Isobar Summer Event: ROOF on theWit

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Chris modeling the Isobar beach towels and sunglasses.

First we had an all-day Isobar company meeting. This year’s schwag was beach towels and sunglasses. Around 2:00 or 2:30 p.m. we left for ROOF on theWit. We ate endless amounts of sushi, build-your-own-mac, and flatbreads and drank many shots, boozy snow cones, a signature cocktail and whatever else tickled our fancy. As always, it was nice to hang out with all my work friends, not in the work setting. Super fun time! Don’t ask about the red coat!

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Adam + Megan + Rachelle

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Rachelle + Katie

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Lots of sushi.

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A unique view of the Thompson Center.

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Garrett, Bill, Claire

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Becky

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Bags!

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Snow Cones!

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Boozy Snow Cones!

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Rudy + Rachelle Selfie with Snow Cones

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Toasting our CEO, Geoff, with a Snow Cone!

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Isobar Signature Cocktail

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Tasty, but very sweet!

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How I feel after many drinks!

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See full-sized image

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Build your own mac n’ cheese. Mine had lobster, mushrooms and bacon.

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Twinsies!

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Mike saying something very important!

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Chicago River

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Ujval + Joy + Romi

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Geoff + Romi

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See full-sized image

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Selfie + Chris + Sean + Becky

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Selfie + AJ + Ryan (+Joy)

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Selfie + Chris + Becky + Ujval

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Selfie + Zach

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Romi

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Don + Thomas + Garrett

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Romi

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Thomas + Becky

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Past Roundarch/Roundarch Isobar/Isobar Summer Events:

2014: American Junkie (rain backup to Oak Street Beach)
2013: The Rooftop at Market
2011: Millennium Park (daytime photos, nighttime photos)
2011: Paris Club
2010: Shedd Aquarium (Also celebrating Roundarch’s 10 year anniversary)
2009: Party at the River East Arts Center
2008: Wendella Architectural Boat Tour and dinner/drinks at the Adler Planetarium

Chicago Mascots + Val Warner + School Kids

One day back in June I was walking by the Thompson Center and came across a whole bunch of Chicago sports team mascots and Valerie Warner and a bunch of school kids. I didn’t really know what was going on, so I just took some photos and figured it out later.

Turns out it was the Salvation Army‘s Hunger Campaign and they were collecting donations. But to make it fun they were having people text for certain mascots. Also, each mascot had a box so you could just put money in the mascot box. These are the mascots who were present:

Not too surprisingly, the Salvation Army is reporting that the White Sox mascot, Southpaw, won. While I was there, it sure looked like Sparky was winning. It’s who the kids liked best, but I guess the kids were not voting with their wallets. More importantly, the Salvation Army raised more than $500.

Along with the mascots, there was Val Warner, who I recognized immediately from WGN Morning News. She and Ryan Chiaverini are now doing Windy City Live in Oprah’s old time slot.

Monument With Standing Beast by Jean Dubuffet

Monument With Standing Beast by Jean Dubuffet
Monument With Standing Beast by Jean Dubuffet, The Loop, Chicago

Monument with Standing Beast is located outside the James R. Thompson Center on Randolph Street. The Illinois Department of Central Management Services informs us that French artist Jean Dubuffet had a special affection for Chicago and that we have one of only three of his sculptures in the U.S. Also, the monument “is formed of four elements that are interrelated and suggest a standing animal, free portal and architectural component.” More information here.

Buh-Bye New York State Drivers License

Today I went to the DMV office in the Thompson Center and got my Illinois license. I was kind of freaked out by the written test and I studied online just to make sure. Still, I was nervous yesterday morning. No need, I guess, because I only got one wrong on the exam. Something about what to do when your car is skidding out of control. Gently brake and steer straight, steer into it, or jam on the brakes hard and fast. Well, I knew it wasn’t the last option.

I think I was just anxious because when I got my California Drivers License I failed the written test. Then I went back and took it again and failed. I had one more than allowed wrong. I remember that I sweet talked the DMV worker into asking me one of the wrong questions and I got it right so they let me pass through. And that was when I actually drove a car every day. These days I drive about 3 times/year. The laws in CA are weird, though. Who knows what a blue curb means? Me either. In New York, I don’t think I ever had to take a written test.

The best part is that my photo on my IL license is really cute. When does that ever happen? I’ll have to show it to you next time I see you.

Practice With f8 Aperature

Chicago River
Chicago River, River North, Chicago

Goodman Theater
Goodman Theater, The Loop, Chicago

Thompson Center
Thompson Center, The Loop, Chicago

Thompson Center
Thompson Center, The Loop, Chicago

View From the Irving Park Brown Line Station
View From the Irving Park Brown Line Station, North Center, Chicago

I’ve been practicing taking some night photography in Manual mode with my aperature set at its highest setting, f8, then adjusting the shutter speed until I get a correct reading, then taking the photograph. My favorite thing about night photos with a high aperature and a long shutter speed is how lights come out star-shaped. I need to start bringing my tripod out for these photos. It’s super hard to get a sharp shot at night with a long exposure without one.

To the photographers – any advice for taking these types of photos?