Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Late night coffee break


























Last night I went to my favorite European coffee house, Iguana Cafe (you must try their rasberry mocha lattes). Anyway, we decided to walk home instead of take the train, and I saw this random painting or I guess a picture of a wolf plastered on the wall underneath a bridge close to Milwaukee and Hubbard. I need to walk more so I can run into more sightings like this.

Monday, August 22, 2011

The Harvest

























This past weekend, instead of rushing to the crowds at the beach for the Air and Water show, I decided to leave the city and visit my parents instead in Michigan. My dad has two huge gardens, and he has just started harvesting. I was able to cut my grocery bill in half just from the bags and bags of fresh produce that my parents gave me. I left with green beans, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and even a container full of blueberries they had just picked at a blueberry farm earlier that day. With all of the food that they're able to grow, they are pretty self-sufficient, and have canned tons of tomatoes and frozen vegetables to last them for a year, or until the next harvest. Vegetables that have just been harvested from the garden are the best. I stuffed myself with egg rolls, curry, and other foods that were all made with vegetables from my parents garden.








Thursday, August 11, 2011

The Seven Year Itch

























In July, an artist by the name of Seward Johnson began setting up this Marilyn Monroe statue in Pioneer Court right downtown. On my way back from a movie, I actually saw them setting just the legs up at night, and I knew right away what it was going to be. I kind of liked how it looked with just the legs set up. Last year, the same artist did an homage to American Gothic, which I thought was great. I love seeing this statue everyday when commuting to work. Though, not everyone is pleased with the statue, and some think it's rather vulgar. I don't see anything vulgar about it (other than her granny panties).

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Beach

























I went biking to 12th street beach last night. It's one of my favorite spots at night or during the day because there are not a lot of people that go there, so it's pretty quiet.

Monday, July 25, 2011

State Street

























I took this while I was resting at Jamba Juice after shopping at Macy's right on State Street. Macy's has sadly become a routine stop every Saturday after breakfast since they have ridiculous sales every weekend. I have bought everything from pots and pans and clothes to my new couch that will be arriving next Friday.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Work

























Doesn't this hallway look like it should be in a Steven King movie or other horror film? It's actually the hallway on the floor where I work and the building itself is the oldest building on the hospital campus. It's creepy when I have to come in after hours for work and supposedly the building is haunted. The floor used to be the old ICU ward so I'm sure there are plenty of "ghosts" wandering around.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Chinatown




Due to the abnormally long winter we had here in Chicago, it had really discouraged me from venturing outside to find any inspiration in taking new photos. Now that it's abnormally warm, I have that longing again to capture different snapshots while I'm out in the city.



This was taken at the Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chinatown. This is one of my favorite parks to go to in the city because it's right by the river and not a lot of people are usually there. I usually bike here, but I just found out that's where the Chicago River Boat Taxi drops you off.




Saturday, February 19, 2011

Backyard

I hardly expected to see this view walking back home from the bars around 2AM. Then I realized..it's literally my backyard.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Chicago Blizzard 2011

Snowpacolpyse, snowmaggedon, snowtorious B.I.G. and more are all names that have been given to this terrible blizzard we're having. Fortunately, things weren't too bad in the few blocks I dared to go outside and played with my dog in. But things are bad out there...Lake Shore Drive is closed, parts of the roof of Wrigley Field blew off, and other things happened. At least I don't have to work tomorrow.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Desolate

About 40 minutes south of downtown Chicago is a place called Gary, Indiana. The only thing they're known for is that it's the birthplace of Michael Jackson. Everytime I drive to Michigan to visit my parents, I hate passing through this town because of the pollution from all of the steel mills that are there (pictured here). I also just read today that the Gary Sanitary District dumped 6.8 billion gallons of raw and partially treated sewage into their river (over the past 3 years) which discharges into Lake Michigan- a source of drinking water for people in Chicago. I'm glad I never drink water from the tap no matter how much the water is treated.

I'm ready to move.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

S.A.D.

That's S.A.D. as in seasonal affective disorder, or the "winter blues." I don't necessarily have this disorder, but going to and leaving work in the dark does affect me a little bit. I guess this street light that showed up in the picture will have to be my artificial sun for now. I should probably take the advice of my doctor and get vitamin D pills.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

2011

It's getting harder to take pictures outside since it's getting too cold to take off my gloves, and snap a picture on my phone. I guess my resolution or short term goal is to find those gloves that work with touch phones so that I can take more pictures. This past new year's eve was such a tease with temperatures at almost 60 degress F. But then the next day it was back down to 19 degrees F. Typical Chicago weather. Happy new year to everyone.