Events

First run

Apparently the impeachment inquiry now underway in the House has gotten to the president, as yet another world leader had to witness involuntarily: An awkward handshake is really the least of their worries. As President Trump continues to rage against impeachment — and the Democrats and whistle-blower he holds responsible for bringing it about — visiting world leaders are encountering a different kind of diplomatic mission. It includes a welcome ceremony, a meeting with Mr. Trump and an invitation to...

Last night, Chicago set an all-time record for the warmest low temperature in October: 23°C, which feels more like mid-July than early-October, following the high yesterday of 30°C. Not to fear, though. A cold front came through just after midnight, bringing the temperature down to 14°C by 8am. With drizzly rain. Gotta love Chicago.

October began today for some of the world, but here in Chicago the 29°C weather (at Midway and downtwon; it's 23°C at O'Hare) would be more appropriate for July. October should start tomorrow for us, according to forecasts. This week has a lot going on: rehearsal yesterday for Apollo's support of Chicago Opera Theater in their upcoming performances of Everest and Aleko; rehearsal tonight for our collaboration Saturday with the Champaign-Urbana Symphony of Carmina Burana; and, right, a full-time job....

I'm surprised I ate anything today, after this past weekend. I'm less surprised I haven't yet consumed all of these: Harvard Law professor John Coates argues that "a sitting president threatening civil war if Congress exercises its constitutionally-authorized power" constitutes an impeachable offense in its own right. The Chicago Public Library will stop fining people for overdue books, as long as you bring them back eventually. National Geographic digs into the Grimm Brothers' fairy-tale collections....

I had a non-stop weekend, including this: I have now seen a home game for every team in Major League Baseball. The Cubs destroyed the Cardinals, 8-2. (Yes, the Cubs won a baseball game!) So, for now anyway, that wraps up the 30-Park Geas. And it only took 12 seasons.

"You'll never guess where I am," he said archly. As I mentioned yesterday, I'm here to see the last team on my list play a home game. More on that tomorrow, as I probably won't blog about it after the game tonight. I'm killing time and not wandering the streets of a city I don't really like in 33°C heat. Downtown St Louis has very little life that I can see. As I walked from the train to the hotel, I kept thinking it was Saturday afternoon, explaining why no one was around. Nope; no one was around...

Started in St Louis

Amtrak 303, CHI-STL