Dennis Jenders

“Into the Wild” chronicles the adventures of Christopher McCandless, a young man looking to disconnect from a conventional and materialistic life.

After watching the movie I realize I will likely need to read the book to experience, and understand, his complete adventures. While I admire his search for something true, I found it quite sad that he found death in his journey of self-discovery.

While McCandless may have found some happiness in his isolation and the vast Alaskan wilderness, his tragic story should also be a cautionary tale. The life and people he was so desperate to abandon was replaced by an equally powerful need of companionship.

In the movie McCandless writes the following words in the margin of one of his books, “happiness only real when shared.” Like many human emotions, I really believe they only become really when demonstrated.

You can say you love someone, but that is only true if you actually show him or her every day. And happiness only becomes real when shared. Sadly, McCandless came to that conclusion to late.

Discovering the world, and your own self, is an attractive journey. But I’ve found any journey is lonely without the ones you love.

Unexpected Shadows, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

I learned today that architect Bruce J. Graham died Saturday. Graham worked for Chicago-based architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, where he designed two of Chicago’s most iconic buildings – the John Hancock Center and Willis Tower, formally Sears Tower.

Ironically, on the day he passed I made my first visit to Willis (Sears) Tower. During our walk towards Chicago’s icon I captured this photo. From the shadows of the structure I peered skyward and saw a jet quickly moving overhead leaving the contrail you see in the shot.

At that moment I also noticed the shadows being cast by the massive antennas at the top of the skyscraper. I was surprised that they would actually be seen against the mid-afternoon sky.

Graham’s legacy has defined Chicago’s skyline and will continue to challenge all architects to reach towards the sky.

Looking Up, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

In downtown Chicago, captured this building looking skyward. I absolutely love the lines and architecture. There is something about the complex symmetry found here.

Untitled at Sears Tower, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

Kristen and I were visiting Chicago today for some birthday celebrations. As part of our excursion downtown we were able to visit the Skydeck at Willis Tower, formally known as Sears Tower. Standing at 1,451 feet, Willis Tower was the world’s tallest building from 1974 – 1998.

Walking down Franklin Street I caught the sun peeking through the buildings. I was at just the right spot at just the right time to capture this effect. I especially like how crisp the foreground is.

I have never been to the top of Sears Tower, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do ever since I saw Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Today I took the opportunity to climb up on the railing and lean forward against the glass.

“Anything is peaceful from one thousand, three hundred and fifty-three feet.”
- Ferris Bueller

I Don’t Want to Grow Up, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

I’m a Toys ‘R Us kid.

And so is she. One year ago today, Kristen and I had gotten together at the local Toys ‘R Us. We had a wonderful time, and I am pretty sure wanted to kiss me the moment she saw me!

I am such a lucky guy.

Dr. William Schreiber, a primary care physician based in North Syracuse, N.Y., claims that the 21% reduction in Medicare payments will affect his business. Dr. Schreiber suggests that cut, slated to take affect later this month, may make treating Medicare patients a “losing proposition.”

While reading this story on CNN I felt compelled to figure the math. Dr. Schreiber notes that his business has an annual revenue of $800,000. He also notes that he sees 120 patients a week. If I assume an average work day, that means he sees each patient for 20 minutes on average.

Of those 120 patients, 30% of them are Medicare patients according to the article.
30% x $800,000 = $240,000

So the 21% adjustment will affect $240,000 of his revenue.
21% x $240,000 = $50,400

By my math, Dr. Schreiber stands to loose $50,400, or 6%, of his yearly revenue. If he does average a patient every 20 minutes, that means he needs to see 2-3 additional Mediacare patients a day to overcome the loss. He would need to see even less if they are average paying patients.

An extra 2-3 Medicare patients a day will increase revenue, by $12,000.
780 patients (3 / day) x $80 = $62,400

I know doctors likely work more than 40 hours a week, likely spend more than 20 minutes with a patient, and that many other cogs in the system are making money instead of them.

However, a 6% decrease in revenue doesn’t seem overly threatening. In fact, many businesses have seen similar losses in this economic climate.

And it’s not just businesses, it’s every average American. So tell me, why should this profession be the exception?

Old Texaco, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

I added a bit of an antique look to this vintage Texaco sign.

I’ve always wanted one of these old gas pumps with the very large globe at the top. They seem so classy, especially if you have an vintage car parked in your driveway.

I captured this one on Highway 42, just outside of Egg Harbor, Wisconsin.

Desolate, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

A great frozen landscape. Am I too hopeful that with March having arrived we have seen the last of the snow?

Venting DeSoto, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

A detail view of the vents across the hood of a Chrysler DeSoto I came across in Door County, Wisconsin.

Door County DeSoto, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

Driving on Highway 42 in Door County I came across this rusted Chrysler DeSoto. My guess is that it’s about a 1940’s model.

I really would like to drive by this in the Summer to see if I could capture a wider shot. I think the rusted exterior would blend so much better into a lush green environment than the February snow.

The DeSoto is named after Spanish explorer and conquistador Hernando de Soto who was the first documented European to reach the mighty Mississippi river. The DeSoto brand was born in 1928 and lived just over 30 years for Chrysler. With only two million models rolling off the production line, I imagine these cars are hard to find.