Ode to a Threshold by Chipka
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Description
This is my second dedication to Corey. Click HERE to see his gallery.
I suppose I could go on about how fantastic an artist Corey is…but that would be stating the obvious. I could say something about our similar histories and tastes…but that would lead into a rambling, unfinished monologue. I could also sound like a daytime tv talk show host and talk about the current situation and the necessity to “let go” and all of that nauseating, euphemistic drivel best left in a wadded Kleenex in the bottom of a rubbish bin; but instead, I’m just going to say to look at Corey’s gallery and take a peek into the manner in which my somewhat clumsy, French-fry-stealing, soul-brother sees the world.
As I write this, Corey is approaching the cusp of returning home. It’ll still be a while, but the worst is behind him, and he’s in the annoying part of the journey. As he’s gone through an enormous ordeal, it’s safe to say that he won’t be playing football next week, nor will he be jet-skiing across the face of Lake Michigan. He might however submit a proposal to the American Medical Association, extolling the curative benefits of strategically-placed strips of duct tape: or even a hypo-allergenic duct tape vest with ventilation slits just above the spinal support assembly (composed of duct tape and Q-tips). Yeah, we talked about that today while discovering the proper way to hug a pillow as you cough on purpose. As I write this, he’s probably coughing on purpose; and after I write this, I’ll be hugging a pillow and sending good thoughts his way—I’m interested in learning of synchronized pillow hugging establishes a kind of pseudo-psychic (or at least empathic) resonance.
***
I took this picture on my way home on the night before last. I visited with Corey, and members of his family, while enduring rather surreal flashbacks of the echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) certification course I’d taken just before deciding to become a bartender. I’m nowhere near being an actual echocardiographer (My clinical study schedule got deliciously frakked!) but I can read an echocardiogram, an ECG trace, or thread a trans-esophageal transducer through a tube in the throat, and I can serve a kickin’ Chocolate Martini. I know what cardiac surgical procedures require sternum, or intercostal invasions, and I know what various beeps, buzzes, and pretty, flashing lights mean. I recognize human nipples as navigational references: convenient when you have to zap the Mitral valve to get your internal bearings (if you see a Mercedes Benz trademark logo flopping open and shut like an overcomplicated fish mouth, you’ve got the right valve.) That hug-a-pillow trick is new to me though, and there are (as yet) unexplored psychological benefits to this purely physiological maneuver.
As this picture was taken, Corey wasn’t quite at the pillow-hugging stage of things yet. He was still in the near-ultraviolet depths of a thick and billowing purple haze. I was waiting for a bus to take me home, marveling at the nocturnal cityscape and remembering steps along Michigan Avenue taken by the Renderosity Ninjas. “The Bean” in Millennium Park drew my attention, and as I was not yet ready to return home, I spent time with it; talking to it about Corey. I saw the city in it. I saw darkness. How comforting darkness is to me: how peaceful it is when you’ve crossed a naked threshold with one of your dearest friends and realize (as you always have) that the heart beats loudest at night.
Thank you for your comments and warm wishes to Corey on my previous upload. They mean as much to me as they do to him.
Comments (23)
MaraP
Fantastic capture and mood!
Richardphotos
outstanding use of a the sphere option.first time to see it used like this
RodS
Now, that is extremely COOL! I await the opening of a door, and the appearance of Gort. It really looks like some alien spaceship has landed in the middle of Chicago. The reflections in that thing are amazing. I could spend some time shooting this, myself! Glad your friend is making progress! That's tough to bounce back from.
auntietk
!!! I mean seriously ... !!! As many shots as I took of that thing, I never IMAGINED it at night. There must be something dreadfully wrong with me. This is spectacular!! I'm considering a return to Chicago solely for the purpose of shooting the Bean at night. Synchronized pillow hugging. Yes. I'll be participating in this event along with you and Corey. Synergistically speaking, it's got to be a good thing! (If it helps the visualization, the current pillowcase on my pillow is a sort of sage green. Color is very important to us as artists, so I share this information with you because I believe it makes some kind of difference.) Big hugs to both of you! >:D< >:D< >:D< >:D< >:D<
blinkings
Nice!
beachzz
Hmmm, synchronized pillow hugging---we could turn this into the latest ninja work!! And since, Tara mentioned color, well, my pillow cases right now are white and turquoise, though I might throw some red ones on when I make the bed later!! And--omg, the Bean at night??? Looks like an alien spacecraft landed!! Big hugs to Corey!!!
Meisiekind
Oh Chip - I was anxiously awaiting another upload from you as I knew it would have news on Corey. I am so glad that the worse is behind him!!!! Please send him huge hugs and love from this side of the pond and take some for yourself too!!! The image and your narrative - superlative... the Bean is WOW at night... Wonderful work dear friend!
helanker
OH WOW ! What a sight. That is indeed a genius capture. Superbly done too. I am glad to hear the good news about Corey. PLease send him my best wishes for his speedy recovery.
jocko500
wonderful work. tell him to get better ok
myrrhluz
I look forward to your post of Corey's work in his gallery, and even more to the ones he uploads himself. I'm very glad to hear the good news about him. Best wishes and hugs from San Antonio. Beautiful image! I love the bicycle, both reflected and with its wheels so prominent.
durleybeachbum
Good news about Corey, which you made ino an engrossing read. And a gob-smacking picture!
kgb224
Superb capture my friend.
minos_6
Hi Chip It's good to hear the news about Corey. I think you may need to make a list of all the people sending their best wishes to him, and please make sure that I'm on it. I now have an image of a ceremonious list-reading accompanied by synchronised pillow hugging! As for your capture, I've spent some time looking at this on zoom, fascinated and not sure what it was that was missing. Then I realised. Unless I'm mistaken, it's your reflection! Perhaps you were standing farther away then it seems, or you engaged your Cloak of Invisibility. Either way, this is a superb capture. Dzanetos
whaleman
Nice work! Best wishes to Corey! Sounds like he had some heart surgery. Was that it?
aksirp
Stunning! great this egg in the night! best wishes to your friend!
MrsRatbag
I've seen countless shots of the bean, all in daylight, but this is the first time I've seen it captured at night, and I must say THIS is the way to see it. What a stunning image indeed, my friend! Perfect for remembering Corey and attempting that psychic connection that very good friends have. I hope as I write this that he's moving quickly along the recovery path and gets through the annoying stage and on to mobility and photography part again in a hurry.
Sea_Dog
Wonderful words and image, Chip. I'm glad to hear Corey is improving - I enjoy his artistic viewpoint and I am looking forward to seeing him return to posting. Your words about your friend are very touching, Corey is lucky to have someone like you in his life and I think vice-versa.
Alex_Antonov
Wonderful!
lick.a.witch
Cory has something going for him that many do not. He has your friendship. Wonderfully moving words and exquisite image Chip. ^=^ To Cory - Bless.
Mousson
Fantastic!!!
iMiGiN
Brings back fond memories. Nice work!
danapommet
I've never seen a night shot of the BEAN before. Fantastiic shot and almost peopleless (if that is a word) which is a big treet. Dana
Sepiasiren
now this is especially warm, vibrant and alluring--you are a creature of the night like me and it is scenes like this that makes the evening my favorite haunt--love it!