My kind of town, Chicago is...

My schedule is sorta' up in the air for that week. I'll have a better idea of my availability on Tuesday.

I should be available on Thursday the 15th, barring any unforeseen complications.

no outstanding warrants then, joe?

If there was a warrant on me, it would have to be outstanding.

The 15th would be okay for me also.

Great!

Then lets start looking for a location. I have no idea where map is located during the day. Does South Water Kitchen work for everyone? We haven't been there in a while.

http://www.southwaterkitchen.com/

South Water Kitchen is my favorite and I can walk there in 10-15 minutes. I hope that it is convenient for map.

That's because they serve turkey sandwiches!

But, yeah, it's my favorite too and I can get a steak salad.

Their turkey sandwiches have been endorsed by many Chicago area civil servants. That is why we like to eat there.

SWK sounds good to me. Haven't been there in a while.

Hey, I like South Water Kitchen too!

Can you join us there again, either this time or some time in the near future? I will wear the A2K cap that you gave me.

Now that the climate in Chicago has become tolerable, that's a good possibility, but I'm sort of tied up for this year. Will be leaving for Turkey on the 19th, maybe to Cuba in October, and to Poland and a cruise from Prague to Hamburg in November. January is a Caribbean wine cruise, April a Southern France wine cruise, and then open season for more travels. That's if my $$$ and health is maintained.

This will be the first time that we've eaten there since you and izzie were here two summers ago. It may also be the first time that I've seen jw since then. hmmmm.... have to think about that one; maybe we got together one other time since. Regardless, we're long past due to catch up and I'm looking forward to it.

CI -- I met a friend at the Botanic Gardens yesterday for a walk and lunch. I was reminded of that fateful train ride the last time you were here. Train rides notwithstanding, I wandered a new area of the BG that I hadn't visited before. It was a lovely walk around the perimeter of the park and the new prairie areas and ponds. You should definitely plan a longer excursion to the BG the next time you're here.

map? Are you ok with SWK at 11:45ish next Thursday?

JPB, It certainly is a lovely park/BG, and I'm looking forward to another visit.

SWK rules.

I am, after all this time, still Smithers to my boss' Burns, Igor to her Dr. Frankenstein--"Yes, yes, master" (lots of bowing as I say this). Her "bitch," as it were.

So count me in to dip in and out. After 45 minutes away from the office my collar administers tiny but nevertheless uncomfortable electric shocks.

YAY!

Do you want me to order something for you and then you can save some upfront time?

Yep, works for me. Thanks JPB.

and I've never been there...so I'm excited.

Great!!!

Mr B may be joining us as well. Dunno yet, but he wants to do the Burghoff Oktoberfest one day this week and we may combine the two on Thursday.

Lunch, walk it off at the AI or elsewhere, Oktoberfest, home. Sounds like a day in the city!