Hey people,
This particular post is based on my opinions and observations but before I go into the main jist of today's topic, I want to update you on what has been going on with me.
For the most part, school is alright as everyone says when challenged with a question of such nature because no one wants to talk about the reasons why school is such a mandatory drag. Asides from school, I have been going out these past few weeks more often than I usually do. Some time last week, i was invited to the Chicago Innovation Awards. This is a very fantastic event that encourages innovation and creativity among Chicagoans. Ideas varied from start-ups to existing services, from small companies such as Surgitech to large companies like Wrigley, Chicago Fire Department.
The Chicago Fire Department had a great idea called the Highrise Emergency Response Offensive (HERO) Pipe. The HERO Pipe is a new apparatus that's specially designed to fight high-rise fires more safely and more effectively than conventional methods. This innovative tool enables fire fighters to battle a blaze from the floor below the fire, keeping them at a safe distance from the fire's most dangerous areas, where temperatures can reach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Even in chemical or biological incidents, the HERO Pipe can be used to apply neutralizing agents safely in normal temperatures from the floor below while in protective chemical gear which could not be used in fire conditions. And in most cases, the HERO Pipe fights larger highrise fires more effectively than with hand-held hoses. The event was filled with people in high ranks in organization located in Chicago.
Digressing from the Award ceremony, part of my job on campus in the Admission Office is to visit High Schools for their college fairs and a few weeks back I attend the 211 School district college fair in Hoffman Estate High School. It was huge and schools from all over the country were represented. Talk about Yale, Stanford, Caltech and of course IIT were present at this event. I got to speak with student from all classes who were interested in coming to IIT for college education. All in all, it was a great time. Also the CEO (Collegiate Entrepreneurship Organization) was in town at the McCormick Place on October 26, 2009 for a National Conference. Laolu (my roommate) and I presented the idea of our radio show during the conference and people loved it. I was a blast but I could not have too much fun because I had a mid-term the next day. Sucks right?
To end the sentiments and dive straight to the issue that probably caught your attention, I recently traveled to New York to get a new passport. My first impression was that it was as busy as Lagos, where I lived in Nigeria only that there were traffic lights to coordinate pedestrian and vehicle flow. But as much as I loved New York for those two days I was there, I doubt if I can live there (except I am paid to). Compared to Chicago, New York is filled with people that always look like they are late for something which I am sure 3/4 aren't. The roads were sorted of deteriorating and one could hardly see the next two streets ahead due to the human traffic right in front of you. The noise pollution was outrageous. Living in Chicago is not the best but it is far better than in New York, New York. Chicago is the only big city I know that is livable, at least for now. But thinking about it, a big city such as New York would have more jobs to keep the city running the way it is and so I feel there are more job opportunities in NY than Chicago but this does not mean that quality of work is better. I hope to visit NY again and discover more but for now, with the words of Frank Sinatra, Chicago is my kind of town!
..::GIDI::..
