I Heart Chicago

It's been about 2 1/2 years since I've officially lived in the Windy City. There have been some ups and downs, but overall, Chicago's been quite good to me. Around this time two years ago, I was almost forced to move back home to Ohio. After Ex Boyfriend gratuitously kicked me out of our apartment, I contemplated moving back home. I didn't know anyone in the city and really didn't have anywhere else to go. I had just started a new job and was desperately trying to stay on full-time. I think a lot of people in my position would've just given up and fled, but something inside told me not to give up on the city and to stay. I'm glad I did.

I keep threatening to leave Chicago. When people ask me how I like Chicago, my response usually goes like this: "I really like it here, but..." There's always that but usually followed by: "It's not New York." I feel like I'm hurting Chicago's feelings when I say it's not good enough for me, that NYC is so much better. The truth is, the two are so completely opposite cities. There is quite a bit of opportunity in Chicago and if one is lucky, they can carve out a nice little niche for themself. I'm still trying to figure out how to do this. Right now, Chicago has one of the most fertile music scenes in the country seeing a resurgence of bands not seen since the alt rock blast of the mid-90s. What other city hosted four, count 'em four, huge music festivals this past summer? I went to all four for free including Lollapalooza (in which I attended illegally free.) And this summer will be no exception. You have The Onion AV Club based here. You have Vince Vaughn shooting films here. You have Oprah herself lurking around...sorta. Since moving here, I've worked a few production jobs sporadically, but not the way I did in L.A. But if you know enough people, you can make a comfortable living working in Chicago production. The winters here haven't been as awful as the denizens make it out to be, but it could be because of global warming and El Nino. I love the lake--fucking Lake Michigan! Its vast beauty and dark secrets. There's a reason why Sufjan Stevens recorded an entire album about Illinois and Chicago. I've had quite a bit of adventures here, I suppose. I've worked a bunch of jobs, none of which I really enjoyed (except for The Onion) but through these jobs, I've met some pretty great people.

Honestly, when I first moved to Chicago, I didn't know a single soul besides Ex Boyfriend. At first I kind of hated the city and kept wondering why I even moved up here. People ask me all the time why I moved to Chicago, and I don't know what to say. The initial reason was because of Ex Boyfriend, but I don't think that's true anymore. I wanted to move here even before I visited back in July of 2002. Chicago just seemed like an ideal place to live. When I visited, I wasn't too impressed with the town. The first time I visited NYC, I immediately fell in love with it. It took a while for Chicago to grow on me. It also took me a while to even make friends-- about six months. My first friend was a co-worker I met at my first awful job at a company called Old Republic insurance (shout out to Treneka!). She remains one of my closest pals here. I've networked a lot and feel like I've established myself a little as a Chicago based writer. My job is to cover the scene here, to attend shows, talk about cool restaurants, bars, and events. I've discovered a plethora of what Chicago has to offer, but there is so much more to unearth in the city. I mean, I've never been to a Cubs or White Sox game (gasp), or to the top of the Sears Tower, or to The Music Box movie theater, or to Second City. But I have worked with Vince Vaughn and interviewed to work for Jerry Springer. Sometimes I'll be walking or sitting on the train and catch a glimpse of the skyline. It's incredible! The Hancock, the Sears, all gloriously looming above the town. I know I'll eventually leave Chicago, as hard as it may be, but for now, a voice keeps telling me to stick it out a while longer. I have no desire to move back to L.A or Ohio, but I know I'd probably come back to Chicago. People use Chicago as a stepping stone to move onto bigger and better things--that's why it's called the second city.

I've only have had a handful of visitors so far. My mom is my only family member that's visited me. In the past few weeks, I've had three different friends visit. People, come visit me! I've lived in three different places (with a total of four different people including a 40 year old lesbian! Don't ask.) during my tenure here. In L.A, I lived in the same apartment for all five years. I've gotten a chance to experience different neighborhoods, too. The area I live in now (Lincoln Square) probably has been my favorite so far.

When I'm gone, I will miss you Chicago, but until I depart for other adventures, I will make the best of what you have to offer, even the occasional ennui and gust of wind leaving my spine tingling.