By Geoffrey Baer/Chicago Tonight
Including Auburn Park, Rapine Bluff, Old Edgebrook, Marktown, Alta Vista Terrace and Old Bridgeport.
Posted on July 29, 2011
Chicagoetry: The Drowning
By J.J. Tindall
The Drowning
I wish I could write a poem
as profound as a first drop of rain–
tiny gong–
in a short summer shower.
No thunder, just the polite applause
for humidity breaking. One drop,
as shadows melt,
which says quietly but authoritatively
“It is raining.”
It is raining.
Posted on July 26, 2011
Painting Chicago and Indiana
Uploaded to YouTube by ishrock
“Painting in Chicago (Milwaukee Fullerton) and Painting in Indiana (Roman Villareal’s Studio) AKA the Concrete Jungle. Peace to all the artists in the video.”
Posted on July 25, 2011
The Week in WTF
By David Rutter
1. The Adelmans, WTF?
Sorry, son, that I claimed you stole $2.5 million from me. I meant to say 25 cents. I was just pissed at you.
Posted on July 22, 2011
Nerdfighter Chicago
I Am A Security Guard: Goodbye
By Jerome Haller
About two years ago, I completed the company’s job application. A human resources staffer liked what he read and asked me to stop by the store on a Saturday afternoon.
I did not keep the appointment. Instead, I called in a fake ankle injury and spent the day competing in a softball tournament. Besides, I had a temp office gig at an advertising firm and figured I could coast with that for a spell.
That was a bad assumption. A few days later, a supervisor unceremoniously canned me.
While suffering shock, I stumbled to the Harold Washington Library to search for another job. I nearly cried while thinking about my arrogance and stupidity. I logged onto a computer to peek at jobs on Craigslist, hoping for a miracle.
Someone must have prayed for me that day. A miracle did take place. Within minutes, my cell phone rang. The same staffer who liked me had called back. He asked me to stop by the store the next day. I jumped at the opportunity as though it were the last lifeboat on the Titanic.
During a brief chat in the main office, he told me the job paid minimum wage and required me to stand for eight hours on third shift. I gladly accepted. He gave me a schedule. I arrived for work two days later, meeting Pitbull, and plunged into retail security.
Posted on July 17, 2011
The Week in WTF
By David Rutter
1. ComEd, WTF?
Chicago might have the cultural ambience of Paris, but it has the electrical system of Mogadishu.
Does it not seem as though the effects of every summer storm are regarded by ComEd as inexplicable acts of fate? Actually, no. They claim to have everything under control.
Only a month ago, ComEd issued this pay-no-attention-to-the-man-behind-the-curtain press release containing a highly amusing interlude:
Posted on July 15, 2011
I Am a Security Guard: Rest In Peace
A strange man started coming into the store late at night. A burly, tall guy, he wore the dirty jacket and pants of a laborer. Despite his youthful face, he usually looked quite tired. He often wandered around the store touching merchandise. That raised a red flag, so I watched him.
He also shot the breeze with the Nice Cashier. After I had seen this a few nights, I pulled her aside and asked if he made her uncomfortable. She said no. They knew each other because both lived near the store.
He continued talking with the Nice Cashier until the store fired her. Afterward, he occasionally showed up with his girlfriend and their daughter. I never greeted him because I never shook my initial impression.
A tragic event changed my view.
Posted on July 14, 2011
Nightclub In His Bedroom
Uploaded to YouTube by Adrian McGuire
My bedroom here in Chicago set up as a Nightclub.
Posted on July 13, 2011
A Chicago Man’s Magical Recycling Device
Uploaded to YouTube by saim321
“John Magic of Chicago IL displays his revolutionary Magical Recycling Device (MDFR). This ingenious invention can accept used material in one end to dispense a randomly designed ‘useful’ item within minutes. We interview Mr. Magic to give us a demonstration of his exciting new creation.”
Posted on July 12, 2011