the city has been doing construction on upper and lower wacker in downtown chicago for months now. during the week days on my way too and from work i often pass by construction workers who arrive at work and begin working much earlier than i do. there is a progress meter sign at the corner of upper wacker and clark street indicating how much longer the construction will be going on. they are actually ahead of schedule and should be done fairly soon, much to the relief of daily commuters who have to take the detour through the congested loop area. it's been going on for well over 6 months already, so i've become rather accustomed to it. i like the noise of hammering, jackhammers, and people making themselves heard above the sounds. it's the sound of working; real working with a visible payoff, new and improved streets. the sound of construction is very unlike the relatively unnoticeable sounds in my office: heat humming, computers buzzing, fingers tapping on the keyboard, occasional phones ringing. sometimes during my lunch hour, when i'm feeling rather reflective or just want to get away from the deadening quiet of office life, i'll sit near one of the construction areas to watch the people work and listen to the sounds.
the sound of this jackhammer is taken from the area at dearborn and upper wacker.