After 11 months of scratching off days on the calendar, I’m down to the final 30. With only a month left as a Chicagoan, it got me thinking about all the things I love — and will will miss — about this city. I realize I’ve spent much of the last year talking about leaving Chicago, the underlying implication being that I cannot wait to ditch it for better climes. Be that as it may, I know there are many things I’m going to miss about my hometown. Here’s 10 that come to mind:
10. The Food. Even though I’m trying eat less like a Midwesterner, I will most definitely miss Chicago’s culinary offerings. I’m heading to the land of localvores, farmers markets, vegan turkey burgers and soy fries, and that should do wonders for my body weight. But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t going to miss the over-eater’s paradise that is the great city of Chicago. From the deep dish pizza to the hot dogs, I never met a bad food I didn’t love. I know, I know: “Hot dogs? Gross!” WHATEVER! You’ve not lived until you’ve had a Chicago Style Hot Dog or a specialty dog from Hot Doug’s. This feels like an Oscar speech at a a Weight Watchers meetings, but I have to say I’m going to miss dim sum at Furama, the delicious Cuban food — and waiters — at Cafe 28, the baguette sandwiches at Ba Le, the decadently wondrous custard from Scooter’s, as well as the food at Irazu, Bistro Margot, Standard India, Over Easy, Fernando’s, Sola, Crisp, The Soup Box and so many more. My pallet will miss them all, but my waistline will not.
9. Spring & Summer In The City. Old Man Winter decided to give me a proper meteorological send-off this past February by dumping on us the third largest blizzard in Chicago history. Of course, it’s April now and my seasonal amnesia is in full effect. Like a kiss from Prince Charming, the sunshine awakes me from the deep slumber of winter. I shed the layers, get on my bike and breathe the warm, yet crisp air. Spring, with it’s green and blossoms, will soon give way to summer and all it’s offerings: Street fairs, live music (much or it free and outdoors), lakefront bike rides, lazy beach days on the shores of Lake Michigan and shirtless mens as far as the eye can see. The horror of winter fades and is quickly replaced by the joy of a city alive with fun and frolic. Spring and summer are the best times to be a Chicagoan.
8. The Flesh Hungry Dog Show. For the last six years, my friend Gary Airdale has been booking and hosting an alt queer music night called Flesh Hungry Dog Show. One night a month, the FHDS transforms a leather/fetish bar into one of the most inclusive rock and roll parties in the city. It’s a great outlet for queer music that has really cultivated a nice little community and following at Jackhammer. I’ve been an enthusiastic FHDS concert-goer on and off for most of that six years, which has hosted such bands as (my favorites) The Joans, Bobby Conn, Bitch & Animal, The Cathy Santonies, Blue Ribbon Glee Club, Mucca Pazza, The Van Buren Boys, Heat Birds, Modern Day Rippers, Brilliant Pebbles and many more.
7. WXRT/93.1 FM. In this day and age of Internet radio, I should be able to listen to my favorite station — 93XRT — literally anywhere, anytime from either my computer or my iPhone. But there’s something just so much more satisfying about hearing it in real time. XRT has had pretty much the same on-air staff for the last 30 years. These people are like old, reliable friends. The warmth and depth of knowledge they bring to the art of rock radio is unparalleled. There’s no other media outlet that feels more like Chicago than this radio station. From “New Noise At Nine” and “Going To The Show With The Regular Guy” to “Saturday Morning Flashback” and “Breakfast With The Beatles”, life without XRT live on the air won’t quite be the same.
6. Music Box Theatre. Built in 1929, the Music Box Theatre is the last of an almost-extinct breed of classic cinemas. For the last 20 years it’s been the premiere destination for foreign, independent and art house cinema in Chicago. In addition, it often hosts special events and screenings, the most popular being its annual Christmas Double Feature of White Christmas and It’s A Wonderful Life. It’s such a magical and communal experience, that even a Scrooge like me gets into the spirit. It’s a beautiful — and my only — holiday tradition.
5. Andersonville. I have three times made this north side neighborhood my home. Time and again, I found my way back to Andersonville, this little village in the city. With it’s Swedish immigrant roots and Middle Eastern influences, Andersonville is a veritable melting pot of cultures: Gay and straight, singles and family, nightlife and the everyday. It’s the perfect Chicago neighborhood in my opinion, with its welcoming small town charm and distinctly modern offerings. I. Love. This. Neighborhood.
4. Metro Chicago. Hands down, Metro is THEE best place in the city to see live music on a small club level. (I’m sure someone, somewhere wants to argue this point with me, but I’m sticking to the positive.) As a former music industry professional, I was lucky enough to see dozens of shows over the years at Metro (often for free). A short list of artists I’ve seen play in this 1,150-person venue: Bob Dylan, LCD Soundsystem, Beck, Iggy Pop, The Smashing Pumpkins, The White Stripes, Cheap Trick, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Foo Fighters and on and on. It is a Chicago rock and roll Mecca.
3. My Clients. I’ve been a massage therapist for over six years. And though it hasn’t always been easy — especially at the height of the Recession — I’ve managed to grow a very nice client base. It never ceases to amaze me how generous and kind my massage clients have been. I’ve worked hard and provided the best possible service at affordable rates. My clients have responded in kind, allowing my practice to flourish. I will not only miss the business relationships, but also the interpersonal ones that have grown from them. I’ve been very lucky and am completely grateful for them.
2. Big Chicks, The Uptown Bar. Oh, how many hours and thousands of dollars have I spent in this establishment over the years? How many joys (and dramas) have occurred here? How many friendships made, lovers lost? How many vodkas drank and brain cells cost? There’s no adding machine powerful enough for the emotional calculations of this equation. Quite simply, Big Chicks is the friendliest, most fun, laid back, unpretentious gay bar in all of Chicago. The formative years of myself and so many others I know were spent here. It is truly a home away from home, which I believe is owner Michelle Fire’s intention. Although it has changed somewhat over the years, it’s always felt like my own personal Cheers, and I hope it always will.
1. My friends. I know we all have this thing called “the Internet” that allows us to keep in pretty close contact with all the important people in our lives, not to mention every stranger we’ve ever encountered on Facebook. But cyber-interaction is no substitute for real time interaction with flesh and blood friends. I’ve spent the last 17 and a half years cultivating many great friendships, many of which have become more important to me than any family ties. To my close friends — what Anna Madrigal would call my “logical family” — thank you for being a part of my life. I have more gratitude than words can express. Even though the Internet and airplanes may bring us together from time to time, it won’t be the same. I’ll miss you all, but I’m looking forward to starting this new chapter. -fin-
I was waiting for this post to end with, “So I’ve changed my mind and I’m staying in Chicago!”
I can tell you, though, you will find lots of things here to take the place of what you’re leaving behind. You will love it here! I know I do!