Marcus Luttrell - Lone Survivor

On May 19, 2008, Marcus Luttrell, author of Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 was interviewed by Ed Tracy before a capacity crowd at the Pritzker War Library. The sole survivor of Seal Team 10 involved in Operation Redwing in Afghanistan, Marcus wove a fascinating tale as he described the hardships of SEAL training which prepared him well for the excruciating pain and deprivation he experienced as he battled with and fled from the Taliban with three broken vertebrae and other injuries.

Luttrell's story highlighted the comradeship between Navy SEALs, the difficult moral choices faced in a battle zone and the mental determination required for survival. Lining the second floor balcony was a cadre of cadets from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center who will soon begin the training program that will winnow their ranks down to the 10-20% who will become SEALs like Marcus and his twin brother. One can only imagine the thoughts running through their heads as Marcus shared his story.

A podcast of the interview is available here.

Standard Time Began in Chicago

How many times I have walked past this plaque in the Financial District of Chicago and never noticed it, I could not tell. But this particular day, I did notice and learned that the usage of the Standard Time System began in Chicago in 1883.

From the plaque, it seems that the railroads pushed for standardization of time as there were 100 local "time zones" developed by communities based upon the position of the sun in their location. Imagine the headaches trying to put together a timetable and tell when a train would arrive and depart with 100 such zones, and the need for such a standard is apparent.

Maybe the airlines will push for a different time system so that more of their flights are "on time".

Chicago's Picasso

While the Art Institute of Chicago has more than 20 of Pablo Picasso's paintings in its collection, ask a Chicagoan where the Picasso is and they'll more likely point toward the Daley Plaza than Michigan Avenue.

Dedicated in 1967, the untitled steel sculpture originally a subject of controversy has now become a well-loved Chicago icon.

Chicago's Summer Festivals

Each summer the Mayor's Office of Special Events in Chicago hosts several festivals including Taste of Chicago, jazz, blues and gospel fests in Grant Park. When the weather cooperates the evenings can be magical.

Pictured above is a crowd enjoying the Jazz Festival on a balmy summer evening on the lawn. When lights in the skyscrapers surrounding the Grant Park come on and the sun sinks low behind the Sears Tower, a special ambiance spreads over the area as the musician's notes waft through the air.

Windows a la Edward Hopper

Last week I attended the Edward Hopper and Winslow Homer exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago. Homer's mastery of light as portrayed in his multi-layer washes and scrapings on watercolor paper are truly amazing. His ability to capture the nuances and reflectiveness of water is unparalleled. His pre-Photoshop habit of copying and pasting elements from one drawing or painting to another made me chuckle. There truly is nothing new under the sun.

Of the two artists, Edward Hopper was the most artistically inspiring. I admired Homer's technique and blending of his own watercolors, but Hopper's composition and portrayal of everyday city life better paralleled my own photographic interests.

Hopper's views through windows into the lives of others inspired me to shoot a few of views of city life through a window myself. I've posted one above. The exhibit will remain until May 10, 2008 at the Institute. Check it out and see what inspiration strikes.

Fencing Tournament

This past weekend, some 1200 fencers converged on the Rosemont (IL) Convention Center for a United States Fencing Association tournament.

Wielding weapons in the epee, saber and foil competitions, women and men from youth to the 60+ veteran division stepped and lunged up and down the 30+ competition strips arranged throughout the room.

Electronic lames, scoreboards and weapon tips recorded the touches with referees officiating each bout.

Viewing the competition offered me a chance to step back in time and imagine swashbuckling battles raging in a castle or two men dueling for a lady's hand while having a 21st century digital camera along to capture the action. Which is a challenge!

Swords are flying faster than the eye can see, the lighting is sodium vapor blended with fluorescent which turns the white uniforms a lovely blend of red and green, the concrete floor is mighty hard, and the multiple strips make a clean background nearly impossible.

Still, my Canon 70-200 2.8L IS lens was fast enough so that I could stop the action and the zoom options gave me a range of close--ups shots to full strip action. Are you a sports shooter looking for a new challenge? Search no further than your nearest fencing tournament. Touche!

Bat Column Sculpture

One of Chicago's less talked about sculptures is the "Bat Column". Ready for play outside the Harold Washington Social Security Center on West Madison street, this giant column is less likely to be seen by casual tourists and visitors to the city. Venture west of the Loop to view this steel and aluminum structure designed by Claes Oldenburg.

Could the Cubs win with this bat?