One of our more interesting clients is the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association, for whom we built a new web site last year.  They’re a great group of people, representing a vibrant neighborhood.  

This year, they were gracious enough to invite us to their semi-annual dinner.  Emceed by Tom Erd from the Spice House, the gala event consisted of cocktails, dinner, and dancing at the beautiful Chicago History Museum.   We were happy to be able to show our support for the organization, and meet some of the constituents whose businesses we support online.   The organization lined up an impressive list of political speakers highlighted by the Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White who (amazingly) only mentioned his tumbling team once!  We had a fun time sitting in the back sharing snide remarks with the guys from Topo Gigio.  The dessert was amazing, and the Fudge Pot hooked us up with excellent take-home toffee!

Here’s a picture of Josh and Greg (proving that we can and will actually dress up from time to time) with the Executive Administrator of the association, John Blick.

Greg Baugues, Josh Golden, and John Blick

Here’s to looking forward to the next dinner in a couple of years!

One of the more interesting recent additions to the office is our radio-controlled flying bat.  Given to me as one of the all-time best holiday presents (thanks to my brother Ben),  the flying bat has been a source of hours of amusement at the Table XI office.  

Consisting of a styrofoam body, mylar wings, and a tiny but potent electric motor, the bat flies amazingly well.  I still can’t believe that you can buy a fully-functioning remote-controlled ornithopter for $30.  On top of its excellent flying abilities, its red eyes glow creepily, and the motor makes a bit of a shriek.  Learn to fly it well, and it’s fantastic for terrifying systems administrators.  

Here’s an excellent video of someone flying the bat very skillfully (if only I was this good a pilot!)

If you’re intrigued, here’s a more in-depth review including a creepy video.  I have scoured the web far and wide for a link to buy one, but to no avail.  If you find one, let me know as I’d like to buy a couple of back-ups

Happy flying!