Brosef's bracing for the cold

There may or may not have been a slight sprinkling of snow today. Which has sent a few of the warm weather people into a tizzy.

Kevin 'Brosef' Danna hails from San Jose. Today he wore his first pair of boots. Ever.

It may be hard to read but his hat, says Nor Cal.
The Chicago winter is going to be interesting for the West Coast sissy.

He also had an unfortunate case of hat hair.

You must begin ...

... the way you intend to finish. I decided I'm going to take a stab a street photography after the break.

So here's my first attempt at street photography. Quiet on the platform.

Art in the Newsroom

This face greeted us today when walking into the newsroom. One of the perks of being around interesting artistic people.

Wrapped Up

The quarter is winding down as the temperature drops. Both make me want to curl up on the couch with a good book and some tea.

Giselle of the Bartlett household, enjoying her Sunday

Chicago Sights

One of my favorite views of the city

Thankgiving tradition

Christmas decorations at Navy Pier

My favorite Thanksgiving tradition happens the day after the feast. A few years ago, after dinner my mother was talking about the impending decorating.

"Thanksgiving is over. I'm ready for Christmas. Ready to just wake up tomorrow and just have everything be Christmas," she said.

So that's what I did. As is my habit (I'm a night owl by nature), I stayed up to the wee hours, putting up the decorations. When the family got up the next morning, the house was full-blown winter wonderland.

It has become my favorite thing to do. Everyone goes to sleep, well-fed and content. Then its just me (and the dog), some music, and our beloved holiday decorations.

Last year was tough, for a boat load of sad reasons. And for the most part, we're infinitely better this year than last.

But I'm not there to stay up late Thursday night, jamming to Bing Crosby and Elvis Christmas tunes, lining up the little houses my mom loves, hanging the bulbs my brothers have to be so careful of, or busting out the Noel plates on which my father will enjoy his Christmas brunch.

Which is a bummer, in some respects.

This year, I got to eat with my Bartlett family, witness the carving of a Turducen, and cheer on the Pats in a non-hostile environment.

A different Thanksgiving, but a good one.

Got the Blues

Missed last Tourist Tuesday, despite having a tremendous adventure to post about. It will get done. Eventually. Here's a taste of a night at Kingston Mines

Friday Morning Fun

Trying to remember as much about international trade organizations and types of economies.

Friday morning, 8:30 a.m.

Party like a j-student.

Thursday Night Craziness

Watched The Office with a bunch of friends last night.

Chocolate milk and laughs.

Party like a journalist.

Checking out for a second

There are no words.

J-school wins again.

Let the countdown begin

Needed a photo of some Christmas decorations in a store. The Macys in Chicago was the perfect spot.

I guess it's official. Let the shopping season begin.

Tourist Thursday (... ?): Millennium Park

Bad blogger. Missed last Tuesday.  It's been a busy week in class, so I didn't get to do a honest to goodness touristy thing last week. But here are some photos from Millennium Park, the Bean (it's technical name is "Cloud Gate") and Pritzker Pavilion.

Despite how young the Park is (2006, 4 years after it was supposed to open), it appears to have become a symbol of Chicago, as the natives have told me.

It's a quick, free tourist thing. It's generally busy (there were three wedding photo shoots while we were there) but its a must.

Lay/sit down for a photo at your own risk. It's a cool photo opp but its still laying down on a sidewalk. Ew

Bleh face

This represents the newsroom's sentiment Thursday night as we struggle through some more homework.

Tourist Tuesday: the Art Institute of Chicago Museum

It’s only fitting that, given the movie which started this endeavor, the Museum of the Art Institute is featured on Tourist Tuesday.

I had planned on going during the free hours on Thursday, but then got the tip that it would be crazy busy so decided to go during paying business hours. Friday afternoon wasn't too busy, which was nice.

It's a good sized museum with a lot of different options, but the Museum offers a quick hit of the twelve things to see in under an hour, like Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, van Gogh's The Bedroom, Seated Buddha, and Wood's American Gothic.

I saw most of the sites but ended up taking photos of things that grabbed me. And like a bad tourist, I didn't get the names of most of what I got.

My suggestion is to try to hit the big things but take the time to linger where you can. Also, if at all possible, channel your inner Bueller, like Cam and his family.

The late great John Huges offers a much better tour of the museum.