Great Chicago places, spaces (and books)

So, uh, what are you doing this weekend? (free tours!)
Originally uploaded by katherine of chicago

I THINK I've kept photos of myself off this blog (except for the profile); I figure there's enough shots of me elsewhere on the Internet. But since this shot's more about the dress and the books than me, I'll allow it. Reaching a new degree of laziness here, I'll just post the caption that's on the actual Flickr photo:

This'll be my 3rd year of going to the Loop early Sat. and Sun. to go on Great Chicago Places & Spaces tours. You can go on two free tours per day. Many are exclusive for this weekend. I've been on tours about threatened buildings, the CTA, new construction, city planning, historic districts...There are a lot of amazing speakers, and chances to see building interiors you usually wouldn't get to. Besides Chicago architecture and history (ethnic groups, railroads, bridges, cemeteries, parks, universities, industry...), there are tours focusing on art, food, fashion, and movies. You might not get into all the ones you wanted (I never get the Pullman tours!), but there's a lot to choose from. (There were some with advance online registration, but I always miss out on that.)
www.greatchicagoplaces.us

Anyway...I'll be at the event headquarters (Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan) both days, seeing what I can get into. I'd love to meet new Flickr people [or from other places I'm on the Internet] or hang out with those I already know. But I probably won't be wearing this whimsical dress I recently got for $1.10 in the Village Discount thrift store in Hammond.

I don't know if this photo makes sense, but I wanted something other than a scan of the booklet to promote this, and any excuse to show off collections of books...This is nearly all my Chicago nonfiction (3 stacks). I was dismayed to realize I've only actually read 14 of these 110 books--but a lot of them are photo books and travel guides, stuff you don't necessarily read cover-to-cover (though I hope to someday!).