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Oprahs 34th season in pictures

*Note to Cabinfever...the underlined button is not on??? so whats up with this?

Tuesday was going to be a busy day, I had an appointment in the Western Suburbs at 11:30 and another downtown at 3:30, not far from all the action on Mag Mile where Oprah was taping a show (a giant block party) to celebrate her 24the Season. I knew many streets were going to be closed from Wacker Drive to Ohio and I figured parking would most certainly be a hassle, I even considered canceling or taking the train! Instead, I decided that this occasion might provide an excellent opportunity to promote thoughts.com ...therefore, I decided to arrive early for the 3:30 appointment in order to get myself organized! The festivities were scheduled to begin at 5. I carefully packed my car...i phone, 2 cameras, in case my battery ran out, a charger, if by chance I was near an outlet...which I highly doubted, plus my lap top, charged and ready to go, even though I haven't read the manual or the ones to my cameras or phone for that matter, another story.... I also brought along my power cord and phone charger just in case, some pens and a notebook and a few bottles of water, my thoughts.com t shirt, providing I could find a place to change and because it was one hot and humid day in case of a sudden change in weather, I decided to stuff a sweater in my over loaded bag in case it cooled down later and of course an umbrella! It was a foggy day and the forecast called for possible scattered showers. Like a girl scout, I was prepared for everything. I always dread dragging an umbrella around, but whenever I fail to do so, it rains. Heavens, I could not risk ruining my equipment. (I'd be out of business) as a result, I was forced to add yet another bulky item to slow me down. I have always wanted to travel light, walking along, with a hop and skip in my step, foot loose and fancy free, but I more often than not, look like a bag lady carrying around all my worldly goods.
The real professionals have their own vans, staff, permits and state of the art equipment and I was just running or trying to run holding on to all my junk for dear life while trying to maneuver my way around without dropping anything, traveling by the seat of my pants, not having the slightest clue what to expect when I arrived. After tearing around my house gathering all my essentials, my little Dodge Journey, the one my son sold me last summer, was packed to the max and was all set and ready to hit the road to make blogging history and put thoughts.com on the map!

I was going to do a live blog cast of the entire event.

I parked my car in the Grant Park Garage and carefully noted my location ( level 1 row R) since I have been known to have misplaced a car or two over the years. I searched for a temporary office and found it in the basement of Macy's, quickly located an outlet in the cafeteria, plugged in the computer and set about to google the details of this once in a lifetime extravaganza. It was there I began to blog about my experience, a behind the scenes look sharing all sorts of pre show buzz. I used the camera to interview people along the way and whenever I was asked what I was doing, I replied I was the publicist of thoughts.com and here to do a live blog, then I'd show them my shirt and pass out a card, and while they still looked like I was speaking a foreign language I'd tell them to make sure to log on to thoughts.com in order to see themselves.

I was having so much difficulty with the site, codes were not only crowding my words but blocking them all together and it was all a big jumble. I would not allow myself to give up and therefore continued to try to load the material I was gathering thus far until I noticed I was almost late for my 3:30 appointment...Regetably, I had to log off without posting a single word or pic and make a bea line toward the building around the corner, running the entire way while dragging along quite a heavy load. U tube was going to have to wait!

I tore in the revolving door, like a bat out of hell, and instantly found myself a prisoner, yes... I was captured in a glass holding cell, stuck, unable to get out, pass go or collect $200
(my wide load had me locked in snug as a bug in a virus) I started to get a bit dizzy revolving round and round until I was rescued by a sympathetic door women. I wanted to say, I don't know my way around and around here, or haven't I seen you around somewhere before, but did not have a moment for a single pun.

I eventually made it up to the 31st floor yet moments later found myself back in the hallway, like a boomerang... hitting the lobby button. I always attempt to be early for any appointment, in order to catch my breath and regain my composure although Tuesday, I overdid it, I was an entire week early for the meeting.

If it hadn't been for my plan to make blogging history for thoughts.com, I might have been a tad frustrated, although, under the circumstances, I figured, this extra time gave me a better opportunity to stake out a good spot for my live blog.

The gates were going to open at noon allowing standing room only to the many loyal Oprah fans who traveled from all over the country, actually from all over the world to get a chance to see their idol in person and take part in the festivities. I read a report on line while in my temporary office in Macy's, that the gates actually opened at 8 am because the crowd was overflowing.

I called my son, a senior at Loyola University who had a class that afternoon close to the main stage which was set up in the middle of the magnificent mile, north of the Chicago river between the Chicago Tribune and the Wrigley Building wondering if he would like to tag along

After sharing a run down of the guest list, The Black Eye Peas, James Taylor, Rascal Flatts, Jennifer Hudson, an illusionist named Angel, he thought he might try to meet me later.

I asked the door women who saved me from running in circles all day if I may use her desk for a moment to put myself together. I noticed an outlet and asked if I might plug in my computer. This kind lady even offered me her seat and told me to make myself comfy. I did not want to use my battery until I was forced to do so. It was there that I once again unsuccessfully tried to post my live blog. However I was able to assist a number of people who wandered into the building looking for one place or another. I even interviewed a number of these confused individuals and gave them my thoughts.com card.

Again, my frustration was mounting and the clock was ticking... <meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <link rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/Rose/Library/Caches/TemporaryIt ems/msoclip/0clip_filelist.xml" />  <style type="text/css"></style>  </meta> </meta> </meta> </meta> </meta> </meta>

Reluctantly

, I had to abandon the site and head north toward the Chicago river! I hoped to add it all in later.

I followed the crowd from the Cultural Center on Michigan Ave and stopped briefly for a moment at the Grant Park parking garage, contemplating my excess baggage. I considered unloading a few items. I headed down the stairs, and back up again, then turned around and headed back to my car. Indecision was driving me crazy and as usual I told myself, whatever I left behind would be the very thing I wish I had included, so I confidently turned around once and for all and headed toward the Wrigley building. About half way there, I was wondering, if I had made the right choice, my shoulder was throbbing but there was no time for second guessing.

When I approached the Chicago River I was directed to take Lower Wacker Drive instead of "crossing that bridge when I came to it!" Like a good blogger and Oprah fan, I did what I was told, and headed down the dark stairs along with a million other eager people anxious to get to the main stage. No one was pushing or shoving, everyone was on their best behavior. The Chicago police out in force on foot, on motorcycles and bikes could not have been more accommodating. Mayor Daley and the Producers of the Oprah Show should be very proud of their efforts.

Once we reached the cavernous lower wacker, we were directed to cross the street to the west side. I took this photo before going west, young lady...go west...even though I had planned to hang out on the east side.

ok
I did not plan to show this pic of the window right now, but its here, so when God closes one door he usually opens a window, so I might as well say a few words about this photo.

In order to promote thoughts.com, I was more than willing to face the masses bumping into millions of people. "Oh excuse me, I am so sorry, did I hit you, I didn't mean it, are you OK? Oophs, did I step on your foot, sorry, excuse me, excuse me, I'm trying to get to the other side of the street" I heard, "yeah, good luck with that lady!" As I made my way knocking into everyone in my path, I even asked one lady if I might have permission to jump over her stroller. She informed me she had no place to move it....so talk about a leap of faith, I did! Right in the middle of Michigan Avenue. completed surrounded by bodies, my cell phone was ringing. It was a text from my son. I tried to but my stuff down near my feet, but there was no room, so I juggled a few things and managed to read his message. "Mom, how long are you planning to stay?" I had no idea how to respond, who knew? I was staying until I achieved my goal. While attempting to reply, I dropped my phone in the crowd and thanks to St Anthony, (st Anthony st Anthony, please come around, somethings been lost and cant be found...it works for me every time, another story...the phone was soon miraculously safely tucked into my big black bag. While trying to cross the street I happened to notice a balcony on the Chicago Tribune building that was directly facing the stage. There were only a handful of lucky people standing there in comfort, enjoying the entertainment in the streets.

I was willing to do anything for thoughts.com, so I immediately went into the
"How am I going to get in the building and up to that balcony mode.

This picture is out of order...dah, as if you did not expect that fact
The following photo is of the roof of the Chicago Tribune and the only ones allowed out there were the "official people" You see the window...well, not only did i jump through hoops and over strollers and scaled big road blocks, I eventually after a few little adventures and other locations, climbed out of this window...and the rest, is another story.

oh this is a picture of the guy entertaining the pre show crowd. This picture was snapped while I was attempting to cross the street. Notice, the silver fence meant to keep people out...I scaled that thing, in order to get to the other side.

Posted by roe on 2009-09-10 14:08:53 | Rating:

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~ just a little note ~

Likely what happened is either ~ accidently the 'link' button was hit or ~ just as you posted there was a glitch on site.

IF you copied and pasted this from a word doc on your puter and none of the text was underlined ~ open a new post text box and try that again. And when you add the piccies ~ be sure to place mouse pointer thingie where you want the piccie to go and then make sure that the mouse pointer thingie does not accidently stray.

(oh gud grief this likely only makes sense to me )

Posted by UniversalSeductress on 2009-09-10 14:14:07

no do not underestimate yourself, (or I suppose I should say or me...too) I completely understand you and I did try to a new text box, more than once and cabin fever said I might have hit the underline button but it was not highlighted, and I have pointed my mouse at those pictures so many times, it has escaped and is hiding somewhere behind the drapes.

Posted by roe on 2009-09-10 14:39:55

aha!!

Then we really must get the new thingie out of test phase aka beta and giter up in runnin!! ~ little wink ~

Posted by UniversalSeductress on 2009-09-10 14:56:04

lmtlsao@your paparazzishness endeavors at scaling thingies!!

All for LOVE!! ~ big grin ~

PS ~ waaaaaaaaaaaa I miss mainstream ChiTown!! I soooo need to grit down and get up there!! Your piccies just make me long to be in the 'familar' one more time!!

Always Love ~
kateyb

Posted by UniversalSeductress on 2009-09-10 14:17:27

call me anytime!
I did not know you have spent any time here!

Posted by roe on 2009-09-10 14:41:37

lmtlsao

At one point in my Life maybe too much time spent there!!

I have nieces now working right within the main ChiTown!! And one of these days ~ indeed ~ I must get up there for at least a little visit with them.

Posted by UniversalSeductress on 2009-09-10 15:04:37

Oh Universal
woe is me
oh rather roe is me
I had noticed I spelled Reluctantly wrong, so I just went back to edit that one simple word and all those codess appeared again! I thought I had lost it all and was about ready to pull out all my hair, yet, I can clearly see, most of the copy is still there, but the secret code squad have had their way with me again.
They have been slipping me mickeys all week.
and oh yeah
I know that copy paste problem I have had it a zillion times, so I wrote this entirely on thoughts, in the draft department, and yesterday, doing so, I lost an entire draft, with no back up copy when I tried to add a picture....
Hey, I am not complaining
I am trying to promote thoughts...
Jennifer Hudson sang "IM every women...its all in me...anything you want done Benny...climb out windows, risk life and limb...I can do it naturally" well, that is sort of my version, but I think you get the picture...the song goes on to say "Ive got good old fashioned....(one love) baby...
oh well

Posted by roe on 2009-09-10 14:36:20

I just reread this thing and am too afraid to fix my errors...this problem makes us look stupid
completed surrounded by bodies
I know it should not be completed
but I am completely out of energy to go back into that dangerous place to fix the errors...up until now, I have been unable to use quotes or punctuation without finding myself burried in codes
plus
I know I did not but my things down, I put them down
and then but in front of people
and
lets call this underline thing
code blue

Posted by roe on 2009-09-10 14:46:47

lmtlsao
Gurl you have brightened my day and helped me take my mind off self!!

YOU get 5 times ten stars for that!!

(((HUGS)))

Posted by UniversalSeductress on 2009-09-10 14:59:05

OH and here is a silly idea for a work around ~

Cursor all text ~ hit ctrl and c ~ place all piccies in new post with no text ~ move to comment section ~ place all text!!

lmtlsao
Give me time I am great at even more work arounds!!

Posted by UniversalSeductress on 2009-09-10 15:01:05

ok, let me wrap that around my brain
I think I tried putting all pics, no texts in a post and then saved it in a draft
then went back and added some text, but when I tried to seperate the pics, they were right on top of each other, it deleted some...
and honey
believe me
I have written many a post in my comment section when that was not even my intention...so you might be on to something
but
my brain is fried
and I have to go to mini class night at my daughters school. we have to attend all her classes in the same order as she does every day, and she gave me the directions last night
1st floor, 4th floor, room is in the 50"s??? what,
I could probably use a gps system, I have one in my car, but havent read the manual, so that would be of no use...
Im going to be sitting in the room, with drool sliding out of my mouth...I feel like I might have gone over the edge...but Im going to have to fake it and act like Im one of those moms who has her act together...do you think I will fool anyone
with my drool?

Posted by roe on 2009-09-10 15:10:30

YOU are toooo dayum cute!!

Enjoy!

Posted by UniversalSeductress on 2009-09-10 15:14:47

A+ for effort.. run down to Billy Goat's for a "chizzbooger" and a PBR.. always worked for me.. although you may be more of a Berghoff's sorta gal..

Posted by pastormike on 2009-09-10 15:47:04

You are an absolute joy! This is just great, thanks babes for sharing your excitement with us.

Posted by greunie on 2009-09-10 16:10:41

I read it all and of course with interest. Your adventure here on thoughts with your blog issues is just as exciting as your Oprah experience. :)

Posted by Moxi on 2009-09-10 22:22:51

Argh! The format issue plagues. This is like Moses cursing Egypt all over again.

In an editing window, put your cursor on any of that underscored text and hit the second link button. This should *remove* the link which somehow got associated with nearly every bit of text. This happens to me alot when I insert a picture, because all of our pictures have links built into them to go to the discrete page where they are stored in thoughts -- not that anybody really goes there, but it's built that way. Problem is, the link can spill onto surrounding text resulting in unwanted underlines (sounds like something showing under your slacks).

Call me. We'll fix this.

Maybe we can do something about the horizontal scrollbar too. I think the unwanted formatting codes from Word are causing that to happen.

OTHERWISE, I really like the blog itself, once I ignore the formatting issues. ;)

Posted by davidsbass on 2009-09-11 04:18:38

I think I have more fun giggling (sympathetically, of course!) at your posting mishaps than at the post itself. Never change, roe :)

Posted by BootLady on 2009-09-11 09:29:37

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roe
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