Girls Weekend!

The Drake Hotel

These shots were my back up for the "Show Me a Sign" photo competition.  What do you think?  Did I make the wrong choice?  The black and whites are really growing on me... (you might recognize recognize it from one of the best films ever - My Best Friend's Wedding - such a great movie.  It was also featured in Wicker Park, Mission Impossible, What Women Want, and Risky Business)

Zooming the Chicago Theater

Set up my tripod the other night and played around with zooming the Chicago marquee.  I liked #2 the best and ended up entering it in Chicagoland's Digital Photography's "Show Me a Sign" photo competition.  Voting is open for another week or two, but it's not looking good for me.  Regardless, I was pretty pleased with this shot. 

Luminous Field

A reflective choreographed light show was installed at the Cloud Gate last month.  This creative art installation called Luminous Field was created by Petra Bachmaier and Sean Gallero.  Hopefully my photos do their art justice, but just in case they don't, scroll below for two youtube videos.  

Oriental Theatre

Hancock + Water Tower

Day 13: Blue

Light Installation at the Bean! More to come in a later post...

The King

Welcome to my childhood.  Perhaps the biggest tomboy you have ever met, I was OBSESSED with basketball, in love with the Chicago Bulls, and MJ could do no wrong.  I never missed a Bulls game when it was on tv, I remember crying when they lost a game (don't worry, this didn't happen too often),  and I even had a Chicago Bulls birthday cake one year.  I was the proud owner of the Chicago Bulls soundtrack, yes, this exists.  And I'm probably the only girl out there who was ecstatic about receiving a personalized Steve Kerr autograph.  It is a photo of him and says "Hi Katie!  Go Bulls!"  I wonder if the parents still have that...

I wore a Chicago Bulls t-shirt until it literally fell apart, and with the help of some neighbors, even made my dad sign a contract that he would take me to a Chicago Bulls game that year (yes, I actually made up a contract that said "I, Mark Marcouiller, promise to take my daughter, Katie Marcouiller, to a Chicago Bulls home game this season."  And then we both signed it.  Greatest dad ever, huh?

He kept his word and boy, was I in heaven.  And then we went out to eat at MJ's restaurant and a waitress spilled a beer on my younger brother (who couldn't have cared less about the Bulls) and they gave him a MJ jersey FOR FREE.  I was so jealous and remember asking if they waitress would spill a beer on me too.

Without further ado, I give you the Michael Jordan statue outside of the United Center.

Twin Anchors

Crossed another Chicago Bucket List item off the to do list!  Twin Anchors, a Chicago staple, has been serving food in Chicago since 1932!  It is well known for being one of Frank Sinatra's favorite hang outs and it can be seen in multiple films and tv shows including Just Shoot Me, Return to Me, Boardwalk Empire, and most famously - The Dark Knight!  We had a great meal, but will have to go back sometime so Eric can try their famous ribs!

The Chicago Sign... again

As long as this sign exists... I will continue to take way too many photos of it.

Chicago Board of Trade

The building at the end of this road (LaSalle) is the Chicago Board of Trade.  It was built in 1930 and was the tallest building in Chicago until 1965.  On the top of the building is a 31 foot tall Roman goddess.  The funny part is that the architect left the statue faceless because he thought it would be significantly taller than any nearby buildings so no one would be able to see the face anyways... well, flash forward to today and it is one of the shorter buildings around.  Whoops!

Peek-a-boo

The Chicago Picasso

The Picasso is an untitled sculpture by Pablo Picasso in Daley Plaza.  It is located in the loop and many kids enjoy sliding down the base of the sculpture.  Dedicated in 1967, it is one of the older pieces of art in the loop.  It can often be seen dressed up to support the appropriate Chicago sports team when they reach the playoffs.

I Spy...

I love spotting wedding couples in the city... I can only imagine how amazing some of their photos are with such a gorgeous backdrop.