Special visitor from the UK

25 years later, a special someone came to visit me here in Chicago. This someone has been there since the very beginning, since the land before my time.

The thing is that after a few months here, the family didn't really know what I was up to. But they were very suspicious. They didn't know where I live, nor what Chicago is like. All they had heard was that this city was once the home of Al Capone and his mob. This tiny bit of detail didn't really help.

So, to investigate, they sent a person to represent the family (unarmed of course) to check that everything was in place. This little investigator was my Mum, luckily with some harmless English treats in hand (good old Dairy Milk chocolate and a couple of English newspapers!)!It was a nice little visit. We made sure we enjoyed the sights and tastes of Chicago. I even saw things that I had never seen before!On the first night, we went out for some dinner and afterwards we walked along the lakefront pass lots of cyclists, joggers and rollerbladers - a bit of Miami here in Chicago and a bit of an eye opener for my Mum!We even joined in a couple of times renting a bike and cycling down the lakefront which simply goes on for miles!At one point I played up to the camera, much like I had seen other tourists do. It looked fun!However, my Mum wasn't having any of it and thought she was helping, somewhat.Sunrise in this place is pretty spectacular (Mum took this as I was asleep wasn't I!).Even more spectacular was Circe Du Soleil who were in town and what we saw was simply extraordinary!As a treat one night, we headed up to the top of the John Hancock to The Signature Lounge on the 95th floor for sunset.We also managed to check out Sears Tower and the views from the 103rd floor.Now, I am faced with reality, when I return from work there is no dinner waiting for me, nor no chocolate cake.How will I cope!

Boston and New York visit

In mid-August, a little work trip to Boston and New York beckoned. The great thing was that I had never been to Boston before and it also marked my first return to New York since I left in April.


It was a quick but productive trip!

Barcelona FC in Chicago

In early August, the mighty Barcelona came to town to play Chivas, a Mexican team, at Soldier Field. Although the maestro Messi wasn't playing, we did see Eto'o, Henry, Gudjohnsen, the new signing Helb and a very talented up and coming 17 year old called Pedro. Barcelona won 5-2!

Chicago Thunderstorms

Boy oh boy. When the weather hits this place, it really does hit it hard!

This chap had no idea. I had only just got back into my apartment for the evening taking a look out the window to check out the rather tranquil evening sky. It all looked so nice. But, at the same time, some rather menacing and significant storm clouds were incoming.The sky changed in a second. The black clouds had already arrived, passing the windows at some mph with such breathtaking force. The apartment was now dark. The building was creaking. We were now at sea again.

I've never seen such fierce winds loaded with water flowing through a whole city. It truly was phenomenal witnessing such a storm.

Well, I say 'was', but actually it looks as though the storm hasn't quite gone yet. The lightning is now overhead, bursting strobe-like lightning across the dark misty clouds and the sound is heavy. It could be a long night...

Check out the video to see this event before your eyes in the comfort of your chair in relative harmony!! If you can, listen out for the eerie piper who returned again to play out the storm.