Category Archives: Chicago

Exercise can be dangerous

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I'm not really an obsessive personality, but once in a while something will get to me. I think of these things as waking nightmares. When I lived in New Jersey and worked in upstate New York I constantly worried about being hit by a truck as I crossed the George Washington Bridge twice each day. After 9/11 when my Chicago friends asked me if I was worried about a terrorist attack I realized I was much more concerned about those trucks. Over the years I've had a number of these concerns, most of which never materialized.

When I lived in Chicago my concern was about the possibility of getting stuck in Cabrini-Green, one of those notorious housing projects unwisely built very close to the most desirable areas of the city. On New Years Day, 1985, I went to visit a friend, mistakenly sailed past the North Avenue exit of the highway, and foolishly got off at Division Street, putting me right in wrong place. I was driving a VW something; I don't remember the model, and it had an electrical problem that the dealer hadn't been able to find. Needless to say, as I got to the stop sign in the middle of the area, the car stalled. Two men came over and tried to help me–actually, one tried to help–I wasn't sure about the other. The car wouldn't start, they pushed it to the curb, I gave them whatever money I had (about $25) and left as quickly as possible. I also got rid of that car as quickly as possible.

My most recent waking nightmare is about falling: either on my face or breaking something important like a hip. Friday morning, after finishing my tutoring gig at the library, I decided I would take the bus to the Strip if it came before my usual bus. I got there, had a fish sandwich at Benkowitz, went to the Society for Contemporary Craft to see the current exhibit and continued walking to downtown Pittsburgh. It's not very far, about a mile and a half. I got to Penn Station and decided to take the bus on the East Busway, giving me about another half mile walk on the other end to get home.

The area had been newly fixed up. There was a park-like place in front of the building and the walkway leading to the bus stop was newly paved with red brick. I never saw that the pavement was uneven: my foot hit and I went flying, landing on my knees forehead and nose. My glasses cut into my forehead, my nose was broken and I've never seen so much blood except on television.

I laid there for a moment unable to move, decided I'd better do something or I'd be soaked in blood. A man passing by came over to help me. He was wonderful. I'm sure he must have had some EMT training. He helped me sit up then moved me to a shady spot. He picked up the book and jacket I was carrying and helped me take my bag off my shoulder; picked up my hearing aid, which came off when I took the bag off, and found the case for it in my purse; each time showing me and telling me exactly what he was doing. I realized how vulnerable I was and how very fortunate that he had stopped to help me. I wish I knew who he was. I'd like him to know how much I appreciate him.

Someone else called for help. The police showed up, my good samaritan left, the paramedics came. Everyone was great. The paramedics cleaned most of the blood off my arms: I looked like I had been bathing in it. They took me to the ER at Shadyside Hospital (my choice) where I was cleaned up, CT scanned, (fractured my nose), the cut was glued (not a good place for stitches) and Steve and Charna came and took me home. I look terrible–like one of those Kabuki masks you can see here, but I feel OK, even went out for dinner with the kids on Friday night. So, don't worry Carol.

For sale on eBay

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Five of my old photographs, from 1975, are for sale on eBay. I don't remember who bought them from me (or who I gave them to). Not surprising, they have lost value: I sold them for $25 each, unframed and that's probably what they will go for now, if they sell at all. They are photos taken on or around the elevated and subway trains in Chicago.

I worked briefly, for a city planner with offices next to the elevated tracks. During my lunch hours I walked around and photographed under the tracks going around the downtown area of the city. After they fired me laid me off, I continued my city walks and systematically rode each of the trains, photographing old stations and city views from the trains. Eventually, I had a show of 65 of the photos at the Chicago Cultural Center, one of the highlights of my career as a photographer.

I'm tempted to buy the photos myself; I have almost nothing left from the show. I'm fairly certain these were not prints that were in the show, but some extras I sold at art fairs. It doesn't sound like they are in good condition. 

Book details

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We have had quite a bit of snow (and rain) the last few days and I've taken the opportunity to mostly stay in and work on the China book. I now have 85 pages going through October 26, including pictures, emails and chats if they were not about my firewall troubles. I've started another file with information about the places I visited that I've copied straight off the internet. There are about 12 pages in that file. This book could have 250 pages. I have even more pictures from Japan. I don't want to think about that yet. I'm using Adobe InDesign to lay out the book and Photoshop to resize the photos. While I was in China I used Picasa on my toy computer, which had a Linux operating system. Now they are on my Mac and I am using iPhoto to manage them.

I have also started to think about the cover. I never found any fabrics in China and I really regret that, although I have some things I bought in 1982 when i visited the first time. I'm just not sure I want to cut them up. I bought two obis and a beautiful old kimono in Japan. I suppose it won't matter if I use some of that fabric. Or, I may have something else stashed away.

Congratulations to my friends in Chicago on your new governor. How did Blago ever get elected twice anyhow? I remember him from when I was still living in Chicago. I suppose I would have voted Socialist Labor again. I kinda remember the choices weren't great.

Chicago, China and Japan

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I am supposed to go to Chicago next month, and I'm actually thinking about not going. I love going to Chicago; I don't know what's wrong with me. I was planning to drive–the amount of snow on the ground there doesn't please me. I haven't bothered to find a place to stay. I suspect I won't go. I was supposed to meet Renee but she really doesn't need me. I'd love to see her, but…

I started working on my China book. Last year I used a 2 column format with miscellaneous stuff in the second column, like emails or information about the places I visited copied from various websites. I was never entirely happy with the result. I think it's confusing. This time I am putting the the info in a double column at the bottom of the page, in some instances, and just using separate pages where I want to include a lot. I don't know if it will be less confusing, but it's much easier to set up. I haven't done anything with emails or chats, yet. I'm including more pictures than I put in the blog. So far, I've only done the two days I was in Shanghai and I've got 31 pages.

I've also been doing lots of reading about Japanese gardens. I read a couple of these books before I went. They are much more meaningful now. Also, I found a book that explains most of what they do to the trees: Niwaki, by Jake Hobson. That's the best, yet.

I don't know how I'll handle Japan. I may do a separate garden book. Or maybe a book about trees and another about rocks. I got teased about not understanding that rock pictures were about music. In my mind rock pictures are about rocks.
Taizoin-Tenruji: - 14

Home, sweet home

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A fiery, red sun, rising out of Lake Michigan, welcomed me to the city yesterday morning. Betty and I walked to the Art Institute on this beautiful day with the city looking as bright and sparkly as anyone could wish. Chicago never looks as grungy as New York, at least in part because there are alleys here, where trash gets picked up by an army of trash collectors and recyclers. New York trash gets put on the sidewalk, even on the most elegant streets. 

We saw a wonderful show about Benin, another show of Japanese prints about Americans in Yokohama and drawings about Daniel Burnham's master plan for the city. In 1909, Burnham laid out the system of parks along the lake front and forest preserves in the suburbs that are still in existence and cherished today. 

In the evening, I drove out to the suburbs and had dinner with some of my cousins. Unfortunately, the group keeps diminishing. They are all very special to me and I try to see them each time I come to Chicago. 

Today, by contrast, is a gray, gloomy day with occasional raindrops in the air. I met more cousins at the Museum of Contemporary Art where we saw the Jeff Koons show and then went on to a show of political prints at a new gallery space at Loyola. The exhibits were OK, but I was mostly interested in talking with these cousins whom I haven't seen for more than a year, possibly two. 

Most of my time from now until Monday will be spent with friends and relatives. Tuesday I'm on to Door County. Raja has a nice post about it here.

Driving all day

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It only took a little more than eight hours; now I'm in Chicago. The trip went very well. My book on tape, The Man Who Loved China, was fascinating and the time passed very quickly. Joseph Needham was an amazing man. I regret I never met him or paid any attention to his writing. Now I'd like to read all 18 volumes of his Science and Civilization in China. 


Dunhuang was one of the first places Needham visited in China and the book has a lot of information about the caves and the manuscripts found there. I went to Dunhuang in 1982 as part of my tour of China. I really knew nothing about it, just that it was on the silk road and sounded more exotic than the other tour choices I was given. In fact, I learned very little by going there. The information from this book was a great addition to my knowledge. 

When I finally cruised through downtown Chicago, the book completed, I was able to adequately admire the skyline and again notice all the new buildings I know nothing about. There was a time I felt I knew every bit of this city. Eleven years later I relearn it each time I arrive. 

On the road again

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Tomorrow morning I'm into the car and away to Chicago. I'll be gone about 12 days, and I've got plans for every single day including after I arrive tomorrow night.

It's an eight hour drive. I have as company a book on tape about Joseph Needham, he of the eighteen volume Science and Civilization in China. I've been listening to the first two CDs as I drove around yesterday and today. I think this will be great company for my long trip.

In addition to all my friends and relatives I'll be getting my Japan Rail Pass, which I almost forgot. Making plans for both China and Japan has been challenging. I'm sure it would be better to make two trips, but I don't have that kind of money, or stamina for two long plane trips.

After six days in the city I'm going up to Door County with Raja and several other friends who all go back 30 years or more. Should be a great reunion.

Philadelphia

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We came here so my family could go to the Philadelphia Folk Festival. I opted out, not because I don't like folk music, I do, but I don't like sitting in the hot sun and getting more mosquito bites–I already have two biggies. We are staying in King of Prussia–near the folk festival–not near the city–but Robin, who is very thoughtful, made sure there was a bus nearby.

The bus was wonderful. There were only three of us on it. The driver announced that the highway was all tied up and he would take back roads to the city if no one objected. It was a beautiful ride through heavily wooded land alongside small streams. Parts of Pennsylvania are really lovely.

The bus took me to Center City, near City Hall, a huge, wedding cakey sort of building topped with a statue of William Penn. From there, I waited and took another bus to the art museum. I would have liked to walk, it's not far, but there was too much sunshine, not enough shade.

The museum, which bills itself as one of the country's largest, now has two buildings, with shuttle service between. I began at the main building, got all the necessary info about exhibits, and went to the new one, where I had lunch and looked at all the exhibits–I felt like they had arranged them just for me. Quilt Stories, a collection of quilts by African Americans, was flanked by a beautiful collection of prints by Ansel Adams and fashions by Kansai Yamamoto, one of the biggies of Japanese fashion. Very far out stuff, some of which I loved.

Far and away the most intriguing exhibit was the jewelry by Alexander Calder. Such interesting stuff–I was tempted to buy a catalog but decided it was too heavy to carry. (Stacie, you would be interested.) After shuttling back to the main building I looked at a lot of Asian art. By the time I got to the last exhibit I wanted to see, four hours later, I was pretty much wiped out and couldn't really enjoy it. I was hoping to have coffee and a snack, which might have refreshed me, but the cafe was too crowded. So after a quick walk through the Nadalal Bose show, I went out looking for the bus–another long wait.

My next destination was Jim's Steaks on South Street for an authentic cheese steak. I eat very little meat, but those sandwiches really sing to me. I think it's because they remind me of the Italian Beef sandwiches I used to love in Chicago. The meat is the same. No cheese or grilled onions in Chicago, only sweet or hot peppers with the meat. No hot peppers in Philly, but I rarely got them, anyhow.

The bus dropped me at Broad (14th St.) and South and I faced the unhappy prospect of walking down to Fourth–too tired for this, but I began walking. At Eleventh St. I found something amazing: the Magic Garden, one of those incredible, compulsive constructions I love. Just looking at the outside revitalized me. I went in, looked around, took lots of photos (to follow when I get home), had a lovely time. You can see someone else's photos here.

I had to stand in line when I finally got to Jim's. I almost never do that, and I spent most of the time in line questioning my sanity. But the sandwich was very satisfying. After that two more buses to take me to the bus back to the hotel. Four hours in the museum; three hours waiting around.

Busy week

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Finally listed my apartment for sublet on Craig’s List. I spent all week getting it ready: making each room tidy so I could photograph it. Of course, this meant moving stuff from one room to another to get it out of the way. Now I have to make it all neat so my prospects can come and see it.

This is going to require a huge feat of organizing. Everything I will need or want in the next six months has to go to my daughter or to my storage room in the basement. It will be an interesting challenge to see how sparsely I can live for the better part of the next year while I travel.

When I wasn’t working on the apartment I was exercising–still working on those leg exercises in addition to walking and going to the health club. I went back to the mobility clinic. They think I’ve done well in strengthening my hip and butt muscles but still need work on my knees. When I go down stairs I lose control of the last two or three inches of my descent. I am sure they are correct and this is why I had  problems in Japan.

On Wednesday night we went to a concert by Mike Seeger. My family always listened to folk music or classical music: no rock and roll. Chicago has a great folk music scene, thanks to the Old Town School of Folk Music. Even the Beatles didn’t make much impression on us until one of my
husband’s cousins, an Oscar-winning musician, told us the Beatles made
wonderful music. Then we listened and loved them. Going to the Mike Seeger concert was pretty nostalgic. He’s 75, in great shape and gave a great concert.Today we are going to Rootz: the Green City Music Festival. I plan to go early but don’t know how long I’ll stay–too hot today.

Random thoughts

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A Prairie Home Companion is coming from Ravinia this week. Sitting here listening I’m feeling very nostalgic. I’ve spent many summer evenings there, although I never considered it a great place to hear music. But some of the concerts were good and I saw Stravinsky conduct the Chicago Symphony.

I’m sure my cousins are sitting there in the audience. Maxine lives near the park and is always urging everyone to come and picnic on the lawn. Garrison Keeler wished Paul of Chicago happy 94th birthday. That’s probably my cousin, also. I was supposed to go to a party for him, but had to cancel my trip because of my detour to the hospital.

I think about Chicago often. Even now, after eleven years away, it’s still a big part of me. I plan to visit in September, make up for the trip I missed. Sometimes I think about moving back. But it’s probably true, you can’t go home again. My cousins are very good to me and I still have several good friends there. But I’ve decided it’s better coming back and visiting. After all, then I’m a celebrity. And I would miss my family terribly.

Charna is going to the Governor’s school for international studies this summer. She’s been there for two weeks; this weekend is her only opportunity to come home, then back for another three weeks. I think she’s enjoying it very much. She was very happy.

I’m still concentrating on all my exercises. I went back to the mobility clinic on Thursday and they suggested a few more exercises for mastering those steps. They also told me the beta blocker I’m taking is what is probably making me more tired than before. They think I’ll get used to it. I did manage my three miles yesterday and didn’t collapse afterward, so I guess I’m doing better.