September 24th, 2012 § permalink
Some days, I trek to Englewood to see where serial killers worked.
Some days, I head south to meet a man who has been cutting hair for 68 years.
Some days, I track down Chicago’s last typewriter repairman.
And some days these 1,001 stories of the Windy Second City That Works don’t take me more than 10 feet from my front door, where I look at a car that confuses me mightily. » Read the rest of this entry «
September 21st, 2012 § permalink
On the east side of Michigan Avenue, the Chinese-American protesters waved PRC and U.S. flags, sang songs of solidarity and held huge signs and banners declaring their outrage at Japan’s claim on the Diaoyu Islands, which they consider a breach of inviolable and sacred international borders.
On the west side of the street, the Free Tibet people held their own signs and just glared. » Read the rest of this entry «
September 19th, 2012 § permalink
“Aren’t you going to help?” she asked.
“Sure,” I said, flinging myself through the air. » Read the rest of this entry «
September 17th, 2012 § permalink
“I have nine schools I service,” the middle-aged nurse sitting in a folding chair in the shade of a tree told me. “That’s ridiculous, isn’t it?” » Read the rest of this entry «
September 14th, 2012 § permalink
A soft, slow, sopping morning requires coffee. It requires coffee and an almond bear claw. » Read the rest of this entry «
September 12th, 2012 § permalink
I am a thief of moments, a felon of time.
Today I stole a short-shorted young tight-bod’s moment on the No. 66 bus. She chewed McDonald’s and lazily told strangers about the methadone clinic. » Read the rest of this entry «
September 10th, 2012 § permalink
The politicos came for the Facebook invite to watch Obama’s 2009 State of the Union on an 81-inch screen.
The sportsmen came for the first of what pledged to be a friendly monthly pool tournament.
The Rat and I came for Hamisons. » Read the rest of this entry «
September 7th, 2012 § permalink
“It’s good,” he said hunched over with his back to me. “The last few months, people are buying two-, three-, four-hundred-dollar pens.” » Read the rest of this entry «
September 5th, 2012 § permalink
These are the stores with faded, gaudy signs advertising permanent 60-percent-off sales. » Read the rest of this entry «
September 3rd, 2012 § permalink
It’s Labor Day, the last day many of these taut bodies will blade and bike past the stone-and-cement shelter just south of the North Ave. Beach, but the chessmen don’t care.
The chessmen will talk and joke and look at girls when one king falls, but until then, all the men sit alike, legs crossed, staring at their boards. » Read the rest of this entry «
