Woke up 8:30, down to breakfast 8:45 where I had waffle fingers, bagel and cream cheese, coffee, OJ, cereal and a croissant. Sat with a Finnish retiree.
Finished watching the Warehouse 13 webisodes. Posted to LJ synced all my photos from iPod to Dropbox.

Left hostel around 11:30 and walked south along Michigan then through Grant Park and the Museum campus to the Field Museum.

Arrived and got my hand stamped for standard access (no exhibitions) but even in nearly five hour I didn't see everything.

Managed to loose my Dendarii Free Mercenaries hat ;-( reported to lost property but I doubt it will turn up before I fly home tomorrow.

Walked back to hostel via lake shore, got back at about 5:30, had an ice-cream at DQ Chill & Grill then showered and changed.

Got to Buddy Guy's Ledgends at 700 Wabash at about 8:20. Ordered cup of Louisiana Style Gumbo with cornbread, rice and a Honker's Ale (actually nice served cold, reminiscent of Newcastle Brown). Total cost $8.54, actually left $10 including tip.

At 8:35 cover charge was requested $5 with 50% off coupon.

Got a second Ale on the house as I got a cup of gumbo not a bowl!

First set by Jimmy Burns ended after an hour and twenty at 9:45. Started the second set at 10:00 and after ten minutes first open mike started. Left at that point. Got jelly donut then back to hostel, read in bed, until 11:40.

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

Woke up 7:30, checked email and LJ then down to breakfast 8:15 where I had waffle fingers, bagel and cream cheese, coffee, OJ, cereal and a croissant.

Updated my LJ and played a bit with my new iPod, it's awesome! It's only minus is it has slightly less available storage but it can all be backed up to iCloud.

Read a bit. Discovered that the CVS across the road from the hostel sells cheap t-shirts and got 7 for $25.69! The Chicon 7 shirt was selling for $20.

Left again at 11:00 walked up State which was closed for Open Space day, games and activities all down the road. If not for my blistered feet, and aching bones...

Got to the river just in time for the Wendella boats Lake and River tour got my ticket from the vending machine for $26+tax, for a 90 minute tour. I think I was the last aboard. The ship was called Lila.

First we went away from the lake along the Chicago River, at the Willis Tower (near Jackson) we turned around and headed lakeward.

The Chicago river is one of a kind because it's surface is about 30cm lower than Lake Michigan ie the lake drains into the river. There is a lock in place to reduce outflow. Also all the water for Chicago and surrounding is provided by Michigan.

Took a fair few minutes for water levels to equalise and then there were the views of the city. I took a number of pictures on my iPod and wished my camera battery hadn't died. At least I had some photos.

Returned through the lock then docked at Trump Tower, this took five minutes, without this time the trip was only 85 minutes!

From there I walked via Wacker, State and Lake to Lake / Clark on the Blue line. This is usually a transfer station, but all these lines were unavailable due to L refurbishment (this was why the roads were closed last night).

Caught the train to O'Hare and got off at Montrose. I then had to follow a google maps printout to the Portage Theatre, 4050 North Milwaukee Ave, IL 60641. Arrived at 3:00 to be told doors open at 6:00!

I'd passed an IHOP on my way so backtracked (open 24/7) and ordered a stack of five pancakes and coffee.

The never-ending coffee was only 3 cups, but I did get an ice water without asking. Total $8.97, I was there for about an hour.

Then wandered around six corners, discovered iPod camera doesn't work if the charge is too low.

Read for a bit after finding some seats by a bus stop, and then finding a bus stop with chairs right outside the Theatre.

Can't Stop the Serenity
At 6:00 went in got ticket and patch (photo ID required).

Charity screening of Serenity for Equality Now and House if the Good Shepherd.

The Portage Theater is in 6 corners and is a fairly large single auditorium it even has a organ to accompany silent movies. I sat four rows from the front a) so I could hear when the sound system wasn't used and b) I could see the screen through the correct part of my varifocals.

At 7:00 the performance started with an improv story "The Verse: Another Firefly Story" it's Eli Cobb's birthday.... With a band (and episodes on YouTube).

7:45 thanks from Mary Coffey of House of the Good Shepherd

8:00 intermission, I bought a bag of buttered popcorn, priced at $3 and actually cost $3 (usually tax is added to price displayed).

8.15 door prizes given out. Silent auction ended, costume contest (3 prizes). Actual live auction, lots of cool stuff, if I'd had space I might have bid as a fair few items went for low prices. Though there were a few bidding wars. At the end of this section there were more door prizes. And I won one. (by this time there wasn't much left, so I picked out glow in the dark brackets.

9:15 final intermission

And then at 9:30 the main feature "Serenity" I hadn't watched it since it's original release, it was still awesome, though some lines of foreshadowing were particularly poignant.

The film finished at 11:30 but outside it was raining / drizzling. I put on my pale sweatshirt for visibility and warmth.

Got to Montrose as a train Loopward arrived, caught it with the last credit on my CTA card, left station 11:48 arrived at Jackson 12:14 got a bit turned around, but back to hostel and in bed by 12:40.

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

Woke up 8:25, showered checked email and LJ then down to breakfast 9:15 dinning area packed but managed to find a space. No bagels though. Read a bit and finally left at 11:10 for Millenium Park.

Arrived at the Welcome Center just as the free tour of the park was starting! Spent an hour walking around, finishing at the Bean. Then across the Nichols bridgeway to the Art Institute down to ground level, wandered the shop. I then went to the Corner Bakery Cafe on Monroe, had an All American Scrambler (bacon, eggs, hash browns, onions) and water for $7.19. Then to CVS to get pain killers and hand cream. Noticed for the first time my hands are starting to look old!

Back to the old library/cultural centre to rest and catch up on my blogging. Downloaded the "Chicago" app, a bit late but...

Then back to the hostel in time for the weekly lemonade and cookies

Left at 4:15 for the Brown line north (caught at HW Library). Stayed on until Merchandise Mart, had problems exiting but eventually got out at Orleans. Walked north to Grand where the MacMall was on the corner (329 W Grand Avenue) bought a new iPod touch for $210.18 (£132.35) including tax. Then walked north to get the Brown line at Chicago, Grand being halfway between Chicago and Merchandise Mart.

As recommended by one of the volunteer guides, I stayed on the Brown line until it's terminus at Kimball. It was interesting to see the different building styles as the train left the city. Five stops from Kimball it stopped being elevated and ran at near ground level.

I got on the next train back to the loop at Kimball and returned to my starting station (HW Library) two and a half hours later.

I was back in the hostel by 7:00 and unpacked my iPod hoping to try it out. First it seems to be exactly the same size despite of cameras and microphones. However it seems to require an unsecured wifi connection to start. So far this has been unavailable.

Phoned the MacMall store (free as local call, store open 8:00 to 8:00) and got confirmation that they have a network that would work. So if all else fails I can return there to set it up.

Discovered that cafecito (next to the hostel) has a secure wifi so bought an iced coffee for $2.18 and got access. The coffee was excellent. Then up to my room to collect my now fully charged iPod. Then down again and logged into cafe wifi and it worked. Completed setup with iCloud sync and started trying the camera. Low light levels ment poor quality but so cool.

Decided to get something to eat so used a discount coupon to buy a medium blizzard strawberry cheese cake ice cream for $3.31 from the "DQ Grill & Chill" on the corner. It was lovely but I then had a penny dropping moment when I realised DQ stood for Dairy Queen! (I also discovered that tlc stood for "the L cafe" rather than "tender loving care").

I then decided to try a little beef sandwich at Al's #1 Italian Beef. Mountains of juicy beef stuffed into a 4" roll, for $4.98. I had to wash my hands before leaving, there was so much juice. It was nicely seasoned too.

Back to the hostel to trim my beard and then take a shower, then updated my blog notes before bed.

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

Woke up 7:25 and down to breakfast at 8:00 bagels and apples were both available. Updated yesterday's narrative and uploaded to LJ.

Checked email and LJ then went to Harold Washington Library (largest public lending library in US). Surfed Internet for 45 minutes and printed directions to The Portage Theater, where "Can't stop the Serenity" will take place next Saturday. The printouts were 15c each so cost 60c in total.

Then went up to the 9th floor to see the winter garden an the exhibits there (all free).

Back to the hotel to read for a while, fot a blister on my right foot. Finished book and downloaded audio guide from Chicago Loop Alliance. Left around five, bought a chocolate ice cream, then followed the map provided with the audio files, and got two blocks when I realised I'd forgotten my camera.

Back to my room collected camera and off again.

Most interesting this www the start of Route 66, and the Cloud Gate aka the Bean in Millenium Park.

Then went for dinner at Guirdano's. Had iced tea and a small stuffed deep dish pizza.
Took 45 minutes to cook!

Best pizza ever! A tart case 3cm deep of bread dough, filled with 1cm of mozzarella cheese, topped with a very herbed tomato sauce. Cut into six slices.

Server Vanessa kindly took photo of me and the pizza.

Only managed to finish five out of six slices, but last one was boxed up to take away. Total including $3 tip was $21 worth every penny!

Finished 7:50 left to return to hostel via Michigan. Got back 8:15 put pizza in fridge, then read for a bit, showered and bed by 10:00.

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

Chicon 7 Day Four
Up at 6:30 showered. Down to breakfast 7:15, bagels were available but no muffins.
Mislaid my glasses, found them on the floor after minutes of searching.
Updated yesterday's notes and uploaded to LJ.

Walked up Michigan arrived 9.40 waited until 10:00 to find a couple if free books. Trimmed my finger nails!

Up to Silver level for "Phineas & Ferb" discussion. This had more audience participation than from the panel. Also a lot of younger persons were there.

Discovered one of the nose pieces on my glasses has disappeared!

Down to con suite for a soda and bite.
Then to Crystal B for "SF Squeecast: Live" It was the first time all the members had all been in the same room atthe same time. The Special Guest was Jay Lake. After editing this podcast should be available on the website.

Got another soda from the consuite then back to Crystal B for Story Musgrave interview by John Scalzi. Story told us about his child hood, his multiple degrees and his relationship with the Hubble Space telescope.

Moved downstairs to Picasso where the newly formed Worldcon Heritage Organisation discussed it's aims and objectives. Conserving the Worldcon / Hugo exhibit, catalogueing and making it available to future conventions.

Down to dealers room and had a quick chat with Steve S of SoftWear Toys & Tees. Confirmed I have a supporting membership in Loncon3.

Read for a while, went through pedway to Jimmy John's had 8" sub with beef and pink lemonade for $5.96.

Went up to Ops (on Blue skyway) and discovered my lost book had been handed in!

By 7:10 the queue for the Hugos wound throughout the whole of Gold floor! Entered the Grand Ballroom 7:35.

The Hugo Award Ceremony started at about 8:10 and finished at 10:30.
The ballroom was packed with standing room only, it was also streamed live to Dragoncon.

Toastmaster John Scalzi gave out all the Hugos (except for short fiction, a category he was nominated in).

Long queue leaving the Ballroom so waited reading until the line disappeared. Then back to hostel while listening to a Big Finish podcast. Got back 11:15 and showered before bed at 12:20.

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

Chicon 7 Day Two
Woke 6:15 checked email, LJ and RSS. Showered, having access to a good daily shower is cool!
Breakfast was the same as yesterday, but ran out of bagels just as I went to get one, no apples either.

After updated my LJ (corrected bad markup on eeepc). Uploaded yesterday's happening. Listened to Click podcast as walked up Wabash to Hyatt. Arrived just before 10:00 decided to goto Chicon/Dragoncon simul panel. There were some problems getting audio to Atlanta, but all fixed by start time of 10:30. Cat Valente (moderator) arrived slightly late and missed the introductions by Elizabeth Moon and Joan Spicci Saberhagen in Chicago and Katherine Kurtz and Tedd Roberts in Atlanta. "Who are you really?" a discussion on identity, how you are different in different locals. Issues with Internet identities. Living in a small town, and different countries. Writing characters who are and are not like you.

Moved to filk track in the Plaza Ballroom on the Green level. Met filkferengi then at 12:00 "Concert: Tim Griffin and Cathy McManmon"

After concert went to grocery store round the corner. Bought chicken soup, bagels and bananas for $5.13

Then to the con suite for a soda. Near registration charged iPod and Ian (Liz Cs spouse) spotted me and stopped to chat. Discovered book I was reading has gone missing;(

Back to Plaza Ballroom for a concert with Betsy Tinney (on cello), Mary Crowell (on keyboard), Amy McNally (on fiddle) and friends. Betsy did some cool instrumentals and Mary did some classics.

Hurried down to Grand Suite 3 to hear Cat Valente read from a new novella, a western based on Snow White. In fact Cat arrived later than I did.

Intended to go to the Regency dance at 5:00 but my blisters have made walking painful so dancing is right out.

Updated this instead, got complemented on my Dendarii T-shirt and hat.
Went looking for somewhere to eat and ended up at the Michigan Ave Subway I ate at on Wednesday. Tuna 6" with lemonade and two cookies for $5.54. While wandering the unmapped Pedway system I discovered Dunkin Donuts and bought two for $1.10.

Charged iPod and read for a bit then back to Plaza Ballroom for "Concert: Diamond Star" a mix of readings, dance and music, by Catherine Asaro with Greg Adams and local band "Blue Soul".

Then to Columbus KL (on Gold level) to hear GoH Mike Resnik ramble through bits of his life from birth, growing up in Chicago to university also in Chicago (he didn't graduate), getting married and becoming a father, to writing adult stories and going to early worldcons, meeting Doc Smith (and not knowing who he was speaking to until he left), mentoring new talent. After he finished wandered down to the Concourse to get something to leave in the hostel library.

Left Hyatt around 10:20 and in bed by 11:30.

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

Got up 6:20 as normal for a week day. Caught 7:35 to Gatwick arrived by 8:00.

Took about half and hour to check baggage and get boarding tickets. Left my book on the US Airways desk :(

New massive departure security area. Got through in only ten minutes.

Then had to travel through a maze of duty free perfume shops. Checked WH Smiths for alternative reading but only books that looked interesting were £12.99 for a trade paperback!

Boarding at gate 13, got there by 9:00. So from getting to airport to waiting for the plane only took one hour.

On board around 9:30 seat 21F, plane took off at 10:13

In flight movie (on demand) Rio. Halfway through lunch was served. Low salt, chicken, boiled new potatoes with broccoli, salad. And roll with melon and pineapple to finish. Drinks served included tea, cranapple, orange juice, coffee. Tried to sleep to little effect.

Read ebook, then had salad sandwich at 5:05pm.

Landed at Charlotte eight hours after take off and 6540km later.

Got to passport control 6:30pm BST / 1:30pm local. Got through to baggage claim 2:10pm all baggage already in the hall. Sailed through customs then had a BK Whopper meal at around 3:00pm.

Went to gate D5 checked email and LJ on my eeepc, charged iPod via it's USB port. Then started reread of "Magic Below Stairs" recovered from checked bag earlier.

Started boarding 5.40pm plane took off at 6.25pm
Arrived Chicago 7:00 an hour and thirty five minutes later. Was waiting at baggage claim until 7:30 when bags started to appear.

Got $10 CTA Transit Card, left O'Hare 7:52, got to Jackson stop on the Blue Line about 40 min later. (used $2.25 of credit). Checked in to hostel (HI Chicago) and was in bed by 9:15pm. (3.15am BST ).. (3.15am BST ).

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.