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If you subscribe to the RSS feed, you've likely noticed this week that I began updating Test Specimens again. A long time coming, I know. I haven't found much time to tote my camera around with my school work (and since I was doing school work, the photos would have been boring and repetitive), but that has started to change. In addition, I found a new theme for the blog that not only looks sharper, but is also much easier to manage. Posting is no longer a chore, which gives me one less excuse to put updating off.

I finally got around to uploading my London photos to Flickr. If you're feeling brave, dive into the 1,866 photos. If you're not feeling brave, or dumb, you can head over to TEST SPECIMENS and check out the "editor's choice" picks I'm posting this week. And next week. And perhaps even longer than that. The easiest way to see them all together is to check-in daily, or visit the London tag page.

Either way, I hope you enjoy them. Whether it's the handful or the 1,866.

A little photo project that I shot before my wedding ceremony, and just now got around to putting online. I hope that delay gives you a sense about why I haven't been blogging. Enjoy.

I'm behind on updating y'all on my new Flickr sets, so here is a handy list:

• Stuart Dybek
• Whenever we feel like it
• Joan Didion
• Marjane Satrapi
• Marathon reading of Slaughterhouse-Five
• Two Phillies games during the Opening Series
• Phils/Padres: Harry Kalas tribute

I suppose I haven't been updating the blog with these sets because I've been busy taking photos!  Also, I'm a terrible blogger.

As always, I hope you'll check these out, as well as follow my daily photo updates at Test Specimens.

Have you been following Test Specimens? I'm amazed that I've kept up with it. I'm usually a terrible blogger. Check it out if you haven't yet, or haven't stopped by in a while. Also, if you use an RSS reader, add the feed! Yay self-promotion!

I spent the last week blogging pictures from my recent trip to Chicago. Head over to TEST SPECIMENS to see what my favorites are.

I was in Chicago for three days last week. The Writers House had its first ever event out there. I was fortunate enough to read at the event -- I opted for "Short Story Outline" (in case you're wondering).

I arrived late on Wednesday, and departed early Friday, so it's not like I had three entire days to spend in the town. Throw in work and I had very little time to explore, but I made the most of it. My first stop was Wrigley Field. Then the Art Institute of Chicago. Then Millennium Park. Then Union Station. Then lunch in Greek Town. Then ... I crashed, and later went to our Writers House event. Busy day, eh?

Naturally, I toted my camera around the Windy City and fired off some shots. You can view them here, or by clicking the image above. In addition, I'm editing and posting my favorite shots over this next week at Test Specimens. I hope you'll check back every day for a new photo.

Now, if you'll excuse, I need to go back to daydreaming about my return trip, which will hopefully revolve around a Phillies/Cubs game at Wrigley Field! I'll leave you with Sufjan Stevens' "Chicago" -- yes, I'm that guy who listens to any music with ties to the region when I travel. I don't always remember, though. I don't mind, I don't mind.

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Steve Earle visited the Writers House this Wednesday for this year's Blutt Singer-Songwriter Symposium. During a fantastic 90-minute program, Earle talked about his lifetime of work, sprinkling in some songs throughout the evening, plus reading an excerpt from the novel he is currently writing.

I had a wonderful time -- probably one of the best Writers House programs in recent memory. As usual, I took photos, which you can view here.