Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Milwaukee Night

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit my friend Mark in Milwaukee. Here's Mark and the view from my hotel.


Friday, June 26, 2009

Atlanta Farmhouse

Here's more pictures from the Atlanta History Museum. They had a real farm transplanted onto the museum grounds. It's the Tullie Smith Farm, complete with animal barn, corn field and slave cabin.

Here's the farmhouse, and the people there are actually visiting from Chicago too!



There were real sheep here.



Crops.




This is the back of the farmhouse.



This is a depiction of a slave house.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Atlanta Historic Museum

While in Atlanta last week for work, I was able to break away and see the Atlanta Historic Museum. I took a lot of photos and I thought I'd share a few.

Here's the outside of the main building.



This was from their urbanization of Atlanta exhibit. I think it's an engine of some kind.



What is this? I have no Klu.



Their Gone With the Wind exhibit should have been bigger.



Does this ring a bell? Not sure where this is from, but it's pretty.



More historic Atlanta images to come ...

Monday, June 15, 2009

Roving Reporter Me!

Looking through the photos from my last convenience-store assignment in North Carolina, I saw the photographer got me doing my TV interview of the chain's executive. Fun, behind-the-camera stuff.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Sunny Chicago--Finally!

"This Can't Be June, Can It?" That's the headline in the paper today discussing the first two weeks of June and the weather here in Chicago, which has been basically chilly and rainy. Well I have to say that this morning was a breath of sunshine. I felt compelled to walk outside my office and count my blessings.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Redlining



Last night I had a blast watching the Chicago Red Line--no, not the train, the performance troupe. I have to say I have a really great time watching this group of my musical theater friends doing their "show choir" performances. Last night was at The Spot bar and while that was their last show for this series, they're planning one again for August. It's a loosely tied together show but the main attraction is the singing and the wonderful harmonies that the group of about a dozen guys and gals create. If you never thought of show choir as a form of entertainment, I highly recommend it. I had a ball last night.

Monday, June 08, 2009

Joel Hall Dance Center Ribbon Cutting

The Joel Hall Dance Center did not skip a beat when they transitioned from the old space in Andersonville to it's new home a few blocks north back in February. But last weekend, they had an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Here are some photos of the demo dances they performed.



Mahjong Madness

Another picture from my L.A. cousin Angel. Here my mom and aunts have returned from Vegas to Los Angeles, where they promptly set up the mahjong table. They'll be in Vegas again this week when my Auntie Aida has her birthday. The party continues!

Friday, June 05, 2009

More Vegas Fun!

More Vegas fun with pictures my L.A. cousin Angel provided. Here's my mom and my two aunties (Ellie, center, and Aida, right) sitting together with their slot machines in Vegas.




And here's my mom in a slot-machine "tournament."

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Happy Vegas Birthday to Mom!


This is how my mom likes to celebrate her birthday, which is today! Vegas baby! This photo was sent via cell phone from my L.A. cousin Angel who is accompanying the band of three Filipino ladies who like to pray to the slot gods.

I've Won a Writing Award!






My writing has received a national award! We'll find out next month if I get a gold, silver or bronze.

Here are some thoughts from my Editor Mitch Morrison:

Indeed, it would a slight to our entire company if we did not pause to recognize how outstanding this accomplishment is. In the world of awards, the ASBPE National Award for News Analysis/Investigative is the Oscar’s Best Picture. There is simply no better award than this. It reflects a journalism that is serious, reflective, fair, conscientious and committed.

That CSP has been honored two years straight for this highest of recognitions is a credit to the talented editorial staff we have, to the strong sales and marketing team and the outstanding production and back-office group in Oak Brook. It is a credit to the high quality content delivered by our Meetings Division in Phoenix and our Online group in Milford and Oak Brook. It is also a recognition that our design team at Keystroke has gotten better as well.

This cover story by Angel Abcede and Joe Bush was the product of months of reporting and several planning meetings. When gas prices clipped $3.30/gl nationally, Paul Reuter shared with us a talk he heard from Joe Petrowski that predicted gas could top $4. At the time, few energy analysts dared going in such unchartered territories – remember, gas had never before crossed the $4 line. After much deliberation we decided to think out loud with our readers about what a future with $4 gas might look like.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

My Shirona

My co-worker Steve played drums in a band last Sunday at Goose Island. Here's his contribution to "My Shirona." Note the kid mosh pit.




And speaking of kids, here's the between-set act.

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Thomas and Renny

Here's a couple of guys I know from my neighborhood bar: Thomas and Renny.