From up high

(Part 2 of Sunday activity from 2 weeks ago)

Another pretty cool thing that has developed since making the journey to the Temple each month (see previous blog entry) is the newly found opportunity to actually see bits of Chicago again. As mentioned earlier, the missus and I have not exactly been huge fans of the densely populated metropolis. When we were a bit younger (okay, maybe MORE than a bit...), we would take many a weekend journey out that way to pick up a live concert or comedy show. And there was actually a time when MY own band played out in that general direction. We didn't think much about how irritating the drive was back then. Either the traffic has worsened considerably over the last 20 years or we've just become less tolerant. Or both. I vote for "both."

But since we're now out that way a bit more, we've used the journey as a means of showing Su a little more of what we typically don't see here in the suburbs. Two months ago, it meant a trip to Navy Pier and the Children's Museum. She really loved that one. A couple of weeks ago, it meant:

The Sears Tower

With the exception of about 5-1/2 years, my entire lifetime has been spent 20-40 miles outside of Chicago. And not once in all of that time had I ever ventured into the Tower. And it's been there for quite a while now. But now we're feeling the desire to show these wonderful iconic locations to Su -- and, in the process, also experiencing some of this for the first time. Good fun.

Su was simply amazed. For some reason, she had associated the words "tall building" with much lesser structures like the historic courthouse building in Geneva. Nobody would confuse this building with being tall. As you can see, we didn't get out much in recent years. But this city full of skyscrapers was just so exciting for her. And I have to admit that we enjoyed it a little bit, too. Not the driving. Not the parking. But the view.

So in we went. After paying an almost criminal amount of money to take the tour, we boarded the elevator and found ourselves at the top of the 110-floor building in seemingly no time at all. Not at all what I expected. Remember the elevator scene in the Blues Brothers movie? The agonizingly slow elevator ride accompanied by "Girl from Ipanema" muzak? Sort of what I was expecting. I'm not sure we were on this thing for more than a minute. Just remarkable.

Of course, what was even more remarkable was the view. Su ran from window to window, all the while declaring her disbelief at how far she could see and just how far up we really were. And this was on an overcast day. I imagine that a clear day would just be breathtaking.

Anyway, enough about that. Most of you reading have probably already been up in the tower -- perhaps even more than once. So consider us just a little late for the party. The building was completed in 1973. I just wanted to give it about 35 years for the crowds to die down a bit...

A new and improved path (to the city)

This past Sunday resulted in a trip into Chicago. This is something that we don't do very often. I'm not a "city" person. The missus isn't a city person. And there is little there that we typically consider worthwhile that would motivate us to take on loads of traffic and parking headaches. But we've found a reason now -- and it exists at 4216 North Paulina, the home of the Chicago Nichiren Buddhist Church.

For the last nearly eight years, we've been attending Buddhist services right here in nearby West Chicago. But a lot of additional research and a different focus led to the discovery of this little gem hiding in the midst of a typical city neighborhood. Chicago Nichiren Buddhist Church is the Illinois home of the Nichiren Shu sect. I won't go into the details of what differentiates one sect from another, but the Nichiren Shu philosophy, its view of the Lotus Sutra, and its positioning of all relevant Buddhist teachings scratches us exactly where it itches, to borrow the phrasing.

We started attending a couple of months ago and are completely smitten with the low-key atmosphere, the positive exchanges, the friendly mostly Japanese membership (some Chinese), and the more accurate focus on the legitimate Nichiren teachings, as well as the more universally known Sakyamuni Buddha, acknowledged as the original Buddha. Services are available every two weeks. We are on more of a "monthly" schedule, A) because of travel, and B) because the Chief Priest himself only usually makes the journey once a month from Schaumburg. Might as well make our visits count!

Overall, it's a relaxed, enjoyable vibe, with the required recitation and chanting, hand-held drums to accompany the Taiko-provided rhythms, and all of the beauty one could possibly hope to see presented in such a humble city dwelling.

Once the service is complete, friendly exchanges take place for a while. Usually a lesson or just an interesting, relevant story. Then this is all followed with a lunch served in the lower level, where Japanese dishes are offered up to any takers, along with some sort of dessert. During our last visit, a Japanese member had just turned 88 and was celebrating, so various cakes were offered up. On Sunday, another member was celebrating an occasion and brought in chicken and other goodies.

No, we don't go for the food. It's a nice bonus, though. We actually had other lunch plans for the day (next blog to come) and had to scoot out of there. But each visit reassures us that this is certainly a welcome place to be and we've been made to feel right at home from the first moments. Su is already quite popular. I guess that's not a surprise. She's not exactly shy!

Our sweetheart

I don't think there's much to say. Six years old and in first grade. Where did the bangs go? The baby face?

Tricks and treats

Believe it or not, one of my early thoughts regarding the move back to Winfield was about what it would mean to Su on Halloween. In Geneva's Randall Square area -- the land of track housing -- pulling in a ton of candy is almost a certainty. Houses are close together and it only takes a walk around a couple of blocks to pull in enough candy to ensure that current students in dental school will have jobs waiting for them when their studies are done.

Winfield, in past years, produced far fewer young ones in costumes parading up and down the streets. Houses are further apart. Most of the south side of the neighborhood lacks any sidewalks, and only a few corner streetlights to light the way. Some years were lucky to produce maybe 15-20 kids at the door. You could peer through the front window into the streets and see the dark shadows lurking, but not many ventured to the door, with parents preferring to stick with familiar houses.

Our current address places us in one of the most remote areas of the village. It takes a lot of work to find us -- and many might not find the journey much of a payoff in candy loot. And such was indeed the case for our home this year. We produced a total of 10 kids at the door. Seven arrived in one group, two came from next door, and then there was one other brave child, willing to ring the bell, set off the ferocious bark of Max, retrieve his treats, and head off into the darkness.

Su and I, on the other hand, did surprisingly well. With a tip from a neighbor, we picked the perfect direction to head out. Houses were far apart and there were many hill to climb, but Su was more than up to the challenge. Running from house to house, she trampled through leaves, hopped over ditches, climbed up and over rocks, and really worked hard for her treats. And houses were very much in the giving mood. It wasn't long before I was carrying the overflow of candy to lighten Su's load. The evening was topped off with one house that was grilling up hot dogs for the kids. Yep, the grill was out in the driveway, condiments and juice available, and picnic benches to rest weary legs. Of course Su said yes to a hot dog fresh off the grill.

So, with me now carrying two bags of candy, the juice, napkins, and the flashlight, Su chomped down her dog as we headed back home. A fitting conclusion to a fun-filled night of treats.