July 1st, 2008, 1 Comment »
We were briefly in Chicago a couple of weeks ago. We didn’t get much of a chance for sightseeing, though we did take an enjoyable architectural boat tour on the Chicago River. That’s where we took these fifteen odd photos. They’re unremarkable. This is probably the best one:
June 20th, 2008, 4 Comments »
On Thursday night, I was thrilled to see “Dead Man’s Cell Phone”, a play at Chicago’s famed Steppenwolf Theatre. In terms of new American drama, Steppenwolf is one of the more influential companies in the country.
While not being exactly to my tastes, the production was executed at an exceptionally high level. I really enjoyed Polly Noonan’s performance in the lead role. Reading her bio, I noticed that she was credited with an appearance in the 1986 comedy classic, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I couldn’t imagine who she might have played.
When I got home, I looked it up. She’s the “girl on bus”, who Principal Rooney talks to in the closing credits. She has this awesome line:
Gummy bear? It’s been in my pocket; they’re real warm and soft.
Here’s a murky little photo, and here’s some dodgy, auto-playing video. She has the rare honour of being credited in the closing credits before her appearance in the film.
To add to her peculiar resume (don’t get me wrong–she’s done a ton of impressive theatre work), the lower-half of Ms. Noonan’s face appears on the cover of The Lemonhead’s album, “It’s a Shame About Ray”.
While looking for a clip of a young Polly Noonan, I discovered a clip from Siskel and Ebert’s review of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
June 19th, 2008, 3 Comments »
I’ve been in Chicago this week, speaking at Web Content 2008 (notes from my talks) and hacking up a lung. In one of my talks, I referenced the notion of micro-celebrity, and how many webby folks are famous to a couple thousand people.
Coincidentally, on Wednesday we visited the great, labyrinthine Art Institute of Chicago. While wandering through it, I spotted Britney Barber, the star of the amusing video podcast The Midwest Teen Sex Show. Not surprising, I suppose, given that we’re in the heart of the Midwest (or so somebody told me).
Ms. Barber is famous to me, so the feeling was pretty similar to past celebrity spottings. I didn’t, you know, bother her for an autograph or anything, but there was that sense of ‘hey, I usually only see you on a screen”.
March 4th, 2008, 8 Comments »
I’m going to be in Chicago for a speaking gig in June. We’re adding a couple of days on either side to have a little working holiday.
I’ve never been to the Windy City before. For those who have (and especially those who live there), where would you recommend we stay? I’m not looking for specific hotel recommendations (though I’ll take those). I’m more interested to know what part of town we should stay in.
For an American city like this, we’re your typical cultural tourists–museums, galleries, walking around cool neighbourhoods and the like. Any suggestions?
I promise not to say “da Bears” or “da Bulls” when I’m there.
October 10th, 2007, 3 Comments »
Oh dear. William Wadsworth “Bill” Wirtz, owner of the Chicago Blackhawks, recently passed away. He was apparently not popular with the fans in Chicago. Consider this pre-game ceremony, and in particular the moment of, uh, silence:
That’s in pretty poor taste. Thanks to Mr. Mirtle for the YouTubage.
