Posts from — August 2008

There is something very nostalgic, romantic and captivating about Navy Pier. There is so much to do, ride, see, experience and, of course, eat. All the hard facts about Navy Pier have can be found a thousand places online… so this is simply my experience. My date, if you will.

I have a crush on Navy Pier from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

I want to give Michelle a special “thank you” for filming most of this. She laughs at my jokes and that TOTALLY helps!

As I am pursuing my purpose, people keep asking me for headshots… and I feel that “school picture” nervousness…

Taking impromptu pictures at a party is one thing… Taking pictures for “picture’s sake” is quite another. Or is it?

So, long story short, I hired Jim Luning and he rocks! He loves his craft and it shows. Here is his website. I was in and out in an hour AND it was totally painless.

Here is a link to all the other pictures.

JenChicago

Have an AWESOME day and make some silly faces!

Some of the same reasons that incited my move to Chicago are the same reasons that I think it would be pretty sweet to have the 2016 Olympics here! Millennium Park is one of my favorite things EVER!

What do YOU love about Chicago?

Why Chicago?: Millennium Park from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Videography by Courtney Hannibal.

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team
They had to wedge me outta there.

Cookies, cake, champagne, burgers, wine, crabcakes, and cheese as far as the eye can see…

I already knew that Morton’s can cook a steak. Now I definitely know that Morton’s knows how to throw a party!

Morton’s Open House from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Thank you, Michelle (Molina) for filming.

Last week, Colonel Tribune of the Chicago Tribune hosted a “tweet-up”.

What’s a “tweet-up”, you ask?

Well, a “tweet-up” is when a bunch of people from Twitter get together to… uh… hang.

What’s “Twitter”, you ask?

Twitter is micro-blogging for grown ups (so far). You get 140 characters to say what you want to say and/or post related links. It’s all the rage with the social media kids. If you wanna know more, sign up and start “following” cool people. You can hear what cute thing someone’s dog just did or get a link on the latest social media software out there.

On with the story…

So the Colonel set up this “Tweet-up” at Clark’s Ale House, but I never got to meet him.

Oh, those masked men! Their mystery is both infuriating and enthralling!

Colonel Tribune’s Tweet Up from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

I was on the news in Chicago on Wednesday… and, well… it was pretty cool.

And THEN there have been total strangers that have recognized me from the news as I am out and about (both with and without my camera)… and that also, did not suck.

In fact, it kinda rocked. Positive reinforcement is totally underrated. Works on me like a charm.

So, both NBC5 and ABC7 interviewed me that day. ABC7 didn’t repost the story on their website (rude) but I believe I have access to it on a friend’s Tivo… or I could just make them crazy asking for a copy.

The good news is that here is the link to the NBC5 story!

Watch out, Chicago.

I’m Ron Burgundy?

The title really says it all. Go Chicago… 2016!

…AND I have a few more videos coming from the Air and Water Show this weekend!

Stick around.

Chicago 2016 Olympics - We’d be phen(aw)menal! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

PS:  This video is also on the Chicago2016 Channel!  Woo-Hoo!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

After being in this city for two months, it was getting to be that time… Haircut time.

It can be scary letting someone new cut my locks so I did my research and found a place with great online reviews. Natural Elements Salon. The building is pretty. The staff is pretty and I left pretty happy about my new do’.

PS: My stylist’s name is Alexis and I think she rocks!
PSS: Thank you for filming Roya!

Chicago style-haircut from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Samson is my right-hand man, if I ever had one! He warms up the crowd before I even get there. He listens to me talk incessantly about life, love and all things Chicago. And he is the first to remind me that the most important things in life are not “things” at all. Plus, he is an incredible athlete!

Samson and I have been, and will continue to, explore Chicago together. We love so many things about Chicago! Among others, we love Jamba Juice, playing “ball” and of course, we love the idea of the 2016 Olympics being hosted in Chicago. As a matter of fact, we’d roll over for it!

So maybe this isn’t “news” per se… Just two wild and crazy Chicagoans having fun. This is one of our little adventures.

Things we love… from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

So… it’s like this… Chicago and me (I know it is gramatically correct to say “I”, but “me” sounds more like I’m keeping it real, you know?)

Ahem…

So Chicago and ME kinda got this whole love thing going on… and when the Chicago 2016 Organization asked me to be a part of bringing the Olympics to My Love, I jumped at the chance! After all, Chicago’s Sweetheart WOULD be incredibly supportive, yes?

Yes. (You’re so smart.)

Therefore, expect to see a whole lotta Olympic chatter coming outta JenChicago! Granted, I just moved here, but it sounds like a big ol’ party if you ask me… and well… I sho’ do like a good party!

So far, Beijing is “bringing it” and if ANY city can follow that act it’s… (drumroll, please)

Oh, do I even have to say “Chicago”?

We’re talking culture… and food.. vibrancy… energy… commerce… and some good ol’ fashion Midwest values. (You just can’t quantify people value.) So, I say, inviting the world over for a little shin-dig is like saying,

Hey, Rest of the World (Here forth known as: ROTW)!

Why don’t cha come on down and “peep out” what’s shaking in the US of A!

‘Cause there ain’t no city like this Midwest city, ’cause this Midwest city don’t stop!

(Hmm… I feel a jingle, or a cheer, or a satirical song coming on… eh, I’ll save it… for now.)

Oh, and one more thing, ROTW… Don’t forget to bring your waaaalll-ets. *hehe*

Anyhow, there were some crazy-smart and influential Chicago social media peeps in attendance INCLUDING some of my fellow NBC5 Street Teamers! (Woot-Woot!) We all had some very authentic discussions about the impact of the Olympics and I am extremely anxious to see how we, as a community, will invite the world over for some fun in the Chicago sun.

So, get your megaphone and pom-poms out! We’re gonna need your help.

Bring it, Olympics! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.