Chicago 2010 — pt. 9

HOLD ON TO YOUR SHORTS!!!! There are a ton of photos in this post.


Since Chicago is considered "Little Warsaw," and since I'm 1/2 Polish, when I realized we were staying within blocks of the Polish Museum of America, of COURSE we had to go!


Everything was really ornate.


A lot of "skis" on the board ... I felt right at home (for those of you who are thinking: "there's no "ski" in your maiden name, Karen, you're only half right. Dad's last name was shortened when he was in school. Prior to that time, there was a "ski" in Mikols. Plus about 5 other letters, too!).


These were some sort of theme/seal/symbol.


Really popular. No idea what they mean.


I thought this was a beautiful drawing/painting. Really loved it.


"Pulaski at Savannah" is a large painting there .... I first heard about Casimir Pulaski on NPR. He's a Polish dude, and the City of Chicago still celebrates his day. As in people get out of work/off of school. How cool is that?

From the Chicago Sun-Times: Pulaski Day / puh LAS key day / n. The first Monday of March in Illinois -- and a day off for Chicago Public Schools kids as well as City of Chicago and Cook County workers. Other school districts throughout the state also recognize the day. It honors Polish-born Brigadier Gen. Casimir Pulaski, a famed cavalry officer in Poland before joining the American Revolution and becoming a hero here -- and a source of great pride for Polish Americans. New York and Philadelphia also hold Pulaski parades, although they are in October.

I'm considering this as a personal holiday from now on, too! ;)


Who knew the Polish people were involved in the Civil War? Not me!


Some Polish writing. Really beautiful.

Funny but true story: When we were little and would spend a weekend at my dad's parents house, if they wanted to talk about something but not have us understand, my grandparents would start speaking in Polish. True story! Sometimes, Grandpa Benny just looks at me and starts talking in Polish. Um ... I just smile and nod. Because I have no idea what he's saying.


I thought this was pretty.


Who knew the first Polish Parish was in Texas? Not me! I would've guessed Chicago.


Probably one of the most well-known Polish peeps.


A little more.


This amused me. I saw this cart of "extra" books for sale. Most of them were on Polish stuff. But then there was America 24/7. I actually was one of the photographers contracted for that book. And have a photo or two in it. Just made me smile. :)


I'm not sure who this is ... some famous composer. I don't remember now. Anyone want to help us out? Manda? Famous Polish Composer????

Chicago 2010 — pt. 8

We went to this great art gallery in Chicago. I seriously loved it!


As you can see, so did Erik ... ;)


And he brings out the ham ....


These door handles were pretty cool, too. Sorry to be a dork, but I dug them!

Chicago 2010 — pt. 7 (Photo tip #1)

Just a nice, graphical photo. I like it.


A different take.


We went up in the Hancock building to view the Sears Tower. :)


Erik looking goofy.


Me looking goofy.

Sheesh.

Oh, and here's a tip for you camera geeks out there. This was all taken with my point and shoot. We watched someone else try to get a photo of them with the skyline in the background, and they couldn't do it. They were all dark/black, and the skyline looked great.

Here's why: The camera's meter saw the sky and said "There's enough light here" so it thought there was no need for a flash.

Many cameras have the option to force your flash to fire. What that did was put light on me and Erik, and still show the stuff in the background. It's not the same as a pro camera, but does a better job than letting your camera do all of the thinking!

This tip also applies to SUNSETS. If you want the sun to look great behind you,but also be able to see you, force your flash to go.

Example below:

Chicago 2010 — pt. 6

Just one photo is needed for this post. And it summarizes our experience at Lou Malnati's Pizzeria. If you're in Chicago, you MUST go to this place!

On a similar note, I made a snarky comment that there should be a pizza tour of Chicago .... and there IS one! You go to several places and have a slice of pie at each. We didn't go this time, but it'll be on the list for next time. :)

Chicago 2010 — pt. 5

We also made it to a Cubs game!

With a 2-ish hour rain delay, it was a late start.

Erik thinks I have a little rain cloud that has been following me to MLB games this season. And he has a valid point. It rained in KC, and in Washington and in Chicago. Sheesh!


Matt, our awesome host.


Erik with Mr. Woo-Woo.


Us with him ... see me "woo-woo-ing"? (I didn't ask questions about that sequenced glove).


Aaaand, finally us. Me looking like a drowned rat b/c I had an engagement session. In the rain. In Chicago. It was a great session, but let's just say I looked like I'd been hit by a bus when it was all over.

Chicago 2010 — pt. 4

See? Foggy still!


Erik's buddy, Matt, hosted us when we were in town. And he has a sweet pad with an excellent cityskape view ...


Bailey, the welcoming committee. And food taster. ;)


We had some nice skies, though.

Chicago 2010 — pt. 3

On our way into the museum, we were greeted with this.

Evidently the Chicago hockey team did well at something? Idunno. Whatever.


Another one! From across the gallery!


I was actually pretty amused by all of the jerseys (this is the same as the middle photo, just from a different angle).

Chicago 2010 — pt. 2

See? Tons of fog.

We were suckers and walked from the Navy Pier to the Museum of Natural History. It was free admission on that day, which was great! Except that we English-speaking individuals were in the minority. Oh, and there were exactly 2,305,103,098 strollers with small children running about. I think I tripped over a minimum of 3 dozen. Oops!


Despite his stoic look, Erik REALLY was excited to see Sue (riiiight!) ;)


See??? I told you so!


Or not. They could be having some jealousy issues.


I was keen to see Sue because when I interned in Hays, she was there. Of course, I never went because I'm a dork, but I made up for it.

Oh, and for all you Hays peeps out there, THE SUE IN HAYS WAS A FAKE!!!!! Who knew? Right? I feel secure that I saw the real Sue, though. ;)


I liked this angle!

Chicago 2010 — pt. 1

Erik and I were in Chicago last month, and the one word I would use to describe our trip: FOGGY.


We went to Navy Pier ... and the buildings right by the water? Swallowed by fog.


Compare the photo above to the one I took a few years ago!


Different, eh?


I couldn't resist taking this photo of cow stuff for my sister. But fortunately for her husband, I refrained from making any purchases.


Mrs. O'Leary ... let's talk about this. When I was in Girl Scouts, there was a camp song about "Old Lady Leary left a lantern in the shed, and when the cow kicked it over, she winked her eye and said 'It'll be a hot time in the old town tonight!'" ... OK, so when I was in Chicago a few years ago, I learned that the cow-lantern-fire thing was REAL. One of the big Chicago fires was started by this cow. So .... there you have it.


It was Erik's first trip to the Pier.


What is it with men and big. metal objects? ;)