brainmower » Chicago

Walter Payton

Stuart — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:07:23 +0000

Walter Payton was one of my biggest childhood heroes.

I remember Payton’s press conference in ‘99 weeks before he died where he pleaded for a liver transplant. I was devastated.

Payton played for some terrible Bears teams. He was the Bears’ only weapon for almost 10 years so opposing defenses could key on him yet he still ran over them. Despite being the opposing defense’s main target Payton played in every game for the Bears for 10 consecutive years during which Payton broke every NFL rushing record before retiring after the 1986 season.

Payton never celebrated a TD. Instead, he would hand the ball to his linemen so they received credit. Payton was also notorious for pulling jokes in the locker room. He was soft spoken, worked hard and treated his teammates with respect. Payton was a class act.

Here’s to you Walter for being one bad ass mofo and providing a little kid in Chicago with a role model and hero for so many years. This kid is still your biggest fan.

Chicago Trip Pictures

Stuart — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:11:23 +0000

Finally posted the pictures from my trip to Chicago back in October. When we were there it was perfect weather: sunny and mid 70′s. Shortly after we left Winter showed up and Chicago has been in the deep freeze ever since! I had such a good time and the weather was so great I was daydreaming about moving back. Now I just look at the weather and remember why I moved!

2008 October Chicago Trip

(You’ll notice I use Google’s Picasa for pictures. Most people use Flickr. I just don’t get Flickr. I don’t like Flickr’s interface at all….or really anything about Flickr, but that’s a topic for another post.)

Fall colors

Stuart — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:04:01 +0000

Fall is my favorite season. The crisp winds and the leaves changing colors make the last few weeks of October a very unique time of year….at least that’s what I remember. I’ve lived in San Diego for 10 years and barely remember the experience of a real Fall season.

While many joke that Chicago only has two seasons: Winter and Road Construction, I can confirm that San Diego only has two seasons as well: Summer and Wildfires.

Without a true Fall season in San Diego we miss out on watching the leaves change colors. However, there are pictures courtesy of Flickr!

Fall foliage in downtown Chicago by Flickr user Keith Dotson

Fall: Lincon Park Zoo Area Chicago, IL. 10-26-2008 by Flickr user antmann9

Fall in Chicago by Flickr user pntphoto

Orlando, Chicago, Chicago

Stuart — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:31:38 +0000

You may have heard the saying (or some variation): “It takes five times to form a habit but only three times to break it.” The meaning is that for any activity to become a habit requires five repetitions but that the habit can be broken with just three missed occurrences.

Take this blog for instance! I’ve been off my regular routine due to travel to Orlando and two trips to Chicago inside of four weeks. The weekends away seeing old friends and relaxing have been great.

Tomorrow I leave again for four days in Chicago. I will be staying downtown at the Palmer House. I look forward to seeing all the changes that have happened downtown and in my old neighborhood. It has been far too long since I’ve visited some of my favorite childhood places.

The reason for the trip is to celebrate a good friend’s recent marriage at a restaurant. Yes, I’m flying to Chicago to have dinner, I am that much of a baller (not really, he’s a good friend and I told him months ago I would attend).

So after my third trip in the past four weeks I’ll be back to forming my habits (regular blog posts) all over! See you on the other side.