Dennis Holtrop (Chicago - Albany Park)
@stoicdennis.bsky.social
Formerly @Deutsch-Nederlander. Narrowing focus to non-political/non-Chicago boosting; too much of it has made me rethink my priorities (I’ve lived in MANY places). Posting minimally/irregularly. Not a showboat; don’t care about “likes.” Bikes saved me!🚴🏼♂️
Pinned
On 11/11/1988, my late mother called me in Munich to plan my end-of-term travel. We settled on 12/21/1988. I later changed the return to 12/17 after I completed all of my work early.
My original ticket was booked on Pan Am 103.
Since then, there’s not been a single day when I do not remember this.
My original ticket was booked on Pan Am 103.
Since then, there’s not been a single day when I do not remember this.
Some days, sure. But thankfully, not today.
3 sind 2 zu viel
YouTube video by Fettes Brot - Topic
youtu.be
November 16, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Some days, sure. But thankfully, not today.
Do I dislike cars? Yes, obviously: I’m 58 and have never owned one. But they are a fact of life and not going away. I’m done talking about them. Thankfully, I have someone in bed here next to me who is always UP for a distraction so there are plenty of other, happier things to get UP to. 😉🛌👨❤️💋👨
November 16, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Do I dislike cars? Yes, obviously: I’m 58 and have never owned one. But they are a fact of life and not going away. I’m done talking about them. Thankfully, I have someone in bed here next to me who is always UP for a distraction so there are plenty of other, happier things to get UP to. 😉🛌👨❤️💋👨
I hated riding my bike in Berkeley, where I lived for 17+ years after a few years in SF (in the Cole Valley enclave of Haight-Ashbury).
Telegraph is even worse than Michigan Ave, IMO.
Telegraph is even worse than Michigan Ave, IMO.
Cyclist dead after Telegraph Avenue crash in Berkeley
Berkeley police have now taped off the block for an investigation and called in the Fatal Accident Investigation Team.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:07 AM
I hated riding my bike in Berkeley, where I lived for 17+ years after a few years in SF (in the Cole Valley enclave of Haight-Ashbury).
Telegraph is even worse than Michigan Ave, IMO.
Telegraph is even worse than Michigan Ave, IMO.
Sweet corn ice cream, you say?
Yes! My guests scream for it and so will yours.
From Vaca Creamery in Lincoln Square.
Yes! My guests scream for it and so will yours.
From Vaca Creamery in Lincoln Square.
November 16, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Sweet corn ice cream, you say?
Yes! My guests scream for it and so will yours.
From Vaca Creamery in Lincoln Square.
Yes! My guests scream for it and so will yours.
From Vaca Creamery in Lincoln Square.
Before….and after
(At Ssyal, 4201 W Lawrence)
We arrived happy after an afternoon in the sun on our bikes.
We left ecstatic and will be back soon.
Dolsot bibimbap for the win, baby. That hot stone pot!
(At Ssyal, 4201 W Lawrence)
We arrived happy after an afternoon in the sun on our bikes.
We left ecstatic and will be back soon.
Dolsot bibimbap for the win, baby. That hot stone pot!
November 15, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Before….and after
(At Ssyal, 4201 W Lawrence)
We arrived happy after an afternoon in the sun on our bikes.
We left ecstatic and will be back soon.
Dolsot bibimbap for the win, baby. That hot stone pot!
(At Ssyal, 4201 W Lawrence)
We arrived happy after an afternoon in the sun on our bikes.
We left ecstatic and will be back soon.
Dolsot bibimbap for the win, baby. That hot stone pot!
The single pannier option seemed like a brilliant idea early on Wednesday AM when I was wearing 17 layers. Now I’m in shorts and all of those layers are in this one bag….
November 15, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The single pannier option seemed like a brilliant idea early on Wednesday AM when I was wearing 17 layers. Now I’m in shorts and all of those layers are in this one bag….
The South Shore Line has had a reliability problem all week. 🤦♂️
November 15, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The South Shore Line has had a reliability problem all week. 🤦♂️
Nearly a year ago, there was a home invasion with fatal consequences only two blocks from where I am in Miller Beach. I have chatted with the homeowner, who was shot and seriously injured. His wife was murdered. I wish I could put the images out of my head, but every sound outside makes me wince.
November 15, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Nearly a year ago, there was a home invasion with fatal consequences only two blocks from where I am in Miller Beach. I have chatted with the homeowner, who was shot and seriously injured. His wife was murdered. I wish I could put the images out of my head, but every sound outside makes me wince.
OMG
November 15, 2025 at 2:44 AM
OMG
Sunset @Vermillion Street, Miller Beach, Gary, IN (no Chicago skyline visibility from here tonight)
November 14, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Sunset @Vermillion Street, Miller Beach, Gary, IN (no Chicago skyline visibility from here tonight)
Reposted by Dennis Holtrop (Chicago - Albany Park)
me: she said she never managed to earn in prague as much as her east german grandmother's pension
my mom: and what did this german grandmother do during-
me: oh please don't start
my mom: and what did this german grandmother do during-
me: oh please don't start
November 14, 2025 at 6:09 PM
me: she said she never managed to earn in prague as much as her east german grandmother's pension
my mom: and what did this german grandmother do during-
me: oh please don't start
my mom: and what did this german grandmother do during-
me: oh please don't start
In the way of the universe, “someone” left me an urgent, badly-needed message on the seat of this picnic table at the junction of the C&O and Oak Savannah Trails.
I will do better. I promise.
I will do better. I promise.
November 14, 2025 at 5:03 PM
In the way of the universe, “someone” left me an urgent, badly-needed message on the seat of this picnic table at the junction of the C&O and Oak Savannah Trails.
I will do better. I promise.
I will do better. I promise.
“Only in SF” is overused and mostly hyperbolic. But fitting in this instance!
Holy shit that was fast. What a mess www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/s...
San Francisco’s newest supervisor agrees to resign amid pet store controversies
Beya Alcaraz agreed to resign at Mayor Daniel Lurie's request. Leaked text messages showed she paid for her business by paying employees under the table and writing off personal expenses.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:11 PM
“Only in SF” is overused and mostly hyperbolic. But fitting in this instance!
I’ve been watching work being done on this house since last year as it’s on my route to/from the Sacramento entrance to the Francisco Brown Line Station. Sadly, I’m on the road and would love to attend but can’t. 😩
if you're in the Albany Park/Ravenswood Manor area on Friday during lunch time and want to see the mechanical systems of an electrified Four Square, come to this open house – us2.campaign-archive.com?u=cc90ad190d...
November 13, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I’ve been watching work being done on this house since last year as it’s on my route to/from the Sacramento entrance to the Francisco Brown Line Station. Sadly, I’m on the road and would love to attend but can’t. 😩
We’re back in Poland tonight, at Kolasa’s Polish Peasant in Mich City, after a day of fcuking around in the Dunes on our bikes. Love this place!
November 13, 2025 at 10:44 PM
We’re back in Poland tonight, at Kolasa’s Polish Peasant in Mich City, after a day of fcuking around in the Dunes on our bikes. Love this place!
S Merrivale Ave, Beverly Shores, IN
November 13, 2025 at 5:56 PM
S Merrivale Ave, Beverly Shores, IN
Two-trackin’ just northeast of Beverly Shores and the Great Marsh. Most of the trees have now shed their foliage.
November 13, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Two-trackin’ just northeast of Beverly Shores and the Great Marsh. Most of the trees have now shed their foliage.
Um….not only motorized ones, apparently (on the Calumet Bike Trail in Michigan City, IN).
November 13, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Um….not only motorized ones, apparently (on the Calumet Bike Trail in Michigan City, IN).
Reposted by Dennis Holtrop (Chicago - Albany Park)
Watching Karoline Leavitt spew her usual misinformation and divisive nonsense makes me wonder, why isn’t there a People’s press secretary?
Someone who stands at a podium, tells the truth, and gets covered too.
Democracy deserves balance, not propaganda.
Someone who stands at a podium, tells the truth, and gets covered too.
Democracy deserves balance, not propaganda.
November 13, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Watching Karoline Leavitt spew her usual misinformation and divisive nonsense makes me wonder, why isn’t there a People’s press secretary?
Someone who stands at a podium, tells the truth, and gets covered too.
Democracy deserves balance, not propaganda.
Someone who stands at a podium, tells the truth, and gets covered too.
Democracy deserves balance, not propaganda.
Went down to the beach last night around 7:25 in hope of a stunning show, but the Aurora Borealis did not repeat its Tuesday night performance. It was fun chatting with some of the locals who had also ventured out, some with their children. (At Vermillion Street Beach in Miller, Gary, Indiana.)
November 13, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Went down to the beach last night around 7:25 in hope of a stunning show, but the Aurora Borealis did not repeat its Tuesday night performance. It was fun chatting with some of the locals who had also ventured out, some with their children. (At Vermillion Street Beach in Miller, Gary, Indiana.)
Two minutes at Vermillion Street Beach in Miller (Gary, IN)
November 12, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Two minutes at Vermillion Street Beach in Miller (Gary, IN)
At Flamingo Pizza in Miller, where everyone at the bar is smoking. And I mean EVERYONE. Non-smokers are relegated to the opposite end of the room.
A socio-cultural throwback extraordinaire. 😷
A socio-cultural throwback extraordinaire. 😷
November 12, 2025 at 10:07 PM
At Flamingo Pizza in Miller, where everyone at the bar is smoking. And I mean EVERYONE. Non-smokers are relegated to the opposite end of the room.
A socio-cultural throwback extraordinaire. 😷
A socio-cultural throwback extraordinaire. 😷
At Lake Street Beach, Miller (Gary, IN)
November 12, 2025 at 7:37 PM
At Lake Street Beach, Miller (Gary, IN)
Miller Beach morning, the day after the storm. Train was delayed along the way, but my ride up and over to the house went off without a hitch - or glitch. 🚴♂️😎
November 12, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Miller Beach morning, the day after the storm. Train was delayed along the way, but my ride up and over to the house went off without a hitch - or glitch. 🚴♂️😎