29 January 2014: Faded Glory

The Century & Consumers Building at State & Adams, built in 1915.
This beautiful old terra-cotta-clad building, designed by
Holabird & Roche, is in a badly deteriorated state after
years of neglect. It's such an elegant structure, and i hope 
it will be restored someday soon. 
The mural that wraps around the second floor, just above
the protective canopy, is entitled "Float" and was created
by Noah MacMillan. It is a fanciful and colorful addition
to the building, but i still hope to see a more permanent
level of TLC given to this old beauty some day soon.
Click here and here for more information
 on the Century Building.

24 January 2014: Yes, Dear Reader, It Is Snowing Once Again

Snowscape with Approaching Train

23 January 2014: Rogers Park in Winter

No matter how brutal the cold, at some point the cabin fever and monotony of walking no further than the L or Morse Fresh Market and home again will get to be too much, precipitating the need for a stroll through the 'hood. Here is how Rogers Park looked on this bitterly cold January morning.

It's been a while since i've found myself in this part of the RP,
so of course i had to get a picture of the leopard house
(1625 W. Estes) in the snow.

Landscape on Paulina: Something for every season 

Heartland snowscape

22 January 2014: Still Stuck in Chiberia

The view from the L platform at Morse Ave.

21 January 2014: Back to Chiberia

The scene on Morse Avenue after last night's snow

Looking north from Morse on Glenwood

20 January 2014: When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Go to the Movies

Apologies for the week-long break between posts here on the Photo du Jour. Work-related responsibilities, the distractions of real life, computer issues, and a general feeling of weather-related malaise all descended on me simultaneously. Today i finally ventured out, crossing the border into the northern territory known as Evanston, for a little cinematic solace. But as i write this, yet another round of brutal winter weather has begun, so i'm not making any promises about when i will be posting again.

Classic movie posters in the bar at the Century 12 in Evanston 

12 January 2014:Gone Fishin'

The latest fish to swim up Glenwood Ave.  

11 January 2014: The Big Thaw

I lacked the fortitude to make a trip to the beach during the deep freeze,
so it felt great to see the lake today, despite the slush and seemingly
bottomless puddles.

10 January 2014: The Bad Weather Variations

The snow and subzero temperatures have been replaced
by pouring rain and puddles growing into ponds on
every street corner. But still and all, there is something
lovely about neon in the rain.

9 January 2014: Newsflash: It's Still Winter

Since the temperatures soared into the lower 20s today, i was able to convince myself to go out and explore our winter wonderland. Sigh!

The holiday decorations on the light poles are looking
decidedly less festive.

Icicles on Morse Ave.

Just like Hollywood Boulevard

6 January 2014: An Indoors Kind of Day

Rather than risk frostbite by going out in search of something to photograph,
i stayed home today and baked. Bon appétit, me!

5 January 2014: More Snow

I've been trying all day to convince myself to walk up to the beach
for some dramatic pictures of the lake, but the part of me that is basically a
comfort-loving hobbit has resisted and ultimately won the debate.
There will be no journeys or adventures for the next couple of days i fear.

4 January 2014: Art Garden in the Snow

This isn't my favorite of the art installations they've done in the sculpture
garden next to B1E Gallery on Glenwood Ave., but at least it adds some
much-needed dazzle to an otherwise cold and colorless day.

3 January 2014: Icicle Tour of Evanston

Yesterday's snow finally ended, and the high winds forecast for this evening hadn't started yet, so I made a trip way up north to Evanston this afternoon to catch a movie and shake off the cabin fever. The icicles along Sherman and Chicago Avenues were quite impressive!

2 January 2014, Bonus Shot: Flagman in the Snow

Forgive the thumb in the corner of the lens.
When it's this cold out i sometimes lose track of my extremities. 

2 January 2014: The 13th Labor of (Winter Storm) Hercules: Immobilizing Chicago

I threw on my boots and ran outside just long enough to take a few pictures
of the setting sun. It was a strange sight, the orange-y glow in the western sky
contrasting with the unrelenting whiteness everywhere else. This picture
does not do it justice, but nothing could persuade me to go back outside
and try again.
Keep safe and warm, folks!