It that time of year again. December in Chicago. Some 60,000 physicians along with their schools of Tumi-toting remoras all feeding in the giant chum puddle of McCormick. I put on the suit and survive the week on Advil, alcohol and denial.

Ok. So perhaps I exaggerate. This is my biggest trade show of the year, and I suppose I do dig the event. Chicago is one of my favorite cities in the world - truly a gem in urban America. Cleaner, bigger, bolder, more architecturally interesting than almost anywhere in the country. I love visiting this town, the winter wind that rips through the concrete canyons notwithstanding.

My flight was delayed - and I arrived at the hotel to find my room had no working heater. With the size of this conference, I was more than a little concerned that I was going to have little choice in the matter, short of staying somewhere just north of Milwaukee. They were able to send me to a different room complete with a fully functional thermostat, so I was able to sleep in something a bit more comfortable than my suit and overcoat.

Room service was fast and good, and the view? Well, the view pretty much makes up for the fact that this hotel isn't exactly the Ritz.

Chicago being Chicago, a stunningly photogenic city, I took an hour after a late lunch yesterday to do a photo walk, and this one I liked a lot. Expect many more.