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We were babysitting a friend's precocious and very sweet 4 year old who was convinced that if we went outside we'd find his Mommy. So we went for a walk, and he decided he wanted to walk the puppy, so I gave him Killian to walk. These are their adventures.

George Carlin famously described home as "a place to keep your stuff." Well, when you're homeless... You have no home You have no " place to keep your stuff." When the pups and I went out this morning to take Jerel some coffee, he was gone, and all his hard scrabbled possessions were returned to the trash whence they had come. I wasn't surprised. I'd seen him quarreling with people who eyed his bounty yesterday, so... *** Fare the well Jerel.... I hope one day you have a "a place to keep your stuff." ****

See other videos in series for the boilerplate. I like to go to the Lake and shoot the wind, waves, and wildlife to relax and meditate to. The video (and all the ones in this series) are available for free download at Veoh and my multiply site.

Walking back, the sky turned from striking to falling- it rained- so I cut this short, but the lake part is nice, and the car is pretty striking in how messed up it was! See description of other videos for the boilerplate

One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of nature. These videos exemplify my favorite time to take videos and pictures. The sun is to the West of the clouds, so it sets them in stark contrast, yet provides very bright light to the surroundings. The time of year is perfect too- early spring when the new foliage has that wonderful fresh "new growth" green. This series features construction workers on the top of a new building working with a crane, Darwinian cyclists running the stop signs at a busy intersection, a really smashed up car, seagulls in a standoff, the stunning lakeshore, and of course- WIND! Two of the videos feature my dear little papillon dogs and the tenacious sedum I brought with me here from Indianapolis.

One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of nature. These videos exemplify my favorite time to take videos and pictures. The sun is to the West of the clouds, so it sets them in stark contrast, yet provides very bright light to the surroundings. The time of year is perfect too- early spring when the new foliage has that wonderful fresh "new growth" green. This series features construction workers on the top of a new building working with a crane, Darwinian cyclists running the stop signs at a busy intersection, a really smashed up car, seagulls in a standoff, the stunning lakeshore, and of course- WIND! Two of the videos feature my dear little papillon dogs and the tenacious sedum I brought with me here from Indianapolis.

One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of nature. These videos exemplify my favorite time to take videos and pictures. The sun is to the West of the clouds, so it sets them in stark contrast, yet provides very bright light to the surroundings. The time of year is perfect too- early spring when the new foliage has that wonderful fresh "new growth" green. This series features construction workers on the top of a new building working with a crane, Darwinian cyclists running the stop signs at a busy intersection, a really smashed up car, seagulls in a standoff, the stunning lakeshore, and of course- WIND! Two of the videos feature my dear little papillon dogs and the tenacious sedum I brought with me here from Indianapolis.

One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of nature. These videos exemplify my favorite time to take videos and pictures. The sun is to the West of the clouds, so it sets them in stark contrast, yet provides very bright light to the surroundings. The time of year is perfect too- early spring when the new foliage has that wonderful fresh "new growth" green. This series features construction workers on the top of a new building working with a crane, Darwinian cyclists running the stop signs at a busy intersection, a really smashed up car, seagulls in a standoff, the stunning lakeshore, and of course- WIND! Two of the videos feature my dear little papillon dogs and the tenacious sedum I brought with me here from Indianapolis.

One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of nature. These videos exemplify my favorite time to take videos and pictures. The sun is to the West of the clouds, so it sets them in stark contrast, yet provides very bright light to the surroundings. The time of year is perfect too- early spring when the new foliage has that wonderful fresh "new growth" green. This series features construction workers on the top of a new building working with a crane, Darwinian cyclists running the stop signs at a busy intersection, a really smashed up car, seagulls in a standoff, the stunning lakeshore, and of course- WIND! Two of the videos feature my dear little papillon dogs and the tenacious sedum I brought with me here from Indianapolis.

One of the things I most love about living in Chicago, especially the lakeside neighborhood of Edgewater on the far north side, is the juxtaposition of bustling urban life and the raw forces of nature. These videos exemplify my favorite time to take videos and pictures. The sun is to the West of the clouds, so it sets them in stark contrast, yet provides very bright light to the surroundings. The time of year is perfect too- early spring when the new foliage has that wonderful fresh "new growth" green. This series features construction workers on the top of a new building working with a crane, Darwinian cyclists running the stop signs at a busy intersection, a really smashed up car, seagulls in a standoff, the stunning lakeshore, and of course- WIND! Two of the videos feature my dear little papillon dogs and the tenacious sedum I brought with me here from Indianapolis.

This is the same fine fellow I visited with a week ago. Like then, I brought him out some coffee and a few necessities (socks, etc.) afterwards. When I first saw that portapotty in our alley, I thought "This'll be a big hit among the local street folk!" - Little did I know true that was! I always appreciate how friendly these folks are towards me and my dogs, and that they give me leave to capture our visits on camera. (The ones who aren't friendly... you don't see because I don't record them, but really, most people fall prey to the charms of my darling papillon.)

This is the final segment of my chat with Diane this morning. I was in tears at the end with her (and then I returned home to find my wife in tears with a horrible migraine... and what's even more touching is... and I don't think this is on camera... is that I wanted to turn around and bring her clothes, but she said, "No, you need to go home and take care of your wife!" Again... its such an honor and privilege! Here's the description of the first two videos, which had the title "Diane Raw..." ... This is one of the more intense conversations I've had with her, and I should warn you, the language and subject matter get pretty raw. As always, I'm not a doctor, lawyer, or social worker, so I can't confirm, evaluate, or address any of her issues. ... I'm more honored that Diane and others trust me and talk to me than were the Mayor of Chicago or the President to give me a medal. Anyone can make a medal... only God can make a person.

Today is a very foul day here in Chicago, its 40 degrees and raining, and they're talking thunder and snow later. So it wasn't surprising to find Diane nestled under the trestle. This is one of the more intense conversations I've had with her, and I should warn you, the language and subject matter get pretty raw. As always, I'm not a doctor, lawyer, or social worker, so I can't confirm, evaluate, or address any of her issues. The most intense part of this comes in the video "Nichole Marie Taylor your mother loves you" which is really the third of this series. She asked me to do that, and since she's entrusted me with her stories, its the least I can do. I'm more honored that Diane and others trust me and talk to me than were the Mayor of Chicago or the President to give me a medal. Anyone can make a medal... only God can make a person.

Today is a very foul day here in Chicago, its 40 degrees and raining, and they're talking thunder and snow later. So it wasn't surprising to find Diane nestled under the trestle. This is one of the more intense conversations I've had with her, and I should warn you, the language and subject matter get pretty raw. As always, I'm not a doctor, lawyer, or social worker, so I can't confirm, evaluate, or address any of her issues. The most intense part of this comes in the video "Nichole Marie Taylor your mother loves you" which is really the third of this series. She asked me to do that, and since she's entrusted me with her stories, its the least I can do. I'm more honored that Diane and others trust me and talk to me than were the Mayor of Chicago or the President to give me a medal. Anyone can make a medal... only God can make a person.

(In Elmer Fudd voice) Ssssshhhh, be wery wery quieeet, I'm hunting 'brellas! Its the little things like this to which I look forwards. Each time I walk the dogs, its an opportunity to meet new people, or find new things for my rugs.

No, not really, actually Killian here is a pure bred Papillon (butterfly dog) but he does quack like a duck from time to time- he just doesn't walk or look like one. OK, this video isn't spectacular in any regard, but since most of my videos of late have been very deep and intense things like my wife talking about the artwork she's done to explain her pain, or talking with homeless people, I thought it'd be a nice break to shoot a fun little clip.

This is the follow up video to the previous one with Jerel [sp?], when I bring Jerel some coffee and a few other simple comforts. His friend Fred is with him in this one.I'm honored that they trusted me so.

As always, I'm deeply honored when people entrust their stories to me. I really enjoyed getting to meet this fellow, and I did bring him a cup of coffee later as you can see in the "Jerel & Fred" video, along with a few other necessities of life (toilet paper, hand sanitizing wipes, etc.)

I've not met up with Diane since that last series of videos, so I was glad to see her when I was out making a medicine run for my wife. I hope she's still there later so I can bring the pups down for some puppy love.

This is an alley from which I've shot many times... I love the feel of it as the "L" passes by. This is the Purple Line Express.

The first part of the video is rather lame, framing wasn't good, but towards the end you get some really fun shots of my two dogs playing with a friendly pug who looks the same size, but probably weighs twice as much!

Some call them weeds, I call them miraculous survivors... and Hilde and Killian apparently call them appetizers!

Ah spring... it brings out the primal urges in everyone. In cyclists in Chicago, it seems to bring out the Darwinian urge to "thin out the heard" by blowing through busy four way stops, heeding neither the laws of traffic nor the laws of physics.

Scenes of three perennial, persistent eyesore areas in Chicago's far northside Edgewater neighborhood, all within 2 blocks of each other, no more than a 5 minute walk apart. I'm all for earth day, recycling, environmentalism. My point in shooting this is that EVERY day should be earth day... some of this debris has probably been there since earth day 2007! Vote or comment on what you think the worst is- A) The fence and grass along the S. Side of Rosement between Winthrop and the Red Line near Ubuntu House B) The little drunk's nook in the alley just south of Granville near Gino's North (between Winthrop and the L tracks) C) The plastic bags caught in the barbed wire in the alley south of Granville between Winthrop & Kenmore, within sight of the mighty Sovereign.

It happens every so often, with both dogs and people. The end of the video has more of the sky shots like my previous video.

What to say about this video... I was struck by the juxtaposition of the various visual elements, the clash between nature and mankind, so I shot it.

This is my beloved describing her art therapy today. Its very poignant and powerful, but by being able to creatively express how she feels, she feels more human. Many people do not understand the value of constructive grieving, and would banish all expressions of sadness. But as you'll see in this video, there is a beauty and even more so HUMANITY to sadness and sorrow... which reflect the beauty and humanity of my wife and her soul.

This is another dog my pups have played with before.

While shooting my videos of the wind and waves, my papillon met several doggy friends at Berger Park.

Walking down to berger park with my pups.

I shot these videos just watch and relax, and I hope you find them useful for that too. It was quite striking this morning down there, and it was no small feat to get these, as my papillon dogs were pulling on me wanting to go sniffing and playing.

I shot these videos just watch and relax, and I hope you find them useful for that too. It was quite striking this morning down there, and it was no small feat to get these, as my papillon dogs were pulling on me wanting to go sniffing and playing.

Art therapy is an integral part of the Diamond Headache Clinic Ltd's holistic approach to treating migraineurs as PEOPLE, not just as a medical problem. This is a piece my wife did yesterday, narrated by her. She blogs about this in healthier times at tesslist.multiply.com and you can see her other form of art therapy- the family craft of recycling waste mat'ls into rugs, at toothbrushrugs.blogspot.com

This is another video I shot which only became meaningful after I got to talk with Diane later. It was April 1st, but it was snowing here right by the lake, and Diane was wrapped up in her plastic "house" under the Red Line trestle. I intentionally overexposed the shot because it was cloudy, but I think I overdid it.

Location is the usual- Berger Park, 6200 North, at Granville & Sheridan. Its like many other videos I've shot, but I made a special point to not talk and to pan smoothly so the viewer can just soak in the moment and relax. It was very meaningful to me that my wife Tess was able to come along with me and the pups this morning. No matter how beautiful a Chicago sunrise at Lake Michigan is, she outshines it, so the two together... beyond words!

I shot this the day BEFORE the first Diane series, but my battery died at the end of this shot. But having introduced you to her with the first series, with those as the context, this video though truncated is still worth while.

I first saw these boxes and items left out on the street, and assumed someone was moving in/out. Then yesterday they were in the alley, and the feeding and weeding through began. As I say in the video, all due respect to my fellow "guerrilla environmentalists" - but I *was* struck with how the laws of nature work the same whether on the Serengeti plain or an urban alley. Unfortunately, this event (whether it was a death, an eviction... who knows, fill in your OWN back story) occurred during a sustained period of April showers, which ruined much of it. And just to be >>>very<<< clear- I'm a big fan of vultures... both the winged kind, and the kind with shopping carts and wire snips! *grin*

The pups and I have often encountered this nice lady who lives on the street- often under the Red Line trestle. I asked her permission to record her telling her story, and she gave it. I'm not a doctor, lawyer, or investigator, so I can't verify the details of her story, nor do anything about her present circumstances. But I can treat her like a human being, give her a voice, and bring the dogs down for some love. That's the point of these videos- giving a human being the chance to tell her story, and be treated with some respect and dignity.

The pups and I have often encountered this nice lady who lives on the street- often under the Red Line trestle. I asked her permission to record her telling her story, and she gave it. I'm not a doctor, lawyer, or investigator, so I can't verify the details of her story, nor do anything about her present circumstances. But I can treat her like a human being, give her a voice, and bring the dogs down for some love. That's the point of these videos- giving a human being the chance to tell her story, and be treated with some respect and dignity.

The pups and I have often encountered this nice lady who lives on the street- often under the Red Line trestle. I asked her permission to record her telling her story, and she gave it. I'm not a doctor, lawyer, or investigator, so I can't verify the details of her story, nor do anything about her present circumstances. But I can treat her like a human being, give her a voice, and bring the dogs down for some love. That's the point of these videos- giving a human being the chance to tell her story, and be treated with some respect and dignity.

I first noticed this posted on a lamp pole near the Loyola dorms on April Fool's, but it was too late and my dogs too frisky to get a good video of it, so I came back next day sans papillon. Since I'm not sure whether this was a good natured prank appreciated by the subject, or something else entirely, I put a post it note over her face (which of course I removed at the end of the video.) While I try to abide by the prime directive of not creating or interfering with what I shoot, in this case I didn't want to play an unwitting part in harming someone if the subject of this poster indeed found it hurtful. I suppose this must be uproariously funny to those who know the person involved, but I didn't find it particularly clever or witty.

The pups are always good for entertainment!

Shows a couple of the other rugs my mother has made, but these don't seem to have any deep sentimental value or long history behind them. The dogs, as always, are painfully cute, and love the rugs. Like the other videos shot during this visit, I used a lower frame rate to conserve space, since we only had our little laptop along to which to copy files.

I shot this in while visiting family in Indiana last December, where the papillon could run free... and run they did!

My female papillon Hilde on the scent of.... something.... in my mother's yard.

My mother telling the stories behind her rugs, including the rug my grandmother (her mother) was working on when she died and which my mother finished, the rug my mother made of all of us kids' flannel jammies, etc. As always, my papillon dogs Hilde and Killian make cameos. I shot in lower frame rate mode to conserve drive space while visiting my mothers', so when people or the camera are moving the video is a bit herky-jerky. My wife Tess also is heard off camera.

I put my camera in a baggie and walked the dogs down to Lake Michigan at Berger Park. The snow was so heavy and wet, as the video goes on, it started coating the baggie. It was doing the exact same thing to my glasses, which is what made me decide this video was worth keeping & uploading (I shoot at least 10 minutes for every 1 you ever see)- it gives a very accurate feel for what its like to walk through a heavy wet spring snowstorm here.

Its always fun to see other people out there in the trenches- finding treasure in trash, keeping things out of our overloaded landfills, protecting our environment and conserving our natural resources. They're always interesting, nice people.

I recorded this day before Easter 2008 primarily to post on my blog. It shows my cute papillon dogs playing in the snow as I talk about Easter, and memories of my father (who died around Easter in 1997.)

(I shot this both because of the raw beauty of it, and as a response video to a fun one a couple of fellows on Youtube and their cat did in response to my last Berger Park video. So if you're on Youtube and you see this twice, its because I upload my videos to Veoh originally because they stream at full D1 quality and Veoh syndicates them to Youtube.) Gotta love Chicago- first day of spring, major winter storm!