Cattongue's Day Off
Well, I got paid, didn't go to a Cubs game, didn't sing in a parade, didn't make it to the Exchange, but I still felt a little bit like Ferris...or maybe more like Cameron. Yesterday I was supposed to go to Chicago for a VoIP and IP Telephony seminar with my boss, Bill. Bill lives in the south west suburbs and I live in the north west suburbs, so we were going to both take a metra train to Union Station, meet there and then take a bus to the Hotel where the seminar was. I was somewhat comfortable making the train trip to Union Station, but the rest was waaaay out of my comfort range.
The night before last, Bill calls me and tells me that his boss told him that he needed him in the office the next and he wasn't going to be able to go to the seminar. Bill tells me he'd like me to still go, but understands if I don't--Bill is fairly understanding of my comfort level on traveling to places I don't know. I told him I'd still be going.
I took a train line I've never taken before. This train line is not as busy as the ones I'm used to taking. It was also 6:05am so that may have had something to do with it. I got on the train and it was like the high school bus all over again. Since that line isn't very busy, everyone is in their own seat with the coat and brief case next to them so no one can sit next to them. The train line I've taken before is busy enough that you get on the train and sit in the first available seat. Anyway, I head up to the upper level and have to sit in one of the flip down seats--its ok, but a little uncomfortable.
The rest of the train trip was uneventful. I arrived at Union Station right about at 7am. I followed the crowd out the train and to an exit that was two blocks from where I was expecting to pick up the bus. I've never ridden a city bus before, but I've seen it in the movies so I thought I'd be able to figure it out. I started walking toward where the busses were lining up on Canal Street two blocks away. I see there's a bus stop right there and bus 125 pulls up just as I get there. I can't find my bus route schedule quick enough and just let the bus keep going. I find my schedule and see that 125 is the right bus and wait there for a few minutes for the next one.
Its just me and bus driver for most of the trip. I sit up front and we make small talk as he drives the bus through the streets of downtown Chicago. It was an impressive demonstration. A woman gets on with a couple of other people and ride to the Merchandise Mart. The woman remarks that she likes this bus driver because he drives fast, like she does. 20 minutes later we arrive at Water Tower Place and I get off. That's as far North as that bus goes, but the Drake is only a block or two away. I walk the rest of the way to the Drake. The North end of the Magnificent Mile. Not too magnificent this morning...just windy and cold. They have a door man at the Drake. They also have revolving doors at the Drake. Like being a bottle opener in a twist off world.
The seminar was informative. I was just on a research project, so I was glad that no salesmen cornered me. Salesmen can smell executives and I had bathed since the last time I came in contact with an executive, so they pretty much kept their distance.
The seminar was 3 hours long, leaving me another two hours before there's a train that's going to be heading back toward the 'burbs. Also I know that the bus I rode only runs at rush hour. I figure I can pick up pretty much any bus that isn't going to Navy Pier along Michigan and I'll get closer to Union Station. On my way out the door I stop at the Concierge's desk and ask him how far it is to Union Station (the bus makes so many stops and goes about its task in such a serpentine fasion, that I didn't have a real good idea how far it was). He says its about 2 miles. He goes on to say that its about a 10 minute taxi ride or a 40 minute walk. Shall he call me a taxi? No, I say, I think I'll go for a walk.
Once I had the idea to cross Michigan and walk in the sun, the walk was much more pleasant. It was about 48 degrees out and sunny (on the other side, which was now my side of the street). Other than the occasional wind gusts, it was a good temp for walking. I walked south on Michigan and then I walked on upper Wacker which follows the river. Once Wacker turned south I crossed the river and walked along the plaza that runs along the south branch of the river. It's a bit less noisy there, because the street is on the other side of the buildings.
I arrived at Union Station and ate at McDonalds because there were seats availabe there. I got a good bonus at McDonalds. I spotted an alien. She was working the register and she was straight out of Men In Black. I'm sometimes surprised they don't disguise themselves better.
The train was about 10% full on the way back. Had a nice seat. Second and last bonus of the day!
The night before last, Bill calls me and tells me that his boss told him that he needed him in the office the next and he wasn't going to be able to go to the seminar. Bill tells me he'd like me to still go, but understands if I don't--Bill is fairly understanding of my comfort level on traveling to places I don't know. I told him I'd still be going.
I took a train line I've never taken before. This train line is not as busy as the ones I'm used to taking. It was also 6:05am so that may have had something to do with it. I got on the train and it was like the high school bus all over again. Since that line isn't very busy, everyone is in their own seat with the coat and brief case next to them so no one can sit next to them. The train line I've taken before is busy enough that you get on the train and sit in the first available seat. Anyway, I head up to the upper level and have to sit in one of the flip down seats--its ok, but a little uncomfortable.
The rest of the train trip was uneventful. I arrived at Union Station right about at 7am. I followed the crowd out the train and to an exit that was two blocks from where I was expecting to pick up the bus. I've never ridden a city bus before, but I've seen it in the movies so I thought I'd be able to figure it out. I started walking toward where the busses were lining up on Canal Street two blocks away. I see there's a bus stop right there and bus 125 pulls up just as I get there. I can't find my bus route schedule quick enough and just let the bus keep going. I find my schedule and see that 125 is the right bus and wait there for a few minutes for the next one.
Its just me and bus driver for most of the trip. I sit up front and we make small talk as he drives the bus through the streets of downtown Chicago. It was an impressive demonstration. A woman gets on with a couple of other people and ride to the Merchandise Mart. The woman remarks that she likes this bus driver because he drives fast, like she does. 20 minutes later we arrive at Water Tower Place and I get off. That's as far North as that bus goes, but the Drake is only a block or two away. I walk the rest of the way to the Drake. The North end of the Magnificent Mile. Not too magnificent this morning...just windy and cold. They have a door man at the Drake. They also have revolving doors at the Drake. Like being a bottle opener in a twist off world.
The seminar was informative. I was just on a research project, so I was glad that no salesmen cornered me. Salesmen can smell executives and I had bathed since the last time I came in contact with an executive, so they pretty much kept their distance.
The seminar was 3 hours long, leaving me another two hours before there's a train that's going to be heading back toward the 'burbs. Also I know that the bus I rode only runs at rush hour. I figure I can pick up pretty much any bus that isn't going to Navy Pier along Michigan and I'll get closer to Union Station. On my way out the door I stop at the Concierge's desk and ask him how far it is to Union Station (the bus makes so many stops and goes about its task in such a serpentine fasion, that I didn't have a real good idea how far it was). He says its about 2 miles. He goes on to say that its about a 10 minute taxi ride or a 40 minute walk. Shall he call me a taxi? No, I say, I think I'll go for a walk.
Once I had the idea to cross Michigan and walk in the sun, the walk was much more pleasant. It was about 48 degrees out and sunny (on the other side, which was now my side of the street). Other than the occasional wind gusts, it was a good temp for walking. I walked south on Michigan and then I walked on upper Wacker which follows the river. Once Wacker turned south I crossed the river and walked along the plaza that runs along the south branch of the river. It's a bit less noisy there, because the street is on the other side of the buildings.
I arrived at Union Station and ate at McDonalds because there were seats availabe there. I got a good bonus at McDonalds. I spotted an alien. She was working the register and she was straight out of Men In Black. I'm sometimes surprised they don't disguise themselves better.
The train was about 10% full on the way back. Had a nice seat. Second and last bonus of the day!