I've lived in the city proper for over 15 years and the skyline is still awe-inspiring to me. Earlier this week, I went to an event at 360 Chicago, which is the observation deck on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Building. The views were unreal!
I took about 50 photos that night. Here is a very small sampling of daytime/nighttime contrast shots:
 |
| South-facing skyline view |
 |
| Northbound view of Lake Shore Drive |
 |
| Scenes from the Tilt, which allows folks to "lean over" and view the skyline from an outwards/downward angle. It was a very cool experience! |
I love being a tourist in my own hometown!
Days go by and still I think of this...
At the 360 event, the DJ played the song from that old Mitsubishi commercial (do any of you guys remember it?):
It's hard to believe that Mitsubishi commercial came out 13 years ago! Back in those days, I wanted to drive an Eclipse. One of my friends used to have one. Whenever I sat in the passenger seat, I felt the urge to imitate the woman's dance. =D
There's a new snack in my desk drawer.
I've got a new affinity with snacking on jerky. The combination of saltiness plus protein = Pure Addiction 101.
I just bought a big box of jerky in pretty much every flavor I could find.
Maybe because I'm paying attention now, I'm hearing about lots of recipes which use jerky. E.g., jerky tomato sauce, jerky-scallion flatbread, mixing chopped jerky into scrambled eggs to make a pumped-up breakfast burrito, etc., etc., etc. Yum, yum, and yum!
If anyone has other recipes with jerky as an ingredient, please share!
The 8K eludes me.
I mentioned here that I was desperately seeking another 8K PR attempt, and couldn't wait to sign up for the PAWS Run For Their Lives 8K in June.
Unfortunately, the PAWS organizers just announced the race distance has been changed to a 5K this year.
NOOO!
And so the search continues...
It's almost playoff time!!!
I am both ready and not ready for the NHL playoffs to begin next Wednesday. For some teams, the fight for playoff position is going to go down to the wire. It will be riveting to see how the drama unfolds.
In accordance with annual tradition, my fourth edition of Spin the Hockey Brackets is coming soon to my blog near you!
Extremely serious contemplation has already taken place on which team will command my top pick this year.
 |
| Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane, aka Breadman and Showtime |
I will share my predictions starting early next week. As usual, I am ready if and when you all want to let me how wrong you think I am. Game on!
In the meantime, I simply had to share this ridiculously adorable GIF of Kaner and Joey the Junior Reporter. It is too cute for words!
--
Linking up with Amanda's Thinking Out Loud Thursdays.
My team is going down to the wire. They had a big win last night, but they have another big game tonight. The NHL can't space these out?
ReplyDeleteI watched the Red Wings play last night! I am pulling for them to make the playoffs (and please realize this means a lot coming from a Blackhawks fan =) )! I couldn't agree with you more on the NHL's scheduling fiascos. They create some enormous conundrums. #FireGaryBettman
DeleteI've noticed the trend where some older races make the race distance shorter. Likely because the shorter the race, the more people who sign up (especially walkers). That 8k course map is insane. I think I counted over 25 turns! I'd probably get dizzy running that race by the 5k mark. Definitely not a PR course! :)
ReplyDeleteAgreed - one of the most fun races I ever ran, the Home Team Charity Run, started out as a 10K between the United Center and US Cellular Field. Then, they added a 5K so they could accommodate more people - but this meant changing the course to just run the neighborhood around US Cellular. It took all the fun out of the theme! Now the race is defunct. =( The PAWS race is definitely more geared towards the charitable cause versus runners achieving goals, so it's not surprising. Sigh.
DeleteYes, I am dizzy just looking at the 8K course map, let alone running it. =D
I hade an Eclipse when I was in high school. I loved driving that car! The Chicago skyline looks so cool to view. I have never been and would like to travel there someday. It's fun to be a tourist in your own city.I lived in Va Beach for a few yrs and it was fun playing tourist.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - how cool that you used to have an Eclipse! It looks like such a fun, sporty car to drive. You must have turned a lot of heads driving that car. =) Yes, come to Chicago and visit! I would love to show you around my hometown!!! I've never been to Virginia Beach proper - but I've seen so many gorgeous pictures of the pier. I'm hoping to visit there someday soon, maybe for RnR Virginia Beach???
DeleteI used to have that Dirty Vegas song on my running playlist. Years ago! You brought back memories!
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad that the 8k was cut to a 5k. But you know what REALLY bugs me? When races like the CARA 10 miler add a 5k. A lot of halfs do that too. Can't we just do our long distance and have the course to ourselves?
Ahhh, Wendy, we have very similar music tastes! =D Are you going to think about bringing it back to your current playlist, too?
DeleteYES on the CARA 10 and half marathons that add a 5K. I get that they want to draw as much participation as possible, but it is frustrating for the longer-distance runners. Although, I guess I am being a little hypocritical because I've done several half marathons where they offered both the full and the half (e.g. Wisconsin, RnR DC, Prairie State, Pittsburgh) - and now I wonder how much the full marathoners got annoyed with us half-ers. Oops! =D
That 8k course map...WOW that is a lot of turns! OH the NHL playoffs. Not very excited about the Wilds chances this year. Got into the playoffs on a losing streakWe win 4 in a row, then lose 4 in a row. Its getting kind of old. Hoping we pull it together but it would definitely be a tough road.
ReplyDeleteThe Chicago skyline is definitely a great one. I miss it
Isn't that 8K course map dizzying? I thought it was a joke when I first saw it! That must have been quite the challenge to measure and certify! You never know what's going to happen in the playoffs - it's a whole new season. The regular season is meaningless come playoff time. =)
DeleteSo excited for you to visit in Chicago to run RnR in July!!! It will be so good to see you!!!
I love the views from the Hancock, too! I don't know how anyone could tire of it. So amazing.
ReplyDeleteJust remember to swallow to help your ears pop on the ride up. ;-)
We were talking about the employees who work at the observation deck, wondering if they get tired of it since they see it day after day after day? YES on swallowing to clear the ears during the elevator ride. Chewing gum helps a lot, yes?
DeleteHm ... good question. Though if you work there, maybe you're busy doing other things and not so much taking in the view.
DeleteYes - GUM! That too!
It's unfortunate when work gets into the way of enjoying the merriment around you, yes? =) I've always wondered if Disney employees get tired of Disney since they are surrounded by it all day long? I digress...
DeleteI'm always amazed by the skyline - that's never gotten old for me! And the John Hancock does have some of the best views! The lounge is one of my favorite places to take people visiting from out of town.
ReplyDeleteThat 8k route is NUTS! It's too bad PAWS didn't just add a shorter race to the existing 8k, like a 1 mile walk or something (since Pete's suggestion about attracting more walkers is probably right-on). There's SO many 5ks out there already, I don't think the area really needs more.
Between the Hancock and the Sears Tower/Willis Tower/Big Willie, I do like the Hancock's views the most. There's something about being right on Michigan Avenue and so close to the lake that is really magical. It's a great place to take visitors indeed - and I enjoy having the excuse to take visitors there. =)
DeleteYES on wishing PAWS just added a shorter race to the existing 8K. There are hundreds of 5Ks out there - it's really easy to get lost in the 5K shuffle! Sigh. But on the flip side, I guess this gives us another opportunity to work on the 5K PR, right? (My least favorite race distance...)
I looooove all of those photos! And I agree, the Hancock has much better views than the Sears. The views up LSD are amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Alexandra! I am excited to hear more about your move to the city - looking forward to your upcoming stories!!!
DeleteI should try jerky again. I haven't had it in years. I love 8ks and 15ks I wish there were more races those distances.
ReplyDeleteI giggle to myself a little bit at the name "jerky" - but yes, I've recently rediscovered it after having so many samples at race expos. It's a winner. =)
DeleteAhhh, I've never run a 15K but I think it would be a fantastic distance! I like the middle distances like 10-milers/half marathons, so a 15K would be right up my alley! Hopefully things will work out to run Hot Chocolate this year. I wish there were more 8Ks and 15Ks too!
I am obsessed with Jerky!! I got sent some local stuff and I need to find the name of it… it was so good!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, please let me know what the name of the local jerky is once you find it! I would love to find it and try it, too!
DeleteBoo on the PAWS Run For Their Lives 8K changing it to a 5K. That Got2Run for Education should be interesting but the course is RIDICULOUS!!
ReplyDeleteBoo on the distance change, indeed! Nevertheless, I'll still be there to support the cause of homeless animals. Let me know if you want to run it, too, in honor of Lola! Isn't that Got2Run course dizzying? I thought it was a joke when I first saw it!
DeleteHahaha, that course map! I fully admit I didn't even look at it after I found the listing. Wow. And I thought the Lincolnwood 10K had a lot of turns.
ReplyDeleteI used to want an Eclipse, too. I don't even know why.
Which jerky is your favorite so far?
Isn't that course map insane? It would take some specialized training to run it without losing your balance after about the 10th turn. =D
DeleteNow you've got me wondering if they even make Eclipses anymore? For me, I just loved the sporty, sleek image. When you are in high school or college, these are the key selling points. =)
I really liked the Think Jerky samples we got at the WCBC party. I also tried Krave jerky after getting some samples at a race expo. In general, it's awesome seeing the variety of flavors becoming available now! What about you?