It’s not much of a view at all, but I want to have some photos of this time. To look back and have some documentation of our experiences during the outbreak. I have a growing fear that seems to get validated with each day, that we will be looking to isolate ourselves well into April and beyond.
It did feel a bit eerie to me. Like we were at the very start of a zombie movie, where the main characters look around and realize just how few people there are walking around.
I don’t subscribe to a lot of YouTube channels, but I’ve been following Vox primarily for videos made by the amazingly awesome Estelle Cawell. This one, focusing on the Peacock wicker chair, starts with music and album covers… but goes on a surprising historical journey.
We got glasses of chai, glasses of hot cider, there was chili available, and we also got cookies! And at one point, my neighbor Mark came over with a bottle of scotch (and some plastic shot glasses in his pocket).
We were talking about politics some time ago, and Bob mentioned to me how a very specific speech left a strong impression on him. It was a speech that Jesse Jackson gave, when he was running for President back in the 80’s. Bob explained to me how profoundly that speech changed his way of thinking. It was a big deal, and really shaped how he then started to look at the world.
The fog added a sense of uncertainty to things: our commute was familiar, but slightly off.
After work tonight, we met up with our neighbors Betsy and Michael for dinner. We had made plans a few weeks ago to hang out at Ascione, a restaurant that recently opened in Hyde Park.
We did some preliminary research the week prior. And this time, we met with someone and talked at length about various preferences and options. A lot of this planning is partly to figure out what we want, but also to figure out what space is available for other things like windows and appliances.
To my surprise, I found her sitting on the front steps. And from there, we immediately turned around and got back into the car. We drove a ways towards the lake, parking next to Promontory point. And began looking for a spot to have our Sunday breakfast.
Spotted this on the way in to work. They’re working on fixing up the street near our house, and this section appears to be… core samples? Tests? Not really sure, but it looked like some kind of test or QA thing.
But then, just past the Chicago River, the same level of fog seemed to envelop the city. A few buildings were nearly hidden from view. It was shocking just how drastic it was, one moment to the next.
Despite filing a service request with the city a few weeks ago, the street is just as bad after another heavy rain. Just as bad, or worse, even.
Ha – I was complaining so much, I forgot why I even posted this photo in the first place. This photo was meant to document the bad flooding, but on looking at it just now… I missed how lovely the reflected houses looked. Felt like a nice surprise.
I guess at some point, in the last day or so, the city upgraded our street lights. I saw some of the lights (a block south of us) were using these newer, brighter bulbs – but it looks like our street just got the upgrade!
It was a little gritty, and with no one else really around… kind of a lonely stretch to the door. Despite this though, I really appreciated the fact that someone put up the smallest American flag on the gate, to signify to people that you are, indeed, in the right place.