This evening I decided to take a walk through the city.  I think it’s supposed to rain again tomorrow so I figured this would be my best opportunity.  I brought my camera with me and decided it would be fun to document my walk.

Here I am at the beginning of my walk, still in the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown.  I’m about to get on the elevator.

Here I am about to enter the elevator

From right outside the hotel I had a beautiful view of the Chicago River, Michigan Avenue Bridge, and these two historic buildings.  The one on the left is the Wrigley Building.  The one on the right is the Tribune Tower.

The Wrigley Building (on the left) and the Chicago Tribune Tower (on the right)

When I reached the side of the bridge, I noticed some stairs that went down.  As I descended I found my first spot for a self-portrait.  You’ll notice I found lots of these spots…

My First Chicago Self Portrait

Right around the corner from here (directly under the bridge) I found my second spot for a self-portrait.  Keep in mind that I’m here in this city by myself.  I wanted to be in pictures to remind me of where I was (plus pictures are much more exciting with people in them).

Under the Michigan Avenue Bridge

After I crossed under the bridge and tried a few more self-portraits, I went back up top and crossed over the bridge.  On my way I took a blurry picture of the Chicago River and the buildings on each side of it (it was really pretty but the picture didn’t turn out).  Then there was a guy playing a drum and singing.  Another guy was taking a picture, so I took a picture of him taking a picture (not shown here).  Then I walked down Michigan Avenue, also known as “The Magnificent Mile” at this point because of all the shopping etc.  Here is a picture of me and the Magnificent Mile

Me on the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue)

You may have noticed by now that I haven’t been smiling.  It’s funny how you don’t often think of smiling when you’re taking a picture of yourself.  I didn’t really notice till after that all of the pictures were so serious.  I actually had a great time and lots of fun.

While looking for more cool spots for self-portraits, I ran into Mike.  He was from somewhere near the slums and wanted to share some Positive Poetry with me.  It was pretty cool.  After I asked if I could take a picture with him.  I liked his glasses.

Me and Mike after he shared his Positive Poetry

After wandering for another 15 minutes or so, I eventually found myself at a bus stop.  Here I am waiting…

Here I am waiting for the bus

While there I noticed the advertisement at the bus stop echoed the sentiments I was feeling for my friends and family.

Join me out here

After waiting for the bus (which never showed up), I decided to continue my walk.  I found myself in a beautiful garden with a bunch of yellow lights.  It was really cool.  The lights were very dim and created a surreal ambience.  It was very calming, so of course I decided to take a picture…

Me in the Garden of Light

When in such as a place as the Garden of Light, you can’t help but begin to think of the mysteries of the universe…  I got so caught up in one those mysteries that I had to take a moment to contemplate.  So I parked myself on this bench and began to consider:  why are these the only lights that are out?

Me contemplating the lights

At this point, I’m getting tired of my walk through town.  I’ve taken a bunch of pictures, and am satisfied with what I’ve seen. Chicago is a beautiful city, and I have enjoyed visiting her each time I’ve had the opportunity.  Luckily, my path took me in a big circle and I was nearing my hotel.  As I was about to arrive, I found a final self-portrait location.  It was another Garden of Lights, though this time it was hanging   After waiting for tons of people to clear out (so I could get a good shot), I finally took my favorite photo of the evening.

My final Chicago self-portrait under the Hanging Garden of Lights

After this I was home free and only about 100 feet from my final destination… my hotel.  I hope you have enjoyed My Photographic Walk Through Chicago.  I know I did   As a final goodbye, I leave you with a bonus photo.  Enjoy!

Photographic Art by Jon Pinney

Christian Bale in Equilibrium Sunrise Scene

I just finished watching the movie Equilibrium starring Christian Bale, and it inspired me.

After getting home from the airport, I got onto my twitter account and wanted something to watch as I tweeted.  I hadn’t seen Equilibrium in a while…

My favorite scene in the entire movie is when Christian Bale’s character wakes up and gets to feel what it’s like to see a sunrise for the first time… It is beautiful, and his acting and expressions in the scene are so real…

It reminds me that there are so many wondrous things in this world that I take for granted.  I can feel that same wonder and amazement when I look around too… It’s a choice I get to make.  :)

There is also a great quote that I like from the movie by William Butler Yeats:

Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

If you haven’t seen this movie, I highly recommend it.  Although, be ready for some great action and some violence as well.