Chicago 2016: Our credit rating is lower than your credit rating

hey also something about Chicago I didn't know.

in 1840, the city population was 4,470. by 1890, it was 1.1 million.

I guess i thought Chicago was a much bigger city earlier than 1840.

hey thx for the free drink tip!!

http://img.pandawhale.com/post-18170-Great-Gatsby-toast-gif-Imgur-f-EnmX.gif

lol

21st less ideal, but still works for me. Would prefer the more the merrier.

21st is slightly better for me, but just by a hair.

It's looking very unlikely that I'll be able to make it, unfortunately. Waiting on updates for potentially bad family news and will probably be out of town soon.

I'm still up for a drink tonight, if anyone is still available.

Sorry, shakey & co., I'm just waiting by the phone and preparing to leave town at a moment's notice. Another time, for sure.

Oh shit, did something happen? Nothing? Oh well, next time.

Looks like Chicago's Savemoney crew ruled Lollapalooza. Chance, Big Purp, Towkio, Saba...Good for Chicago hip-hop. I haven't really been paying attention, but probably should.

I don't know if anything happened (I had funeral-ing to do, unfortunately). I hope it was a good time if so.

nothin happened - stayed at the Virgin Hotel which was ridic, ate at some Indian restaurant downtown (India House?) which was p good, went to see Ghostbusters, that was about it

Aw.

Jesus Christ the violence in this city. And it's almost all seemingly random and impulsive. I'm pretty sad and frustrated and in search of solutions other than decades of systemic change, which of course will take, well, decades. A kid from our local high school was shot and killed on a street corner Monday night, and I'm honestly torn. It's heartbreaking and I plan to attend his vigil tonight, but at the same time (ugh) aren't there better places to be than hanging with a friend on the corner on on the west side of Chicago after 10pm on a school night? Is there even such a thing as being in the wrong place at the wrong time? He should have been at home. It's all so senseless.

I feel dorky posting this after Josh's post above, but any other ILXors going to the Lush and/or Belly concerts at The Vic this weekend? I'm coming into town for both shows.

Yeah, sorry for being a bummer. I actually went to the vigil, which was good for me (in a selfish way). Nice to see such a wide array of people there, and I think I learned a lot, actually.

But yeah, Belly and Lush. It's almost funny that they are back to back, night to night, at the same venue, as almost counter programming to Riot Fest (right?). But I think I'm skipping them.

If I weren't a total lamestain of an old, I'd be there with bells on.

I should mention if anyone is interested I do have an extra ticket to each show, since my wife is unable to come with me as planned.

Hmm Lush -- maybe? If it's still available on Sunday lemme know, couldn't let it go to waste!

http://i.imgur.com/5ngvoFP.jpg

anything going on the october 21 - 23 weekend?

Film Fest: i can recommend the 1930 musical King of Jazz

https://www.fandor.com/keyframe/daily-chicago-2016

bumping thread for next weekend. looking less likely I'd show up, but it's possible

We'll be out of town.

I should post and say that my dad, my girlfriend and I visited Chicago for a few days just now and had a wonderful time. We were busy doing a bunch of specific things my dad was aiming for -- the trip was his idea -- but the Art Institute, Museum of Science and Industry and 360Chicago were all great as well an architecture river tour, it was fun to catch some of the Marathon, the weather was perfect, and the food and drink uniformly excellent. And that gr8080 as Robie House docent was excellent.

will be in chi thanksgiving week

what are the good bars and restaurants downtown and surrounding areas?

also trying to get out of it and not into it but i've been given the task of taking my kid brother to his first strip bar so any recs are appreciated (save me the retribution -- will avoid going if possible). 18 and over!

Well, I can tell you some of my new faves, downtown or River North:

http://mercatchicago.com/

http://www.imperial-lamian.com/#home

http://www.giltbarchicago.com/

http://www.lsdatcaa.com/milk-room-chicago

http://beatrixchicago.com/

http://threedotschicago.com/

As for strip bars, you're on your own.

cheers ned!

hey i am sorry i missed you ned. mh, hmu if u are around.

Hey there! Long since returned but I can assure you that while on the river architecture tour I was tickled to note the Britannica building.

oh, cool!

i have never actually done that boat tour but have heard great things.

2016?

So I'll be in town MLK weekend. What's the best way to get around and take in the sights in mid-winter?

Music-wise: Looks like I'll be missing Tortoise and Advance Base shows by a day.

CTA
Cabs/uber
Walking
Driving

Really kind of depends where you are and where you want to go, too.

Overheard some thing on NPR the other day arguing that, as abysmal a mayor as Emanuel may be, having a total dick in office may help offset some of the potential federal-level dickishness that's almost certainly headed everyone's way (I think this discussion was specifically about maintaining Chicago's sanctuary city status). Feels a little like aligning oneself with the least malignant gang in prison or huddling in the cave of the post-apocalyptic warlord least likely to eat your family but there may be some sad truth to the notion.

cold comfort imo

Thanks dan m! We're staying downtown but will be up for exploring Bucktown, Wicker Park, Lincoln Park (and the neighborhoods NW up Lincoln). The L Blue Line looks pretty integral.

don't forget about buses. sometimes it's more efficient to take a bus than the train.
don't feel bad about missing advance base, i'm not in the band anymore (jk advance base is still great even though i'm not in the band anymore)

really liked the metra and how they have an app you can buy passes with

Haha, I had no idea you were in AB!

I'll be taking the Metra at least once (don't ask).

CTA Bustracker has bus/train times -- def comes in handy during the cold.

http://www.ctabustracker.com

gotta suggest taking the Lincoln bus for Jeff

We have been remarkably snow free so far. Snow truly affects the best ways to get around. Also Sub-Zero temperatures, or lack thereof. It is about 40 degrees right now. In a couple days it is supposed to be 5. The first is fine to walk in, the second you want to avoid.

having visited chicago in january when it was raining and several inches of snow were dissolving into slush, if you can't line up a good train/bus combo during wet weather that gets you within a couple blocks of your destination, it's very reasonable to take a cab or uber the last stretch

I normally don't balk at slushy walks but while doing so I accidentally got turned around and went two blocks out of my way, followed by stepping it what seemed like a small amount of water but ended up being a four inch deep puddle

Also, beware of falling ice. I don't walk anywhere without adhering to a totally unpredictable zig-zag pattern.

Got everything planned out?

I'm driving from Decorah, IA to DeKalb, IL tomorrow than transferring to a METRA to meet my wife in River North (tourist hotel centroid #1)

Thank you for asking btw, does anyone like the Cubbies? Does f/redwell still inhabit this particular dimension?

Is this the most recent Chicago thread? Looks like I'm going to be visiting in late August for 5 days or so. Where should I stay? I'll be staying downtown for work for a couple days, but I could stay elsewhere for the other days. I'm inclined to find an Airbnb in a different neighbourhood.