Chicago
April 3-8, 2009
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual conference drew me to Chicago. Besides the omnipresent need to gain knowledge, I did not hesitate to travel to Chicago because I just love this city. If you have read my previous journals, you will likely learn that I prefer the wide-open spaces that are common in the west. Places where I can ride extended miles without seeing another vehicle. I often look forward to leaving the big city, Dallas, but I could spend many days exploring Chicago.
Public transportation is well implemented and very effective, and al though many of the trains are very old, that gives character. I did not make advance plans to get from O’Hare to my hotel. So, at the airport, I was trying to decide between a taxi and a shuttle. After I picked up my bag, I turned around and saw the arrows pointing to the train. That works. I bought a reasonably-priced 7-day pass and headed for the platform.
 O’Hare Train Access Tunnel |
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Chicago is lively everywhere, and still so deep into the night. There is music all around. As I was heading through the airport train tunnel, I came across a guitarist singing into his portable mic and amp for the travelers. Later that night, a saxophone player was in the subway as I made my way to the House of Blues. From the energy on the streets, it’s obvious that many folks live in the inner city, and many others don’t use cars to get to work.
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Yes, I know what you are thinking, “Isn’t this supposed to be a motorcycle blog?. Didn’t we go through something similar a couple of weeks ago with a renegade blog?” Well, I had time late Friday to visit Chicago BMW, so knock it off. I went up to the parts counter to get a rear reflector for Elke. When the parts guys said they would have to order it, I replied that I had just flown 1000 miles to get it. They said I should have called ahead. Now that we have the motorcycle content out of the way, let’s get on with the Chicago experience.
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I had dinner in the Randolph Metra station, and headed to the hotel to rest a bit. The last time I was in Chicago, I only walked past the House of Blues. This time, I could drop in for a while. The Eric Jerardi Band was the headliner on the Back Porch stage. Guy King warmed up the crowd with his guitar and smooth voice singing the blues with a Louisiana slant.
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 Guy King |
 The Eric Jerardi Band |
Both Guy and Eric put on a great show. Eric had recently pulled his original band back together, and the synergy was apparent. He plays hard-driving blues with touches of elegant string work that really shows his artistry. Bassist Jon Arnold turned 50 at midnight, and I think that event gave a bit more energy to the show. It did not take long for me to be deep in the element. The blues can do that. The cool thing about the HOB back stage was the small venue that allowed the chance to meet and talk with the musicians. I wound up buying music from each. The crowd was friendly and willing to talk with me. I met Brian Higgins from Ohio, who frequents Chicago for the entertainment. Ohio is so devoid of good entertainment according to his Jamaican friend and host, Brian recently opened the SideBar in downtown Dayton devoted to such.
Eric played well past 1 AM, and I walked my way back to the hotel that included an unplanned detour. Earlier in the evening, I went to a “south” Dearborn address for HOB, and I made it to the correct “north” address. When I left, I lost my bearings and overshot the Fairmont. I confirmed I was off course when the sidewalk traffic ahead was devoid of people. I also discovered that Chicago has multiple levels of streets that can be deceiving. I was looking for landmarks that were one level above me.
April 4, 2009
Saturday was filled with the Clinical Engineering Symposium at HIMSS. Afterward, I explored Millennium Park and watched many visitors doing the same. There is a plethora of ways to waste film (make that memory) in Chicago with a camera. I wound up serving as trip photographer for many couples that I met in the park. After a call home to Deb, I had a Capone Burger at the Artist’s Snack. This place looked very old-school and had many regulars dining. The walk back was cold with brisk winds preceding a front that was to bring snow around the area.
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April 5, 2009
More educational sessions Sunday at McCormick Place. The IOC is in town working things out for the 2016 Olympics, and they were gathering around listening to Chicago marketing folks convincing them this is the place. The IOC is obviously meeting at my hotel, with protester groups and others gathering in favor of the event. Saturday evening, I too felt the effect of the IOC meeting when a security guard asked me to leave the second floor in a not-too-pleasant voice after I wound up there. Lighten up, guys…
Dennis Quaid is the keynote speaker focusing on patient safety improvement through technology. Dennis and his wife almost lost their 10-day old twins to a medication error of a 10,000 unit dose of heparin partly due to vial labeling. He states that as an actor, he can go through 37 takes to correct a mistake. But many times a caregiver does not get a second chance to reverse a mistake. Positive patient ID, medication ordering/coding, and proper administration can be enabled through technology.
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I’m sitting here in the hall composing this journal after Dennis’ talk. Thousands of people were streaming past me earlier, and now I look up to see I am one of only a hand full left. On to the exhibit hall to see new tech and grab some LED bouncy-balls for Katy. It’s snowing tonight here in Chicago, so not a lot of comfortable options for walking around downtown, and I probably need the rest anyway.
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April 6, 2009
Another day at the conference, overwhelmed by the enormity of it all. Sucked in more knowledge, met with vendors, and wore my feet out. The weather’s cold outside, with some light flurries continuing in the morning. Nice to be inside today. There was around 3 inches of snow last night, enough to postpone the White Sox season opener. The afternoon cleared up, with the temperature hovering around 35. I grabbed my leather jacket, gloves and my favorite alpaca scarf, and headed along the Chicago River to find Andy’s. Guy told me on Friday that he plays Mondays at Andy’s Chicago Jazz. I stayed there for several hours taking in a more subdued jazzy rendition of his music, accompanied by Ben Paterson on the keys.
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I saw a couple of different crowds, the first being young music students, and the next group older well-dressed folks. The young musician group asked that they sing a couple of songs for the club, and Guy and Ben did a quick cram session with the sheet music handed over to them. It worked out great, and the kids showed great talent.
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I made my way back to the hotel in the cold night air, getting to know a few of the regulars on the street that have an interesting way of working conversation into a business deal of sorts. In Dallas, they just cut to the chase and start asking for money right away.
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After crossing the river again, I captured a shot commemorating Wes’ birthday.
April 7, 2009
Interesting day at the conference with some pertinent sessions, the best being Kevin Mitnick’s talk on The Art of Deception. Kevin was put away for a while back for hacking, and now makes his living consulting to corporations on how to keep the bad guys out of their networks. I made my way around the show floor once more, met with a few other business partners, and picked up some more light-up balls for Katy, our Border Collie. She loves those things. It’s the best of both worlds – lights and a ball.
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 Took the Metra back to the hotel this afternoon. |
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| Rested a bit, and then worked my way over to Buddy Guy’s Legends. Had a vicious hot Cajun chicken sandwich for dinner. I listened briefly to Joe Moss, and headed back to pack up for tomorrow’s journey home. |  |
It’s been a good trip. My brain hurts with the info I have crammed in during the day, my feet are aching from the McCormick Place and the city walks, and my ears are ringing a bit from the music in the evening. But it’s all good.
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Awesome pictures! Katy awaits new LED balls.
Wow. You captured some of the fascinating aspects of the city (including the BMW shop). Thanks for sharing.