Say something nice about Chicago.

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The most liveable big city? The Midwestern Mecca? Clean fresh air and lovely weather? (Ok, you don't have to lie.) What say you, ILE Chicagoans?

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:37 (twenty-two years ago)

The weather is lovely this week.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Chicago is quite lovely. Gets too cold though, next to that big pond and all.

― That Girl (thatgirl), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I've always wanted to go to Chicago. For a while I kept having dreams about visiting.

― slutsky (slutsky), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Pretty skyscrapers. Though the relentless condo-ing was driving friend Beth nuts while I was there (and probably the rest of the time).

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Also home to some excellent ILXors (though Sterling is a tough crowd).

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Move now! Rents are cheap!

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:43 (twenty-two years ago)

We're moving at the end of August. And yes, the rents do look appetizing. Cheaper than here, believe it or not, especially if you get one of those deals where the heat is free.

Chicago story, kind of. Several years ago, a friend of mine and I were talking and smoking pot, doing the front step thing, and talking about Chicago. A place we'd like to go, both agreed. Another friend walks up, the subject briefly changes, and then he starts talking about Chicago. "Hey, we were just talking about that!" Then a stranger walks up, bums a hit off of us, and starts talking about Chicago. Coincidence! Then a housemate arrives home, gets out of the car, and the first thing out of his mouth is, "So are you guys talking about Chicago?" I don't know if he meant it as a joke or what. Okay, we're thinking, this is too weird. This is a string of coincidence worthy of an acid trip, not a little leisurely pot smoking. And why Chicago?

Except now I'm moving there. I think it's destiny. It was in the wind.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:46 (twenty-two years ago)

kenan, why are you moving?

― That Girl (thatgirl), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:50 (twenty-two years ago)

It's the American city that I want to visit the most. Winnipeg is called "the Chicago of the north" and so I'd like to compare and contrast (obv. Chicago is bigger...).

― Bryan (Bryan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:50 (twenty-two years ago)

If you get here in September you can have my place (note: it has ugly wood paneling).

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:55 (twenty-two years ago)

One of the things I like best about Chicago is that it's a city of neighborhoods. It's not so dense that all the big commercial parts bleed over everywhere (like Manhattan), but not so spread out that it's disjointed (like L.A.).

Looking forward to having another Chicago ILXor in the house!

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:00 (twenty-two years ago)

I love Chicago. I want to move there!

― Mandee, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Chess Records!

― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:12 (twenty-two years ago)

If you get here in September you can have my place (note: it has ugly wood paneling).

Aw. Yer so sweet. But we'll be in the market for a two bedroom, as my girlfriend's sister will be living with us for at least 6 months. I'm actually excited about having her in the house. Finally, someone who'll drink beer and listen to something other than angry white girl music!

kenan, why are you moving?

The Junta has almost tracked me down here, and it's time to move on. No, I'm kidding. Life's not moving along fast enough in hot, lazy Texas. I need a chill to get me moving in the morning. Oh, and sidewalks will be nice, too.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:13 (twenty-two years ago)

a pigeon could shit on it who knows.

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Despite popular rumor, I like Sterling well enough.

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Define "well enough."

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:17 (twenty-two years ago)

He makes me laugh.

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:19 (twenty-two years ago)

I once stole my dads Ferrari and drove all over town with my girlfriend and best friend. Principal Rooney is a real asshole, not to mention a pedophile.

― Ferris B-Diddy (Chris V), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:22 (twenty-two years ago)

That was Cameron's Ferrari, you liar.

― Sloane (mlescaut), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh yeah? Well, I once controlled the city's entire illegal liquor supply through a network of thugs, assassins, and crooked cops. I was rich, I tell you, RICH!

― Al C. (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Chicago? My dad went to grade school with the trumpet player and says he was a perfectly nice kid.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Peter Cetera can really sing.

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:30 (twenty-two years ago)

It remains a classy city even though it birthed Tortoise. Not many other cities could bounce back from a black mark like that.

― Nicole (Nicole), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:33 (twenty-two years ago)

25 to 6 to 4.

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:33 (twenty-two years ago)

THE PONYS!

― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Let's never forget the night Chicago died.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:41 (twenty-two years ago)

It's 25 or 6 to 4. Let's forget all of the bad (white people's) music inspired by Chicago.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:43 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.rockmine.music.co.uk/C_Cyclo/Cetera.GIF

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:44 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.brainwashed.com/common/images/people/orourkej.gif

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Haha, that's a sweet pic. I'm actually listening to JO'R right now.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:50 (twenty-two years ago)

http://citypaper.net/articles/2002-07-12/musicpicks5-1.jpg

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:54 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm sure I've gone entire weeks when I didn't not listen to Jim O'Rourke, in one way or another. Sometimes it feels hard to avoid him.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:56 (twenty-two years ago)

I like Chicago (the band). Have you heard about Demon Dogs? The El is forcing them to shut down to expand the Fullerton stop. Sad.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:02 (twenty-two years ago)

http://janterri.com/images/bike.jpg

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:05 (twenty-two years ago)

http://wwwrsphysse.anu.edu.au/~kzw121/gif/tacky/hotdog-sm.jpg

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:08 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.rassi.com/graphics/wrigley-field.jpg

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:15 (twenty-two years ago)

These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance." Trio of bear cubs, and fleeter than birds, Tinker and Evers and Chance.

― Tep (ktepi), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Also, I hear the White Sox played a game last week where no one attacked anyone on the field.

― Tep (ktepi), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Nooo! So is Demon Dogs relocating then?

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:21 (twenty-two years ago)

The Museum of Science & Industry has the Body Slices exhibit!

― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:22 (twenty-two years ago)

My girl's from Chicago.

― Stuart (Stuart), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:22 (twenty-two years ago)

In some ways, I do miss the Windy City.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:28 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't really miss it that much - but then again, I left when I was 18. I do miss the cheap yummy food though: the hot dogs, the pizza [lou malnatis please], pita inn, and harold's chicken shack. And I miss watching Bulls basketball.

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Mmmmmmpitainnnnn

― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:38 (twenty-two years ago)

The Museum of Science & Industry has the Body Slices exhibit!

I'm so there. Not as cool as that nutso creepy german guy that plasticized whole bodies, but still pretty frickin' cool.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:41 (twenty-two years ago)

I like how the Harold's Chicken Shack in Hyde Park is actually Harold's Chicken Shack Fish and Pizza.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh it's horrendous and facinating. The eyelashes grossed me out the most, I think. And don't miss the Wall of Babies, whatever you do.

― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Nooo! So is Demon Dogs relocating then?

I dunno. They're handing out little cards encouraging customers to call the alderman and get the CTA to help them relocate.

Phil-two are you from the north 'burbs? Pita Inn is the greatest place ever. In fact I might go there for lunch today.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Skipping 421 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

Does anyone know what Wilco took their name from? There was/is a vocation school that students from Will County would be bussed to that was called Wilco.

I went to preschool there!

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 24 September 2004 19:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually, Dillinger was from Indiana, I believe.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Friday, 24 September 2004 19:31 (twenty-one years ago)

So here's a question for the ILXors who have been in Chicago longer than me: what's with the pervasive scent of chocolate that wafts through the downtown area? I smell it frequently near my work (in River North), and this morning on the platform at the Clark & Lake stop, it was so strong that it was heady. Sometimes I can even smell it out near our house, though not as often. Is there a chocolate factory (hi R. Kelly!) somewhere near the Loop?

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 13:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, so to fit in with the thread title: Chicago smells like yummy chocolate.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 14:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, it's the Blommer chocolate factory, west of the loop. Chicago is, or was (some of the candy companies have moved out), the candy capital of the US. There are a few neighborhoods that smell like candy - there was an area on the northwest side that smelled like a different candy every day, it seemed.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Monday, 27 September 2004 14:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Do they have tours?

When we lived in Richmond, we lived very near a factory that made those generic brand cookies they sell in grocery stores, and most mornings the smell of chocolate chip cookies drifted down our street.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 14:10 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm not aware of any tours of the place.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Monday, 27 September 2004 14:14 (twenty-one years ago)

I think chocolate maybe smells better than it tastes.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 14:51 (twenty-one years ago)

It does, because you're getting undiluted chocolate there.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Monday, 27 September 2004 14:55 (twenty-one years ago)

sort of like the last r. kelly album

― amateur!!st, Monday, 27 September 2004 16:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Argh I made the R. Kelly joke like 10 posts ago!

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 17:27 (twenty-one years ago)

On my morning commute about 4-5 years ago, I used to walk by Uncle Remus' chicken at the corner of Halsted & Lake and I would often get a mixed waft of chocolate (from the Blommer factory) and chicken at the same time. Hence, Halsted & Lake became "The Intersection of Chocolate and Chicken" to me from then on.

― Baked Bean Teeth (Baked Bean Teeth), Monday, 27 September 2004 17:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Riding through the city on a bicycle while hungry is dangerous. Every intersection smells like a different delicious food. Pancakes! Barbecue! Sausage! Pizza! CHOCOLATE!

I smell the chocolate factory all day and night. I want brownies all the damn time. This could turn into a problem.

― Ain't That Peculiar (kenan), Monday, 27 September 2004 17:39 (twenty-one years ago)

sorry nick i'm totally out of it today, even know i'm posting on ilx with my left hand and working on school apps with my right

― amateur!!st, Monday, 27 September 2004 18:26 (twenty-one years ago)

(1) nick: sorry i missed your show. i'd been going full-bore all week and was exhaustd. i actually helped a friend move into his new wicker park condo (!!) and was even more exhausted. i didn't have it in me to stay up until midnight and then take the train home to evanston in the early morning.

(2) phil-two: on second thought, i don't think i'll actually have time to hang out, sorry. i'm sort of maniacally busy right now. but i'll see you at the BBQ.

― amateur!!st, Monday, 27 September 2004 18:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't worry. You didn't miss much. I'm actually glad you didn't show up, I would've felt bad after that semi-trainwreck of a show. Urgh.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 18:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Uh oh, what happened?

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 27 September 2004 18:54 (twenty-one years ago)

There was an "incident."

― Ain't That Peculiar (kenan), Monday, 27 September 2004 18:55 (twenty-one years ago)

A grizzly bear "incident."

― Ain't That Peculiar (kenan), Monday, 27 September 2004 18:56 (twenty-one years ago)

In short, a really terrible atmosphere was created by there being an early show before ours, meaning no time for a sound check, meaning I couldn't hear the drums when we played, in addition to having to sit through one mediocre-but-reasonably-pleasant opening band and one horribly annoying opening band, being really tired, the B0tt0m L0unge being really huge but almost completely empty on a Sunday night after the 20 or so people that had come to see the opening bands left before we played, and so we started out ok, then got to our newest song, which we started twice but never got past the first verse without all verging off into different tempos, which means we ended up skipping it, meaning I was in a crummy mood for the next couple of songs, though we finally started to play pretty well for the last few songs. I don't know. We're not really professional enough to be able to surpass a cruddy atmosphere yet, our playing is heavily dependant on our mood and our environment (as evidenced by the awesome Beat Kitchen show). So I think the lesson learned was that we need to get more shows opening up for bands that our kind of similar to us where maybe some kids will be there, or at least at smaller venues, instead of headlining over some other random bands at huge rock clubs where no one has any incentive to show up.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:04 (twenty-one years ago)

That sounds like the right approach.

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:05 (twenty-one years ago)

you should play at that indie fashion show space on milwaukee or whatever///

― amateur!!st, Monday, 27 September 2004 19:06 (twenty-one years ago)

I think we're too pop for them.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:09 (twenty-one years ago)

So don't play pop, then! Not writing songs is the easiest thing ever!

― Ain't That Peculiar (kenan), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:09 (twenty-one years ago)

I want to play some house shows. Those are fun.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Kenan we're playing your new apartment ok? Great.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:10 (twenty-one years ago)

I want to play some house shows. Those are fun.

Move to a college town.

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:11 (twenty-one years ago)

wear masks and filter all your songs between six heat-damaged ring modulators and you can probably make it in the noize scene

― amateur!!st, Monday, 27 September 2004 19:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Ha I watched the Lightning Bolt documentary before the show yesterday to try and get "pumped up."

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Do you know about these loft spaces, NA?

Texas Ballroom

The Ice Factory

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Texas has had actual famous bands play there (Lightning Bolt, Mirah) but from what I understand it's just a loft.

The Ice Factory is much smaller-scale, but it's fun. Canasta played there once.

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:17 (twenty-one years ago)

have any of you been to the rehabbed logan square auditorium??

― amateur!!st, Monday, 27 September 2004 19:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, I haven't been there in a year -- so I'm not sure if they've done any additional work on it -- but it's nice! It has a ballroom/gymnasium feel to it.

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks for the links, jaymc! Those places look cool.

We saw Liars at LSA. It's really big. But the sound was pretty good for what is essentially a big gymnasium.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe our new haircuts made Nick and I overconfident. ha ha. But seriously, that show is over and there will be other shows.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I felt very old when I saw Branches at the Ice Factory several months ago. Cool space, though.

― Baked Bean Teeth (Baked Bean Teeth), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:40 (twenty-one years ago)

(2) phil-two: on second thought, i don't think i'll actually have time to hang out, sorry. i'm sort of maniacally busy right now. but i'll see you at the BBQ.

oh okay. i guess i'll sit here and read a book with my mom then. someone take a day off from work and go shopping with me, plz.

― phil-two (phil-two), Monday, 27 September 2004 22:23 (twenty-one years ago)

i know a nice person who lives there.

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Monday, 27 September 2004 22:47 (twenty-one years ago)

two weeks pass...

Amateurist, are you out there? Does your offer a guided tour still stand. I will be in Chicago TOMORROW.

― Mary (Mary), Thursday, 14 October 2004 16:45 (twenty-one years ago)

amateurist is still overseas in Italy.

― n/a (Nick A.), Thursday, 14 October 2004 17:41 (twenty-one years ago)

do you know where morrissey is staying?

― phil-two (phil-two), Thursday, 14 October 2004 17:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, Amateurist is in Europe? I didn't know. Unfortunately, I wasn't briefed on Morrissey's lodging, but he's been favoring Park Hyatt's and Ritz Carlton's this tour, so maybe something like that? I think he was spotted on Michigan Avenue, but not by me, alas. Anyway, the Aragon stage is way too high.

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 18 October 2004 19:52 (twenty-one years ago)

stake out The Drake. the classic chicago hotel.

― phil-two (phil-two), Monday, 18 October 2004 19:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Chicago rocks, have a good time Mary

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Monday, 18 October 2004 19:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Why do celebrities always go to Michigan Ave.? It's the same stores they have in every big city!

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 18 October 2004 20:05 (twenty-one years ago)

I've been and gone. All I really saw of Chi was the line outside the Aragon, and a brief trip along the Red line to Urban Outfitters to look for a scarf and gloves. Fuck it was cold there.

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 18 October 2004 20:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, this is like the first week it's been cold. I had to go buy a new coat on Saturday because I left my old one at the Bottom Lounge when we played there.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 18 October 2004 20:11 (twenty-one years ago)

It was even colder in Milwaukee!

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 18 October 2004 20:16 (twenty-one years ago)

I really want to visit Chicago. I've never really spent more than a day or two there.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Monday, 18 October 2004 20:19 (twenty-one years ago)

I will be there over Christmas.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Monday, 18 October 2004 20:27 (twenty-one years ago)

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