and so it is

I ride the CTA Red Line almost every day and while it is far from perfect, I am very gracious that our city has a somewhat well defined train system to get me to and from my daily destinations... in certain directions of course.

Last night my train ride was incredibly interesting and abnormal. It started as I entered the train station at North and Clybourn and a foul odor overcame me, one that immediately made me think of a dead "Charlie Price" (Huge rat the size of a cat) in an alley in Belize City, but much worse... more like hundred of dead rotting rats. The smell was so strong, I thought that I might not be able to hold my stomach down. I thought I heard a train so, I hurried down the stairs through the wretched odor and then it cleared towards the bottom as I arrived with no train in sight. I sat and waited and waited a little more then that familiar sound down the tunnel began, the one that gets me excited because I know that I will not be trapped underground for too much longer.

I got on the last car as I always do and scored a forward facing seat. As we emerged from the tunnel into the pelting sleet and snow the train began to jerk slowly as if ice was on the tracks, and the entire stretch to Fullerton was like a fireworks show as the 3rd rail sparked continuously. "This is Fullerton" screamed across the PA system, then in the loudest obnoxious screaming voice ever over the PA system the operator said, "Brown Line Train, there is a Brown Line Train on the second track" and repeat. Some people stood waiting at the doors to get out including the German tourists who were sitting behind me. "Doors Closing" came across the PA... WTF? The doors hadn't opened yet. I thought it was just another accidentally pressed button... Someone pulled on the red knob to open doors in an emergency, but it didn't work... and the train began to move. Sheer Panic came across the faces of many people. Were we trapped on a smelly train, were the doors frozen shut? someone suggested. The lights went out, then back on... and then from the very back of our car a woman screamed aloud as if demons were invading her body. EVERYONE from that side immediately went to the other side of the train.. waiting and wondering if the doors would open at Belmont. We arrived at Belmont... and they did after a second of fear.

Just another day on the CTA.

Snow...Ice :(

As we began closing things at work tonight, it started snowing outside. I'm talking about humongous 1.5 -2 inch clusters of big ass white snow. You can imagine how elated I was at the sight of this. I love snow... so very much. I went outside to help do the trash and just stood amongst the beauty falling everywhere around me. Such a great site! I took the red line home as I do everyday and was excited to walk home in the wondrous weather around me, until I stepped outside the station and began to be pelted by HUGE pebbles of ice. Not just your normal size tiny sleet bits, but Big Balls of ice about a 1/4 inch in some cases. My face was stinging and I had to walk all hunched over. It was at this moment that I realized my feelings toward winter weather may just be superficial and moments of temporary insanity. Walking amidst nature surrounded by a city of cement is never as glorious as one may imagine. No, I don't hate snow and ice... but I surely don't appreciate being abused by 'mother nature'.

French Bulldogs vs. Pugs

You decide...

Connections

My friend, Claire who lives in Bristol, UK notified me of a random long lost media connection. An old friend of ours who we knew as children in Belize was on the Ellen show and he happens to be her cousin. He probably doesn't remember us or atleast not very well because when we were younger his family moved back to Louisiana and we really hadn't been in contact since that day. Anyway, he has this awesome organization called "Defend New Orleans" where they design shirts and other pieces and the proceeds go towards Hurricane Katrina Aid in New Orleans. You can imagine, I was elated to see someone who I haven't in forever on my favorite daytime show on National Television. He is also the founder of "Kick It Fashions" where they have some fun clothing designs. Kudos to you Jac!
Below is a YouTube video of the documentary that he is in relating to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans.

The music has arrived

Back in the beginning of November, Philip and I made a necessary large purchase... a litte VW Rabbit, which has now become our new baby. I remember the first time the salesperson was going over the product knowledge, I randomly heard "and it comes with a guitar". What the heck? Why would anyone sell a car with a guitar, or give a guitar away with a car? Anyway, I just thought of it as an extra bonus and a great conversation piece. 111 days later our baby's baby arrived... well, more like I picked it up because FedEx Home Delivery attempted delivery thrice, and we all know getting a package in the city is near impossible for all those normal people who work during the day.
So, I made the trek to Northbrook, IL... in morning rush hour traffic (what was I thinking?) into an area that reminded me of US33 stretch in Dunlap, IN and arrived at the FedEx 'place' and got my beautiful package. Philip and I tuned the baby this afternoon and played around on it a bit. Right across from me on the chair that Bailey normally inhabits sits comfortably a beautiful Black and While new member of our family... thank god, we don't have to change this one's litter. Let's see how long the excitement lasts.

Airbus 380 coming to O'Hare

The Airbus 380 555 passenger jet (in 3 class configuration) will not be in full commission with commercial airlines till sometime in 2009, but the large technologically advance aircraft will make its first visit to the United States in March. It is scheduled to land in New York on March 19th and then make its way to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on March 20th and then a few other stops after. LAX officials had hoped that the A380 would make its first stop in the United States at their airport, but reportedly LAX will not receive its presence till sometime in June. I need to do research to see when the A380 will be landing at O'Hare and if there are any spots to view the landing from. It will be a sight to not be missed.

I just couldn't resist...

I assume the poster of this video will not mind that I embedded it into my blog, since it was on YouTube. Anyway, I randomly came across this on YouTube with a search for CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) in hopes of finding some fun CTA videos. I don't know these people personally, but just may have seen them before...not that I really remember anyone I see on the train and/or buses. Yes, the article is well fit for the RedEye, and not many more newspapers, but I thought the story was incredibly adorable and sweet and wanted to represent it here. Enjoy.

SNOW!!!

WINTER STORM.. YES!!!!

cute kitty

I found this photo somewhere on the internet and cannot get over how cute it is, so I had to use it as my desktop background photo and wanted to share it with all. What perfect timing the photographer had.

You Better Belize It White Chicken Chili

So, we went to a Super Bowl party tonight where everyone brings some form of Chili and then we all vote on the best. Mine did not win, but it certainly did not lose. The winning Chili was called "Sweaty Balls" and I'm sure won solely based on its name and the few hours on marketing at the party. Anyway, I loved the Chili Recipe I made up and suggest you try it at home, so here's the recipe:

2-3 Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts (cooked)
2 Cans Pinto Beans
2 Cans Northern Beans
1 Can Red Beans
1 Can Coconut Milk
1 Can Chicken Stock
3 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1 Habanero Pepper (chopped tiny)
1 Jalepeno Pepper (sliced)
Corn starch for thickening.

Pan fry or boil whole chicken breasts and then dice before adding to crock pot. Throw all ingredients in a crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Be careful with the peppers as they may burn your skin, and if you do not like super spicy recipes, then leave out the Habanero Pepper. One hour before the Chili is done, add corn starch to thicken liquid to your desire. Serve Hot and enjoy!

Tears Tears for the Bears

The Bears lost :( So sad for Chicago, but congrats to the Colts for such and awesome game in all that rain. And a big congrats to the Bears for such an awesome season. The lions at the Art Institute have never looked better!

Airbus 380 or Boeing 787?

Two of the newest models of airplanes, one by each competing company, both magnificent in their own ways, yet both so different. Which is better? Which do you prefer. I have always been obsessed with airline models since I can remember my first flight on Tan Sasha and/or TACA airlines. I do not remember which was first. Back then, the stewardess (as they were called) brought me real warm face towels after the somewhat tasty lunch entree. No, this was not a 6, 7,12 hour Transatlantic or Pacific flight, but solely a 2 hour flight from Belize City to Miami or Houston. Tan Sasha no longer serves passengers and hasn't for sometime. I think groupo TACA bought them out years ago. Anyway... since then airplanes have got bigger and better. I have never been on a 747-200 or 747-200. My largest flight has been the Boeing 777, which I love dearly, mainly because of the comfortability and two side seats that allow myself and travelling partner privacy from strangers.
The Airbus 380 which is currently in production is the largest passenger built to date... so large that airports are required to accomodate the length and width of their runways to land her. It has a wingspan of 261.8 feet (79.8 meters), a length of 239.5 feet (73 meters) and a maximum take-off weight of more than 1.2 million pounds (540,000 kg).


The A380's two passenger decks could be outfitted in a single-class configuration to take on up to 840 passengers. However, Airbus isn't focusing on that option, instead designing a three-class configuration for 555 passengers. That's still a marked increase over the 416 passengers that can fit into a Boeing 747-400, the current leader in passenger capacity.1





On the other side of the world, Boeing is focusing on the 787 Dreamliner, a super efficient airplane, which "will carry 210 - 250 passengers on routes of 7,650 to 8,200 nautical miles (14,200 to 15,200 kilometers), while the 787-9 Dreamliner will carry 250 - 290 passengers on routes of 8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles (14,800 to 15,750 km). A third 787 family member, the 787-3 Dreamliner, will accommodate 290 - 330 passengers and be optimized for routes of 2,500 to 3,050 nautical miles (4,600 to 5,650 km). In addition to bringing big-jet ranges to mid-size airplanes, the 787 will provide airlines with unmatched fuel efficiency, resulting in exceptional environmental performance. The airplane will use 20 percent less fuel for comparable missions than today's similarly sized airplane. It will also travel at speeds similar to today's fastest wide bodies, Mach 0.85. Airlines will enjoy more cargo revenue capacity.
Passengers will also see improvements with the new airplane, from an interior environment with higher humidity to increased comfort and convenience.2






So, I think that both are amazing and I would love to fly on either however I do have a thing for big planes with lots of seats so I think the Airbus 380 would be my first choice if I had a choice between both of them. But one time on that plane may be enough, because I cannot imagine how long it would take to board and deplane at the airport. The Boeing 787 sounds like it would be amazing on any long flight because of the seat sizes and spaciousness. So, I guess I'm in love with both of them just a little.

Climate Change

This week, the IPCC report on climate change was released at a meeting in Paris, France where it "concluded that it is very likely (90% certain) that the build up of heat-trapping GHG emissions is responsible for irreversible global warming. Temperatures will continue to rise by 3.2 to 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century, which will cause sea level rises of 7 to 23 inches – or 21 feet, if Greenland’s ice sheets melt – and more intense tropical storms and hurricanes. Other predictions include hotter days, warmer nights and extended droughts. Climate change is expected to create hundreds of millions of permanently displaced refugees".
After the IPCC report’s release on Friday, French President Jacques Chirac called for a new world environmental body to co-ordinate efforts to mitigate climate change through binding agreements to reduce GHG emissions, among other methods. He also suggested that the agreements should be enforced and violators punished.
Although the US approved the document in the end, the Bush administration criticized the IPCC report on the grounds that it “tends to overstate or focus on the negative effects of climate change.” The US lobbied hard for the language of the report to be watered down to minimize the role of GHG emissions in climate change and the role of global warming in changes such as the intensification of hurricanes. The US also objects to the IPCC’s position that one of the fundamental weaknesses of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol has been its non-ratification by major GHG emitters such as the US. The Bush administration withdrew from Kyoto in 2001, citing the lack of limits for developing economies such as China and India, also major GHG polluters.
On Friday, the Bush administration played down the status of the US as the world’s No. 1 polluter, responsible for 25% of all GHG emissions. “We are a small contributor when you look at the rest of the world,” said US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman. He confirmed that President Bush remains opposed to capping emissions in the US."1

"The European Union describes the report as the starkest warning yet, and Britain says climate change threatens world peace and prosperity.
The United States, which produces about a quarter of the world's greenhouse gases, has described the report as valuable. However, the White House has again expressed its opposition to compulsory caps on greenhouse gas emissions."2

Climate changes have already been linked to dying Polar Bear populations as Sea Ice is melting more rapidly, which they use for migratory hunting patterns. Polar Bears have been found dead from lack of food and some have even drown from having to swim too far where there is a lack of ice. Environmental change is so important right now, today. Hopefully in the future we will see more of this:

and less of this:


To learn more about Climate change go here or here.

back in the day

My first best friend Melissa from Belize who now resides in Miami sent me an old photo she found at her parents' house from when we were in grade school. I cannot firgure out exactly where this photo was taken or what was going on, but I imagine that it was some sort of party since there is a clown behind us. I'm the first boy in the circle with the red striped shirt, then there is Natalie, Melissa, Kristen, and two little British Girls who I don't know. The little boy standing outside of the circle is Shawn, my friend Claire's little brother. I wonder where Claire is?