Car vs House

As a father, I understand the pain and fear the man must have felt when seeing his daughter in an ambulance surrounded by police.

As a homeowner, I understand the pain and fear the owners felt as the gravity of the incident became clear.

As a former teenager, I understand the pain and fear of her friends and classmates as they witness the aftermath.

As a firefighter, I quickly realize her life and the lives of four others are forever changed.

But I will never understand drinking and driving.

Truck Work

On my first structure fire this weekend (an early Father's day gift), I've learned some lessons (in no particular order):
1. Firefighting is grueling, hot, backbreaking work.  I love it.
2. Be prepared for anything.
3. Truck work is as exhausting as a marathon.
4. On a well coordinated fire, problems are solve very quickly and seemingly without effort.
5. You can't fight a fire by yourself or alone without your company.  It takes a group effort.  More people than I could have imagined.

Oven

It amazes me that one minute we may be sitting at home watching TV, sleeping, enjoying a meal, or conversing with friends and as little as six minutes later we are investigating smoke, CO, helping with a lockout, or bringing someone back to life.  These were the thoughts I had after my first "hot one"... a small oven fire.

I have a long way to go and a lot to learn, but I'm happy to report that I was able to get out of the engine in full gear, airpack, and the correct tools before walking into the house.

It

Since moving from the city and staring a more suburban life, I've decided to take my blog in a slightly different direction.  

My work and my life are inseparably intertwined with It.  It slowly draws me closer.  It whispers to me asking to be understood.  It wants to be good, but It is hard to tame.

I work to protect people from It.  I work to manage It.  I now train to control and smother It.

Cabrini

Only a few high-rise projects are left from this experiment in Chicago. This one, in Cabrini Green, is all but down.

Running Man

I find these graffiti images of Blagojevich pretty funny. He always looks suspicious.

Native

There is some great street art down in Pilsen. Go.

I have rarely ventured south to east Pilsen. I have always wanted to get some good pictures of Fisk Power Plant. Now I have some to share.

Bridges

A bridge on the near south side passing over the South Branch of the Chicago River.

Crystals

More ice formations, this time in Evanston.

Frozen Waves

Although slightly dangerous, I would suggest walking on the frozen waves of Lake Michigan. It must be the closest we can get to walking on the moon.

Sundial

Sundial framing the city on a snowy day.

Ice

Ice Formations at 63rd Street Beach

New Wing

Tulips with the new Modern Wing (by Renzo Piano) in the background.

Art

The newest art in Millennium Park.  Dinosaurs attacking our buildings, Chinese figures wrestling beasts and moon rocks that mimic our buildings exterior.

Common

Scene repeaded hundreds of times a summer at the Crown Fountain.

South Shore Cultural Center - Chicago

The South Shore Historical Center is a beautiful old building on the lakefront in Chicago.  Take the time to visit it.

Teenagers

I just really liked this perspective.  I was sitting on the ground with my son waiting for a train and, as you can see, a number of teenagers came by.  Teenagers... I hope my son does not become one someday!

CPD - Emerald Society

Truck 16

Gaggles of Curls

A south side tradition... no more :(

Pipes

Curls

Reflection

Winter in Chicago?

One of Chicago's great places, the Lincoln Park Conservatory.  A great place to go on a chilly winter day.  It's always above 75F inside!

Brisk

While it is a dirty city, we still are proud.  We our politicians play rough, just like our police.

Power Seat

This is where the power resides in the City of Chicago.

Mayor Daley's Tree

Go

As with all great buildings, the details in the facade should not be missed.

History

This past week in the city has been quite electric.  There is a sense of hope for our country, one that has not been around for many years.  Chicago is most proud to be called the home of the next President of the United States.  Maybe most important, he is a White Sox fan.

Hydrant

A small fire was started in a dumpster behind our building a few nights ago. I took the opportunity to get some nice shots of the fire department working.

CBOT

Skyward

I have never tried this with a camera... these shots always look pretty interesting in the city.

Bolts

I believe this is my second post of bolts on a bridge. I just like the repetitive nature of the bolts.

One

Pandemonium

More exciting than a playoff win... the energy inside the ballpark was electric. Everyone dressed in black was also pretty cool.

Big Game

What a game...

Tropical Wedding?

Hardly... wedding pics with palm trees at Oak St. Beach.

Breakfast at...

A beautiful ceiling at Macy's (yes... the old Marshall Fields building).

Men In Black

This group of guys walking to have some wedding pictures taken at the beach was interesting. Hopefuly the groom is not the guy with his head down at the back!