I love the damn thing.

One of the first things I posted to my old site two years ago was this. Nothing's changed since then. I see the tower up close every day. From my bed at night, I can hear the elevators clanking up and down if it's warm, and if my window is open.

The tower doesn't oppress despite its size. In some strange way, it manages to be very very big without being massive; its elegant shape saves it from being hulking or ponderous.

Having said all that, I haven't been up there very often. Perhaps because I don't need to - I can look at the tower from almost anywhere in the city. Perhaps because I loathe the crush of shrieking tourists.

Probably because it costs money.

But it's a beautiful, warm morning - it's been a cold and miserable spring - and it doesn't take much to get me to blow off work.