What I’ve learned

Living in Chicago, this is What I’ve Learned...
Welcome to some of the best of 2007’s contributions...

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.” I was wrong. He also knows “Zippity doo da.”

A smelly guy at the gym can really ruin any workout experience. Same goes for a flight.

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.

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.
— Paul Banks

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

I’ve learned that I am the fastest walker in the city. Everyone else walks slower than me. It becomes abundantly clear while walking downtown in the droves of people before and after work.
— Scott Graham

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

There is a crazy man who rides the purple line occasionally, talking to no one in particular about how the government won’t let him have ambrosia anymore. If you are on a car with him, write down what he says. Those are gems.

People who grew up in the suburbs say that they’re “from Chicago.” This is a phenomenon that I think only happens in Illinois.
— Jenn Fett

For all the money they make, Chicago impound offices should not be housed in mobile trailers from 1987.
— Michelle Seagraves

Don’t step in puddles, as they may not all be rain water.

Nothing is better than a day game in June at Wrigley field. And you have to have Old Style and smooshed hot dogs to get the full experience!
— Megan Zimmerman

Limo drivers have loads of downtime between pick-ups and dropoffs during an evening. During the down times they will give you and your friends a ride to the next bar for about the same cost as a cab. Next time you see one parked on the street, lean in the window and just ask, “You workin’ for gas money?” The last time I used this “trick” I was with my girlfriend and her family. For $5 a person, we rode from the Shedd Aquarium to the Lalo’s on Illinois. Not bad.
— Rich Zell

I’ve learned that in Chicago, no matter what you’ve paid to get in to see live music, there is ALWAYS going to be an obnoxious group of people that are going to talk during a quiet acoustic show. The smaller the venue (Schubas, Uncommon Ground), the louder that group will talk. Never fails.
— Sara Vinson

The most worthless occupation ever is the bar bathroom attendant. Seriously, do I really need someone to turn the water on and hand me a paper towel after I’m done using the bathroom? The uncomfortableness of the forced chit-chat is enough to make me want to exit the bar and pee on the side of the building.
— Brian Sesterhenn

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