You Gotta Take The Pen Sometimes

     Introduction:
     Chicago is one rough town.
     But it's beautiful too.
     There's a candy case on the outside, easily cracked.
     There's a beautiful chewy core of knowledge and wisdom and love in the middle.
     And then there's that sweet hard bit around the outside of the fragile stick that holds it all up.
     This week on To Reflect Upon The Moon
     How many licks does it take to get to the center of Chicago?
     Let's find out!

I was asked for an idea for some Street Art.
I think this would get people to think if they saw it tagged on a wall somewhere.
Give me a can and I'll spray it on a Sprint advertisement myself.

     Music:
     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbrsNWp8GIo
     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Mk18aPydAU


     Recipe:
     Instead of going out to a place for a food review this week, we made our own food!
     Here is my from scratch recipe for Peanut Butter and Jelly Bread Pudding!

 Ingredients:
Loaf of Stale Bread—About 4 days old with preservative free bread
4 Eggs—Essential for the pudding consistency.
Your choice of Nut Butter—Peanut is the classic but I went with Sunflower because Yum and Love
(I do recommend avoiding nut butters with hydrogenated oils though. Read the ingredients)!
Your choice of Jelly/Jam/Preserves—I went with Strawberry Preserves, but use whatever you like
2 Tablespoons Butter—Use the real stuff
1-2 cups Milk—Local Raw Whole milk will make a world of a difference, but use whatever you like
1 Banana—The more browned the better. Use more for more banana flavor
Coconut oil—Any oil or butter is fine really
Optional ingredients:
Cinnamon—You don't need it but you'll be sorry if you skip it!
Granola—I used some good stuff I got from the Amish!
Whole nuts—I used honey roasted peanuts but once again, your choice!
Sugar—I didn't use a lot of this and I don't recommend you do either, but some people like it sweet...

Supplies:
Bread knife—The stale bread is tough to cut!
Cutting board—Ditto
Pan—It has to be able to fit slices of the bread
Bowl—For mixing stuff
Mixing utensils—A whisk would be best but you could just use a fork or whatever

Prep Steps:

1). Cut the bread into some nice slices (as seen in first picture) though you could make them smaller if you wish
2). Make sure they fit into the pan, then take them out, put them aside, and oil/butter the pan by running oil/butter over the whole inside with your finger.

3). Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter. Grab the mixing bowl a mix together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, butter, and sugar. Mix the banana in by mashing it in the milk on the side of the bowl with a fork.
I encourage you to experiment and decide how much of each ingredient to use yourself. The size of your pan is also a factor here—though if you make too much you can always just bake more!

4). I mixed the nut butter and jelly into this mixture, but if I did this recipe again I would not, and just load up more on Step 5
5). Use the bread to make PB+Js! Spread the nut butter on the bread, then spread the jelly over the nut butter, so you have several open faced sandwiches (good thing the bread is stale or I'd of just eaten them all right there)!
6). One by one, dip each PB+J into the milk/egg mixture, letting the bread get a bit saturated over a few seconds, then place them into the pan in a row. Smoosh them all together so you have one big long PB+J! It should take up most of the pan. If there are any large spaces, fill them with appropriately sized pieces of milk/egg mixture soaked bread.
7). Pour the egg/milk mixture over the bread until the liquid has filled up all the space and is at the top of the pan. Drop a couple more dollops of nut butter and jelly on the top here too.

Cooking:

1). Hopefully you read ahead and pre-heated your oven to 400 degrees or so.
2). Stick the bread pudding pan into the oven for about 20 minutes.
3). Keep an eye on it! Use a knife to poke a portion of the pudding that is not the bread now and then. You are looking for the consistency to be solid yet jiggly—y'know, like pudding. The bread can be somewhat firm but should soften up significantly.
4). When it's done, sprinkle your choice of nuts, granola, and more cinnamon on top. If you want to eat it warm stick it back in fora minute to heat that stuff up.
Bread pudding is delicious hot, at room temperature, or cold! Stick in it the fridge and it is a ready to eat meal or dessert!
This is a high energy food, but it's all good and healthy stuff (as long as you went easy with the sugar and butter) so dig in and enjoy!


     Bike Shop Review:
     After hearing about The Rapid Transit Cycle Shop and even meeting the owner, I decide this seems like a good place to purchase my first new tire!

I navigate the streets of Chicago to its front door. I hear “Rapid Transit” is what the Chicago public transit system used to be called.

There’s a nice space in the front for people to work on their bikes—or just park if need be.

This guy just got here but he immediately got to helping me.

With his help we select the right tire for me. Thanks dude!

There’s a 2 for 12 deal on tubes too. Those things are like extra lives to me.

I meet owner Chris Stodder who gives me a tour of his shop and the whole history.
A century old building—it used to be a theater owned by a motorcycle hippie dude!

He and his wife Justine opened the business about twenty years ago. It has gone through a lot of changes over the years to keep up with trends and demands, but has always remained the Ma n’ Pa bike shop it began as.

There are lots of specialized tools in the bike shop! Chris tells me about some of them and about some of his work ethic.

“If they ask me to do [a tune up], then I’m gonna do the whole thing. I’m gonna replace every worn part. If I’m gonna do it then I’m gonna do a complete job.”

Chris shows me the workshop behind the counter. Ronnie here is busy on a wheel. Each person working there is an integral part of the team.

Ronnie, for instance, also painted the mural outside!

Chris came up with the idea for a Bike Wash—and all the other bike shops copied him!

Chris also tells me about another bright idea he had and instituted—The Winter Tune up!
For one flat rate, cyclists can bring their bicycle into the shop for a tune-up (and bike wash) all winter long! Cycle shops are traditionally less busy in the winter as less people decide to brave the elements so this idea really helps everyone.

The bicycle is a simple yet genius machine.
Rapid Transit doesn't just care about making a buck
They wish to educate their customers as well so everyone can enjoy the affordable travel that is the bicycle.

Chris shows off yet another innovation of his:
His own custom organizational system of tuned-up bikes waiting to be picked up.



Chris shows me around the basement, filling me in on all the details of running the business, from dealing with phone lines to the water heater.

"To do anything is always harder than we imagine."

Justine arrives as Chris is leaving to run some errands.
We chat about her and Kathy's idea to open another (a third!) location.

Our conversation is cut short though when the store is swamped with riders, all in need of a fix.
With Justine and her dedicated team here, they're in good hands.

I speak with John as he waits on a repair. He's been coming here for a while and really appreciated the Winter Tune-Up deal. He's a bike courier and his bike gets pretty bad in the winter.
After a while we digress and start talking about hybrids. No, not cars. People.

The bicycle hanging outside belonged to Chris' boyhood friend.
They put sails in the spokes so the wind will spin the wheel.
There are many many many bike shops in Chicago and I'm sure they all have their merits,

but in a city that's floating just above the level of the neighboring Great Lake

even a savvy cyclist needs to be selective.

If you want good service and fair prices serviced to you by honest folk,

all while supporting the local community

Rapid Transit Cycle Shop is guaranteed to fix your bike leave you riding it happily too.

 

 

     Poetry:

     "Streets of Chicago"

     It's a tough city
     Rent's damn high
     roads're all beat up
     and you better watch yourself
     if you head into that park at night there.

     Work ain't too easy to find
     Now
     Though if ya gotta job
     you're probably all set
     Might need two, depending
     Some jobs
     it don't matter how hard you work
     Just how much

     And that ain't just Chicago.

     Helluva lotta folk on the streets.
     Some of 'em have always been there
     Never figured out how to get off
     get out
     or maybe they never wanted to

     But damn
     Doesn't matter if you go for a walk
     Or take a little tour
     in a bus.
     Doesn't matter if you take some notes
     Or some pictures.
     Doesn't matter if you read a poem about 'em
     Or talk to its denizens

     —though that last one will help ya the most—

     Traveler, you don't know shit about The Streets of Chicago
     Nah man, you don't know shit.
     You don't know shit.



     I don't actually remember writing this next one. I'm not gonna give it a title, but I guess I'll leave it here anyways.

     Search hard enough and you'll find it
     whatever it is
     Keep your eyes open
     make sure you don't miss it that'd suck
     but you'll find it for sure as long as you don't give up
     you might have to give everything else up
     but you'll always have the memories
     well the important ones you can keep
     you might give up a few along the way
     but really its the memories we keep
     that make us who we are


     Pictures:

Picking up right from where last week left off!
Exhausted, I make it to the show I had the ticket for!

 The show was great! Met some cool people and I really dug Bassel and the Supernaturals.
Here's their site. Check 'em out!
http://basselmusic.com/

 Oh, you know, just bumping into artists on the streets of Chicago at 1am.
Totally normal 'round here I guess.
https://www.facebook.com/SwainWorldCreations

After besting him and his friends at Connect 4

I taste Mulort with John here at the Whirlaway Bar.
He hates it.
As you all know, I do not imbibe
But the burn is cleansing.

And then I find myself at Wally World
Missed the rock show at this grungy ol' construction company warehouse
Now turned squat and music space by local art folk

 The subway trains hurtling by overhead

drown out all conversation

for just a few seconds.
Ya get used to it.
Or do you?

 I am led to this beautiful haven
Where I find rest
And cute cat Lucy to cuddle with.
She slept with me all night!

 Thanks Bob for your amazing hospitality!

 And thanks to your awesome dog too!

I depart from Bob's abode nourished and refreshed.
The city is waiting for me...

 ...And oh boy am I ready to explore it!!

 The Chicago River cuts right through the downtown.

 ):

 The ocean by day.

 Abraham Lincoln is big 'round here.

"Running With the Bulls."

 I find myself in Humble Park.

 Night.

 Day.

 Gone.

 But not before sharing a cashew!

 Chicago has some pretty dope street art.

 Come on guys, those are the Children's Computer!
Hm? They don't have any other computers you say?

 "Love doesn't die,
People do.
So, when all that's left of me
Is Love,
Give me away."
~ Words on the Wall

 Peace Park

I was led by the kind people of The Red Cafe

and a fortune from a fortune cookie

and a serendipitous encounter to
The Full Moon Jam!

 This monthly gathering was sure something else!

Guest Photographer this week: Luke Haruki!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lukeharuki2014/sets/72157657907829810

 A cleansing before a ride.

 Exhilarating night ride through the streets of Chicago.

 We own the road!

 Wherever I end up
I'll be organizing some group night rides.

 Too. Cool.

 After all the zigging
and zagging
I had no idea where we were anymore haha!

Which is the right direction?

 Three amazing men.

 And Scout! An amazing dog!

 Breakin' Bread.

Bread PUDDING that is!

 Yoga time!

Wisdom and Knowledge.

 Another spot on the road that'll keep a part of me there.

 Chicago is made up of many many many neighborhoods.

 Which path to choose?

 And then I meet Kathy!
She's a feisty ol' gal!
But she still offers me a place to crash

And that is generous beyond a doubt

I'm always on the look out for shooting stars.

I liked the bench.
Art has the power to bring people together
and that's what we really need.

I love bagels and carrots too!
People can connect on just about anything, y'know?

"Hey there's a midnight release of Star Wars merchandise for the new movie at the Disney Store."
"Sure. Why not?!"

Oz Park has several Wizard of Oz sculptures.

I just can not get enough night riding in Chicago!

And neither can Suzy.

I suppose just about anything can be commercialized.

I remember when I used to be super into stuff like this too.

I'm sure Hemingway is proud.

We ended up sleeping by all these yachts.

Kathy was mad I disappeared the night before

but at least she got that cool poster.

Another flat.
The tread was all worn so I went and got a new tire!

 "Last one"

Orange Bike Brigade

Gallery Cafe on North Ave.
No time for a food review for 'em

but it's a swell place!

An ID and a debit card brought me to this little gated community.

Most of the residents didn't speak English and seemed a bit distrusting of me.
Connecting personally to someone is difficult when you don't speak the same language.

I check out this cute little ice cream shop, Bobtail, that's open to midnight every night!

They are super busy!
I talk to some of the workers there and learn they make 10 an hour.
I talk to some of the customers there and learn they don't care,

They just want ice cream.

It's apparently owned by an Australian guy that no one working there has ever seen.
Kinda messes up the whole narrative for me.

Bobtail was a nice little spot with some pretty good ice cream.
The staff were super positive and friendly!

Which amazed me as they are clearly being taken advantage of!

How much money do you think this place pulls in a night? It is constantly this busy.
The workers there work their asses off, and do so with a smile

and they get 10/hour. Completely unliveable for Chicago.

As for the people that don't care:
Your fellow Americans are being exploited by rich foreigners
and your money is being funneled over seas
while you fatten your gut on cream and sugar.
Why don't you care?

This dude was askin' for money so I got him some pizza and a coke.
Two slices and a can came to $10

My first slice of deep dish pizza.
Oh man, was it good.

Found some amazing Street Art.

I was really fascinated by this piece.
What feelings and thoughts do the images inspire for you?

One the other side of the wall
More amazing Street Art

I was really fascinated by this piece.
What feelings and thoughts do the images inspire for you?

When you walk through the tunnel

which side do you look to?

I woke up and watched the sunrise with Jeff here.
We broke some bread.

Last picture of the good ol' gray and purple tent.

Millennium Park!

There was a big free Jazz festival going on!
Yeah!

The views of the surrounding city are pretty cool here!

I just love taking these day

to night shots!

"The Bean"
as it is colloquially known
is a huge reflective spherical structure humbling sitting in the heart of the city.

If Chicago has a heart
—it may or may not—

then this is it.

A local tells me about which buildings are which
and who owns what
and where to get a free meal.

Some cool folk and their cool dog were hangin' out after the festival panhandling.
They gave me a nice container of beans, corn, peppers, and quinoa.
People on the road help each out all the time
so if you're walkin' by, give 'em some food!

Cold ol' Lincoln never sleeps alone.
Not in this city.

It's a city with a beach!

That's cool!

In the summer time.

In the winter it's just cold.

It's a really beautiful city though, that's for sure.

When money goes up
How does it come back down?

I sat with Temesgen and Fitsam.
We enjoyed the great view over nice conversation.

Before descending back to Earth
I gave out the window one more time

And this time am blessed with a thought.

Me: "Think all the people in those yachts down there know each other?"

Couple of Ladies: "Uhm, no, prooobably not I don't think *giggle*"

Uh oh! I've got another crazy idea!

Go under the highway through this pedestrian walk way and...

At the Lake!
I swam out to those yachts to see if they'd let me join their party!
Instead I got picked up by a cool and kind family

and we chatted and jumped in the water and stuff!
It's a lot further to those boats than it looks...

The thing about ideas
They kinda go into your head
Whether you want them to or not

Cities always transform at night.

Found my way to where I needed to be.

I wonder what this building was used for in the past.

Why's there an Egyptian style head?
How do they create those stone busts anyways?
And maybe I should think about switching my carriers?
Hmmm...

Brought to a local venue by me new friends
I'm excited for some real Chicago Jazz!

But first here's DJ Auto!

The crowd is pumped before the show begins!

This guy is a local legend.
https://www.facebook.com/charliehuntermusic
That's a 7-string guitar he was shredding on all night!

This guy reminded me why I want to learn the saxophone one day,

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skerik/107937785894989

Great drummer too!

https://www.facebook.com/stantonmooremusic

Nuthin' like a good show!
Together they are https://www.facebook.com/GarageATrois

I just want to experience the energy in the air

It is inspiring, powerful, and deep.
Meditation, reflection, writing, even cycling, are all enhanced in the presence of sound waves.

Thus is the power of music!

Music brings people together too.

Music is just this mysterious beautiful thing.

Vibrations in the air.

Energy.

Talk to someone and you're sending your energy at them through the air.
Play an instrument and your energy is transformed.
Music is a powerful thing.

"If only you could see it at night!"

The "Monster" here is spiffed out with all sorts of lights and ready to roll.
Night riding is so a thing and Chicago is the place to do it!

I saw this dude walking around and went to say hi.
He said he came to Chicago to "follow the American Dream."

Now he's a Human punching bag.
He charges $1 a punch to make ends meet. He even accepts credit.
I gave him $2 and three punches on me in exchange for a roundhound kick.

There are these neat stores in Chicago with justa bunch of junk strewn about in heaps.

You have to kind of pick through things and there are other people doing the same.

It's kind of madness but it's kind of great too.

I didn't find a new tent though ):

I feel like someone didn't hear her right.

Glamorous exterior.

Whether you want a buck for playing your guitar, feeding your hunger, or saving the world

you ask for it on the street.
Twirling a notebook on one finger may help!

I found some fellow travelers and chilled with them a bit.

A wonderful thing about traveling is the comradery of your fellow street urchins.

I'm always ready to bust out the mtg cards.
When the cardboard hit the pavement, the comradery took a hike!
These two dudes ganged up on me 2v1!
Guess who won?

"Cafes in Chicago are really just a place people go to use their laptops.
It's just the nature of the beast."
~ Manager of Cafe Worm Hole

Labor Day in Chicago.
I couldn't think of anywhere else I'd rather be.
Not within about 1,000 miles anyways.

Trying to fix something.

I've come a far way.

People seem impressed by 2,600 miles.

That's cool I guess

But I feel like the hard part has yet to be

and it has been hard enough.

Some days I'm impassioned and spirited and ready for anything.

Other days I feel like this guy.

Where am I really riding to?

The homeless of Chicago are many
but their options are not.

People of all ilk can be found there

from a young professional who lost her job

to an old war vet who lost his benefits.

These people are no less deserving of basic needs than anyone else is.

It's hard to find a job when you gotta clean yourself up and find clean clothes at least first
And it's hard to clean yourself up and get clothes when your top priority is finding food and shelter

Nevermind safety. Probably won't find that.
Not on The Streets of Chicago.

Another shot by Luke Haruki - https://www.facebook.com/lukeharuki2014