Annual Chicago Visit

 So as part of the PPMI ppmi  Parkinson's Progression markers Initiative research program, I go to Northwestern University in Chicago for monitoring each year. I don't have Parkinson's. but I have a brain that they are interested in for research. So lucky for me, I got some time before the testing begins, so I went to the Institute of Art!

Bumpy flight coming in, but all went well.

The Art Institute has big lions out front.

It's just a block or so from the Millinium Park, where the Bean is. 

I had a few minutes to wait for public access opening time, so up the street I walked.

I love the tall buildings....this was a school of some sort in days gone by, and it has an owl on top!

Anyways onto the museum.

Paris Street, Rainy Day by Gustave Coillebotta, an amazing painting.....

Cluade Monet- Arrival of the normandy train....they had a lot of his works, they are amazing!

This one OH MY! It's a beautiful painting, and huge-almost life size, Georges Seurat, Sunday Afternoon.

A Real live Augusta Rodin, so beautiful!

Another Monet

Edvard Munch-The Girl by the Window-he's the guy who painted The Scream....very well known!

Some Paul Cezanne. Such iconic works and they have quite a ew of them!

Paul Gauguin, He's famous for his Tahaitin works.

AND LOOK!!! Just look!!!! Vincent Van Gogh!!!!!!

Edgar Degas-Pink Dancer....there were a lot of his work too!

A nice Jackson Pollock

And for me, the reason to buy a ticket!  Nighthawks---Edward Hopper.

What an amazing painting. Worth it!

Thomas Hart Benton-The Cotton pickers, He's an amazing artist.

Archibald John Motley-Blues. 

I can't believe I got such a crappy photo of the Norman Rockwell painting-The Dugout. It's a really large painting and I was trying to take a selfie with it, but there were a lot of people around so it was hard!

And look! The real deal! American Gothic-Grant Wood our Iowa claim to fame!

This guy was just in the right place---looks like the painting!!

Mary Cassatt The Child's Bath, what an iconic work! I loved it!

And  a real Remington!

And they had a LOT of Renissance art and a LOT of Asian art.

Anyways it was a pretty wonderful trip to the museum! I was just in awe of all the great art!

I had time the next day so I walked out to Navy Pier. 

And took the boat architectual tour. 

It was a nice way to spend some time and see all the buildings on the river.

And I walked downtown to the Nordstroms, 

so FANCY! and EXPENSIVE.

You had to go around the rope to shop in the Gucci area!

This cute bag was $1325. 

And I don't understand it but Jellycats are little stuffed toys that are all the rage now. The little ones are $80....I didn't buy anything in Nordstroms or Macy's either!

And I was glad to get home again!

Chicago and Tires

 So, I had my visit to Chicago to check in with the PPMI (Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative) team. I flew in on Thursday afternoon for my Friday morning appointment. Remember I am a subject in the research for a cure for Parkinson's-I don't have Parkinson's but I have some markers they want to follow. 

That gave me enough time to walk over to Ed Debevic's.  It's just a few blocks from my hotel. 

It's famous for it's quirky staff that uses humorous rudeness to serve you.

I had the sliders-I have to fast for the scan on Friday, so I better eat up! I'll have a shake too! 

It was pretty good, more about the diner atmosphere than anything.  Kids that were with the grown ups had a blast. The server would tell them sassy things, like go get it yourself! 

Very fun! 
On Friday afternoon, I had a little time between procedures, so I walked over to Michigan Avenue. Kayla told me there was a special event for Easter at the Harry Potter Store. Look at this picture.....

The line went down the block and back again!

I chose to pass on that idea! I didn't have that much time! Instead I went here!

Chicago 360! It's the John Hancock building. 

You get to go up to the top and see the view, and if you pay more-

I wasn't paying more-you can stand in a window that tilts out 30degrees so you hang over the city.

It was a beautiful view!

Over Lake Michigan, and over downtown.

You can see the TILT windows over on the right side of this picture. If it wasn't so expensive I might do that! 

It was a nice way to spend the little time I had. THe building is across the street from the American Girl Doll store, so there were A LOT of little girls (and big girls too) with their dolls in back packs.

All those red bags containing hundreds of DOLLars of doll stuff!

This is the view out of one of the windows in the Galter Pavilion on the Northwestern University campus. They are a teaching hospital , just like the U of Iowa, but they are very vertical, not spread out so much, tall buildings instead. Anyway, 

I flew home and got to the airport and found I had a low tire on my car!

I stopped at the gas station near the airport and aired it up, it was around 10pm and prayed I'd get home ok-I did. I got new tires on Saturday, there was a screw in my tire and it was too close to the sidewall to repair. 

OOOO, look at these beauties! Discount Tires came through for me in a great way!