a learning kind of day

but isn't every day?? or at least it should be. today found me taking the red line el down south to garfield before catching a bus to the museum of science and industry. now truth be told my main interest was to check out the building as it's the last remaining building from the world fair of 1893. it's awesome and there will be pictures later. but what they've turned the building into is equally as awesome and i'm sorry if the pics are all over the place but that's how i travelled the museum, my attention kept on being caught by all the other awesomeness.

(the first two photos were taken outside the museum though).



the 1930s pioneer zephyr - isn't the streamlined design just gorgeous?


foucault's pendulum, now i've read umberto eco's book but i think this is my first time seeing one of these.


then it was into the transportation area and a few cars... this first one is a replica of the 1896 bernadi.



a 1971 aston martin lagonda (i only know all this because i read the plaque near the cars and took down the details... yes, i do that).


the 1930 alfa romeo. i overheard one of the zillion school kids say "look at the alfa romeo" but pronounced romeo as in juliet and romeo. ah... when he looks back at that comment. haha!



1924 marmon that was turned into a racing car.


this is a 1896 benz. according to the sign, the 1893 benz velo was the first car to be mass produced but the '96 version was more powerful.


how awesome is the 1930 franklin pirate phaeton? hmm... great colour and style. the franklins were produced from 1902 til 1934 and were the most popular (of course) air cooled automobile sold in the u.s. until vw arrived after world war 1.




henry ford's tin lizzie or ford model t from 1914.


look up!!




into a bit of natural science now... mini tornados.



creating static electricity. very loud (use your imagination).


the screen above showed the avalanche and the round shifting sands below simulated the experience. really interesting.


the hatching of chicks were cool.



i was totally surprised to come across the jim henson's fantastic world exhibition. how fabulous is that?? i took a couple of snaps before i was told that i couldn't. oops! and damn. wanted to take so many more. lots of henson drawings and storyboards. ended up buying a documentary dvd so we'll see how that is when i get home.



i then went out into the still sunshiney day to take some photos of the beautiful building. it was formerly known as the palace of fine arts for the chicago world fair of 1893.









i headed north and back to the city for the next part of the day as i had booked a walking tour through the chicago architecture foundation. definitely worth doing (in fact i have another booked for tomorrow). today's was historic downtown north. yep, more buildings ahead.







the old public library was turned into the chicago cultural centre and is a treat to behold. it was known as the people's library when it opened because of how beautiful the interior is people would come from all over to view it. check it out.














palmer house is now owned by hilton but the palmer family has a great history with chicago. in fact, mrs palmer (can't remember her first name at the moment) is responsible for the impressionist painting collection now hanging in the art institute that i'm getting to tomorrow. i'll be sure to thank her when i'm there. ;)





then it was back over to millennium park for a look see. you will note that i got extremely carried away with photographing "the bean" - it was just way too much fun and everyone was doing the same. just walking around, snapping away.














i wandered back to lakeview not long after that. marv and i left callie at home while we went to fiorentino's for a fabulous italian dinner. the profiteroles were the perfect end to a great meal.


how funny is this sign? i asked marv to take the pic as i had strangely left my camera in my bag. who considers snow depth when parking? i know i don't.


it's now late and i must sleep. goodnight john boy.