Chicagoans! Meet me at the Hop Leaf!

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I finally have a Chicago address (Berwyn and Clark), and even before getting to the city, I know where I'll spend many a night. The Hop Leaf is a block and a half away -- walking distance even in winter.

I'll be arriving Sept 2nd, and I won't have much money, so I don't need to spend hours getting trashed like at a regular FAP. But who wants to come have some Belgian beer with me? Huh?

I recommend the Abbey de Leffe Blonde... so sweet, so creamy....

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Friday, 22 August 2003 05:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Digital City says it's really crowded on weekends. Are weekdays better there? Did they finish that outdoor section yet?

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Friday, 22 August 2003 05:58 (twenty-two years ago)

I'd be down for a drink .. Did you mean the 2nd though? That's a Tuesday, it might be difficult for me to swing on a weeknight as that's quite a hike from where I live. That's Amateurist's hood, if I recall. He probably knows the general deal with the Hopleaf (I've been there once; it really is a great bar .. tons and tons and tons of Belgian beers)

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Friday, 22 August 2003 06:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Nobody but nobody makes beer like a Belgian monk.

I'm totally flexible on when.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Friday, 22 August 2003 06:33 (twenty-two years ago)

As long as it's not between the time when I go completely broke and find a job.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Friday, 22 August 2003 06:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Woo-hoo! Congrats on finally getting a place, Kenan. I know it's been a headache for you. I might be able to meet up for a drink on Sept. 2, but I'm not sure yet since my band often rehearses on Tuesday nights.

Also, I haven't been to Hopleaf in a month or so, but I don't know about any outdoor seating. They just added a section in the back, as well as a kitchen, but it's indoors, I think. Still, it's a nice bar, and esp. if you're a beer connoisseur.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 22 August 2003 14:28 (twenty-two years ago)

the new food menu is really expensive, out of my price range. but they have fries (oh but they call them "frites"!) that are pretty good, with olio (?) sauce. i don't know anything at all about beer, to be honest.

― amateurist (amateurist), Friday, 22 August 2003 14:34 (twenty-two years ago)

i don't think i'll be able to make it. i'll be too busy dealing with moving.

― amateurist (amateurist), Friday, 22 August 2003 15:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, what's the deal -- the food is Belgian, too? A friend of mine said he went there recently and had mussels.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 22 August 2003 15:20 (twenty-two years ago)

According to Anthony Bourdain, mussels are the most dangerous thing on a menu, and you should NEVER order them unles you have, like, seen the kitchen and know they're properly stored and drained. Or you have a healthy spirit of adventure.

Where are you moving to, am?

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Friday, 22 August 2003 15:23 (twenty-two years ago)

paris

― amateurist (amateurist), Friday, 22 August 2003 15:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Fancy! I would be jealous if I had the time.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Friday, 22 August 2003 15:35 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, Amateurist is only leaving because there's a quota of 2 ILXors in Andersonville at any one time. And I put my foot down.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 22 August 2003 17:59 (twenty-two years ago)

chicago was kinda rad, was stationed there for boot camp and "a" school.

― ryan t hoffman, Friday, 22 August 2003 18:01 (twenty-two years ago)

and now there will be 3 ilxorers in andersonville, egads! i'll be moving to clark & carmen on the 1st. i might delurk long enough to drink a Delirium Tremens.

― jennpb (jennpb), Friday, 22 August 2003 23:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes! You should! Hell, you're even closer to the Hop Leaf than me!

And we all know around here: lurkers are very special people.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Saturday, 23 August 2003 05:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Especially when they're Stereolab fans. :)

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 26 August 2003 19:30 (twenty-two years ago)

NEWSFLASH! NA and I will be in Chicago this weekend, so if you see this incredibly twee couple skipping along (not really), it might be us.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Tuesday, 26 August 2003 19:52 (twenty-two years ago)

shall we FAP?

― amateurist (amateurist), Tuesday, 26 August 2003 19:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, I'll miss you guys by a day or two. It just wasn't meant to be. Whatever. You don't really want to meet me, anyway. I'm a fucking asshole.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Tuesday, 26 August 2003 20:03 (twenty-two years ago)

jaymc, do i already know you?

― jennpb (jennpb), Tuesday, 26 August 2003 20:36 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't think so, Jenn! I just noticed yr e-mail address.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 27 August 2003 13:41 (twenty-two years ago)

My weekend plans are totally up in the air at this point -- as in, I might randomly go to a party in Michigan -- but I'd also love to meet Sarah and Nick. What days will you guys be around?

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 27 August 2003 13:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Awesome. We'll be there mid-day Friday through Monday afternoon. I think Sunday night would be best for us. You guys are off work Monday for Labor Day anyway, right? How does that sound? Well, whoever will be around, shoot me an email with a cell number or something and I'll send you mine.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Wednesday, 27 August 2003 13:55 (twenty-two years ago)

I ate at the Hopleaf last night. I split the duck sandwich. It was good, if small for the price.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 27 August 2003 15:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Is anyone still game for a FAP on Sunday night? I will be in Michigan until the afternoon but should be back by evening. Not sure if Sarah and Nick are online today, so I'll e-mail them, but I wanted to gauge what others were up to. (Namely Amateurist, I guess.)

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 29 August 2003 15:38 (twenty-two years ago)

re. Sunday night: does the Jazz Festival sound interesting to anyone? or too hectic...?

― amateurist (amateurist), Sunday, 31 August 2003 03:53 (twenty-two years ago)

― nabisco%%, Sunday, 31 August 2003 22:10 (twenty-two years ago)

I guess this didn't happen. Probably my fault -- I didn't e-mail Sarah and Nick early enough. Oh well :(

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 1 September 2003 02:01 (twenty-two years ago)

I have moved into my place, sans furniture. Andersonville is so nice, I almost feel like I don't deserve it. Even this crap basement apartment ain't so crappy -- it's, like, ten steps from Clark street. I can look out my bedroom window and watch waiters taking orders on the patio at Reza's.

Walked to the lake today, and tried to imagine it frozen. Couldn't get my head around it.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 01:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Glad to see you back, sug

― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 02:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Yay Kenan! Welcome to the groovinest the world.
Hmmm...I never thought about it freezing near Chicago. You sure it does?

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 02:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Welcome; I'm afraid you just missed summer, but then so did most of us with eyelids. I'm also just up the street, in the still-fun-to-say "West" Andersonville.

Only problem with the new Hopleaf is you can't smoke in the back.

― brian nemtusak (sanlazaro), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 02:33 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm sure he's had it up to here with summer. You're gonna love autumn, Kenan. Didja bring some Cosby sweaters with you?

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 02:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Chicago has autumn?

― hstencil, Wednesday, 3 September 2003 02:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh, my bad. I meant fall.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 02:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Simon's is right down de street from you and so much better in thee jukebox department, Kenan... crappy beer but delicious Aquavit...

― Ann Sterzinger (Ann Sterzinger), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 02:50 (twenty-two years ago)

I didn't think Chicago had fall, either.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 3 September 2003 02:51 (twenty-two years ago)

What does 'autumn' or 'fall' connote when effectively describing the roughly 300 days it's neither winter nor summer here?

Hmmmm ... 'sprall'?

― brian nemtusak (sanlazaro), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 02:54 (twenty-two years ago)

I thought you lived here for a time, stence? Do you think it we go from swimming to ice skating over night?
Kenan, you and your woman should go on a hay ride while drinking
apple cider when fall/autumn is in full swing. Just cause.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 02:55 (twenty-two years ago)

jeez you're all so serious. I was just making a joke on how Chicago has two seasons, y'know, "regional humor."

Besides everyone knows that fall is the time when the Cubs and Sox blow it, of course.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:00 (twenty-two years ago)

you should now by now that no one from a region knows its own regional humor.

― oops in da windy city! *wink wink* (Oops), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:02 (twenty-two years ago)

It's true actually; fall rules here (though you'll haveta get the fuck outta Dodge to see much of it). The rub is that it often just goes on and on and on in this I'm-almost-winter-but-not way, long after the pretty/crisp part is over (which is why by one yardstick we have the longest fucking fall anywhere, and by another the barely-there shortest) ... oh yes, and that it lately starts on Labor Day, with a none-too-gentle 30-degree shift, when summer really only started mid-July. But then we've all talked about cold vs. heat and my nemesisization re: the former.

With all due respect, hstencil, I'd say the Cubs and Sox have usually blown it well before a night like this. Meh. Can anyone remember the Cubs ever winning a doubleheader? It's like at best an opportunity for them to might as well not've played.

Nice grammar eh? Bitch bitch bitch ... sorry everbody, I've been rehearsing in a sweatbox for the last month and a half, and the fucking weekend we open, summer ends (yes I saw it coming). And then we get a bad review, sigh. I really like it here quite a lot, the downside (yes there's a big upside also, to be fair) of the Gray Season excepted; something to the old saw, "if it weren't for the weather, everybody'd be here."

(G'night; sorry for the mess ...)

― brian nemtusak (sanlazaro), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:18 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah to be fair both teams are usually toast by July.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Fall is really gorgeous in Andersonville, though, thanks to the trees (not so much in Wicker Park, for example).

― brian nemtusak (sanlazaro), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:20 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah to be fair both teams are usually toast by July.

I hope I'm wrong, but with no closer for the Sox, and no Patterson for the the Cubs, I think it's all been a very enjoyable tease. (If either makes it, I predict a typically quick first-round playoff series.)

But here's hoping I'm wrong.

― brian nemtusak (sanlazaro), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:22 (twenty-two years ago)

as a former Wicker Park resident, I will have no dissing of the trees there. They are perfectly nice trees.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:23 (twenty-two years ago)

I was struck by the trees in Andersonville. Standing on the Berwyn el platform looking west, they're all you see. I cannot speak for the Wicker Park trees, but I can't imagine they're any nicer.

I am bound and determined to be the one guy in the entire metro area who doesn't give a flying mess of runny shit about baseball. Go ahead. Just TRY to change my mind. Recite the James Earl Jones speech from Field of Dreams, whatever. I am a rock.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:32 (twenty-two years ago)

At least Wicker Park trees don't have Asian Longhorn Beetle infestation!

― hstencil, Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:34 (twenty-two years ago)

i don't care about baseball. i used to.

i feel like you guys have me surrounded.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:35 (twenty-two years ago)

that's just the pesky beetles, amateurist.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:37 (twenty-two years ago)

i feel like you guys have me surrounded.

That's just the paranoid misanthrope in you talking. We have no designs on you.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:39 (twenty-two years ago)

was struck by the trees in Andersonville. Standing on the Berwyn el platform looking west, they're all you see.

Did you fly in? From a certain height just about ALL you can see--besides the skyscrapers obviously--are trees and water towers.
For a time I worked on the 19th floor in one of the few tall buildings in the suburbs. I was expected to see nothing but strip malls and subdivisions from my vantage point, but trees dominated.
(BTW, you can be at ground level and see the Sears Tower from about 20 miles away)

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:41 (twenty-two years ago)

(BTW, you can be at ground level and see the Sears Tower from about 20 miles away)

Once every ten years.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:42 (twenty-two years ago)

It's OK, we're all just kidding ourselves, Kenan.

"The word from spring training is that Sisyphus looks better than ever, really just whipping that rock around. This could just be the year ..."

(Wicker trees nice, just less numerous ... Andersonville actually mostly dodged the Curse of Ravenswood re: the beetles, but it's true, I live in constant fear of losing the tree outside my window)

I (stupidly) started caring (about baseball) again a couple years ago. Getting ready to stop caring again.

― brian nemtusak (sanlazaro), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:43 (twenty-two years ago)

No, that's the swarms of locusts, Kenan. (actually, it's every 17 years. Think it's been about 11-12 since the last episode)

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Didja bring some Cosby sweaters with you?

No, but the upstairs neighbors were telling me about the great thrift stores in town... what's the one with the Elephant...?

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:49 (twenty-two years ago)

i don't care about baseball. i used to.

See, I feel the same thing happening in reverse. Baseball is contagious.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:52 (twenty-two years ago)

It's called the Brown Elephant.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:53 (twenty-two years ago)

The Brown Elephant. Never been there. 'Unique' and 'Village Discount' are everywhere and frequently yield good finds, though I think they're frequented by people who, you know, actually don't have much money. (I don't know what I meant by 'though')

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Think it's been about 11-12 since the last episode

I think it was 89-90. I was in Elmhurst that summer, where it was literally apocalyptic. Ground inches thick with the crunchy things. And the sound ... we made up a character we called the Cicada Wizard, who'd pepper our conversations with fun locust trivia in this bad Burroughs impression of a voice:

"It's a little-known fact ... that the bull ninja cicada can strip a cow in under two minutes."

― brian nemtusak (sanlazaro), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:55 (twenty-two years ago)

i haven't noticed any beetles. but lots of gnats.

brown elephant is pretty nice. the clark shop is new. there used to be a huge 2nd hand shop on that stretch of clark but the proprietor was priced out. i got some of my furniture there before it closed.

village discount (i think there's one on winnemac + clark or somewhere near there; there are about 100 of them around the city) can be kind of rough. lots and lots of crap. a complete mess. to this day i don't know how they come into all the crap; surely people aren't donating stuff to a for-profit shop?

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:57 (twenty-two years ago)

I think you're right. I recall being in 6th grade ('89-90) on a field trip and having a 'locust war' with my friends.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:58 (twenty-two years ago)

though I think they're frequented by people who, you know, actually don't have much money.

Hey! Looks like I have some wealthy friends in the city already! Next round's on you, pal.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 03:59 (twenty-two years ago)

actual poor people do frequent village thrift. the hipsters stand out (and yes as much as i would plead poverty i am on the hipster side of that divide).

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:00 (twenty-two years ago)

lots and lots of crap. a complete mess.

There's a place on the Texas/Mexico border called Eagle Pass, I think, where you can buy clothes by the pound. A couple times we got a friend with a pickup truck and spent about $50 bucks on such crap, which got us a good 100 pounds of clothing. Fuck it, you know, don't even sort it out, we'll go through it later. Keep what you want, sell the really weird stuff to a vintage store and nearly break even. It was a good deal.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:03 (twenty-two years ago)

also i don't mean to be standoffish or anything. i'd be happy to meet at the hopleaf some time in the next two weeks. if we can find a time.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:04 (twenty-two years ago)

The Brown Elephant.

Most true 'thrift' stores on the north side & east of ashland are generally pretty picked over, I must warn you (to be resold at a 300% markup in a Wick 'vintage' boutique, natch). The brown elephants are different, smaller, more expensive, more selective ... somewhere between 'thrift' and 'vintage' ... but def. good stuff to be found if you shop reglar (there's one just south of you, Kenan, and another at ashland & irving). But for genuine 'thrift' stores unmolested by locustlike clouds of overironized kids, you'll have to look further west or south.

― brian nemtusak (sanlazaro), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Re: Village Discount, I actually was thinking 'occasionally yield good finds' in my head (cause, you know, that's the place where thinking is done). Although I *am* bizarrely attracted to the chaotic seedy jumble of those places.

Kenan, I AM one of those people without much money. May be getting a job (finally) soon though, so maybe...

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:05 (twenty-two years ago)

yay kenan welcome
to the borg midwestern mind
I'm down for a FAP

and reza's does rock!
one night while we dined a dude
turned purple, passed out

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:06 (twenty-two years ago)

there's a village thrift in albany park and one in roscoe village, but they too are full of crap. there's stuff to find i suppose if you have the time and energy. if you have dust allergies though, stay far away.

there's a salvation army on bryn mawr and clark which is pretty crappy as well.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:06 (twenty-two years ago)

wait haikunym is in chicago? that rocks my world.

i'm an andies guy. andies and i go way back to when it was a little hole in the wall. as i mentioned on another thread, the andies manager has the best shirt/tie combos in town.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:07 (twenty-two years ago)

He's in Madison.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:08 (twenty-two years ago)

oh.

tips for kenan: the middle eastern market on the n. side of foster b/t clark and ashland is great. go for the parsley/feta/olive pies. the lebanese place across the street has good wraps. ask for the pickled turnips. they will give you free baklava if you're nice. "pars," the persian store, has great persian ice cream for $8 a jar. they also have an ice cream truck that wanders around chicago and evanston. unfortunately it does not sell persian ice cream.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:10 (twenty-two years ago)

there's a salvation army on bryn mawr and clark which is pretty crappy as well.

The worst.

― brian nemtusak (sanlazaro), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:14 (twenty-two years ago)

there's a salvation army on bryn mawr and clark which is pretty crappy as well.

And plus, they'll give all your money to nutjob right-wing causes.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:15 (twenty-two years ago)

also: you can rent old movies on vhs for $1 on tuesdays, at the store on the SW corner of balmoral and clark.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:16 (twenty-two years ago)

what's persian about the ice cream?

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:17 (twenty-two years ago)

What's open all night? I need cigarettes (which, by the way, are crazy stupid expensive here).

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:19 (twenty-two years ago)

the white hen on catalpa & clark and the 7-11 on foster and ravenswood.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:20 (twenty-two years ago)

But for genuine 'thrift' stores unmolested by locustlike clouds of overironized kids, you'll have to look further west or south.

Jeez, I just realized I sound like the thrift-shopping version of "Losing My Edge" ...

"I hear you can tell me where every slight factory second of every limited-edition line of every good make of Stacy Adams shoes ever can be purchased for pennies on the dollar ... I hear you've thrown your new clothes out the window, and ..."

(Simon's sells smokes too ... the Jewel never closes, but it's unfortunately the Worst Jewel Ever.)*

*Interestingly enough, just beating out the one in Wicker Park

― brian nemtusak (sanlazaro), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:24 (twenty-two years ago)

The white hen it is.

Question: if you order a hot dog with everything, and you don't get celery salt, have you been gipped?

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:28 (twenty-two years ago)

the Jewel never closes, but it's unfortunately the Worst Jewel Ever

Do you mean the one next to the Berwyn el station, or the one on Clark just north of me?

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Someone should recommend Kenan a good Italian beef joint near him.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Ok, well the middle eatern guy at the shit place I went to today didn't give me celery salt, and I was pissed, because even James Coney Island gives you celery salt.

But maybe what he saves in salt, he makes up for in lamb. The gyro would choke a pig -- i.e., me.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:30 (twenty-two years ago)

have you been gipped?

Interesting fact: "gipped" is a racial slur against gypsies. I just learned that. But I don't know anyone else who knows that, so I feel safe still using the term.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:34 (twenty-two years ago)

I did! Boo-yah! I just used the word in a thread the other day and was waiting for someone to call me a racist.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:35 (twenty-two years ago)

Principal Blackman to thread ...

(the Jewel on Clark, Kenan)

― brian nemtusak (sanlazaro), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Come to think of it, I don't know any gypsies, either. 'Cept Django, but I only feel like I know him.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:40 (twenty-two years ago)

I thought the cicadas were in '91. I was in high school and people used to fill lunch bags with them and throw them across the cafeteria. I had to do a lot of walking outside that summer and would end up having to pick the buggers out of my hair.

― JuliaA (j_bdules), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:53 (twenty-two years ago)

it's also a slur by proxy against egyptians! fascinating fact!

― s1utsky (slutsky), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Nope. Positive I was at the end of 6th grade, which would make it '90. 4 more years! 4 more years!

(Xpost--the cereal for a new generation)

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 04:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Ok -- need more Chicago advice. Just got back from the Jewel, and I feel like crying. They had NOTHING, and this particular brand of nothing was outrageously expensive. I notice it's essentially an Albertsons, which are well known back in Texas as the worst of the worst. What's better than Jewel? Please God tell me I have more options than this. It's like shopping at an overgrown 7-11.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Friday, 5 September 2003 01:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Dominick's is sometimes better. It depends on your neighborhood, and I'm not familiar with your area.

Oops, I realized you're right about the cicadas being in 1990 once I thought about it...I was miscalculating.

― JuliaA (j_bdules), Friday, 5 September 2003 01:47 (twenty-two years ago)

I am now somewhat actively looking for jobs in Chicago. I've got four months to get a job before our deadline for actually moving. If I get a job before then, might have to try and break our lease down here early so that Sarah can stay with her mom in Richmond while she finishes her job and I can move up there and get us established. This will be exciting.

― NA (Nick A.), Friday, 5 September 2003 10:49 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm excited too! I told my mom last night and that's what I was dreading. I was worried she'd be upset with me. When I told her we might move to Philly, she said Nick was trying to steal me away from her. But she's over it now apparently.

SO Andersonville is nice? We've been doing lots of research on neighborhoods.

― Sarah McLUsky (coco), Friday, 5 September 2003 12:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Kenan - which Jewel did you go to? It really depends on the neighborhood. You're in Andersonville, right? Both the Dominicks and the Jewel in Uptown are crap.

Actually, there are two Jewels in Uptown - the one on Montrose is much better. Better still is the one in Wrigleyville on Broadway - that's the best Jewel around.

Depends on what you're looking for, though.

Most Dominicks in Chicago suck as far as I've seen, except for the "Fresh" stores.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Friday, 5 September 2003 12:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh, and as far as thrifting goes, I still find stuff at the Unique in Uptown - it's huge. It's not as good as it used to be, but it's still good - it's better for classic / practical things than vintage crap, which gets picked over ASAP. But I outfitted my whole apartment with that place for about four years.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Friday, 5 September 2003 13:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Kenan, if I just want to do a big, get-everything grocery shop, I usu. go to the Dominick's on Broadway and Elmdale (I think) -- like 6000 N. Broadway. But I also have a car, since it's a bit of a walk from Andersonville proper. (These days, however, I tend to divide my groceries between Trader Joe's and the Edgewater Produce Market.)

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 September 2003 13:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Also -- more pertinent to the thread title, what are you doing this weekend? My band is playing on Saturday night at a hipster loft, but I'm pretty much free anytime else.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 September 2003 13:49 (twenty-two years ago)

Sarah & Nick, I'm excited, too!

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 September 2003 13:50 (twenty-two years ago)

the jewel on berwyn and broadway is better than the one on bryn mawr b/t clark and ashland (the one i have to use) but neither of them are very good at all. the one on montrose is awfully far away if you're up on berwyn. the latino grocer across clark from the jewel parking lot has better fruits and vegetables some times.

i would go to trader joe's and treasure island if i had a car.

― amateurist (amateurist), Friday, 5 September 2003 14:23 (twenty-two years ago)

the latino grocer across clark from the jewel parking lot has better fruits and vegetables some times.

Yeah, that's Edgewater Produce. I find it to be pretty decent and cheap, but a friend of mine says it "smells like death."

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 September 2003 14:34 (twenty-two years ago)

is your friend goth? that might be a recommendation

― amateurist (amateurist), Friday, 5 September 2003 14:37 (twenty-two years ago)

No, she's just vegan.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 September 2003 14:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Also -- more pertinent to the thread title, what are you doing this weekend?

Nuthin'. Slowly running out of money. Wanna have a beer tonight (Friday)? Doesn't have to be at the Hop Leaf, either. I hear Simon's is okay. I'm heading out to the movies soon, but I'll be around later in the afternoon.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Friday, 5 September 2003 15:40 (twenty-two years ago)

Sure. I can hang out tonight. Anyone else?

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 September 2003 15:45 (twenty-two years ago)

JMC and whoever else should pick the place. I'm not picky, as long as I don't have to walk a mile.

Man alive, my feet hurt. I have never lived in a city where walking was even socially permissible, much less life-or-death necessary, and I fear I will have bloody stumps by the end of the week. And then there I'll be, with a sunburned face and no feet and unable to find whole wheat flour at the grocery store... utter defeat. I don't want that.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Friday, 5 September 2003 16:01 (twenty-two years ago)

How about Hopleaf at 8 pm? If it gets too crowded, we can head over to Leadway, which is a half-mile away -- on Damen just north of Foster -- and never too packed. (Plus, I know the bartender there.)

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 September 2003 17:06 (twenty-two years ago)

I have to work late and then I'm a little previously booked, but all these places are more or less on my way home, so it's not impossible ...

Oh, Kenan: have you been hipped to the Whole (Paycheck) Foods option? There's one at Ashland just north of Belmont.

― brian nemtusak (sanlazaro), Friday, 5 September 2003 18:58 (twenty-two years ago)

I didn't mention Whole Foods, because of the inaccessibility and the expensiveness, but I do stop there from time to time as well.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 September 2003 19:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Brian, if you were to stop by, what time do you think it would be? I could call you and let you know where we are.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 September 2003 19:04 (twenty-two years ago)

It probably wouldn't be till after 12. Thanks, that'd be cool; 773-680-8003.

― brian nemtusak (sanlazaro), Friday, 5 September 2003 19:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Simon's I liked a lot and was so cheap. So cheap. I was only in Chicago for a month last time, but I really liked Danny's Tavern. Not so much Ranbo Club though.

― phil-two (phil-two), Friday, 5 September 2003 19:30 (twenty-two years ago)

and the bartender at Danny's Tavern gives the most gigantabulous pours of maker's mark for $5.

― phil-two (phil-two), Friday, 5 September 2003 19:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Danny's is good, esp. the last Wednesday of the month when the Supreme Court is in session.

― hstencil, Friday, 5 September 2003 19:32 (twenty-two years ago)

???

― brian nemtusak (sanlazaro), Friday, 5 September 2003 19:37 (twenty-two years ago)

My brother gets free drinks at Danny's all the time, cuz his girlfriend knows someone. I've only been there a couple times, myself.

Brian, I'll call you if we're still out. Who knows what the evening will hold. I just remembered Kenan is at a movie right now, so plans may change?

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 September 2003 19:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm back. Didn't make it to the movie. Actually, we were seven or eight minutes late, which was my fault, and then Jessa and I had an argument right out of Annie Hall: "It's only seven minutes! We missed two previews, tops!" "I'd rather wait and go to the 5 o'clock." So she's doing that, I guess, and I'm home.

Eight at the Hopleaf will be fine. This will be me: buzzed head, rectangular black glasses, blue shirt, khaki pants, red shoes. You can't miss me.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Friday, 5 September 2003 20:34 (twenty-two years ago)

with that ensemble, who would want to meet you? [/joking]

i won't be able to make it, but have fun. maybe another evening.

― amateurist (amateurist), Friday, 5 September 2003 20:51 (twenty-two years ago)

I think I'll recognize you from the photos I've seen, Kenan. Me: longish hair, beard, Tortoise t-shirt.

Oh, and Jessa is welcome to come, too, of course.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 September 2003 20:56 (twenty-two years ago)

maybe another evening.

Definitely before you leave for France...

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 September 2003 20:58 (twenty-two years ago)

I believe Jessa will be avoiding our music geek company. Plus she's allergic to beer, the poor thing. Gives her a rash. Isn't that the saddest thing you've heard all day?

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Friday, 5 September 2003 21:41 (twenty-two years ago)

About to leave work in a few mins. See you soon.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 5 September 2003 21:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Now JMC can vouch for me. Go ahead. Tell 'em I'm not crazy or stinky or anything.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Saturday, 6 September 2003 14:33 (twenty-two years ago)

*hours and hours pass*

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Saturday, 6 September 2003 20:01 (twenty-two years ago)

did you all have fun?

― phil-two (phil-two), Saturday, 6 September 2003 20:08 (twenty-two years ago)

I keep reading the title of this thread as "Chicagoans! Meet me at the Hemp Leaf!" (Sorry. I just had to say that.)

― Christine 'Green Leafy Dragon' Indigo (cindigo), Sunday, 7 September 2003 00:15 (twenty-two years ago)

It was just the two of us. And yes, fun was had. We danced into the wee hours, then drank champagne on the beach at sunrise. Jaymc asked me to marry him, and I agreed. It was a magical evening that I will never forget.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Sunday, 7 September 2003 01:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Hey, sorry I was away! Yes, it was good times. If you're reading, Brian, I forgot your phone number, so I couldn't call you -- but we called it a relatively early night, anyway.

― jaymc (jaymc), Sunday, 7 September 2003 15:44 (twenty-two years ago)

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