Every Picture Tells a Story 6/2/22

I don't think this sign works anymore, CTA. Maybe you should put some new ones down.

Every Picture Tells a Story 5/11/22

Dear CTA

I'd like to thank you for making me wait 45 minutes in the near-zero cold last night at rush hour for a 49 Western Avenue bus. Plenty of 49B North Western buses rolled through the Brown Line station, as did a few 11 Lincoln Avenue buses. I even saw 7 or 8 Western Buses going north to the Berwyn terminal. But coming south? Nada.

I'd further like to thank you for making me wait nearly half an hour for a Purple Line train headed north this morning. The scedule posted at the Chicago Avenue Brown Line station says that four Purple Line trains should have rolled through by the time one came lumbering into the station by the time one finally turned the corner at the Merchandise Mart.

If I don't have frostbite, it's just dumb luck.

Now excuse me--I have some hot coffee waiting to be consumed.

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/25/21

Crap-a-doodydoody at the CTA Wilson station.

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/15/21

Every Picture Tells a Story 4/22/21

One more view of the painting on the CTA's Purple Line Noyes platform.

Every Picture Tells a Story 4/21/21

Another detail of the painting on the CTA Purple Line's Noyes stop.

Every Picture Tells a Story 4/20/21

A detail of a painting on the CTA's Noyes station.

Holidaze 12/9/20

Every Picture Tells a Story 8/25/20

 

Yet another party I was not invited to.

Every Picture Tells a Story 8/24/20

 

Every Picture Tells a Story 1/31/20

The exit? Is this way.

Shocktober 10/14/19

As seen on a CTA platform.

Dear CTA Riders

Hi. How are you this morning? Happy Tuesday!

Most people I know don't drive to work, but they do take the train or bus (sometimes both).

Makes sense. We live in one of the largest metropolitan areas on the planet, with one of the most extensive public transportation systems. It might not get you there on time, but it will get you there.

Riding the bus and/or train becomes a hassle, though, when other riders don't respect the rules (and, thus, other riders) by keeping their bags slung over their shoulders rather than taking them off and holding them in front of them as they push their way through the conveyance of choice/necessity.

And then? if they do find a seat, they like to have a seat for their backpack or purse or shopping bag or whatever, too, thus leaving someone else to stand and stare.

Listen, please. We all want to get where we're going as quickly, quietly, peacefully and comfortably as possible. Nobody likes to stand, especially when there's a seat available.

So do those of us who usually do the standing a favor: Move that backpack/bag/purse into your lap. Or onto the floor. Yes, I know--CTA floors are nasty. They usually run with fluids that may be the remnants of cleaning fluid, or...not. I agree. I sympathize. Really, I do.

But I also am usually the person who gets smacked in the head or shoulder or back by your bag as you try to squeeze past me to as seat in the back of the bus that isn't really there, or as you stand beside me and turn to check your iPhone for the latest LOL Cat meme.

So please. For the safety and comfort of your fellow passengers on the bus, on the train, and in life, hold your bag toward the floor and hold it ahead of you as you try to squeeze past me toward that seat that isn't there. My shoulders/thighs/back/head would appreciate it.

On the Way Home Last Night 5/6/15

The sky and office/condo buildings are now visible through the beams that used to hold the southbound platform of the Madison/Wabash station in the loop. CTA is taking it's time bringing the old station down--it closed nearly two months ago, but all they've done is remove signage and, within the last couple of weeks, take the roofing and platform planks away. The overwhelming majority of the station? Still untouched.

Every Picture Tells a Story 5/6/15

Every Picture Tells a Story 4/30/15

Somebody got creative with this "fresh paint" sign at the Adams/Wabash stop.

On the Way Home Last Night 4/28/15

Draft Town, as seen from the El.

Every Picture Tells a Story 4/14/15

Madison Street is a hot, dusty mess right now, with construction of bus rapid transit stops and the new Washington/Wabash train station jacking the street to the max. (The Madison/Wabash train stop--soon to be demolished, but thus far barely touched--remains visible in the distance.)

Every Picture Tells a Story 3/18/15