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This week’s randomness comes from shots taken over the past week.
First up; Walk along State Street near the intersections of Madison or Washington, and you are very likely to see this guy. You will find him sitting there with a forlorn look on his face, a tattered sign, and a cup, playfully petting a kitten. All the while, praying on the generous hearts of tourists, suburbanites, and other victims to give them money. He works the corner in shifts with his girlfriend (he is there more than she is). Occasionally they can be seen together, playing the stranded card for the passersby. I have also witnessed them passing donated cash off between each other, and to other people who appear to be connected to them, in the alley next to Sears. Now don’t get me wrong, I am in no way opposed to helping those in need, but… I have no doubt this is a scam.
An often heard expression in reply to a beggars plea is “Get a job”… Well… This is their job. To tug at your heart strings using a tattered sign and a kitten as a prop. It is beyond me how anybody can sink this low.
I know I just posted on this building, but the other night I notice the lights on in Helmut Jahn’s Presentation Room under the Dome of the Jewelers Building. It isn’t often that I have seen the lights on, and this time I was able to set up my tripod and catch it moments before they were turned of again.
As the Trump International rises on the river, the skin has begun to appear at the lower levels. This had been a sticking point with Mayor Daley, he insisted that Trump not cut corners, and build a top-notch building. Top notch includes premium materials. Looking at the skin close up (close ups can be seen here and here), I think the new skin will pass muster.
Yesterday, I was once again required to leave my apartment because of a helicopter lift. This time it was air-conditioning units for the Hampton Suites Hotel going in the old Majestic Theater building on Monroe. So, as in previous airlifts, we headed to the roof deck on the East Tower at Marina City (where else?). Unfortunately, the visibility was only about a mile, with haze hanging in the air. The helicopter (lower right) only had a few units to lift; it was all done by ten o’clock.
When I was taking shots of the Jewelers Building (above), and the lights in the dome room went off, I finished up with this general shot of the view. MoMo is coming along nicely with its hole now clearly visible; the Trump can be seen rising between the buildings (the bright lights just above the Chicago Theater marquee). Block 37 is covered with construction equipment. I am becoming a believer that Block 37 my actually happen. For a more detailed description of things, click through to my Flickr.
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