Mitchell Street, it’s Historic!

I had been planning on riding the bus down to Mitchell street for ages. I cannot believe how long and how much planning it took for me to get up off my lazy ass and do it. Then I got off the bus about four stops too late. However, that allowed me to stumble upon the virgin mary here. So, all’s well that ends well.

Somehow this is less depressing than the Grand Theater downtown. Not by much mind you, but a little bit less. I wonder if it is like the Oriental on the inside? Maybe, it looks a little newer and less adorned. One thing is for sure, it is not open.

In the interest of inconspicuousness, I only brought my pancake lens down here. Well, that’s half true, I also wanted to be a super cool street photographer. Check me out with my 50mm (equivalent) walking the streets being all cool. To be honest, I’m really drawn to the idea of scaling back and miniaturizing my equipment. Then I remember how awesome the pictures turn out when you are using huge lenses.

I have no idea what this sign says.

Mitchell Street is surprisingly vibrant. I know it’s a little intimidating, but there are tons of people out enjoying the shopping. It is a little like Wisconsin Avenue, except that most people are here to be here, instead of here to catch a bus and go.

On of the criticisms of the little pancake is that it is a little too distorted for architectural photography.  I don’t disagree, it makes you really pay attention to framing. Otherwise things get real wonky real fast.

Thar goes da bus. Stupid useful bus.

jon

Just A Little Further

And on the next day. Getting ready with that wonderful juice, coffee. Now, it wasn’t Starbucks, but it was in a Starbucks mug. My father has an obsession with Rocky Mountain Roastery. It is literally the only coffee in the house. That man makes my brother ship packages of the stuff to him to fill his need. Comes back with pounds of it after visiting. What a weirdo. Maybe I should get him a local coffee sampler. Some Anodyne, Stone Creek, Alterra, Sven’s, and maybe some of that fair trade stuff from work. Which is technically Madison, but you get the drift.

Anything not brown is photograph worthy. If you spend time outside in the early spring, you know what I am talking about.

Damn punk ass kids always starting things on fire. A week later I came back, the best photo of this spot I took with my iPhone. Check it out on istagr.am, I’m jdbphoto. Follow me! Please!

The old rails are so integrated into the community and the river. What an obvious place to find right of ways. I’ve covered quite a few miles, however just beyond this point it became a bit too overgrown.

The bolts, they speak to me. (not in a weird I’m crazy way)

Jon

Estabrook

Most of my childhood memories of Estabrook Park are with Kevin Wright. Kevin and I used to go down to the park with my brother when he would fish. Our dumb asses would mess around the damns and trails without a worry. Every once in a while even falling in and swimming out. We knew how disgusting it was, but that’s what dumbass kids do.

I don’t have many memories before that age, about 12 or 13, because I don’t think my parents really liked us hanging out in there. They were much more comfortable with us hanging out in Kletsch park a little further up, but more solidly in the nicer part of town.

But, somehow when we were that age, how much fun we could have in our backyards was amazing. How when we are 8 or 9 we can create such amazing experiences in 600 square feet is amazing. Sometimes I like to point out that the spinnaker on Promo has more square footage than my parent’s backyard. Unreal.

As we grow older, and are world grows greater, let us try to remember to find the small world’s within.

jon

Enjoying Our River

The Milwaukee River is an interesting place. One part gem, one part dumping ground, and a little whatever thrown into the mix. I’ve begun spending more time along the river. It is an attempt to reconnect to a part of the city that most people have forgotten or discounted. In fact, for the first time in a year I volunteered the day of this writing, two hours and four heavy bags of trash later, I feel pretty good about the river.

There are all these strange reminders of what the river used to be. Some of them are identifiable as train remnants, or someone’s park planning of the past. Others, however, are just random bolts and concrete.

I also started a greater appreciation for the graffiti. Most graffiti in Milwaukee is just some jackass, gang, or vandal throwing up their tag. On the concrete walls along the river the kids at least try to be a little artistic. Something I don’t mind. But, who knows why this guy decided that Squirtle was going to be his inspiration.

Maybe I’m drawn to the graffiti because it is so hard to find color in the mud season betwixt winter and spring.

I’d say it was the first robin of spring, but I don’t think they even bother to migrate anymore.

jon

Where You Go

If you would like to exchange your old railway for a new one. They also have a railway futures market, just in case you would like to hedge your future rail crop. Though I would go in with some trepidation, the railway market is volatile.

Also where to go to see men in loin clothes. The other side of this flagpole is peace. I think it is a pretty awesome flagpole.

jon

Fountain at the VA

I heard a disgusting thing the other day. That 26% of the homeless are veterans, and that 46% of those have PTSD or other serious mental disease. But that’s not the disgusting thing I heard. I heard a man say in regards to his son seeing a bum, “Well, that’s a lesson in why you stay in school and get a job”. The ignorance and ideology embedded in that statement is stunning and hurtful to our society. 1 in 4 homeless are veterans, but in your world all homeless are bums who cannot find work. I am appalled at myself for not saying something, and I am appalled at those who think the homeless are lazy or unwilling to work. Be a real father, find the truth, tell the truth. The homeless are most likely to have a mental disease, are very likely to veterans, and that many families have been cast aside in an ideological war over society that those who view all men as equal are losing to the greedy.

jon

Layers and Flags

Layers.

Flags.

Riverwalk. Go there.

jon