Chicago

I've been doing two blogs a week. I need to go to every other day for a while, because so much is going on. I was in St. Louis last weekend and Friday is my Elton concert, so it didn't make sense to go back home in between. So, this week is spent exploring places.

Today I'm in Chicago. The drive in - horrific. I don't know how people do it and how there aren't massive numbers of collisions. Chicago obviously is a crowded place, but for most of the drive in, Illinois resembles Nebraska. The last 40 miles starts to pick up, then Bam - downtown Chicago. How do people drive here. Driving was tough navigating through all the skyscrapers, cars, and pedestrians bouncing off the hood of my car. It was like Lord of the Flies.

Our hotel is nice and is right downtown. We're three blocks from the former Sears Tower, which is now called the Willis Tower. We have this hotel only because there was a special deal for it on Expedia. Just for some perspective, last night I was at a Red Roof Inn for $44. Tonight our car is in a parking garage that regularly costs $42 a day.

We're on the 4th floor. I don't like even being on the second floor of a Motel 6, so this bothers me a little. But this hotel is in a tall building, so I guess I should be thankful I'm on the 4th floor and not any higher.

I was sitting in McDonalds tonight. Someone there was talking about the Cubs. I didn't hear the whole conversation, but I did hear him say "Cubs" and "World Series" and then he stared laughing. That was great. Cub fans try to stay optimistic, but they know the season isn't going to go well. The Major League season started about three days ago and the Cubs are already close to being mathematically eliminated. It's OK, Cubbies. Wait till next year.