Chicago Christmas Parting Shots

Family friends Ryan (left, with toy motorbikes) and Zac are bundled to immobility and massive cuteness.


Though the pic is a bit unflattering, my mom's ravioli (made w/homemade noodles) rock.


Frank Gehry's Pritzker Pavillion band shell in Millenium Park is cool...but his Dancing House may be cooler.


Smallish Chicago coffee chain--for now anyway--Intelligentsia has awesome coffee.


In homage to A Christmas Story, I licked 'the Bean'...but did not stick a la Flick.

Winter Wonderland in Chicago

Sunny as it may look, clear equals cold on days like this. Three degrees to be exact.

It was so cold, this bull froze in place after wandering out of the stockyards.

Apparently Chicago pigeons are smarter than the livestock.

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Awaiting beam-up from the Chicago Cultural Center's lobby.

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The north dome of the Cultural Center...not to be confused with the North Pole.

It's minus 33 degrees...

It's minus 33 degrees...good thing my brother is well insulated.


It's minus 33 degrees...which can instantly freeze your face.

It's minus 33 degrees...so I think I'll skip the giant sundae on the right.

It's minus 33 degrees...but not at the center of a Superdawg's pure beef heart.

[Actual temperature -9 degrees Farenheit, wind chill index -33]