Impending Doom

deets: f/3.2, 1/100, 45mm, ISO1600

Today was a bit of an odd day, as we carried on as usual, knowing Igor was bearing down on us. I had a hair appointment this morning (moved up from this afternoon so they could shut shop at noon) and then I picked up some more masking tape for the windows (as you do!). Dave picked me up and we took the dogs to the "off leash park" for some pre-storm exercise and we hunkered down at home shortly after that.

I've been watching live coverage on The Weather Channel...but I should really stop because it's just making me more nervous! The winds are really just starting to pick up and it's still 24+ hours until the center of the storm hits us. Were as prepared as we're going to be....and now just playing a waiting game (feeling a bit housebound already!). I'm hoping for the best but am 99.9% sure we're going to lose power. I'm saying my prayers that it's not two weeks before the power comes back on, like it was after Fabian in 2003.

Non-perishables Have Been Procured

deets:  f/3.2, 1/40, 34mm, ISO1600

Behold, the recently acquired Igor supplies! There is a sense of impending doom throughout the island at this point that's hard to ignore. Our office closed at noon today, even though the storm is not supposed to reach its closest point for another 48+ hours and the winds are just starting to pick up. Nice gesture - but sure makes it feel like the end of days is near! We've got the non-perishables, batteries and other supplies (and water!). Dave took the lawn furniture and BBQ into the garage this morning before he left for his golf tourney - ha! Tomorrow, we'll close the shutters and fill up all the tubs. I'm not really scared of the storm (we were here for a similar one, Fabian, in 2003) but dread the nightmare of extended power loss. No lights, A/C or running water is not really my scene. Here's Igor's latest forecast:

Faster Than a Speeding Bullet. (Maybe Not!)

I think I've mentioned my inexplicable fascination with snails on previous occasions...but I don't think I've ever actually seen one on the move before. So, naturally when Dave mentioned this morning that he'd been doing yard chores (dog related!) and had seen a snail "out of its shell", I had to delay the drive to work and arrange an impromptu photoshoot for the little guy!

deets: f/5, 1/320, 100mm, ISO800

Embarrassing footnote: My snail knowledge is serious lacking. When Dave told me it was out of his shell, I went out looking for the snail MINUS the shell. Apparently I should have known that a snail can never leave its house behind...then it'd be a slug! I blame snail inexperience.

The Most Important Meal of the Day

These are low quality Blackberry shots but I've gotta post 'em so I can look back on them and drool.  We went for a late brunch at Orange one morning in Chicago.  We had to do an about face and look harder because we some how missed it the first time but it was definitely worth it.

We had the Frushi (i.e. fruit sushi) to start.  It was expertly cut fruit served with sticky coconut rice.  Divine!

I followed that act with the "Pancake Flight".  They change the four flavors included weekly.  Luckily for me, the flavors of the week were (clockwise from top left):  Orange Coffee White Chocolate, Coffee Berry & Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake and Coffee, Pecan & Kahlua.  Um......coffee and chocolate?!  I'm in.  Couldn't quite finish it but I put in a valiant effort!

The Windy City

We spent five days in Chicago last week - lots of stuff to see and do (...and eat!) but I only brought the SLR along a couple days. So, I thought I'd just post a few of my favorite shots...

deets:  f/4, 1/1000, 70mm, ISO400

deets:  f/5.6, 1/1000, 250mm, ISO800

deets:  f/4.5, 1/500, 130mm, ISO1600

deets:  f/4.5, 1/640, 54mm, ISO200

deets:  f/4.5, 1/4000, 70mm, ISO400  (this is not a very well composed photo...but this is an old and abandoned post office building...I loved the 'Hawk spirit of the posties!)

deets:  f/4.5, 1/4000, 27mm, ISO400

deets:  f/4.5, 1/800, 48mm, ISO400

deets:  f/4.5, 1/2500, 43mm, ISO400

deets:  f/4, 1/1600, 40mm, ISO800 (I think I could count the number of hot dogs I've eaten in my adult life on my fingers....but I had two in Chicago...mine's the one on the left!)

deets:  f/5, 1/3200, 24mm, ISO400 (I could've taken photos of The Bean for hours but Dave was getting a bit impatient!)