One more post and then I'll settle down and be quiet.
Chicago struck me now as an adult, in contrast to the blur of my childhood, as an elegant, even gracious, city, by its manners.
Manners as in how we usually understand them, in that I was struck by how many people held doors open for me. The last place I actually noticed this happening was in Sacramento. Really rampant door holding, at least in the loop area I spent most of my time. Door holding by folks of different heritages. I dunno, rampant courtesy.
And manners, as in one is given time to reach the crosswalk and cross it, with the white-lit hand at the signal. Albuquerque is the direct and dangerous opposite, get your ass across the wide street and hurry up. Los Angeles is closer in the matter to Chicago, but still not so generous. It is totally relaxing for a pedestrian, and contributes to what I think of as pedestrian culture. Perhaps it's all a ploy to woo tourists, but traffic still moves, and one does not walk through the city signal-frightened.
I had a very nice flight home this evening that actually got in early. That was great, because I made it to the banquet in time to see my son honored (along with his classmates) for sports stuff this year. If the plane had been on time, I would have missed that!
Too many stories...too many pictures. Will download them tomorrow and post more. It is late, and it has been a very full day for this bleary-eyed blonde.
Oh. One last thing.
It was a great thrill to meet wandeljw. We all wondered why he left the party so early, but then a little later we heard about the streaker at the Sox game and...well...let's just say we put two and two together.
That fits, Eva, I think you've got it.
Glad you guys made it home safe. It was my great pleasure to meet you. I grudgingly have to agree about Chicago, too. It was wonderful... as were the natives, hosts and strangers alike. There's little chance I'll wait so long to visit that city again.
I got into a lot of banter at my hotel. First the elevator guy liked my shoes that looked like pony-skin. Then the concierge liked my strange sort of Pucci shirt with vest and black jeans and what he claimed to be a Pakistani bracelet (that I bought at the mall) and my ruglike purse... and then another hotel person asked what I thought of all the outfits on the people at the front desk (I liked the ties).... well, hell, I felt welcome!
CalamityJane wrote:Dys has reported already, Walter
(look around)
I'm glad you've had a save trip to Southwest. Now get some
Stetson and cowboy boots, otherwise you'll never blend in.
Dys reported what where? I don't trust that guy.
McTag,
If you haven't found it yet, it is here:
Dyslexia's Walter Thread
Eva wrote:It was a great thrill to meet wandeljw. We all wondered why he left the party so early, but then a little later we heard about the streaker at the Sox game and...well...let's just say we put two and two together.
I just saw that, Eva. I hope Gus doesn't pay attention to your posts.
Thanks, Wandeljw, I managed to track it down for myself from that pesky critter's profile page :wink:
Three locks on one suitcase, well I never. Evidently some people are even less trusting than I. :wink:
(putting plenty of :wink: :wink: 's in just in case anyone thinks I'm serious.)
ossobuco wrote:Big fat thanks to our care bears, Sublime, J_B, JoefromChicago, Lion Tamer, Wandeljw [early welcome], and ehBeth, [major phone interception], and O'Bill, who brought a lot of good red wine I didn't try as I was saving my body for my glass of JWBlue.
I'm happy to report O'Bill's wine was incredible. The bottle I brought home with me will be enjoyed just as soon as I dry out from two plus weeks of continuous partying. I'd started the afternoon with a couple Bloody Mary's (what was that mixer, Sublime?) and then switched over to wine. Thinking about my drive home and wanting to catch a train back into the city in the morning kept me from sampling Sublime's JWBlue (next time, Sublime).
realjohnboy wrote:I... And how did the yellow sweater end up in my suitcase?
So THAT'S where it is!
OCCOM BILL wrote:Glad you guys made it home safe. It was my great pleasure to meet you. I grudgingly have to agree about Chicago, too. It was wonderful... as were the natives, hosts and strangers alike. There's little chance I'll wait so long to visit that city again.
I too am glad everyone made it home safe. The pleasure in meeting everyone is equally returned. Safe journey to CI today. Joe, Sublime, and I are still enjoying Thomas' company through Friday. Mr B is joining us at Second City tonight.
Thomas, I think you and Joe are catching a Cubs game on Friday. If it's a day game then there's a good jazz performance at Symphony Center Friday night. Christian McBride on bass with special guest Regina Carter. She steals any show she's in (jazz violin) and is the headliner more often than not.
Wow! Jazz violinist? That's a first, J B.
RJB wrote: And how did the yellow sweater end up in my suitcase?
It damn well better not be a butter-colored one.
Since I can't open my suitcase yet, I'm totally anaware what strange things might be in it
Walter,
If that's where C.I. is, I hope he is getting some oxygen.
It's under a fan, so he should be fine.
Letty wrote:Wow! Jazz violinist? That's a first, J B.
i haven't followed her career, but she's quite accomplished as i understand. in fact, she recorded an album in which she played Paganini's Guarneri, becoming the first African-American, as well as first nonclassical, musician to play it.
Well, Mr. Turtle. I had never heard of her before, and now I will, of course, search her out. Thanks, M.D. <smile>
[quote="realjohnboy"[/quote]I made it home to Virginia, albeit an hour late. [/quote]
Walter Hinteler wrote:I arrived safely in Albuquerque and already had a nice time here ... which includes, catching osso from the airport just a couple of minutes ago.
Eva wrote:I had a very nice flight home this evening that actually got in early.
Glad you all had a good trip home. It was wonderful to meet you all!
J_B wrote: Mr B is joining us at Second City tonight.
Looking forward to it. Joe called me to send the coordinates (7:30 pm, 1616 N Wells St.) I must have been terribly un-talkative though. Chicago traffic seems a lot louder somehow than Munich traffic, and I had trouble hearing him.
The Jazz violinist sounds very tempting. I'll see how I can fit her into my schedule.
The Paganini album is her latest. We also have an earlier one titled, Motor City Moments which is jazzier.
Looking forward to tonight, Thomas. I haven't been to Second City since I first moved here. I'm getting to enjoy this greet as much as the visitors.
