The Ice Man Goeth

The Ice Man Goeth

Talk about a long winter and it’s not over yet. However, it’s clear that Lake Michigan will not freeze over again. I’ve never seen anything quite so dramatic and in some cases scary. Two young people died this year trying to retrieve a dropped smart phone on the ice. The first person went under. First person reaches up and pulls second person through the ice. The third person tried to reach over and grab the hand of the second person, a 25-year-old young lady. He began to glide toward the ice and let go the hand of his girlfriend of almost three years. The struggle in the water lasted less than a minute. Enough to supply a lifetime of night terrors, but there wasn’t the thrashing and screaming of some summertime drownings. Kick, soft kick, desperate scissor kick, tread for 20 seconds and down into the dark gray, but not straight down, down and into the current traveling weightlessly at two miles per hour under the ice.

Homeless man who liked scaring other homeless men

Homeless man who liked scaring other homeless men

No officer, I have not been drinking and I sure as hell ain’t been swerving

No officer, I have not been drinking and I sure as hell ain't been swerving

Snow as the tell tale trail.

You have your John Hancock, this one is mine

Isn’t it something? It represents America to me. A calculated gamble. A few missteps on the way to 1,127 feet. This beast, the most masculine building ever constructed, will celebrate it’s 50th birthday in four years. No gray hair yet. Aay, she’s a beauty. john hancock

Street Smarts

P1010340P1010341We’re not big buddies, but I’ve known Shannon for five months. I know about his former car, apartment, girlfriend and the construction job he held for more than a decade. I believe his stories because they never change. Different people survive the streets differently. He credits his success to manners. His biggest $ contributors week in and week out are from beat cops. Have not seen him in three weeks and I wonder what he’s up to or if he’s ok.

Blue and Gold Suede Shoes

shoes Besides the fact they are incredibly handsome, why in heaven’s name would a 55-year-old, man-child buy shoes such as these. The answer lies with American patriot Alexander Hamilton. Yes indeed the shoes of a prince obtained by a pauper for $10 at TJ Maxx. To wear with what? Me thinks an Italian suit. Other suggestions?

Rough around the edges, just like its driver

cop car NYPD polishes their cars. Memphis cruisers are clean. Chicago’s cop cars look like they’ve been in a demolition derby. I like ’em a lot. I believe a cop car should look imposing pulling up to a crime scene. Some departments suspend police officers for a wrecked car. In Chicago, cops get a star much like Ohio State football players get a pot plant sticker on their helmets for mediocre tackles.

Loyola University Chicago wins with buzzer beater

Loyola Chicago buzzer beater vs Butler from ralph braseth on Vimeo.

Loyola beats Bradley with this last second shot at the Missouri Valley Tournament in St. Louis, also known as Arch Madness. This has to be considered one the greatest plays in the modern era for Loyola. Although Loyola University Chicago won the NCAA National Championship in 1963, the school began to refocus on academics only. Three years ago, Loyola University Chicago decided to compete again with passion and commitment as demonstrated by coach hires, recruiting and new facilities. ralph braseth, loyola university chicago, school of communication

Ms. Kimmons and Cheryl “the peril” Kimmons, mom and sister to Keith

kimmons The Kimmons women are hanging in there. However, Keith had so many friends that Ms. Kimmons and Cheryl often run into people who don’t know Keith passed away. Both say it’s hard to talk about his death because there continues to be a lot of pain in recounting his story. A former student from Ole Miss and now a reporter in Tulsa stopped by today at work and he saw the photos of Keith in the control room without me pointing them out. He stood there not saying a word. Keith was his mentor. It’s strange to walk downstairs and not see him. My God I miss my friend. Me and hundreds of others.

Chicago Sparkles. View from the John Hancock Building

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