What I’ve learned

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

I’ve learned to double check the name of the doctor when setting appointments to make sure you don’t know them before scheduling a yearly girly check-up! Let’s just say I rescheduled that appointment.

I’ve learned two things in relation to crooks in the city. First lesson is that crooks in the city are really well hooked up.

Last week I was nice enough to provide my local crook with the combo for my attached bike lock and a new headlight when they took off with my new bike in broad daylight. Although I was upset, I actually thought that it was not that bad because I can easily go buy a new bike. The last time my car was broken into, the thief was nice enough to leave my makeup bag (which I am sure he thought was a purse), and it would be a lot harder to go purchase all new makeup, brushes, etc. So my aura with my local thieves is all back to normal! Good deeds on both ends!
— Heather Alejos

1. Someone will actually steal your spare tire from underneath your car while parked on the street.
2. This is truly a dog city.
3. Drinking, partying, drinking and more drinking — especially after a Cubs game on a Saturday/Sunday afternoon.
4. Lake Michigan looks like an ocean, not a lake.
— Rose

Always feel the seat before sitting down on an El train or a bus.

The kids who sell M&Ms for their basketball team on Michigan Avenue really don’t play basketball. Don’t feel guilty about not buying any.

The cheese on the famous charbroiled cheddar burgers at the Weiner’s Circle is not really cheese – it’s a mixture of cheese powder and water. You MUST be drunk to eat one of these.
— Chris Condon

For the longest time, I thought that the guy playing the saxaphone for change in the basement of O’Hare only knew the theme to “The Flinstones” and “Sweet Home Chicago.” Silly me. He also knows “Zippity doo da.”

No matter where you go to work out, you’ll always hear about someone else who has a better deal at their gym.

The idea of having a car for freedom in the city is great, until you realize how much time you spend in it while looking for parking.
— Trent Modglin

Girls at the bars love to be in pictures, anytime, anywhere. Especially if they think those pictures might be published somewhere.

Women can find a way to take any Halloween costume and make it sexy (or slutty, depending on your point of view). They will find a way to make the most asexual or traditionally male costume and make it “hot.”

The Saturday before Halloween is now in the same class as New Years Eve or St. Patrick’s Day in that even the amateurs come out and party.

We now have Halloween carols: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and the theme from “Ghostbusters.”
— Paul Banks

After watching a strong review on “Check, please” for Honey BBQ1, we gave it a try. It actually was not all the show raved about. The ribs, which were tauted as a “must have,” were dry, with not much meat and an overall disappointment. The other food was average. If you’re looking for BBQ, you’ll be much better off at Fat Willy’s or Smoke Daddy’s.

45 degrees in October feels much differently than 45 degrees in March. In October, you bundle up in misery. In March, you venture outside to enjoy the “warm” weather.

Bored during winter? Try cosmic bowling through the Chicago Sport & Social Club or Monster. It’s a great way to meet new people, watch music videos, try to bowl and take your mind off winter for a few hours. Another fun winter activity — check out Whirlyball on Fullerton. You get to drive around in bumper cars, smash into your friends and throw a ball at two different goals using a lacrosse-type racket.
— Mark Schwalenberg

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

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