A couple of weeks ago, I was in downtown Chicago with my family. We do that from time to time: using the hotel points we racked up from business trips for a weekend in downtown Chicago. A Staycation. (Sorry for using the stupid buzz word) After a most satisfying lunch at Berghoff where I was surprised by one two of the best Tom Collins I’ve ever had.
Berghoff is billed as a historic restaurant in Chicago. A classic. A landmark. A local gem. You know what that means. That (usually) means it is a tourist trap and therefore I was not expecting much. Following the theme of Lowered Expectations, I was absolutely blown away when I took a sip of the Tim Collins. I have been looking for a good, old, solid Tom Collins for a while now, and I have been to quite a few places where the bar tenders actually asked me, “What is a Tom Collin?” Not making this up. Little did I know that I would have found The Perfect Tom Collins that one afternoon when we sort of gave up and walked into Berghoff because it was still open for lunch at 3 pm and was not crowded.
After lunch, The Husband announced that he needed a nap. (Don’t say anything. I know. Ugh) I looked at the boys, “Well, mommy is going shopping. Whom do you want to go with?” “Dad!”
*Cue evil genius laughter on my part*
That’s how I got two hours of Alone Time wandering around the Chicago loop area by myself.
The streets were mostly empty. I took my time, walking slowly, deliberately, yet aimlessly. Occasionally I would stop, whip out my phone to take a picture of something that struck my fancy. Lamp post. Intricate carvings on a building. Wrought iron works. Brass decor on top of an elevator door. Of course, my idea of me being a great street photographer trumps my actual photographic skills and that is why none of those photos are featured here. Believe me when I say that the images are whimsical and beautiful and fascinating when I have them framed like this with my mind:
Click. Click. Click.
Of course, while I was taking my leisurely stroll, I had no idea that the pictures were coughcoughcough so I was walking around with the aura and euphoria of a street photographer exploring the beauties around me.
At one point when I stopped to take pictures of a wall scone outside one of those gorgeous Chicago buildings, a guy doubled back to ask me whether I would like a picture with the wall scone. I laughed and explained that I was simply taking random pictures of random objects. “Because I am crazy like this.”
Oh, yeah. I do say things like that to random strangers. I am indeed crazy like this.
“If you like Chicago architectural details, you really should go into this building over there,” he pointed at a building not far from the crosswalk where we both stopped at the light. “It has an amazing lobby with all the original details intact.”
Alas. (See above).
But all was not lost because when I came out from the building, I spotted a bride and a groom being led by a real photographer towards a deserted intersection. I ran. I was shameless. By god I was going to get that shot of the photographer taking a picture of this couple standing in the middle of a Chicago intersection.
I had just watched the trailer to the documentary Bill Cunningham New York and I might have been mistakenly inspired…
How ironic would that photo be. How awesome!
But when I got to within the optimal (photo) shooting range, I could not raise my phone. I was shy. It felt awkward even though there were others taking pictures of them.
I couldn’t help but smile because it was a lovely sight and walked across the street away from the trio, trying to look as if I meant to cross the street all along. As soon as I turned my back toward then, the little voice piped up,
“God damn it! You need to get over this! Chicken!” I thought to myself. “They won’t mind. People gawk and take pictures of brides all the time.”
“FINE!” I turned around to snap a picture and then quickly walked away, as if I had done something wrong.
I LOVE those pics! I really don’t see why you’d call yourself a lousy photographer… and since I’ll probably never cross the Atlantic I’ll simply sit here enjoying Chicago through your pictures. Staying in my couch. My version of a Chicago staycation (which I had never heard of, so thank you for expanding my vocabulary 😉 ).
There.
You are very welcome. Glad to of service. 😉
What do you mean you’ll never cross the Atlantic? But really, if you ever make it across, I would say GO visit NYC before you come to Chicago. It is nice and all and YUP NYC is much more awesome. thank you for all these nice things you said. This actually makes me feel better about taking random pictures in Chicago and forcing people to look at them on my blog. I will take more pictures for YOU then. 🙂
I have this weird obsession with carbon footprinting… I mean – I go BY TRAIN from Sweden to Belgium – flying to the States would kill my conscience in ways I can’t even fathom.
But IF I ever do, I’ll go to NYC, promise. Like, a day. Or two. Which I’ll spend on Broadway. And then I’ll get the hell out of the most European city on the American continent (if I’m spending all that carbon it better not be to see what I know) and go marvel at Yellowstone and Yosemite or something like that. And Chicago, obviously ;).
My dear, I now have like a dozen blog posts in my head!
You can take a boat here! Google map says so. Or swim. Lol
That’s funny, I always feel a little sheepish about taking pictures of people, too.
I am more worried that they may punch me in the face!
GASP! I love the bridal photo. I stopped being shy about that stuff a long time ago; and what bride minds being photographed? Also, thank you VERY much for posting that Tom Collins recipe, that sounds perfectly crisp, delicious and properly boozy. I’m making one later.
Make extra for me!!!
What fun! I love to take photos in the cities I visit, mostly Chicago and Milwaukee. The Joan Miro you photographed – I saw a similar one in the Milwaukee Art Museum: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shamelessagitator/6010740752/
(Details from their website: http://collection.mam.org/details.php?id=12310)
I never imagined there was a huge version out there! Thanks for sharing!
Hey, I have always wanted to visit the Milwaukee Art museum. Actually, I have really visited Milwaukee. I think it is time I did!
Milwaukee is a great city! There is a cool Summer of China exhibit there right now (thru 9/11). I loved it!
Oops, the Summer of China is at the Milwaukee Art Museum: http://www.mam.org/china/
Summer of China?! Could be a nice weekend trip for family. Thanks! And I know beers are everywhere in that city too. LOL
I hate to sound like a mushpot, but I love that last picture. Something about the fact that they’re standing in the middle of the street in downtown Chicago…!
I think it’s great that the boys got to go along on the staycation. What did they do?
Whenever we stay in a hotel, they just want to watch TV. I am not kidding. And then when we come home, they complain about not doing anything fun. UGH.
My absolute favorite is the bride and groom. I would love if at my wedding a wandering street photographer had been taking covert pics and at some point I found them offering me another viewpoint I hadn’t seen yet.
I’m also going to have to admit being strangely attracted to the spatula and I’m not sure why but I keep getting a Beetlejuice/Tim Burton vibe from it.
xoxo
YES! Could be a cast in The Nightmare before Christmas too!
I think you have taken some wonderful photos. The one with the bride, groom and photographer turned out really well!
I know what you mean about being disappointed in the shots you take, though. My photos almost always fall short of the images in my head (except for the occasional fluke where I get something unexpected). It’s definitely a learning process.
I wanted to share a couple of things with you that you might find interesting. First, this quote by Ira glass. It’s about the gap that all beginners find between their taste and what they produce. (You can also listen/see him on youtube here.) Second, do you remember this graph that I shared a while back?
Yes, I remember that graph. THANK YOU! And that quote from Ira Glass. Thank you. I need to go share it on social media because more people need to read it. Thank you!!!
Beautiful! I totally know this feeling. Anytime I see a bride out and about I can’t help but shoot them. ‘Course, I’ve got it easier. I’m with a zoom.
What’s up with that sculpture? It looks like a cross between a woman, a baby bottle and a spatula. My MIL, also a sculptor, created something similar. It was called Domestic Goddess. I’m not proud to admit that I was her inspiration.
It is by Joan Miro and the title is Miss Chicago.
I would LOVE to see the sculpture inspired by you! And Domestic Goddess as a title can lead us to a critical look at women’s roles in society and how far we have come and the works remain to be done etc etc. So I am absolutely intrigued! 🙂
Two hours of alone time? That’s fabulosity in a nutshell.
And I love the pic of the bridal couple.
I know! I was very grateful. The other day I read something that really drove it home: (A man was talking about how he managed his time. A man, of course…) “I do not confuse family time with personal time.” Women should learn to do this more.
you’re a remarkable street photographer. the bride is awesome. so glad you took it. also, i’m terribly thirsty now. and it’s 10 am on a monday morning. i love old fashioned drinks! esp tom collins and whiskey sours!
When do we get together to have old-fashioned drinks together?!
This is so much fun! Your last shot is so much more interesting than the one the photographer took…… Oh how I long to live somewhere interesting!
You are a better photographer than I am! I just have, as of now, more time to wander around aimlessly. xxoo
Gosh I just love your photos. Really. Every one has some unique aspect that always makes me say that funny “mmm” and then smile. I’m so glad you got the shot of the bride. It’s perfect.
Thank you so much! 🙂