World Cup Summer Time!

 

For the US vs. Germany warm up game a week prior to the first game of the Cup, we took the train down several hours before kick off.  Our plan was to leisurely walk to Soldier Field and then see what was going on for pregame. There were lots of people making there way to the game and I must say that the German fans in full lederhosen were amongst my favorite fits. I bought the girls last minute jerseys at Costco! My jersey has an interesting back story. When I played in the international league in Jakarta, there were not enough players from the US to field a full team so we were all soccer mercenaries and signed on to other countries' rosters. I had a connection to the German team, tried out and was accepted because I was decent at that time and my middle name is Stefan - which they enjoyed and often called me for the 4 years I played with them. During the season, we would often have small aside tournaments which required less players to have an official roster. In the international 5 aside tournament, the US was able to muster up enough players for a team and the jersey I am wearing is the top for the uniform of that team! 

Emmerson paparazzi shot. She met us at the Brown Line L-stop and did not yet have her jersey which I had brought for her. 

All kitted up and ready to go.

Ada working it and Emmerson amused.

Breakfast on the way. Ada working it again - Emmerson not so much. 

On the bridge that crosses over the tracks and such from Michigan Avenue to the Soldier Field and Museum complex. There was a Pokemon exhibit at the Field Museum debuting and a rave at Northerly Island so the clientele of the various events made for quite the diverse scene. 

There were all sorts of venues and events set up outside the stadium. We had tickets to none but managed to step over a rope into this one. It had lots of food and drink vendors and some neat booths and things to do. 

I think this was a collage with a summary of the history of the US team??

This was a fun one sponsored by Home Depot. Emmerson was on the side of the goal with the task of blocking Ada's shot by moving the giant skeleton goalie. 

Filled to capacity! It was a great atmosphere - especially after Anthoni Robinson, my favorite player, scored with a banger at the end of the first half to put the US up 1-0. Unfortunately, two mental lapses were taken advantage of by Germany and they won 2-1. 

Yaaaayyyy!!

Neko showing his support. These were USA flags handed out to all attendees. 

My World Cup jerseys. Emmerson got me this One Piece themed Japan jersey from her school fashion and marketing trip to Brazil in December. 

I couldn't commit to getting a US jersey until the excitement resulting from their epic start to the tournament. But by that time it was not easy to get one. I went for the Robinson option and it didn't arrive until half way thru the tournament. Unfortunately, due to "the Sadness", which ended their campaign in, indeed, a sad way, I have not been able to bring myself to wear it again. In time I will, but still too early.

Japan is one of my favorite teams and their away jersey definitely my favorite so went for it. Great World Cup - lots of story lines and very entertaining.

Art Institute Random Visit

I bought a metra train monthly pass and live a three minute walk from the station so went downtown a lot this summer of 2026. Emmerson is the student manager at the St Vincent Parish Church soup kitchen and I would join her and the team on Monday and Wednesday mornings. She also does the Sunday morning Costco donation haul which is exciting so I go down and do that as well. Afterwards we often hang out and I get her some sustenance - college kids on a budget are quite the characters. So it has been nice to see her downtown and in her Lincoln Ave element. I have also just got on the train without a real plan and see where the city takes me. On this particular day, it was kind of drizzly out, and I recalled that teachers can get in free at the Art Institute if they have their ID card.  So I made my way there and figured I would have a nice no pressure and no expectations stroll. It was awesome!

A foggy, drizzly Michigan Ave - perfect time to duck into the Arti Institute up the steps to the right.

Storm Kingesque outdoor sculpture. Cornwall, NY reference, which about one of the five people that actually look at this site will get. 

Again, this was a random, completely unplanned venture so I just wondered about relatively aimlessly. I decided to take photos of those things that appealed to me at the moment. This was a restored wooden panel from the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. It had a cool backstory, buried under the bleachers at Soldier Field or something, so I photoed.

I can't help it - always on the lookout for things I can use in teaching. Another for my collection of Buddha statue poses sharing the principles of Buddhism. 

.... and another ....

 .... and one more - apparently felt it was about time for a selfie.

So this was cool - a cutlery set worn by somebody in Mongolia a long time ago. 

I collect chopsticks and would love to get my hands on this pair.

Paradise Lost by Raqib Shaw. This was definitely the highlight of the trip; partly because I had no idea it was here and never heard of it, but mainly because is was amazing! It has been one of the premiere visiting pieces at the museum for some time but I did not know so it was extra excitement when I walked into the room and saw this visual cacophony spread along the wall. It tells of the memories of Shaw growing up in the dichotomous setting of the violent conflict torn yet stunningly beautiful region of Kashmir.

Awe!! Adorable monkeys living an idyllic peaceful existence in this ethereal setting .... 

.... cuddling a little antelope - how sweet .... 

..........

..... maybe not .... 

Look at the cute monkeys! Yes child lets move along now. This was the dominant theme of the mural - stunningly beautiful scenes mixed with dramatic brutality. The beauty draws the spectator in for a closer look and then the details of the scene reveal a shocking reality - at least this is what happened to me, repeatedly.

The above and following simply drew me in for a closer look. I guess I just liked them, would like them in my house. This one is of Thanksgiving painted in 1935.

Easy one - snowboard company partnering with artists who focuses on indigenous designs. I believe every year they come out with a  one of a kind design for a board?!  Guess it was about time for another selfie. 

Cool

Not sure what drew me in hear - it was heavily textured which was cool and the colors were really unique. Hard to get this in a photo.

This was fun and funny and creepy all at once. Housewives simply having a little get together. Looks nice until you notice some of the proportions - and the knees ... 

Super vibrant - I like impressionism - cool things with color and perspective of subject relating to time and space.

Always a good time with Senor Dali .... 

Chicago Skyline with Brandon

 Brandon was in town for a tech conference so we met up and did the architecture boat tour. Somehow I have lived in Chicago a long time without actually taking the tour so was quite excited - except it was like 20 below. 

Brandon is trying really hard not to show how cold he was. It was April and he did not pack for a brisk day on the Chicago river but I did!

Iconic art deco residential towers built back to try and provide turn key living with boat docks, parking garage, shopping and such. 

Classic river view east toward the lake.

On the turn from main branch to south branch. Some very purposeful design and positioning to get this amazing perspective. 

I am sure the docent said something cool about this building as they did about most of the prominent buildings visible from the river. But I forgot - which is surprising because it was really interesting and our guide presented the info with a lot of stories which is format my memory resonates with well. So maybe this was simply cool looking so I snapped a photo - because it is cool looking.