Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
Could just as easily been called Tenth Avenue Freak-Out". We should expect the cold, but it's been a mild Winter. So when you go from 71 degrees to 19 degrees in 12 hours, it can be a bit of a shock to the system.
After having to use my AC in the car yesterday, I'm sure I'm not the only one who is going to think this is unfair. But don't take these comments as complaints, merely observations. I'll take 71 degrees in February any day (and twice on Sundays)
Summer Dreams
After a very mild December in Chicago, we were thiking maybe we dodged a bullet this year. then January hit with both barrels. Blizzard, rain, sub-zero temps, more snow, sub zero temps, and today more snow. Then the "thaw" we were promised has now disappeared from the foreccast.
Chicagoans are like goldfish. Every year we seem to forget where we live, and walk into Winter blissfully unaware.
We Need to Talk...
Nightmare Alley
Not my favorite Del Toro movie, but I AM quite enamored with this alley. I might have to start prowling these alleys with a real camera next time.
Into Thin Air
Keeping my fingers crossed that we have finally turned the corner, as the "ever reliable" weather forecast shows warming temps (slightly) and no more snow until the weekend.
Great. I just jinxed us.
Board Room
You're My Obsession
As much as I would hate to be pegged as an Animotion fan, I couldn't think of a better pop culture reference than that one hit wonder to explain my addiction to the tracks, most notably the pictured corner of Lake and California.
Can't You See I'm the One
6 am, Leavitt and Hubbard St., Chicago
Submerged
Under the tracks on Wood Street. The little bit of brick street showing is fairly representative of the quality underneath. Driving on it is not recommended at speeds over 5 MPH.
Pothole Pothole
Potholes are a Chicago tradition, right up there with deep dish pizza, Chicago dogs, and lawn furniture parking spot savers. They'll be left unattended until the street has to be shut down for a repair, but not before countless drivers lose tires when these things are bigger than the lanes themselves. And when they fill with rainwater so you can't tell the depth? I'm glad I'm not riding a bike those days.
Creep On Creepin' On
Note to Self
It doesn't seem like there are too many "ideal situations" out there these days. Hospitalized, quarantined, unemployed, furloughed, working from home, working...ALL the situations come with their own set of stresses. Obviously, some are MUCH harder than others. But none of them are easy or ideal.
I find myself having to remind myself every day that there is someone out there that would do ANYTHING to switch places with me. I have to remember to be grateful that I have what I have.
Local Resident
One of (unfortunately) many homeless in the work neighborhood. I've been noticing him more and more as we walk around at lunch. He seems to spend his day walking his bike around, and carrying along anything he might find in his travels that he can recycle for cash (cans, pallets, etc…). It can be a very sobering site to see so much effort every day for what seems so little to most people.
WEST SIDE 01/23/2019 6:02 am
Fire in the Sky
Long Shadows
Heaven on Earth
I love my work neighborhood. Every day I walk around, I talk to people, and I admire the gritty grunginess. Somedays the sun is even shining.
Approach With Caution
I did not check to see what was in it. No one did. Perhaps I should contact TSA.
THEY GOT ME COVERED
Kinzie Industrial Corridor, Chicago, 5:45 am 20191009
West Side 02072019 5 45 am
Flight Interrupted
Another pigeon casualty of a Chicago winter. Either they are not as tough as they used to be, or it's colder than I thought it was. I'm trying to make these as tasteful as possible.
70's Noir
1984
Crosswalk
Slightly further West Side of Chicago 6 am, 01/07. Travels will start taking me a little further every day, down more quiet alleys and partially lit streets.
Enjoy the Silence
The work neighborhood is usually quiet around 6 am. But for obvious reasons, it just seems to be oddly or unnaturally quiet. Where there would always be the noise of traffic from Lake Street only a block south, there is nothing. No cars, no busses, no foot traffic. Actually kind of soothing.