Weekend in Chicago
I attended the "Creative Processes and the Public Domain" Conference last friday at the John Marshall School of Law, and had a wonderful time, because so many nice, smart, interesting people participated. Afterwards walked around Chicago's Loop area (which people actually living in Chicago probably call something slightly different, but I think at least the "Loop" part is right) and then yesterday hit some museums and the top of the Sears Tower, and the Navy Pier, and finally took in the new Harry Potter movie. Didn't run into Oprah even once, though.
Chicago, at least that section of it, is so clean! Much less litter in evidence than one finds in NYC, Philadelphia or even DC, and the streets and sidewalks seemed to be extremely well maintained. Got panhandled a number of times, but one of the friends accompanying me is very generous and softhearted, and I think the panhandlers could sense this somehow with their dollar-dispener radar.
The beautiful architecture and wide sidewalks of downtown Chicago made walking a pleasure, though warm clothing was certainly a plus and our hairdos got a bit wind-tousled. The Pompeii exhibition at the Field Museum was remarkable, both astonishing and sobering. The Sears Tower observation deck was primarily all about waiting in long overheated lines, and someone there seriously needed a diaper change, but the view was impressive. Later, the Apple store was a good place to sneak a look at our e-mail for free.
Took the train to and from O'Hare Airport, and the $1.75 fare is an incredible mass transit value. It cost $8 just to get from the movie theater to our hotel in a taxi, a journey of about 10 blocks (hey, it was late, dark and cold). Lots of abrasive crazies on the trains though. One tirade in particular lasted a good 20 minutes, ignorable at first, but then it became apparent that the shouter wasn't carrying a cell phone and the loud angry monologue was directed more or less at us. Eventually he wound down into a mumble, and finally he left the train without smacking anyone, as he had been threatening.
The Smith Museum of Stained Glass at the Navy Pier was amazing, and free (well technically free, but you have to run a gauntlet of pizza, fudge, cheese fries and cinnamon roasted nut vendors to get there), and seeing the new Harry Potter movie at the IMAX Theater there probably would have been nice, if there had been any tickets left by the time we thought of it. Ultimately got to see the picture at an ordinary theater, and it was pretty good, though the sex sterotyping was rather heavy, and a lot of important details were glossed over or omitted, and all the actors had preternaturally clear complexions for teenagers.