a pleasing and pulchritudinous perspective

Here are some photos from above, after a sunrise hot air balloon ride west of Chicago for work.

italy painting

I am going to get back into painting. Here is one inspired from my recent Italy trip.

blue spruce in new home

The blue spruce from McHenry sits in its new home in Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago where it arrived Friday night. The tree will be the centerpiece of a tree lighting ceremony on November 24. Watch a video of the tree chopping by Danielle Guerra here:
http://ssm.nwherald.com/northwest-herald/video/20101104McHenryChristmasTree/mchenry-christmas-tree/

italy austria germany and a pit stop in the netherlands

Back from Europe and back at 'em. Excuse the many photos of mountains but I am kind of obsessed. Lots to choose from, but here are some favorites.

These bicycles were spotted after a fantastic Italian meal at Osteria ale Duca in Verona, Italy.

Verona, Italy.

Note: Olives directly from the tree do not taste very good.

The Dolomites, a section of the Alps, seen from our place in Bolzano, Italy.

 Oh, just your usual castle nestled in the mountains.

Rattenberg, Austria.

 Surfing in the English Gardens, Munich, Germany.

 Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich.

 Amsterdam.

Phew!

new york city birthday extravaganza

My birthday was Oct. 1. I celebrated it big time with some of my favorite people in New York City. Here is some of what I saw and did.
This first photo is by Angela, I took the rest.

Birthday day at MOMA...

Chasing light in Central Park...

Red cape and hat sighting...

Lovely Angela...

AST and BB after photo slideshow...

Good to see old friend A.J. at MediaStorm screening in DUMBO...

 

Grand Central Station...

Renaissance Festival in Cloisters...

                                      Yellow shoes purple tights.

Group portrait with sister and brother-in-law... great joint birthday celebration!

tiny flower tile blue

Here is a photo from a leisurely Monday brunch date at a new favorite Chicago spot, Lulu's in Logan Square.

election time

Some photos from my experience covering the Illinois election season.

Candidate Joe Walsh (R-Il)(left) waits for (D-Il) Melissa Bean's answer during an 8th Congressional District candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters at Grayslake Central High School on Wednesday, Oct. 20.

Illinois governor candidate Bill Brady speaks Monday night, Sept. 20, to the McHenry County business community at a special forum organized by area Chambers of Commerce and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation at Woodstock North High School.

McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren smiles as results come in at D'Andrea Banquets & Conference Center in Crystal Lake on Tuesday evening, Nov. 2. Nygren defeated opponents Mike Mahon-D and Gus Philpot-Green Party.

soccer bonanza

I had a bit too much fun shooting boys high school soccer sectionals a while back. Great light, excellent action, what else can I say?

a fall football post for good measure

Here is a football game between Prairie Ridge High School and Johnsburg a few Friday nights ago.