Fun at work

What’s in your pencil cup?

Participate in #mypencilcup by photographing what’s in your pencil cup.

The best Post Office in Chicago

The best post office in Chicago

I nearly made the post office worker cry (tears of joy) Do you have a favorite Post Office? I bet many people can list their least favorite post offices. We’ve all waited in long lines at understaffed post offices. Let me tell you a secret. I have the best post office ever. EVER. This wonderful …

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On my last day in the Tribune Tower, I made a pencil rubbing of this quote

I did a five-foot wide pencil rubbing on my last day in the Tribune Tower

Goodbye, Tower. I just left the Tribune Tower for the last time. On my way out, I made a giant five-foot wide pencil rubbing. Here’s a four-minute video with me narrating its creation along with a time-lapse. Etched into the walls of the Tribune Tower lobby are famous quotes about newspapers and publishing. I did …

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Tribune Tower farewell speech by Bruce Dold. Tweet by @robertloerzel

Stumbling upon the Tribune Tower farewell speech given by the Chicago Tribune head editor

Well, I just happened to stumble upon the Chicago Tribune editorial floor right before the head editor gave a speech to the entire staff. I work on the 3rd floor with the advertising staff of the Tribune. Editorial is on the 4th floor. I was getting a routine snack at the vending machine on the …

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Pay Day candy bars should go into vending machines, not Baby Ruth

The last Pay Day bar

A message I sent to a vending machine company: We have a vending machine on the 3rd floor of the Tribune Tower in Chicago (435 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611). Almost every day I get a Pay Day bar. Sometimes twice a day! Today I hit D7 on the vending machine. My delicious Pay …

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A secret locked closet in the Tribune Tower has one of my photos hanging up inside!

A secret closet in the Tribune Tower has one of my photos on display

The Tribune Tower has many locked doors leading to secret closets. Walk down any hallway, and you are sure to encounter a locked door that leads to a mysterious place. One of these such doors is on the 14th floor of the Tribune Tower where I have worked for 15 years. While going home late …

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How to make a surrealist sculpture with office supplies and a finger monster

If you had to make a surrealist sculpture only with office supplies and a finger monster, what would you make? Walking around the 14th floor of the Tribune Tower with a finger monster wedged onto my finger, I weighed my options. Surrealism is all about irrational juxtaposition of images and words. So simply take one …

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