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Saturday 8/9
On my way up to work I passed a church swap meet and car wash. There was a
guy standing on the corner with a cardboard sign, and everything. "CAR WASH!
GET YOUR CAR WASHED! GET YOUR BIKE WASHED!"
Friday 8/8
I finally discovered what the Corner Bakery (on Church) and the Prairie Moon
Restaurant (on Sherman) have in common. They both leave their outdoor patio
muzak blaring all night long. At three in the morning, it's kind of spooky
to hear "Dance Hall Days" playing to a bunch of bolted-down, empty chairs and
tables.
Tuesday 7/22
There are kids everywhere.
I saw some using the concrete side of a stairway at the catholic school as a slide
(ruining their pants no doubt). Some other kids were hanging out on the bike
racks - using them as an impromptu jungle gym. I think it's sad that grown people
are so stationary. So does Souris.
Sunday 7/13
While riding
along the lakefront bike path (not very much fun on the weekend - it's so crowded!)
I passed the "Venus Shaver" van/truck/thing - apparently there is a traveling show for this
razor (aimed at women who are shaving their tender areas for summer viewing).
The tour vehicle is hot pink, and on the side it says in big letters: LEGS OF A GODDESS!!
Monday 7/7
Today I passed
the catholic school just as they were starting up the air raid siren that
goes off once a month. I passed literally just as the siren went off. Man,
that is a loud siren.
Monday 6/30
In the park just
south of Rogers, I passed a kid waving a stick, screaming at the top of
his lungs "BOOTY! BOOTY!! BOOOOOOOTY! BOO-OOO-OOOTY"
Sunday 6/29
Riding south
along Clark at 3 am, I saw a woman in a jean jacket, 50's housewife
skirt and a big smile walking in a teeter-tottery fashion, westward from
the train stop on Morse. She was carrying sneakers (Keds - blue)
but wearing these absurd, transparent plastic wedge platforms. Watching
her walk (or, rather, attempt to walk) in these shoes reminded me of
being 6 and trying on my Mom's heels. My mom wears a size 10 shoe
(which, for 6 year-olds, is quite large). Why do we torture our feet?
Saturday
6/28
It was beautiful and warm, with a nice breeze and fluffy clouds. I
must have passed 30 picnics, 50 popsicle venders, and 100 screaming, wet
children with water guns.
Tuesday 6/17
It's cottonwood season here in Chicago. Little bits of white fluff float around on the wind, tickle my face and arms as I ride through the city.
After crossing into Evanston today, I saw a girl playing in a sprinkler by herself, running back and forth, giggling madly. She was wearing all her clothes.
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Monday 6/16
Today I passed a cab-yellow pickup truck painted with crazy flames and
images of nuns - it was parked in front of the catholic school off of
Newguard. On the side, it said:
"
www.pinknun.com
- Don't judge her by her color"
Shortly after that I noticed a middle-aged man dressed in long pants, a
raincoat and a winter hat (it was 75 degrees and breezy). He was walking
along at a fast clip, wringing his hands... stooping as if against a
strong headwind.
South of Morse, I saw a black plastic bag. It was folded over itself in such
a way that the wind caught it and pushed it along the street at a steady,
deliberate pace - like a remote control car. I was so fascinated by
this bag that I almost got 'doored' by a woman who was similarly focused on
lighting a long, white cigarette.
On the corner of Rogers and Clark I saw three solitary rose petals, on
the sidewalk. They were a bright, cheerful pink that vibrated against
the filthy concrete.
A new storefront church just off of Howard is called "For Righteous
Sake Ministries". I'm going to start saying "For Righteous
Sake!!" whenever I feel indignant.
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