I moved to Chicago nearly 5 years ago with one suit.  It was the suit that I used for all my interviews but was relatively new.  I had been told that Brooks Brothers had the best suits in town so, without shopping around, I went in and bought 4 new suits - these plus the one I already owned gave me one for each day of the week.  The cost was much more than I had anticipated but I didn’t know anything about suits and figured you got what you paid for.  To some extent, I believe that is true and those suits continue to serve me well but, I have been long overdue for a couple new suits.  In fact, I started talking about getting new suits last year at this time.  I have stopped to look at them on a few occasions but never pulled the trigger.  Tonight I pulled the trigger.  

I was on my way home and got to the corner near Nordstrom Rack - normally, I would have kept on walking but the light turned red.  While I was waiting for the light to change, I saw the store and decided to walk through and see what they had.  They had a gorgeous blue pin stripe - I tried it on, loved it and bought it.  

I left the store happy with my purchase.  I crossed the street and decided to stop at Macy’s and pick up some new work socks to go with my purchase.  The store is huge and while searching for the socks, I passed by the suits.  Larry, a wonderful salesman, said hello and mentioned that all the suits were on sale plus there was an added “friends and family” sale that would take 25% off the sale price.  He had my attention.  I looked and quickly found two suits that I liked - I tried them on, loved them and bought them.  

I now have three new suits and the price was significantly less than my first shopping expedition!  As much as I don’t like shopping for work clothes, it definitely pays to look around.  It feels good to have that off the list of “things to do!”

Last week was my first week of hitting 100 miles in over 9 years and it felt GREAT (and much better than last time)!  I had a great week of training and ended the week with the best group run I’ve had in many years.  The week started out cool and very soggy, my first 3 runs of the week were in a steady rain.  Fortunately, the tides turned mid week and, in sharp contrast to the cool soggy beggining, it became warm and sunny toward the end of the week!

Monday, I ran a double with 7 in the morning and 6 in the evening.  I noticed that even though I was exhausted when I came home from work, I was still eager to get out for my run (even in the rain).  I take this as a good sign considering where I am in the training cycle.  On Tuesday, I ran 6 miles in the morning.  Wednesday, I did my normal fartlek but added one additional pickup, it felt good.  Thursday was another double with 6 miles in the morning and 5 at night (it was a late night after a long day at work).  Friday, I did an easy 5 miles to let the legs ease into the weekend which was where I got the majority of my miles in this week.  On Saturday, I ran 35 miles along the lakefront and I felt every mile of it; somedays are just tough.

Part Of The Group At Palos Hills

Sunday was an absolute treat and exactly what I have been craving for quite some time.  It was my first group run with the Chicago Ultrarunners.  About 15 people showed up for our 8:00 AM departure.  Lots of new faces, all of them friendly, and a couple “old” faces (Torey and Adrian).  We all headed out and switched up places allowing us to talk to a variety of people.  We ran a loop which was 8 miles long, some people pulled off there and a group of us then headed out for a second loop.  Brian brought his camera on the run and took some pictures.  There was a stream that we crossed which was quite a bit deeper than it looked but it was a lot of fun.  By the end of the day, we had crossed this thing three times.  The day held rain (three downpours), followed by sun, followed by clouds - it was an interesting day to say the least.  This week continued to build my confidence in my training base; I am really looking forward to the upcoming races!  And, thank you to all those Chicago Ultrarunners that came out to Palos Hills on Sunday to cap off a great week.

Total for the week: 100 miles

Here is a short video of me crossing the stream, you’ll notice the bridge I could have used : )

Find more videos like this on Chicago Ultrarunners

Often times at night (after the bank is closed), I use the back stairwell to exit the building.  Today, I forgot to take my allergy medicine in the morning so I decided to go to Walgreens and get some more.  I walked down the same stairwell and pushed the door open.  BLLLAAAAA - the fire alarm nearly put me to the floor as it blasted into my left ear.  I was quickly “detained” by security and promptly questioned as to why I was using the emergency exit.  I explained that I did it in the evening and didn’t realize that during the day it was off limits.  The repeatedly told me that I can’t use that door, I told them that I understood that NOW but they explained it to me another 5 times before releasing me.  What a way to start the day.

Mom and I, Wisconsin Takes Their Cheese Seriously!

She gave birth to me and today she celebrates her own birth!  You have always given so much of yourself to everyone around you, I hope you take this day to treat yourself to something extra decadent.  

This picture is from our trip to Duluth a couple of years ago when you helped me celebrate my birthday with a Grandma’s Marathon weekend, carrot cake and all!

Happy birthday mom!

Rob And Val

Last night, Rena and I were fortunate enough to attend a fundraiser benefiting the Connections for the Homeless at the InterContinental hotel on Michigan Ave.   Rob, Rena’s cousin, and his wife Val were our hosts.  Rob is on the board of the organization which is based in Evanston and provides a variety of resources to homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless.  The evening was comprised of a number of things including a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner w/dancing, live auction, some awards and a short documentary on a small part of the homeless population that the organization serves.  

Rena and I

They had a 8 piece band that was fantastic and kept the dance floor filled.  Rena and I made our way onto the floor and staked out a small area but were among a sea of very seasoned couples who really knew how to ‘cut a rug’.  After we had been out there for a while, we realized that the band had a way of transitioning from one song to the next without ever really having a break in the music - it was a good trick to keep the energy flowing and keep people dancing.  

As the night progressed, they started the live auction.  This was my first live auction and I was excited to see what happened.  Some of the items went with only a few bids but there were a couple of items that had some pretty aggressive bidding.  I couldn’t help myself when they came to the Oprah package which included tickets to the show, lunch and a car service to/from the show.  I readied my paddle and waited for the madness to begin.  ”Do I have $2500?,” my paddle went up.  ”I have $2500, do I have $3000?  I have $3000.”  Someone was as determined as me.  I raised my paddle and yelled $5000.  They countered with $6000.  I couldn’t believe what a rush I had, it was no longer about the Oprah package, I was caught up in the thrill of it.  ”$8000!,” I shouted with paddle raised.  The room went silent.  ”I have $8000, do I have $8500?”  Silent.  Sold at $8000.  I had won!  Wait, I had won?!  It dawned on me what just happened.   I didn’t have $8000.  I look at Rena who was in complete shock and her face was expressing what my stomach was feeling.  Alright, I didn’t really bid on anything and if I would have, it would NOT have been the Oprah package but I did enjoy watching this scenario play out on the Bollywood Party that they auctioned off (which, for some reason, was the most aggressively bid up item).  Two women wanted that party and just as the one woman thought she had it, a third woman placed a bid.  That set off a whole other bidding war, I think the party finally sold for something close to $5000.

The night was really fun and I always enjoy seeing Rob and Val.  Thank you both for a sharing evening with us!

Table Center Piece

Its Friday and my boy Moffett is a bachelor for the weekend.  He asks me what my plans are for the evening and I give him my standard reply - which is to go home, watch a little Seinfeld while having dinner with Rena and then take it easy before heading to bed early.  He’s not impressed.  He says that he is going “somewhere” for some drinks and possibly dinner after work and that I am welcome to join him.  ”Somewhere,” I ask, “can you give me a little more than that?”  He says that it is “over there near your house, trust me.”  Now I’m irritated.  I told him I’d think about it.  As the end of the work day approached, Rena wasn’t sure when she would be done with work so I decided to “trust” the ‘Man of Mystery’ and see where it led.  I was not disappointed.  Moffett joined the Mid America Club which is located towards the top of the Aon building - something like the 80th floor.  

Important Business Man Reading Paper

Its a private club designed with a vision of providing an intimate setting for business and civic leaders to come together.

We had a table right next to the window facing north toward my neighborhood, the Hancock building, and north lakeshore - it was awesome!  We ended up having a couple of beers and some dinner, both of which tasted especially good, and discussing important business matters for more than 3 hours - okay, maybe not that important but we had a good time chatting it up.  In true Moffett style, he picked up the bill which further added to the whole experience.  Thanks for letting me see just a glimpse of “the good life.”  Maybe I too, will someday have a place to go that smells of rich mahogany and has many leather bound books but for now, I’ll have to be happy with Bijan’s.

Moffett and I

I am normally not a clumsy person but you wouldn’t have guessed that yesterday.  We had a client in town and our meeting with them was scheduled to begin at 9:30.  On my way to the meeting, I stopped and picked up a coffee.  As I got to the brand new conference room which still smells of new carpet and fresh paint, the door was partially shut.  So with meeting materials in my left hand and coffee in my right hand, I put my right forearm against the door and gave it a push - the door offered no resistance and flew open.  I chased the handle with my right hand to catch it before it hit the door stop and made a huge commotion.  I didn’t catch it in time, it hit the door stop and bounced back hitting my chasing hand which was holding my coffee (did I mention it was a large coffee).  The lid comes flying off the cup and coffee goes everywhere - all over me, all over the beautiful door, and all over the carpet.  I pause for a minute to assess the damage and look up.  Facing me are 10 people including the client, my boss, several colleagues, and (insert drum-roll) the president of Illinois (i.e. my boss’ boss’ boss).  My boss, Dave, rolls with it and says “You may not want to shake his hand right now but this is Geof.”  Later in the meeting, I was inserting my two cents into the conversation but I can’t help everyone was looking at me thinking about my grand entrance rather than what I was trying to get across.  Its a good thing I don’t take myself too seriously.  So that is how I started the day and for the rest of the day, I smelled like coffee - I guess there are worse things a guy could smell like.

Me?  I mostly worked.  But, I started the day with a great run on Northerly Island and then a leisurely walk to work.  On my way to the office, I watched Greenpeace erect some large wind turbine looking things on Michigan Ave. bridge.  It didn’t take long and police were on the scene.  I don’t know how it ended but as I was passing, the police were saying something to the effect of “you can’t just put these things up.”  Followed by some fumbling for words.  When I came home tonight, no turbines.

We had a work luncheon today and went to hear Neel Kashkari speak.  He is the gentleman charged with administering the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).  Working in the banking industry and being somewhat familiar with the TARP from the “consumer” side, it was fun to hear the thoughts from the other side.  He talked about his role in building the Office of Financial Stability, some of the options the Treasury contemplated and why they ultimately choose the one they did (and why they switched course mid-stream).  He was a sharp guy and very articulate.  

Jessica And I

The highlight of the day, my cousin Jessica was passing through town via Amtrak and was on a long layover in Chicago - long enough that she called to see if I was available for dinner.  Having not seen her for a couple of years, I jumped at the chance.  She lives in upstate New York and was back in Iowa for the past few weeks.  We met for dinner at the Park Grill in Millennium Park.  I have heard that they have the best burger in town and it was good but “the best”, really?  Jess is a true scientist studying the DNA of flies and looking for the clues it may provide into the history of the fly and what the future may hold.  Of course, it isn’t just any old common fly but some special subset within the broader fly species (sorry Jess, I know I’m not doing you justice here).  Listening to her talk about her research made me realize just how little we actually know about the world we live in.  It was fun to catch up with her and there was plenty to catch up on.  Good to see you Jess!

In The Driver's Seat

There are all sorts of things that are way more complicated than they need to be but yesterday, on my walk to work, I saw this fellow and realized that it is way too easy to get a driver’s license in this state!  I love dogs, but this is ridiculous!  Actually, it made my morning.  The van is owned by Pooch Hotel and they drive around providing transportation services for dogs either staying at their place overnight or just for the day.  They offer a wide range of services which read much like a spa menu of services.  I looked at the website (which is an amazing website) and couldn’t believe the facilitates including a lap pool for the dogs to play in along with basketball court size rooms with balls and various toys for the dogs to play with during their stay.  It looks impressive and like the kind of place you wouldn’t mind leaving your pooch.  Of course, this doesn’t come cheaply with daily rates starting at $35 and overnight accommodations reaching $80/night for the “Presidential Suite.”

The weekend flew by - surprise, right?! I was exhausted on Friday and didn’t even make it through the movie we were watching (Scottland PA), which isn’t a knock on the movie because it was actually really good. When I woke up on Saturday (thanks to my ‘just in case’ alarm) it was 8:00.

Helicopter Outside My WIndow

While lounging around having coffee, I heard a loud choppy noise outside so I opened the shades in time to see this helicopter hovering just outside my window.  My dad has mentioned before that they often use ‘choppers’ for lifting items into place on rooftops and, in this case, I think it was two large air-conditioning units.  It was quite the spectacle with the streets all around blocked off and people watching from the street corners.  By the time all the excitement was over and I had finished my run, it was time to get ready for the Moffetts’ house warming party.

Ryan and Chelsea got married last year and have just moved into their first home. Its a great little condo in a brand new building in the South Loop. We got there and took a quick tour of their new pad - it was awesome!  Good views, nice finishes, and decorated in a perfect balance of both Chelsea and Ryan.   And, the treats were yummy. I’m very happy for you two, you’ve done well for yourselves.

Sunday started off with a lazy rainy morning.  Rena had gotten tickets to attend the dedication of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center so we headed up to Skokie for the ceremony.  It was colder than I expected and steadily raining so we huddled close together for shared warmth.  The program started right on schedule and included such greats as Elie Wiesel and President Bill Clinton along with several other live performances and recorded messages including Steven Spielberg and President Barack Obama.  The message was clear - identity hatred must never be overlooked, not historically and not presently.   Passivity isn’t good enough active acceptance of diversity is critical. It was an inspiring event and even though we didn’t get to see the museum due to the crowds (there were thousands at the dedication), we vowed to return soon for the experience.

After nearly three hours of sitting in the damp cold, we cranked the heat on the way home and then stopped for a coffee.  Still longing for cozy and comfy we headed back to Rena’s place and lounged around drinking coffee and tea.  We ended up staying in for dinner and then headed to the Chicago Theatre to see Ira Glass tape a show of This American Life.  If you’re not familiar with the show, its on NPR and its amazing!  Each week they present a topic and tell a variety of stories on the topic.  It has been a favorite of mine for at least 10 years and while I’m sure I’ve missed an episode or two, its not many. Not surprisingly, it was awesome!