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Creating at the Chalk Festival

Creating at the Chalk Festival, originally uploaded by Timothy State.

We took a bike ride along the lake today, and swung through Oz Park in the Lincoln Park neighborhood where they had the Chalk Festival taking place.

Happy Memorial Day

Hoosier House, originally uploaded by Timothy State.

        Wishing everyone a relaxing day. Take a moment to remember those who gave their lives to set up this day for relaxing.

Wishbone Morning

Wishbone Morning, originally uploaded by Timothy State.

        Some mornings when I walk the dogs, the morning sunlight is at just the right angle to make the colors explosive, and the shadows appear to make the street not so flat. I thought you'd enjoy this snapshot I captured in the seven o'clock hour this morning, looking directly across the street from our building. if you like this, you might also enjoy other shots I've captured in the year-and-a-half we have lived here in the West Loop.

Michael Reese Hospital Discovered

Michael Reese Hospital, originally uploaded by Timothy State.

        This morning, we headed out to Lake Shore Drive at 31st Street on the South Side to snap a few photos of Bike the Drive. While in the neighborhood, we stumbled on Michael Reese Hospital, which upon first glance, appeared to have died. It’s a collection of buildings--the oldest very ornate in their architectural detail--spread out amongst a rather large campus. Some of the buildings are no longer in use, and their repair is falling.
        It’s a bit sad, really, as Wikipedia indicates a vibrant history of medical teaching and advances right here in Chicago. The hospital was founded in 1881, and has historically serviced the poor and immigrant communities. Check out some of the photos in a new Flickr set I’ve posted today.

Summer is Near

        Sunday had temperatures in the 60s. The day was beautiful, which had me thinking of all the summer festivals in the city. I put together a list of neighborhood festivals by date. Check it out.
        We also headed to the Dog Park. Long John loved it. Buster, not so much. If he would just calm down and not freak out every time a dog walks towards him, he’d be okay. We might have to get him some medication for hyperactivity. Check out the photos.

Happy Easter!

Hope your Easter is a scream!

Crib Shots Grab Attention

        In the fall, just days before Roger and Lori’s baby arrived, we headed up to Lake Forest to shoot a few pictures of the crib Roger had painted by hand. It’s very cool, and he was pretty proud of his handiwork. He should be--it is beautiful.
        Roger had used some environmentally friendly paint, something that would make it totally safe for a baby to gnaw on. The paint manufacturer was holding a contest, asking people to submit photos of things they had painted. Well, I just found out my photos we submitted got third place.
        In the mean time, the photos on my Flickr account were also discovered by a blog that highlights child-friendly home crafts, ohdeedoh. They have featured some of the photos in a post about painting cribs.

San Ramon Snapshot

Here's my latest headshot I'm using. It was hot.

Kiss My Frango Mints, Macy's!

Kiss My Frango Mints, Macy's!
Originally uploaded by Timothy State.

We headed to Macy's last weekend to watch the protest from Fields Fans Chicago unfold. Check out my post on Chicagoist.

Scene

Scene
Originally uploaded by Timothy State.

At Pie Hole, Roscoe & Halsted, Chicago, Illinois, 1:29 a.m.

Wet Long John

Wet LongJohn
Originally uploaded by Tony Dornacher.

Tony snapped this photo of me and my favorite wiener. He had been running around the dog beach all afternoon and didn't want to go. If you look close enough, you'll see he's dripping wet. I had to pull him from the water. He's purposely not making eye contact with me because he's throwing a tantrum.

Roman Romance

        When I read this story about a gay couple being arrested for kissing at Rome’s Coliseum, I have to call into question what sort of gays find the Coliseum romantic enough to inspire a kiss? It’s not like the structure is a monument to love, or romance. True, it’s awesome, but in the way a stealth bomber flying overhead at an air show inspires gaping jaws, not in the way the sun slowly slips below the horizon, painting the sky the color of romance.
        The Italian Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights group, Archigay, has, rightfully, cried Homophobia. While the police deny the accusation, brought on by removing the two gay men and holding them for several hours before presenting them in court, they can’t point to an incident where a man and a women have been treated in an equal manner for a similar offense.
        It has me wondering -- what is it about those Roman monuments, a millennium or two old, which inspire a swapping of spit? Earlier this month, we were in Rome -- along with every other tourist on the planet. It was so crowded, it was impossible to snap a photo of any historic site without a couple rolling around into the frame. Just take a look:


The Pantheon--



Fontara di Trevi--



And my personal favorite, Piazza di Spanga, the Spanish Steps.

        Yes, that's tongue. They are bumping tongue in a plain daylight. [Stomach turn.] Where are the Polizia when you need them?

In the Swing of Things

Italy, Day 12
Originally uploaded by Timothy State.

We recently got back from a two-week tour of Italy with a short stop in London. It has taken a few weeks to get back into the swing of things and feeling like I can take over the world again. It’s also taken a while to edit and tag the 3,000-plus photos I snapped with the new Nikon D40x I picked up before hitting the road. The best 1,100 shots are now posted on my Flickr account, where you can see the set of photos for the entire trip.

It Says it All

It Says it All
Originally uploaded by Tony Dornacher.

We went for a bike ride on Saturday, riding along the lake shore north to Belmont and back again. Was a nice way to spend the afternoon in the beautiful, warm weather. It was 50 degrees yesterday -- the first time it has been higher than 40. Along the way, Tony snapped this photo.

Star Wars Hair

Star Wars Hair
Originally uploaded by Timothy State.

In a galaxy far, far away, the Federation dined on dim sum. A few weeks ago, we attended the Chinese New Year Parade celebrating the Year of the Pig. I finally got the photos posted to my Flickr account.