Today's View from the Unemployment Line

Went downtown today to complete some errands and brought the camera. As you can tell, an absolutely perfect day here in Chicago.

The neighborhood is smelling especially like burgers and beer today as the Marlins are in town to play a four game set, including today's crucial doubleheader. Like usual, with the season on the line, the Cubs choked in the first game 7-0, with Kerry Wood losing to Carl Pavano. Two loud cheers ago sent me scrambling to CBS Sportsline to see what happened. Back-to-backers by Alou and Ramirez have the Cubs up 5-1 in the bottom of the 4th as we speak. Out 1/2 from the wild card at the start of the day, the Cubs can't afford to lose again with the Astros playing like they have and the Giants lingering. But chalk one up for the curse if the Cubs don't win at least three this weekend. Having lost consistently to the Expos during the last couple of weeks, even strength of schedule won't be much of an indicator of how the Cubs might fare as the season winds down. Who will be this year's Bartman?

John Hancock building.