O' the spaces and workplaces I'll go

In Miami, I once had a large-pane window view beside my desk.

It looked into my boss’s office. When I wasn't busy gazing into the dull depths of his office, I might stare instead at the standard-issue, off-white wall in front of my computer.

Hasta luego, sad little offices -- it's time to trade up!

On Chicago spaces-

Louis Ghost Chairs by Philippe Starck around the conference table.

Everyday I go to work in the artsy River North neighborhood in a three-flat, vintage brownstone that positively breathes elegance. With antique crystal chandeliers, custom crown moulding, and winding wrought-iron staircases, it was designed with the whole space in mind to appeal to all of the senses. We made beige hot again -- beige drapes, beige walls, and beige chairs, all in varying shades and luxe textures. Here beige is the new black.

Before this, I worked in a spacious West Loop converted loft. The three story building just blocks away from Lady O's studio was all ours -- key fob entry, soaring ceilings, wall-to-wall windows, plasma-screen TVs, and exposed piping screamed "We're interactive web geeks!".

Second floor of bep Interactive, the scene of many a Wii tourney.

On Chicago workplaces-

Did I fall into a rabbit hole?

Pizza-making sessions, lunchtime yoga, Rock Band face-offs, snowball fights, watermelon eating contests, beer and wine happy hours in the office, FRIDAY SUMMER HOURS? These are the rule, not the exception! One time at bep, we decided it was necessary to conduct official group “testing” for bugs in an interactive Flash game application we developed. For the sake of quality control, of course. (Read between the lines: we play games during lunch).

In Chicago, there is a sense of community I never felt in Miami. My colleagues and I have uncorked a bottle together of celebratory champagne a la Sex & the City at the installation site of a barricade we produced across from the Merchandise Mart. I've watched the Blue Angels rehearse for the Air & Sea Show from bep’s rooftop deck. On Inauguration Day, you can bet we shut down the office and headed for the bar to eat, drink and toast to Obama! (Never mind it was 10am on Tuesday.) As for tomorrow, well, we're thinking of crashing a client's St. Patty's Day event at Celtic Crossing...

I hope I never have to leave this Wonderland.