29 April 2014, Pt. 2: The Hazards of Spring

I do not know what dangers the daffodils pose,
but at least the caution tape is color-coordinated.

29 April 2014, Pt. 1: Leon Russell's Back!

Leon Russell has returned to the Mayne Stage
 tonight and tomorrow. I saw him there on 
Halloween 2012 and he put on a great show. 
The show starts at 7:30 both nights and it looks like
tickets are still available. 
I love me some Leon!

26 April 2014: Even the Shortest of Expeditions Can Lead to a Few Discoveries

Somehow in the 14 years that i've lived in the RP and the
gazillion times that i've walked down Albion Ave.,
i have failed until today to notice this massive tree
with its intricately patterned bark.  

Another view of the Queen of Albion Ave.

Nothing says springtime like the emergence
of the scooters from hibernation.

It's a hard life for an urban tulip.

25 April 2014: Day's End

Sunset with Substation

23 April 2014: Birthday Party

Happy 100th Birthday, Wrigley Field!

22 April 2014: Alrighty Then

Clearly somebody had to pick up one too many dog turds after the thaw.

20 April 2014: At Long Last -- Daffodils

Easter Sunday: A perfect spring day.
Even the daffodils have finally decided to bloom.

19 April 2014: Got Gnome?

This little gnome on Farwell looks much more cheerful
now that the snow is gone and he is surrounded by bluebells.

18 April 2014: Tweet!

My numerous attempts to get a good picture of our resident cardinals have been
woefully unsuccessful. But here the cardinal's more humble cousin: a little
sparrow in a tree.

15 April 2014: April Morning

Ah, springtime!

14 April 2014: Springtime Has Apparently Been Cancelled

It's snowing. It's the middle of freaking April and it's snowing.
That is all.

12 April 2014: A Saturday Morning in Springtime

One of the less welcome signs of spring: higher gas prices!

A pick-up basketball game by the lake

The roofers are out in force, fixing a winter's worth of problems

11 April 2014, Bonus: Stepping Out of the 'Hood

Since it was such a beautiful day, i took a short detour on the way home
this afternoon and ended up in Eataly. Most of the prices were a little
steep for my budget, but i did treat myself to a focaccia and a killer
loaf of Italian bread.

11 April 2014: Spring Fever 2.0

From my favorite vantage point on the L platform at Morse,
another welcome sign of spring: outdoor seating has
returned to the Act One Pub. 

10 April 2014: Spring in the Air

I can't believe that it's 10 April and i'm excited about seeing a crocus.
What a year!

It must be spring: the trees are budding and the Loyola track team
is trotting through the town.

6 April 2014: Detour

It's a beautiful day, but i'm swamped with work, so there will not be a Photo du Jour today. If you are desperately looking for something to look at, trot on over to the Dogs of Rogers Park for the latest in local canine pics.

5 April 2014: Chuckie's?

Chuckie's (with its incongruous chandeliers) looking dark and deserted
on a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon.

Chuckie's on Morse Ave. is a little hole-in-the-wall bar with inexplicably huge chandeliers and very few customers (at least from what I've observed). I confess that the place is a puzzlement to me. I am always fascinated by the drama of places, and to me Chuckie's has an almost palpable air of … je ne sais quoi. If i were making a movie--a sinister neo-noir along the lines of Nicholas Winding Refn's Only God Forgives--i would set it at Chuckie's. And i would cast Ryan Gosling in the lead. 

Because Ryan Gosling. 

4 April 2014: More Signs of Spring

There aren't any leaves yet, but the tree branches are looking all
plump and full of promise.

3 April 2014: Late-breaking News

I was beginning to think this day would never come,
but here they are: the first flowers of the spring!
This sweet little patch of aconites was spotted on
Wayne Ave. today.

3 April 2014: Behind the Scenes at the Daenerys Targaryen Photoshoot

My faithful photographer's assistant helps keep the unruly mob of Peeps
under control.
.

3 April 2014: #7 in the Daenerys Targaryen Series

Freed from their enslavement, the Army of Peeps pledge their undying love
and loyalty to the Mother of Dragons.

2 April 2014: Caffeine in a Repurposed Container

My circle of activity has been extremely small this winter, so it wasn't until
yesterday that i finally got a look at the Starbucks at the corner of  Devon
& Broadway, which opened last October. It's a walk-up/drive-through
only facility, constructed from old shipping containers
and other recycled materials-- a very cool idea! 

1 April 2014: Springtime in All Its Glory

Winter has ended, and spring is in full and glorious bloom throughout the United States,
but most especially in Chicago where both flowers and people are basking
in the warm sunlight and gentle breezes. Oh wait, what's today's date?
APRIL FOOL!!!