Since I had my camera’s instruction manual out to ensure that switching lenses is as easy as it looks (it is), I finally got around to learning about one of the instrument’s cooler features. This camera has a panorama feature. All you have to do is toggle to the correct setting, hold down the shutter button and, with a steady hand, sweep the horizon. The camera fires constantly for about 15 to 20 seconds, and you have a panoramic view.

For now, you’ll have to trust me on how awesome this is. So far, I have only figured out how to play these pictures on the software that Sony provided with the NEX-3 camera, but I will see if there is any way to create public access. If you have any ideas, let me know.

In the meantime, we’ll have to settle for these conventional photos of a beautiful fall day in Chicago…

… and of a very spoiled cat who just wants to soak up the sun (and tell everyone to lighten up).

We’re having another almost balmy day (for Chicago in November), with a mid-afternoon temperature of 63. That won’t last… the forecast says the temps will plunge to a high of 43 tomorrow and 40 on Thursday before rebounding a bit this weekend. But at least it sounds like we (and Gracie) will still have some sunbeams to bask in.

As for the Cooler on the Lake Shore Chicago vs. D.C. Weather Smackdown, according to Weather Underground, Chicago O’Hare yesterday recorded a high of 53, a low of 36 and .01 of an inch of rain. Washington Reagan National had an Indian summer-ish high of 73 (just four degrees short of the record set in 1985) with a low of 54 and no rain. A pretty clear win for D.C., cutting Chicago’s overall lead to 60-43.