Ok, when I am trudging towards work, the icy wind wrapping it's fingers around my throat, causing my eyes water and nose drip, I try to remember why I moved to this godforsaken frozen tundra in the first place.
Do not get me wrong! I LOVE THIS TOWN. LOVE IT! But... it is hella depressing living here from November to April. I think the fact the weather gets so miserable creates the kind of loyalty to a city by its inhabitants that is unpararalled. Sure, in San Diego, LA, and pretty much everywhere else on the West Coast, it is sunny and pretty everyday. Anyone could live there... any pansy who can't take a little frostbite. But damn it! It takes some real balls to live in Chicago! That ain't just because of the weather neither. There is rampant crime, homelessness, unemployment, political corruption, and the list goes on. (Shit, I just described every major US city!)
There is just something about Chicago that made me fall head-over-heels in love with it.
First of all, this city is flat-out gorgeous!
There is so many beautiful places everywhere you look. The architecture. The landscaping. The lake. The parks.
You don't have to be Oprah or Sammy to appreciate the views. There is this amazing restaurant on the 95th floor of the Hancock called The Signature Room. I took this guy I used to date to it for his birthday and in turn, he took me there for lunch on my birthday. Check the view!
Speaking of kick ass restaurants, there is one called Pashas that has a bar in the ladies bathroom! How posh is that?
There is a website I visit all the time called Metromix. I feel like there is so much to do and see in this city and that site finds me the best places, prices and people. The nightlife here is second to none. They are all in such fierce competition with each other that any night of the week, you can find amazing deals. The place I go to the most (not that best bar, it it is close, dark, and a total meat market) is Hi-Tops. They have some great deals and it is the only place I can flail around like an idiot when I dance beacuse it is so dark, no one can see me. Another place I go to a lot is Durkins. It's a Purdue bar and I always see someone I know. I am actually headed there after work for happy hour.
Living in Chicago isn't all drinking and bar hopping (well, only like 85% is.) The public tranportation here is amazing. Cabs are too expensive. I LOVE riding the L. It is relatively cheap, its a great place to people watch, and when you are drunk and coming home, a great place to nap. Just don't doze too heavily, or you could wake up with you pockets slashed open like my friend Rob! Driving in Chicago sucks ass. Don't even attempt it. The L is the way to go.
This city can be overwhelming. There are such huge differences between being a northsider (which I am) and a southsider.
The biggest difference is the Sox vs. THE CUBS. I live directly across from Wrigley Field. I can see the Harry Caray statue from my bedroom window. I didn't much care about baseball before I moved to Wrigleyville. I have been converted into a Cubs fanatic. It's hard not to be swept up in the tradition and hardcore fan base when you have Cub's t-shirt vendors stationed by your door and throngs of people streaming past your window on their way to the game. It was heartbreaking when they lost. I cried. I saw my guy friends tearing up ("I didn't cry, man!") That is another glorious thing about Chicago. Even when our teams lose, we stick behind them and say, "There is always next year!"
Chicago is a great city to have an animal in. There are so many dog parks, miles of beach and even dog-friendly bars! If you are looking for a great bar that lets you bring in dogs, go to Jake's! It is on Clark across from Buca diBeppo in the Lakeview area. I just started volunteering at Anti-Cruelty Society. There are so many programs that need help and Chicago is the kind of place that looks out for its own. I have a few friends that volunteer. Chicagoans aren't so wrapped up in themselves. They give. They love. Ok, gag me. But seriously, I have seen so many people go out of their way for a complete stranger. You just don't get that in other cities.
The Chicago music scene is thriving. There are so many venues and so many talented local bands. My friend Holly sings in a band called Wonderful Smith and they have such a unique sound. Check 'em out. I saw them at The Double Door which is just one of many places to see kick ass bands.
Do I sound like the Chicago Board of Tourism or what?!?! I just love this city so much right now. I work right off Michigan Ave. Right in the heart of the Magificent Mile. When it is not bitterly cold, one of my favorite things to do is just stroll around and people-watch. I am always pulled north. An unstoppable force propels me towards H&M which is my new favorite store. We just got one. New York has one. They are few and far between in the states and I am lucky (or unlucky if you ask my Discover card) enough to work a few blocks from the glorious 3-story spectacle of amazingly cheap duds.
Right now, I am considering moving to Lincoln Park. It is a bit north of my current apartment. I have a few friends that live there. It seems pretty safe and where most people of my age settle because it is right in the middle of everything. I really don't want to become a Trixie though. Lincoln Park is mostly known for its overpriced apartments, fabulous shops, restaurants and nightlife, and its impressive zoo.
I have been to all of the museums in Chicago, well all the major ones anyway... but I would have to say my favorite is The Shedd Aquarium. I love watching those crazy penguins! The view from the dolphin tank is spectacular as well. I also love hanging at Navy Pier. I once saw Finch from American Pie coming off the huge-ass ferris wheel with his... um... boyfriend? Anyway, they shoot off fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday during the summer.
That brings me to my favorite thing about this city. Summertime. People who live here appreciate great weather so much that they don't take a second of it for granted. As soon as the temperature climbs above 50 degrees in the spring, you will see people in shorts, with their convertible tops open, breathing in the sweet spring air heavily and doing so with a giddy smile on their face. This city explodes around early May. Everyone is out and about... rollerblading by the beach, sitting at outside cafes, taking their dogs out for more than a quick piss, congregating on friend's porches. The summer in Chicago is indescribably fun. This past summer was the best of my life. Where else can you lay out on a beach, flip over and see enormous skyscapers? My favorite place to go in the summer was Castaways. It is lifeguard station with a huge ass bar deck on the top of it shaped like a boat. You can see all the action on the beach while you sit there and sip a margarita and catch a tan. Alot of people own boats. I am going to be taking sailing lessons this summer. There is no where I'd rather be than out on a boat, with a few beers and Chicago in my sightline. I LOVE THIS CITY!
Ok, I am sick a typing and gushing. I have been at this for an hour now and I better get to work. One more thing. Liquid Generation has their office right down the street from mine. Just a plug for that site. Truly great things come out of this city!