Chicago
The greatest thing to happen to my personal blog this year was the inspiration I got from my hit-and-run ex to purchase a Flip Mino camcorder. The sub-$200, super-sub-compact wonder fits in my pocket with room to spare for my iPhone and takes an hour of digital video.
Chicago
How the modest Uptown Update blog made big trouble for the North Side's multi-million dollar Wilson Yard redevelopment project.
Chicago
J.T. Newman is an unlikely ecdysiast. Wednesday, over sidewalk cocktails at downtown Chicago's Emerald Loop, she shared with me her journey from future office lackey to the blogosphere's 'dyke darling' of burlesque, Ms. Bea Haven.
Chicago
During their windy City visit last week, Seattle’s coolest couple, Kasey and John, waxed giddily about the fun and frolic of my downtown Chicago neighborhood. Their reaction stands in stark contrast to the one I normally get from native Chicagoans when I tell them I live downtown. It’s almost like t
Chicago
I've been invited to be a key part of the coolest Windy City blogging project ever. Unfortunately I can't tell you a thing about it, other than to say Yours Truly is modestly but officially a professional blogger now. But if you want more details, watch the video and follow my eyes...
Chicago
Imagine my surprise this past Friday when I took one of my urban hikes through my downtown Chicago neighborhood and walked right into what may be the most unnecessarily dangerous pedestrian crossing in town.
Chicago
Earlier this month, a visit to the Brookfield Zoo uncovered new depths of hidden obsessiveness in Yours Truly. I've always liked the place--it reminds me of a pancake-flat Bronx Zoo, minus the Bengali Express monorail ride through Wild Asia that I grew up riding. But there's one thing I unfortunatel
Chicago
'Once you’ve lived somewhere long enough, its landscape begins to change with you. Its landmarks--at one time foreign, empty, meaningless--begin to sprout hints of growth as you plant memories like seeds. Soon, a living breathing history of your time there begins to reveal itself.'
Chicago
I thought the wake of Valentine's Day would be a good time to tell you why I love some of the fine sites that I include in my blogroll.
Chicago
This week I took a look at the official visitors websites of my two favorites Midwestern cities: my adopted hometown of Chicago (ChooseChicago); and Ohio's Queen City, Cincinnati (CincinnatiUSA). In doing so, I found that size is no predictor of marketing ability. Both visitors websites fall flat in
Chicago
When the Wisconsin police attempt to stop you for driving without a license, it's usually a good idea not to take them on a high-speed chase back to Illinois down I-94. Unfortunately, my friend, Gay O.J., didn't have a good idea when those flashing lights started.
Chicago
Attempting to recover from the prancing and pawing of rooftop hooves, I decided to spend a post-Christmas morning at the Art Institute of Chicago. Even before I checked my coat, I knew my visit would leave a mixed impression on me. As always, I expected to exit with an uplifted imagination but somew