First Responders

One of the best things about my north-facing window here at work is the ability to hear and see the city-sights/sounds on the street six floors below.

Several times a year, new recruits from the Chicago Police Department or the Chicago Fire Department run as a group down Fulton Street (today, it was the guys from the CFD). Usually they're shouting or chanting something in unison, military-style. I always hear them when they're about half-a-block away, so I have time to get to my window and watch them running by.


Several years ago, it was a pleasant amusement for a single woman. Now, I'm thinking that my three-year-old son would find the whole thing really, really cool because they're all wearing matching shirts and they're usually followed by a squad car or a fire department car.

Funny how things change. :-)

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Observations for Friday

Super Cool
The deposit feature at the new ATMs at the brand new Chase bank branch at 330 N. Des Plaines. Just insert your paper check into a feeder slot in the new ATM. Within seconds, an image of your check appears on the screen with a message: Your deposit amount is $154.99. Correct? No need to fill out an envelope or even use the keypad to tell the machine how much you're depositing. Why didn't someone think of this before?

Not-So-Cool
Seen for sale at the new Jewel grocery store at 330 N. Des Plaines: Potted Norfolk Pines bedecked with Christmas decorations. I'm as big a Christmas freak as anyone, but really ... it's the first week of November, people.

Also Not Cool
The fact that I popped out of the office at lunch without my cell phone. I could have supplied photos of both of the abovementioned items, which would have made this post a lot more interesting.

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