PostBadge tag to show // FeedBurner FeedFlare. // ------------------------- // FeedBurner account and feed required. // Sign up at http://feedburner.com //================================================ class module_feedflare { function init(){ global $gregarious; $gregarious->add_settings ( array ( 'feedburner_url' => '' ) ); $gregarious->add_page ( 'FeedFlare', 'modules/feed-flare/icn_Flare.png', 'page_feedflare();', 'feedFlare' ); } function postbadge_tags(){ return array ( array ( 'tag' => '%FLARE%', 'replacewith' => 'feed_flare("",false)' ), ); } function update_info(){ return 100; } } //------------------------------------------ // TEMPlATE TAGS //------------------------------------------ function feed_flare($settings = '', $echo = true){ global $wp_query; $post = $wp_query->post; $sets = array('postID' => $post->ID, 'before' => '', 'after' => 'Gregarious FeedFlare', 'force' => 0 ); grab_sets($settings, $sets); if ( !$sets['force'] && hideOnID($sets['postID']) ){ return ''; } if( !$path = _get_feedburner_url() ) return ''; if( substr( $path, -1 ) == '/' ){ $path = substr( $path, 0, strlen( $path ) -1 ); } $path = str_replace ( 'feedburner.com/', 'feedburner.com/~s/', $path ); $path .= '?i='.get_permalink($sets['postID']); $result = $sets['before'] . "" . $sets['after']; if($echo) echo $result; else return $result; } function _get_feedburner_url(){ $feedurl = greg_get_option( 'feedburner_url' ); if ( $feedurl ){ return attribute_escape($feedurl); } else { $feedburner_settings = get_option('feedburner_settings'); if( is_array($feedburner_settings) && ($feedurl = $feedburner_settings['feedburner_url']) ) { return attribute_escape($feedurl); } else { return false; } } } //------------------------------------------ // OPTIONS PAGE //------------------------------------------ function page_feedflare(){ $feedurl = _get_feedburner_url(); ?> Tag Archive for ‘Chicago’ at spencerb.net

Tag Archive for 'Chicago'

Winter Break

Published on December 14, 2008 in Chicago, Economics, Northwestern, School, Sports and Travel. 1 Comment

It has arrived finally. I finished up my econ final and turned in a final paper for my music class last Tuesday. On Friday, I took my history exam. Today, I found out the results of my economics exam and I am extremely pleased. The only reason I’m sharing this is because 1) the class was tough and 2) it ensures I can write a thesis next quarter.

I have a few travel plans for this winter break. I’m very excited about embarking on all three of them.

First, Monica and I will be heading up to her parents’ cabin in northern Wisconsin. It will be nice to be away from things and relax a little bit. I can’t say that a whole lot of relaxing has gone on this quarter. Plus, I am excited to be going “up north”. That phrase is tossed about frequently in Minnesota with little meaning. Going up north covers a huge array of geographic areas. I am using the phrase just as wantonly, but the universal recognition of its meaning makes it a useful phrase.

Second, we’ll be heading to southern Wisconsin for Christmas. There we’ll be enjoying present opening and a lot of food with Monica’s family.

Third, we’ll be meeting my family in Vancouver for a ski trip to Whistler. I haven’t had too many opportunities to ski recently – thanks to living in Chicago and the lack of snow. Hopefully, I can get some practice when we’re up north, but otherwise I’m soooo excited for what will surely be an amazing trip. Honestly, I love skiing, it is an amazing sport. There is no better feeling than stepping out onto a mountain in your awkward boots and getting ready to carve down it.

Happy Holidays everyone and if you’re on break…enjoy it!

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving

Published on November 30, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois, Life and Weather. 2 Comments

Hello!

Another blogging holiday. I’ve missed this outlet for the past few days, but have enjoyed myself relaxing and eating plenty.

Monica and I went to her folk’s place for the holidays and had a great weekend. I have to give a shout out to them and the delicious Thanksgiving Day meal.

I made a big mistake though when we left because I forgot my laptop! That required me to take a very early trip this morning to the Northern border of Illinois. I met Monica’s dad and got my laptop back. The bad news was the transportation-related nightmare for one of the busiest days of travel – snow. Chicago was expecting approximately 4 to 5 inches of snow with northern Wisconsin getting about an inch. This was a reversal from a few days ago where the opposite was supposed to happen. In the end, I think the original guess was correct because Wisconsin got snow and Chicago got a bunch of sleet and wind.

Today, I had an awful grocery shopping trip. I’ll exclude the name of the store though. I enjoy the experience of grocery shopping (besides paying). The store I was at is in the middle of remodeling, so the atmosphere was that of a store in war-torn Eastern Europe, rather than Chicago. I made it out less $150, but with enough supplies for a while.

Cold!

Published on November 18, 2008 in Chicago, Life and Weather. 2 Comments

All of the sudden it got cold. Yesterday, Dan sent me an instant message inquiring into Chicago’s weather. That’s when it hit me…it is friggen’ winter again.

Yesterday, I literally wanted to run between buildings to get to my classes. It was one of those days. Where the cold just hits you – a smack in the face. I like winter, but I’m just not ready for it yet. The transition between fall and winter is the hardest of any seasonal change.

The saddest part of the change for me is the inability to be outside, I’ve been running a lot and biking a decent amount this summer. At first, I thought I’d be able to keep it up before it snows, but now I’m skeptical. Its just too cold to be outside to run. More accurately, I’m just to wimpy to go do it.

I feel like using this chilly weather to set a few goals for the winter:

1) Figure out what the hell I’m doing next year.
2) Be a more responsible scheduler.

Passing Time on the Purple Line

Published on November 16, 2008 in Chicago, Life and Music. 3 Comments

I had a strange moment riding on the CTA last week. I was riding on the El facing backward and listening to music. I had a classic rock playlist going through the motions uneventfully. Unfortunately, there was also an old, smelly man in front of me, but thankfully he got off quickly. Next time, the Wall Street Journal sat unread in an empty seat. Overall, I was happy to have my own sphere of influence that required no deference to other individuals. It is amazing how comforting that can be in a public space. This feeling was reinforced after the smelly guy got off and my senses were relieved.

All of the sudden, Boston’s “More than a Feeling” started playing. At this moment, I had one of those feelings where my iPod was playing the soundtrack to my life. It was a strange feeling, physically facing backwards and pondering. I’m not sure why it happens, but occasionally there are those unavoidable moments where moments throughout your life start rushing back through your head. In this instance, it was particularly strange because the train was rushing forward and propelling my body forward, buy my mine was racing backward.

Then these lyrics hit me:

When I’m tired and thinking cold
I hide in my music, forget the day

Oddly, they perfectly described my day so far: tired – yes, cold – yes, music – yes. The last line really struck my interest. By remembering past days, I was forgetting today.

I think I’m going to have more pondering blog posts in the near future. Reflection is good, self-reflection is important.

Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama

Published on October 18, 2008 in Chicago, News and Politics. 0 Comments

For the first time in the history of the newspaper, the Chicago Tribune endorses an Democrat.

However this election turns out, it will dramatically advance America’s slow progress toward equality and inclusion. It took Abraham Lincoln’s extraordinary courage in the Civil War to get us here. It took an epic battle to secure women the right to vote. It took the perseverance of the civil rights movement. Now we have an election in which we will choose the first African-American president . . . or the first female vice president.

Another season done…Maybe in 2009?

Published on October 1, 2008 in Chicago, Minnesota and Sports. 0 Comments

Well, the Twins were beat by the White Sox. It was a sad night of heckling at ‘The Cell’, but we survived.

Twins @ White Sox

Published on September 30, 2008 in Chicago, Minnesota and Sports. 1 Comment

Okay…I went for it. Monica and I have tickets and I am so excited! The tiebreaker game, I am certain, will be amazing. And as Twins fans at U.S. Cellular Field…I am sure we will have an exciting night.

Yoonew.com exchange prices for the Twins are currently down 2.62% and prices for the White Sox are up 22.78%. If this is any indication, the Twins have a hell of a battle tonight on the road. A Vegas sports betting site predicts the Twins will pull the victory off. Another site agrees and gives the Twins better odds!

Sure to be a great game!

Washington Mutual Failure, JP Morgan Chase Buyout

Published on September 26, 2008 in Business, Chicago, Economics and News. 0 Comments

When Monica and I moved to Chicago, I shopped around different banks in the city.  Bank of America had just bought LaSalle as a part of the ABN Amaro deal, so they had Chicago pretty well covered.  I considered Harris because it originated in Chicago, but it was bought out as well.  My TCF account of Minneapolis origins wouldn’t suffice anymore and ultimately I chose Washington Mutual.  Now my account is with Chase.  Based on location and focus on customer service (and an online savings account), I was convinced this was a great idea.  At the time, it was.  Even now, its not a horrible choice, the account is insured and I’ll soon be banking with Chase.  At least, I’ll have access to more ATMs…

I have some more serious thoughts on the financial crisis, but I’m working on a more serious and well-thought out post.

Now, the Washington Mutual webpage displays this message:

“WaMu Customers, Welcome to JPMorgan Chase!

We’re proud to welcome you to one of the nation’s largest banks; as of September 25, 2008, All WaMu customer deposits are now deposits of JPMorgan Chase, one of the strongest financial institutions in the world.

WaMu customer deposits — including checking accounts, savings accounts and certificates of deposit — are now backed by the strength and security of JPMorgan Chase. JPMorgan Chase has more than $2 trillion in assets and is the largest depository bank in America.

Our combined company will offer superior banking convenience — over 5,400 branches and 14,000 ATMs in 23 states.”

Minnesota Twins Take Lead in AL Central

Published on September 25, 2008 in Chicago, Minnesota and Sports. 1 Comment

Tonight, in the 10th inning against the Chicago White Sox, the Twins took the lead of the AL Central by a 1/2 game! For ESPN’s coverage, click here. Right now, the biggest financial mistake of my life was not buying shares in World Series tickets for the Twins this winter from yoonew.com. I’ll have to do that early next season, just for fun, just in case.

The Twins have this bad habit of doing well, but not being able to seal the deal. Whose feeling a World Series run this year?

Returning from the MPLS

Published on September 23, 2008 in Chicago, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Travel. 0 Comments

I am tired from a day of travel, but I wanted get a few thoughts down before heading off to bed (yes, its early, but tomorrow is my first day of fall classes. Hopefully, before Friday I can chronicle some of the week’s events.

I had a great trip this time. I spent almost a week in the Twin Cities. That amount of time almost felt like too long to be away from home, but it makes you wonder where home really is. It seems that a lot of people I know are grappling with that question right now. As I retell last week’s events, it will become more clear what I mean.

The more time I spend in Chicago, the more certain that the city makes for a great adventure, but beyond that only time will tell.

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