A new life; same as the old life?

I have a feeling that this one is going to make it onto a few blogs, but hopefully I will get there first. A good friend of mine sent me this, but I understand it is doing the rounds. It needs no explanation!

Here I am in Zurich, Switzerland, fresh off the plane from India via Frankfurt, the Diwali Festival and the Taj Mahal were excellent experiences, and some that I hope to repeat some day, maybe introducing Lorraine to them. The contrast, as you would expect, is very marked. My taxi driver from the airport drove like she was from India! I arrived at the hotel around 10:30am, 40CHF lighter. The hotel is right in the centre of town, right by all the shopping, the river and restaurants. My first impression of Switzerland is expensive. The hotel is almost $200 per night and the room is tiny. Breakfast is not included, and is another $20. I had a look around the gift shops and stuff on Saturday and the prices were outrageous! I continue to be disgusted by the blatant profiteering in this hotel. I have just ordered room service for my evening meal. Certain dishes are only available in the day time, the cheap ones! Additionally, I asked for a coke with dinner, but they won't bring one, ...

As you may know, I was in India for a week. We had an awesome time and we were able to spend a day at the Taj Mahal. I had always assumed that it was a religious monument, however it isn't. It is actually a tomb built by Muslim Mughal Emperor Shāh Jahān to honour his favourite wife Arjumand Bano Begum, who is better known as Mumtāz . It took 22000 workers, 23 years to build, from white marble. There is an incredible amount of inlay work and carving, all cut by hand. It is completely symmetrical in every aspect except one, explained in the next paragraph. The gardens, the mosque, every jewel, every carving, is a complete mirror image from every side. The monument was built to house his wife's body He had actually planned to have a black version for built himself, and it was actually started, but his son felt that it was too costly and wasteful and kyboshed the idea. When he died, his son entombed him alongside his wife, who had been placed in the centre of the mausoleum, hence ...

This week was the Diwali festival here in India. The main days were Friday 20th & Saturday 21st October, and unfortunately Mike and I were not there to see the festivities and fireworks. All week long, preparations had been intensifying with lots of decorating, shopping and preparing for family gatherings. The office was a hive of activity, with decorations going up, a traditional dress day on Thursday and a food competition day on Friday. There is a lot of information out here on the internet with respect the festival, it's origins & history , traditions & customs , the meaning & significance and the associated celebrations . Obviously I cannot say whether the information on these web sites is accurate, but it makes fascinating reading, I would definitely head out and have a look if you get some spare time. I took lots of pictures in the office, including a lot of Diwali pictures. Check them out here . Shubh Diwali!

I have never been to India before, and was very excited to be able to do so for business. I have only actually been to Asia once before many years ago, when I went to Indonesia. It is probably a horrible comparison to make, but it feels very similar. The contrast between all the new posh buildings and lots of construction, side by side with the tents and makeshift structures. The quite clearly very prosperous rubbing shoulders with the incredibly poor. I flew out in the lap of luxury, business class on United and Lufthansa. Mike took a picture of me kicking back. Lots of space and chairs that recline and have foot rests, very comfy! The hotel is a marble edifice, a clear differentiator of the haves and have nots. There are some pictures of the hotel pool, and the vacant lot next door in the collection here . I think I was surprised by the western influences though, particularly on the women. In the city here, there are probably more women in western clothing than traditional. Cows wand...

Winter is coming to the US, with snow across a large part of the country yesterday, and temperatures in the freezing range. We had a few snow flurries here yesterday, but we didn't come close to Buffalo, NY . It is going to be quite the challenge, packing for my forthcoming trip. Leaving Chicago in freezing temperatures, a week in Delhi in the 90s, then Zurich in the goodness knows whats and probably a rainy November in the UK! I will be out of touch for a few weeks, but I will try to post from the road.

No one knows how the fire started in the cowbarn at the rear of the Patrick O'Leary cottage at 137 DeKoven Street on Chicago's West Side. A long investigation and many witnesses were unable to determine anything definitive. It was first noticed by a Drayman Daniel Dennis Sullivan, who just happened to be sitting on the sidewalk almost opposite the property. The O'Leary family were all in bed and asleep at the time. Theories include a stray ember from a chimney to arson of course. The blaze began around 9 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 1871. By midnight the fire had jumped the river's south branch and by 1:30 a.m., the business district was in flames. Shortly thereafter the fire raced northward across the main river. The waterworks were evacuated although the tower was not badly damaged and is one of the very few original buildings still standing in the city. During Monday the fire burned as far as Fullerton Avenue. Rainfall which started about midnight helped put out the l...

All year we have been saying that we should head down to the city and cycle along the lakeshore. In the summer of course, it can be pretty hot, and so the spring or autumn is usually the best time. Additionally there are restrictions throughout most of the summer on taking bikes on the trains, due to summer festivals, parades, etc. We had planned this weekend for a few weeks now, hoping we would get good weather, and we could not have hoped for better. Mid 70s, light breeze and very sunny; perfect for a bike ride. For those who know the area, we started at Union station, went down Adams to the lakefront, turned right and headed South, via Northerly Island (a peninsula) and then as far as 31st beach where we actually paddled in the lake. The water wasn't warm, but it wasn't Scotland cold either! On the way south we passed the Chicago Fire Memorial Park, with a fabulous waterfall, and a stone replica of the Chicago Fire Badge. From there, passing behind Soldier Field, we also pas...

Europe takes the hat-trick! For the third successive year, Europe took home the prize; the Ryder Cup. In a performance that would have made Motherdear happy, Tiger was mediocre at best, despite his win. The US have the top three players in the world rankings and still only one of those won, and it was a close thing. The Europeans, who also hold three of the top ten world rankings (the lower half), always seem to be able to step it up at this level. Colin Montgomerie is unbeaten in singles in this tournament. So well done boys, rock on 2008, when we will go for a 4th straight victory! There is more news and reviews over here at the official site .

We recently had an event at work to help raise morale. It is a continual battle to keep people motivated in a highly stressful environment. The theme of this event was a carnival, you know, ring toss, balloon animals, bozo buckets (apparently invented by some guy from Chicago; scroll down to the second picture and there is some text there about it.), candy corn, etc. Whilst discussing this in a meeting the day before, someone jokingly suggested that I should dress up as a clown. I said nothing, but though, duh, why didn't I think of that, and hatched my plan. Where would I find an outfit, at one day notice, with make up and all the doin's. We found a place not far away, with reasonable priced outfits, and the plan was in motion. Everybody thought it was very funny, apart from Steve who is"scared" of clowns. Anyway not much of a tale, but I thought you might enjoy the pictures.

Ha, famous at last . The Azores were on full alert in readiness for me, but in true style (not a word Charlie!) I just hit the Azores in a much weakened state . Winds around 75mph were barely enough to classify me as a hurricane. Thanks to Olly for this.

Well almost, actually, the very first McDonalds was run by two brothers Dick and Mac in San Bernadino, CA. Raymond Albert Kroc was the exclusive distributor of a five spindle milk shake mixer, that they were using in their restaurant. He heard they were using 8 of them side by side and decided to go take a look for himself. He was so impressed by their operation and the speed of service, that he hit upon the idea of opening a chain of similar places, planning to sell many milk shake machines to each. Upon further discussion with the brothers, he decided that, in fact, he would open them himself. He opened the first in Des Plaines, IL in 1955. His first day's sales $366.12! That particular restaurant is no longer functioning, but is in fact a museum, with another retro style venue across the street. There is lots more to read over at the McDonalds website . Why do I care, most of you are probably asking. Well, I care, because apart from eating a lot of Mickey Ds as Charlie would ca...

Last night I went to what may well prove to be the last Cubs game I see this season. I hope to catch a few more, but there are only a few left and I have a lot to fit in before I go home to the UK in a few weeks. If this was the last game, what a game to go out on! I had managed to score tickets to some of the best seats in the house. Seats that don't cost a lot of money ($60) but that are nigh on impossible to get. Seats that you are not allowed to swap, even for the one right next to you, which I think is a little strict, but hey ho. We were in Cubs Box seats, right behind the GO of Chicago on the roof of the Cubs dug out. Row 2 if you please. The seats were awesome, but it did mean that I will probably be spoiled for ever sitting anywhere else! My neighbour Sean had already invited me to go to the game with him in the 200 seats, and we were up for it, until these tickets came in. We decided to try to sell his tickets at the ball park, but there were very few biters. It turns out...

5 years later, the wounds still exist. People are still raw. The movies and the documentaries meet with criticism. Some think it is still too early, some think never will be too soon. I actually managed to offend someone this morning by saying that it was our generations John Lennon moment, our JFK. He felt that I was comparing the death of one man with that of several thousand, when all I was trying to say, was that it was one of those moments our parents and grandparents talk about. I can still remember where I was when....... a world defining moment. There is no comparison of course between 9/11 and John Lennons death, or for that matter July 7th in London. So many people have said this so much better than I, there are many in the blogging world, but the bottom line is this. Never forget the day the world changed forever.

Sorry, not had much time for posting lately. Trying to plan a trip home, a party, catch a few more ball games before the end of the season, and get ready for Fall & Winter. A couple of friends sent me these the other day and though they were excellent. No explanation required, form an orderly queue. The guy who sent me this is a closet redneck.

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to attend the last "Major" on the PGA 2006 calendar, the PGA Championship. I was very excited, as I had previously attended a Nationwide Tour Event and the Walker Cup last year, and had a great time. One of the guys, JB Homes, that was awesome at the Walker Cup last year, turned pro and actually won his first outing on the PGA tour this year too, and so he was a nice segway into the big boys. I set off for the Park and Ride at the Wyndham Hotel, near the Medinah Country Club, aiming to arrive around noon. As I drove down the expressway, it was nice to note that I was driving past the general public parking directions and following signs to the VIP parking. We took the shuttle to the club, where I was told an interesting fact. Apparently they have three courses at the club, or at least they did until they tarmac'd over the 6th fairway of one of them to make the shuttle bus stops. Apparently they normally use a local school for their m...

It is hard to believe the summer is almost at an end again, where has the year gone? In about two weeks, the official end of summer in the US, Labor Day will occur, and everything that is "seasonal" will cease, irrespective of the weather. Pools will close, mini golf will close, some golf courses will close, the outdoor concert season will be over and fall will be official. I have actually started to detect leaves changing and dropping already. My regulars will know that we have been frequent visitors to Ravinia last year and this, with our latest trip taking in the great BB King and a "support" act of Mavis Staples , who apparently comes from a long line of Staples family blues singers, but I honestly had never heard of her. BB King is 80 years old this year, and coincidentally so is Tony Bennett who we will be seeing in September; what a year 1926! I haven't been to a Blues concert in a while, and I certainly had not seen people of this age and magnitude befor...

Much as I respect Bill Gates for all that he has achieved in life, irrespective of what anyone thinks of his products and business model, I admire him. He and his products are largely what pay my way in this world. That doesn't mean that I can't find this little clip from Letterman very funny. Enjoy!

Very few countries can trace roots in time stretching back before history was even recorded. The Indian Sub-Continent shows traces of human activity as far back as 400,000BC according to this website . Archaeologists have found implements in several areas which reinforce this. In it's relatively recent history (since the mid 1700s), India was "ruled" by many countries, most notably the British. In common with the United States and many other countries in the world which were formally part of "The Empire" they wanted to be independent. I have done some research on the subject and it would seem that in India this movement started in 1857, and eventually was officially successful on 15th August, 1947. This site does a good job of summarising the events, leading up to Independence, and this site gives a lot of detail around the initial 1857 mutiny. I wont go into a lot of detail here, as there are many websites that can tell it much better than I, but the momentum...

For the first time yesterday, I witnessed first hand the Cubs losing. I know people who know baseball won't be surprised by that, as they lose quite a lot, but in the 15-20 games I have attended, they have never lost. This game was away from home at Miller Park, so I can still say that I have never seen them lose at home, and maintain my case for the club sponsoring my season ticket, if they want to get to the World Series! They started out badly, and were 6-1 down before long. I missed the start of the game due to traffic and roadworks, and when I heard Prior was pitching for the Cubs, I had a feeling of dread, with his dismal record this year 1-8 and his even worse record of never recording a win at Miller Park in over 3 years! We pulled Prior in the 4th I believe, but the damage was done and it was an uphill struggle, although we did get back to 8-6 by the end of the 8th. We started the 9th well and had base runners on 1st and 2nd, 1 out and Jaque Jones at the plate with almost ...