Blog Launch!

And what better way to start out, than to snare possibly the biggest "get" in all of Chicago?

That's right, I managed to rub elbows with Hizzoner, "Da' Mayor"; Richard M. Daley!

Here I am at this past Wednesday's U.S. Olympic Commitee -- Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies; a $500-a-plate Fundraiser to benefit Chicago 2016; the organization spearheading the City's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

I got involved with Chicago 2016 after returning last September from the 2008 Beijing Games. Totally stoked with an Olympic afterglow, I just had to maintain the high I felt from having attended what for many might only be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Themed "Sprint to the Finish", the event not only signaled the final lap bell of 50 days prior to the International Olympic Committee making its Host City selection for 2016, but also served to induct past Olympians into their rightful place in Olympic history. Inductees from the U.S. included the 1992 Barcelona Games' U.S. Olympic Basketball Dream Team; many of whom were in attendance at the Ceremonies.

The Awards presentations, and short vignette-style Athlete profiles which comprised the evening's format, were taped for later broadcast, September 5th, on NBC (see your local listings).

All in all, not a bad way to get this Blog rolling! I"ll be posting pictures and comments here regularly, whenever I manage to net my next Big Get!