California

I wish that I had felt something profound when I saw the Los Angeles skyline as the plane broke through the clouds (or smog) during our descent - I figured it would give me something witty or deep to write about when I got home. But all I could think about was how different LA was from everything that I've seen these past couple of weeks... and that I was home.

Bloomington and Chicago Pictures

Photo: Famous Daves


Photo: Voted best ribs in America.


Photo: Pottbellys!


Photo: Fireflies!


Photo: Comedy clubbin'!


Photo: Colorado Dan


Photo: Dan and Greg


Photo: Downtown Chi Town


Photo: Best city in America!


Photo: Lake Michigan


Photo: Do you?


Photo: Bottom of the Sears Tower


Photo: Top of the Sears Tower


Photo: Sears Tower photo op!


Photo: Best signage ever.


Photo: Ohhh Dan.


Photo: Original House of Blues


Photo: I made everyone go.


Photo: Art Institute


Photo: Married with Children fountains!


Photo: United Center


Photo: Pubbin'!


Photo: Travis, Otto, Paddle Boat


Photo: Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, Californiyay


Photo: Doyle and Otto


Photo: Southern Gentlemen


Photo: Podmate Steve


Photo: Austin and Brad.. why are all my photos with guys?


Photo: Portillos!


Photo: Chicago style hot dogs are the best!

Chicago Part II

Chi-town part deuce was nuts! Definitely the best weekend of 2006 so far.

• Amalfi Hotel
• Gold Coast hot dogs
• The loop and downtown district
• Lake Michigan
• Sears Tower
• H&M
• Jambalaya at the original House of Blues
• Syn & Dublin's
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• Buckingham Fountain from Married with Children
• Jordan statue at the United Center
• Palermos
  

I can't wait to share my pictures. Chicago is definitely my favorite city in America. I can totally see myself nesting there in the future. Clean, lovely, and pedestrian friendly.

I raise my drink to Greg, our resident Chicagoan turned Californian. The trip wouldn't have been half as good without you! We're back in the countryside now, and I'm about due for a good nights rest before tomorrow morning's seminar. I'll be back in LA next week.

Bloomington and Chicago

FUN FUN FUN... you've GOT to know how to have it when you're out in the country.

I'm wrapping up my first week here in IL, and it's been a tractor full of fun so far. After landing at O'Hare last weekend, my crew and I wasted no time filling our tummies with a deep dish full of Chicago's finest sausage pizza from Geno's (Gino's ?) East. Probably the best pizza crust to ever dabble on my palate.

After an 8am-4pm M-F sampling of insurance seminars, I max it and relax it on my king size feather bed at the Double Tree. My company is bloody frickin gangster. Outside of seeing (and catching!) fireflies for the very first time in life, networking with fellow farm-goers at our corporate office, eating at Famous Dave's (voted best ribs in America), illegaly j-walking, and catching a show at the local comedy club... there really isn't much time to funk around with the boring.

Leaving the countryside for another romp through Chicago. Don't hate.