
When I went to visit my friend in Chicago, he had suggested that we take one of the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s (CAF) walking tours. He invited me to choose the tour I wanted to go on, but given the timing of my flights, there really were only two choices – Chicago Modern and the River Cruise. Chicago Modern wasn’t the kind of architecture either of us is drawn to, but it was a walking tour, and we both enjoy walking. A compromise was reached that fell somewhere between unlikely and absurd – we would go on the walking tour, then stop for a beer, and then, if we felt like it, take an evening cruise. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the place we stopped for a beer had over 100 beers on tap.
According to CAF’s website:
Chicago Modern
Iconic modern and contemporary skyscrapers, as well as works by world-renowned artists, are featured on this 90-minute walking tour. Chicago was at the forefront of Modernism, the style that revolutionized our visual world during the mid-20th century…
Modernism…imagine the sigh in my voice as I say that. I describe Modernism as the “what were we thinking?” phase of architecture. The function beats form the way bland paper covers an interesting rock phase. The phase in which someone realized that humans just need to go to a place that will keep them dry, somewhat warm, and where they can work without their papers blowing around. No need to enjoy going to work. “No need for beauty in your day – you have work to do.”
Sorry for being a little harsh. In fact, one of the hallmarks the modern building movement in Chicago was the mandated inclusion of public art. So, even though you’re going to work in a huge, bland, pug-ugly box of steel and glass, you’ll pass a beautiful piece of art on the way in. I knew about the public art thing, albeit from an unlikely source. If you recall, near the end of the epic chase in The Blues Brothers, we have this bit of dialog:
Elwood: This is definitely Lower Wacker Drive! If my estimations are correct, we should be very close to the Honorable Richard J. Daley Plaza!
Jake: That’s where they got that Picasso.
Elwood: Yep.
And, it’s fitting that Elwood called attention to the Richard J. Daley Plaza, because Mayor Daley was an instrumental force in the modern architecture boom in Chicago. Again, according to CAF’s website:
“Richard J. Daley didn’t much care for modernist architecture. But his personal preference for classical design didn’t deter him from championing the development of sleek, steel-and-glass buildings like the Chicago Civic Center, the Sears Tower, the Inland Steel Building, and the Federal Plaza complex.”
Richard Daley wanted to showcase Chicago as a modern city, to help it grow and prosper. I’m not sure it’s the only reason, but Chicago certainly did grow and prosper. And, from my one-day visit, today, it’s one of the most active cities I’ve seen. On a cold, almost-rainy Saturday, the city was alive with people, and the skyline was dotted with residential towers and commercial buildings under construction.
Speaking of a man with control over his empire, this is supposed to be a post about doors. From his desk in the frozen wilderness near Montreal, Canada, Norm Frampton wields his power over the landscape of doors and door aficionados. Norm summons his followers to bring forth new doors, old doors, historic doors, crazy doors, colorful doors, remnants of doors and metaphorical doors in the form of gates, portals and openings. To see this vast collection, visit Norm’s site. Near the bottom of his doors, you will find the docent of your (virtual) walking tour – Mr. Blue Frog. Click on him and prepare to be amazed.
To be honest, I didn’t find many interesting doors on our walking tour. Fortunately, there are some, but even more fortunate was seeing the older, classical buildings that were pointed out in contrast to the modern subjects of our tour. Along with the beautiful art work, the juxtaposition of old and new, short and tall, absorbing and reflective all team up to make a beautiful city. I look forward to visiting again, perhaps with enough time in the city to take the: Historic Treasures of Culture and Commerce tour.
I’ve put as much as I can remember from the tour in the captions of the photos in the gallery. If you have time, click on any photo to start a show. If not, enjoy the collage, but thanks for stopping by today.
I share your love of revolving doors … although I admit to a small fear of them, as in, what if I can’t get in or out of them gracefully?
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Apparently, they are pretty easy to break. My father broke through a set that was locked when he took my mother to the hospital the night I was born. Maybe that’s what started my love affair with them :)
Thanks!
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hahaha! I remember that story!! Yes, your relationship with them is personal 😆
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Good to know that CAF has a tour. Next time …
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Many tours! I hope to complete a few more.
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Nice doors, artwork, coffee and beer – home run, Dan.
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Thanks Judy. Maybe I need to start posting in the late afternoon, so I could enjoy a beer with these comments.
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Great captures Dan. I haven’t been to Chicago in years, it felt good to visit again!
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Thanks Val. It had been several years since I’d been there. I hope to get back in less time. I would like to take the river cruise, but maybe in the summer.
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The decorative doorway at the bottom almost makes it appear like a vault or mausoleum. no?
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I did think it looked like a vault!
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I describe Modernism as the “what were we thinking?” phase of architecture.
Well said. Your photos remind me of the architectural diversity that is Chicago. And how gray it can be there, too. Nice collage.
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Thanks Ally. It really is an interesting city. But yes, the weather can be tough.
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I find revolving doors both interesting and intimidating….always afraid I’m gonna get ‘stuck’ in them! I’ve never been to Chicago, so I appreciate the tour. These modern buildings have a lot of fascinating features, but they don’t look welcoming to me. I do think The Four Seasons mosaic is neat.
•••Ginger•••
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Thanks Ginger. I’m glad you enjoyed the tour. I do like the look of a lot of buildings, and I love reflections, but I prefer seeing the older buildings. The public artwork is a very nice touch.
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I heard that sigh in your voice….. Do you know anything about the quote above the revolving doors? I remember loving to keep on revolving in those things. Always reminded me of Chevy Chase driving around that circle in England–“Big Ben, again.”
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I saw your comment and I had to look this up (even though I try to wait until lunchtime).
“In vain I showed the calumet, and made gestures to explain that we had not come as enemies.”
From the book: “Discovery and Exploration of the Mississippi Valley”
Describing an encounter with the Mitchigameas indian tribe as the area around the Mississippi was first being explored.
That’s the Marquette Building
http://chicago-architecture-jyoti.blogspot.com/2010/02/marquette-building_16.html
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Chicago is my favourite US city. My children’s interest in the city was sparked by the cartoon city, Seecago, with Sharky and George, detectives of the sea. Sharky wore a fedora in front of his fin. It was a French Canadian production from the early 1990s, reminiscent of 1930s Chicago. Great photographs, Dan. Comme d’habitude.
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Thank you. Chicago is a wonderful city. Living between New York and Boston, I see way more of them, but I really enjoy visiting Chicago. I am glad you liked the pictures.
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Hi Dan. I have to agree about modern architecture… But I love the first (featured) photo. It actually does have a door (sort of) — the reflection of the other building — the photo is a door to the imagination. :)
Regardless of the buildings or lack of doors, the walking tour sounds like a lovely way to spend an afternoon with a friend. Hugs.
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That’s a very nice interpretation of “door” Teagan, but I like it. I often include pictures where I think “there has to be a door in there, somewhere.” but yours is better.
I love to walk around cities that are new to me, especially with someone who knows what I’m looking at.
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Chicago being a city I would always agree to visit again…
Great pics as always, Dan.
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Thanks Evelyne. I will go back, probably a few times. It certainly has a lot to offer,
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Looking forward for more doors, then:)
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Marc Chagall is one of my favorites. It was great seeing the mosaic. Having lived in the Chicago area eight years, it was a nice reminder of the downtown area.
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Thanks John. I was surprised at how vibrant the city was on a weekend. It looks like a fun place to live (if I were a lot younger).
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I was younger and yes it was.
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I love revolving doors, too, Dan. Chicago is an interesting mixture of old, classical buildings and modern edifices. If you ever get back, take the river architecture tour. It’s wonderful! I’ll have to talk one of the walking tours when it warms up.
janet
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Thanks Janet. I would love to take the river tour. It was a little ocld that night, even though we were pouring in anti-freeze, but the tie got away from us. I will be back. I know the CAS is moving. I wonder if that means they will have different tours.
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Dan – enjoying the tour of Chicago doors. Just guessing, did your dad resolve the rotation of temporarily non-revolving doors in his enthusiasm to enter ?
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Thanks John. My dad did solve the problem, although not to the liking of the hospital security staff. He thought they were frozen. At least that’s the story he stuck with.
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It’s great that some art has been provided along with the functionality of the modern buildings. That red structure in the plaza makes a lovely colourful splash of colour in the surrounding greyness of modernity.
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I’m sure there’s a developer somewhere who looks at that sculpture as totally wasted space, but it really does make the area look much more interesting and open. Thanks for the comment Jean.
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Any post you can illustrate with The Blues Brothers is a great post. And that Steel Building certainly is a steel building, isn’t it? Thanks for the tour, and the older, more decorative buildings for contrast. Yeah, “No decorative elements for you!” I think we need an app that overlays modern architecture with decorative elements. Get on that, will ya?
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Hut hut hut – I’m on it, Marian. At least one other person on the tour made the “that’s where they got that Picasso” comment, so I felt comfortable with the thoughts swirling in my head. I’ll take the older buildings any day.
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Great shots Dan. This post brings back fond memories of my trips to Chicago. I’ve done the architectural cruise on the river and I still want to do a few of the walking tours as well. Something to look forward to if I ever get back there.
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I hope you do get back, Norm. I know I will, and I know I will be on one of those boats. I love rivers and architecture, so I don’t know how it could get any better.
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I understand completely about the modern buildings and how they don’t provide character or interest or a desire to immortalize their doors. I’ve been wanting to do a Thursday door post about a modernistic eyesore in a nearby city that is surrounded by an older downtown and lots of character. I sigh and roll my eyes every time I look at it and think what a lost opportunity to reflect the beauty around it.
100 bonus points for biting the bullet and going on your walking tour
50 bonus points for beer
-25 bonus points for using the term pug-ugly. I love pugs. They are not ugly, only misunderstood.
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Thanks got the comment and for the bonus points. “Pug” inherent beauty noted. Apparently, the term I wanted to use was “plug ugly” – I’ll be more careful in the future 😏
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Plug ugly is much better, Dan. I’ll give you back the 25 points for coming up with a quick resolution.
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Yay! And, I learned something. Always a good thing.
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Ugh, I hit reply instead of enter.
You should do that post. Modern eyesores should be called out. At least these buildings in Chicago serve a greater purpose.
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I will put this on my “to-do” list. Might have to take a drive over that way on Saturday.
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I lived in Chicago during the time of Richard Daley (the Boss) and it was a different city back them. They’ve really cleaned up the place – in more ways than one.
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I can only imagine. All of our cities have a past, I guess. I think Chicago’s might be more interesting.
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Never been to Chicago so, thanks for the tour. And thank goodness for art pieces the add life to lifeless glass and steel.
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Thanks. I think the art certainly helps.
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Thanks for the tour, always fascinating to see and read about places I will probably never get to! Nice shots, the Public art adds a blast of colour into the city streets!
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I’m glad you enjoyed this. The public art is a big plus.
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We took the boat tour a couple of years ago and loved it. Great way to get a “narrated” tour of Chicago’s diverse architecture. I know this is a “doors” post, but what??? no photo of the Bean!!
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Ha ha – this is the third post from my overnight in Chicago. The Bean was included in the first one. Also, I featured the Bean several years ago in a post. I was worried about overdoing it
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I am looking forward to the boat tour.
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I admire the genius of architecture knowledge one must have for these high rises, I don’t like the hard feel and lines of the glass and steel. Also the absence of pleasant lines – 99% are straight lines, which may be modern, but it’s unimaginative to me (except for the gigantic art works). Since I don’t have to be near it, I’m okay with it. But …you saw several doors:):)
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They are less expensive. They go up faster and the interior space is uniform and configurable. But I agree with your assessment. I’d rather see something interesting. Thanks for the comment.
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Riiiight – uniform – maybe that’s the most that I object to! But I didn’t know that steel and glass would be less expensive.
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It requires less labor to build. Even modern buildings with stone facades are built with panels that are hoisted up and welded on. The walls aren’t carrying any weight.
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Ah labor – of course – you can tell, I’ve never been in the building business. Thanks for the explanation!
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When I had my cabinet shop, people used to ask if I could lower the price if they selected a less expensive wood. I told them the wood was almost irrelevant, they were paying for my time and the overhead of owning a cabinet shop.
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That part I know from hubby. He had it easier, because Los Angeles is so high priced, that only the well to do would have projects.
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I found working with the well to do harder sometimes than the ones who could barely afford. I never found that high-end niche.
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They are very demanding! Most of them were still nice though.
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Walking tour, then beer, then – maybe – a cruise. Perfect… judging from what people are wearing in your pictures, it’s way too cold for a cruise. Besides, I thought Chicago was on a lake, not a river.
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It was to cold for a cruise, especially by the time we were ready. Chicago is on both a lake and over 150 miles of rivers and canals. I was surprised by that, too.
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No matter how many times I pass or am in the City of Buffalo, my eyes are always drawn not to the modern skyscraper (sighs with you) but with the older buildings. I would LOVE to go down there with camera but Buffalo is the 10th most dangerous city in the States. So hubby of course won’t let me go. I agree to be perfectly honest with you. As for your walk, glad to know you were able to find room for a beer to tolerate all that glass and steel and stuff. Ya know?
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Thanks Amy. I’m surprised to learn that about Buffalo. Modern buildings amaze me in many ways, but I like it better when they at least try to make them visually interesting. So often, they just toss up a rectangle and cal it a day.
Our day went according to plan, and I had a great time. I owe it all to my gracious host.
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Yes. That little tidbit about Buffalo made world news. Once upon a time I actually lived on the West Side and it was safe to walk anywhere. Not true any more. And yes on some of the modern buildings … Have a great day today, Dan!! ☺️
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All great Dan….doors and reflections. Somehow, though, I can still see how cold it is. Brrrr….I love walking tours most of all.
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It was cold, Cheryl and windy. Still, it was only 90 minutes, and we kept moving.
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I i agine it was move or freeze. 😱
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Yep. Keep moving or…
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PS. All I ever knew of Daly Plaza was from The Lakehouse with Sandra Bullock and Keaneu Reeves. Thanks for the education. I also love architecture.
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I have to admit to not having seen that movie :(
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Oh it’s a good one.
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Everybody’s favorite kind of door is definitely my favorite door here today! Great shot, nice lights. I do love all the sculpture in Chicago, and think it’s one of the better cities for it, but as you know, I’m iffy at best about modern architecture. Even when it’s appealing, I still feel this sorta ehhh…
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Thanks. I like that there are still a lot of older buildings to offer done contrast to the modern boxes. It’s a great city.
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That Golden Tree!!! I loved that it is surrounded by all that glass and steel. The reflections in the glass are wonderful, and I loved those revolving doors.
I’ve only been to Chicago once in the early 80’s while on our Epic road trip across the US. We had less than day there. We visited the Shedd Aquarium, and The Science and Industry Museum-or something like that name. I so wanted to go to the top of Sears Towers, but it was so foggy and rainy a view of any kind from up at the top would have been impossible so we skipped it.
Maybe someday I’ll get back there.
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The time before this when I was there for a meeting, I planned to go to the top of that tower (no longer Sears) and it was raining and foggy to the point that I couldn’t see half way up.
The trees and the artwork do make a huge difference. I like the feel of Chicago, a little more spacious.
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Any doors that include the Blues Brothers gets my nod. The revolving doors are very pretty. I’m glad you included a a nice door and a ruined door nearly side by side. It makes nice doors hit home. Thanks, Dan.
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Thanks Jennie. A hat tip to Jake and Elwood.
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Indeed! You’re welcome, Dan.
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Mumble mumble mumble at this modernity. Imagine how many beers you could have drunk in those 90 minutes. :D So this is how it would be if the art of this world weren’t put in museums… I’d be amazed to find the Picasso there (since I only saw the film once, briefly, too young).
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It was hard to miss the Picasso. Too bad they were working around it. It is nice to see art set free.
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Chicago is definitely a place to see great architecture, and of course with great architecture comes great doors. I remember when the Picasso was installed. No one could figure out what it was.
I checked out the website of the CAF. Seems they’re moving to 111 East Wacker Drive, where my first job was. It’s on the other side of the river (and other side of the street) from the Wrigley Building.
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Thanks John. Yes, they said they were moving. I hope they still offer the tours, because I’d like to take more.
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Love Chicago….grew up going into Chicago from Cedar Rapids about twice a year…parents were determined that us four kids were exposed to culture and museums….fell in love with the city and can’t believe how it has grown over the last …ugh…half a century +….great shots…great depiction of Chicago’s urban environment!!
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Sorry about that last realization, Kirt. Chicago is a remarkable city. I’m pretty sure I’ll be going back for a visit.
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Revolving doors always feel like a bit of a challenge, don’t they? Like jump rope, you have to duck in at just the right time. :P
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The ones that bother me are the really large ones they have at some hotels. They seem big enough for multiple people, but I don’t like being in the pie-slice with others.
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