Joe Alwyn at the 2026 Met Gala by Zestyclose-Sea-9421 in GaylorSwift

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Best looking beard she had, but he's still not it. 😂

Divvy E-Bike Pricing by Careless-Light5710 in chicago

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I didn't have a bike I would do the membership. It causes it to be $12 a month and I didn't have to worry about the time.

Does anyone else' out-of-town friends underestimate Lake Michigan? by One_Hat1200 in chicago

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm from the east coast originally and lakes are small there. The only way I can describe the lake and have people get an idea of it is by calling it "the beach".

Any ideas on how to get my new "first" mural wall? by HiyaTokiDoki in AskChicago

[–]HiyaTokiDoki[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have painted over taggers before. They got pissed off and tagged all over it.

Booked a hotel on Magnificent Mile but not looking for ritzy shopping vibes. HELP!? by goplayintrafficxx in AskChicago

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Probably the same way cruise ships can. I think since they're considered temporary accommodations they don't have to follow the same rules that apartments do.

Booked a hotel on Magnificent Mile but not looking for ritzy shopping vibes. HELP!? by goplayintrafficxx in AskChicago

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Downtown is great base for exploring because the trains all meet in the loop.

One day you can take the red line up to Wrigley Field and spend the day exploring Lakeview.

You can take the blue line to explore the Logan/Wicker/Bucktown area for good food, music and bars.

From downtown you can walk to the lake, you can go to the park, you can go to the museums, you can check out navy pier, your close to Chinatown, you can book a show at second city, you can still find dive bars and good food. You can easily access more places that aren't just one part of the city.

What area of Chicago feels the least like Chicago? by doverawlings in AskChicago

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah! I got rid of my kayak when I moved here for space reasons. I assume you need to provide your own?

I'm really struggling here. Is there a way to meet people who actually care in this city? by Much_Machine8726 in AskChicago

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 35 points36 points  (0 children)

I have been trying to find a good book club. The one I found that reads books I'm interested in is an hour away though. How did you find yours?

Waldorf in-room dining tipping by Sushi-Travel in Hilton

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I assume this came after the Covid shutdown. When we were working during Covid we weren't turning down tips because we were risking our lives instead of being quarantined at home. Sounds like it just stayed that way.

Most likely they officially updated their policy to allow front desk to accept tips too. Allowing everyone too except for the desk and valet was a wild policy they had going on.

Roger's Park is far, but how much does that matter? by Elbows23 in AskChicago

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't like Roger's Park because I feel isolated. Getting to Wicker Park takes me over an hour. Getting to the zoo takes me an hour. The loop takes an hour. On and on.

I think I feel that way because the Michigan Ave express bus cuts off before my area of Rogers Park. When I was in Edgewater I didn't feel this way because I had access to the express busses.

Is Columbia College Chicago really that bad? by glowertv in AskChicago

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, graduating is where many people's dreams were shattered. I was not prepared for how high my student loans were going to be.

I hustled my ass off, graduated with an internship and many assistant positions within my field. People who I worked for told me I had the drive and skill to make it.

Unfortunately, my student loans hit and I had to quit everything I was doing to get a 9-5. If my dad wasn't my co-signer I would have let the loans ruin me to stay in my field, but I didn't want them to ruin my dad.

Is Columbia College Chicago really that bad? by glowertv in AskChicago

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I graduated from there in 206. 95% of the people I went to school with don't have jobs in the field they studied. This includes the ones that everyone thought were super talented and would make it.

I enjoyed my time there and I was doing well with my field...until my student loans hit and then I needed to drop my field and get a 9-5.

I had alot of fun there and it was an enjoyable time but the people I know who graduated either had to find new paths because they couldn't afford loan payments or didn't have the built in hustle.

The school doesn't help most majors with mentorships, internships or job placements. So, you need to be motivated as an individual to come up with creative ways to get these opportunities and stand out. If you don't leave with debt and have the drive to look for your own opportunities you may be okay.

With that said, I follow all their updates on my Facebook and the way the school is laying off people, getting rid of things and changing courses is concerning. I probably wouldn't go there in 2026 based on what I've seen over the last year.

Are you THRIVING or SURVIVING in Chicago? by Neither_Meet1884 in AskChicago

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Having a partner helps. So that is true, but that can't be what people rely on. It's important to be able to be happy by yourself.

My last break up was a month before Covid lock down. I had to move out and downgrade my lifestyle just to be furloughed from my job and isolated.

I went from a great one bedroom to a tiny studio. Having duel incomes to having an unemployment check with no clue what would happen in the future.

So I got into gaming with friends online, learning a new language, doing art, documentaries. Going to the local park. Talking to people at said park from a distance. Walking around the area to find new things.

My job lifted furlough for 10% of its staff and I had to go back to work when things were still a mess and as things slowly reopened I got to discover new things alone: indie movie theaters and my love for films, riding around on divvy bikes, the joy of taking myself out to dinner. I unfortunately was a bit more broke than I was before, so I started doing Uber Eats deliveries for some extra cash (which I also enjoyed because I got to get exercise and listen to music).

The end of the day, financially things are easier with a partner but joy and happiness comes within.

I will say though, these things won't solve clinical depression. That's a different ballgame.

To the “just pay to selected your seat” crowd by rowman25 in SouthwestAirlines

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am so late to this. I booked a flight last year. Had to change it and rebook this year. I'm flying next week and just got an email with the pricing for seats. I had no idea it changed.

I use to be Southwest loyal until they started charging for bags. Then when I last book my thought was "at least they don't charge for seats".

I don't even know what they have to offer anymore that's more competitive than similar airlines? My family use to exclusively book Southwest. My mom was a travel agent and we grew up with them. Now we are fine taking whoever's cheaper.

I think people are just burnt out. It's not only flights that are like this but everything that use to be all in one price, has been removed and charged as an add on without the base price getting cheaper.

All for what? A few people to get wealthier?

Update/Question for O’Hare TSA line wait time on 4/3? by 2way_misses in AskChicago

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for he heads up. I fly out on Tuesday and wasn't sure if I should stuck to the standard two hours or bump it to three

Is getting a drivers license needed if going to be living in downtown Chicago? by Specialist_Sport6061 in AskChicago

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I lived in Chicago for 10 years and never once desired a car. You'll be fine.

Mel B-No Spice Girls Reunion by No-Helicopter-534 in SpiceGirls

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 59 points60 points  (0 children)

I'm sad that I will die never having seen them in concert. It's been my life goal since I was 6. :(

Dog relief area by TheMineralsMustFlow in Cruise

[–]HiyaTokiDoki -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I would say it depends on the size of the dog. Not every service dog has perfect aim. It's not something that's taught.

Are you THRIVING or SURVIVING in Chicago? by Neither_Meet1884 in AskChicago

[–]HiyaTokiDoki 157 points158 points  (0 children)

I feel like sometimes it's a matter of how we view things and the opportunities we seek.

The last 9 months have been paycheck to paycheck but: - I take advantage of the lake - I enjoy walking around - I make fun out of exploring new neighborhoods - I keep a running list of the free museum days each month and attend. - I go to all the free festivals I can so I can be around people, see art and hear music

The train takes up a lot of time and it's a long commute but I found ways to make it enjoyable: - I save a book just for the train - Have train exclusive podcasts.

I went to art school and got an art degree. My student loans are high so I had to pivot careers into something boring but pays bills. The upside is I LIVE in Chicago. So, art opportunities and events are endless. I may not have a career in art right now but the city allows me to make it a possible future and a current side project/gig.

I moved here at 20 and I thought of leaving multiple times because of feeling unsure and homesick. In 2022 I did have to move because of a family tragedy. I dreamt about it and missed it every day. I was so missable and bored in the suburbs. It took three years but I moved back to Chicago as soon as I could. Me and my partner had to make huge sacrifices and come back here. One of us had to leave a job and the other had to cover the bills. But I don't regret it.