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 | Vanessence on Why I think Chicago sucks |
 | Paul on Why I think Chicago sucks |
| Vanessence on Why I think Chicago sucks |
 | DamnFIBs on Why I think Chicago sucks |
| Vanessence on Why I think Chicago sucks |
The "Ness" in DarcNess ;) 
January 1, 2009 at 8:00 am editis the bean that horrid chrome like structure at milennium park?
Yes, that’s what we refer to when we talk about “the bean.”
January 1, 2009 at 1:57 pm editCR, that’s no bean, it’s a giant chome turd which dropped from the giant spaceship that crashed into Soldier Field! Sorry, I know that’s disrespectful to the artist, but that is what I see. Now then,
Franktown, I think you are really off base with your comments that other countries strangers do not interact. In some Eurpoean countries, it’s not uncommon for total strangers to come help you fix your roof or put up a fence or help with your plumbing or electrical. From my experience in Chicago, as opposed to other places in the US, there is not a whole lot of interaction between strangers, or even neighbors. When there is, it’s usually very negative and unproductive. There is definately a phoniness, a fake politeness here. You are right about New Yorkers image, but I think it’s very contrary to how people actually are there. Chicago is more like LA in that the people act like their poop don’t stink, but many, many of them are just one generation removed from poor white trash. It’s just the way it is.
January 1, 2009 at 4:07 pm editEverybody’s experience is different.
As much as you’d like to think you’re right when you say “everybody’s unhappy here” and “everybody’s unfriendly”, it’s just what you’ve experienced.
I’ve basically experienced tons of stranger talking in Chicago. What do you think people do at sports games? At the Mets game and the Yankees game I attended, the people next to me looked surprised that I talked to them about the game and team.
At the Sox games or Cubs games, nobody gives a shit. I can say whatever I want and people contribute and laugh. Yeah, no stranger interaction, huh?
Keep on talking. It’s music to my ears.
January 1, 2009 at 11:02 pm editfrank,
This blog is for poeple who dislike Chicago and not for your amusement. For us, your opinion about Chicago and New York is a valuable as your opinion about other countries “where strangers [do not] actually interact for reasons other than business”. It’s simply ridiculous and ignorant so you may want to save it for your townsfolk. I am sure they will listen to someone with that much experience and knowledge about the world out there…
Just as a tip, Yankee games are different than Cubs or Sox as people fly from all over the world to see the house that Babe built and season tickets are worth a small fortune. You actually go to watch the game there not to get drunk like in Chicago. There are other venues for that.
You are surprised strangers at the game did not talk back to you. How do you know that what you said was worth responding to? You have a right to make a comment but they have a right not to respond. Being polite is to respect other poeple’s private space. It also means to know when and how to open your mouth.
PS. Why don’t you explain how did you come up with the conlusion regarding “the other countries”. I am really curious now…
January 2, 2009 at 8:56 am editI have to agree with Lost on this one. I’ve been to Wrigley, AKA the Dump. About 90% of the “fans” there are drunkards. Didn’t the beloved president-elect Obama recently give an interview where he said that Cubs fans do not really watch the game? He mentioned beer didn’t he? He did. Sox fans do watch the game. But like Franktown said about New York, I’ve experienced the same at US Cellular. People do not usually talk to each other. That’s expected. They YELL at each other sometimes. Usually gutter language every other word. Same thing in New York. But that’s the ballpark crowd. We were talking about strangers on the street, not in ballparks where people might actually be tryingto watch the game they paid to see. The original point was that New York’s unfriendly Hollywood image and its real image do not match. New Yorkers may want to appear hardnosed and edgy, but they are kitty cats from what I’ve seen.
January 2, 2009 at 1:01 pm editYou guys will LOVE this one! I should do a post … .
http://rightwingnews.com/mt331/2009/01/illinois_where_our_governors_m.php
Enjoy!
January 2, 2009 at 3:42 pm editThat’s a good one! I think they should open “governor’s wing” in that Illinois federal prison.
By the way, MSNBC has a good article reviewing the history of corruption in Illinois:
“Illinois has long legacy of public corruption
At least 79 elected officials have been convicted of wrongdoing since 1972″
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28141995/
January 2, 2009 at 6:31 pm editGreat stuff! I cannot wait to get out of this damn state. I feel like I live in goddamn Russia! The government is beyond corrupt, it’s freezing 8 months a year, the city sucks every last nickle out of you, and what do we really get? Skyscrapers and Blue Man Group? Any poor soul can drive into Chicago, see that crap, and leave. I envy them.
January 2, 2009 at 9:54 pm editYup. And it even sucks as a tourist destination: you can see all there is to see in one day.
I’m in the ‘burbs, and Metra doesn’t run on the weekends here, either, so if I wanted to see anything downtown, I’d have to go during the week. What city doesn’t have transportation into it on the weekends?
January 3, 2009 at 8:33 am editThe first feeling I had when i moved here and started to settle in was a very “al capone corrupt “sensation and it just leached out of the bones of natives here that used my job experience to further themselves…there is nothing here to put a smile on ones face… not the weather, not sports, not the job market and oh the potholes in the road are horrid! Did i mention i already replaced my windshield wiper last year 3 times due to it freezing and breaking? It already broke again this year…
I am from Texas and that never has happened including all the above mentioned to me. I think I will go to chicago today wearing a dallas cowboys sweatshirt, eat a HOT DOG with Catsup on it( tofu hot dog of course and not one from portillos because they replace tofu dogs with a pickle spear for $4.00),
walk around saying I want to buy a Pepsi instead of i wanna buy a POP, place hate illinois signs in the pot holes, and surprise people by opening the door or them and greetin them with a big ole texas accent ( course when they hear me they act like they need a translator) to bad I am not Polish …ugh
That last part reminds me of a funny story my husband likes to tell about his first days in Chicago. He likes to do accents, and one time he was out and about, and was using a TN accent. He stopped at one place to order something to eat and they girl behind the counter said, “You’re not from around here, are you?” My husband laughed and drawled, “What gave it away, my haircut?” The girl responded, “No, it was your accent, silly!”
I love the idea of putting hate IL signs in all the potholes, too! LOL Enjoy that ketchup-y hotdog!
January 3, 2009 at 11:46 am editWell, this is a funny ass forum! I didn’t think that anti-Chicago ANYTHING existed. All I ever hear and see living in this bloated corrupt city is borderline propaganda. How we are a world city. If being a world city means you have to put up with runaway crime, horrid traffic, closet racists and bosses who have a single digit IQ, then Chicago is a world city. I am sick of this gray and quarrelsome landfill of a city. Michigan Ave aside, Chicago does not have anything truly unique. My opinion is that the cons outweigh the pros and I would move in a heartbeat if I could. But the cost of this dive sort of has trapped us.
Welcome to my little blog post, JennyP.
It’s always nice to have new people come by who see Chicago the same way. I loved your line, “landfill of a city.” I think that’s so apropos! One in a while we have haters pop in who think they need to “set us straight,” but for the most part, we’re a friendly group here. I hope you come back again!
Falcon aka “Ness”
January 3, 2009 at 12:33 pm editPlenty of people hate Chicago. I can see why. The roads need improvement, the El could be expanded a bit, the weather is bad, and the taxes are high. Many people also hate that things to do in Chicago mainly consist of going to bars, clubs, or sports games to get wasted. They also don’t like the way Chicagoans dress. They think we dress way to casually, and that the guys here don’t wax their eyebrows and paint there nails and pop their collars.
Don’t tell me you’re coming around to our way of thinking, Frank!
Not sure I get what the metro-sexual reference is to, though. Are you implying the guys here actually DO do those things?
January 4, 2009 at 4:01 am editjennyp said: Michigan Ave aside, Chicago does not have anything truly unique.
girl, there’s nothing unique about michigan avenue anymore… well, unless you add that stupid silver turd, i mean bean
“Silver turd …” ROFLMAO
January 4, 2009 at 7:48 am editi will add one remark to jenny’s post… bosses who have a single digit IQ AND a single digit payroll
January 4, 2009 at 8:37 am edit‘The roads need improvement’
driving through parts of this city is like driving through Iraq. Craters galore. Yet we are always “fixing” the roads. What a joke.
Kind of ironic you mention Iraq, considering this past year we had more homicides in Chicago than we had troop losses in Iraq.
January 4, 2009 at 11:06 am editfrank,
Chicagoans don’t “dress way to casually” – they dress tasteless; mixing casual, formal and sports styles without any clue. Like Chicago sports or politics it is simply ridiculous.
January 4, 2009 at 12:46 pm editjennyp,
Welcome home
January 4, 2009 at 1:32 pm editI have been living in chicago for about 15 years now, arriving here in the early 90’s. I have worked many different types of jobs here, but have been living in the city proper, in the Rogers Park neighborhood the entire time. I am originally from the Washington D.C area, Fairfax County in Northern Virginia. I have to say that I really have become disappointed with Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. The whole area has really gone downhill. The lack of good paying jobs, the high crime (Rogers Park has become ridiculously dangerous), potholes on every road everywhere (especially in the city), the rundown looking neighborhoods and storefronts that permeate this city especially in the minority neighborhoods, the trash on the sidewalks, the thuggish looking people that walk the streets, the corrupt local system, the agressive racist police force (especially chicago, and some suburbs). Chicago is really not that great of a place to live. I recently came back from the washington D.C area( this is where my parents live), and I have to say this area especially northern virginia is much better from my opinion. The people tend to be more soft, less agressive, the diversity in the D.C area, beats chicago any day. When i mean diversity, of course chicago has many different cultures and races, but it is still so segregated here in chicago, such a racist town. but in northern virginia when i mean “diversity”, the people of all races and cultures are of one. White, black, hispanic, asian, muslims are all together. Not split up into enclaves, as much as here. I also tend to see much more in inter-racial marriages in the D.C area. The immigrants in the D.C area are much more affluent than here in chicago. The job market in the D.C area is awesome. The recession has not really hit the D.C area like other areas of the country. Many high paying technology jobs exist in the D.C area, especially Northern Virginia, and also higher paying service jobs exist that support these information technology jobs. Oh yes, the infrastructure is so much better in the D.C area. You do not see the potholes like here. The roads in Northern Virginia are very smooth and modern. Things look newer in general. The buildings look newer, more modern, their is no trash everywhere on the sidewalks in northern virginia. The winters are much tamer than chicago. They do not get as much snow. When I visitied for Christmas, i really envied the area, and had this funny idea of leaving chicago, and going back to my hometown northern virginia. Chicago really does suck. Many chicagoans just do not know, because many true chicagoans have never even left their own block they live on. If people here do not believe me, go visit the D.C area for yourself, especially the suburbs, Northern virigina and Maryland.
John L, welcome to my blog.
It’s become a venting place of sorts, for exactly the reasons you name. We’ve all pretty much become disillusioned with Chicago. I’m surprised to hear your assessment of Roger’s Park – I’d always heard that area was pretty well kept up. It’s so sad to see decent neighborhoods go down. That seems to be The Chicago Way.
I’m interested in your views of VA, too. I’ve long wanted to go to VA, however more south, to the Blue Ridge area. I’ve heard the job market growth there is not very good, though.
I hope to see you again.
Falcon aka “Ness”
January 4, 2009 at 2:47 pm editChicago does have a littering problem and a sewer gas problem as well! I mean, it smells gross in many AREAS of downtown. And I agree that there is alot of crappy looking store fronts and ghetto looking neighborhoods. And they cost a mint to live in and “enjoy” But as long as the corporate crooks have their shiny skyscrapers, it’s all good!
Shiny skyscrapers, and beans!
January 4, 2009 at 5:27 pm editLol, hell no I’m not coming around to your style of thinking Ness! Over my dead body!!
Yeah, I pretty much figured.
I’m waiting until you hit about 40, and then we can really talk, and you’ll apologize to me for all the static you gave me about how wonderful you thought Chicago was.
I’m just admitting that Chicago has many problems it needs to fix. The crime for one is another problem that needs to be addressed, however, it is not a reason why people should fear living here. Kind of like Gotham City was. An amazing place to do things like drink and party and live around sports, but outside, it’s a war zone.
And why in the world would anyone want to live in a war zone?
And no, I was NOT inferring that men in Chicago dress like that. They dress like that in New York. In New York, the yuppie guys wore so much cologne I wanted to throw up. They all literally had manicures (I know several guy friends from New York that get their cuticles trimmed monthly, I’m not even kidding). They also waxed their eyebrows, had nasty looking tans that would make even the Mediterranean type gag, and popped their collars when they partied. Oh, and did I mention they think they’re the shit, but when confronted, coil up like a squirrel and run away?
Lots of men get manicures. I’ve known manicurists who had many male clients, and this was back in the day, too. I don’t get the waxing the eyebrow thing though. A pluck now and then for the extra bushy type, but not waxing.
So I’m sorry that I only wear extremely preppy clothes when I have to. I tend to prefer my sweat pants and t-shirts and my hats cocked backwards rather than to the side like a total Douchebag. Call me a trouble boy with a “Midwestern mentality” Lost, I can take it.
Backwards is okay, but please don’t ever do the sideways thing!
January 4, 2009 at 6:03 pm editAs a transplant to the burbs of Shitcago, I can say this is one fat, selfish, rude, arrogant, mindless place to live. Yeah, there is great stuf to go see downtown. I went the the Shedd Aquarium (After LONG ASS DRIVE) only to be stuck in crowds of people. Everything here is crowded and hard to enjoy. I have lived in Europe, the Middle East and several places in the U.S. Chicago is a joke. No scenery. I think those who defend Chicago are ones that have net been anyplace nicer. It is a matter of perspective. If I spent my whole life in a barn full of pigs I would be used to it. Chicago is one small step up. Plenty of animals, just not as much hay.
Welcome to the venting place, Suckago! LOL Like the name!
What you said about Chicagoans not having been any place nicer kind of echoes my thoughts too, although I’ve had several argue with me about that. I loved the comment about not as much hay, though, that was a good one! LOL Hope to see you around.
Falcon aka “Ness”
January 4, 2009 at 7:27 pm editfrank
As you know the entire world is watching how you guys in Indiana dress. You are simply trendsetters and your dedication to personal hygiene and grooming is famous.
Yes, in New York, like in most of the world, men are supposed to wear cologne, have manicures, be healthy looking including the tan. They are supposed to look good which is business world translates into professional.
Just becasue of that are they wussies and fold like squirrels?
You should probably ask such a wussies like Donald Trump. You know, those weak well groomed east coast types that run the world this world.
Did this ever occur to you that your taste in cologne, clothing and way of grooming is simply small town / country style, not compatible with the big world and the big leagues?
January 4, 2009 at 8:18 pm editYeah, and frankly, I don’t give a rats ass.
January 4, 2009 at 9:10 pm editfrank
Good that you understand this but don’t expect the big world to do anything but return this feeling. Stick to your small town antics and you will always be a small town boy.
Oh, I wanted to give an example of another well groomed, manicured guy who probably folds like squirrell because of that: Obama. Not only manicured but he even went to east coast Harvard instead of down to earth U of I. Such a wuss, right?
January 5, 2009 at 1:03 am editHello Ness,
Thank you for reading my comment. I was happy to receive a reply. I commend you for creating a blog, that tells the real truth. Keep up the great work!!
Why thank you, John! What a nice thing to say!
January 5, 2009 at 1:28 am editHi again,
Rogers Park in chicago has gone downhill in the last 10 years. Please google morsehellhole. Its a a blog about rogers park. The criminal element has taken over this community, especially by the morse street el station, and howard el station. Some other sketchy areas are Howard street west of Clark st. , as well as some points immediately east and west of Clark st. between Howard, and Devon to the south. If the leadership of Chicago, would help a certain segment of the Chicago population more, then these crimes would decrease. More good paying jobs needs to be created. But it seems that the leadership really does not care, only about lining their own pockets. Corruption is unbelievable in this town, county and state. Why in America does this problem exist? I cannot understand why. The local corruption here in Chicago is almost as bad as some third world countries, many of which I have visited in the past.
Why is the downtown area of Chicago, especially along the lake being developed so much, with nice tree and flower planters, smoother roads, better el stations? Why is money being pumped into Navy Pier, Grant Park ,Millenium Park so much, at the expense of other neighborhoods, some that look like hell froze over? Someone must know the “real” answer. Its not fair, and until the people of Chicago speak up, this situation will continue to exist.
The money seems to be getting pumped strictly into the “tourist” areas and not into the neighborhoods, so that Chicago will “look good” to those who visit. Who cares about the people that have to live here? Yes, more good-paying jobs are needed, but the reality is that government doesn’t create jobs, businesses do, but Chicago/IL doesn’t make the climate for businesses here very appealing, which is why they go to other states for the most part. If we’d lower the business taxes, we’d have more businesses wanting to come here, and that’s true for the whole country, not just IL. Look at Ireland – they’ve lowered their business tax rate to one of, if not the, lowest in the world, and now businesses are flocking there.
January 5, 2009 at 6:42 am editI have to mention something I forgot to comment on. Is it my imagination or is the postal service the WORST here? I remember when i lived in Texas and it would take ages to receive something from my parents( who live in westburbs). Now that I live here this is what has happened. My father sent me a very hefty much needed check via mail and I NEVER got it. My niece mailed me her wedding invitation and I NEVER GOT it.I never received countless items I ordered or bills which caused me to pay them late or by phone which incorporates a phone fee. Now I am waiting on some hospital statements which are crucial ( see above blogs about my husbands illness) and I had certain amount of time to get these so I could provide them for Medical benefits and I HAVE NOT received them. This is UNREAL! I am not talking about once in a while or once every 6 months …no, I am talking about ALL THE TIME!! And they have already been contacted and talked to and the postal carrier could care less, he sent us 4 pieces of mail that were addressed to the wrong place so we put return wrong addy on them and put them on the box and when I got home they were scattered all over our driveway! HAs anyone else encountered this nuisance regarding Illinois postal service?
YES. YES. Oh my word, YES. We’ve had more problems with mail than I can shake a stick at. Several years ago, I can’t recall how long, 15 years maybe, there were huge stories in the news about problems with the mail in Chicago and it’s surrounding ‘burbs, and if I’m not mistaken, the Feds appointed a new Chicago Postmaster, but things haven’t really gotten a lot better. They were finding bags and bags of mail in the garages and attics of retired postal workers, stuff like that. It was a giant scandal. Chicago’s mail problems are legendary!
January 5, 2009 at 9:01 am editchristel,
No you are not imagining things. Chicago managed to be the worst in the nation, again. This is time it was Postal Service. Follow the link below for details…
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/211267/chicago_postal_service_to_be_upgraded.html
January 5, 2009 at 9:14 am editChristel,
The Postal Service in Chicago is a national joke. This is the worst city in the world when it comes to receiving mail. I lived in Wicker Park for a year, where it is really bad. I would find my mail just thrown in the street or a nearby alleyway, soaked through with rain or snow. Magazines almost never arrived, presumably stolen by one of the carriers. I had at least 50 Netflix movies never arrive. It was funny because the really bad/oddball movies were always sent back, but the mainstream titles weren’t. My mailman must have wanted to receive the new ones quicker.
January 5, 2009 at 9:16 am editI should amend that.
I always received Mensa Bulletin and IEEE journals. Playboy and Maxim came through about 30% of the time.
January 5, 2009 at 10:17 am editwow …from our governor to traffic to job markets to bad food to air quality to cost of living and to postal service…. it is just a crying shame
January 5, 2009 at 10:27 am edit‘Yeah, and frankly, I don’t give a rats ass.’
So, earlier in this forum you cared very much that Chicago has culture, nice looking buildings, fine restaurants, art, museums, etc, but now you “don’t give a rat’s ass” about personal dress and hygene? Typical. Anything that makes your argument I guess. Even it completely sounds hypocritical. Someone from redneck Chicago should not be ripping on metrosexuals anyway. It’s not like Chicago is immune to that type of culture. The large gay male community of Chicago is hard to determine from the large yuppie male segment (which are really just 2nd or 3rd generation hillbillies in black t-shirts, cargo shorts, shaved legs, and Cubs hats) and both are highly metrosexual. The difference is: anyone can live in Chicago. Anyone with a credit card and welfare check. Look around you frank. Chicago is super segregated for a reason. And that reason is the growth and wealth of crooked politicians and big business. And the simpletons of Chicago are just dumb enough to believe that voting “Democrat” means that they are FOR the people. They are not. And crime will continue to be a big problem for Chicago because the people who live there have their heads up their tails.
January 5, 2009 at 10:47 am editJohn L said…’If the leadership of Chicago, would help a certain segment of the Chicago population more, then these crimes would decrease.
Why in America does this problem exist?’
Because the United States is only a few decades removed from slavery. Please make no mistake about the REAL Chicago. In the 1930s and 40s, THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS of southerners took root in Chicago, looking for work, and made it their home. The media and Chicago boosters will only tell you about the famous guys who sang the blues. Well, guess why they were singing the blues??? Not because it was tradition. Because their were also tons of white trash hillbillies who came up in the fray as well. Tons of racism still existed and still exists today. Add in the fact that Chicago attracts working folks from Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and you have all the makings of a backwoods hick melting pot. This is the town I lived in all my life. I know the place inside and out. Any yuppies who move to Lake Forest or Vernon Hills from the east, they don’t know Chicago.
January 5, 2009 at 10:56 am edittomvee
frank has always been able to provide some live entertainment on this site. He also served as point of reference using the exact same defences of Chicago that we ridicule here. Yes, the “I don’t give a rat’s ass” defense is typical. Denial as away of dealing with reality. Isn’t that typical for Chicago?
Denial, complacency, resignation and stagnation, Chicago is famous for that. No wonder Blago (and the rest of the gang) was able to survive for so long here…
January 5, 2009 at 1:25 pm editHi everyone my name is Anne and I am originally from Chicago. I recently moved to Minneapolis and am loving it lots. I was born & raised in Glenwood and later the city. When I finally went off to college, I initially missed my good old hometown Chicago. But you know what? After while, I realized that there is alot more to God’s world than crappy and draining Chicago-life. First thing I did not miss: Chicago is a VERY VERY media/TV oriented city. You sort of get brainwashed by all the local TV/radio hub-bub. They start you off when you are a kid telling you that Chicago is the greatest place on earth. That it’s impossible to eat good food elsewhere, etc etc…Then you grow up, go through the crappy school system and realize “why is this place so great again?” Maybe once every four years you go to the Field Museum on a field trip or to the Aquarium. But it really gets old really fast. Those places are nearly the same as they were in the 1980s! Then you are the victim of a race crime and the real Chicago starts coming into focus. I was robbed twice on the L in the same year! I exhausted much of my savings for college because everything in Chicago was so freaking expensive. So now I am finally gone and it’s like a new lease on life! Minneapolis is loaded with fine theatre, great food, and MUCH nicer people. Sorry Chicago. I will always call you home, but sometimes home is NOT where your heart is.
Welcome to my blog, Annie, it’s nice to have you here! One thing I’ve noticed since I made this post, is that most of the people who commented here came from other places based on hearing how nice and friendly Chicago was, only to become disillusioned by the reality of living here. I’ve had very few people who are native to here come to complain. A few, but the majority seem to be transplants. In fact, the natives tend to leave me the drive-by hate comments that I just delete. So I’m very pleased to see a native Chicagoan come by who has also taken note of the reality of what it’s like here. Welcome to the club!
Falcon aka “Ness”
January 5, 2009 at 1:40 pm editOne more thing I forgot to say. I noticed in Chicago there is what I liked to call the “debt-setters” As opposed to jet setters these are the faux rich. The wannabes driving around in a SUV with personlized plates that costs 10 times their yearly takehome pay. It is a culture in Chicago to drive yourself into massive debt, and then borrow money from parents and friends who need it just as bad. I’m sure tis goes on in other areas of the country, but somehow I picture rich people in LosAngeles or New York actually having WEALTH and not just a bunch of rich hicks with phony gangster accents.
I’ve noticed that, too! I’ll see some young kid driving a really expensive vehicle and I think, “How in the world can you afford that?” Debt-setters – new term for me, and I love it!
January 5, 2009 at 3:40 pm editpolksaladanny
I agree that Chicago is phony / in denial in almost every aspect. Downtown Chicago pretends to be intellectual and artsy New York, Southside pretends to be gansta South Central while the northern suburbs pretend to be either Beverly Hills or Cape Cod. Almost nobody wants to be the Corn Belt/Rust Belt Chicagoan but despite their best effors they still are who they are: pretentious hicks with no taste, class or culture.
January 5, 2009 at 4:29 pm editi want to know why there are so many 18 wheelers every where I go around here… it’s like truck city usa! I can be driving on 88 or even in the burbs and there will be 4 trucks to my right and 2 to my left…What’s the deal?
January 5, 2009 at 4:55 pm editThat’s the midwest sweetie, semis everywhere. But there will be more of that crap in Chicago because traffic there is a cluster f**k . People speed and then slam on their brakes there. I don’t mind the fact that I’ve had to slow it down in Minnesota. My nervous system was taking an awful beating in Chicago. Yehhhh I’m out!
January 5, 2009 at 7:18 pm editThat’s what you get for living in a place where agriculture is produced. Trucks are everywhere. I know a lot of truckers, and do you know how much they make a year???
You’d be surprised!
January 5, 2009 at 9:04 pm editI already said frank provides entertainment here but still, couple of questions to the college guy from Indiana:
1) how do you actually produce “agriculture”?
2) what does it have to with anything how much truckers make?
No wonder Obama chose Harvard…
Anyways, all of the semi traffic, lack of extensive public transportation system and absurd Chicago driving habits make driving in Chicago unbearable. Did all Chicagoans pay gov. Ryan and his croonies to get their “license to kill”?
Use your blinkers, hang up your cell phones and KEEP UP with the traffic. We all want to get home.
PS. How is this idiot Daley going to sqeeze the extra traffic generated by the Olympics into already congested local highways and streets???
January 5, 2009 at 10:09 pm editTruckers make a hell of a lot of money. If you’re in a union (which most truckers are) you make close to 100k a year.
This to the princess from New York:
1) Why do so many New Yorkers now have to go to out of state schools? Are they so stupid that they can’t get into schools in their own states?
2) Why does the food in New York take an hour and a half to cook?
January 5, 2009 at 11:35 pm editThought I’d share a funny picture with you guys! Enjoy!
http://punditkitchen.com/2009/01/05/political-pictures-blagojevich-irony/
January 5, 2009 at 11:57 pm editfrank,
Number one: I am 6 ft tall guy, in case you don’t know, calling me a princess is bit offensive.
Number two: doing this not to my face but on the blog is pretty lame.
Number three: Haven’t you realized already how absurd your questions or comments are? These two were not an exception, frank. I don’t live in New York, but you should probably ask Sting, Madonna, the Clintons, Donald Trump or other celebrities living in New York. Maybe that’s why they chose the place?
As far as stupidity of New Yorkers going to schools out of state…. I think you nailed it. I agree with you here: they were too stupid to go to schools in New York so they chose yours.
PS I have no idea why you hang around this blog. It is anti Chicago by default so you are either a masochist or megallomaniacal Chicago-wannabe who feels compelled to defend a city he never lived in, just to fit in. Don’t worry frank, with your education, interpersonal skills and broad horizons you will be a great addition to this miserable city.
January 6, 2009 at 12:03 am editThanks and have a nice day
BTW Ness, is that pic real??? To funny!!!
To the best of my knowledge, the picture is real. No idea who created the caption.
January 6, 2009 at 12:32 am editno problem frank. I am from Brooklyn where you chose what you say and to whom unless you really want to start something. Chicago on the other hand is all talk, disrespectful, rude but just talk. No action. I got used to it since day one. No wonder the sports teams here suck and politicians take the region for a ride since the beginning of time.
January 6, 2009 at 1:22 am editdarc said:To the best of my knowledge, the picture is real. No idea who created the caption.
the pic is real.. i forgot which station i was watching, but some reporter made a note of it when the scandal hit. the rat poster has since been taken down from his alley.
LOL I suspected something like that!
January 6, 2009 at 1:24 am editI feel like the time has come for me to step in and make a statement. I think I need to make a couple of things clear.
First, a bit of history.
About a year ago, I had a troll on this post, someone who gave me a hard time about my feelings regarding Chicago. We exchanged a few comments back and forth, and then he disappeared for about 3 months. I was surprised to see him, no question. Most trolls don’t return. We went back and forth again, with me finally suggesting to him that he get his own blog if he had so much to say about Chicago, but that if he intended to keep from getting banned at my blog, he needed to behave himself and be courteous and respectful to the other commenters here. I didn’t mind that he didn’t agree with me. And for the record, let me be crystal here – I don’t have a problem with people loving Chicago. I do have a problem when they tell me I’m not entitled to MY opinion and that I have to agree with THEM. So dissent – to a point – is fine here, as long as it’s done courteously and respectfully. I don’t want to be as hostile to those who disagree with me, as those who I’ve disagreed with have been to me. I don’t want to lower myself to their level. Besides, if I can’t defend my point of view, what’s the point of having it? What I won’t tolerate are what I call the drive-by hate comments, which I try to delete ASAP. I think my favorite was, “You all are a bunch of f*cktards!” Well. Now there’s an eloquent and enlightened “Chicago-loving rebuttal.”
So, I try to be patient with those who come here and love on Chicago. No, admittedly I’m not always successful. Sometimes I’m just tired of hearing the same tired arguments, so I tried to address those things right at the top of the post now, so I don’t have to keep repeating them.
So, the troll decided to take me up on my challenge and get his own blog, and in the process he “outed” himself. He tried to come across here as someone older and more traveled than he was. To me, it took great courage for him to do that, to stand up for his thoughts and opinions and to be open and up front with who he was and what he was about. He publicly asked for, and received, a truce with me. http://franktown.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/hey-darc-look-at-me/ In the following months, I found an engaging young man who I’ve come to think of like a favored nephew. Yes, we disagree about lots of things. We also agree on some other things. And he’s had the tenacity to stick around here knowing he’s the only one who feels as he does, and he’s also had the grace to hold himself in check, out of respect for me. Part of the reason he started his own blog was to have more spirited discussions. He loves Chicago, he’s not afraid to say why, and he’s not afraid to defend his opinions. He and JR used to tangle fairly regularly on each others blogs, until JR took his down. And I often suspect that Frank likes to keep me on my toes. It’s good exercise for me.
So, while he knows this isn’t a place for debate, and that he’s not going to change any of our opinions about the place, he continues to come around, I believe, to remind us that this place isn’t ALL bad. That was sort of my point. It CAN be a lot better and maybe if we complain loud enough, we can accomplish something. Yes, we know this place isn’t ALL bad, no place is, really … well, perhaps Iran or Iraq, but I digress.
The point is, Frank knows he’s welcome here because he’s been okay with playing by my rules. He loves Chicago, and that’s okay – lots of people do. I can take it, as long as I’m not called names for my opinion. For the record, I don’t allow anyone else to be called names here, either. It’s one thing for people to take me on, but it’s quite another for trolls to come in and insult you. You are my guests here, in a manner of speaking, and in my mind, a good host doesn’t allow the guests to get into knock-down-drag-outs. So Frank’s entitled to his opinion, because we ALL are, and he’s been decent about it. If you want to take him on in a different ring, he does have his own blog over at http://franktown.wordpress.com. Check him out. You might just find you actually like him. I know I did.
That being said – behave, be nice, and engage!
January 6, 2009 at 8:58 am editEven if trucking paid $200,000 a year, I would not do that job. God bless the men and women who do it! Super long days and nights, treacherous cities like Chicago to drive through, most of their time spent in the truck cabs or in truck stops or mangy motels. Poor diet. Poppin’ pills. Not showering for a few days. Bad teeth. Yup. I know some truckers too. They are saints for putting up with what they do. Also there are many hidden expenses (maint, oil changes, some repairs) for truckers. It’s not like they are making 100,000 grand and keeping it all for themselves. Anyway, here is a great you tube video for Frank…the trucker in this vid kind of looks like Bill Murray. Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV5yAlb2J2U&feature=related
January 6, 2009 at 9:33 am editYES!!!! CHICAGO DOES SUCK! YOU WANT TO SEE HOW CLASSLESS AND TACKY MY NEIGHBORS ARE?? THIS IS A REAL FOUNTAIN IN SOMEONE’S YARD HERE. WHAT A BUNCH OF HILLBILLIES. THE MILLENIUM PARK BEAN IS BAD ENOUGH AND LOOKS LIKE A PIECE OF POO. BUT THIS REALLY TAKES THE “SHIT CAKE” IF YOU”LL PARDON THE EXPRESSION…
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lQMuGcu6wgXvX_4XlVmW7Q?select=cGqlDqvtYYeO-hbrLQRWgQ
I’d seen that picture before, but didn’t realize it was actually in Chicago. Rather telling, I think. Thanks for sharing.
January 6, 2009 at 11:21 am editNess,
I don’t have a problem with frank… I do not understand why he is here since this is an anti-chicago blog but that’s his problem. As a matter of fact frank and his ideas such as “The United States and Canada are like the only countries where strangers actually interact for reasons other than business.” can serve as an excellent example what I can’t stand the most in Chicago and Midwest in general: ignorant people passing absurd opinions for which they can’t provide any supportive evidence. Just read frank’s statement above and if you ever been to Europe you will know how absurd it is. Even after three years here I still don’t get why people in Chicago do that, why they always pretend to know, seen or experience something. I suspect however that the story is the same as with frank who initially pretended he is well travelled only to admit he hasn’t actually seen the places he was talking about, he wanted everyone to think that he is actually more experienced and knowledgeable than he really is, just so his opinions would be taken more seriously. Pathetic.
I am glad to hear you don’t have a problem with Frank. Yep, it’s an anti-Chicago post, and he knows that, which leads me to think that in his heart of hearts, he knows the things we say are true, and perhaps just doesn’t want to admit to that yet. He’s still into the party scene, but I believe that once he settles down, much of what we say here will begin to sink in for him.
January 6, 2009 at 10:50 pm editChicagoans remind me of the typical “ugly Americans”…the ones which people from France and other countries absolutely loathe when they come visit. Think about the stereotype that Chicagoans project when they travel…even within the U.S.
Arrogant. Intentionally rude. Snotty. Bumbling. Loud. Inconsiderate. “Our food is better. Our buildings are better. Our people are the salt of the Earth. And everyone else is second rate in some way.” This is the attitude of many, many Chicagoans. They need to look alot closer at each other and themselves, as members of the same community and culture, and decide whether it is the original Chicago spirit they wish to convey ..or the arrogance that they seem to somehow always found in New Yorkers but are now displaying themselves. There is a reason so many “Chicago sucks” and “Chicagoans stink” forums exist. There is a bad attitude in this city, and it’s not welcome in other places.
Thanks for joining the discussion, Tamera.
Yes, Chicago is getting, or has had, a bad reputation in other parts of the country, and they don’t seem to realize it. I’ve been on both coasts, the the attitude toward Chicago is one of condescension. “Oh yeah, Chicago. Huh!” followed by a chuckle or laughter. They don’t think highly of Chicagoans in other places, and Chicagoans act more like the kid with the “kick me” sign on their back who doesn’t know it, while everyone else is laughing.
January 6, 2009 at 11:51 pm editYes, the postal service here in chicago was known for being the worst in the country. back in 2004 i moved from one address to another address in the same neighborhood, and it took literally months for all the mail to be forwarded correctly. I even had to call USPS 1-800 number several times but always got the run around. But now I think they finally are improving. Its about time. One more thing, Chicago will get many more red light camera’s by 2012. I mean many more. I don’t have the actual figure of how many more, but the increase in these red light camera’s will be substantial. The city says it is for “safety” reasons, but who here really believes that. How about “$$$$$” Lots at lots of $$$. Chicago will have the infamous title as the “Red light camera capital of the world” How disgusting. People are struggling hard enough with this bad economy, and chicago wants to make it even harder on people. Some people do not even have jobs, or can’t even pay their mortgage or rent. $100.00 ticket. The least the city could do is lower the ticket amount . Unbelievable.
Try contesting the ticket with the city. now thats a nightmare. Yes this city really is the “city that works” the city that works on screwing over its citizens.
Any way to bring in revenue – taxes, fines, increased fees, anything. Pretty soon they’ll be telling people to prostitute their daughters.
January 7, 2009 at 12:43 am editLost, that’s Frank with a capital “F”!!!
January 7, 2009 at 7:07 am editjohn l said: Yes this city really is the “city that works” the city that works on screwing over its citizens.
Amen brother,lol
January 7, 2009 at 7:09 am editlol @ brianmac7′ s link…
January 7, 2009 at 7:23 am editjohn L said:Rogers Park in chicago has gone downhill in the last 10 years. Please google morsehellhole. Its a a blog about rogers park. The criminal element has taken over this community, especially by the morse street el station, and howard el station. Some other sketchy areas are Howard street west of Clark st. , as well as some points immediately east and west of Clark st. between Howard, and Devon to the south
yup i know exactly what your talking about. i lived in edgewater for a while (a neighborhood adjacent to rogers park). every now and then if i wanted to visit a friend that lived near the loyola campus, i was sure to make that trip during daylight. that’s typically the only area i don’t care for on the northside. but if you think that part of rogers park is bad try visiting neighborhoods like inglewood, lawndale,woodlawn and roseland..
January 8, 2009 at 5:43 am editHey Vacillating Chiny girl and DarcsFalcon
DarcsFalcon says, “Pretty soon they’ll be telling people to prostitute their daughters”
Actually the mob still controls the city and parts of “crooked” (I meant cook) county. The mob is only softer now, than it used to be, Many of the escort, call girl services in the city are run indirectly by the mob. The mob in the chicagoland area, is still dominated by the italians, but now has branched out to russian, eastern european, and even some asian mobs, particularly Chinese. Many of the high end escorts in chicago are european, or asian.
Oh yea, the MOB indirectly controls the city and county. It really does.
That probably goes without saying. It’s been that way for decades. And it doesn’t surprise me at all about the escort services, either.
Vacillating Chiny girl says, ” try visiting neighborhoods like inglewood, lawndale, woodlawn and roseland”
Those neighborhoods really have not been helped much, by the city administration. The only way I would get around in some of those neighborhoods especially Inglewood and lawndale is in a tank with full body armor. LOL, LOL
January 8, 2009 at 7:32 am editfranktown Says:
January 7, 2009 at 12:43 am
Lost, that’s Frank with a capital “F”!!!
You’ll get the capital “F” when you explain what you meant by: “The United States and Canada are like the only countries where strangers actually interact for reasons other than business”.
January 8, 2009 at 11:17 am editJOHN L said: Those neighborhoods really have not been helped much, by the city administration. The only way I would get around in some of those neighborhoods especially Inglewood and lawndale is in a tank with full body armor. LOL, LOL
… me too.
four-five years ago, i used to tutor kids in the lawndale neighborhood. it was a charter school with kids from k-12th grade. the school was mixed with kids who were exceptionally smart and those that were obviously below their grade level in reading and math. anyways i digress.
i had to take the blue line there and ‘powerwalk’ my way to the school (sometimes taking shortcuts by running through alleys) because that’s how seedy the neighborhood is. there are some blocks that are nothing but abandoned homes, burnt homes, NO homes (empty lots). it’s so sad.
why can’t daley do something for these neighborhoods? funding for more after schools programs which will help keep kids off the street? daycare centers? something.
they are probably alot more thing neighborhoods like lawndale need, but i can’t address them as i’m not a resident of those areas. if you were to drive by (no pun intended) these neighborhoods you’d probably ask yourself” why are these neighborhoods in such deplorable conditions”? it’s just cant be the fault of it’s inhabitants, can it?
January 8, 2009 at 9:24 pm editOK so i have lived in chicago until i was 12 than moved to schaumburg and moved back to the city when i turned 20 for school. I dont understand what you people mean by this place being unfriendly. Wrong stop bitching about it go out have a social life. With the attitude that some of you have it does not matter where you go. It is you who needs to leave or change to make this city better. People who feel sorry for themselves because they have a shitty job and they cant “get out” ah sure you can get out. There are like 5 major highways that run there here we have two large airports. Also there is union station. You pick which way you want to get out. I am having the best time of my life and do not see myself anywhere else.
Of course you don’t understand. You’re 20. I guess you missed the part at the top. This is the wrong stop for YOU. I don’t know why you do a search on Chicago sucks, and then get all pissed off when you find people who feel that way. Your attitude is exactly the kind of attitude we mean when we talk about how unfriendly the people are here. You think you’re a smart-ass, that you have all the answers, and that you can tell people what they are and aren’t capable of. You think life is all about bars and partying and going out. Do let us know when you’ve had some real life adult responsibilities under your belt, and maybe then we’ll talk.
January 8, 2009 at 11:17 pm editSorry princess, what’s done is done. I can’t change the past, so I’ll stand by what I said. It’ll give you and your rich New York friends something to laugh about. Cheers!
January 9, 2009 at 7:23 am editSo, I have a question for this forum. If you had the ability to move…what state( and city) would you choose? I am asking this because I definitely am not staying here and like to see other peoples opinions
I’m drawn to VA for its beauty, and 4 seasons. I’m drawn to TX and ID for their political bent.
January 9, 2009 at 7:59 am edit‘I am having the best time of my life and do not see myself anywhere else.’
LOL! First of all, Shaumburg is not Chicago. But whatever. Check back in 5-7 years when you are in massive debt due to the way that Chicagoland’s city governments are set up. You are 20 and probably white, right? You recently lived off mommy and daddy? Chicago is not a friendly place for grown adults or minorities. It is a very passive aggressive and fairly racist city that sours you over time. Believe me- I lived my ADULT life there and am now much happier away form that CRAP. That is what this forum is about. Did you not read the disclaimer up there at the top? You googled ‘Chicago sucks’ and are here.. WHY? even if you do not believe a person like me whose family lived in the city of Chicago most of my life, there are plenty of indicators for those of you who do not live there, Mr. Shaumburg. …most stressful city”.. fattest city”…”most miserable city”…even the rich people in Chicago wish they lived in a less stressful WARMER place where they did not have to be hypercritical of others in order to make themselves feel better about living in the coldest, ugliest, most third rate city in America.
Nice to see a new face, Ralphie.
A fan of “A Christmas Story”? 
January 9, 2009 at 10:40 am editfranktown Says:
January 8, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Sorry princess, what’s done is done. I can’t change the past, so I’ll stand by what I said. It’ll give you and your rich New York friends something to laugh about. Cheers! ”
frank and the rest of chicago lovers here,
You will “stand by what you said” even though you know have no idea what you are talking about. You have nothing to prove your point, you never been to any other continent, yet feel you know enough to make this statement and then “you stand by it”.
Denial – that’s exactly how Chicago got where it is right now:
rampant crime, hopeless sport teams, widespread corruption and cultural contribution to the world in form of Jerry Springer and Ophra. The world is truly impressed with your achievements. Keep it up.
BTW. You keep calling me a princess, safely hiding behind a public bulletin board. You are the man.
January 9, 2009 at 10:48 am editralphieboy,
“Chicago is not a friendly place for grown adults or minorities. It is a very passive aggressive and fairly racist city that sours you over time.”
Moving from New York to Chicago you makes you sometimes feel like you moved back in time. Racially defined neighborhoods, bars are either black or white, there are virtually no mixed-race couples and your (black) coworkers tell you stories that you thought were thing of the past… Chicagoland is literally 25 years behind the east coast in resolving social issues…
January 9, 2009 at 11:23 am editralphieboy Says:
January 9, 2009 at 7:59 am
“…most stressful city”.. fattest city”…”most miserable city”…even the rich people in Chicago wish they lived in a less stressful WARMER place where they did not have to be hypercritical of others in order to make themselves feel better about living in the coldest, ugliest, most third rate city in America.”
To ralphieboy’s point, do you ever hear about “anybody who is somebody” moving to Chicago? I mean, the third largest city in the US should have its fair share of high profile business executives, political figures, movie stars, directors, acclaimed singers, performers and…. what? Only the Cusacks, Belushi, Oprah, Springer, Jordan and maybe few more…. How is it possible? Nobody else wants to live in this “friendly, vibrant city” third largest city in the US? How is it possible that the rich and famous missed this wonderful location that “has so much to offer”??? Or maybe, it simply doesn’t, and like most of us are saying in this forum, living in Chicago is a horrid experience, good only for college kids with expectations limited to getting drunk each and every day and for people who made a jump from even bigger sh…hole. What do you think?
Even Oprah doesn’t live here year-round.
January 9, 2009 at 2:00 pm editI found these quotes regarding the great city of Chicago. It seems that not much has changed in over 100 years:
Chicago is unique. It is the only completely corrupt city in America.
Charles Merriam, unsuccessful mayoral candidate in 1911
Satan (impatiently) to Newcomer: The trouble with you Chicago people is, that you think you are the best people down here; whereas you are merely the most numerous.
Mark Twain “Pudd’nhead Wilson’s New Calendar,” 1897
When you feel like tellin a feller to go to the devil — tell him to go to Chicago — it’ll anser every purpose, and is perhaps, a little more expensive.
Mark Twain (”Snodgrass’ Ride on the Railroad”) 1856
I have struck a city — a real city — and they call it Chicago. . . . I urgently desire never to see it again. It is inhabited by savages.
Rudyard Kipling, 1891
Germany was the cause of Hitler as much as Chicago is responsible for the Chicago Tribune.
Alexander Woollcott, 1943
Hell has been described as a pocket edition of Chicago.
Ashley Montagu “The American Way Of Life,” 1967
Here is the difference between Dante, Milton, and me. They wrote about hell and never saw the place. I wrote about Chicago after looking the town over for years and years.
Carl Sandburg, 1961
A facade of skyscrapers facing a lake and behind the facade, every type of dubiousness.
E.M. Forster
There’s only one thing for Chicago to do, and that’s to move to a better neighborhood.
Herman Fetzer
Chicago — a pompous Milwaukee.
Leonard Louis Levinson
Loving Chicago is like loving a woman with a broken nose.
Nelson Algren
Chicago is an October sort of city even in spring.
Nelson Algren, Newsweek, August 13, 1984
Your machinery is beautiful. Your society people have apologized to me for the envious ridicule with which your newspapers have referred to me. Your newspapers are comic but never amusing. Your Water Tower is a castellated monstrosity with pepperboxes stuck all over it. I am amazed that any people could so abuse Gothic art and make a structure not like a water tower but like a tower of a medieval castle. It should be torn down. It is a shame to spend so much money on buildings with such an unsatisfactory result. Your city looks positively dreary.
Oscar Wilde, February 13, 1882
ROFLMAO! I think my favorite is the one from Sandburg.
January 9, 2009 at 3:04 pm editNess,
Do you think you could make this quote a motto for this board?
“I give you Chicago. It is not London and Harvard. It is not Paris and buttermilk. It is American in every chitling and sparerib. It is alive from snout to tail.”
Henry Louis Mencken – American humorous Journalist and Critic of American life who influenced US fiction through the 1920s
I’ll give it some thought, Lost.
January 9, 2009 at 3:17 pm edithey lost…
i found these quotes regarding the big apple.
to be honest you can make disparaging remarks on any major city in america- and i see what you were getting at in your last post… so there’s no need to attack me aiight!
so here’s my weak attempt at a rebuttal (you can thank me later frank,lol)
One belongs to new york instantly, one belongs to it as much as five minutes in five years
Thomas wolfe
A car is useless in new york, essential everywhere else. The same with good manners
Mignon mclaughlin
New york’s such a wonderful city. Although I was at the library today.the guys are very rude. I said “I’d like a card”. He says “you have to prove you’re a citizen of new york” so I stabbed him.
Emo phillips
“I went to see a band in new york. The lead singer got in the microphone, and he said how many of you feel like being human beings tonight? Then he said “how many of you feel like animals”? and everyone cheered after the animals part. But the thing is, I cheered after the human being part because I did not know that there was a second part to the question”
Mitch hedberg
New york taxi rules:
1.Driver speaks no english
2.Driver just got here two days ago from someplace like segal
3.Driver hates you
Dave Barry
It’s ridiculous to set a detective story in new york city. New york city is itself a detective story
Agatha christie
New york: the only city where people make radio requests like “this is for tina-i’m sorry I stabbed you”
Carol leifer
The crime problem in new york is getting really serious. The other day the statue of liberty had both hands up
Jay leno
There is a new billboard outside Time Square. It keeps an up-to minute count of gun-related crimes in New York. Some goofball is going to shoot someone just to see the numbers move
David letterman
On my first day in new york a guy asked me if I knew where central park was. When I told him I didn’t he said, “do you mind if I mug you here” ?
(LOL)
Paul merton
I miss new york. I still love how people talk to you on the street-just assault you and tell you what they think of your jacket
Madonna
Every person on the streets of new york is a type. The city is one big theatre where everyone is on display.
Jerry rubin
New york has more hermits than will be found in all the forests, mountains and deserts of the united states.
Simeon strunsky
New york now leads the world’s greatest cities in the number of people around whom you shoudn’t make a sudden move
David letterman
Oh man! The one from Emo Phillips made me bust up out loud!
January 9, 2009 at 3:57 pm editGuys,
Thanks for keeping this thread alive with your wonderful insight, brilliant observations and educated opinions. Darcs, again, thanks for starting this and giving us this forum!
I’m glad you like it hon.
Sorry for not dropping by more often to contribute…promise to do so in near future (things are hectic).
Lost, I think I love you. Most heartfelt thanks to you for sharing your eloquent thoughts and spot on observations…I am of course in full agreement. Your take on things also brings much comfort after years of my isolation in belief that the place is a sad joke…and no one to talk to who would understand. I have made a great effort to leave the ‘ice barn’ behind (though I return here more than I’d like to due to business). It still feels great to have the years of putting up with bs vindicated.
I’ll be back soon all-have a few stories I’d like to share!
One for the road though…this one will not be a surprise. About the horrid roads: my family member, who’s in construction, and who has lived and worked in the Chitcagoland his whole life, knows (as apparently everyone else in construction) that the crap material designed to last a few years at best, used to ‘build’ or ‘patch up’ roads is used intentionally and knowingly. The officials know the material is not for long-term use, but it’s never about the roads but rather keeping the circle of rewarding city contracts to favorite businesses alive and well. Why not? It’s not like anyone will notice or take a stand…Chicagoans, stuck in 1984 (except Linclon Park, it’s 1999 there) don’t even know they have bad roads… Years after years after years….
We all know too well what position Chicago and it’s collective wisdom takes on the issue…
TC
I have heard that about road construction for years. I remember the Palumbo scandal from years ago, and yet, nothing’s really changed, just the name of the companies screwing everyone over.
January 9, 2009 at 4:04 pm editpart II ….
Basically, third world crap guaranteed to crumble in a couple of years, is used with intention of securing a new job 5 yrs later in the same spot….
January 9, 2009 at 4:48 pm editYou think it’s worth getting into a fight with another person over the city of Chicago? PUUULLEAAASSEE!
January 9, 2009 at 5:56 pm editFrank,
Here’s a tissue…wipe yourself (and the spit off your screen). There. Good.
Now, Lost, I am pretty sure, does not think it’s a worthy cause for a fight. However, you’re digressing. Lost challenged you earlier to simply support your claim: “The United States and Canada are like the only countries where strangers actually interact for reasons other than business.” You, digressed form the challenge and instead hurled an insult-called him a ‘princess.’
Now Frank, I know you are capable of staying on topic. That would be the thing to do-much more manly than calling your opponent a ‘princess’in effort to avoid responding to his simple challenge: explaining how “The United States and Canada are like the only countries where strangers actually interact for reasons other than business.”
If you are not ready to defend your above statement pls admit so. It would, in fact, be the only rational position to take.
TC, and have a good weekend!
January 9, 2009 at 6:40 pm editvacillating ChiNy girl Says:
January 9, 2009 at 3:17 pm
The crime problem in new york is getting really serious. The other day the statue of liberty had both hands up
Jay leno
There is a new billboard outside Time Square. It keeps an up-to minute count of gun-related crimes in New York. Some goofball is going to shoot someone just to see the numbers move
David letterman
New york now leads the world’s greatest cities in the number of people around whom you shoudn’t make a sudden move
David letterman
Hey,
ChiNY,
I would not even think about attacking you for these funny quotes. Why? We all know New York is not perfect and has many aspects that can drive a person to madness. Please note however that some of the comments come from Dave Letterman who as you know starts his show with “Live from New York, the greatest city in the world”. You see, ChiNy, New Yorkers do love and are proud of their city but this is not a cult, you are allowed to comment, complain and make jokes about it and nobody is going to tell you to move out…
Now, are those statement true or just a comical hyperbole?
I am not going to argue over it, but when it comes to crime for example New York has much better stats than Chicago and LA and any major city in the US and if you lived in New York long enough you should know how great a job Gulianni and his choice of police commisioners did.
The reason I posted these quotes is that it struck me funny that some notable visitors, some 100 years ago complained about the same things we are still complaining today…
It seems like nothing ever changes in Chicago…
New Yorkers do love and are proud of their city but this is not a cult, you are allowed to comment, complain and make jokes about it and nobody is going to tell you to move out…
In a nutshell, Lost, in a freakin’ nutshell.
January 9, 2009 at 6:51 pm editBoloGal Says:
January 9, 2009 at 3:57 pm
[…] Your take on things also brings much comfort after years of my isolation in belief that the place is a sad joke…and no one to talk to who would understand. […]
Thank you BoloGal. I just wish I never had to have experience Chicago and feel a need to explain things that should not need any explanation. The place is a sad joke that only natives do not get, enduring it however takes all the initial amusement away. Good luck and come back (to the board of course, not to Chicago itself
…
January 9, 2009 at 7:09 pm editOMG!!! ok seriously you people are so lame. And yet, you return. So this place is shit because celebrities don’t live here. GET your own lives. My motives for going on this forum are school related thank you very much. School related? Since when is Chicago sucks a school project? Go out this city has so much to offer but you people are so blind and you don’t wanna go out because you wont see lindsay lohan or paris hilton on the streets. Does it really matter. What do you think your chances of becoming friends with them will be higher if they lived here. And another note. My “mommy” and “daddy” have nothing to do with this neither does my age. I’m 20 and more educated than half of you here. Ralphieboy it’s spelled schaumburg so spell check yourself so you don’t sound like an idiot. so everyone here that hates their lives take that stick up your ass and go say hi to your neighboors and make some damn friends.
Well, you’ve spelled “ok”, and “neighboors” wrong. Also, proper names and places, as well as sentences begin with capital letters. So much for being “more educated.”
January 9, 2009 at 7:44 pm editLost-thanks for finding some historical quotes about how much Chicago sucks.
Chicago sucks. Chicago always has sucked. And Chicago will continue to suck.
Illinois is the laughing stock of the nation right now and rightfully so.
The only reason Chicago sucking isn’t public knowledge to the whole nation is because…
1) Locals within a hundred mile radius pretend its some sort of cultural mecca and will fiercely attack any criticism of it. These locals go around the nation preaching of the wonders of Chicago.
“Pompous Milwaukee”
I can’t get far enough away from Chicago…
January 9, 2009 at 7:52 pm editStudent,
“Ralphieboy it’s spelled schaumburg so spell check yourself so you don’t sound like an idiot.”
…Uhm, I think it’s actually spelled Schaumburg, with a capital ‘S.’
About making friends with neighbors…it’s routine in SF or other places that I’m aware of. In Chicago, IT IS STANDARD, to avoid neighbors like a plague. One of the most vivid, instantly apparent social habits. For your school assignment, can you do a little survey and ask any Chicagoan about their relationship with neighbors? You’ll find out quickly they DON”T KNOW THEM AND WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM SOCIALLY. All they care about is their race, and that they don’t speak to them much in the hallway…
No one is saying that Chicago sucks because Lindsay doesn’t live here…but like it or not, the preferences of rich (and famous) are the strongest indicator of economic quality of life of a given location…and the quality is not here, not because of absence of Lindsay, but because of presence of the locals. And the bs in their town they do nothing about.
We’re saying it sucks because the locals, despite their town being backwards, are under impression that it equals LA or NY or, most laughably of all, looks down on Milwaukee, Indianapolis, or St.Louis. We’re saying it sucks because the locals are bloated, pretentious urban hicks, who think they are world class.
Sorry kid, but we’re accustomed to a considerably more sophisticated debate here, so maybe that education you speak of must go on for you for awhile longer before you come across as an acceptable opponent. In the mean time, please stick to what you can do. (Update your MySpace about the bar you went to, and how your bathroom took a beating afterward?) Oh, and take English Composition 101. Please.
January 9, 2009 at 8:01 pm edithaha! wow you are a lame. Ok seriously get over yourself. Please tell me where you went to school and what your major is and what your gpa was yes thank you very much. But i have all the information i need and i will be going out to a new bar and making some new friends not sitting in my living room wondering why my life is shit. so please stop bitching and get a life. go outside take a walk you are here enjoy it apparently there is nothing you can do about it so just live with it. You guys seriously bitch and complain like fifth grader would.
Yet, here you are, on my post, at 8 PM on a Friday night. So much for having a life, huh?
By the way, requesting personal information like that on a blog is expressly forbidden. And you are about to be.
January 9, 2009 at 8:07 pm editand please do not try to treat me on my education because if i list me credentials and where i have studied it will only embarrass you. i have more world knowledge/experience than most of you here and i am only 20.
Put your skirt down, your youth is showing.
January 9, 2009 at 8:22 pm editCan’t take your advice. #1 weather is crap so I canceled plans to go out. #2, I’m a little behind packing-flying back to CA this wknd so not much time left to pack.
I have a pretty good life, so pls don’t worry about me getting one. And I will continue to come here because of the great snark we have going- it’s a lot of fun!
Bottom line, we are all transplants here who came to live in the wrong city. It doesn’t work for us and we love to exchange experiences with strangers of of different backgrounds, circumstances, etc and continue to discover validation of our own observations. We do that because the locals, (as we all agree) are not open to a dialogue. To them Chicago is paradise. Period. To much of the rest of the nation now, it’s a laughing stock.
Again, this board is our chance for a chat with someone like-minded, unlike the locals who find nothing wrong with their ‘world class city’ (god, my friend was chocking laughing when I called Chicago that today). The local politicians know that, and abuse it for all it’s worth, knowing they will remain unchallenged by the local public. We, the whining outsiders, are baffled that this goes on and that no one lifts a finger to change this. It took a New Yorker, Patrick Fitzgerald, to take action…but oh, well, this won’t change much. Chicago loves it’s crooks too much. It wouldn’t be Chicago without it.
January 9, 2009 at 8:27 pm editSee this is your problem tell me about a place where politicians are not corrupt. It is their job, they lie cheat whatever it takes. If you are going to talk about politics it is not this city that is corrupt. It is this country specifically us, white people who ruin everything. Once white people realize they aren’t shit than that is when the world will be a better place.
Hmm, 8:30 on a Friday night, and you’re still here? Must be hard, having that life thing you claim to have.
See, here’s your problem kid: you think you’re not a racist, when your comment here is nothing but racist. You want to blame all the world’s problems on white people? Yeah, I can see your liberal education at work here, and I can also see that you haven’t learned a damn thing from that education – either about history, manners, or reality. You’re done here.
January 9, 2009 at 8:29 pm edit“and please do not try to treat me on my education because if i list me credentials and where i have studied it will only embarrass you. i have more world knowledge/experience than most of you here and i am only 20.”
Ok, I won’t. Although you did say you only lived in Chicago and Schaumburg, so I don’t see what could possibly embarrass…well… me…
Ok, good nite. Have a fun nite out, and pls don’t take those comments too seriously. It’s not intended to upset you.
January 9, 2009 at 9:26 pm editlost said: I am not going to argue over it, but when it comes to crime for example New York has much better stats than Chicago and LA and any major city in the US and if you lived in New York long enough you should know how great a job Gulianni and his choice of police commisioners did.
true, can’t deny that. i should point out that i lived in NY pre-gulianni so yeah, it’s not nearly as bad as it used to be.
lost said: The reason I posted these quotes is that it struck me funny that some notable visitors, some 100 years ago complained about the same things we are still complaining today…
It seems like nothing ever changes in Chicago…
i concur. it was just wishful thinking on my part i guess.
January 9, 2009 at 9:59 pm editFew more quotes. This is time straight from the mayor of this great city: Richard Daley himself. These are his words of wisdom:
“I believe the way I describe the problems in Chicago is that it’s a metropolitan area. I’ve said that everywhere. The uneducated child is not just my problem, it’s the state’s problem. It’s also the federal government’s problem. ”
“They have vilified me, they have crucified me; yes, they have even criticized me.”
“No poll can equal the day-to-day visits of the men and women of the Democratic Party.”
“Television and radio do a wonderful job in focusing attention on the problems of our society.”
“We have to face it: in America today the way to have fun and celebrate is to break a store window and take something. That’s the way it is, today in America, and we have to accept it.”
“Don’t worry if they’re Democrats or Republicans. Give them service and they’ll become Democrats.”
January 9, 2009 at 10:56 pm editLost,
LOL at the quotes you listed today! Daley is a just a gem…too bad he’s not more famous around the country, as late night tv would swallow him whole. And the ones about Chicago-incredible how timeless they all are….
January 10, 2009 at 10:30 am editBoloGal,
Daley is funny and in the same time scary. Funny ’cause when I moved to Chicago and I finally got to see and hear the mayor I could not believe how much he resembles Mayor Quimby from the Simpsons: the same rather chaotic demeanor and gibberish style…
It’s scary though when you realize this is not a mayor of some backwater town in the middle of nowhere but the third largest city in the US.
I do not think however that the country would be surprised reazling who he is, this is Chicago and Illinois we are talking about, nobody (outside of the region) expect much to come out of it anyway… Oh I forgot, Obama is Hawaii born, Harvard educated true “Chicagoan”
January 10, 2009 at 1:27 pm editMayor Daley is funny. Some time ago, JR sent me a video of Daley, and I guess it was one of those college drinking game type things, that went something like this: Daley can’t say “basically.” It always comes out as “basic-y” and the game was every time he said “basic-y” you’re supposed to take a drink. Well, I watched the video JR sent. I didn’t drink at all, but by the 6th or 7th “basic-y” I was practically in tears I was laughing so hard! But the 15th or 16th “basic-y” I was breathless and had a side-stitch going on. Now, I can’t hear Daley speak without busting out in guffaws because all I hear is every single “basic-y” that comes out of his mouth.
January 10, 2009 at 2:07 pm editHere’s something to piss off people who have more than one car and need to park in the street. My friend came over and parked in the street while it is snowing. My landlord rang the bell and told her to park in front of my garage( there was a spot available luckily because my other neighbor was gone) because cops were driving around issuing tickets for people who parked on the streets while it snows in order for the snowplows to plow… my question is.. what if you have more than one car and only ONE parking space? And I am talking about the far west suburbs NOT chicago
I’ve seen cars just get plowed in.
January 10, 2009 at 2:11 pm editHow come he always looks like he just woke up?
They probably keep him in a state of suspended animation and just revive him for press conferences.
January 10, 2009 at 3:26 pm editlost said
LOL, i SWEAR to my brother that quimby is the cartoon equivalent of daley
LOL, yeah, they are a lot alike.
I think Quimby is based on the Kennedy’s though, especially since the Simpsons started before Daley was mayor here. Take a listen to ol’ Teddy Kennedy and you’ll hear the similarities. 
January 10, 2009 at 5:25 pm editNess,
Yup. Quimby charachter is (supposedly) based on Kennedy but Daley – Quimby similarities are striking, even last names sound similar. By the way, Chicago got a a real and less honorable mention in the Simpsons when Ralph Wiggum (son of the police chief) who is known to be rather slow, got hired by Chicago Tribune. That was a shot at Tribune’s tendency to report on trivia in effort not to offend anybody important… Anyone remembers this episode and the Trib’s headline that was shown at that time?
No, I haven’t watched the Simpsons since around 2005. We just … stopped. I think it just no longer felt funny to us. I still think it’s some of the best writing and voice work in the industry though.
January 11, 2009 at 1:02 am editActually Chicago does not have a good nightlife at all. It really, really, really sucks, and the city as a whole including the suburbs is very segregated and racist except for a few suburbs, and one or two neighborhoods in Chicago, which are the exception. I am asian american, and lived briefly before in the Philippines. Let me tell you the nightlife over their, is 40 times better than Chicago. If anyone here gets a chance, go visit Manila. You will not believe how many bars and nightclubs exist in Manila. Its paradise especially if you are a single man. Go visit bangkok thailand, the nightlife is awesome also. Being asian in chicago, or any type of minority i suspect is not easy. Sure many asians, and minorities, do exist here, but compare this stinking city to Los Angeles, or Washington D.C suburbs where I grew up, you cannot even compare. The racial groups on the coasts especially Los Angeles, and Washington D.C get along much better, and more integration exists, than here in Chicago. Those two cities are much more progressive than here. Yes Chicago is sort of 20 years behind. Sad but very true in some ways.
I went to a bar in Lincoln Park, a few days ago, and I felt so unwelcomed. I felt so uncomfortable being in that bar. People looked at me and my friends like we were aliens, and gave us the hint to leave, we are not wanted. I really do believe about the “closet racist” issue. It is so true. I have experienced it in many ways, to many to even remember. In the workplace it is different. People have no choice but to interact with people of different races, but outside of work, people usually stick with their own kind. And yes neighbors here are not friendly. Everyone looks scared, and hostile. I cannot understand why. In my neighborhood, many people walk dogs, but i notice when people come near them, they turn their backs, on the other person, even pretending to pick up the waste from their dogs. I am going to try to leave this hell hole as soon as I can. I really believe that Chicago is not just the laughing stock of the country, but also the world.
I am so sorry you’ve been experiencing those feelings of being unwelcome, John. I felt like that too, when I moved to NY as a teen, and again when I moved here. I was (and still am, go figure!) a white kid, but I wasn’t Italian, or I “had an accent” so I was “different” and therefore not welcome. Not sure where the accent thing came in as I’m from CA originally, but that’s what they said. It’s an extremely unpleasant feeling, and no one should be made to feel that way just because of the color of their skin, or any other physical factor.
January 11, 2009 at 12:44 pm editjohn l said: I am going to try to leave this hell hole as soon as I can.
i second that!
January 11, 2009 at 5:06 pm editDWNTWN STUDENT = alcoholic frat boy Cubs fan with low self esteem and no social life. Chooses to correct MY spelling and brag about his great education and worldliness, then mispells 30 words himself! Wowie. He is really making a sound case for the average defender of Chicago…NOT! Hates the forum, yet doesn’t understand what it’s about or why he keeps returning. What a LOSER.
January 11, 2009 at 6:02 pm editOK, I am sorry for calling DWNTWN STUDENT a loser. I meant “misguided misdirector of his own anger issues” Is that still considered name calling??
ROFLMAO!! I’ll let that one slide, since he came in here calling everyone names.
I’ve banned him, but I see he came back to visit last night. I imagine he’s even more furious now that he can’t say anything.
January 11, 2009 at 8:30 pm editWell thank god that you banned him. Another person giving Chicagoans a bad name
Just one of many, dear Frank.
January 12, 2009 at 10:51 am editI thought it was franktown’s job… We all remember Typical Chicago ignorance and arrogance expressed in this
theinfamous quote: “The United States and Canada are like the only countries where strangers actually interact for reasons other than business.” Of course, the author never bothered to sustantiate his claim
Anyways, the winter is here and looking at the city dealing with the elements is very educational. Looking at the residents is however very comical. Chicagoans who are usually very disorganized (although they like to make an oppiste impression) act like they have never seen snow before. Driving with no headlights, agressive driving in the snow, inability to utilize turn signals and leaving cars on the street even though the signs clearly state “no parking after 2” of snowfall” makes dealing with winter commute even more difficult… I am not a big fan of ticketing but if a left in the street car interferes with a snow removal, the rights of the city should take precedence over the rights of an individual, especially if the sign are clearly displayed and abundant snowfall is evident. As a matter of fact, never a fan of a police state before, after moving to Chicago I found myself wishing police would issue more tickets for missing lights, mirrors, disobeying stop signs and traffic lights, improper turns, cell phone use and reckless driving. After all we are talking about public safety here and Chicagoans drive worse than citizens of Istambul (Turkey) who I always thought to be the worst, most dangerous drivers in the world. On top of that as oppose to citizen of Istambul Chicagoans tend to drive faster and heaviers cars and SUVs which can easily cause much more damage.
I don’t get why they drive like they’ve never seen snow before either. That, or they drive like there’s no snow on the ground, when it’s 6″ deep.
January 12, 2009 at 2:06 pm editThe drivers here are probably one of the worst parts of living here. Cockroaches every one. I cannot stand all the horn blowing and road rage in this flipping city. If people could just learn that the Passing Lane (left lane) is not meant for cruising along at 95 miles per hour -or 45 miles per hour- and then suddenly slamming on your brakes in order to tailgate the living daylights out of someone or slowing down to watch an accident, then maybe we could all get to where we are going on time instead of creating a backup. But no. Instead, people cut you off in the middle lane and then brake, or worse, tailgate you in the middle lane or right lane instead of passing. These people should be dragged from their vehicles and beaten with their own tire irons by other road ragers so we can all move on. In order to get a set of Illinois plates, you must have to pay $80.00 and then sign up for a class on how to tailgate and rant and rave like you are three years old in your rear view mirror. Add in Chicago’s shit weather, congested public places, and miserable airport and..why do I live here again? Oh yeh, and also-the citizens are mostly a bunch of beer swilling morons who just cannot admit that there is better quality of living outside of the huge cities like Chicago. If bigger is truly better, then we should all move to New York, Hong Kong, or Tokyo. I cannot wait to get away from this entire metro area and away from the midwest. I pray my company will move someplace more fun and less overpopulated.
Once, my husband and I pulled up to a stop light after being behind a guy who was driving like a moron. At the light, we had a chance to pull up next to him, to be able to get past him once the light changed. I looked over and saw that he had a laptop set up on the seat next to him on a little table of sorts, and he was IMing or something while he was driving. That explained the moronic driving he was doing. I could hardly believe it, even though I was seeing it with my own eyes. How stupid do you have to be to IM while driving? I swear, idiots abound in this place!
January 12, 2009 at 2:57 pm editHave anyone realized how gullible Chicagoans are?
Chicago has excuses for everything. Excuses that are so plausible that they are able to make the issue ‘dissapear’ from the public’s radar screen: here is the problem, here is the excuse – now everyone can go back to being happy…
Solutions? You got to be kidding me….
Let’s see: traffic is bad – “we live in a big city”, there is nothing that the city could do to ease the congestion or improve public transportation, dont like it move to Nebrasca; murder count is so high – it is all gang related, we do not expect the police to solve the gang problem, do we?; Cubs/Sox haven’t won this season – there many variations here: from a curse to injuries, but why would we expect our boys to be ambitious and competitive in the field of professional sports?; Chicago was named number one stressful city in the US – “every big city is stressful: London, Paris, LA, New York”. Why are you even surprised that much smaller Chicago is number one on the list?; Ryan and Blago scandals – “all politicians are corrupt”, we can’t expect any better, can we?; highest sales tax in the nation – “someone has to have it” (authentic!), there is nothing that the city could do to cleanup its finances.
I could go on and on but you can open any local paper to find more examples yourself…
It seems that Chicagoans do not believe that anything can ever be improved, resignation and denial are the only known ways of dealing with problems… This so happy and down to earth society seems to be plagued with the worst case of pessimism, which combined with denial gives you a case of true Chicagoan prasing the Cubs as the most beloved team in the League, or calling few lines of commuter rail a “world class transportation system”.
Residents of Chicago do not realize however that this is their attitude of silent resignation, complacency and denial, that alllows issues to go on unresolved. It may very well work in kindengarden and high schoold but it does not work in adult life.
I think you’ve hit on something here, Lost. Here’s the problem, here’s the excuse, now move along. That’s pretty much how it is around here. And then, they pat themselves on the back for “sucking it up” and taking it, as though there was something to be proud of in being resigned to something, instead of trying to improve anything. It’s so masochistic. I suspect Chicagoans like being spanked.
January 12, 2009 at 3:18 pm editralphie,
When I moved to Chicago I found my self cursing other drivers… Not that they could hear me but I could not believe driving habits of these folks… It’s unbelievable how bad Chicagoans drive. They have no understanding of urban traffic rules and no respect for the law and other drivers. People do not get the concept of flow and keeping up with the traffic. They do not get that it is important to clear the intersection as quick as you can. Nobody understands what the left lane is for, almost nobody uses turn signals when changing lanes. People cut each other off all the time requiring constant braking but even more scary is the lack of focus on driving. I was always complaining about driving habits in Chicago and total disregard for the law and common sense rules but it was confirmed when I saw ambulances going about 40 miles per hour. In New York ambulances zoom 60-80mph even through intersections, knowing that other drivers will obey the lights and sirens, in Chicago ambulance drivers do not seem to be trusting the public so much. Neither do I.
January 12, 2009 at 5:50 pm editUmmmmmm…… Princess, it’s Nebraska, not Nebrasca.
January 12, 2009 at 9:31 pm editno arguments, frank? Why don’t you come up with another great observation?
January 12, 2009 at 10:03 pm editHaha. Okay, it’s a boring Monday night and I’m just at a friends house watching Sports Center. Damn Eagles, but I digress.
I have an argument. What’s with these sweeping generalizations on New York? I thought we all were against those sort of things? Oh well, I guess I’ll continue spewing some of mine then…..
January 12, 2009 at 10:13 pm editFrank’s generalization of the day #1: All New York women wear big rimmed sunglasses, tons of nasty ass jewelry on their fingers, and ugly ass black pants tucked in to ugs on their feet. Yuck!
January 13, 2009 at 8:05 am edit“nasty ass, ugly ass” what a fine, rich vocabulary.
No wonder Obama chose Columbia and Harvard over some backwater schools in the area.
January 13, 2009 at 9:40 am editNess wrote:
“I think you’ve hit on something here, Lost. Here’s the problem, here’s the excuse, now move along. That’s pretty much how it is around here. And then, they pat themselves on the back for “sucking it up” and taking it, as though there was something to be proud of in being resigned to something, instead of trying to improve anything. It’s so masochistic. I suspect Chicagoans like being spanked.”
I am afraid this correct. Governing Illinois and Chicago is probably the easiest job on the planet: as long as you play the inferiority/superiority complex or race-scare card people will let you get away with almost anything. In their naivety people even praise official corruption saying “this is how Chicago got to be so great in the first place” while “forgetting” that this great place has the highest sales tax, substandard schools, high crime, pothole ridden roads and runaway property taxes. I think people of Chicago are lacking in critical, independent thinking and just by looking at their unconditional love towards the next president thery are very likely to be “taken for a ride” again.
“Taken for a ride again.” Oh, Lost, they have no idea.
January 13, 2009 at 3:18 pm editA smile for you
http://punditkitchen.com/2009/01/13/political-pictures-blago-au/
Hey Blago! Can we be the first to go???
January 13, 2009 at 3:35 pm edit‘Frank’s generalization of the day #1: All New York women wear big rimmed sunglasses, tons of nasty ass jewelry on their fingers, and ugly ass black pants tucked in to ugs on their feet. Yuck!’
Sounds like most CHICAGO gals in a nutshell. Except the part about the jewelry.
Maybe Brooklyn or Queens gals too. But Manhatten? You must be OUT YO MIND frank. They dress to the nines in New York. And the women are actaually..uh..hot. Not..uh.. homlier than a homemade pair of shoes as they are here. Sorry. I love my Chicago wife, and all those cornfed girls are great, but east coast and west coast are where the true hotties live. Money money money money!!!!
Hello Jimmeny.
Welcome to the club here. Have you lived around Chicago very long?
Falcon aka “Ness”
January 13, 2009 at 8:08 pm editAre you familiar with the term Long Island?
Come down here to IU. The New Yorkers are known for dressing exactly how I just mentioned. Yes, even the Manhattan girls, and especially the Jersey girls.
As for your statements on women in general, it just proves that Midwestern and Southern belles are the nations best kept secret. You see, money doesn’t only exist in the form of dollars like it does on the coasts (especially in RICH New York and California), it exists in the form of beauty like in the Midwest and the South.
Yes, even people in Houston were better looking than in New York and Los Angeles.
“money doesn’t only exist in the form of dollars like it does on the coasts, it exists in the form of beauty like in the Midwest and the South”
It is a lovely and optimistic opinion Frank, I’ll give you that.
(and you need to check your email!)
January 13, 2009 at 8:14 pm editOh, and yes Jimmeny, I am out of my mind. Is that a problem?
So out of my mind, that the guy passed out face first on the ground in the photo above happens to be me.
January 13, 2009 at 10:58 pm editJimmeny just let it go. frank has not really been anywhere but insist on having the ultimate Knowledge.
He never heard that the main difference between women on the coasts and Midwest is approximately 15lbs… He does not know that Chicago and Houston has been historically the most obesity plagued cities in the US. He does not know much. He thinks Long Island is a term not an actual island. He sees the world from backwater Indiana university perspective. What do you expect?
January 13, 2009 at 11:23 pm editSo, we’re the 3rd “most caffeinated city” in the nation now. Surprise.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479841,00.html
January 13, 2009 at 11:36 pm editChicago, America’s most segregated big city.
Whites make up about 28 percent of Chicago’s population and are largely located on the North Side. Slivers of the population live on the South Side. Blacks make up about 35 percent of the city’s population and are largely concentrated on the South and West Sides.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-segregation-26-dec26,0,976255.story
Great article, Lost, thanks for sharing.
January 14, 2009 at 1:04 am editWell, it’s disappointing to read that article. It surprises me though, as the North Side seems to be very diverse at first glance, full of Asian markets, Ebony markets, Hispanic markets, etc.
What Chicago needs to do is tackle it’s crime problem first before it does anything else. Fix up the ghettos, put the criminals behind bars that are terrorizing the city. Lock away the keys, don’t let them out after their relatives or activists bribe the DA’s.
There are plenty of neighborhoods on the South Side though that I would want to live in. Bridgeport, Beverly, Hyde Park, East Side, and others that aren’t crime ridden.
I agree with many things the article says, but I refuse to live in a crime infested area simply to increase “diversity”. The truth is, many of the most dangerous parts of the city happen to be mostly black. And it has nothing to do with their race, but their social situations. However, I’m not to going to tolerate people criticizing me avoiding those areas and calling me a racist.
I don’t think any of us appreciate being called a racist.
January 14, 2009 at 7:26 am editWow, Chicago is a real winner.
First it won the highest sales tax prize, most obese, highest number of murders, most corrupt city, most stressful and most caffeinated.
Congratulation Chicago. Go Cubs!
We’re #1! We’re #1! Uhh, whoops!
January 14, 2009 at 3:30 pm editwhy chicago SUCKS Cost Of Living Is High As Hell.Murder Capital Of The World . Poverty Ridden Neighborhoods. Corrupt CITY. Snow’s Toooooo Dam Much. Coldest Dam Place IN the World. Very Bad Gang Problem. Horrible Traffic 24 HOURS A Day. Rude PEOPLE .Everybody Drive’s Like A Dam Idiot People Drives Like ASSHOLES On Snow & ICE. kids Get Murdered For Going To School.Road Rage Capital OF The World High Taxes No Matter What .Visitors Get MURDERED Here. Most Depressed And Most STRESSFUL City In The WORLD.Money Hungry Shit Ass City. it Stinks Living Here Chicago Makes HELL lOOKS Like A Summer Resort.
No, tell us how you really feel! Welcome to the club, Troy.
Falcon aka “Ness”
January 15, 2009 at 6:21 am editI have an idea. I do graphic arts and i have adobe photo shop. I currently am not working and take care of my husband who is seriously ill. The winter weather has this Texas girl down in the dumps as well so send me your ideas of how I can make fun of Chicago and turn a photo into a funny…like the “bean” froze and the chrome cracked! Or cramming a catsup smothered hot dog down Blagos throat or something along these lines… I mean I have time on my hands and don’t we all deserve GOOD LAUGH?!
Yes! We DO deserve a good laugh! I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
January 15, 2009 at 8:00 am editI like the bean idea. What would it look like (reflections) if it was positioned elsewhere in Chicago….
January 15, 2009 at 8:55 am editwe could have it reflect daley and blagos faces like mount rushmore but with stupid ass expressions on their faces!LOL
January 15, 2009 at 10:45 am editcool!
January 15, 2009 at 10:45 am edityou mean like mount blushmore?
Mt. Blushmore – LOLOL How about Mt. Taxmore? Mt. Liemore? Okay, I’ll stop!
January 15, 2009 at 12:45 pm editIf you could only morph faces of:
George Homer Ryan (R) 1999 and 2003 Convicted of corruption
Ryan, Daniel Walker (D) 1973 to 1977 Convicted of fiscal improprieties
Otto Kerner, (D) 1961 to 1968 Convicted of bribery, conspiracy, perjury and their charges.
January 15, 2009 at 3:18 pm editFun read for you!
Why do we live here? ‘My wife makes me’ and other excuses http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-why-live-here-cold,0,231320.story
January 15, 2009 at 7:12 pm editSorry. I shouldn’t type while tired.
Darcs when are you going to add “most segregated city” to the graphics on the top of this page? It seems that Chicago’s problems need to be listed so that the citizens stop denying them.
You mean the picture? I can’t add anything to that, that was taken directly off of the Forbes article. As for listing segregation, when I originally made the post, I didn’t list that one because it just didn’t occur to me I guess. I do have another page for people to list the things that bother them, though, if you’d like to add your thoughts to it … Why Do YOU Think Chicago Sucks
January 15, 2009 at 7:23 pm editchristel,
Another reflection form the bean idea:
A bunch of locals standing in front of the bean (these guys seem like be a good representation: http://www.dlisted.com/node/30210), but in a reflection seeing themselves more like this: http://ladiesdotdotdot.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/suits.jpg
(cause that’s what they resent not being anyway).
January 15, 2009 at 7:39 pm editLol! okay … I am going to buy a few cdrw’s so i can burn some images and transfer them to adobe
January 15, 2009 at 8:09 pm editThe new fattest cities for ‘09 has been released:
http://www.mensfitness.com/lifestyle/215
Ouch! New York at #4???
Well Chicago’s at #13, but that’s still three times behind New York. Fat asses seem to rule the world these days.
An interesting list there, Frank. I wonder how their list compares to others.
January 15, 2009 at 8:46 pm editUnfortunately, Mens Fitness article fails to tell how the survey was conducted. Are the results based on #s per capita or totality of citizens avoiding fitness? If so, boy, we’d be # 2 in the world, only behind ‘Sumo City’ Japan.
We all know how health conscious Chicagoans are-with their idea of smart exercise routine being running on a concrete beach in the heat. But that’s ok, cause this can’t be done in the winter when a top 1 exercise is scraping ice off of a frozen car.
Incredible how this town is shooting fish in a barrel, on so many levels…..
SO many levels, yes.
January 15, 2009 at 8:49 pm editHey Frank,
If Chicago is three times behind NY….well, NY is 4 times larger so this leaves a higher per capita # for Chicago…
January 15, 2009 at 8:59 pm editNew Yorkers simply can’t have a greater obesity rate. They can’t. They eat better. And they walk a lot more. During the week, the only places Chicagoans go to are a bus or L stop, parking, Starbucks and Dunkin Doughnuts, oh, and office vending machine. On the weekends it’s the mall, and granted malls are huge and require a lot of walking, but it just does not make up for the rest of the week.
New Yorkers, on the hand, walk a lot…
January 15, 2009 at 9:03 pm editI think I am going on cruise to Alaska.
At this very moment Anchorage is at +40F
Yummy!
http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/local/USAK0012?lswe=Anchorage,%20AK&lwsa=Weather36HourBusinessTravelerCommand&from=searchbox_typeahead
Few people believe me when I’ve said in the past that we’re often colder than AK here. Still – it’s AK, and no matter how much I love Palin, I’m not going! Take me someplace in the 70’s!
January 15, 2009 at 9:08 pm editSince I have moved to Chicago, I have not been able to find a single store with produce (ie. Fruits and vegetables) that are not bruised or rotting. Nobody buys anything here that is healthy. Chicago food is all about quantity over quality, people stuff their faces with shit food. Bragging about the “Chicago Hotdog”? Not only does it suck, but you are eating a pig’s asshole.
People brag about Stanley’s great, cheap produce. Ever been there? Everything is covered in mold. Why is it that I can buy fruit from Argentina in Detroit that is flawless, yet in Chicago everything is shit. Fox and Obels, Whole Fruit is trash compared to what I just brought back from Hillers in Detroit for 1/3 the price.
“Quantity over quality” – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this! Why do people think they’re getting a good deal, when all they’re getting is more garbage for the same money? Wouldn’t they rather have better even if it’s a little less, than more crap on top of crap? More ISN’T better if all you’re getting is more crap! Sorry LSD, you’ve touched a nerve with me! LOL It’s a long story.
January 15, 2009 at 9:19 pm editLost,
The food is shit because there’s no one here to observe that or to demand better…
I think you mean LSDetroit? I think they observe it’s not better, I just think they don’t care. “I got a great deal!” is all they seem to think about – yeah, a great deal of CRAP!
January 15, 2009 at 11:24 pm editLost, I think you should start your own blog. Or see a psychiatrist to help you get through your depression. I’m starting to get worried about you.
Meanwhile, you can keep telling yourself whatever you want BoloGal. The statistics say it for themselves. I’ve accepted the nasty articles Lost has pulled up for me about Chicago, and I could really give a rats carcass where they got their research: They know a hell of a lot more than you or I.
Now excuse. It’s Thirsty Thursday and the Sports Bars are calling. See you tomorrow
January 16, 2009 at 5:44 am editFew people believe me when I’ve said in the past that we’re often colder than AK here. Still – it’s AK, and no matter how much I love Palin, I’m not going! Take me someplace in the 70’s!
Ness I am with you, I could envision myself sipping a mojito in South Beacch right now…
The whole notion of going to Alaska to escape Chicago cold is somehow funnier… I never thought Chicago is that cold in the winter.
“The whole notion of going to Alaska to escape Chicago cold is somehow funnier” Isn’t it though? That always makes me laugh. And I saw another one on Twitter today that claims it’s colder here today than at the North Pole. Haven’t verified that one, but the thought just cracks me up!
January 16, 2009 at 5:46 am editfranktown Says:
January 15, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Lost, I think you should start your own blog. Or see a psychiatrist to help you get through your depression. I’m starting to get worried about you.
frank, your posts are slowly evolving towards personal attacks… I hope everyone notices that..
January 16, 2009 at 5:50 am editBoloGal Says:
January 15, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Unfortunately, Mens Fitness article fails to tell how the survey was conducted. Are the results based on #s per capita or totality of citizens avoiding fitness? If so, boy, we’d be # 2 in the world, only behind ‘Sumo City’ Japan.
We all know how health conscious Chicagoans are-with their idea of smart exercise routine being running on a concrete beach in the heat. But that’s ok, cause this can’t be done in the winter when a top 1 exercise is scraping ice off of a frozen car.
Incredible how this town is shooting fish in a barrel, on so many levels…..
Bologal,
I looked it up. They have severla criteria including access to healthcare etc etc. Judging what we can see on the street there is no way any city could beat Chicago in being fatter.
I have never see so many overweight people as in Chicago.
It suspect it is because of Winter cold as well as food being much greasier here than anywhere else…
January 16, 2009 at 11:31 am editPersonal attacks? You think I mean half the things I say?
I think Ness needs to give you a tutorial on my sense of humor.
I think you miss JR.
January 16, 2009 at 2:39 pm editIllinois Cousins Plead Guilty in Plot to Kill U.S. Soldiers http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,480103,00.html
Why am I not surprised these guys are from Chicago?
January 17, 2009 at 5:42 pm editReason #4,934 to HATE Chicago…. All these idiots who get in my face about putting ketchup on a hotdog. I say “Hey moron, the hotdog is for my five year old son. But I got something long and hot YOU can eat!” Fucktards.
You know what I don’t get? Why do they even care what we put on our hotdogs? They act like the freaking hotdog Nazis.
January 18, 2009 at 12:41 am editI do not even blink about catchutp, got used to the fact the soda is a pop and plain pizza is cheese pizaa (like there was any other type but we already went trough this) but if someone would teach these hicks that living in a big city, supposedly world-class and global, means respect for other people, their space, time and privacy.
Lack of these, reflects on the way Chicagoans drive: hogging the left lane, blocking all lanes with vehicles driving in the same speed on all two or three lanes, making turns that hold traffic hostage and not turn signals and headlights in the rain or snow….
Lack of respect for other people and their safety. ..
You know what they say in Chicago – “I got yer respec’, right heah.”
January 18, 2009 at 8:17 am editwhat is with all the Italian beef places round my suburbs? I cannot find one decent Indian, Thai or Pho noodle place around here. For what its worth i live 40 miles west of chicago
It’s because of the strong Italian element in Chicago. I’m familiar with your neck of the woods – lived there for several years. There used to be a Mongolian Barbecue down around RT. 53 and Butterfield, I thought, but I’m not sure it’s still there.
January 18, 2009 at 1:50 pm editThere are a couple good thai restaurants in Chicago, but you are out of luck for Indian food or Pho noodle joints. They exist, but not too good.
Chicago is becoming one big chain-Chilis, Applebees, etc…
January 18, 2009 at 1:58 pm editralphieboy said: There are a couple good thai restaurants in Chicago, but you are out of luck for Indian food or Pho noodle joints. They exist, but not too good.
devon avenue is replete with indian restaurants. haven’t tried them all, but there are some good ones.
January 18, 2009 at 3:44 pm editA present, for Lost:
http://www.nyc-architecture.com/SPEC/GAL-BW.htm
Enjoy!
January 18, 2009 at 5:42 pm editI hope this posts… I created it in adobe photo shop…enjoy!
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff297/cristelleR/mtdouchemore.jpg
ROFL! I love the Capone touch! Great job on that!
January 19, 2009 at 1:53 am editNess,
Great pictures,
Thank you.
Glad you liked them.
January 19, 2009 at 1:54 am editchristel,
cool!!!
January 19, 2009 at 6:47 am edithttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090119/ap_on_bi_ge/city_job_declines_1
(Report: New York to lead US cities in job losses)
In this morning’s news…chicago #4 for economy
I have been doing a lot of research on places to relocate for slightly better economy, cost of living, things to do OUTDOORS and better climate and Arizona seems relatively nice( yes it is hot in the summer), Austin, Texas is second…I like New Mexico but there are not enough people there to make it a super great job market
#4?? Really?? With our unemployment so high?? And our budget so deeply in the red? Wow.
OHHH! (it pays to read the article!) #4 in job losses nationwide! Now THAT makes MUCH more sense!
(I edited the link so the title comes through now)
January 19, 2009 at 7:21 am edityup,
Let’s buckle up for this ride. It’s going to be remarkably rough…
I know. Talk about scary.
January 19, 2009 at 12:32 pm editvacillating ChiNy girl said-
‘devon avenue is replete with indian restaurants. haven’t tried them all, but there are some good ones.’
I have to kindly disagree with that. I don’t really think most Chicagoans know what good Indian CUISINE is anymore. Places like Uru Swati are considered “good” ?????????? I would tend to describe the places on Devon as “decent” and in some cases “vastly overrated” and “way overpriced”. Until you’ve been to places like Gaylord in San Francisco or Rasika in D.C….please don’t bother telling me about places on Devon. Like I said, Chicago is becoming the land of the gyro/beef stand and the chain restaurant. It’s irritating..
It’s sort of like thinking Taco Bell is good Mexican cuisine, or that Chinese food is really Chinese.
January 19, 2009 at 2:10 pm editChicago style hotdog has major competition on its tail… http://www.dlisted.com/node/30261
LOL, I saw this and know what? I want one!
January 19, 2009 at 2:12 pm editralphieboy,
Gaylord in SF! Yay!
January 19, 2009 at 2:13 pm edit….and Chicago’s favorite ‘Indian’ eatery seems to be Dunkin Doughnuts anyway….
OMGosh you are so funny!
January 19, 2009 at 5:27 pm editThere are many fine eateries all over the city, but people need to STOP acting like Chicago is the center of the food universe and actually prove it. This bullshit line you hear… “you cannot get (insert greasy high calorie meat/cheese laden appetizer food) anywhere but Chicago” It’s close-minded and kind of a white trashy attitude. For every halfway decent restaurant in Chicago, there are like four or five outstanding ones in other world cities. It’s just the way it is.
January 19, 2009 at 11:45 pm editA little update here.
Have you guys ever been to Milwaukee or Madison? Wow, those are great cities. I just came back from them and had a great time at both. I know the winter isn’t a great time to visit a city, but I went to some great sports bars in Milwaukee and even an indoor race show.
Madison was fun, but it was frickin’ cold. Lots to do all over. Great restaurants to.
Why don’t you guys just move your asses up there? They’re both ten times smaller than Chicago and seem to have a lot less hassle to them. Any takers???
Been there, done that.
No problem with WI, except that it’s even colder than Chicago is. But, for me anyway, it’s not about not being able to find a place to go, it’s about having the means to get there. Are there jobs we’re qualified for at a new location, what’s the pay, etc., not to mention things like the penalty for breaking our lease, moving expenses, and all that. Just picking up and going isn’t a possibility.
I’m glad you had a nice visit up there, though.
January 19, 2009 at 11:53 pm editFrank,
I recommend just that to many Chicagoans. Tell them they’d get the same amenities, less commute time, and certainly hardly any pretense about being a ‘world class city.’ I include Indianapolis and St. Louis on that list (though believe Chicago has nothing on St. Louis).
January 19, 2009 at 11:55 pm editNo takers though….Chicagoans consider those places ‘too provincial’- a notion that entertains me to no end ….
January 20, 2009 at 12:31 am editWhatever, “Chicagoans” as a whole means nothing.
Never been to St. Louis, but Milwaukee, Madison, and Minneapolis are all awesome cities. Ann Arbor, Michigan and Louisville are also cool cities.
Indianapolis I think is a mixed bag. The people are super friendly (more so than Chicago even, hehe), and there’s a lot going on in terms of sports (anyone a fan of racing, football, or basketball?), but I just wouldn’t want to live there. My family lived in Carmel for a year for my dad’s job when I was younger and I hated it.
Has anyone seen Indianapolis’s skyline??? Underrated I say!!!
January 20, 2009 at 7:37 am editFrank you like it here because it is a sports-themed city, I am surprised you “hated” Carmel , California. My step daughter lives in that area and although it is expensive the outdoors have everything to offer as far as beauty goes ( she works with horses).
I , myself, am an out door type girl and that is what draws me to the southwest for activities like canoeing, horse back riding and hiking in the desert and mtns.
I have been to Indianapolis and I was not impressed…sorry to say
January 20, 2009 at 7:40 am editO and Milwaukee is so- so my grandparents lived there for years . My grandfather had an antique store in the 60’s and 70’s in what is now a very bad part of Milwaukee and they moved to west bend on a lake to retire in an extremely modest cottage but I enjoyed the outdoors when I visited them there for the summer.
January 20, 2009 at 7:46 am edithttp://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/apa/999427764.html
just a sampling of what you can get in arizona….. so cute! This would cost at least $2k a month in chicago !
At least 2k!
January 20, 2009 at 1:59 pm edit“… New York has two …” That’s what Daley said about having another football team in Chicago. The comments on the article are funny. I thought the sheer arrogance was appalling, comparing a city to a whole state (he also mentioned FL’s 3 teams). Mostly though, I loved the standard comparison to NY that he made – so typical! Even the mayor suffers from peni … er, I mean NY envy! LOL
You can read the article here:
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/01/20/chicago-mayor-wants-another-team/
You also get a good idea of how other people/places view Chicago/Chicagoans by reading through some of the comments. It’s not pretty.
January 20, 2009 at 3:26 pm editUmmm… Carmel, California?
I believe I was talking about Carmel, Indiana. It’s 15 minutes north of Indy.
I have never been (nor even heard) of Carmel, California.
Clint Eastwood was mayor there for a while.
January 20, 2009 at 5:00 pm editO sorry about that!!LOL!
January 20, 2009 at 7:58 pm editBolo girl,
“Too provincial”
I’ve seen that snide attitude around here alright!
I try to never look down at people who are from the sticks or smaller citites because if you want to know the truth, Chicago is loaded with people from all over the rural parts of America -especially the midwest. Without those surrounding states and schools feeding the “talent” pool, Chicago would be a giant slum. Oh wait! (Just kidding) Only 75% is slummy.
January 20, 2009 at 9:40 pm editthanks for that link darc, here are some responses that had me laughing:
Blagojevich can be a qb. He’s already got his helmet on.
By Da Mayor’s standard, if Washington/Baltimore/Phillie counts as one market with three teams, Chicago already has three or four: Indianapolis, the Wisconsin Packers, maybe even St Louis.
Do they even teach geography in the Chicago schools?
chicago had two teams a while back (cardinals). it obviously didn’t work then, and i don’t see it working now.
Weren’t they funny? I had a nice chuckle over those, and also knowing that those were some honest-to-goodness outside opinions of Chicago and Daley. Not everyone has drunk the kool-aid!
January 21, 2009 at 10:11 am editNo other NFL team would survive in this city. This is a Bears town. Daley is a dipshit. The Jets, which is one of the two New york teams he spoke of, is followed more by New Jersey folks than New Yorkers. Mayor Daley…reason #4577 to HATE Chicago.
I agree – this is “Bear country” and the fans here wouldn’t take to another team too well. They can’t even tolerate Packer fans here.
January 21, 2009 at 10:51 am editvacillating ChiNy girl said:
“Blagojevich can be a qb. He’s already got his helmet on.”
No, he’d sell the playbook to the opposing team, or trade it for a job in their upper office.
Frank: Carmel, CA is one of the most lovely little seaside towns on the west coast. Had you visited, you’d never want to leave. You’d have to be a multi-millionaire to stay, though.
January 21, 2009 at 11:07 am editHi there all, my name is Steve and I live in Portland Oregon. I am sitting here waiting (as usual) in O’Hare airport near my departure terminal and I am so damn bored -plus it took FOREVER to get a WiFi connection. I had heard that Chicago was rated poorly for airport WiFi. But I’m finally back up and running so I thought why not see what other people think of the “great city” of Chicago. I’ve been here a week and a half for training and honestly I had mostly a bad time. This was in my free time obviously which was mostly afternoons and evenings. Please, no offense to those of you who live here, I’m not knocking you guys personally…most of the people here were polite and not too rude…just your damn city sucks. So here goes…Reasons why Chicago sucks..(my list)
#1. The food was over-rated. I could not believe it.
I had heard Chicago food was AWESOME..and maybe there are better places to go, but I went to a couple places based on what some locals told us to try. Art of Pizza and Gino’s East were both nice places with lots of options, but the pizza was far too greasy and buttery tasting. It made my stomach SO SICK at both places! People said I have to try a Chicago dog, but I don’t like hot dogs, so I went with a nice steak dinner Tuesday night at Morton’s The Steakhouse, as I heard they were outstanding. My steak was not cooked right and I had to send it back. That’s a bit rediculous for a top steak place. Undercooked and the sides were very bland. Also there was an obnoxious drunk at the bar whom you could hear all the way into our dining area! Overall a BAD experience.
#2 Getting around. What a cluster fuck your freeway system is. And I could not believe I had to pay TOLLS in some areas. The roads were SHIT! The elevated train was nice, but rarely did it run to anywhere I wanted to go.
#3 The crowds. It is just too much here. Too many damn people. I thought that a city of about 2 million would be just right, but then I find out there are about 12 million in the metro Chicago area! That’s overkill. The lines were extreme when shopping, and the traffic is a mess.
#4 The ghettos. Chicago was way dirtier than I had pictured. Driving through, I kept waiting for the “good part” of town..and I really did not see it until the business district and lakefront came up. Even then there was so much garbage blowing around and homeless people. I just do not see that in Portland. People pick up garbage there, even if it’s not theirs. And the homeless are taken care of in the “cold”
#5 The WiFi sucks.
#6 The potholes are terrible
#7 The drivers, very aggressive for a bunch of flyover land hillbillies
#8 The Chicago River (though mostly frozen) is black, no really… it’s black
#9 Nothing to do…the theatre kind of sucks. I expected a newer show to go to–but it’s all stuff I’ve been to months ago out west.
#10 O’hare airport! (there are some ugly people working here)
I’m sure I could go on and on, but I don’t want to get too negative. It fouls my mood and then I won’t have a good flight. So I will leave you all with a positive about Chicago…it’s warm for at least four months a year! There. I said something nice. Adios Chicago! And good riddence!
Hello Steve! Sorry to hear about your lousy flight problems at O’Hare. I guess it’s a pretty common occurrence. I haven’t been to an airport in over a decade now though so I’m going on what I read in the paper and hear from other people. All the things you mentioned about Chicago are true, though. Except the part about the Chicago River being black. You should be here on St. Patrick’s Day – it’s bright neon green then, and stays that way for weeks!
Glad you stopped by and I hope you visit again.
Falcon aka “Ness”
January 21, 2009 at 1:38 pm editPoor soul, enjoy Portland.
January 21, 2009 at 1:40 pm editOh, and about complaint #8 –
Chicago activities center around sports and drinking. If that’s not your style, than artsy Portland is for you. Chicago’s nightlife thrives on bars and parties.
January 21, 2009 at 2:50 pm editBack again..my flight is now delayed until 6pm. F**k!!!Excuse my tourettes. What in the world goes on at this airport? I’ve been through this song and dance before at O’hare and have plenty of snacks and water to get me through. But the airport annoyance is feeding my hatred of this city. So back to my criticizing of Chicago. I really mean no harm to the people you see, although I’m sure I’ve offended someone. I just pictured Chicago differently I guess. I thought it would be a bit more glitzy-more fun and more vibrant. It’s really not all those things. Maybe it’s just the winter here. Or maybe Chicago is just another decayed and sprawling urban megopolis where people flock to in order to have a sense of place. Whatever it is– it feels cold, uninviting, and trashy to an outsider from the west.
Also, your city has to do something about the train system. Every time I wanted to go somewhere while I was here, it was a real pain in the ass because the “L” train didn’t go anywhere near where I needed to go. I just gave up the first two nights because I would have been walking 5 city blocks in the cold through neighborhoods that I do not know at all. And by the looks of the neighborhoods here, that didn’t seem like a good idea. I took a cab while I was here (to Morton’s) and it was a disaster too–as in most big cities. No English. No clue where he was going, either that or he was running up the meter. We ended up renting a car and had a pretty terrible time in this traffic. I don’t get the attraction to big cities. I guess Chicago is like really bad television. The worse it gets, the more people tune in to watch. Or maybe Chicago is like Top Forty music (your radio statons suck too by the way too) …it appeals to the masses but carries little of any real substance. I could also criticize my hometown of Portland in this way. But since this is the ‘Chicago Sucks’ group, I will avoid digressing. I guess by now you are saying “Jesus Christ, this guy must be bored” I am. Very. I was reading some of the entries here and was surprised that many have similar opinions as me. Give me SanFrancisco anyday over Chicago. San Diego may be more expensive to live, but I would say that they even have a better city to live and work than Chicago. Chicago should sell the Sears Tower and the chrome bean and dump that money into your neighborhoods and its citizens. It looks like they live in a war zone in some areas.
It IS a war zone in many areas. Sadly, the city government will only dump money into the most trendy of tourist areas, so people will visit here and think it’s a nice place. They care little for the people who actually have to live/work in the city.
You say your flight was delayed until 6 PM – what time was it supposed to leave? How many hours have they mucked up your life?
January 21, 2009 at 4:45 pm editO’Hare is one of the worst airports in America in many categories. But whoever is typing in bold is right. The tourists think it’s great and so do the people who claim to be from Chicago but are really from the suburbs. You guys all know this exists right? Chicagoans (people who have a Chicago address) look down their nose at the suburban folks who claim to be “from Chicago” There are even nicknames like “708ers” and “847yup” I think it’s hilarious but kind of weird.
Welcome Aristotle.
The typist in bold is the owner of this blog post, Falcon, aka “Ness.”
I’ve found that the people who seem to love the city the most, the ones who come here and try to leave their lovely little insults for those of us who don’t just absolutely adore the city, tend to be college students who don’t actually live in Chicago proper. They seem to be the ones who most like to party and bar-hop.
Yes, there is a certain level of elitism from Chicagoans toward their suburban counterparts. Cook Co. is huge, and encompasses much more than Chicago proper. The “highest taxes in the nation” apply to all of Cook, not just Chicago. Everyone who has to work in the city gets to deal with all the crap down there, too. Everything that goes on in Chicago seems to impact the surrounding ‘burbs so I find the snobbery of the “Chicago proper” types to be quite funny myself.
Thanks for stopping by, Aristotle, I hope to see you again.
January 21, 2009 at 11:20 pm editCool site Ness. I think it’s healthy to vent frustrations sometimes. I have many of them pent-up about my hometown of Chicago. You see, I was born on the edge of town near Harlem. However, my technical address was in Riverside. People would not accept me as a “Chicagoan” and still do not once they found out where I was from. It’s silly. Growing up, my parents always said we were “from Chicago” not “the Chicago area” which is what my fellow citizens claim is proper. I guess I just do not get it. What is so elite about living in Chicago proper? More scuzbags? More taxes? More crime? Well, that’s my 2 cents.
Thanks Aristotle.
Yep, sometimes you just have to vent, right?
My story of “not being accepted” came from the fact that I moved here as a teen, having been born and raised in NoCal. I’ve always been an outsider here, no matter where I went, city or suburbs. I think it’s silly that you weren’t considered a Chicagoan simply because you were slightly outside of “proper” city limits. Good grief, how much more snobbish could they be? And what’s in Chicago proper to be snobbish about? *shaking head* You vent here all you need to.
January 21, 2009 at 11:39 pm editRead about Chicago’s terrible air quality!!!!!!
http://chicagoist.com/2008/12/23/epa_threatens_chicago_over_dirty_ai.php
Heheh, thanks for the link, Ralphie.
The dirty air here is notorious, it seems. I did a post on it a few months back, and the article I read said that Cook Co. had the worst air quality in the nation. Here’s the link if you want to check it out.
https://darcsfalcon.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/sucks-to-breathe-in-chicago/
January 21, 2009 at 11:51 pm editHey oh and btw. Rudyard Kipling has a whole CHAPTER on how much Chicago sucks and he didn’t even stay there long.
Do you know who quoted Kipling? ROD BLAGO when he got caught!
http://www.online-literature.com/kipling/american-notes/5/
You’ll like this falcon…
“I HAVE struck a city–a real city–and they call it Chicago.
The other places do not count. San Francisco was a
pleasure-resort as well as a city, and Salt Lake was a
phenomenon…”
Oh it’s so good to see you, JR! That link is awesome! I was able to get about halfway through it, but I fully intend to finish it in the next day or 2 and bookmark that link. I didn’t realize Kipling despised Chicago as much as he apparently did.
And I just realized I owe you an email! Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry! Tomorrow, I promise. *hug*
I need to get you on the Twitter.
January 22, 2009 at 10:43 am editThe East is not the West, and these men must continue to deal
with the machinery of life, and to call it progress. Their very
preachers dare not rebuke them. They gloss over the hunting for
money and the thrice-sharpened bitterness of Adam’s curse, by
saying that such things dower a man with a larger range of
thoughts and higher aspirations. They do not say, “Free
yourselves from your own slavery,” but rather, “If you can
possibly manage it, do not set quite so much store on the things
of this world.”
dang, this dude sounds like Lost in chicago : )
LOL I though it sounded a bit like him, too.
January 22, 2009 at 10:44 am editoh, i was reffering to the like darc provided. read it if you haven’t already lost
http://www.online-literature.com/kipling/american-notes/5/
January 22, 2009 at 11:12 am editNess, pretty funny seeing Daley still has such a huge inferiority complex towards NY and the rest of the world.
Funny but typical. Or maybe he is just playing Chicago’s inferiority complex hoping another “magic bean” will make the citizens forget about nasty roads, defunct transportation system or high taxes for a while ?
Quite sneaky….
Daley ALWAYS has to reference NY somehow – remember when the “Chicago is #1 most stressful city” thing came out? His response? “We’re not more stressful than NY!” Now it’s “NY has 2 football teams, why can’t we?”
But how can they top the bean? C’mon! It’s how we make our wishes come true! By gazing into it’s magical shiny surface! The bean calls me …
January 22, 2009 at 12:56 pm editI read it chiny…. As ammatter of fact I posted a little quote in a post full of anti-chicago quotes.
January 22, 2009 at 1:32 pm edit“The cabman left me; but after awhile I picked up another man, who was full of figures, and into my ears he poured them as occasion required or the big blank factories suggested. Here they turned out so many hundred thousand dollars’ worth of such and such an article; there so many million other things; this house was worth so many million dollars; that one so many million, more or less. It was like listening to a child babbling of its hoard of shells.
It was like watching a fool playing with buttons. But I was
expected to do more than listen or watch. He demanded that I should admire; and the utmost that I could say was:–”Are these things so? Then I am very sorry for you.”
Isn’t that funny when your realize that Chicago seen through Kipling’s eyes some hundread years ago is as obnoxious, pretencious and shallow as it is today?
“ […] He demanded that I should admire […]”
This hasn’t change much either. Not only we are presented with absurd claims like superiority of Vienna hotdogs in Chicago to Vienna Hotdogs elsewhwere, but we should also be in constant admiration of all Chicago monstrosities: from a rusted bridge in the middle of town to a concrete beach at the always cold lake.
[…] It was like watching a fool playing with buttons […]
Right on the money, Rudyard, right on the money…
After reading chapter 5 of American Notes I believe Rudyard Kipling is the original and ultimate anti-Chicagaon
Too bad we can’t have him post some of his observations on this board. What would he have to say about the Bean and other incredible architecture, art and culture?
Chicagoans have blinders on when it comes to their city, and they refuse to take the observations of outsiders seriously. Better to insult them, and run them out of town, than give it any kind of credence. That way they can continue to believe their own fantasy. They hate us for trying to burst their bubble with a big pin of reality.
January 22, 2009 at 2:12 pm editralphieboy Says:
January 21, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Read about Chicago’s terrible air quality!!!!!!
http://chicagoist.com/2008/12/23/epa_threatens_chicago_over_dirty_ai.php
To make it funnier Chicago tries to position itself as a green city. As always it is more talk than actual achievements (Cub’s syndrome). You can read more about Chicago’s failed recycling effort on the Chicago Recycling Coalition website:
http://www.chicagorecycling.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=105
Right, Green City with terrible air quality, no advanced recycling program but the pols and general public keep on patting each other on the back and worry about extintion of Whales while they are being poisened by their own environment. Add to this general reliance on cars as a mean of transportation in the city and you get the usual picture Chicago where wishful thinking replaces action. Maybe actually painting this city green would add some validity to the Green City claim?
Sorry about that Lost – WP automatically withholds some comments if they have links in them, and I’ve not been home today to catch it right away.
January 22, 2009 at 2:43 pm editNo need to respond Falcon, I’m near losing my mind. I told my brother thats its go time and I’m either nuts or there is something to deepening premonitions.
Try not to read too much into the premonition thing hon. You’re not nuts either. I’ll drop you an email later today to explain what I mean. *hugs*
January 22, 2009 at 7:59 pm editAhhhhh, J.R popped out of hybernation? Where the hell you been buddy? Are you still in Cincy? Seriously, things haven’t been the same without you.
Anyway, fuck the stupid Chicago inferiority complex. If they feel inferior to New York, that’s their problem. I seriously do believe you can love both cities. I do! And the New Yorkers at IU seem to love Chicago.
Whatever…. I thought of a little game to put Lost back on another political rant. I name a topic and Lost gives a diatribe on how it relates to the sucking of Chicago.
First topic: Alleys
Go Lost, GO!
You CAN love both cities if you choose to, that’s the beauty of being an American.
The thing is, native Chicagoan resent it if you love NY, because in their minds, NY is competition. It’s a form of Chicago disloyalty to love NY.
Are you trying to get Lost to replace the repartee that you and JR had?
January 22, 2009 at 11:50 pm editAlleys huh? Alley McBeal (Calista Flockhart) was born near Chicago. And we all know how much THAT show sucked.
Well hello, Rudy. How’s that afterlife treating you?
January 23, 2009 at 5:55 am editfranktown Says:
January 22, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Whatever…. I thought of a little game to put Lost back on another political rant. I name a topic and Lost gives a diatribe on how it relates to the sucking of Chicago.
Poor frank, nobody told him the topic of this thread already has been established and it is: “Why I think Chicago sucks”… They teach reading at U of I or it all has been replaced by cow milking and hay stacking?
January 23, 2009 at 8:52 am editChicago…
stuffin’ your pie hole with thick grease and pork fat triglycerides
…half Mexican rockin’ your MacGyver mullet from ‘87…
…wearin’ your snow boots to the office just in case…
Wearin your funny hat with the earflaps like the true corn hick you are…
Boastin’ about things you had no hand in…like…Chicago itself..unless your grandparents were in the Outfit…Be loud, be drunk, and keep pumping out units…Chicago
Tell us how you really feel, Rudy! LOL
January 23, 2009 at 10:10 am editnow… I can create another graphic art s image… perhaps download a picture of the soup nazi on seinfeld putting mustard on hotdogs and the next customer asks for his with ketchup and the chicagoan behind him has a pick axe concealed behind his hands?
Ooooh, a ketchup nazi! That would be awesome! LOL
January 23, 2009 at 1:38 pm editMy classes have all been replaced by cow milking. But don’t worry Lost, I made sure to piss in the milk that you’re drinking.
Pissing in the milk? Now that’s just nasty.
January 23, 2009 at 1:51 pm edithttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090123/ap_on_re_us/illinois_governor
omg… how ridiculous will this get? Blago comparing his stress to PEARL HARBOR???gimme a break!
Oh man, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. What abominable arrogance!
January 23, 2009 at 6:13 pm editChicago is vile
a fat haired, arrogant, pastyfaced weasel,
freezing in the mid-day sun
..passive aggressive and long in denial
mustachioed stranger, zubaz lone ranger, pussified, armed with cellphone and fannypack
banjo, cornfield, skyscraper, bean
reflecting the fools who want to be seen
12 PF Changs, 47 Applebees, 3000 hotdog stands, 900 pizza parlors, only 3 good ones in town
Chicago–sweaty, bowling, blue men in a group
boystown, cubs, overrated city of bad air and bad hair
crooked snakes and fake players
Chicago is vile
Rudy, your poetry is quite expressive. I like it!
January 24, 2009 at 12:04 am editYou want to know the main reason why Detroit is better than Chicago, I will relate these anecdotes.
While living in Detroit, I awoke to find an armed man ransacking my apartment. I immediately grabbed my 12 gauge and shot the guy in the shoulder with turkey shot. He dropped everything and ran off. When the cops arrived, they told me they hoped the motherfucker bled to death.
In Chicago, I return home after spending 12 hours at the office to find my apartment ransacked. When the cops arrive, they are far more concerned with a butcher’s knife in my kitchen than the actual burglary.
YOU CHOPPED SALAD! HANDS BEHIND YOUR KNEES! Oh, you robbed somebody? Here is your section 8 check to live in Trump Tower.
If 9-11 happened in Chicago, I would be cheering.
That’s a pretty good reason. There’s a strong opinion that the cops in Chicago are just as bad as the criminals and have no real desire to actually catch the bad guys as they do to BE the bad guys and get away with it because they have a badge. Good to see you again LS.
January 24, 2009 at 12:06 am editBTW, The Detroit Cops were ripped, I think I could have easily kicked both Chicago cops asses at once. I don’t think these fuckers do any cardio or working out, just like the rest of the city.
January 24, 2009 at 1:00 am editChicago…homer…doughhhhhnuuuuts.
January 24, 2009 at 7:19 am editdarc said to franktown: Are you trying to get Lost to replace the repartee that you and JR had?
duh! lol
LOL I know! Big time duh! He’s been chasing Lost for a while now. And Lost is not JR.
January 24, 2009 at 11:18 am editChicago…broad lawns, narrow minds, cheap suits, home of the “muffin top”.
♪ ♪Do you know the Muffin Man, who lives on Drury Lane ♪ ♪
Sorry. “muffin top” made me think of that little song.
I’ll quit singing now.
January 24, 2009 at 3:42 pm editisn’t it more like… DREARY LANE?!
ROFLMAO!!
Touché!
January 24, 2009 at 8:09 pm editI hate chicago too and i love the fact that i am not the only one .saturday night i am sitting at home after being here for a year.. Fuck chicago
Welcome to my little blog post, Nick.
Always nice to see a new face. No, you are not the only one who thinks Chicago sucks – as the commenters here will attest to. Make yourself at home, grab a beer and some chips, and join the gab-fest. 
Falcon aka “Ness”
January 25, 2009 at 12:50 pm editI am at UIC and I cannot stand the city. It’s very touch and go which neighborhoods you can be in around here. I find that downtown doesn’t offer that feel you get when you are in New York -and certainly not the glitz of Hollywood. Chicago is like an overgrown rust belt city that is very good at ripping you off. I would not live here if they paid me to, and I cannot wait to transfer to a different school.
Hello Wamps.
What are you studying at UIC and where were you from originally? Have you been here long? Chicago can be a real eye opening experience for people the first time.
January 25, 2009 at 12:59 pm editAlso the main reason I dont hit the bars or clubs anymore is the people. There are some obnoxiously fake people here. Total opposite from what I expected the midwest to be. Everyone acts like they got money, but it’s usually tied up in a gaudy SUV they can’t really afford. Alot of fake tans on the girls, and big asses.
Yes, there are some fake people here.
January 25, 2009 at 2:35 pm editChicago is not the midwest. Go to Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin or Minnesota. People there are not like this. I live in and love Lincoln Park, not because it is a high-end neighborhood, but that the people here are not natives. There is not a single closeted gay Italian beef/sausage place anywhere near me. People are open and friendly, unlike the surrounding neighborhoods.
I think you hit the nail on the head, LS – the people you live near are not natives. Yes, there are pockets of friendly people, just like Franktown claims, but I’d be willing to put money down that the majority of friendly ones you meet weren’t born and raised here.
January 25, 2009 at 2:35 pm editI am originally from Essex Connecticut. From two years old until I was 14 we lived in Santa Rosa CA. We moved to Chicago about 6 years ago. I still cannot get used to tis weather. Chicago is boring too.
Yes, the weather takes the life out of a person, especially coming from a warmer climate. I’ve been here for decades and I’m still not used to it either.
January 25, 2009 at 2:52 pm editI’ve been living in Chicago since September, from San Diego, and let me give the following reasons for why the city is the worst “city” i’ve ever lived in and I’m moving in less than a month:
1) THE WEATHER. It is so fucking cold here, 5 months out of the year it makes you want to kill yourself, no thanks.
SMALL TOWN – chicago lacks any metropolitan edge, the youth 20-30 is comprised of people the used to live in small towns throughout nearby midwestern states and made the “big move” to the city, yet retain all the same friends from college and closed mindedness.
2)People constantly say “Summer in Chicago is amazing! Just wait!”… umm no thanks. I think I’ll go live somewhere that’s not just livable for 7 months out of the year.
3) THE PEOPLE… the Midwestern drawl, the baseball caps, messy t-shirts, 80’s frat boys, plump and pale women, bleak colors and horrible overall style.
4) THE FOOD. Chicago is built for people who die from heart disease and diabetes.. all I see is Dunkin Donuts, McD’s, Deep Dish Pizza, Cubs Hot Dogs, Barleycorn, meat wrapped in meat. GROSS!
5) Everything is a freaking chain, even the seemingly unique places are duplicates… i.e. pequads, central bar, barleycorn, any pizza place.
6)THE LOOP- literally nothing to do, NOTHING. Just a grid of financial buildings with the rats in the rat race waddling around the street all day in between Dunkin Donuts breaks.
7) THE NIGHTLIFE – watching alumn Villanova or Michigan State basketball/football games is NOT NIGHTLIFE. The “clubs” and “bars” here are nothing but poorly dressed people standing in groups of buddies they went to college with in Indiana or Michigan or wherever they hell you came from to “go to big a city”.
9) SMALL MINDEDNESS – something can be said for all the clickness and social segregation of Chicago… it’s because its comprised of a bunch of small town people, as I mentioned before.
10) CHICAGOLAND – what a fucking joke. Chicago as a city feels small as hell, the actual surrounding area is a nightmare, Arlington Heights, Skokie, etc… its all strip mall-ed out little wanna suburban Indiana towns.
thats all for now.
KISS MY ASS CHICAGO! WOO
Welcome, Eric.
You have no idea how many here will envy that you’re leaving in a month. Where are you planning on moving to?
Falcon aka “Ness”
January 25, 2009 at 4:21 pm editOh god, more anti-Indiana expletives.
I recommend moving to New York or San Francisco. You seem to prefer more artsy glamourous towns rather than blue collar normal towns.
Like I said, much of Chicago centers around sports. You won’t go to a bar without having a sports game on in the background. It’s a Midwestern thing I guess.
Have fun and good luck with your move!
January 25, 2009 at 6:10 pm edit‘Like I said, much of Chicago centers around sports’
you mean BAD sports? For a city the size of Chicago, you’d think they’d be winning something once in a while. Besided the White Sox in ‘05 -nothing…You have smaller cities like Boston, with smaller TV markets, winning more titles than Chicago. Money does not equate championships, but no city has squandered more playoff appearances than Chicago. New York has kicked the living hell out of Chicago as far as titles. The only team with a respectable amount of championships is the Bears, and they havent won anything in almost 25years! The Bulls had Jordan, but before that and since, they SUCK. The Cubs…excuse me while I laugh. Blackhawks too.
Before any pro-Chicago people stop by and have a cow, I will put in that the Bears did win the NFC Championship in ‘06 and did make a (losing) appearance at SuperBowl XLI. Colts won 29-17.
January 26, 2009 at 12:25 am editYeh but, they were who we thought they were!!!!!
ROFL!
January 26, 2009 at 12:30 am editIn fact, 15 other cities (L.A. and New York are the only two major citites) rank above Chicago as far as number of championships vs. how long their teams have existed.
January 26, 2009 at 8:15 am editwamps,
I too got screwed expecting Chicago to be Michigan nice plus big city perks. My piec of advice: take it easy and work on a plan to get out. Don’t let this miserable excuse for the city wear you down.
January 26, 2009 at 8:19 am editfranktown Says:
January 25, 2009 at 4:21 pm
I recommend moving to New York or San Francisco. You seem to prefer more artsy glamourous towns rather than blue collar normal towns.
frank,
who is to say what is and what is not normal?
The fact that you grew up in a certain environment does not make it “normal” for anybody else but you.
If and if you in fact really like this certain environement then why did you chose to go to college and away from your blue collar roots? You can’t have it both ways.
January 26, 2009 at 12:43 pm editThat’s true of many Chicagoans I’ve met. They brag about Chicago to no end, but they are leaving every chance they get, even just for weekends to Minneapolis, Upper Michigan, etc…. That’s because the scene in Chicago can be completely taken in IN LESS THAN A WEEK. I was excited for the first month we moved here, but once you realize how long winter lasts and the way the city is overpriced and overrated on everything, then it gets a bit tiresome.
January 26, 2009 at 1:52 pm edit11) SALES TAX!
WHAT THE FUCK… I just went to Potbellys today for lunch and bought a “big” sandwich for $5.80, sales tax was .67 it came to $6.47!!!
THATS A SALES TAX OF 11.5%!
go fuck yourself Chicago
January 26, 2009 at 1:53 pm editThe city of Chicago has the highest total sales tax of all major U.S. cities.
[37] It is also one of the most complex. 10.25% is levied on all non-perishable goods purchased, while 2% is levied on qualifying food, drugs, medicines and medical appliances.[37] The Illinois Department of Revenue collects a 3% Chicago Soft Drink Tax and a 1% Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) “Food and Beverage Tax”, on prepared food and beverage purchases in the downtown area (These “downtown” boundaries are: Surf Street on the north, Ashland Avenue on the west, Stevenson Expressway (I-55) on the south, & Lake Michigan on the east. Furthermore, O’Hare and Midway airports also fall under the 1% MPEA tax district).[38] In addition, the Chicago Department of Revenue collects additional sales taxes on items such as fountain drinks, bottled water, liquor, and cigarettes.[39]
There was probably a tax in there too for using a plate. My husband got that one.
January 26, 2009 at 3:36 pm editwamps said:Chicago can be completely taken in IN LESS THAN A WEEK.
more like a day or two
January 27, 2009 at 6:29 am editThe city of Chicago has the highest total sales tax of all major U.S. cities.
[37] The Illinois Department of Revenue collects a 3% Chicago Soft Drink Tax
I have never heard about Chicago Soft Drink Tax. Even though taxes here are absurd, the city is still on the brink of extincion and Mr. Daley tries to mortgage the future by renting anything that is profitable. Airports, sidewalks, parking meters you name it. Where does the money go?
Then, again, on the news of Blago arrest my coworkers said that corruption is normal and actually helped to build the city. “That’s Chicago way” I was told. Wow, you are being robbed blind and you even say thank you. Complacent sheeps. Go Cubs!
They are so proud of the corruption, it’s sickening.
January 27, 2009 at 6:35 am editI subscbribe to local news, read papers, watch TV. It is good to know what is going on in the area you live in.
What I do not get however are the claim to be a “global, world class city”. What is global about Chicago? Parochialism of its media outlets that do not seem to care for any serious news from abroad? Well travelled, knowledgable citizens walking around with copies of Le Monde or The Observer? “Global city Chicago” is parochial even in US standards.
“If we close our eyes, wish REAL hard, and click our heels 3 times, we WILL be a global world class city!” Just sayin’.
January 27, 2009 at 6:55 am editHello all,
Perhaps I’m one of the few exceptions to the rule of native Chicagoans defending their city. I grew up in the Chicagoland area, I am a young college student, and to be honest I think Chicago is now shit. I’ll admit things were better in the 1990s when Chicago still had some manufacturing industry that has long since been outsourced. The complaints I’ve read from posters coming from the more fortunate corners of the country are spot on. I thought I was the only one who felt this way. Growing up, I felt as if I belonged somewhere else while trying to understand the locals’ inclination to mediocrity, their pathetic acts of toughness through apathy, their evanescent acts of friendliness through sycophancy, their pretentious acts of erudition through pedantry, forever accepting inferior leadership, forever partaking in the local half-baked culture, forever conversing in half-spoken English, and forever employing half-measures as solutions to their own problems only to restart their own cycle of ignominy. Chicago is a Sisyphus of shitholes if you will.
Today I consider myself lucky to have left Chicago for Boston to pursue my college education. Just earning that chance required many sacrifices, countless hours of hard work, and even some luck. Of course I have a few problems with Boston, but it is still a welcome alternative to Chicago. Its metropolitan population is roughly half the size of Chicago’s, yet it manages to sport the second largest technology start-up hub in the US (and the world) after Silicon Valley, one of the country’s preeminent biotechnology and pharmaceutical hubs, some of the country’s best hospitals, and a 5% unemployment rate AFTER the 2008 economic collapse. You’d think Chicago being twice the size of Boston would offer twice as much as Boston. But that doesn’t seem to be the case, especially in terms of their local economies.
Anyway, I won’t repeat what others have mentioned as their reasons why they hate Chicago. I’ll just mention a few things that nobody may have mentioned before.
1. Chicago Public Schools: It always bothered me growing up that the public schools throughout Chicagoland were not measuring up to the big boys of New York or Washington D.C. Just take the two best magnet schools in Chicago, namely Whitney Young and Northside College Prep, and compare them with the big three specialized high schools of New York City, namely Stuyvesant, Bronx High School of Science, and Brooklyn Tech. Chicago’s best public schools cannot even compare to New York City’s. Stuyvesant alone sports four Nobel laureates among their alumni.
Chicago’s best public schools are several years behind the cutting-edge schools of the East Coast. They’re measurably inferior to New York City’s in so many ways.
2. The Job Market: The only reasons I see why graduates from my university would head to Chicago are if they’re working in finance or if they are going to grad school in the Chicago area. Right now finance isn’t a hot industry. So I really wonder what worthwhile decent jobs are left in Chicago outside of finance, especially considering that salaries in Chicago are noticeably less than those in the East Coast.
3. The People: I’ve met some of the biggest jerks in high school who thought they were hot shit. I thought people from the East Coast would be much worse coming into college. But I’ve found the opposite to be true, and I now count many people from the East Coast among my closest friends and Chicagoans among my distant “acquaintances”. Sure some may dismiss this as a high school vs college issue. But I followed some of my high school classmates to college and the same jerks were still assholes as usual.
Well I feel more welcome in the East Coast, and I’m thankful that I have a good chance of not ending up in Chicago again sometime later in life. I’m sure there are more reasons I have yet to see as to why Chicago sucks. I’ve barely scratched the surface figuring out why it turned out to be that way. But life is too short to get even more pissed trying to figure out the real reasons. To those wishing to leave Chicago area, I’m in this with you too because my family wants to leave as well but can’t at the moment. Don’t let this city get the better of you, since you may someday be among the many decent people that I’ve witnessed fleeing from Chicago.
Welcome Beantown.
I love your comment. It’s articulate and well thought out. Plus, you’ve grown up here and seen so many of these things first-hand.
One of the reasons I’m a homeschool mom is because the schools here are so bad. With all the money being allocated to the school districts here, the quality of education is shameful, and this is true in the suburbs as well as the city.
The job market too is another one of my chief complaints. The unemployment rate keeps rising, and yet I still have the occasional Chicago-lover who tries to claim that Chicago is a great place to find work. My husband has over a dozen years IT experience and can’t find work. ‘Nuff said.
Being a Pats fan, I have a special spot in my heart for Boston, and I hope to some day visit there, and other parts of New England.
Please stop by again! It’s always so nice to have thoughtful, articulate people share their insights here.
Falcon aka “Ness”
January 27, 2009 at 8:49 am editI am at UIC. I actually agree with you 100 percent about the people/culture. When I lived in Connectitcut, we were kind of raised to believe that New Yorkers were rude, aggressive city people. I’ve been to New York alot more than Chicago over the years, but I’ve lived here in Chicago for quite a while now. My take is that Chicago people are far more “passive aggressive” and will carry a chip on their shoulder if you do not fawn over their buildings (which they didn’t build) and their art museums (which most do not understand) Chicagoans in my view are less open, and far more sneaky about their little hatreds. The city itself is grey and dirty and reeks of machine politics. Chicago is a fool’s city.
Like fool’s gold – what you see is NOT what you get.
January 27, 2009 at 10:38 am editBoston, eh? My Aunt just moved there from Ann Arbor and loves it. I’ve never been there, though I would love to visit. I heard its a fun place.
What’s this chip on our shoulders that you so speak of?
January 27, 2009 at 12:42 pm edit beantown Says:
January 27, 2009 at 6:55 am
Growing up, I felt as if I belonged somewhere else while trying to understand the locals’ inclination to mediocrity, their pathetic acts of toughness through apathy, their evanescent acts of friendliness through sycophancy, their pretentious acts of erudition through pedantry, forever accepting inferior leadership, forever partaking in the local half-baked culture, forever conversing in half-spoken English, and forever employing half-measures as solutions to their own problems only to restart their own cycle of ignominy. Chicago is a Sisyphus of shitholes if you will.
Nicely put! I could not believe a bit city like Chicago can be so retarded socially.
January 27, 2009 at 7:43 pm editI’m not sure what the chip on the shouder thing is. it’s like people from Chicago have this attitude that everywhere else in America sucks in some way and that Chicago is superior. Example: I don’t know how many times I’ve heard from a Chicagoan that you cannot get good food outside Chicago. I have to remind them that I was kind of let down as far as food goes when I moved here. I have taken the advice of locals and some websites that rate places, like yelp, but I still cannot find certain foods that I was used to out east. Also, Chicago sees itself as a great sports city. I see it as a decent sports city. New York and LA can claim many more championships than Chicago. Like I mentioned earlier, their are over ten other cities in America that have had teams for alot less time, and have more titles. Chicago also overrates the city itself. Many of the museums here look like they have not been updated since the 1970s or 80s. That’s a rip off. and don’t get me started on the highway system or public transportation.
January 27, 2009 at 10:12 pm editDetroit can claim far more sports championships than Chicago. Include colleges and you can more than triple that.
The Henry Ford Museum is greater than all those in Chicago put together.
The only sport I follow is football, so I’ll take your word for it!
January 28, 2009 at 12:28 am edithttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQWL8xcvvBU&feature=channel_page
Nice club mix there, JR!
January 28, 2009 at 1:20 am edithttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIOlhNr9X7Y
JR….. HIT ME BITCH!!!!
Man! What was wrong with that … that … female?!
January 28, 2009 at 6:20 am editJust letting you know – I have a new post up about some crazy Chicago goings-on. Check it out!
https://darcsfalcon.wordpress.com/2009/01/28/chicago-cops-think-this-sucks/
January 28, 2009 at 11:23 am edit[…] […]
January 28, 2009 at 10:32 pm editLOL I don’t even remember posting that here lol, has nothing to do with this topic.
I had a “snow day” if you can believe it. Didn’t mean to clutter your blog.
LOL at Frankie’s “Hit me bitch” video, also has nothing to do with anything.
Not a problem hon, it’s just good to see you. *hug*
January 28, 2009 at 10:33 pm editSome funny for you guys.
http://www.signaturestudio.com/blog/?p=108
January 29, 2009 at 9:41 am editIllinois is a f*cked up state. This Blagojevich socksucker is going around promoting himself while he’s being impeached! He is on wire taps selling a Senate seat. His lawyer QUIT!!! The arrogance of this jackoff. Goes to show how deeply rooted the mindset of this city can be…
January 29, 2009 at 3:00 pm editDon’t waste your time with Chicago..nice place to visit for a day, but it’s geared more toward the lowlifes of society in nearly every way. Think for one moment about what this city represents. Every horrid element of our American society stems from this shit hole….
1. Violence. Everything from the race riots of the 1920s to the Democratic convention, to Bears football…Chicagoans lean towards violent, badass behavior. There seems to be a roadrage problem in Chicago too.
2. Greasy/cheese and meat laden food. Fat pizzas and hotdogs are the favorites here. Sure.. there is more to the Chicago diet. There’s also steaks, pork roasts, burritos, and malts.
3. The LAME music scene. The town that ruined blues music by capitalizing on fat white actors/musicians singing the blues, now listens to this soft middle of the road adult alternative rock crap. House music was supposedly invented here too. Thanks for THAT Chicago (rolls eyes)
4. Corruption. Chicago is the role model for corrupt political systems everywhere. Want to learn how to screw over tax payers and make them love you at the same time, spend some time in Chicago politics!
5. Cold weather. Yes, Chicago represents WINTER!
Only 3 months of summer, a nonexistent spring, and a short chilly fall. No wonder O’hare is a clusterfuck, everyone’s trying to leave!
6. Accepting of mediocrity. From the sports teams to the transportation system, Chicago is in extreme denial about its real status in the world. The city itself looks”war torn” in many areas. And the bulk of activities revolve around alcohol and overeating.
Take it from an old native who left for Oregon years ago. Chicago sucks ass!
Thanks for joining the club, TJ.
January 29, 2009 at 7:33 pm editWhat’s with everyone moving to Oregon?
I know something like three people at school who transferred to UO in Eugene. Their families moved too so they would get in state tuition.
And what’s with everyone moving to Phoenix? Gross.
Anyway, there was a MASSIVE snowstorm down in Bloomington and IU got it’s first snowday in 13 years!!! Woo-hoo! Outdoor snow beer pong!
JR, why the fuck did you take down your blog? Dude, I seriously miss our bickering!
January 29, 2009 at 8:21 pm editI said I moved to Oregon YEARS AGO (13 years ago) and you asked “what’s with everyone moving to Oregon?” What kind of college do you attend that accepts a guy who cannot judge time or space? I assume you are from Chicago, but I could be wrong. If you are, why are you calling Phoenix gross? The City of Chicago was full of rats when I lived there. And not the mobster kind.
January 31, 2009 at 6:30 am editPhoenix and Scottsdale are like 70 degrees right now and it beats scraping ice at 5 a.m. off your windshield
Palm Springs is nice too and they have snow….Did i say snow? YES! But it’s in the mountains where it belongs not on some dirty nasty expensive tollway
5 AM, 10 AM, 8 PM – there is NO good time to have to scrape ice! Can I have an amen!
January 31, 2009 at 8:20 am editI am moving to Chicagoland by the end of the summer. I have visited there frequently, and I don’t mind it from a visitors perspective. But I will say that a major reason for me why Chicago, and Illinois in general, sucks because there are no mountains. I cannot imagine raising children in a place where the “great outdoors” are limited to wide, paved “hiking” paths, and hunting and fishing.
I know you can’t build mountains, but the lack thereof might say something about the up-tightness and misery. If you’ve never hiked up a mountain, you ain’t lived for shit.
My condolences on moving to Chicago, Vir. I hope the time passes quickly for you!
I love the mountains too and there are times when seeing the expanse of flat around here gets really depressing.
If things get too aggravating for you here after you move, stop by and vent a little.
Falcon aka “Ness”
January 31, 2009 at 1:29 pm editSo why did you google “Chicago sucks” then??????????????????????
Believe me, Jimmeny, I’ve been asking that same question for MONTHS. I don’t get it either.
Falcon