Future Home.

In just a few months I'll be here! The alacrity is building...

History of Street Food.

A radio interview of Roosevelt University professor Dan Protess gives us the simple explanation of the social good that comes from street vendors, as well as the historical background on the limitations and restrictions of these vendors. Here is one statement that particularly stood out to me:

INTERVIEWER: Why do we outlaw street vendors in Chicago?

PROTESS: One, we have a very powerful restaurant lobby that did a lot to shoot down the smoking ban, if you recall a few years back and put that off for several years. And obviously they don't want the competition on their doorstep. I also think historically it's wrapped up in anti-immigrant sentiment. Historically, people looked down on Italians or Greeks were eating, and it was one thing for them to be eating their strange olive oil and garlic in their house, but it was another thing for them to be eating it right in front of us."

I won't lie, I don't eat food from street vendors. But then again, I'm a vegetarian, so what am I going to order? A dry bun?

Returning Again!

Ok, I'm back. I know--I'm the most inconsistent blogger ever. Well, actually, that's probably not true...I inconsistently forget to update! mwahahaha...

ANYWAY.

Life is good! Done with finals, which is a relief. And I decided on a job in Chicago!

...shocked?

Well, here's the story. I had opportunities in multiple cities (Houston, New York City, Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Chicago), and so I had to weigh out the options. While my love for the Twin Cities isn't quite dead, I just know the opportunity I am pursuing is the best for me and my career. It's a very challenging position that will best utilize my Supply Chain knowledge. Score.

Good thing is I don't graduate until June, so I have plenty of time to live out my final days in Columbus. So this is an open forum to suggestions! What should I do with my last days in Columbus? Here is the beginning of my list:

1. Go to a Blue Jackets game
2. Go to COSI
3. Go to Schmidt's in German Village.
4. See a performance in the Southern Theatre (the only theatre I have not seen a performance in)
5. Go to Hocking Hills (again).

And, well...I can't think of anything else. I mean, I've been here five years, and there's only so much to take in throughout Columbus. But if you have any suggestions, feel free to comment and let me know! I only have 187 days left so I gotta make the most of them :-P

Chicago Spire Put on Hold.

Bad news for Chicago. Due to a slowing economy and multiple lawsuits (including Architect Santiago Calatrava), the Chicago Spire is pushing back development an entire year.

In One Month.

I'll be here.


Click to enlarge

I chose this photo because it's one of the rare photos of Chicago taken from this angle where you see my favorite building, 77 West Wacker. It's frequently forgotten compared to the Goliaths of Chicago: The Sears Tower, Trump Tower and Hancock Tower. But I just adore it. (It's the building four skyscrapers to the left of the Smurfit-Stone Nuilding, which is the skyscraper with the diamond outlining the roof. 77 West Wacker has a big red light on the top of a neo-classical style pediment).

Midway Privatizes Airport.

Ok, not yet. But on October 8th Midway will be voting on a deal to be the first privatized airport in the United States. What does this mean for Chicago? Well, it will funnel more tax dollars into the city and state. It will increase traffic through Midway and thus lighten the load on one of the world's busiest airports (O'Hare). It will be the first test of how airports work privatized. Overall, I say it's a good thing.

If the deal goes through, it will be a 25-year contract.

77 West Whacker.

Height impresses me, but beauty inspires me.



This is not only my favorite building in Chicago, it is my favorite building in the world. I adore everything about it.

(Photo by Krzysztof Makara)

Update from The Windy City.

Yes, I'm in Chicago. Yes, I brought a camera. No, I don't have a way to upload the photos.


...sigh. I'll get them up here, eventually. In my recent move I lost the cord that connects my camera to my computer, and those things are not too easy to find. I'll figure out how to load photos, eventually.


I will let you know that the Trump Tower looks AMAZING! I remember on one of my first trips to Chicago they had just begun to build it, and now it's such a feeling of near-liberation to watch it come to completion. There will be a "topping ceremony" on September 24th where they put the remaining windows into the building and dub it complete. As of now, though, the hotel is already opening and functioning, and the majority of the building is finished.


The Trump International Hotel and Tower is now the second tallest building in The United States, coming in only after Chicago's Sears Tower. With its spire it stands at 1,362 feet. Prior to the Trump Tower, the AON Center was the second tallest building in Chicago at 1,170 feet.


I'm on my way to check the grounds of the Chicago Spire. Once completed, it will be the tallest building in the United States at 2000 feet and the second tallest building in the world.

Chi-Town Visit!

I leave for Chicago in less than 5 hours! My bags are packed, my house is cleaned, my trip confirmed...seems like everything is in place!

Well, minus the windstorm that knocked over a tree and thus killed my power.

I'm writing from the SEL (Science and Engineering Library @ Ohio State) and luckily this mammoth of a building is keeping me nice and cozy. However, The Oval is tore up from the winds, trees are uprooted everywhere and also my car almost got trampled by a tree (my car was about five feet from being smashed!).

I'm leaving this evening for Chi-Town via the Megabus. My roundtrip ticket cost me $30! On top of that, I'm trying to have the cheapest yet greatest vacation ever. How much am I bringing? You'll think I'm crazy, but I'm only bringing $100 for four days in Chicago. I'll be living off of Ramen and a flask of Kamchatka, but I don't care. I'd rather be poor and have my bills paid than live lavishly without electricity! And fortunately I'll be staying with my good friend Michelle, where I'll be able to cook my Ramen and pasta-san-sauce, so I'm certain between all the great (free) things to do in Chicago, I'll be quite content.

And lastly, I'll be blogging a lot over the next few days. Why? Oh, because I won't be able to afford anything else!

My Fabulous Return!

Sorry for my absence, I've been moving and I have not had internet since Wednesday! Regular updates will be coming back...promise...

I'll take this time to say that I'll be blogging from Chicago and possibly Milwaukee the week of September 15th - 19th. I'm really excited because I am trying to do the cheapest vacation I've ever done. First off, I'm using the Megabus to travel between Columbus and Chicago. The cost? $30.50 roundtrip. From there, I'll be staying with friends, and the train between Milwaukee and Chicago is only $18 each way for students with Student Advantage. On top of that, I'll be checking out free museums, hanging with friends in coffee shops and utilizing the El to get around. My goal is to spend under $200 for the entire trip....think it's doable?

I'll be writing about the whole experience, and I'll see if cheap vacations are just as fun as regular vacations! Expect a full review of the Megabus, too, since if it's good it may be something you want to consider. I mean, a $30 ticket to one of the greatest cities in the world is already something to holler about!