Chicago

I’m back from Chicago. Had a good time there, I like the city. I did alright with my first taste of cold in quite a few years. Living with the wind in my face for years in Alberta meant that Chicago winter was a piece of cake. Chicago actually reminded me a lot of Calgary. The weather, city layout, trails/parks around the water, and even avoiding green goose crap on the sidewalk seemed very familiar.

We flew into Midway and rode the Orange line into town. I’m not sure why everyone hates Midway, seemed just fine to me, and the train ride was fast and cheap (subway/L is $1.75). We stayed at the Hilton near the water, were treated like shit the first night, and put up in a smoking floor/room because we were “priceline customers”. Not fun. The next day we talked to Jerry, the MAN. He hooked us up with a swanky room and was the definition of outstanding customer service. Funny how one person can change your experience so completely.

That day we wandered around the city and did some sight seeing. I had really wanted to check out the bean, but it was covered up with a big white tent. The glass projection block things were only half working as well. Ah well, the bridge at Millennium Park was still cool.

We walked up the loop and then continued up to the Mag-Mile. I love Chicago architecture. I have always been a fan of 30’s deco/futurism style, and Chicago has plenty of it. We continued on the tourist theme, had dinner at Lou Malnatis, and went up the Hancock Observatory.

The next morning we went to the Gospel Brunch at HoB. I was a good time. Decent food, and the choir was fun. Then we spent most of the day at the Art Institute. Really great museum. Who would have thought paper weights would make an interesting collection. Or that miniature houses would be so cool?

Monday I had to bust out my had, as it snowed all day. I had lunch at the old Marshal Fields building, then spent the afternoon at the Field Museum. Then was time to check out the deep-dish at Gino’s East. Good stuff, but twice the price of Lou’s. Then I hopped the train back to Midway with my leftover Pizza for the plane. I’m sure half of the subway wanted to mug me for a slice. Once on the plane with my little treasure I learned that, unlike NY style, deep-dish makes for horrible cold pizza. Mind you, it was still worlds better than snack pack crap they were handing out.

DIY Projector

Tom’s Hardware has an interesting guide up; Build Your Own XGA Projector. For around 300 bucks you can get a 15″ LCD, tear it apart, and put it on a used overhead projector. Tempting, but I worry about power consumption. Our rent is a very good deal and we don’t pay for utilities, so I am always hesitant to add anything that sucks power. Other information avaialable at DIYProjectorCompany.com, diyAudio.com, and avsforum.com

Francois Lake

Looking at my visited countries map:

It would seem I need to get my ass off this continent for my next travels. However with Chicago, NYC, and Williams Lake lined up, I don’t see that happening soon.

I am going to spend a week or two in Williams Lake with family, and hopefully have enough time to head up to my family’s cabin on Francois Lake. In the 40’s and 50’s my grandfather ran a hunting & fishing lodge, catering mostly to wealthy americans (interestingly enough, my other grandparents also depended on american tourists – they ran a cafe/truck stop/tackle shop). It was not an easy or consistent way to make a living. My grandfather eventually joined the forest service and they moved to the coast. He loved the cabin and wanted to retire there. Sadly a stroke and MS crippled his body, he was unable to make it up to the cabin in the later years of his life.

I grew up living not far from the cabin, so we tried to spend a few weeks of the year there. The community that existed around the lake when my father was a boy had long since vanished. The lake now is mostly german vacation homes and some ranches. But there are a few full-timers hanging on. I still love the cabin. The wilds and rotten buildings were the perfect place for a kid, and I was fascinated by the tiny traces of history I would find. Islands, old signs, papers, and bits of life were treasures waiting to be found. Considering my fascination, it is surprising I didn’t go into archeology or join the forrest service. Funny how things work out.

I posted some older photos of the cabin here.

Rain, jazz, and LCDs

Anna, Pete, Paul, and I splurged and went to Brockton Villa for breakfast on Sunday. Coast toast is damned good (imagine French toast souffle). It was funny, I had never seen the cliffs of the cove look so brown. All of the guano has been washed off. Of course with La Jolla drainage, that meant there were some street rivers and some mud slides.

I get to miss a bit of the rain, though Monday is supposed to be an even bigger storm. I will be coming back that night from Chicago. Anna has biz out there, so I am going out for the weekend. It will be my first time in the windy city, (4th in the airport) and I am excited to check it out.

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I just donated some moolah to the guy that runs Sabadabada. He has been hosting his record collection of 60’s Brazilian jazz/pop. I love the stuff and can’t get enough of it.

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I am so tempted to get a Dell 20″ LCD screen. They are $506 after rebates. Of course, that means buying a new vid card and other crap, so I think I will hold off until their new 24″ LCD goes on super sale.