What I’ve learned

Living in Chicago, this is What I’ve Learned...

Head to the Lincoln Park Zoo around 10 a.m. for feeding time. All of the animals are alert and hungry, so you are guaranteed to see everything from spastic, playful monkeys to lions licking remnants off a bone. It's incredible.

This month is time for the Chicago International Film Festival, so from Oct. 4 to 17, you can break out of your Kate Hudson-romantic-comedy shell and see inspiring movies from around the globe, with many films hosting stars and filmmakers for Q&As directly after each film. Head to Landmark for a double feature and dinner at La Creperie. Oh, and people who say they can’t watch a foreign film because they can’t read subtitles while watching a movie are complete morons.
— Dan Ochwat

South Bend, Indiana, is a lot farther than the maps say it is. Drinking all day before a Notre Dame game — when they are not God awful, that is — makes for a whale of a ride home. And let’s just say that Indiana cops don’t park their cars in the same garages that you and I do.
— Eric

Move to the suburbs while you can! Housing prices are at rock-bottom rates, and the value for your money outside of Chicago is ridiculous. I traded out this summer to Naperville, and although all my friends hate me now and never come to see me, I have a lovely house with a backyard for the dog and kids. The time is now!
— Dan Miller

The absolute best late night place to order from is Chicago’s Pizza. They have the biggest menu and are open until 5 a.m. Nothing like gourmet pasta or panninis at 4 a.m.!
— Jesse Alejos

The best brunch bargain in the city could be at the Bucktown spot Feast during Saturday and Sunday brunch (from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.). When you order a big and tasty “Bloody Hell” bloody mary for $6.50, you get the option of ordering a “shorty” of beer (about eight ounces) for just an extra 50 cents. You can’t beat two tasty cocktails for $7 to go with your eggs. (Oh, and foodwise — my husband and I have never been sorry ordering the chilaquiles and salmon benedict.)
— Jessica Sedgwick

No matter how well you plan or how early you get up, with the Kennedy in the morning, going to work is the most unpredictable piece of work. Unless of course you are going to work at 2:00 in the morning.
— Chris Uribe

If someone says they are bored in Chicago, they have either: 1.) never read a paper of happenings going on (The Real Chicago, Chicago Reader, Red Eye) 2.) never been on the internet to check out Chicago websites of local activities (metromix, great doings, etc.) or 3.) never actually stepped foot out of their condo/apartment. There is ALWAYS too much to do on any given day. There is not enough time in the world to do everything Chicago has to offer. Bored Chicagoans, open up your eyes and ears!
— Sara Vinson

Tuesday nights, Coobah, $6.00 sangria pitchers. You can’t ask for anything else. The other best deal is at the Full Shilling on Thursdays: $1 Miller Lites, $1 hamburgers and a dart board to play all night long.

Lush, a wine shop in Roscoe Village, sells some of the best and affordable wines. The best part is that there is a tasting bar, and any day of the week, they have about 6-7 bottles ready for your palate. In an effort to do some “tastings,” my clan and I walked out two hours later and ended up purchasing at least 15 bottles between us.
— Debbie Podmore

It doesn’t make sense to buy a new car because no matter how far away from others you park at the grocery store, mall, etc., somehow your door will get scratched, your side mirror knocked off and bumper scraped.
— Jocelyn Howard

There is a very “real” and tangible curse on the Cubs. Watch closely, and it will reveal itself once again shortly in some way, shape or form.
— Mark Schwalenberg

Going from a nice area to the ghetto is sometimes a matter of crossing the street.
— Mace Ponce

Got something to contribute to What I’ve Learned? Send it to info@TheRealChicago.org. It better be good.

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