Escape From Chicago

My move to Columbus from Chicago was a pretty slapdash operation - more like an escape than a move. It certainly felt that way. In one day my father rented a van, which he drove the 500 and some miles to my Chicago apartment, arriving late in the afternoon (preevening) ; With the help of my cousin who lives in the area, we loaded the van with all of my junk (some of which I was still frantically shoving into boxes) in a sort of real-life game of Tetris; I gave the apartment a good once-over with the vacuum cleaner and we hopped in the van, dropped the keys in my management's mailbox and hit the interstate. We pulled into the driveway at around 2:30 in the morning and had to unload everything right there so that we could return the van at 9 that morning and only pay for one day's use. I have to give props to my dad for his perseverance and ingenious packing skills.

Blue. Because I said so.

Washed Up

While in North Carolina, I spent a good few solid hours combing the beach for objects that would lend some interesting shapes and texture. The Pamlico Sound washes up a good deal of drift wood from the surrounding trees and the grooves and polished edges left by the water create really beautiful lines and shadows. Some other objects that struck my fancy were a large snail shell that had been cracked and chipped an old weathered log with tiny holes most likely bored by insects. Unremarkable at first glance, but upon close inspection these distressed natural materials reveal fantastic colors and textures.

Click here to see them.

On the Sound

This has been my third yearly trip to North Carolina with Chris. For one week in March we hole up with food and drink in a beach condo on the coast of the Pamlico Sound, a large lagoon miles from the nearest town.


The days are spent lounging, beach combing, grilling, mixing cocktails (our first breakfast began with mimosas) and enjoying the seclusion. I particularly appreciate the relief from the traffic and crowds of Chicago. It is also the only time I get to see the stars, as there is almost no light pollution.





This year we were accompanied by friends Rich, Leah, Rob and Christina.


This trip was also my first real opportunity to play with my new Nikon D90 and by the end of the week I'm pretty sure everyone wanted me to get my lens out their faces.
Here are the shots I captured of some of the week's shenanigans...

Take that, Willis!

When Emily came to visit me over New Years, she was shocked and appalled to learn that the Sears Tower had been renamed...

Walk at Highbanks Park

Dunked

Anyone who reads this blog probably knows by now that I'm engaged. He/she may also know that my betrothed is a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. On a recent visit to the fraternity house, I was introduced to a local ritual of Ohio Wesleyan University Greek life when a brother makes a romantic commitment (called lavaliering). As recognition/punishment for the act of giving one's fraternity letters to one's significant other, the brother is traditionally kidnapped, tied up, carried across campus and dunked in Ohio Wesleyan's (in)famous sulfur spring. I can safely say that I have never witnessed anything like this before and it's hard to say how I felt about the whole thing. It was hilarious, yet disturbing to watch as the entire fraternity pounced on Chris, tied his hands and feet, put a hood over his head and hauled him like a sack of potatoes from one side of campus to the other, singing and generally making a scene, before finally lowering him into a stagnant pool of putrid sulfurous water. The grand finale was Chris, having cut himself free of his bonds, dashing after the brothers, in true Swamp Thing form, barefoot and dripping with rancid spring water.

Here is my documentation of this event. Enjoy, Chris.