New photo album

Like the title says, I've added a new photo album to the blog album family. As I'm out and about in New York I like to take pictures of stuff that is weird, pretty, or whatever. So it's basically a dump of New York photos. I'll update it as I see cool stuff. I expect I'll be adding a lot more as the weather turns more agreeable and I'm actually able to walk around taking pics. Check it out if it tickles your fancy. Or even if it tickles something else.

I REALLY heart NY

Today I bring to you a perfect example of why I truly do heart NY.

As everyone knows, it is Valentine's Day, the most romantic day of the year (blech). Men everywhere are expected to buy chocolates and flowers and make reservations at the perfect candlelit restaurant. It's all about the romance. So how does the City of New York mark the day? By releasing their very own New York branded condoms. I love that on this day the city says, "Forget romance and get it on."

The city has been giving out free condoms for years, but recently there has been talk of how to brand them so they are unmistakably New York. I was talking with Jerry and Jenna over the weekend about how we would like to see them packaged. I think our favorite was to use various skyscrapers. We figured they would run out of the Empire State Building ones in no time flat. The city went with the "subway" look. I hope people don't take this as a location suggestion.

"There's always next year..."

As my sister pointed out after the Superbowl (aka: Big Disappointment) last night, "There's always next year." This isn't an unfamiliar phrase spoken around Chicago in reference to our sports teams. Hell, the Cubs wouldn't have any fans at all if every single one of them didn't believe this statement wholeheartedly each year. Of course the beer doesn't hurt. Now that I think about it, its probably equal parts; "There's always next year" and beer.

This principle really applies to all our sport teams. The Bears have sucked for the better part of twenty years. The Cubs for more than fifty. It took the White Sox over eighty years to get past their own bad karma from 1919. I seem to remember the Blackhawks being something to watch when I was in college, but I was easily impressed by hockey in college. Our saving grace was the Bulls. Ahhhh, the Bulls. Wasn't it a wonderful time to live in Chicago when we had Michael Jordan and the twice three-peating Bulls? Our riotous gunfight celebrations were bigger and better than any other city!

The point is this, with the exception of a few shining spots of our sports history, we've not had the best record. But Chicago sticks by its crappy teams. We love them. Sure, we may blame a few players for losing the Superbowl for a little while, but all will be forgiven in time. We can bust out the giant lion helmets next year. The Sears Tower isn't going to throw away its blue and orange lights.

So I join my fellow Chicagoans in saying to the Bears, "There's alway next year!" But keep the beer flowing, just in case.

Is it Christmas? No, Chicago is in the Superbowl!

The day has finally arrived. After so many years the Bears are back in the Superbowl. And they're playing a herd of horses. No problem. Even though sports experts are picking the Colts to win by 7 points, Chicago stands behind their team. We know the Bears have it in them, and if we could make it this far, we can make it all the way.

To see some pictures around Chicago before the big game check out this flickr set. Only in Chicago would the entire town be decked out with orange and blue lights, football helmets on landmarks and works of public art, and massive office light coordination. We doubt Indy has the same team spirit... or any tall buildings to display it on for that matter. I've never been to Indy myself, but I picture the Chicago suburb of Naperville growing out of the middle of a cornfield.

Admittedly, I don't know much about football. I can follow the game, but I hardly know any players and the only concept I have a solid grasp on is creating a hole and running through it. Oh, and that there is usually a flag on the play. Despite my pigskin ignorance, I have strong memories of Bears football. You see, my dad loved football. He played in high school. He watched the Bears every single Sunday, usually with one of my uncles. While I was off somewhere else in the house I would hear them screaming at Ditka for four straight hours, as if Da Coach could hear them (as an adult I now realize this behavior applies to ALL male football fans, not just my family). And even though I was only eight years old I can remember the Bears 85-86 Superbowl season surprisingly well. I remember watching the games and I knew all the players. But those were amazing guys and an amazing team, they were players you could really look up to. They did the Superbowl Shuffle. My cousins and I had that thing memorized and would perform it for our family. It must have been absolutely hilarious to watch us doing that. A little preview for when we would perform to the New Kids on the Block in the 90s.

So even though I don't know much about the game, growing up in a football house and being from Chicago I know a lot about city and team pride. So even though I call New York home at the moment, I would put my money on the Bears to win in an instant... if I had any to bet. Before the big game tonight I give one more shout out to my home town forever, my home team forever...

GO CHICAGO!!!!!!!! GO BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!