cowboy_deluxe

 

It was announced today that Starbucks chairman Howard Shultz will be returning as CEO of Starbucks for the long term. This is actually good news. Shultz helped to get Starbucks started back in 1982. He wrote a  wonderful biography a few years back that I keep reading over and over. Starbucks needed this happen now;especially after McDonald's announced the implementation of automated espresso machines AND baristas into their stores this year. What, will they be called McBaristas?? SIGH

But I am hoping with Shultz back the helm, Starbucks will focus more on the customer and the "customer experience". Look what happened with Apple once Steven Jobs came back to run things. Stay tuned.

Here's a link to the article in case anyone is interested. 
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22544023/

Here is an open letter to the employees he sent out today too:
http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/pressdesc.asp?id=814


                               




 

This is TOO funny! I had to share with my other java junkies. Enjoy!

That is what I felt like when I finally got my chance to see Wicked tonight. Yes, it has taken me over 2 years to finally see the Chicago production. But it was definitely worth the wait!

didiseven was fortunate enough to score main floor tickets for their 1000th performance here in Chicago! Along with djzack67 and my man nullslashvoid we were off to see Wicked. I was just simply blown away by the production. I had listened to the original Broadway soundtrack many times, and to finally see the show was just amazing! It will definitely be a night I will not forget.

Thanks again to didiseven for this wonderful opportunity to see this production. It was a very memorable night. 

 

This past Saturday nullslashvoid and I finally finished one of the major trails in Thatcher Woods. What an accomplishment for the both of us. We were sorry that it ended. But we ventured to another part of the Thatcher Woods area and found another trail we are now in the pursuit of. But with the weather looking to get colder, we may not be able to finish this particular trail. But what an accomplishment to finish the major trail. And I could have not asked for a better person to do it with. We both seem to enjoy the outdoors together. And it is a perfect way to spend quality time together. Here’s to many more trails ahead babe. Looking forward to them. 
And now for some pictures from last week and the week before.

( Take a walk on the wild side... )

 

Hello. Just joined the group recently and wanted to share a few of my pictures. Enjoy just being outside. I am so glad I finally have someone to share the outdoors with. 



  *EDIT: This entry was suppose to be a post in a new group I belong to on LJ. But for some reason it showed up on my regular LJ. Of course I am not new this THIS group. :) Oh well...Enjoy!

    
louiewashere

For all my BSG and Star Wars fans!

Coming in November.......

didiseven


BIG HUGS!!!

Today was one of those days that I felt I needed to get outside. It was a little warm, but still very nice out. nullslashvoid   and I decided to head to the Chicago Botanic Garden for the afternoon. I had told him there was a kite festival going on this weekend also. We arrived late in the afternoon to see the kite festival. We were able to see an hour or so of the amazing kite performances. To be able to see kites perform different maneuvers was overwhelming. I took a small video of one of the performances that I may have to post later on. But of course I have plenty of pictures. Which I will post at the end.

After the kite festival we decided to take a walk around the different gardens. There are SO many of them. A couple we wanted to see had closed earlier, but the majority of them were still open. I have to say and I know Brian would also agree, the Japanese Garden was one of the best. Very serene and very breathtaking.

Evening Island was also very enjoyable. The Carillon tower is located on this island. The Carillon was handcrafted in Holland. It is one of the few hand-played carillons in the United States. It features 48 bronze bells fixed to a metal frame that are struck by clappers controlled by a playing device. Besides church bells, the carillon has the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard. In the summer, they actually have concerts at the carillon. Something definitely worth check out.

After walking around for a few hours and through all these amazing gardens, it was time to head home. What a day of walking, enjoying the beautiful gardens and the wonderful company. It was one of the best days I have had in a long time. I will always remember this day.

Edit: Had issues with LJ cut. It duplicated. Just click on the first one. They are both the same.

I took these a couple of weeks ago when I was back home for a few days. This drive- thru coffee place is near my hometown in central Illinois. It is acutally two semi trailers stacked on each other to creative this amazing little drive-thru. And I must say, the coffee was great! They use Portland Roasting Company coffee. I was impressed. But it was fun to experience this cute little drive-thru. Anything for coffee!



           

Today was a pretty busy day for me. I started out my morning having beakfast with my friend James. We usually connect on Saturday or Sunday when it comes to breakfast. We are both usually are up early on the weekends and LOVE our breakfast. We decided today to head to Le Peep's on the near west side. Right across from another place we frequent for breakfast, Wishbone.  Le Peep's of my farvorite places for breakfast. And service here is pretty fast too. We enjoyed out breakfast and coffee, then parted ways. I had family coming into town late morning.

Later in the morning my sister Shannon, brother-in-law Craig and nephew Matt decided to come and visit me. They were here also to see a Cubs game this afternoon. I was not able to go, since I had a work project to deal with. So I drove them to Wrigley Field to the game. It was easier than paying for parking. I went home and completed my work project. Hurray! I headed back into the city to pick up the family. It was my brother-in-law's birthday yesterday. So he chose where we were eating for dinner.  He wanted to go to the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. So we headed to Navy Pier for dinner. This place was great! And I  really enjoyed the homemade hush pups! It was a great time. And Craig really enjoyed the visit. 

After dinner we walked around Navy Pier for awhile. I could tell they were all getting tired. So it was time to take me back to Oak Park., We said our good byes and sent them home. It was such a nice day. Of course, always nice to spend time with family. It was such a great day. And now I am sleepy after being outside in the oh so warm and humid weather. Welcome to summertime in Chicago. I also took a few photos of today's adventure. Hope everyone else is enjoying their weekend!

            


          

It has been awhile since I have posted. So I decided to to bore everyone with my weekend excursions. Most of Saturday was spent with my friend James and his partner Fabrizio. We decided to meet early for breakfast at Over Easy Cafe. I reccomend this place for a fantastic breakfast. My usual there is the omlet that has basil pesto and sundried tomatoes. Excellent! Plus they serve Julius Meinl coffee, which is one of my favorites. One the things I like best is when waiting for seating (it can get crowded later in the AM), they have coffee set up outside to enjoy while you wait. I LOVE this place!

After breakfast we headed to a Farmer's market off of Clark, which I believe was in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Since it is still early in the season, there was not much of a selection. Flowers, herbs, tomatoes and baked goods. But it was nice to walk around and enjoy the morning.

Then it was off to Andersonville for the Midsommarfest. We arrived just when it was getting started. So it was nice to walk around while it was not crowded.
One of my first stops was retrocool 's booth. He had some amazing pictures on display and for sale. I ended up buying one of them. I was his first sale of the day! It was nice to see him again. Coffee soon, right??

For the most part it was an enjoyable afternoon at the fest. Made a stop at Sweet Occasions for a red velvet cupcake. YUM! I was suprised that I did not eat more festival food. Like the usual hotdogs, corndogs and homemade lemonade. But I figured that yummy red velvet cupcake made up for all the other food. Plus when it is warm out, I tend not to eat as much. A good thing!

After the fest I headed home. Met up later in the evening with reset_smith to watch a movie and order pizza. We watched Kill Bill Vol.1 I had not seen it yet. Yeah Yeah, I know. I must be one of the last to never see it. But on tap later this week with
reset_smith is the new season of Top Chef and Kill Bill Vol. 2

Sunday was spent with my good friends John and Steve. They used to live in Oak Park, but moved to the Gold Coast about a month ago. So they invited over to their new condo. We ended up going out on a picnic to a local park in their area. Was a nice day to be out and people watch. And it was GOOD people watching today too. We then walked back, headed to Starbucks ( they live one block from one). Got our iced lattes walked back and parted way.

All in all, it was a GREAT weekend. But missing my friends who are currently on a cruise in Italy. Miss you guys! *sigh*