Vote for your favorite photos today!!!… hopefully mine!

Yep. CBS2 Chicago is sponsoring a photo contest to collect the best photos
that capture the spirit & beauty of Chicago. They are planning on publishing
a quality coffee table book & DVD of the best photos. I have submitted several
of my photos for consideration… and now I need your votes!
And we only have two weeks longer for voting!

Please log onto www.CaptureMyChicago.com
Do a “search” by name – looking for me, Gary Jackson. It will direct you
to my collection of photos. If you like what you see, please give me a vote.
And in true Chicago style… vote early and vote often!!! It is my assumption that
whichever photos receive the most photos will be the ones published in the book.
And I would LOVE to be a published photographer!!!

Here’s a few samples of my photography…

Another night under the Big Top here in Chicago!
Not quite Cirque du Soleil… but VERY close! And that ain’t no horsin’ around…

So tonight I was “treated” to a wonderful night of equestrian fantasy.
A group of us were given some great tickets for this incredible show. Thanks!!!

A combination of incredible horses, beautiful scenic effects, mesmerizing music
and the magic of Cirque du Soleil. In fact, “Cavalia” was created in part by one
of the former folks from Cirque du Soleil. And you can tell…

It’s not quite as fantastic, energetic & exciting… rather more inspiring, relaxing & beautiful.
The things that the horses do – incredible! They way they perform… the way they interact…
all different horses… an evening of magical equestrian beauty I would highly recommend!

With an incredible bricolage mural already gracing the Bryn Mawr underpass
of Lake Shore Drive here in Chicago… it’s finally time for another one!
Rumor has it that the Alderman wants to do all of the underpasses along
Lake Shore Drive in her Ward. And I’m all for it!!!

So the new one is a work in progress… starting with a rough drawing on the wall
of the “basic” design & structure of the wall. Both sides of the street are being done
with different designs. One of the key properties of these bricolage projects
is the random assortment of tiles, shards and mirrors all creating the big design!
As well as special tile pieces made to commemorate different aspects & events
of the neighborhood. It will be fun to watch the bricolage project continue over
the next few weeks – ending with the final grouting to finish it all off.

Yesterday… sunny, crisp & clear – perfect for biking.
Today… cold, windy, rainy, snowy & miserable – perfect for nothing!
Just another Spring day in Chicago.

Without realizing it… today’s bike ride turned out to be a lakefront tour
of Chicago’s “hopeful” Olympic sporting venues! A quick look around the city
and it’s hard to miss that they’re pulling out all the stops for the 2016 Olympic bid.
Everything is covered… flags… banners… sides of buses… bridges… etc.
Plus, to show the International Olympic Committee where the sporting events would be,
they designated each of the venues with special Olympic flags!

While some are annoyed by the Olympics… concerned about taxes… concerned about
the temporary loss of nature on Northerly Island… issues… issues… issues.
Others are excited about the possibility of the Olympics coming to Chicago!!!
It’s kind of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… and I’m one who’s very excited!!!

It’s a big deal here in Chicago regardless of which side you’re on!
And there’s no way they’re going to let you miss it!

We’re hoping that Spring has finally hit Chicago!
Two good signs for those who live here…

Buckingham Fountain is back “squirting” in all its glory!
After lengthy restoration and a winter hiatus, the fountain is back…
along with a newly brick-paved promenade which replaces the
ever-annoying red gravel!!! So much better… and worth the wait!

Also, beautiful daffodils poking their heads out at Waveland Fieldhouse!
Although this is Chicago… and they’re predicting a mixture of rain & snow for tomorrow!!!