Rest of Family Visit: 16 Jun- 18 Jun

To keep things brief and reasonably current, I'm going to sum up the rest of my family's visit to Chicago.

16 Jun: It's Monday and we're greeted by the first bout of rain in days. Fortunately, we had planned a trip to Devon today and since we didn't leave the hotel until almost 11, we managed to miss all the showers. Devon Avenue is essentially Little India (and I guess Little Pakistan...how 'bout Little South Asia?) located south of Evanston and north of Lakeview/Lincoln Park. The street is lined with shops selling everything Indian from sarees to sweets, aliments to accoutrement, and Bollywood CDs to chapatis. The sights and smells assault the senses and for a brief moment one can imagine being on the streets of Mumbai or Bangalore. We strolled around for some time, eating lunch in a couple of different small restaurants and checking out some music and cooking utensils in various shops.

After lunch we decided to head out to the western suburbs to visit the IKEA store in Schaumburg. This adventure took up most of the remaining day and concluded at an Olive Garden in the mall complex near the IKEA. I managed to stock up on some new clothing and found some things for the apartment (some sweet glasses and an organizer). It was back to the hotel after dinner.

17 Jun: Tuesday and we're off to Wisconsin for a couple of days. The Wisconsin Dells are much heralded for their beauty and affinity for water parks, so thanks to some research by my mom and sister, we headed there for a spell. Given the recent flooding in the area, accomodations were easy to secure so we focused on lunch and entertaining ourselves first. Lunch was at a festive Mexican restaurant overlooking a lake. I had a strawberry-mango margarita that was about the size of my head and quite delicious. After lunch we booked ourselves a Duck tour and river boat ride. The "ducks" are amphibious vehicles that were employed during WWII to ferry soldiers to shore from the warships that could not approach the coast thanks to various obstacles such as mines and artificial barrier reefs. Many of these vehicles have since been co-opted into entertainment vehicles that allow civilians, like ourselves, to ride around in them on land and on the water. The river boat ride, although longer and more scenic, did not have the same novelty as an amphibious boat. Alas.

After our boating adventures, it was time for dinner. Thanks to our GPS, we selected a pizza place near the hotel. It quickly became apparent that this place was popular with the locals, though we were seated astonishingly quickly upon arrival, despite the crowd waiting in the foyer. Maybe it was my Indiana Jones hat. Dinner was delicious and a satisfying end to a long day.

18 Jun: Wednesday and it's time to head back to the city. On our way, we did what every real visitor to Wisconsin must do. Visit a cheese factory! (Green Bay Packers fans are not called "cheeseheads" for nothin'). The one we chose was both open to visitors, offered a tour, and was not too far out of our way back south. Perfect. The manager generously gave us about 40 minutes of his time to explain the cheesemaking process and though we didn't get a walk-around tour, he pointed out through the window step-by-step what was transpiring on the floor. Naturally, we bought about five pounds of the cheese including a few bags of "cheese curds", a favorite treat with locals (if it's not squeaky, it's not really fresh!).

Our Wisconsin experience was not complete without a stop at a Culver's restaurant. For those on the West Coast, Culver's is much like an In N' Out burger. I don't know the equivalent on the East Coast. Perhaps a Cook Out for you NC folks. In any case, it's a popular chain that serves comfort food from burgers to fries to various ice cream treats (ice cream is another thing you simply must try in Wisconsin. A state that has that many cows must have good cheese and ice cream. Beer factors in as well, but that's because there's so much leftover grain from feeding all those cows :) ). We ordered conservatively at first, but after some prodding from our cashier, our order rapidly expanded until she was convinced we'd order half the menu. It was delicious.

Finally, back to the city. We stopped in Evanston to pick up Kevin since it's a tradition that we always have to take him out for food when the family's in town. Works out well for him, eh? We moved from our hotel out in the burbs to one right smack in downtown that we got at a deep discount thanks to it's grand opening. After settling down, we walked out to catch a trolley to Navy Pier. Navy Pier, as the name implies, was originally established as a commerical enterprise that also served military purposes during the Second World War. Since it's on a great lake (and not the ocean like naval bases in Maryland and Virginia), the utility was necessarily limited and Navy Pier is long past it's naval days and now the most popular destination in all of Chicago. Taking about 40 minutes to walk up and down, the Pier is a treat for the senses. Lined with food stalls and entertainment options, it's a great place for kids and adults alike on a sunny summer afternoon. There's a Ferris Wheel for those who want a nice view of the Chicago skyline and an IMAX theater for those who prefer to soar to new heights more passively.

After a stroll along the pier, it was time to think dinner. Kevin recommended Khyber Pass, an Indian restaurant he and his Northwestern friends had visited some time earlier. The food was decent, but the service rather deplorable considering we were some of the only guestst that night. Oh well. The real treat came after dinner as we caught the fireworks display from the Pier. The show is put on every Wednesday and Saturday and is beautiful if rather (understandably) brief. We bid Kevin farewell by the river and then headed back to the hotel.

Sunday, 15 Jun cont

So now we're at Second City. Before we left the field, Sachi made an important discovery. She realized that she had only purchased 3 tickets for the show instead of 4 after being used to counting in terms of three for so long. Oops! While she was on the phone, my folks and I discussed who would get left behind while the others watched the show. Turns out, we didn't have to resort to drawing straws since Sachi was able to acquire one more ticket. Disaster averted!

On to the show. The troupe was hilarious as expected, regaling us with funny takes on what it's like to live in Chicago (from the Lakeshore Drive "rollercoaster" to the different attributes of Chicago neighborhoods) as well as some digs at politicians and entertainment celebrities (most notably R. Kelly). At one point, in a song discussing how our stereotypes tend to be confirmed whether we like them to or not, the singers reached their "Indians always smell like curry" line. The four of us were seated rather conspicuously near the front and naturally the singers looked at us significantly during that line. It was hilarious (and you know we do, that stereotype is totally true. Along with Indians being super smart and able to break into song and dance on a whim).

After the show, we caught a belated dinner at a little Mexican place in Lincoln Park that was fortunately still open. From there it was back to the hotel for some rest.

Congratulations Michael Phelps!

I will return to my story (related belatedly) shortly. First, a quick Olympic update and tribute to a man many are calling "the greatest Olympian of all time".

Citius, Altius, Fortius.

During this past week, I have been fortunate to watch Olympic history being made in Beijing, China. Ever since the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, I have been a huge fan of the Olympic Games (hence referred to as OG for simplicity's sake). I have diligently watched every OG: Atlanta, Nagano, Sydney, Salt Lake City, Athens, Torino, and now Beijing, whether I've been in Round Rock (TX), Cary (NC), London (England), or Chicago (IL). Not being very athletic myself, excellence in sport is something I have long admired in my friends, countrymen, and fellow human beings. The OG offers a chance every two years to witness arguably the highest form of such excellence in sport in the world and I don't want to miss a minute of it if I can help it. I love how the Olympics brings the world together and asks all of those participating and watching to seek the best in themselves. For these all-too-brief fortnights, conflicts can (mostly) be put on hold, disputes delayed, and patriotism rekindled.

Faster, higher, stronger. These adjectives, the motto of the OG, also embody the goal of each Olympic athlete to achieve the superlative of each: fastest, highest, and strongest. This week in Beijing the world has witnessed what may be considered the greatest single performance at an OG:

American swimmer Michael Phelps winning eight gold medals in eight events (5 individual and 3 team), 7 of those in world-record time and the last in Olympic record time.

Yes, he is perhaps the most overexposed athlete so far of these Games. We know what he eats, when he sleeps, what he wears, and how he trains. But we still don't know how he did it. How he made history for the most number of gold medals won at a single Games, winter or summer. How they were all in record time. How they all took place over the course of just nine days. And most of all, how he made many of them look so easy. Was it the new LAZR suit from Speedo? Was it the "faster" pool in Beijing? Was he sent from the future to compete with mere mortals today? Whatever it was, however he did it, we know one thing for sure: Michael Phelps is an incredible athlete and has set a new benchmark many will admire and others will aspire to surpass. Congratulations Mr. Phelps. I hope to see you shine again four years from now in London.

On the Olympics in general:

The modern games, begun in 1896 in Athens, Greece, involve the traditional Olympian events such as the marathon, wrestling, and running, and also include various point-based sports such as soccer, basketball, handball, water polo, etc, as well as more subjective events such as gymnastics and figure skating.

The latter two, as much as I (and millions of others) enjoy watching them, should not be Olympic sports in their current form. Although these athletes are superb at what they do, from leaping into the air and performing dizzying spins to pulling an "iron cross," the ultimate gymnastics feat-of-strength, the judging and subjectivity involved in determining the best performance is just too much to be called a "sport." Real sports are by and large objective; the most (or least) points, the fastest time, the highest height, the heaviest weight, etc. The only subjectivity permissible should come from judging penalties. (For that matter, cheerleading is an athletic activity too, but not a sport).

If I had it my way, the IOC would determine fixed routines of different levels, say "easy," "medium," and "hard." For example, of the four apparatus on which the women gymnasts compete (floor, balance beam, uneven bars, and vault), only the floor would be open to "free expression" or a routine entirely of the athlete's choosing (this would encourage and reward creativity). Athletes can pick any combination of difficulties, from all easy to all hard and everything in between. By having everyone compete from the same pool of routines, each performance can be compared more objectively with the others. For some people, such a competition would be more boring (most likely current gymnasts and former gymnasts who are commentators for gymnastics events). Frankly, most spectators cannot tell the difference between the skills of one routine and the next, but can usually tell the difference between a well or poorly executed routine. Given this observation, people viewing these events will still be entertained and the athletes will be judged more fairly. This system could also be implemented for the men's gymnastics and both men and women's figure skating for the winter Games.

But after all, who am I to judge how Olympic events should be run? I am no gymnast, figure skater, swimmer, skier, hurdler, luger, wrestler, bobsledder, pole vaulter, or athlete period. I do love the Olympic Games, however, and believe that such displays of amazing athleticism should be rewarded with as little bias as possible.

Sunday, 15 Jun

All right, enough of the present tense. I'm writing about past events and will thus tense my sentences appropriately. Note, pictures of the trip can be viewed on my Facebook page until I find the time (if I ever do) to eventually move everything to flickr as Saket has done. At least I made a flickr account before he did!
Today was Father's Day, and to celebrate we spent the morning and afternoon downtown at the Museum campus, followed by a show at Second City up in Lincoln Park. Three of Chicago's finest museums/learning centers, the Field Museum (natural history), Shedd Aquarium (duh), and the Adler Planetarium (more duh), are located on a beautiful part of the lake shore within easy access by foot or car from downtown. Not only are the grounds well kept and the buildings stately and grand, but to walk to the end of the pier on which the planetarium sits is to be rewarded with one of the finest views of the Chicago skyline in the entire city. The only view that rivals it, according to locals, can be found on the South Side at "The Point." But I digress.

We started first at the Field Museum since it's my favorite museum in Chicago so far (granted, I've only visited four as of this post and there are many more) and the one I really wanted to show off. We arrived around 11 and after parking took a nice stroll alongside Soldier Field (which also happens to be right next to the Museum campus whose parking lot is conveniently co-opted during Bears' games). Soldier Field, as the name implies, is a dedication to the armed servicemen and women of the United States who served our nation bravely through many a conflict. It is also home to the Chicago Bears, the only professional football team of the state of Illinois and one Chicagoans (yes, that's the right term to refer to a resident of Chicago, not "Chicagoite," "Chicagan," "Chi-towner," etc...) hold near and dear to their hearts (especially last year when they faced the Colts in the Super Bowl yet sadly lost despite an incredible opening kickoff touchdown run by Devin Hester which was the first of its kind). Back to the museum.

The Field Museum boasts a first-rate collection of natural and historical artifacts from around the world. One of the highlights is a nearly complete (and largest ever found) fossilized skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex known affectionately as "Sue" (named after the archaeologist, Sue Hendrickson, who found her decades ago in South Dakota). Appropriately, Sue greets visitors to the museum almost as soon as they walk in, much like the way the famed Rosetta Stone is kept front and center at the British Museum in London. Sometimes it pays to put the best first instead of last. Along with Sue, the Field has a whole suite of exquisitely preserved dinosaur bones and an excellent display regarding evolution. Instead of presenting this well-supported scientific theory as a bunch of facts on placards, the museum has constructed a "walk through time" in which visitors start at the beginning nearly 4.6 billion years ago and literally move through the ages as they walk through exhibits explaining concepts from tectonics plates and climate change to speciation and extinction. This type of presentation not only conveys evolution as a logical progression of events but explains much of the rationale behind the theory and why its conclusions are so relevant today. A relatively new addition to the exhibit, which is possible due to the efforts of the provost of the museum, and a professor at my university, Dr. Neil Shubin, is known as Tiktaalik and represents one of the long sought-after "transitional forms" both evolutinists (and their "foes" creationists/IDers) have been yearning for as support/proof for the theory of evolution.

Why are there so few fossils like Tiktaalik? Why don't we see more transitional forms if evolution is a gradual process by which one species can become another? Simply put, the answer is far from simple. A large part of the evidence for evolution (both human and non-human) comes from fossilized or otherwise preserved remains that allow scientists to link present and past forms together and see what has changed and what has remained the same. Fossils are great evidence because they can be quantified in terms of size, weight, physical condition (tooth marks, burn marks, boiling, relative age, etc) and age in terms of how long ago the fossil was created (usually by dating the rocks in which the bones are found). They can also help reconstruct extinct species and give us an idea of what older creatures looked like, how they moved, what they ate, etc. In short, fossils open a wide window to the past. These windows, however, are hard to find largely because making them requires special conditions and finding them is largely the work of sheer luck. Windows are also easily dirtied by the elements and fossils are no exception. Contamination from recently dead material can lead to sometimes disastrous misdating of remains which muddies timelines and casts doubt on both evolution and the validity of radiometric dating methods. It is due to all these difficulties that the finding of Tiktaalik is such a big deal. All we need to do now is find more of them. Good luck Dr. Shubin!

The Field kept us occupied for a couple hours and then it was a quick bite to eat at the Corner Bakery in the museum (quite delicious actually). After our brief rest we headed further out onto the pier to the Adler Planetarium which was free that day. Unfortunately, our time there was all too brief since we had to make our way up to Lincoln Park in time to catch our Second City show. I mean to go back there at some point. I've always been a space geek and this planetarium, though geared towards young people, ain't half bad.

The Second City is an improvisational comedy club whose reputation stems from the fact that many well-known and beloved comedians (from Jim Belushi to Tina Fey) got their start/big break by being on the SC cast. "Second City" is also a nickname for Chicago since, for the longest time, Chicago was "second" after New York City in terms of population and size. Currently, Los Angeles holds the title of "second city" though Chicago could reclaim the name if it wins the bid for the 2016 Olympic Games.

As this post is getting rather lengthy, I'll continue the rest of the story in the next one.

Would you believe they put a man on the moon?

A brief departure from the story that still needs telling...

Today, July 20th, 2008, marks the 39th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing (July 20, 1969). The mission accomplished what John F. Kennedy dared the country to achieve over 9 years earlier in 1960. The mission was historic on many levels (first human landing on an extraterrestrial body being perhaps the most significant of them), and yet it saddens me that many people doubt it ever happened and believe that our presence in space is now just fulfilling some antiquated and somewhat misguided dream.

What about all the problems here on Earth? some will argue. Shouldn't we be more concerned with ending poverty, curing infectious diseases, stopping wars, etc than spending tax dollars to send up yet another space shuttle, yet another satellite, yet another telescope, yet another human being on the greatest adventure our species has ever undertaken.

To leave one's home is a universally recognized sign of maturity and independence. Species that travel around in troops (chimpanzees for example) routinely send out either male or female members once they "come of age" to find another troop to join, thus keeping the gene pool well mixed and reducing friction at home. For mankind to leave Earth's land, sea, and air is a feat achievable by no other extant species and one accomplished by no extinct species either. Nature abhors a vacuum and thus no known living thing can exist in the harshest of all environments. Even Thermus aquaticus, a hardy bacterium whose ability to thrive and survive in water at temperatures between 160 and 175 degrees Fahrenheit allowed for the development of polymerase chain reaction technology (discussed in a an earlier post) that has revolutionized modern biology could not survive in a vacuum. Even the phantasmagoric creatures that inhabit the darkest depths (miles down) of the ocean where pressures can be hundreds of times what we feel at the Earth's surface could not survive in a vacuum.

But lauding the merits of the manned space program is a topic for another day. For now, the 39th anniversary of the moon landing should be a reminder that even the seemingly impossible can be achieved in a short amount of time if there are enough dedicated minds, hearts, hands, and dollars to the cause. This week, ex-Vice President Al Gore delivered a challenge reminiscent of JFK's proclamation to the nation nearly 50 years ago.

Gore delivered his address at a time of impending economic recession, two wars without end, a presidential election year, a disastrous housing crisis, long-delayed recognition of the crumbling infrastructure throughout the nation, genocide in Darfur, nuclear fears in Iran and North Korea, possible war between Thailand and Cambodia, increasingly armed and friendly China and Russia, and the weakest dollar in decades. In spite of all these ills, Al Gore wants us to save...the environment? Now why on earth should be worried about the Earth's health and condition when our own health and standard of living is being threatened by so many forces? Why? Because of a simple idea few seem to recognize with any immediacy or profundity: without a healthy planet there can be no healthy life or adequate standard of living for any of us, no matter how rich or entitled we may be.

If people in America think gas prices are bad now (~$4 a gallon), imagine how they'll feel when those oil reserves start drying up and everyone, including people in China, India, and Africa once disregarded as potential consumers in older calculations, is still clamoring for more and more oil. But if we can free ourselves from the chains of petroleum we can not only avoid that kind of energy crisis, but more importantly remove the yoke of OPEC and its member dictatorships from around our neck and breathe the air of freedom certain individuals in our administration are trying so hard to instill in many of those nations.

So how does the environment factor into all this? It's no coincidence that "environmentally friendly" practices (from waste disposal to energy generation to transportation, etc) use fewer resources of all types, including energy. The best way to eventually do away with our dependence on fossil fuels is to reduce that dependence first. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Those simple three R's that everyone's heard but few truly heed. For far too many people:

#1 unthinkable--> I want more stuff, not less.
#2 distasteful--> I want new stuff, not old stuff.
#3 inconvenient--> I can't spare the time or effort to sort my trash, and there are no recycling bins near me.

Al Gore is leading a movement to change this way of thinking, because without a new trend of environmentally conscious behavior the planet and all its inhabitants will turn into the dystopia pictured in WALL-E.

Enough ranting. The moral of my story: let's do for the Earth what we did for man in space. If we succeed in this venture, future generations won't have to doubt that our mission was ever accomplished. They will be living proof it did.

Saturday, 14 Jun

I woke up earlier this morning than usual for a very special reason....the family was going to arrive soon! No sooner do I get out of the shower and am ready to wash my hair I get a phone call from Sachi saying they're about a half hour away from the city and would call again to clarify directions as they needed them. I quickly dried my hair, got dressed in my brand new UChicago shirt and after informing Bonnie and Jeffrey to expect my fam, I skipped down the steps to wait outside. Fortunately, it was a glorious day. Now the definition of "glorious' weather obviously varies from person to person, but I feel few could have argued with my definition today. Fluffy, sculpted clouds drifted lazily across and otherwise perfectly empty azure sky; a gentle breeze stirred the leaves whose whispers were frequently interrupted by chirps from robins to cardinals and other species I couldn't recognize. The temperature was perfect in the lower 70s F. In short, it was truly a glorious day and quite a pleasant change from the 90+ temps they were leaving back in Cary, NC.

I scan the streets in all cardinal directions for our gray Odyssey and after a few minutes spot one a block over heading too far north. I'm sure it's them and laugh because they clearly missed their turn but will realize it soon. Sure enough, a few seconds later I get a call from Sachi informing me they went a little far and am heading back down to me. Finally, the van cruises down Greenwood Ave and grinning from ear to ear I guide them to a good parking spot. Reunited at last!! I'm engulfed in a succession of bear hugs from everyone and then it's time to unload and head upstairs. So much stuff! It feels like I'm moving in all over again. B&J give my folks a warm welcome and while they all chat, I drag the goodies into my room to start unpacking. Chuckrie, shrikhand, kofta, paneer, nuts of all kinds, my Indiana Jones hat!, the treats just keep coming...

After driving so long, I knew they wouldn't mind some exercise so I take them on a jaunt around campus and my lab (the one I was officially leaving but still had a key, and permission, to give a tour). I forgot this was also graduation weekend and so the quad was filled with students in black gowns, parents in their Sunday best, and lots of food and drinks under tents. Thinking that usually big crowds = full restaurants I hurry us over to Noodles, Etc to beat the people I'm sure would be hot on our heels. Fortunately, the place was only half full and we get a nice spot by the window. Sure enough, no sooner do we get our orders then the place starts filling up with all the grads and their families. Whew! That was a close call. After eating, I thought walking down to the lake might be nice so we take a nice stroll along 57th street until we cross over to the greenbelt.

We relax on the rocks for a bit and then head back home along 53rd this time so they could see one of the other major commercial streets in Hyde Park. It's tea (and nap for Mom) time at home so we brew up some refreshments and sit around chatting for a bit. At the same time, my neighbor (and professor) Marcus Peter was having a celebration downstairs to mark his son's graduation, daughter's birthday, and his and his wife Andy's new US citizenship. After everyone was rested, we head downstairs for a little while so that Marcus could meet my folks. I see a couple other professors (including one of my favorites, Kay MacLeod) there and introduce them to my folks. It's nice to see them in a completely non-academic context.

After hanging out at the party for a bit it's time to pack my things and head into town before going to our hotel (six people in a two-bedroom, 3 person place for a week would have been a bit much, and it will give B&J some time alone that they haven't really had since I moved in). Sachi found a placed called The Italian Village in downtown Chicago that was a bigger deal than I think any of us realized until we got there. The layout was spectacular: lots of little booths and alcoves that both created a sense of space and made the restaurant feel more intimate...rather paradoxical but it worked. We are promptly led to a little alcove and enjoy a fine meal without the crowd and noise one is used to in restaurants. This place takes the idea that ambience and decor can make or break a dining experience seriously and to wonderful effect.

Dinner over, we drive out to our hotel which is about 30-40 minutes from the city. We're pretty beat from a long day so tuck in early and call it a night.

End of Term and the Family (most of it) Visits

Finally, spring quarter officially ended for me on June 13th. Although classes were over the week before, as I mentioned I spent exam week in lab so technically my quarter didn't end until I finished that last real-time. Grades-wise I fared pretty well; two passes, one A, one B, and one (the rotation) I don't have the results for yet. B's are common, A's are rare, so we'll see.

But let's forget about school work for now...and until September (except for research which I'll be discussing periodically). The following posts will chronicle the week from June 13th to the 21st that I spent with most of my family, i.e. Sachi and my parents, in and around Chicagoland [Saket, that poor guy, was starting his first full week at Apple, Inc out in the Valley at a sweet internship with their iPod hardware division...yes, let's all feel very sorry for him :)].