My Kind Of Town

I arrived in Chicago today and on the plane I began thinking about my very first trip to The Windy City.  It occurred in 1981.

I was attending Texas Wesleyan University and was a member of Phi Beta Lambda.  The annual national conference was held in Chicago at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.  College students from all over the US were converging on the city.  The thing I remember most about the hotel is it’s huge atrium with a bar that project out over the registration area and main lobby.

The hotel has been renovated and the bar has been redone and it is being redone again.  If memory serves me correctly, it was redone after the catastrophic events at the Hyatt Regency Kansas City.

I can’t remember what I competed in at the conference but I do remember having a fun time and making some new friends and strengthening friendships.

Things I remember from the trip:

• Going to the observation deck of the Sears Tower now known as Willis Tower
• Going to the observation deck of the Hancock Tower
• Shopping at Water Tower Place
• Going to the beach (Who knew that Chicago had a beach?)
• Walking along the Magnificent Mile
• Having my first champagne brunch
• Having my first experience of being told I was too young to drink. (At the time, the drinking age varied by state.  In Texas, it was 18 and in Illinois it was 21.)

Since 1981, there have been many trips to Chicago; mostly for work and sometimes just for fun.  It’s a town that I always enjoy visiting and town that has left me with many good memories.

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

Today is the day that we lost an hour. Hopefully you remembered to Spring Forward and set your clocks an hour ahead.

Last night I set my alarm clock one hour ahead but even this morning when I awakened, I couldn't remember if I really had sprung forward so I was totally confused. I checked the Crackberry and the cable box and yes, I had sprung forward. However, somebody didn't. You see...

I went to the 7:30a.m. Mass at St. Anne's. Just as Mass was finishing up and we were getting our final blessing at 8:15a.m. a gentleman came walking in. He looked very confused as he was walking into the pew. He turned around and said something to the people in the pew behind him. A short conversation ensued, grins were exchanged and he hit his palm on his forehead. My guess is that he didn't know about the time change.

AIDS Walk Houston