The Great Chicago Sky Fire

Okay, can you bear one more Chicago photo? Hope so, because this is what you're getting for today! This photo is from the locks between the river and Lake Michigan. I think there is about a 3 foot difference between the two water bodies. How about the sky in this photo? It's as if the sky is on fire. Don't say fire too loud in Chicago, though.

Read here for a little bit more about the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Massive city-wide fires such as this one, greatly influenced architectural codes in the future. Fireproofing of exposed structure, fire and smoke wall ratings, duct dampers, and life safety egress are just a handful of subjects architects must be concerned with today.

Trumping the clouds

You're looking at the Trump Tower in Chicago. It was designed by Skidmore, Ownings and Merrill (or SOM to the alphabet-soup architecture folks). It certainly makes a statement in the Chicago skyline. It's incredibly tall, so much so that the sky opens up for it in this photo. I have to admit, it kept my attention while we floated past it in the river boat.

The city of bridges

This is Chicago from Lake Michigan. I was able to take this panoramic photograph this weekend while I was there for a work trip. At about 4pm we finished up with meetings and a group of us bought tickets to the architectural river boat tour. During the tour they take you out on to Lake Michigan, where I was able to snap this. Actually this is about four photos spliced together in photoshop.

Chicago is an amazing town. I knew it would be from everything I learned in school and from all I'd heard from people who have been or lived there. But, seeing it in person really drove it home that it's a great city. This weekend was only a tease, so I need to plan a return soon.

On the boat tour we learned many facts about Chicago, including its many nicknames. Of course everyone knows the windy city nickname, but what about the city of bridges. A river runs right through the heart of downtown Chicago, so there are bridges that span the river all along it. Even the elevated train crosses the river at some points.

Duck, duck, goose

This is my little duck friend from White Rock Lake. He and all his buddies were hanging out by the sail boat marina. Unfortunately he had a bad leg, and I think I scared him a little by being around. But, he couldn't get away very fast because of his injury. Poor fella. As a result I got a pretty good close up of him. Hope he healed up fast, he's good looking for a duck.

Stinzfest 7

I went down to San Antonio last weekend for Stinzfest 7. What in the world is Stinzfest 7, you ask? Well, it's the Stintzi family's annual music fest. Really. Bands with Stintzi's and bands who know the Stintzi's show up to jam in the backyard. The event has really started to become a serious deal, so much so that it demanded a sign this year. When I got to San Antonio, papa Stintzi asked me to make a sign. So with a little bit of cardboard, some white spray paint and some home-made stencil letters, we busted out this sign. I may not be able to play the guitar, but I did rock with this sign.

Rock solid sail boats

I love White Rock Lake. It's Dallas' little haven. And, who knew you could take a photo like this in Dallas? You don't usually think sailing when you think Dallas. But, the lake is always good for some unique scenary, like sail boats, kayakers, cycling teams, and fishermen.

Tomorrow morning I'm running the lake with a coworker. I actually haven't run the lake in months, so I'm really looking forward to it. And, this run is going to be in the early morning, which is always a beautiful time to be on the lake. Quite often White Rock has a bit of fog over the water in the morning, well it did in the winter time, we'll see about that in the summer. Either way, it'll be nice to see the sun come up over the still walter. So off to bed soon so I can get up early for an outstanding start to Friday.

All dogs go to heaven

My family's sweet pup was put to sleep last week. Kelly, or Kel-bel as we tended to call her, was 17 years old. She had both leukemia and liver disease, so it was her time. It was very hard for us, it still is in fact, even though we knew it was for the best. She was a member of our family. There are more memories with her a part of our family than there are without. Kelly was without a doubt the most loving and lovable dog I have ever known. So for everyone who loved and was loved by Kelly, I'll share a few memories.

We first got Kelly when Kyle and I were little kids. Kyle had wanted a dog for quite some time. He pleaded his case for months. Then finally one weekend Mom took Kyle and I to west Forth Worth to pick out a pup. When we met her she was only days old. Mom held her in her palm while Kyle and I looked sweetly on. She literally was no bigger than Mom's palm, and we joked she looked more like a white rat than a dog.

Then about six weeks later or so we went back to pick her up. She had grown, but was probably still no bigger than a small pineapple. We had set up a cardboard box with pillows and blankets for her ride home. I remember she had a timid look on her face, looking back at us from the little box. The whole way home we brainstormed ideas for her name, then we finally settled on Kelly just as we reached Kelly Boulevard near our house. It was perfect.

Kelly was a beautiful, beautiful dog with a true smile and sweet spirit. She also had amazing amounts of energy, almost to the end.

Playing chase. We all used to play chase with Kel. It usually started around the kitchen island. You'd jump at her and she's pounce back, spreading her front paws and staying low. Then you'd jump at her again, she'd pounce then take off in a dead sprint around the island. Often the game of chase made its way into the den. Finally she'd get so worn out, her tongue would be hanging out of her mouth. The game would usually end with her jumping into Mom or Dad's lap for refuge.

Dad's chair. Kelly loved sitting with all of us. Anyone who would rub her belly in fact, she loved sitting with. But, when night time fell you could be sure to find Kelly snuggled up next to Dad in his chair. It was just as much her chair as it was his. That was her spot.

Morning kisses. When Kelly was young, Mom used to bring Kelly up to Kyle and I's rooms when it was time for us to wake up. There was no more sleeping in after Kelly was let loose in your bed. She would get so excited, jumping all over you, franticly kissing your face, until you had no choice but to wake up. It was sure to put a smile on your face. My friends even remember Kelly doing that at sleep overs way back in the day.

French fries. It became a long standing tradition years ago that Kelly would get a special treat after getting groomed. We'd take Kelly (and ourselves) for a small fry at McDonald's after picking her up from the groomer. I think Mom continued this little tradition with Kel even after we went away to college.

Shake. I think it was me who decided Kelly needed to learn to shake in order to recieve a cookie. We finally got her to shake after training and training. It was cute. Eventually as she got older she stopped shaking for a cookie as much; either she had just had enough of our silly antics or we stopped making her. Every now and then when I'd give her a treat, I'd ask her to shake, and she'd humor me.

Pool races. Kyle and I discovered one summer that Kelly loved to race in the pool. We'd position ourselves at the end of the pool and say, "ready!" and she'd bark, "set", and she'd bark, then we'd yell "go!" and we'd both take off. Kelly would run along the edge of the pool to the other end, alway beating us there. When we finally arrived she lick the pool water off our face. The funny thing about this was, Kelly wasn't a barking dog. Occasionally she'd bark if something caught her attention at night in the yard, but not much really at all. So when she'd bark at us in the pool, it was really like she was talking to us.

Rolling over. Kelly loved everyone, and when the doorbell rang she used to get so excited. The door would open and she's wag her tail crazily then roll over for her visitor to rub her belly, then she'd pee a little from the excitement. Thankfully she stopped doing that as she got older.

I remember bathing Kelly and she'd look so skinny when all her fluffy white hair was wet. She was so cute. Then you'd go to blow her dry with the hair dryer and she would bite at the air. It became like a game. When she was young she took over one of Kyle and I's stuffed animals, and made it her baby. The poor dog was terrified by thunderstorms. And, she bucked her kennel early and made her bed my bed, then eventually Kyle's then Mom and Dad's. She was so sweet.

There are so, so many more stories about her, these are just a few. She was without a doubt the best dog our family could have. We miss you, Kel.