Elevated perspective
Sunday, 3 September 2017
The Guru made a run with Droney last evening…downtown looks pretty darned picturesque in this light, no?
Musings
Church bench
Tuesday, 22 August 2017
Bench on slope below east façade, St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh, Northern Ireland (last May).
For me, the feet seem heavy compared to the seating surface of this bench.
And the form/materials are nothing like the gothic-revival style of the cathedral, which was built in the mid-1800s to mimic/echo the much earlier original gothic style.
I like the bench, and would be happier with it in a modern setting.
Sorry, no celestial adventure today.
Alignments (London)
Tuesday, 8 August 2017
Yes, it was a gloomy day (in late May) when we took the Thames ferry past the Millennium Bridge, which points north at St. Paul’s.
Not a “real dump”
Monday, 7 August 2017
Stair landing, Tate Britain, London, recently.
As a distraction, I’m working my way through Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad series. I am not getting a strong Irish flavor, which is okay, although I was hoping at least for some slang. Of course, I’m only on the second volume, so maybe it’s coming….
Not London, not falling
Saturday, 5 August 2017
During our boat tour focused on the architecture along the Chicago River a month ago, we passed several bascule bridges. This one carried two sets of rails, but is now…offline. Bascule bridges have a big counterweight, and on this one it sits/hangs above the tracks when the bridge is down.
The first bridge across the Chicago River was a pedestrian bridge in approximately this location.
River life
Thursday, 3 August 2017
From February….
Before Selma had the Edmund Pettus bridge across the Alabama River, there was a bridge here. The bridge tender/toll collector and his family lived in this small house on the Selma end of the bridge. He was on duty 24/7, and had to manually/mechanically rotate the north span to let large vessels pass.
Adobe-colored shell-holder
Wednesday, 26 July 2017
This building faces the Parnell Monument that’s at the north end of O’Connell Street in Dublin. This location is at some remove from where sea-shells might be found (unless in a restaurant?), so who and why. The many cobwebs indicate it’s been there a while, undisturbed, even though it’s approximately at eye-level along a busy street.
A tale of two buildings
Saturday, 1 July 2017
Down in the museum zone, we did the big one, aka the Field Museum, first. Love the building.
At some point, we adjourned toward another museum, walking by these gorgeous not-quite-chives(?), which flanked an artificial waterfall feature with a big fake hoppy-amphibian at the top, perched on a sign that read amphibian. [Very Froooogy.]
In Museum number two, we found these just inside the door, which we were told is nicknamed rainbow lobby, confusing morning visitors who do not have the benefit/cue of the product of the afternoon sun.
All this is by a big lake, but not the Big Lake. Birds and sailboats and yachts all came by us as we sat in the shade recharging from hours on our feet in galleries. Also, we learned by watching that this is where bridal couples come for photos with the Chicago skyline as a backdrop. A bit windy, but perfect light.
One bride we walked by had a gorgeous bride-dress and veil, and we saw peeking below the hem new, bright-white Converse footwear.
River view
Thursday, 29 June 2017
I jokingly said this street art was Abe and Mr. Sweater. Turns out it is something like Abe and the Common Man. Common Man being white guy in cable-knit sweater. Nothing against white guys or sweaters. But.
We took a fantastic architectural boat tour, and this was across from our dock. The somewhat unexpected rooftop open-air circular temple can be rented for special occasions.
Our boat went out to the lock that prevents the Chicago River from dumping into the lake—its natural flow—but did not leave the river. Such a great view west of the skyline.
The grass-edged landform to the right was where the Euro-Americans first settled here. They heard the Indians saying something that they distorted into “Chicago” thinking that was the name of the spot. Turns out the Indians were commenting on the marshy vegetation—stinking onions. Or so our wonderful guide said.
Even more than the building in the previous shot, this one was designed with a plain façade meant to reflect what was around it.
This one, on the other hand, has a stylized map of the rivers. That red “bench” feature way up there indicates the location of this building, a “you are here” marker.
Spotted on our way back from deep-dish pizza engorgement….
Being urban
Wednesday, 28 June 2017
Sometimes urban infrastructure is in your face. Or above your head. Hanging out.
In our hundred-year-old apartment, things are far more genteel. This view is through the dining room and across the library and through the living room to the fireplace. BIG! To the right from the library is a balcony over the front door of the building, and to the right of the living room is a sun room.
And this is the entry hall. The entry. Only.
Lovely!