Today was a bit unusual, as the video will explain...

I am and always will be a person ruled by my ideas. Having all these days to myself gives me lots of time to doodle and jot down ideas. I'm carrying a spiral notebook which I'm using for those ideas. Right now I'm holed up in a diner down the street from Wrigley field and right next to improvOlympic.

I've made a video I was going to use for my day 3 video journal, but when I put it on the computer I discovered that it had some bad color issues and streaks which crossed the video. Looks like my little Kodak is on its way out, hopefully it lasts through the trip! Regardless it means that I'll be needing a new digital camera in the next few days.

Today I was reading Paul Stamatiou's blog, who is in turn highlighting points from David Kirkpatrick's interview with various technology big wigs, one of which is Jonathan Schwartz who is the big wig of Sun Microsystems. He notes that the telephone has taken the most unexpected turn for him, discussing the rampant take over of mobile phones.

In that moment I had a flash of the office of tomorrow where office phones are a thing of the past. We can't be that far from multi-line cell phones. Sure you can flash over and make a three way call from your phone, but imagine the day when you can take a call from Jan in accounting, and in turn place a call to your supplier in Wyoming. The day isn't far, and when it reaches that point we'll begin seeing offices drop the in house phone lines instead for massive cellular plans for all of their employees.

I also love Jonathan's answer to the question of what really drives innovation:

Courage. Courage to challenge conventional wisdom, to wholly commit to an idea or ideal, to lead and inspire those around you, whether they’re collaborators or customers.

Here is the day 2 video, I'm using my handy dandy gorilla pod for the camera which allows me to set it and angle it for a more interesting shot.

Well day 2 is working its way through with a few more hours left I'm not sure what I'll do tonight. I went to improvOlympic last night and caught a fun show but they aren't showing anything which really appeals to me tonight so I think I may hang out around the hostel tonight or within a few blocks of it.

Tomorrow I plan to hit the Museum of Science and Industry as well as probably go over to iO for shows that night. The museum is a fair trek for me so I'll probably be busing it or taking one of the trains, I haven't figured it out yet.

I'm not quite sure who he is, but he's good enough to be stenciled on the sidewalk which means he's good enough to get photographed. I think he looks a little like Fat Albert. Whoever he is, I wish him luck on his campaign.

So yesterday I decided that I would keep a journal of my trip, so I set the digital camera up on my bunk bed and took this video. I also took a second one later that night but I don't know if I'll upload it or work it into tonight's video (which you will all see tomorrow.) Also, here is a snapshot I took of Wrigley Field last night, the pic just came out looking awesome.

Tags: travel, chicago, video

For those of you who haven't been barraged by my excited text messages, this is your official notice that I'm in Chicago for the next week. It's exciting.

The below pic makes me look like I'm worried but the truth is that I'm just pensive and thoughtful. I'm damn far from home and I'm setting off on my own urban adventure.

Brian, Crispy and Stephen gather once again for some nerd-influenced conversation. In this episode …

• Brian will bribe you to call the new voicemail line …no, we have no dignity.
• The New 7 Wonders of the World … cool or lame?
• iAre iWe iOver iThe iPhone iYet?
• Crispy and Stephen are “gay above the waist” for Transformers: The Movie … now they have to convince Brian to spend money on a Michael Bay movie. This may be difficult.

Comments? E-mail feedback@whatthecast.com Leave voice mail at 206-333-1931 (voicemail down until further notice).