Professionals in Chicago

I never would have guessed it.

After playing football Tuesday night, a couple of us went to get a beer. We decided to head to The Globe, a English football pub, never guessing that 4,000 miles away from home - we would have some professionals for company.

I've never had the pleasure of being in a pub with some Premier League stars, but here I was in the company of five Everton professionals and the manager David Moyes!

Everton were on their pre-season tour, with a game the next night against Chicago Fire. We walked in and with an abundance of Everton fans in the pub, I knew something wasn't quite right!

Venetian Night

On Saturday a couple of friends and I went down to the harbour to watch boats decked out with lights and props sail around the harbour. Quite a few other Chicagoans were there and according to estimates - some 600,000 of them. Well, it didn't seem like that quite that many people but you just never know.

The best part was the flyover of several planes, not quite the Red Arrows legends of the world but they managed to keep in formation nonetheless, quite gladly too. The fireworks were also pretty good and presumably, very expensive, this show went on for about half an hour!

Northerly Island

Last night we headed to Northerly Island just outside the city in the newly developed Millennium Park area to watch a couple of bands play. It is one of the best outdoor venues for music in Chicago with the beautiful backdrop of the Chicago skyline.

A couple of bands played including Umphrey's McGee who originally came from Chicago. They played a fair few guitar rifts which was good and they even did a couple of Pink Floyd covers too which was even better!

Apartment 6309

World's Biggest Block Party

Apparently.

Well, the Americans don't do things by halves, and this certainly was a big party around a block!! We saw Rusted Root and Ben Kweller play before heading to a couple of bars afterwards to celebrate a friend's birthday.

Birthday photos

Chicago skyscrapers

25th birthday!

As it was my birthday it merited a special boat tour of the city down the river and out onto the lake.

It was a great little voyage with great views of the Chicago skyline from the lake. The buildings along the river are pretty spectacular too, especially the curved building aligned with the bend of the river and a great view of Sears Tower too.

Apple i-phone queue

It's amazing just how far people will go to get the revised i-phone!

View from 63rd

John Hancock

After living in my new apartment for nearly two months, I discovered the monthly resident newsletter underneath my door with an article titled "Let's learn about the 'icon' in which we live!". It made rather interesting reading!

When completed in 1969, this not-so-little tower was the tallest building in the world outside New York. And, now it is the twelfth tallest building in the world with 100-storeys. But, when measured at pinnacle height right up the top of its antenna masts, it stands at 1,500 feet (457m) making it the third-tallest building in the world (after Taipei 101 and Sears Tower).

The swimming pool on the 44th floor, with all its magnificent views of the Chicago skyline, is in fact the highest indoor swimming pool in the country!As for me, I live on the 63rd floor which is high enough!!! In fact, the weather has been quite good but from time to time the apartment lies just above the clouds which is quite a surreal experience, day or night!

Oak Street Beach

Last Friday was the fourth of July, a rather special occasion with lots of celebrations across the country. This was Independence Day.

Here in Chicago, the celebrations began with numerous fireworks across the city on the 3rd July. Although it was quite an American affair, this British chap went along with the celebrations nonetheless and woke up to the morning sun in the John Hancock. This was quite apt as this skyscraper was named after John Hancock, the first person to sign the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The day of the fourth was spent wondering around town, starting with a visit to great brunch cafe near Rush Street. After some shopping, it was time for another visit to Oak Street Beach, just around the corner from where I live. I've never really lived this close to a beach, nor such a vast lake, so it's pretty special!These Chicago guys certainly know how to make the most of the summer months as these palm trees are definitely not native to this city!
Saturday evening was spent at Green Mill, quite an unassuming venue, but the funky jazz music by the Garaj Mahal was pretty good with a very quick and talented guitarist.
The following night was spent at Taste of Chicago in Grant Park where all the best restaurants in the city decend to showcase their food. The event is also mixed in with some musical entertainment and we were able to see Bonnie Raitt, who is very popular on these shores.

There's nothing like a three day weekend to recharge those batteries!