Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Tree Alive


Tree Alive, originally uploaded by kendoman26.

We'll the crazy tree that didn't want to loose it's leaves is still alive. About three weeks ago all the leaves started to fall off and then during last week's warm spell you could see that the buds were alive and were waiting for the right moment to open up.

It's sort of hard to see in the shot but the leaves were beginning to open on the past Sunday morning. A new season has begun:)

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Two Heads


Two Heads, originally uploaded by kendoman26.

On Saturday I went to the Merchandise Mart and paid a visit to Artropolis - which seemed to be the largest Art Show held in Chicago. Held on the 7th, 8th and 12th floors I only really explored the 12th and part of the 7th.

This interesting wood sculpture says something but I'm not sure what that is. I seen a lot of interesting art and I'm pretty sure I'll attend next year.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Floating Ovalid


Floating, originally uploaded by kendoman26.

The Cloudgate or more commonly referred to as the "Bean" is an enchanting sculpture located in Millennium Park.

This photo was taken from the north and is somewhat elevated above the Bean. From this perspective it looks like it is floating.

This is my second favorite object to photograph in the city. Just to the left of the Bean, in the background is Museum on the Park I, A very tall interesting condo building just south of Roosevelt Road.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

St Patricks Front


St Patricks Front, originally uploaded by kendoman26.

The view from the play lot across from "Old St Pat's" Sunday mass had ended and people are coming out. The scene is much more subdued than the food carts you'll see at a Back of the Yard's Parish.

One of a handful of building to survive the fire, St Patrick's is a national landmark and has been serving Chicago for more than 150 years.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Catch that train!


Amtrak 90, originally uploaded by kendoman26.

On Saturday I was with the I & M group in Lockport Illinois. Railroad tracks run next to the path.

This is Amtrak engine 90 racing westward. I've now can tell you that a train at top speed no more than 15 feet from me produces a great rush of wind. I'm guessing the train passed us near the top speed of 85 mph. Very interesting experience!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Resting


Seagull, originally uploaded by kendoman26.

A seagull sits on the gravel in front of Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park.

He seems so peaceful just sitting there. Surprisingly he didn't make one peep :) The fountain hasn't been turned on yet and without the water it just doesn't seem as magical.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Vacancy


Vacancy, originally uploaded by kendoman26.

Last Sunday as I was walking through the Lincoln Park neighborhood I came across this bird house.

There were no birds in sight but I'm sure that will change soon. The weather is finally warming and the flowers are beginning to bloom. I think it's finally spring

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Unexpected Results


Gateway, originally uploaded by kendoman26.

I was hoping to have my new rig assembled and ready today. Alas this won't be the case "pun somewhat intended" The motherboard refuses to work inside either case.

It was sort of funny yesterday evening, looking at parts around the kitchen table plugged into a motherboard sitting on a foam mat. One wire to the case power switch to start it all and it fired right up. Put the parts back into the case no workey.

So what you see here is my year and a half old Gateway, yes I don't take the stickers off. This morning I added the hard drive and replaced all the memory with the 4GB. I'd rather take pictures than fiddle with machines so this will become my rendering machine.

The specs aren't really too behind - Core 2 duo processor running at 1.86ghz, 4GB of ram, a 250gb and 500gb hard drives and an Nvidia 7200GS graphics board. I need to purchase Photoshop Elements for it as well as Office 2007 and I'll be in business. In the mean time I went out today and got the Mac version of Photoshop Elements.

My new plan is to recoup my money by selling the rest of the stuff off and instead of building something in late June, I'll buy something instead.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

St Gabes


St Gabes, originally uploaded by kendoman26.

St Gabriel Church in Canaryville sports some unique architecture for Churches in Chicago.

The building dates from 1887. The bell tower features four copper turrets.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Nativity of Our Lord


Nativity of Our Lord, originally uploaded by kendoman26.

Perhaps the best known church in Bridgeport, Nativity of Our Lord is the home parish of the Daley family.

Located at 37th and Union, Nativity, has almost a mission style exterior. It would look at home in New Mexico and well as Chicago. Nativity has been a parish since 1868 and the current structure dates from 1876.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Schlitz Tied House


Schlitz Tied House, originally uploaded by kendoman26.

If you went to a bar prior to prohibition, you probably went to a "tied" house. A tied house was tied to a certain brand of beer. The brewery would help a bar owner set up shop and in exchange the bar only sold that particular brand of brew.

Located at 35th and Western, in Northeastern Brighton Park, this was a Schlitz tied house. Today, they still sell beer, but it's the package kind.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

First Wave


Parts1, originally uploaded by kendoman26.

My first order of parts have arrived. They include a 650w power supply with a cool blue led light in the fan. 4GB of DDR2 800 memory with heat spreaders and a Western Digital 500GB hard drive.

Since my last post, the "lost" case has shown up. I ordered the "lost" case on Good Friday and hadn't heard anything. So when I saw the cool case at Best Buy I bought the "Black Beauty." So now I have two cases. The "lost" case has a blue front, so I've named it Lost Blue.

With two cases I face a dilemma, which one for the build? We'll I think I'll put these parts in Black Beauty and in a few months raise the cash for the xeon machine. Then, at that time move the current parts into Lost Blue and put the new parts in Black Beauty. Still with me? This sounds like fun.