Sheila, I loved this! I’ve had many city flings, but I’ve never had a fling with Chicago. This is an oversight I need to remedy! Favorite flings for me include Amsterdam, New Orleans, Seattle, Santiago, and Singapore. I also had a 3-year relationship with NYC. It was complicated, but it didn’t work out so we went long distance, and now I guess we’re in an open relationship?? But in the end, my heart belong to Los Angeles. It’s home and I love it, even when we fight.
Michael-You MUST text Chicago a “you up?” (Did I do that right? Am I youth?) Seriously, I think you would thrive there--great food, theatre, comedy, culture. Just, you know, see other people from October to early June 😉 I am so envious of your stable of catches. Amsterdam is high on my list (PUN NOT INTENDED I SWEAR!) All of this aside, I hope your L.A. lady knows what she has! 🥰
I’ve texted Chicago! We even made plans for a long weekend. But we had to cancel because of Covid. But we’re still texting! It’ll happen.
Regarding Amsterdam, I appreciate the puns. We had a thing when I was 21 and I thought she was all about weed and hookers, but then I grew up, and we had some more flings, and I was like, “Amsterdam, your art scene is fire and the French fries with mayo speak to me. And the hookers? I’m ambivalent. Always have been, always will be. But the weed? Hmm... when I was a younger man I thought it was all about space cakes and getting messed up, but then I came back as a middle-aged man and I realized that you coffee shops, especially the ones where the locals go, are fun places to chat with strangers, like Cheers, but more blunt (pun intended).”
Sounds like Amsterdam drew you like one of her French girls. Respect! I think you're right that it gets all this buzz (ALL THE PUNS!) for its recreational delights, but that is a really shallow lens on what seems like a cool, vibrant, incredibly beautiful city. I am dying to get over there with my camera. It also sounds like you might need a reunion. Overheard: Amsterdam. THAT book is writing itself! Get on it!!! :)
Oh, Chicago! What a place to spend a decade. Though I’m now thoroughly a St Louis booster — even a traitorous Cardinals fan! — I love Chicago and it made me what I am in the theatre world. Beautiful city. :)
I know my friend! Some incredible & indelible times for both of us. I’m happy we were there for some of that together. It will always remain such a special, special place in my heart. I hope you get back to reconnect soon! XO!!!
I moved to Chicago from New Orleans in 2000. Huge culture shock for many reasons. (The weather being the least of it)
Chicago isn't a cheap place to live but there's so much to do that doesn't cost a first born child. And I love not having to have a car. That's a huge expense we don't have to deal with. (Now if someone wants to buy us a car, pay for gas, insurance, general up keep, parking and dig said car out of the snow, I'll take one, please and thank you)
Fall has become my favorite time of year. It's like overnight BAM leaves change into this burst of reds, oranges, and yellows.
And I'm still GOBSMACKED that every snow flake it different. I mean, yea, Snowmegeddon 2011 was a fucking bitch, but all those flakes were these little bits of lace that were different from all the rest.
I’m so happy you get to experience and really enjoy this incredible city! I also found it doable-budget-wise and the access to things like the lake front, the park, places like Navy Pier is remarkable! Chicago knows what’s what! 😉
First, "YES" to (almost) everything you've said here. The infatuation with a city is real. I'm too old to use the word "vibes" here, but there is an electricity to Chicago I haven't felt in a whole lot of other cities.
Second, we need to talk about your dishwasher philosophy.
How interesting... I've only driven past Chicago mostly on the way East or West.
But I did go to high school in Washington DC... and that was something.
Since I didn't have many or any friends... I luved all the museums! I used to go to the National Gallery and just hang out by a room full of Rembrandts.
John-Chicago is definitely worth a pit stop. You have friends in The Art Institute...guaranteed! D.C. museums are top notch for sure! You could visit every day and still see something new & beautiful
Thank you so much Kaitlyn! I'm so happy this piece gave you a much-needed Chicago spahhhk (as we say in Boston). I hope you are able to get back for a visit soon! :)
Ok, let’s just be clear here- anyone who would take Vancouver over Madrid is in need of medication. There, that’s that off of my chest. I really liked your article, made me long for a (re)visit. I would like to go back to Chicago for a longer time than three days, I loved the architecture (with my tourist gaze) but I need to pick the season better, the heat of summer was too much to bear.
Thanks Ana! Let’s not burst Vancouver’s bubble. They still aren’t over The X-Files ending 😊 Yes! I hope you get to roam Chicago again soon! Spring & fall are sublime. All other seasons are a dare (100%!)
Albert--these pieces are amazing! Are you working on a memoir by any chance? You should; I especially appreciate the way you capture the changing nature of the city, an aspect of our respective cultural histories from wherever we come from that I’m always afraid will get lost. And I am sorry about Ziggy’s fate. Most unfair. Thanks for these!
Well..it sounds like you have yarns and yarns to spin from your formative years (wait, did those happen? are they..now? :) ) Those are also great photos...I will pour one out for The Ziggat. Cool that his family has kept the business going, but kind of a drag that they weren't up to engaging. Just wait to you immortalize them in print! Matt Damon will option the film rights...get ready! :)
I think they do and if not, they damn well SHOULD! Chicago is the "Cheers" of the Midwest-you cross into city lines and it's like "NORM!" Even if your name is not Norm. It's a beautiful thing. You'll see :)
Sheila, I loved this! I’ve had many city flings, but I’ve never had a fling with Chicago. This is an oversight I need to remedy! Favorite flings for me include Amsterdam, New Orleans, Seattle, Santiago, and Singapore. I also had a 3-year relationship with NYC. It was complicated, but it didn’t work out so we went long distance, and now I guess we’re in an open relationship?? But in the end, my heart belong to Los Angeles. It’s home and I love it, even when we fight.
Michael-You MUST text Chicago a “you up?” (Did I do that right? Am I youth?) Seriously, I think you would thrive there--great food, theatre, comedy, culture. Just, you know, see other people from October to early June 😉 I am so envious of your stable of catches. Amsterdam is high on my list (PUN NOT INTENDED I SWEAR!) All of this aside, I hope your L.A. lady knows what she has! 🥰
I’ve texted Chicago! We even made plans for a long weekend. But we had to cancel because of Covid. But we’re still texting! It’ll happen.
Regarding Amsterdam, I appreciate the puns. We had a thing when I was 21 and I thought she was all about weed and hookers, but then I grew up, and we had some more flings, and I was like, “Amsterdam, your art scene is fire and the French fries with mayo speak to me. And the hookers? I’m ambivalent. Always have been, always will be. But the weed? Hmm... when I was a younger man I thought it was all about space cakes and getting messed up, but then I came back as a middle-aged man and I realized that you coffee shops, especially the ones where the locals go, are fun places to chat with strangers, like Cheers, but more blunt (pun intended).”
Sounds like Amsterdam drew you like one of her French girls. Respect! I think you're right that it gets all this buzz (ALL THE PUNS!) for its recreational delights, but that is a really shallow lens on what seems like a cool, vibrant, incredibly beautiful city. I am dying to get over there with my camera. It also sounds like you might need a reunion. Overheard: Amsterdam. THAT book is writing itself! Get on it!!! :)
Oh, Chicago! What a place to spend a decade. Though I’m now thoroughly a St Louis booster — even a traitorous Cardinals fan! — I love Chicago and it made me what I am in the theatre world. Beautiful city. :)
I know my friend! Some incredible & indelible times for both of us. I’m happy we were there for some of that together. It will always remain such a special, special place in my heart. I hope you get back to reconnect soon! XO!!!
I moved to Chicago from New Orleans in 2000. Huge culture shock for many reasons. (The weather being the least of it)
Chicago isn't a cheap place to live but there's so much to do that doesn't cost a first born child. And I love not having to have a car. That's a huge expense we don't have to deal with. (Now if someone wants to buy us a car, pay for gas, insurance, general up keep, parking and dig said car out of the snow, I'll take one, please and thank you)
Fall has become my favorite time of year. It's like overnight BAM leaves change into this burst of reds, oranges, and yellows.
And I'm still GOBSMACKED that every snow flake it different. I mean, yea, Snowmegeddon 2011 was a fucking bitch, but all those flakes were these little bits of lace that were different from all the rest.
I’m so happy you get to experience and really enjoy this incredible city! I also found it doable-budget-wise and the access to things like the lake front, the park, places like Navy Pier is remarkable! Chicago knows what’s what! 😉
2 things:
First, "YES" to (almost) everything you've said here. The infatuation with a city is real. I'm too old to use the word "vibes" here, but there is an electricity to Chicago I haven't felt in a whole lot of other cities.
Second, we need to talk about your dishwasher philosophy.
Right? I have to say that Chicago is working on a whole other level and I barely can articulate it! Swoon! And 2: I will see you in hell, Comrade 😉
(In an overbearing mom voice):
And would it kill you to try loading the glasses along the outsides for once?
All couples should complete a dishwasher loading challenge before signing a lease or a marriage license. I yield the rest of my time 😉
100%
How interesting... I've only driven past Chicago mostly on the way East or West.
But I did go to high school in Washington DC... and that was something.
Since I didn't have many or any friends... I luved all the museums! I used to go to the National Gallery and just hang out by a room full of Rembrandts.
John-Chicago is definitely worth a pit stop. You have friends in The Art Institute...guaranteed! D.C. museums are top notch for sure! You could visit every day and still see something new & beautiful
It’s the best. I was never a city gal, but Chicago made me one the almost decade I lived there. I miss it so much. Thank you for this 💖
Thank you so much Kaitlyn! I'm so happy this piece gave you a much-needed Chicago spahhhk (as we say in Boston). I hope you are able to get back for a visit soon! :)
Ok, let’s just be clear here- anyone who would take Vancouver over Madrid is in need of medication. There, that’s that off of my chest. I really liked your article, made me long for a (re)visit. I would like to go back to Chicago for a longer time than three days, I loved the architecture (with my tourist gaze) but I need to pick the season better, the heat of summer was too much to bear.
Thanks Ana! Let’s not burst Vancouver’s bubble. They still aren’t over The X-Files ending 😊 Yes! I hope you get to roam Chicago again soon! Spring & fall are sublime. All other seasons are a dare (100%!)
I grew up in Roseland, on the far South Side. The Architectural Boat Tour is, indeed, incredible.
I have a couple articles on my days there (I live in San Jose now):
https://albertcory50.substack.com/p/no-compliments-at-the-miniature-golf
https://albertcory50.substack.com/p/the-best-summer-job-ever
I've often thought that my summer job on LaSalle St. was the beginning of my Real Life, and everything before that is best forgotten.
Albert--these pieces are amazing! Are you working on a memoir by any chance? You should; I especially appreciate the way you capture the changing nature of the city, an aspect of our respective cultural histories from wherever we come from that I’m always afraid will get lost. And I am sorry about Ziggy’s fate. Most unfair. Thanks for these!
Oh, thanks so much, Sheila!
A memoir? I don't know; I have two novels out now, plus a third that's done.
As for Ziggy: you wouldn't believe how much work I put into getting a period photo of the golf place! And I struck out.
His son now runs the golf place out in the 'burbs, and I even got in touch with him. I got totally frozen out by him.
Well..it sounds like you have yarns and yarns to spin from your formative years (wait, did those happen? are they..now? :) ) Those are also great photos...I will pour one out for The Ziggat. Cool that his family has kept the business going, but kind of a drag that they weren't up to engaging. Just wait to you immortalize them in print! Matt Damon will option the film rights...get ready! :)
I think they do and if not, they damn well SHOULD! Chicago is the "Cheers" of the Midwest-you cross into city lines and it's like "NORM!" Even if your name is not Norm. It's a beautiful thing. You'll see :)