Laurie

Laurie is a Catalog & Reference Librarian for the Ryerson & Burnham Libraries at the Art Institute of Chicago; 30; a resident of Chicago's West Town neighborhood.

Laurie enjoys exploring Chicago by bike. Check out Laurie's Photo Journal, part of our Life By the Lake: Flickr Photo Journals project.

Tell me about your photo project in your own words. What do you like to take photos of?

A lot of the photos that I take represent a moment in which I catch myself in admiration or awe – those split second instances where beauty or wonder appears. I have been taking a lot of photos of buildings lately, whether new and shiny or old and crumbling, if it has a story to tell, I want to hear it. I really enjoy finding spots in the city that represent some point in history--which is every single street, really. Using a photograph to tell others that story, such as, why a certain building is landmarked or what happened at an intersection a hundred years ago. Call me a sucker for nostalgia, but I think even the most trivial things are important.

Why did you start taking daily photos?

I decided to do the 365/photo-a-day project not only to motivate myself to take more photographs, but also to remind myself to take a more active role in my surroundings. I find myself constantly looking around and admiring things, people, buildings, etc., no matter how trivial. By stopping to take a photograph, I am no longer a passive spectator but am active in capturing that moment.

Tell me about exploring Chicago by bike. What do you like about it?
When I first moved to Chicago, I was bound to the trains and buses. While the public transportation in the city is great, it can only take you so many places. When I began cycling in Chicago about five years ago, it opened up a whole new world to me with so many more possibilities. I was no longer bound to specific streets or platforms … I could go any direction that I wanted … I could take any street or alley that I preferred … and if something curious or interesting caught my eye, I could stop and admire it. A lot of people think that cycling in the city is dangerous; I disagree. With a little practice, it can provide a sense of freedom and empowerment that is invaluable.

Cubs or Sox?
Unbiased spectator

 
Favorite Pizza?
For thin crust, it has to be Piece on North Ave. For Chicago-style, Oggi Trattoria on Grand Ave.

Favorite Hot Dog?
Just about any concoction from Hot Doug’s on California Ave.

Favorite skyline view?
Gosh, there are so many, but I would have to say that my favorite is a more little off the beaten path: About a block from my apartment is a little park called Bickerdike Square Park. There are a lot of apartment buildings around blocking the view, but suddenly in the middle of the park there is a clearing and if you look southeast, you can see the whole skyline. It’s really breathtaking and I love that I can be so at home in my cozy neighborhood, yet still be so close to the marvel that is downtown.

Favorite place to take out of town guests?
While places like the Art Institute and the Signature Room at the John Hancock Building are standard must-sees, I really enjoy showing people the neighborhoods. Being downtown only gives people a taste of Chicago and its awesomeness, but it’s in the neighborhoods that the real Chicago exists. That’s where you see the people and the corner bars and ethnic restaurants and the local parks. It’s where people live and congregate and celebrate. It’s really great to share that sense of community with others.

Favorite lunch spot?
Treat – it’s this cozy little neighborhood restaurant in Humbolt Park that I absolutely love and try to go to every couple weeks.

Favorite summer activity?
It’s a tie between late evening bike rides on the lake and a movie in the park with a ton of snacks and even more friends.

Favorite season?
While I adore the cool weather and gorgeous colors in autumn, there’s something about spring in Chicago that is incomparable. As soon as it starts to get warm in the city, there is an energy in the air that is just so exciting and vibrant. People no longer have to hibernate … it’s like everyone breaks free from their cages and want nothing more than to be outside, running around happily.

I like to talk about Chicago because...
There is something about Chicago that I feel in my gut. Chicago has touched me in a way that no other city can. The grit. The history. The buildings. The people. The lack of pretension. The under-dogness. Everywhere you look…in every crevice, corner, and alley there is a story to be told and heard. And what other city could produce such great writers as Studs Terkel, Nelson Algren, and Carl Sandburg? I am proud to be part of the city that these prolific minds called home.