is to make the trip go so smoothly that there is no stress at all for the people I am driving. The perfect trip. On time. Clean Car. I offer to pick up lunches, send faxes, run errands, or whatever when my customers are in their meetings. They love that. They feel very taken care of. I guess it feels like Mom is driving them around.
Today is one of those fun days when I drive someone and don't have to pick them up for five hours, but I still get paid for the whole time. A CEO of a very big company flew in, I picked him up to give a speech at university. I will take him back to the plane later. I am driving the big Cadillac Escalade SUV.
Tomorrow and Friday I will drive some folks from London that are here to shop. I really look forward to when they come into town. They are more like my friends than my customers. I get to drive the big business class van. The fun is finding a place to park it near my house. I can't fit it into the garage. The Brits love to make fun of my strong Chicago accent. They like the way I say my name; Seaaaaandy. And while we are at it, I live in Chi-Kaw-Go, not in Chi-kah-go.
I like driving the Cadillac sedan the best. First of all it only has 350 miles on it. Second, you guessed it, XM Radio. The XM subscription ran out on the Escalade. I miss my 1940s music and my bluegrass station. Ooh, and Deep Tracks. I love that one.
Time to go for a walk. I need some exercise. I have time to get a few miles in. I am in a walking challenge, on BuddySlim. http://www.weight-loss-forums.buddyslim.com/fitness-challenge/2532-new-years-eve-walking-challenge.html
I need to get in 130 miles by New Years Eve!
On Buddy Slim I am known as Jasmyn. I wrenched my back and hip, running. I hope my hip and back get better in time for me to do 130 miles. I only started running a few months ago. I went the the Chiropractor, and she has me feeling much better. Dr. Heather if you are reading this, you are a genious! I can't wait to start running again.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
What do you do with cram berries? Uhhhhh :)
Sandy's Market News:
Truth be told, I am a serial grocery shopper. It seems like every ethnic neighborhood I go to has some great little market for fresh produce.
I just love to cook. Usually the trunk of my car has at least one bag of fresh vegetables and fruit.
I see some very interesting signs!
"Mr. ethnic grocery store owner I want my vegetables fresh all day. Got that?" And while we are on the subject of food, I like it really fresh. All day. Not just in the morning, not just in the evening, all day. Got that?
All Day Freshness
Aww Nuts, I wanted peas
There are flowers still blooming in Chicago. Not for long, though, it was in the 30s today. And later it got sunny.
The stock market went up. Any correlation?
I just love to cook. Usually the trunk of my car has at least one bag of fresh vegetables and fruit.
I see some very interesting signs!
"Mr. ethnic grocery store owner I want my vegetables fresh all day. Got that?" And while we are on the subject of food, I like it really fresh. All day. Not just in the morning, not just in the evening, all day. Got that?
All Day Freshness
Aww Nuts, I wanted peas
There are flowers still blooming in Chicago. Not for long, though, it was in the 30s today. And later it got sunny.
The stock market went up. Any correlation?
Chicago early in the morning
It's a quarter after 6 in the morning and it is still dark out. My XM
Radio of the day is Radio 
Disney.
Not all of the stations are working today. Bah humbug, it's too early for Christmas music.Time fade....It's now 8 in the morning and the sun still isn't up. By far, the funniest comment of the day came from a gasoline truck driver who was filling up the pumps at the gas station.
Me:"Wow, it's crowded today, they must be giving away free gas."
Truck driver: "You don't want my opinion, do you?"
Me: "Sure."
Truck driver:
"Too many a**holes, not enough asphalt
Me: "Ohh.... hahaha"
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The bobble-head doggie guy at U.S. Highway 55 and Cicero, Chicago
Guy selling bobble head dogs: "Two for five bucks". "You don't have five bucks? How about two?" "No? You got a dollar?" Me: "Sorry, I really don't have any cash, only plastic. But thanks for letting me take your picture."
There are always several people working this busy corner on the way to Midway Airport in Chicago. Well, more than several, actually. Usually at least six. On one corner is the "Homeless please help" sign guy with the pleading eyes. On the other corner is a woman who says her car broke down with her kids in it. The only thing, is it is the same people begging every day. It's very well choreographed, and I wonder what penalty they pay for trespassing on someone else's corner turf.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)