Looka looka lookee here! I am ever so excited! I love my new template! I made it myself! My HTML skillz are representin'! I had to do something to honor my city... especially after reading this horseshit website by Emile St. Claire, who, in my opinion, is fucking delusional. I urge you to go read it and then come back here. I am going to post a response from her guestbook that I thought was truly inspired:
It's pretty sad that you hate Chicago so much that you've spent this much time creating a website dedicated to it. And you are totally off-base with most of your criticisms.
#1 Everything shuts down at 7 pm.
Since you left when you were 17, yes maybe the local retail stores on Belmont/Broadway shut down...but most of the bars/clubs/restaurants, etc are open until 5 am. It's a very late city, with amazing nightlife
#2 Now it's one of the most dangerous cities in America, thanks to crack
Are you on crack? Crack is so 80's - not the street drug these days. And try Baltimore, Fresno, and Youngstown if you want to know what the most dangerous cities are relevant to crime.
#3 Narrow roads...in a city you need to drive to get anywhere
The roads in Chicago are far from narrow [compared to NYC and most European cities], and come-on LA...You walk? Everyone in LA drives - and it has the worst congestion out of any city I've lived in. I haven't owned a car in Chicago in 7 years. I have no problem getting around. Chicago is a walking town.
#4 Racial segregation you can map by street
How many black people live in Beverly Hills and other affluent areas of LA again? Segregation is terrible - and it's everywhere.
#5 The idea of a hot bar is Dennis Rodman's club
What?????? Are you reading pinkie-ring's anonymous? Dennis Rodman's is not the hot bar here. Not even close.
#6 When bands do major tours, they often skip Chicago
That's not true. Try The Metro, Park West, Double Door, Shuba's, Empty Bottle, Fireside Bowl and many other venues - any indie or major artist that has ever been someone has toured through Chicago.
#7 Most of the talented people from Chicago leave.
Like you? Let me guess, you're trying to make it as a web designer out there in LA? Or, no, maybe you're vying for the next spot on one of those cool, angst-ridden reality shows? How can you even criticize the people in Chicago when you live in LA? You're just opening yourself up to ridicule.
#8 The one Krispy Kreme donut shop is out at Midway
Who cares?
#9 The fact that you have a TV and Film section tells me where your thoughts are. And thanks for all the pop-culture references like Rocky and Bulwinkle and ER. Most of the people I know here could care less about prime-time tv. All that crap is coming straight from the West coast.
Anyway, I had to respond to the beginning of your 101 list. Everyone's entitled to their opinion. But being someone who's lived in NYC, Paris and LA - I can say that I truly love Chicago.
#1 I can actually afford to live here.
#2 I love the neighborhoods and that it's a walking town
#3 It's not overcrowded
#4 The nightlife is fabulous
#5 Not everyone wants to act who lives here
#6 Racism is bad everywhere...don't pin in to Chicago.
People who live here truly love it - and it's hard to find the criticism that you've inflicted on the city from anyone else.
Sincerely,
Stella Campion
Go on girl!
Ok, I heard about this highly downloaded album this past weekend, so me, the download queen, decided to check it out... and I am sure glad I did. Hot damn! If you have the means, I highly recommend it. It is so choice.
I found me some Justin today. I had to post it so I always knew where I could find during a moment of sorrow or lonliness.
UH!
Sorry for the randomness. This is mostly just a test to see what size images I can post and what it will look like.