Getting around Chicago

  This morning, when the elevator doors opened in my building, a man on roller blades skated out of the elevator and out the building's revolving door.  I'm not sure if he was just getting off work or if he was only going out for a skate.  Either way, it's good he's enjoying his roller blading before the sidewalks and streets become unskatable and other means of transportation are necessary.  Will someone ski out of the elevator next time?

Ann Taylor Monday Promotion

  This morning at the Ann Taylor on Michigan Avenue, there was a large sign in the window reading "Today Only 40% Off Entire Purchase".  This looks like a very good post-Thanksgiving sale and I'm assuming other Ann Taylors in the area are offering similar discounts.

Tree Lighting Ceremony in Daley Plaza Tonight

  Another fun holiday activity is the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Daley Plaza (Washington and Dearborn Streets).  Musical performances being at 4:30pm with the tree being lit at 5pm tonight. 
  In past years, the Daley tree has been made up of multiple trees to form one giant tree.  This year, like last year, due to budget cuts the tree will be one 50-foot tree which was donated to the city.  Santa will also be in his workshop tonight from 6-8pm to listen to gift requests. 

Chicago's Thanksgiving Day Parade

  Chicago loves celebrating the fall and winter holidays.  This past Saturday Chicago kicked off the holiday season with the Lights Festival and Parade.  Thanksgiving Day the festivities continue with the Thanksgiving Day Parade.  The Parade is from 8:30am-11am and runs along State Street from Congress to Randolph.  The parade features marching bands, floats, drill teams, and enormous character balloons.  Santa Claus and Ronald McDonald will also be in the mix to give holiday cheer.
  Chicago's Parade was born during the Depression years in an effort to lift the spirits of Chicagoans during these tough times.  The parade originally was more of a Christmas parade and officially became a Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1999. 
  Enjoy all the festivities the city has to provide and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Weather Report

  The temperature in Chicago today is suppose to reach close to record highs.  Mother nature is giving us a last little taste of warmth before the winter.  As we're trying to enjoy this last mild day of the year (minus the rain), those in Fargo, North Dakota currently have 10 degrees as a high and snow.  Just a preview of what will be in store for Chicago. 

Chicago's People

  One of my favorite things to do in Chicago while walking is people watch.  The great thing about Chicago is that there are so many different types of people, different ages, different ethnicities, different everything.  Some people walking to work are wearing full business suits, while others are more casual in khakis.  Some lucky people even get to wear jeans to work.  Most people wear gym shoes for the walking, even women wearing skirts and dresses.  In the morning, sometimes I'll see joggers, dressed in skimpy clothes, even when it's only 30 degrees out.  I wonder what time they have to go to work, or if they do work.  A treat to see is the dog walkers.  Just like people, I see so many different kinds of dogs.  Big dogs, little dogs, young dogs, old dogs, dogs dressed in clothes.  One time I saw a Doberman Pinscher being trained as a guide dog.  That sparked my interest because most guide dogs I've seen are Labs or Golden Retrievers. 
  Sometimes during rush hour, the sidewalks are so crowded that we have to walk closer together then normal.  I take this opportunity to really study some people.  Not in a creepy way, but in a way where I try to imagine what they do for work, where they live or what made them get to this point in their lives.  Yesterday I saw a man in a full suit with a big purple scarf tied tightly around his neck.  Besides the obvious question, I also wondered if he knew how much attention he would be getting by tying the scarf around his neck.
  One of the best things about people watching in Chicago is that there never seems to be a shortage of interesting people to watch.

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival This Saturday

  This Saturday, Novemeber 20, starting at 11am, Chicago is kicking off the holiday season with its annual Lights Festival.  There are concerts throughout the day.  The Lights Procession is from 5:45pm -7pm, followed by fireworks over the Chicago River.  Seeing Michigan Avenue all lit up at night is incredibly enchanting. 

Seen on Wacker Drive early this morning...

...a cigar smoking, middle aged man, in a sporty convertible with the top down.  Some people might think this is a perfect example of a mid-life crisis.  For me, standing there in my coat, hat, and mittens, it actually brightened my day and took my thoughts away from the inevitable cold winter Chicago will be having soon.