Top 10 Places You Have Never Been in Chicago

Destruction and a Jelly Belly Lion

2010-03-02T16:40:00.005-06:00

There's something that really attracts me about a building coming down, not sure what it is.

Did you know there's a Jelly Belly factory here? It barely counts as Chicago, because it is in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, about 45 minutes north. But I guess I'll let it squeak by. Did you also know that someone did a picture of the lion in front of the Art Institute of Chicago in..... you guessed it, Jelly Bellies.

Those are really Jelly Bellys. The jelly belly factory tour was sort of a meh experience. They don't actually MAKE the candy there, only distribute it. But they have one heck of an amazing outlet store.

Snowy Chicago Beach

2010-02-23T16:46:00.000-06:00

On a cold and snowy day in Chicago, I was at Montrose Beach watching the ice fishermen drill holes in the ice. They walk right out onto the abandoned boat slips, and sit on the ice in chairs with fishing poles in hand.

I came out to get a picture of the fishermen, and found out I would have had to walk out onto the ice to get it, so I faced south and got downtown for you, instead.

I've been painting!

2010-02-16T16:20:00.001-06:00

This is what I've been up to. Painting! This is a scene in Oregon. There were elks in the hills, and that incredibly gorgeous field of sunflowers and zinnias. I went to Oregon last summer with my son, and we had a most excellent adventure. Here are pictures of the painting in progress.

And I have been working on still lifes, too. But I still like painting landscapes the best.

2009-03-04T15:19:00.013-06:00

I'm having my lunch in the cafe at Dominick's, the grocery store on Roosevelt Road and Clark Streets in the city. From here I can see the Sears Tower, the tallest building in the United States. This is how it looks out the window where I'm sitting.

Lunch is good, deliciously fresh strawberries. Hey, they were on sale for $1.49 a pound. Some carrot sticks and soup from the deli round things out.

Here are some other pix I have taken lately.

The Wienermobile!

It was sitting in the parking lot at Target, unattended.

The wienermobile has a great smile

The King and Queen of Mardi Gras

2009-02-24T15:22:00.002-06:00

I saw these two lovelies today coming out of the Westin Hotel River North in Chicago. Their hands were laden with goodies to toss for Mardi Gras. Yes, we do celebrate Mardi Gras in Chicago. In fact, we'll take every possible opportunity to throw a giant party.

Soon it will be Saint Patrick's Day. The Chicago River will be dyed green, everyone is Irish for the day.

Of course, what Saint Patty's Day means to me, is it's time to plant the potatoes.

The Lady and the Flowers

2009-02-20T13:07:00.011-06:00

Here's the sweetheart who takes care of the beautiful flowers at Dominicks . The roses were $19.99 a dozen last week, and $9.99 a dozen this week. Maybe Cupid got $10.00 for each bouquet sold.

They're starting early with the tulips this year. Nothing like tulips and daffys to make me feel like spring when the thermometer says 19 degrees Fahrenheit.

Flowers in Winter

2009-02-18T11:56:00.003-06:00

Pretty flowers in a Dominicks, a grocery store in Chicago

Here they are from afar

More Shots of the City I Love

2009-02-14T11:38:00.011-06:00

Trump Tower is finally just about finished. From left; a bit of Marina City, IBM Tower, Trump, proudly flying, the Chicago and American Flags,

From left; Marina City (don't the twin buildings look like salt shakers, or corn cobs?) IBM Tower, Trump Tower

I Love You

2009-02-13T11:03:00.003-06:00

"I Love You"
"I'm Sorry"
"Please Forgive Me"
"Thank You"

Love seems to be the theme this week, with Valentine's Day coming up on Saturday. I was thinking how sad I was that I had no one to send a valentine to. Sad that I have nobody to spend Valentine's Day with. Then I realized that it was my own fault. It's really me I want to have a love affair with, if that makes any sense. So I can send a valentine to myself!

I came across this the, other day, and it just stopped me in my tracks. I create everything that happens in my life. By saying these four little sentences, to myself, to others, I can choose between love and fear. Ultimately, so much in my life boils down to a choice between love and fear. Today I choose LOVE!

"I Love You"

"I'm Sorry"

"Please Forgive Me"

"Thank You"

Magical words!

Happy Valentine's Day

There's Something about Rain and McDonald's

2009-02-11T14:45:00.007-06:00

There's something about a rainy day that makes me feel like snapping pictures. Gray and rainy, nothing to do but take pictures.

Sometimes I think I have a McDonald's obsession.
Okay, not just sometimes. And I don't just think it, I know it. I love McDonald's for breakfast. I order a side order of scrambled eggs. That's healthy enough, yes? A snack is from the dollar menu. They have a lovely yogurt and fruit parfait, delicious. And for a really decadent snack , the fries! The rock and roll Mc Donald's downtown Chicago has free parking and a fabulous view from the second floor, comfy furniture. There's a perennial garden planted, with flowering prairie plants and grasses. Oh, and did I mention free wi-fi? Maybe I can take a picture of every McDonald's in Chicago! Best of all, McDonald's has clean bathrooms.

Bathrooms are hugely important when you are a chauffeur. I am a bathroom connisseur. I can tell you which hotels have easy access bathrooms, which ones are luxurious, which ones are so so. One fancy hotel bathroom has a great nude painting of Orpheus. Some hotels are minimalist. One hotel looks like an Ikea store.

It's been rainy all day. On sunny days I never remember to take pictures. But on rainy days... well, you get the idea.

In Rosemont, Illinois, you can see a giant rose from the highway.

I never noticed that the Rosemont rose is next to a McDonald's.

Chicago in Winter

2009-02-09T12:01:00.002-06:00

Thank you all for the notes. It feels good to be missed! Today the snow is melting. Tomorrow is supposed to be warm, 60 degrees Farenheit. Next holiday after Valentine's Day is St. Patrick's Day. Which means it's almost time to plant the potatoes.

Pastoral Scene in Hinsdale, Illinois

Here's my balcony, all snowy and frosty

Frosty flowers on my balcony

It's About Time

2009-02-04T11:16:00.003-06:00

It's been a long long time since I have updated my blog. My apologies to you. Finally, after 12 long weeks, I am back at work driving around the Windy City. It feels great to be back!

From New Album 2/4/09 11:14 AM

The Cheesecake Factory downtown Chicago looks like there is a big copper fish hanging over the sign. What's with that?

Off for Awhile

2008-11-12T12:57:00.002-06:00

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile. My back has been giving me problems, and I am off work for awhile. The good thing is that my company has disability insurance, so I get paid while I heal. I've been knitting. Made a pink baby blanket for a friend's new little girl. I also am crocheting an afghan for my son. Driving must be really bad for my back. Not sure if the doctor will let me go back to work at all.

Pigeons Like Corn

2008-10-29T01:34:00.002-05:00

Pigeon likes the corn
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

In front of Stanley's Market in Chicago, there was at least one admirer of the fall display of Indian corn.

Pigeon Corn

2008-10-29T01:32:00.003-05:00

Pigeon Corn
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

There's a little visitor in the corner who really likes the Indian Corn

My Gardens

2008-10-12T16:28:00.007-05:00

For all of you out there who love gardens, here are some older pictures of mine. Click on the link above that says Gardens.
or
http://foxden.org/gallery/album22
And some Chicago flower gardens that I love:
http://foxden.org/gallery/album24
And some more shots of Chicago buildings:
http://foxden.org/gallery/album25

Chicago Owl

2008-10-08T04:20:00.002-05:00

Chicago Owl
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

As soon as I had a free minute when I was near O'Hare, I drove back to the woods. I was hoping to see the owl I disturbed yesterday, the owl that was in the old log I sat on to tie my shoe. At first I didn't see him. I sat on the old log I sat on yesterday to tie my shoe. No wild flapping like yesterday. I was disappointed. I got up to go home, when to my delight, there he was again. At first I didn't get too close.

I got a little braver, and moved in a little closer.

He was so cute, I just wanted to scritch him between the ears, like a cat.

I Saw an Owl

2008-10-06T15:53:00.007-05:00

I had an hour to spare when I was at O'Hare Airport today. I went for a walk in the neighboring woods. I sat on a big fallen tree trunk to tie my shoelace.

All of a sudden I heard wild flapping, and I saw what I thought was a hawk fly out. It sat on the ground and I saw the big round eyes and the cat ears. It was an owl. It let me get within a foot of it. I walked very slowly. It really did look just like a brown cat from the top. Same size, same ears. I talked to it softly, then walked away.

I've never seen an owl before -- it was really amazing. As I continued my walk I saw a deer with her fawn in the woods. Also not afraid of people, they just looked at me. This was within a mile of the second busiest airport in the world. I was impressed. The cool part was that the owl wasn't afraid of me -- I think it was curious about me.

STREET MAN

2008-10-01T13:07:00.006-05:00

I saw this guy sleeping on the street. He was selling the magazines he was laying on.

When he sat up, I gazed into his deep eyes. It looked like one eye was blind. But if only his eyes could speak -- what a story they would tell.

BUILDING VIEWED FROM BOTTUM UP

2008-10-01T12:47:00.001-05:00

Building from the bottom
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

I love taking pictures of buildings from the bottom

TRUMP BUILDING AND MARINA CITY

2008-10-01T12:46:00.001-05:00

Trump building and Marina City
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Here's Trump Tower coming up behind the corn cob -- Marina City -- and the IBM building

September 11th, 2008

2008-10-01T12:29:00.011-05:00

On September 11th, the building at 311 S. Wacker Drive in Chicago hung a big flag. As I went into the building to shoot the picture, I saw this amazing fountain and wanted to share it with you.

TRUMP ALMOST FINISHED

2008-10-01T12:24:00.002-05:00

Trump and Wrigley
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Trump Tower dwarfs the Wrigley Building on the right

DUDE LOOKS LIKE A LADY?

2008-10-01T12:09:00.005-05:00

Dude looks like a lady, originally uploaded by SandyJasmine.These mannequins have that androgynous 1970's David Bowie look

GUYS IN DRESSES?

2008-10-01T12:08:00.003-05:00

Guys in dresses, originally uploaded by SandyJasmine.I don't get it. Are they guys or girls?

New construction

2008-10-01T09:10:00.003-05:00

New construction
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

From left - New construction, Westin Hotel, Marina City, IBM Tower, Trump Tower

Rush Street coming down

2008-10-01T09:09:00.001-05:00

Rush Street coming down
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Some people call Rush Street the Viagra Triangle

More new construction in Chicago

2008-10-01T09:08:00.001-05:00

More new construction in Chicago
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

2008-09-25T16:25:00.001-05:00

I was in Madison, WI on Monday. Kalamazoo, MI today. The leaves are not turning here and Michigan, but in Madison the leaves are starting to blaze! In Madison sugar maples are orange red, the white ash and the honey locusts are brilliant yellow. And Crimson Queen Norway Maples are dark burgundy. In Chicago, only the honey locusts are starting to turn.

Sister from Holy Name Cathedral

2008-08-12T06:44:00.004-05:00

Beautiful sister! She also loves Stanley's--one of my favorite places to go during the day. Today I also found beautiful blueberries for 1.98 a quart.

Beautiful sister

2008-08-12T06:44:00.003-05:00

Beautiful sister
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Sister from Holy Name Cathedral at Stanley's Fruit Market on North Avenue. She was kind enough to pose for me.

Sheeba ate one of the sandwiches

2008-08-12T06:41:00.001-05:00

Sheeba ate one of the sandwiches
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Darn dog. I put a tarragon chicken sandwich on the table and came back a few minutes later to this.

After a long day's work as a barrista

2008-08-12T06:40:00.001-05:00

After a long day's work as a barrista
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Double headed dahlia

2008-08-12T06:39:00.003-05:00

Double headed dahlia
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

I grew these dahlias from seed. This one has a double headed flower! I have never seen that before.

Single flowered dahlia

2008-08-12T06:39:00.001-05:00

Single flowered dahlia
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

For comparison

Dieting vs. Anorexia

2008-08-12T05:25:00.003-05:00

Control. Feeling in control. Being in control of my body. Controlling my weight. Those words set off a lot of strong emotions for me.

A couple of years ago I watched a movie. Requiem for a Dream. I was taking diet pills at the time, and my daughter tsk tsked and showed me this film. It was about a 20ish son who was addicted to heroin and his girlfriend. The film compared the mother who was taking diet pills to the son who was on heroin. The mother got more addicted to diet pills and kept needing more and more pills to get the same effect. Her diet doctor was uncaring, and mostly cared about getting patients in and out the door quickly. The doctor prescribed more and more diet pills for the mother, even though she showed signs of detachment from reality. At the same time, the son and his girlfriend got more and more addicted to heroin, with some disturbing scenes of the girlfriend prostituting for drugs. The mom eventually lost it, and ended up unable to talk, in a state hospital with horror stories of its own.

I still think of that movie occasionally. It had a chilling effect on me. Of course, I was in denial that it could ever happen to me, at the time. In retrospect, it was happening to me. The pills had me short tempered and nasty. I didn't even notice.

Cool McDonalds

2008-08-07T12:23:00.002-05:00

Cool Mickey Dees
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Dig the clear plastic furniture. I love hanging out at this McDonalds. Free wi-fi, who could ask for more. This is the second floor.

Bridge at Wacker Drive

2008-08-07T12:22:00.001-05:00

Bridge at Wacker Drive
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Water Taxi just went under the bridge. This is the Chicago River.

Trump building coming up behind McDonalds

2008-08-07T12:20:00.002-05:00

Trump building coming up behind McDonalds
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

The Trump building is going to be one of the biggest in Chicago if not THE biggest. The hotel on the ground floor is magnificent. Want to stay there with me?

Barbed Wire

2008-08-07T12:19:00.001-05:00

Barbed Wire
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

I like the way this barbed wire looks with the plastic bags that got trapped in it. This is at the Howard El station between Evanston and Chicago.

Frowning tree

2008-08-04T22:26:00.001-05:00

Frowning tree
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

I did a double take when I saw this guy. He looks very foreboding with his Cyclops eye and frowny face.

Tofu Fajitas

2008-08-04T22:25:00.001-05:00

Tofu Fajitas
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

These were delicious. I made them tonight with packaged fajita seasoning. The peppers and onions I sauteed, then sprinkled with lime juice and reduced the sauce a little.

Me snoozing

2008-08-04T22:24:00.001-05:00

Me snoozing
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Oh heck, somebody found me sleeping on the job again.

Reflection

2008-08-04T22:22:00.001-05:00

Reflection
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Building reflected in another building. Check out the car on the right.

Hotel Burnham and a perfect summer

2008-07-25T16:57:00.011-05:00

The weather in Chicago has been nothing less than spectacular this summer. Right now it is 81 degrees with no humidity. I shot some cell phone pix by the Hotel Burnham. The cute doorman was nice enough to pose for me. The hotel is named for Daniel Burnham, the architect responsible for Chicago being surrounded by public parkland and green space by the lake for all to enjoy.

Daniel Burnham built this as an office building in 1895; four years after the Columbian Exposition that had him build what is now the Museum of Science and Industry and the Field Museum of Natural History. Originally one of the first office buildings in the loop, it is now a hotel, on the corner of Washington and State Streets, near the Marshall Fields clock.

Close up of gingerbread

I was standing in front of the Hotel Burnham and saw this building and clouds reflected in the building across the street, on the north side of Washington Street, at State Street.

Good Humor truck

2008-07-25T12:23:00.002-05:00

Good Humor truck
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

When I was a child, the Good Humor ice cream truck came by every night in the summer. We ran outside when we heard the bells jingle jingle jingle. Our Good Humor Man's name was Joe. He wore a sparkling white suit and cap.

Jesus plant

2008-07-25T12:22:00.002-05:00

Jesus plant
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

I took a double take when driving by this house. Is it just me, or does it look like Jesus on the cross?

Maple seed helicopter

2008-07-25T12:21:00.004-05:00

Maple seed helicopter
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Presidential Towers in background

Maple Seed Sculpture

2008-07-25T12:19:00.002-05:00

Sculpture in front of Dominicks
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

We used to throw the maple seeds up in the air and let them fall like helicopters. Okay, I admit it. I still get a thrill from throwing the seeds up in the air and watching them whirl down to the ground.

Flashing blue camera light

2008-07-21T12:32:00.001-05:00

Cop light on my walk
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

They have flashing blue light boxes in Chicago in high crime areas. I think they take pictures to discourage criminal behavior. I probably shouldn't walk in that neighborhood, but I do have Sheeba to protect me.

Hollyhocks, daylillies and ivy

2008-07-21T12:31:00.001-05:00

Hollyhocks, daylillies and ivy
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Love those hollyhocks. Later in the summer they get to buggy but now they're gorgeous.

My new couch and tables

2008-07-21T12:30:00.003-05:00

My new couch and tables
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Part of my new furniture

Trump tower getting big

2008-07-21T12:30:00.001-05:00

Trump tower getting big
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Trump's Tower in Chicago. The hotel on the ground floor is open. It's growing by leaps and bounds. Seen next to the Mies Van der Rohe IBM building.

Secret cameras

2008-07-21T12:02:00.005-05:00

I sure wish that I had a secret, invisible camera attached to me at all times. Then I could take pictures of anything, anytime I wanted. The way it would work; there would be a little squeeze ball, like the atomizer on the end of your grandma's perfume bottle. The squeeze ball would be attached to a tube to activate the camera button by air pressure.

Speaking of my grandma, here is a picture of my grandpa Ben Simmons, just like I remember him; Driving a big Cadillac, smoking a cigar, and talking to everyone in the back seat while driving.

Mario's Italian Lemonade

2008-07-03T00:03:00.007-05:00

Mario's Italian Lemonade
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Taylor Street, Chicago's Little Italy. Mario's Italian Ice -- a Chicago legend.

Table with mangos and artichokes

2008-07-02T23:53:00.001-05:00

Table with mangos and artichokes
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

My new kitchen table and chairs. The paper said 45 minutes. HAH. It took me two hours to put the thing together. I love it.

2008-06-24T10:55:00.008-05:00

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

2008-06-23T08:34:00.003-05:00

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

2008-06-22T17:50:00.002-05:00

Trump Tower and IBM Building
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Trump Tower coming up

2008-06-22T17:49:00.001-05:00

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

2008-06-22T16:46:00.005-05:00

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

2008-06-19T12:12:00.002-05:00

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

2008-06-19T12:10:00.001-05:00

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

2008-06-19T07:26:00.002-05:00

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.

2008-06-19T07:23:00.003-05:00

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?

2008-06-19T07:21:00.001-05:00

Eco truck
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Sopraffina restaurant has a 100% green truck

Allium

2008-06-19T07:19:00.002-05:00

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

2008-06-17T16:22:00.002-05:00

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

2008-06-17T16:21:00.001-05:00

Pansies - Grant Park, Chicago
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Love the yin-yang in the middle

Chagall mosaic in Chicago

2008-06-17T16:20:00.001-05:00

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

2008-06-17T16:19:00.001-05:00

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.

New Photos

2008-05-15T15:44:00.004-05:00

Too lazy to post them here, but I put a bunch of new pictures on Flickr http://flickr.com/photos/sandyjasmine/ . I don't know what it is about cloudy days that makes me want to take pictures.

I'm dreading going home. A new kitchen floor is going in today. One installer wanted to start with a chalk line in the center of the room and start laying the tile in the center. Makes sense to me. The other guy won. He started in a corner. I hope we don't end up with a crooked line at the end.

My remodeling is about half done. All the nasty old wallpaper is out. The fuzzy junk and the mirror stuff, too. The walls look great. I got an antique white - it's sort of a cream color. I have new light fixtures in the whole house. New door handles are coming next, and all new outlets and switches.

I have the courage up to go home and check the floor, so I better stop writing in case I chicken out again.

Frank Gehry bandshell

2008-05-15T15:40:00.001-05:00

Frank Gehry bandshell
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

See the curly metal thingie? That's Frank Gehry's band shell downtown Chicago. The acoustics are amazing! I like to watch the symphony rehearse during the daytime in their shirtsleeves. The Prudential building, right behind the band shell, was once the second tallest building in the world, the first being the Empire State Building in New York.

Fast foo

2008-05-07T09:14:00.002-05:00

Fast foo
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

I want fast foo

Test

2008-05-06T11:26:00.002-05:00

Test
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Our old house in Deerfield, Illinois. We just loved that old magnolia tree.

Little faces

2008-05-01T13:08:00.001-05:00

Little faces
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

As I zoomed in to get a closeup of this lovely Gold Coast garden, I saw two little white faces in the window checking me out.

Gold Coast garden

2008-05-01T13:07:00.001-05:00

Gold Coast garden
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

I came across this lovely brownstone garden as I was walking in Chicago

Harold's Chicken Shack #62

2008-05-01T13:03:00.001-05:00

Harold's Chicken Shack #62
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Harold's Chicken is a Chicago institution

The Late 1960's

2008-03-13T21:48:00.005-05:00

Does anyone besides me remember the Electric Theater? Later on, it was renamed the Kinetic Playground. It was on Clark Street near Lawrence Avenue. I saw the most amazing shows there in 1969 or so. The Who played Tommy there before the album came out. I remember seeing The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Alice Cooper. What a magical year for music. Joni Mitchell played a little hall at Northwestern University, as did the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin. I also saw Joe Cocker at the Aragon Ballroom, and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young at the Auditorium Theater. Amazing acoustics! Also at the Auditorium, the bands Yes, and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, both on the same night. There was also a hall called the Chicago Ampitheater, but the only band I remember seeing there was Jethro Tull. My gosh, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention played at Ravinia, of all places. Ravinia is an outdoor summer music venue that mostly features the Chicago Symphony. Frank Zappa was awesome. I tried to describe the late 60's to my kids. I told them to picture someone smoking a joint in New York, then passing it to someone in Chicago, who passed it to someone in California. In case you're wondering, I don't use drugs now. I outgrew them by the time I hit my 20s. The late 60's was a magical time. Or does everyone feel that for their late teen years?

What IS that thing?

2008-03-12T14:20:00.001-05:00

What IS that thing?
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

????

It's getting closer

2008-03-12T13:19:00.001-05:00

It's getting closer
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Your guess is as good as mine.

Aha, it's a PORTA POTTY!!!!

2008-03-12T13:18:00.002-05:00

Aha, it's a PORTA POTTY!!!!
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Two dangling porta potties, actually

Fool The Eye Building

2008-03-12T13:17:00.001-05:00

Fool The Eye Building
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Fool the Eye Building

2008-03-12T13:15:00.003-05:00

Fool the Eye Building
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

What happened to our road show business?

2008-02-05T05:11:00.000-06:00

Whomp, the sub prime mortgage mess hits, and all our private equity guys disappear. Does that mean the financing dried up? I haven't seen any analysts lately, either. The analysts come out to give the big financial institutions the scoop on whatever their sector is; say software, metals, whatever people are invested in. Our business sucks, maybe partly due to crappy winter weather. Maybe the first thing to go, to cut costs, is the car service.

Just did today's exercise:
Yoga
Mini-trampoline
Treadmill

One more cup of tea for the road

2008-02-04T03:07:00.001-06:00

Ugh, one of the NOT perks of my job is leaving the house at in insane hour on Monday mornings. I keep the Cadillac at home Monday through Friday. But on the weekends I bring my own car home. Vinnie kindly gives me starting trips near my house, which is 30 miles from the freaking office where I have to pick up the Cadillac. He always forgets that I don't have the car at home on Mondays. I have a 6:30 pickup today. Which is bad enough, but I have to leave my house at 4:30 for a ride 10 minutes from my house because I have to go get the( %*#)_@ car. Grumble done.

It's 3:15 in the morning. One more cup of tea. Then one hour of working out. Fifteen minutes to shower and do my hair. Today's workout will be: 10 minutes mini-trampoline. 20 minutes treadmill. 30 minutes aerobic ball workout. My leg and back are much better. I saw a sports medicine doctor. After two months of two to three times a week at the chiropractor doing nothing at all to help, the sports medicine doctor gave me Prednisone. After 6 days on the medication I have no more pain. I feel great. Counting my blessings today. I am thrilled that I have the good health and ability to pound my workouts. Yes, in counting my blessings, I am grateful to the universe that my life is so full of goodness.

Bored in Indiana

2008-01-23T18:06:00.000-06:00

Bored in Indiana. The thing about Notre Dame is that the town looks exactly the same as Milwaukee. Which looks exactly the same as Madison. Which looks exactly the same as Indianapolis. I grew up in a college town, Evanston, Illinois. It was pretty sophisticated and cosmopolitan. I can't find anything to do here. Mommmmmy, I'm borrrrrrrred.

TREADING WATER

2008-01-16T11:12:00.000-06:00

These are the lessons I must have needed to learn today:
1. WHEN THE STUDENT IS READY, THE TEACHER APPEARS

I just met a homeless guy at Starbucks in Old Town. He was the most amazing artist. This guy was drawing highly detailed and colored cartoons. He handed me his book and let me flip through it. I was highly impressed. He told me he had sold a few books. I suggested to him that he give some of his work away. He looked shocked, and said that he couldn't do that. I explained further, that he could give some of his work away free on the internet. Just start a website with free comics people can read, then set up a PayPal account to take donations. Then he could make snippets of his other comics to sell. He said he would open a checking account so he can take PayPal. Wow, I'm great at thinking up ideas for other people, why can't I do this for myself?

2. GIVE IT AWAY

Giving it away is something I have been thinging about a lot lately. My entrepreneurial self wants desperately to get back into business for myself. Winter time is my natural time for incubating ideas. I am looking for the right idea, the right thing to give away to attract business.

3. NEGATIVITY IS WHAT KEEPS ME IN A PRISON

The homeless artist started talking about why he was homeless. It was a lesson I needed to learn today He was homeless because he was carrying the paychecks for his boss, and he found out that someone had less seniority than he did and was making more money. That wasn't fair. Also, the price of apartments is too expensive. And you have to have two jobs just to afford the rent. I couldn't even answer. I just nodded. I realized that when I get to talking negatively about things in my life, all it attracts to me is negativity. Nothingness. Negativity keeps me imprisoned in a box of negativity

My spirit guide has been talking to me lately. I know you are going to think I am nuts for saying I have a spirit guide, but I do. This is what he has been telling me.

TREADING WATER: I have been treading water for quite some time. Neither moving here, nor there. I am in a state of limbo, waiting for my life to happen.

I AM THE CHOREOGRAPHER OF MY OWN LIFE
God helps implement the plan, but I have to come up with the ideas. I have to create the design.

EVERYTHING IN LIFE BOILS DOWN TO A CHOICE BETWEEN LOVE AND FEAR
--Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them. (Thoreau)
So, do I want to keep on treading water? Or is it time to swim?

The Dentist's Accountant

2008-01-14T03:27:00.002-06:00

The dentist's accountant
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

An accountant for dentists? Seen near the University of Chicago in a strip mall.

Beautiful church

2008-01-14T03:26:00.001-06:00

Beautiful church
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Hyde Park, Chicago, Yes, Chicago has a Hyde Park, too. The area around the University of Chicago has lots of gorgeous churches.

Friendly church

2008-01-14T03:24:00.001-06:00

Friendly church
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

This church is in Hyde Park near the University of Chicago

Frank Lloyd Wright house

2008-01-14T03:23:00.001-06:00

Frank Lloyd Wright house
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Robie House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is across the street from the University of Chicago's business school

Shikago

2008-01-14T03:22:00.001-06:00

Shikago
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

New restauran at 190 S. LaSalle Street. Finally someone pronnounces it right. Well, actually it should be Shi-Kaw-Go. They forgot the "w".

Chicago buildings from the bottom

2008-01-14T03:21:00.001-06:00

Chicago buildings from the bottom
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

Looking up from the bottom, I am humbled by the sheer size of these buildings

President Bush in Chicago

2008-01-07T13:35:00.000-06:00

I watched Air Force One land at O'Hare Airport this morning. Whenever President Bush flies into Chicago from the airport in a helicopter, he has two helicopters surrounding his helicopter. All other air traffic is stopped.

It seems like President Bush may be taking elocution lessons. Although, he did say that to improve the economy, we should using nuk-u-lure energy power. Bush spoke today at a school about the success of his No Child Left Behind program. Then he spoke to a group about the economy. I didn't quite get what he said, (as usual) although an analogy to Winston Churchill was fairly funny. Bush said that Churchill was known for what he did for the English language, while he (Bush) was know for what he did to the English language.

Me with the band

2008-01-04T12:09:00.001-06:00

Me with the band
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

I asked the jazz band playing holiday favorites at Midway Airport if I could take their picture. They asked ME to be in the picture :)

Chicago, We're Glad You're Here!

2008-01-04T12:07:00.001-06:00

Chicago, We're Glad You're Here!
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

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

2008-01-04T12:02:00.001-06:00

Band performing at Midway Airport
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

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.

Random bowling team

2008-01-04T12:01:00.001-06:00

Random bowling team
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

At Midway Airport, in Chicago a girls bowling team posed for me

Leaning Tower at the YMCA Chicago

2008-01-04T12:00:00.001-06:00

Leaning Tower at the YMCA Chicago
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

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.