Instant History/Architecture Tour

I wish there was a way to walk down the street, enter the address of a particular building and receive a full rundown of the property, complete with stories, anecdotes and other significant information from its history. (Yes, yes I'm sure there is an iphone app for that, but lets get serious, it would be awesome

I was on my bike this morning and saw this building on the edge of Chicago's River North. It's huge and it's right next to the downtown area. It almost touches the river so you would think that it dealt in water-way commerce at some point. Common to many building of this style there is always a family or company name displayed prominently. I would love to know what happened there. How it contributed to the city's economic growth over the last 150 years. Did the place ever burn down? Were there union riots? Was it a one time gangster hide out?

Today these building often are utilized as loft style condos or hip office buildings. It's a nice way to recycle an old building to reflect the needs of business. We aren't all yarn dealers or textile merchants so turn the old buildings into software developer hubs or consultancy hang outs. But would it hurt to throw a plaque out front that gives me the run down on what the building was built for, when, by whom, and an exciting history of its place in Chicago history?

When the Cubs play .500 ball

Is it bad to ask the Cubs to play at about .500 for the rest of the season? Yes, it is, but for selfish reasons, I think it's a good idea. Here's why.

I enjoy going to baseball games. I, in fact, really enjoy it. The energy, the rhythm, the sounds and sunshine, they all add something to the experience that makes a day at Wrigley quite amazing. I bet it's the same at many outdoor parks in the league, but since Wrigley is my own and I haven't gone to many other parks, I know little else.

So naturally, I try to get to as many games as I can. Last year I smashed all C.E. personal records and hit about 20 games. But as you may recall, the Cubbies were good in 2008. Right down to the wire we were juggling first place with the Brewers (disclaimer: I don't know if that's true, but I was led to believe it so I'll assume it is fact). As we head into August and September and the Cubs continue to hold the attention of the city ticket prices rise and fans get 'dumber'.

No longer is it possible to walk up at 1:10 and get two choice tickets for the 1:20 matinee. Instead that clown from Schaumburg is paying premium to get into the game raising pricing for all us neighborhood folk (I don't mind Schumburg, it was just stream of consciousness and I moved out of the neighborhood in September so I'm really a poser anyway).

When they play average baseball then there is less interest and fewer people trying to get tickets. Of course I expect them to win every game I'm attending, but that's besides the point.

Oh and the Cubs Win song, Go Cubs Go, I love it!

c.e.