wow, a week gone
The wireless in my hotel in Chicago being what it was, I ended up not really posting much here to LJ after Weds night. The class went fine. Thursday night dinner with my friend Brad didn't happen, and Friday night I stayed at the hotel because it was just easier on all of us (myself, Ben and Amanda) for me to voyage to their place on Saturday morning.
So voyage I did. Got to their place around 11am. We went for a terrific brunch at a local diner, then headed to the Shedd Aquarium, to which I have never been. I was excited not just because I love aquariums but also because the Shedd is the setting for a major kick-ass fight in one of the Harry Dresden books, and I sorta-kinda could picture where it all happened (considering how long ago I read the book).
Then we hit Chicago Comics (where I got Marvel's Essential Tomb of Dracula, Volume 3 for only $7!), and a fantastic used bookstore that had the largest Sherlock Holmes-related section I have ever seen. Then we went to a great local Thai place for dinner (I got the business card but it's out of reach at the moment and yes I am that lazy), and went to see Shrek 4 at like the 10pm showing.
Sunday, we slept in a little, then went to the historic Dawes House in Evanston for a tour -- not a long one, about an hour, and unfortunately they do not have the whole house open to touring (and some of what is open has been converted to a more modern museum type space instead of having the period furniture and such in it). Not a bad tour, but not as interesting as it could have been with a different docent. We made our way back to the house, sat in the back yard reading and napping in the afternoon, then friend Brian (and his boyfriend, whose name I have completely blanked on) came over for a cookout dinner and viewing of the Lost Finale.
Then today, Ben and Amanda went to work and I embarked on my 8 hour or so drive from Chicago to Cambridge OH. I teach a one-day class here tomorrow, and then I fly home on Weds.
Depending on my mood and where I go for dinner, tomorrow night will at least feature a plethora of short story commentaries (I've read two issues of The Strand magazine, and a few more stories in the Paper Cities anthology I was working on earlier in the week). I will probably save my Lost Finale thoughts until I get home.
So voyage I did. Got to their place around 11am. We went for a terrific brunch at a local diner, then headed to the Shedd Aquarium, to which I have never been. I was excited not just because I love aquariums but also because the Shedd is the setting for a major kick-ass fight in one of the Harry Dresden books, and I sorta-kinda could picture where it all happened (considering how long ago I read the book).
Then we hit Chicago Comics (where I got Marvel's Essential Tomb of Dracula, Volume 3 for only $7!), and a fantastic used bookstore that had the largest Sherlock Holmes-related section I have ever seen. Then we went to a great local Thai place for dinner (I got the business card but it's out of reach at the moment and yes I am that lazy), and went to see Shrek 4 at like the 10pm showing.
Sunday, we slept in a little, then went to the historic Dawes House in Evanston for a tour -- not a long one, about an hour, and unfortunately they do not have the whole house open to touring (and some of what is open has been converted to a more modern museum type space instead of having the period furniture and such in it). Not a bad tour, but not as interesting as it could have been with a different docent. We made our way back to the house, sat in the back yard reading and napping in the afternoon, then friend Brian (and his boyfriend, whose name I have completely blanked on) came over for a cookout dinner and viewing of the Lost Finale.
Then today, Ben and Amanda went to work and I embarked on my 8 hour or so drive from Chicago to Cambridge OH. I teach a one-day class here tomorrow, and then I fly home on Weds.
Depending on my mood and where I go for dinner, tomorrow night will at least feature a plethora of short story commentaries (I've read two issues of The Strand magazine, and a few more stories in the Paper Cities anthology I was working on earlier in the week). I will probably save my Lost Finale thoughts until I get home.