A Chicago cab driver declined a tip. Truly. As I was getting tip money from my purse, he said, "Forget about it." Weird. This was my second interesting cabbie of the day. Earlier, I'd managed to snag a cab as he was depositing an earlier fare. Turns out it was his first day on the job, so we were giving him tips on the best way to get places ( Read more... )

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine called and suggested that we start a walking routine together, and I said "yes". We try to get out at least every other day. There's a pedestrian overpass to the lakefront about mid-way between my apartment and hers, so we meet there, go to the lakefront and then walk either north or south. We usually walk for ( Read more... )

The scales having confirmed that the holiday parties have resulted in a weight increase, so despite the fact that it was a gray morning, I decided to start the New Year with a walk along the lakefront. I bundled up and went out. Gosh, it was raw! Damp and windy. Nevertheless, I got in nearly a half-hour's brisk walk and then came home to a nice ( Read more... )