A Curmudgeon Amok in Chicago

One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of natur more » One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of nature. These videos exemplify my favorite time to take videos and pictures. The sun is to the West of the clouds, so it sets them in stark contrast, yet provides very bright light to the surroundings. The time of year is perfect too- early spring when the new foliage has that wonderful fresh "new growth" green. This series features construction workers on the top of a new building working with a crane, Darwinian cyclists running the stop signs at a busy intersection, a really smashed up car, seagulls in a standoff, the stunning lakeshore, and of course- WIND! Two of the videos feature my dear little papillon dogs and the tenacious sedum I brought with me here from Indianapolis.« less

One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of natur more » One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of nature. These videos exemplify my favorite time to take videos and pictures. The sun is to the West of the clouds, so it sets them in stark contrast, yet provides very bright light to the surroundings. The time of year is perfect too- early spring when the new foliage has that wonderful fresh "new growth" green. This series features construction workers on the top of a new building working with a crane, Darwinian cyclists running the stop signs at a busy intersection, a really smashed up car, seagulls in a standoff, the stunning lakeshore, and of course- WIND! Two of the videos feature my dear little papillon dogs and the tenacious sedum I brought with me here from Indianapolis.« less

One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of natur more » One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of nature. These videos exemplify my favorite time to take videos and pictures. The sun is to the West of the clouds, so it sets them in stark contrast, yet provides very bright light to the surroundings. The time of year is perfect too- early spring when the new foliage has that wonderful fresh "new growth" green. This series features construction workers on the top of a new building working with a crane, Darwinian cyclists running the stop signs at a busy intersection, a really smashed up car, seagulls in a standoff, the stunning lakeshore, and of course- WIND! Two of the videos feature my dear little papillon dogs and the tenacious sedum I brought with me here from Indianapolis.« less

One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of natur more » One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of nature. These videos exemplify my favorite time to take videos and pictures. The sun is to the West of the clouds, so it sets them in stark contrast, yet provides very bright light to the surroundings. The time of year is perfect too- early spring when the new foliage has that wonderful fresh "new growth" green. This series features construction workers on the top of a new building working with a crane, Darwinian cyclists running the stop signs at a busy intersection, a really smashed up car, seagulls in a standoff, the stunning lakeshore, and of course- WIND! Two of the videos feature my dear little papillon dogs and the tenacious sedum I brought with me here from Indianapolis.« less

One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of natur more » One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of nature. These videos exemplify my favorite time to take videos and pictures. The sun is to the West of the clouds, so it sets them in stark contrast, yet provides very bright light to the surroundings. The time of year is perfect too- early spring when the new foliage has that wonderful fresh "new growth" green. This series features construction workers on the top of a new building working with a crane, Darwinian cyclists running the stop signs at a busy intersection, a really smashed up car, seagulls in a standoff, the stunning lakeshore, and of course- WIND! Two of the videos feature my dear little papillon dogs and the tenacious sedum I brought with me here from Indianapolis.« less

This is the same fine fellow I visited with a week ago. Like then, I brought him out some coffee and a few necessities (socks, etc.) afterwards. When I first saw that portapotty in our alley, I thou more » This is the same fine fellow I visited with a week ago. Like then, I brought him out some coffee and a few necessities (socks, etc.) afterwards. When I first saw that portapotty in our alley, I thought "This'll be a big hit among the local street folk!" - Little did I know true that was! I always appreciate how friendly these folks are towards me and my dogs, and that they give me leave to capture our visits on camera. (The ones who aren't friendly... you don't see because I don't record them, but really, most people fall prey to the charms of my darling papillon.)« less

This is the final segment of my chat with Diane this morning. I was in tears at the end with her (and then I returned home to find my wife in tears with a horrible migraine... and what's even more to more » This is the final segment of my chat with Diane this morning. I was in tears at the end with her (and then I returned home to find my wife in tears with a horrible migraine... and what's even more touching is... and I don't think this is on camera... is that I wanted to turn around and bring her clothes, but she said, "No, you need to go home and take care of your wife!" Again... its such an honor and privilege! Here's the description of the first two videos, which had the title "Diane Raw..." ... This is one of the more intense conversations I've had with her, and I should warn you, the language and subject matter get pretty raw. As always, I'm not a doctor, lawyer, or social worker, so I can't confirm, evaluate, or address any of her issues. ... I'm more honored that Diane and others trust me and talk to me than were the Mayor of Chicago or the President to give me a medal. Anyone can make a medal... only God can make a person.« less

Today is a very foul day here in Chicago, its 40 degrees and raining, and they're talking thunder and snow later. So it wasn't surprising to find Diane nestled under the trestle. This is one of the ... more » Today is a very foul day here in Chicago, its 40 degrees and raining, and they're talking thunder and snow later. So it wasn't surprising to find Diane nestled under the trestle. This is one of the more intense conversations I've had with her, and I should warn you, the language and subject matter get pretty raw. As always, I'm not a doctor, lawyer, or social worker, so I can't confirm, evaluate, or address any of her issues. The most intense part of this comes in the video "Nichole Marie Taylor your mother loves you" which is really the third of this series. She asked me to do that, and since she's entrusted me with her stories, its the least I can do. I'm more honored that Diane and others trust me and talk to me than were the Mayor of Chicago or the President to give me a medal. Anyone can make a medal... only God can make a person.« less

This is the follow up video to the previous one with Jerel [sp?], when I bring Jerel some coffee and a few other simple comforts. His friend Fred is with him in this one.I'm honored that they trusted more » This is the follow up video to the previous one with Jerel [sp?], when I bring Jerel some coffee and a few other simple comforts. His friend Fred is with him in this one.I'm honored that they trusted me so.« less

As always, I'm deeply honored when people entrust their stories to me. I really enjoyed getting to meet this fellow, and I did bring him a cup of coffee later as you can see in the "Jerel & Fred" vid more » As always, I'm deeply honored when people entrust their stories to me. I really enjoyed getting to meet this fellow, and I did bring him a cup of coffee later as you can see in the "Jerel & Fred" video, along with a few other necessities of life (toilet paper, hand sanitizing wipes, etc.)« less