Work Wednesday - Chicago

The city of Chicago seems to have surprises around every corner.  After driving into downtown, which is always a bit of a challenge, it was time to attend my conference.  At the end of a good first day, with a head full of cost basis and ordinary income information and exercises, I stepped outside for the very first time today into a relatively cool Midwestern evening.

I had learned during the session that the Taste of Chicago festival was starting, and since it was almost dinner time, I set off...in the wrong direction.  I realized my mistake, got turned back around, and wondered for a moment how on earth I might find my way through much bigger cities in the future, if I can't handle the right direction in Chicago, which I know fairly well.

A nice detour

Then as I wound my way down through a section of Millennium Park I had not been through yet, with rock climbing walls everywhere, Grant Park was sonically signaling as the band Weezer took the stage.  I wondered why the food area was so deserted, until I saw the concert-goers through the trees.  Aha, there was everyone!

If you want to destroy my sweater...

After getting food tickets, I checked out the offerings at the food booths.  Not too far in, I spied a sign for a Lobster Corndog, which stopped me in my tracks.  However, it was 11 tickets, which was way expensive and took up almost 1/3 of my ticket budget.  I decided to go with more of a small-plate tasting approach.  I ended up at a farm-to-table type place and got a small bite of their Avocado Toast.  I typically enjoy unusual food, but the garnish on this one I did not like much at all.  Regretfully, I finished the strange tidbit.  That experience spurred me on to go for the lobster corndog, which I realized if I did not try I would always wonder about it.  Then, after handing over all those tickets, I was thrilled to see that it was from Graham Elliot Bistro, one of Jeff''s and my favorite restaurants in town.  It was incredible....the batter was light, the lobster was tasty with a garlic aioli, and the big surprise was the smoked paprika on top, which pulled it all together, like having a awesome purse to make your outfit pop.  Magical!

Seeking out a small dessert, I waited in line at a booth I had sought out for their mini bacon/chocolate puffs, only to get to the counter to learn they had run out for the day and only had the big version, which I couldn't afford with the amount of tickets that were left in my pocket.  Backtracking to a mini-donut stand that had enticing donut-y aromas, I was pleased to not only be given twice the number of donuts I expected, but the Ancho flavor I selected was the bomb.  Sugary and peppery, it was a flavor combo I had not ever enjoyed before but would definitely seek out again.  The donuts were perfectly cooked and light.  All memories of the toast were completely banished.

With only a couple of tickets left after springing for a mini Mexican strawberry Popsicle (I love mini food), I decided to give them to a woman who was asking for food ticket donations. It is strange walking around eating delicious items when someone is standing there and is hungry.  I was especially glad I had shared the tickets when, outside of the festival, I encountered a man shouting at the crowd: "YOU DON'T NEED YOUR EXTRA TICKETS." Unsettling.

Heading back up to Millennium Park, I could hear classical music coming from the Pritzker pavilion, which is a Frank Gehry-designed amphitheater.  There was a free concert! Turns out the Grant Park Music Festival was presenting a performance this evening. It had started to drizzle, but the stage is covered so the orchestra was right in the middle of a Bernstein piece - one of my favorite composers.  I got to sit in the seats, which were free and first-come, first-served.  I noticed right away that the conductor was a woman.  I felt a bit embarrassed about noticing that, because..why not?  Then, thinking through all of my experiences playing with orchestras, in festivals, in chamber ensembles, the only time I have personally been conducted by a woman, that I can recall, was in middle school, high school, or by someone taking a conducting class.  I also can't remember seeing a live performance with a female conductor recently.  So, I decided this was indeed quite an anomaly (which is kind of shocking to think in 2015), and as I watched, I saw that she is a fabulous conductor.  Her name is Karina Canellakis, and is Asst. Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

After ducking out after the first movement of a Franck symphony (it seems he did not like ending movements quickly), it was a treat to see Millennium Park's Cloud Gate (The Bean) and Crown Fountain again. Every time I visit it is a different kind of experience, affected by the light and the weather.  Tonight was the first time I had been there in the evening.  I especially liked how The Bean looked like a spaceship that had come down from the sky, instead of the reflection-mad sculpture of midday.

The Bean has Landed

Face/Fountain

Settling into my room to update this blog, I heard the fireworks going off at Navy Pier.  Chicago!!