chicago moment

Location: Washington and Dearborn. Across the street from the Chriskindlmarket (aka Daley Plaza).

Time: At the tail end of morning rush hour. The last of the late risers trotting to work.

Seen: A black woman around 65 years old perched, cross-leged, on a planter (one of those anti-terrorist tall planters). She was dressed in all shades of blue, mostly royal blue. Even her bouffant hair was spray-painted "blue". Outfitted in a smart dress suit and accessorized to the nines in cheap gold earings and big blue necklaces, she waved at passerbys with one hand. In the other, she gingerly held a martini glass filled with what looked like Irish coffee with a mound of whipped cream. It might have been fake, since there was not one swash with all of her waving. I think she was softly singing to me as I turned to wave.

Regret: No camera!! Maybe she'll be there tomorrow.

Batman...come out to play!

Batman: The Dark Knight has been filming in Chicago for a couple of months and are scheduled to do so through September. The crew is using the empty lot next to my office as a staging area. The entire operation has been understandably uber-secretive. Even so, I am truly disappointed at the lack of Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, and Maggie Gyllenhaal sightings. Actually, aside from on-the-set glimpses, Bale and Ledger seem like ghosts in this town. I respect these actors and would love to hang out. But really, I just want them to be out and about, falling in love with the city, and raving about how wonderful Chicago is. The stunt guys regularly come to the restaurant I work at and update us on the filming schedule, so I know you guys are here! C'mon come out and play!!

looptopia

I emailed the following to my friends who are associated with Chicago. I posted it here because I am that enthusiastic about Chicago.

Dear Once, Present, and Future Chicago Citizens,

Looptopia is this Friday from 5pm to sunrise. Chicago's theater, music, arts, film, dance, and other spectacles will be showcased for FREE! All night long!! It is billed as America's first all-night cultural and artistic celebration and there is no better place than our fair city.

Events like Looptopia and SummerDance are what make Chicago stand out as the best city to live in. In my eyes, Chicago is an innovator in city sponsored activity, community building, and culture. And then there are the grassroots events that make me grin from ear to ear. I really feel like Chicago tries it's best to get it's citizens to appreciate food, art, culture, theater, creativity, community, sport, and his neighbor. This isn't only a good place to earn a living, it's a great place to enjoy living.

Take a gander at the first-ever Looptopia schedule (http://www.looptopia.com). Pick out two or three things you'd like to participate in. Make it a point to go! This is the innaugural year, make this one a success.

I will be volunteering from 8pm to midnight. I will be taking part in as much as I can pre- and post-shift. Chess at 1am anyone?

a look back

For posterity's sake. Retro-post from last June.

Tonight, I am officially in love with Chicago. It happened about 1.5 hours ago; 8:50pm central time.

It was dusk, beneath a warm summer night sky. A few ominous clouds above threatening to pour down; it only sprinkled. In Grant Park next to Lake Michigan. DJ Derrick Carter spinning melodic groovy house tunes. A free show. I was dancing amidst all walks of life. You name him, he was there, she was too. All sorts, all shapes, all ages, all styles, dancing together under this warm summer night sky. The skinny white guy in a wife beater was dancing with a cool hippie chick. An old couple, older than our parents, dancing hand in hand. The guy with the Mohawk was there, so was Goth chick with piercings all over her face. Beer belly dude in a bright orange football jersey was getting down like no other. Group of basketball jerseys. Prep boy in a sweater. A chic hottie grooved behind her hot pink glasses, next to two mamacitas. Three kids blew by me and started a congo line! The big black guy that dances all nutty doing crazy poses and worshipping peoples feet was there shouting “Chicago house!” The Asian mama’s boy was dancing with his graceful brunette gal. Euroboy who dances with his mouth gaping wide open in a permanent surprised look, he was there. He was dancing with black grandma wearing African garb. That Latino guy with long hair tied back in a long ponytail, he was bopping and turning. Nerdy science TA carried his 3 year-old on his shoulders, bouncing. Belly dancing gal with an afro, she was mesmerizing. All sorts, all shapes, all ages, all styles, dancing together under this warm summer night sky. Tears of joy filled my eyes at 8:50pm. I am in love.