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Behind the Cut – Instead of Dreaming

July 13, 2025 by cpgronlund Leave a Comment

Left Side of Image: A cross section of a cut tree against grass. Text reads "Behind the Cut - The Not About Lumberjacks Companion." Left Side of Image: A walkway at night, illuminated by a single light revealing the pathway and foliage, Text reads "Instead of Dreaming. Commentary By: Christopher Gronlund.

In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, “Instead of Dreaming,” I talk about the real-life influences on the story, memories, healing, and how soothing the night can be.

As always, this commentary contains spoilers from the latest episode, so you might want to listen to that first.

Transcript >> (Coming Soon)

* * *

Things mentioned in this episode:

  • Ben Tanzer’s After Hours: Scorsese, Grief and the Grammar of Cinema.
  • Ben Tanzer’s website.
  • Ben Tanzer’s This Podcast Will Change Your Life.
  • Wikipedia entry for Martin Scorsese’s After Hours.

The Chicago beef stand I mention is Susie’s, at 4126 West Montrose Avenue. I believe it’s now a taco stand called Taco Pros Cocina.

Photos of the tunnel mentioned in this episode:

The entrance. My friend Lee and I were the first in. (My nickname is, and still is, Ogre.) Later, we shared our secret with a couple other friends. The “TR” stands for Tunnel Rats.

The end of a storm drainage tunnel under a bridge. Water and grime ooze from the hole. Graffiti above reads: "TR - Lee, Rob, Ogre & Jason. Below: Die Lik" before being cut off.

I looked into the tunnel. Man, we were dumb!

Camera flash view of the inside of the drainage tunnel, quickly falling off to darkness.

I was so happy to see everything still there. So many time, memories shift over the years. I think I know who “Rob” is in the first image. No idea which Jason it was…or if it was even one of my friends.

A closer image of the storm drain tunnel.

I thought I was so damned funny writing STOP VANDALISM!!! in and act of…vandalism.

Grafitti on a concrete wall reading: "Stop Vandalism!!!"

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Filed Under: Behind the Cut, Episodes Tagged With: Behind the Cut

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