In the World of Cheesecake and Copper by Chipka
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Description
Chicago’s John Hancock Center is a couple of months older than I am. It’s a famous Chicago landmark, a giant obelisk thing with two antennas on top, like the mating horns of some strange and angular creature. As a landmark, it is more an aspect of the landscape than an active participant in my day to day life. If anything, I see it as a navigational reference, and don’t think much about it. As a result of this, I don’t get into it very much. I’ve been inside, recently: because of Renderosity Photo Ninjas. I’ve been inside of it today…because of a Renderosity Photo Ninja. I suspect that if I am to see (and experience) more of what visually-defines Chicago, Renderosity Photo Ninjas must be involved.
As is my custom, I made my way to Corey’s apartment yesterday, and as custom dictates, Corey and I spent today together. Today’s custom was different, in charming, laugh-inducing ways, because Chicago was graced by another Renderosity Nina: from far, far (far!) away. Carin, known in the digital realm of Renderosity as Meisiekind brightened an otherwise overcast day. Corey and I met her at the Westin, just north of the Chicago River. We spent a large portion of the day there: talking, laughing, talking some more, laughing some more, and snapping random pictures. We laughed a lot. We talked about everything and laughed about everything else. In short, it was a good day.
We made our way toward the Lake. It was cold. It was windy. Corey’s coat decided to commit a grievous act of mutiny. The Lake Path was closed: probably coated with dangerous and compacted layers of ice. We decided not to risk life and limb. Warmth, more conversation, and delicious nibbly things drew our attention. In our quest for delicious nibblies, we made our way to the John Hancock Center. The black, antenna-endowed monolith was more than a navigational reference today. It was our destination. We saw copper. We saw seats. We saw the promise of delicious nibblies, and so we descended the John Hancock Center’s courtyard stairs, made our way into the bustle of The Cheesecake Factory. It has been there forever. Today was my first time in the coppery, strangely alien interior. I fell in love instantly. There were curvy things, everywhere…there was cheesecake. Corey and Carin were with me, and we had our cameras. Oh, and did I mention the cheesecake?
I’d made room on my camera with this day in mind. I used much of the space I’d allotted myself, and quite a number of shots occurred in the presence of cheesecake and copper. As I went thorough the day’s files, I came across this. I remembered snapping it, quickly, as Corey, Carin and I talked, laughed, and marveled at the stunning array of cheesecakes available. I was amazed and intrigued by the copper walls, the free-form sculptures, the lamps, the surreal lotus-columns, and the prodigious number employees. Our waiter offered his suggestions and his extensive knowledge of decadent desserts, and we made our choices.
I snapped many pictures, marking this day. This is one of them. There are many more. This photograph amuses me, as I'd fiddled with camera settings. The warm copper colors faded into something more metallic, but I liked the effect and so I decided to keep (and post) it.
Now, I’m with Corey at his apartment. His roommate is watching something on television and we’re going through files, talking, and planning a journey to South Africa: and we're taking a Russian with us. As I look at this shot, I can hear Carin’s voice: a pleasant memory that will stay for decades to come. This is a good thing.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a fantastic weekend. A warm weekend too…Chicago is in the midst of a cold snap, but it’ll pass. It always does. Until it comes back….
Comments (21)
NefariousDrO
I can see why you fell in love, that's a wonderful and fascinating shot you have there. The warm colors and the lovely fluid-seeming shapes are superb. I can't wait to see the other shots you have from the place.
SerenityBlue
Spellbinding! It has quite a flow going there. I want to say reminds me a little of snakes, but I hate snakes. So I will say it reminds me of waves of water, and leave it there. ;o)
bimm3d
wonderful details!!
auntietk
Wowser! Curvy curvy, and beautiful! I love swoopy things, and this is SWOOPY! Cheesecake, good friends, swoopy things ... it doesn't get any better than that. I'm glad (but not at all surprised) that you had such a good time today! She'll be here a week from tomorrow, and I can hardly wait. It's easy to believe her voice is still with you ... doesn't she have the greatest voice? sigh We talked about you all today, big smiles and anticipation and memories. I'm thrilled to see a pic from your day out today! Thanks for the update! :)
RodS
Man, that's beautiful! Like Tara said - it's hard to beat a day like that! And a lovely photo to top it off - just like cherries on cheesecake! Sounds like a great time. Now, I've got to go find some cheesecake.....
Sepiasiren
very kewl, imagine the thing almost looks as if it is a living thing what with all its loops and convolutions--and the capture is perfect
beachzz
What a glorious day you had!! I can only imagine the talk, the fotos, the fun. Throw in cheesecake and it's perfect. I'm hoping to catch Carin next week in SF--need to work out the details. I love this shot--besides being swoopy and golden, the glimpse of the man on the other side is just super. I wonder what kind of cheesecake HE had? lol
lick.a.witch
Stunningly beautiful in form, colour, POV and made more so by the inclusion of folk enjoying the interior and the partaking of cheesecake! This is what true interior architecture should be all about, but so rarely is any longer. We are curvy! Things around us should be so! I really do love this! ^=^
GARAGELAND
Always have to look twice at your work, & thats one of the things that make it so interesting!
durleybeachbum
I just LOVE this, and the great account of your super day.
dashboard_jehovah
I love the cheese cake factory...my favorite place to visit when in the area! Did I mention that I also love cheese cake! LOL
flavia49
superlative work!
evielouise
we have a wonderful cheese cake factory here also every time someone has a birthday it seems thats what we choose; I love this curvy looking model and the color is amazing::
MrsRatbag
Wow, what a wonderful bit of ambience you've captured here; sounds like a great time was had by all!
helanker
I can read you had a great day with Carin How wonderful that is :-))) And this shot makes me think about chocolate flowers. YUMMY :-)
Meisiekind
Oh dear Chip - I am so teary today after our great day yesterday. I think it is just such an anti-climax for me to be alone again after spending the day with awesome friends like you and Corey! I arrived in Cleveland and my bag decided it liked Chicago better - or maybe its off to Houston of Miami or somewhere warmer. I just hope I get it later today! Wonderful warm image of the real curvy Cheesecake Factory, with great friend and precious memories! Hugs my friend!
mgtcs
The great thing about writers is how they make day-to-day things become interesting. They introduce a new viewpoint, pretty much like photographers who have "an angle". Speaking of that, this is really a nice piece of decor portrayed here. Must be hard to keep your hands off of it.
lwperkins
Wow, what amazing shapes--it's like Painter's Liquid Ink made solid; it must have been a challenge for the artist and the caster both. And what a funny place to find such an interesting piece of art--I've always thought of the Cheesecake Factory as a place with standard corporate decor (since they provide mass-produced treats for the Barnes and Noble chain as well, which is now owned by The Game Stop), and yet here is this quirky and lovely piece of art! And your day sounded wonderful!
sandra46
a first-class, splendiferous image
danapommet
Beautiful flow of the copper design and reflections of light. Dana
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.