Beautiful Ennui by CoreyBlack
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Description
What's more depressing:
Winter in Chicago; politicians during an election year; or suddenly coming to the realization that Flock of Seagulls' "I Ran (I Ran So Far Awaaaaay)" is now a 30 year old song?
Answer: all of the above...but especially the Flock of Seagulls thing.
It could be worse, I could be wintering in Siberia. Hmmmmmmmmm. I'm trying to imagine how wintering in Siberia is any worse than doing it here in Chicago. Although, this particular winter hasn't been that bad thus far. In fact we haven't had many Arctic blasts (like the one we're having tonight), and as of mid-January, we've had only one snow storm of any consequence. Last week we got 8 inches over night. There's a joke in there somewhere, but I'm too tired to punch it up, and besides, this is a family site.
Anyway, this is a shot from that storm. If you look closely, you can actually see the snow flakes. There's something magical and exciting about the first big snow of the season. A beautiful glow that lasts until the snow gets dirty and melts into giant lake like slush puddles all over the place. Giant lake like slush puddles that swallow your shoes whole and then go after your pants. Giant lake like slush puddles that careless drivers speed through and shower hapless pedestrians with the resulting tidal wave of freezing filthy water. Giant lake like slush puddles that turn into stretches of treacherous black ice during the next inevitable Arctic blast. Hmmmmmmmmm. Can you tell I need another vacation to somewhere warm?
Anyway, the snow sure looks pretty when it first falls. Too bad it can't stay that way.
Photographed along the North Branch of the Chicago River in the Albany Park neighborhood of the city on January 12, 2012.
Comments (21)
parrotdolphin
Thanks! I needed a good giggle. :) Nice, sharp photo, I like the dead fencing.
Tako_Yakida
At least your camera didn't freeze! :D
Chipka
Winter in Siberia...hmmm...it's the same as Winter in Chicago, only in a different language and the wind doesn't smell like Indiana. I love this shot. I like that part of the river and I don't think I'll ever get tired of photographing it. There's just something nicely incongruous about it. I think that it's the faux-solitude that close to Lawrence Avenue...they shouldn't be that close together and yet... The snow makes everything look so clean and crisp! The water looks dark and mysterious and almost drinkable! This is brilliant!
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend. God Bless.
auntietk
Oh, thank you very much for that Seagulls thing, my friend! Now I AM depressed, and just a minute ago I was fine. LOL! (I'm listening to I Ran right now. It still sounds new to me, because I stopped listening to pop radio in 1975. 30 years. Ppppffffttt! Can't be true! I suppose you're going to tell me Billy Idol ... Oh, never mind. :P Do you think they knew, when they did their hair like that and wore those clothes, how very, deeply strange they would look only 30 years later? And don't even get me started on The Who. I think they're coming up on 48 years, and they're still touring. Tomorrow's forecast for Orlando is 80F and a 20% chance of rain. I love your picture, though! It's much the same here right now. Lovely, beautiful, non-messed-up-yet, white snow. It's so clean and gorgeous even Mandy looks beige out there! Maybe I'll go take a hot bath. Can't hurt!
blinkings
BBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
bmac62
What's worse then wintering in Chicago [in 2012]? Wintering in Chicago in 1892...banks failing, high unemployment, 1000 trains a day in/out of the city at grade level, the Chicago River filthy, coal dust everywhere, untreated drinking water, the stench of the Union Stock Yards. Hey, 2012 ain't that bad is it? :)
fallen21
Amazing shot!
whaleman
I think the difference between wintering in Siberia or in Chicago is that everyone in Siberia would like to be in Chicago.
durleybeachbum
It looks pretty for the first few minutes..then I go looking for signs of sprouting daffodils to cheer me up. I HATE cold. I love what you write, always!
KateBlack10
Very nice shot Corey - always love your narrative - Siberia huh? I think today we might be colder than Siberia ha! - no not really :) wish it could stay as pretty as your picture but soon it will turn to yuck - stay warm :)and it gives me interesting ideas for a warm getaway huh? seems like just the right time...
thecytron
Xcellent atmosphere of Winter season!
Sea_Dog
Well done - I thought this was a B & W until I zoomed. Those little hints of color really add to this shot - It's like the winter is choking out everything bright and cheerful. Nice work.
Fidelity2
Your masterpiece of is very cool. 5+!
alanwilliams
superb, i love this frozen scene
sandra46
A FROZEN POEM
npauling
The snow does look pretty here and I am chuckling over your writing it is so like real life. A beautiful capture and great reflections.
mgtcs
Marvelous capture my friend, spectacular work again, superb textures!
nikolais
amazing! in harmony
flavia49
wonderful image
anahata.c
I know that, for one shot right now, I could choose so many I've missed, and you've done the river many times...but you do it so damned well, and you capture the mystery & poetry of the river as few have, even as it's surrounded by so much city. (Your most recent shots---as of this comment---demand a long comment too. But for right now...) The detail on this is exquisite, it looks b&w but it's not, it has wonderful lines all over the place (the scraggly lines of winter branches intersecting back into space), it has those snowflakes---I agree with all you said about them---and a wonderful background incl some lights that are all faded out by the snow & mist. And your composition turns into the background with real grandeur, and the water is just splendid. Only you get these many varieties of the northern portions of this strange river. And the small dabbles of color, as well as the flakes and the reflections, just complete this beautiful shot. As for your narrative, it's hysterical & understated as always, and a true piece of corey prose & true to the city and to urban snow in general. Yes, it's depressing how quickly the pristine-ness of these storms turns to sooty detritus. And yeah, last winter was mild mostly, but I have to tell you, I was out in this moment of it, when we had some real cold spells, and I was shooting on the lake, and I was freaking fuh-reezing. As one walks out there, the pathways disappear, the land becomes an obstacle course (of rocky iced terrain), and suddenly, after battling the ground for so long, one looks back & realizes: "How the ____ did I get this far???" I was freezing, it was blowing like all hell, no buildings to protect me, and I was looking out over sheer ice and fog. (Fog---in sub-freezing temps!) So oddly, that's what stays with me, rather than how mild it was. (I also, if you wanna know, had to take a piss the size of Ontario---the province, not the street---and realized it was a good half hour walk to get near anything resembling a 'sidewalk'.) But your descriptions got at the essence of winter in chicago. And I actually have known 2 people from Siberia, and I think we do better. Maybe not with the temps, but with the snow at least. A terrific & beautiful image, and more of your great description. Love it!