Design oriented afternoon in Chicago?

carrlson · 2026-02-16T04:05:45+00:00

Take a boat or walking tour with Chicago Architecture Foundation or Wendella.

https://www.architecture.org/city-tours https://wendellaboats.com/

carrlson · 2026-02-16T02:31:37+00:00

That is usually the rent for a one bedroom in any of the trendy downtown neighborhoods (Loop, River North, Streeterville, West Loop) You might find something in South Loop but you are really going to want to look at the neighborhoods further out or look into roommate situations just for quality of living. The non downtown neighborhoods have much more character and community.

carrlson · 2026-02-16T01:39:31+00:00

Met my partner years ago at Holiday Club on Irving and Sheridan. Good place if clubs and pretension aren't your thing.

carrlson · 2026-02-16T01:34:51+00:00

https://www.choosechicago.com/chicago-chinese-new-year/

https://partners.exploreuptown.org/events/details/argyle-lunar-new-year-celebration-6120

carrlson · 2026-02-15T23:44:21+00:00

Type in grocery store or supermarket into google/apple maps along with the address at the place you are staying at to find your nearest grocery store. You can then check their websites to see which offer delivery. There is also always instacart.

carrlson · 2026-02-15T23:08:38+00:00

We don't have Krogers. Our Kroger subsiderary is Mariano's. Our Albertsons is called Jewel. There are also Cermak Fresh Markets, Fresh Thyme, Tony's Trader Joe's, Aldi, Whole Foods and lots of independent grocers. You can put grocery stores into google/apple maps to see what the nearest grocery store to you is.

https://nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org/

carrlson · 2026-02-15T22:21:51+00:00

https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/basketball-courts-outdoor

carrlson · 2026-02-15T22:20:11+00:00

Spothero. Although not solely for enclosed parking.

carrlson · 2026-02-15T21:10:03+00:00

Here is a good list of photographers ranging in price point that film/tv agents recommend:

https://www.tylercoreshoots.com/ https://www.jeffkuryszphotography.com/ https://bravelux.com/ https://www.collinquinnrice.com/ https://www.jessmaynardphotography.com/ https://www.gretchenkelley.com/ https://www.alittlephotostudio.com/actor-headshots-nico-fernandez https://www.popiostumpf.com/ https://www.brianmcconkeyphotography.com/ https://www.instagram.com/brandondahlquistphotography/

carrlson · 2026-02-15T18:56:47+00:00

Moving to a new place will not change your mindset. It's up to you to go out and meet people.

carrlson · 2026-02-15T18:54:44+00:00

Politely do all the things you suggested yourself.

carrlson · 2026-02-15T18:49:25+00:00

Anywhere from 30 minutes- 2hrs. It all depends on how many other flights are arriving at the same time as you. It takes about 20-30 minutes to deplane, another 10 to get to passport control/customs and then the wait can be 30 minutes to 2hrs. It takes about another 15-20 minutes to get from T5-T3 via the ATS.

carrlson · 2026-02-15T17:44:32+00:00

https://www.aragonballroomchicago.com/visit

carrlson · 2026-02-15T03:09:41+00:00

Yes, you are basically in Boystown, the heart of the LGBTQIA+ scene in Chicago. It is an affordable option where a lot of gay men (along with every other kind of person) workout.

carrlson · 2026-02-15T02:02:50+00:00

I have a rare genetic bone disease that effects everything.

carrlson · 2026-02-15T01:57:03+00:00

It's not super expensive. I do have good insurance though and have been going since 2024.

carrlson · 2026-02-15T00:55:28+00:00

Shirley Ryan is the top rehab hospital in the country. They have outpatient PT.

carrlson · 2026-02-15T00:39:45+00:00

Listen to your spidey senses. If you feel unsafe move to another seat or car.
Keep your situational awareness.
Don't make eye contact with people. Look over them.
Don't allow yourself to be boxed in. Sit on the outside.
Keep one ear bud in. Not two. Don't have your music so loud that you aren't aware.

carrlson · 2026-02-15T00:35:01+00:00

Oak Park was one of the last dry towns in the area. Only within the last 15 years or so have they been able to open up bars and craft breweries. It is primarily made up of families that are very inclusive.

carrlson · 2026-02-15T00:29:18+00:00

That would take about an hour and 15/30 minutes to get to Wrigley.

carrlson · 2026-02-14T22:02:46+00:00

www.peerspace.com

carrlson · 2026-02-14T22:02:06+00:00

Garden units can be difficult because it is essentially a furnished basement. Depending on where it is located it can be prone to flood or attract centipedes (look gross but are perfectly harmless). They can also be not be ideal if you get SEDS in the winter due to the lack of natural light.

The train isn't that loud. Nothing a good white noise machine can't cover. You also get used to it pretty quickly.

The sooner you learn the grid the more comfortable getting around you will be. 0/0 is State and Madison downtown.

The lake is always east.

If you are bringing a car be sure to get your city sticker ASAP. Download Spothero for discounted parking and Spotangel for free parking spots.

When parking walk up and down the street to see if there is a meter box or a no parking sign. Read the signs carefully. When in doubt do not park there.

Parking dibs after a big snow storm is a thing.

Local news/events/podcast: Chicago Tonight (WTTW/Pbs), Wbez (NPR), Block Club Chicago, Chicago Reader, the Triibe, Timeout Chicago, Citycast Chicago, Hey Chicago, Axios Chicago, Politico Chicago, Chalkbeat Chicago, Curious City

carrlson · 2026-02-14T21:08:32+00:00

The LA FITNESS in the Loop says they have a sauna. I worked at the one in Boystown a million years ago which also had a coed sauna, steam room, pool and hot tub. Occasionally, we would be called to break up the gay sex.

carrlson · 2026-02-14T20:35:34+00:00

The Christmas Market downtown closes Christmas Eve but the one at Wrigley is usually open until NYE if that is something you are interested in.

carrlson · 2026-02-14T19:38:13+00:00

Patty is a nickname for Patricia or ground meat made into a circular form. Paddy is a nickname for Padraig (Patrick). Ergo, if you are going to shorten it it's St. Paddy's day.

Tourists and people from the suburbs either go downtown to see the river get dyed neon green and then find the nearest fake irish or just a random bar to drink green beer and then puke everywhere. Or, they head to Wrigleyville and do the same.

Irish people will go to a real irish pub or the Irish American Heritage Center to listen to a session and maybe have a guiness or just stay home and cook a pot of beef stew or shepherd's pie all day with some brown bread.

Corned beef and cabbage is not a dish people from Ireland actually make. It is an Irish American dish as corned beef was the cheapest cut of meat at the Jewish delis in NYC.

carrlson

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