A few non-conference-related comments

Just a few comments about the experience here in suburban Cincinnati I thought I'd share:

- Our hotel is right on the waterfront just across the river from the Cincinnati skyline.  I can see the football stadium from my window.

Note: this in not a view from my window, but from the terrace behind the hotel.  There's a pretty good view of the skyline from just outside the hotel, too:

- The Midwest weather materialized tonight.  We were heading out the front door of the hotel to find a place to sample Cincinnati's famous chili (evidently a signature dish around here) when we heard a strange wailing noise.  Brian (Midwesterner that he is) said, "I think that's a tornado warning siren."  Sure enough, there was a severe weather warning.  We scurried back into the hotel and ate in the not terribly good restaurant inside, but at least we weren't outside in this:

The sky has been lit up every few seconds for the past two hours or so with lightning flashes.  I hope it clears up before we fly home tomorrow night.

- I'm pleased to report that there are hipsters in Cincinnati (and northern Kentucky too, I guess).  We ate lunch today at a very hipsterish local eatery just down the street called The Gruff.  In case you doubt me, here's my proof--they made their own artisanal ketchup in-house.

- There's a really cool residential building a block down the street.  Here's a photo:

- Brian and I were discussing ideas for a new bookmobile, and we jokingly decided on a combination bookmobile/food truck.  Then I noticed this:

Looks like someone beat us to it.

Okay, I'll stop wasting your time now.

-Jason