Chicago Metblogs » chi_kate

Goodnight and good luck

chi_kate — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 15:52:16 +0000

Well kids, after only a few short months here at Metblogs, it’s time for me to say goodbye, as an author, anyway. 75 posts later, it’s been fun and interesting. My writing at Boystowners remains, so feel free to stop by if you want to say hello. And of course I’ll still read and comment over here. Thanks.

What’s that you say?

chi_kate — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 20:06:45 +0000

In keeping with the Bears mania, Ziggy over at Overheard in Chicago has had some good quotes from Chicagoans on the street over the past couple of weeks. Check ‘em out:

Bears Fan: (on cell) “I’m just letting you know that if the Bears win the Superbowl, I’m sleeping with whatever woman is closest to me. Whether you get mad or not is your problem. You were invited and turned me down. No it’s a Bears sex free-for-all. And, hon? I’m rooting for the Bears to win twenty times.”

- Green Line
– Submitted by Poset
_____

Guy #1: “I just need help finding tickets is all.”

Guy #2: “Everyone needs help finding tickets. It’s not like they’re readily available at face value.”

Guy #1: “But this is the Bears. In the Super Bowl!”

Guy #2: “Oh. It’s not the Icecapades? How do you manage to remember how to breathe?”

Guy #1: “I use mantras.”

- State and Lake
– Submitted by Carly
_____

Bears Fan #1: “I’m just saying, they better keep him as a coach and pay him.”

Bears Fan #2: “He’s the best thing we’ve had since Ditka. They’ll keep him.”

Bears Fan #1: “They better. He’s the lowest paid coach in the league. I know he’s not making a fuss and all, but that’s not cool. We’re the Bears.”

Bears Fan #2: “A, THEY are the Bears. B, you aren’t shit except a guy who sits in the stands three times a year and screams while getting drunk. C, I only WISH I was the lowest paid coach in the league. So fuck you.”

- Outside Soldier Field
– Submitted by NFC Champs
_____

Guy #1: “Oh man. Oh MAN! I can’t wait. This is going to be freaking spectacular! SUPER BOOOOWL! WHOOOOOOOO!”

Guy #2: “Yeah. Miami, here we come. SUPER BOWL! BEEAAARRRS!”

Guy #1: “Forget that. I’m talking Super Bowl Shuffle. Iron Lovie Smith. Sweetness Thomas Jones. The Industrial Refrigerator Alphonso Boone. Mama’s Boy Hunter. It’s ‘85 all over again baby.”

Guy #2: “If we weren’t in public, I would be punching your drunk ass in the face.”

Guy #1: “Ditka-style?”

- Outside Soldier Field after the Bears WON THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP!
– Submitted by #1 Bears Fan
_____

Guy #1: “When it was 16-0, I was all about the Bears. Then it was 16-14, and I was all about the Saints. Then the Bears started kicking ass, so I was all about the Bears. I knew they were going to win. I just like sweatin’ myself.”

Guy #2: “Fuck off.”

- ESPN Zone
– Submitted by Mini

“There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds.”*

chi_kate — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 16:11:31 +0000

We all know Chicago is well known for its historic architecture and design, one is always walking around and discovering some cool building or sculpture by a famous design-master of yesteryear, such as Daniel Burnham, Mies van der Rohe, or Louis H. Sullivan, to name just a few. But while the classic is appreciated, there are plenty of new voices in design coming out of Chicago as well. The Young Chicago exhibition at the Art Institute, celebrating Chicago’s “historical lineage of design”, as well as the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Department of Architecture, “looks at the community’s diverse body of contemporary designers–who are not yet represented in the collection–to showcase the city’s ever-growing talents in architecture, industrial design, graphic design, and fashion.” The show runs through April 29, 2007.

*-G.K. Chesterton

Let’s go you Hawks, move up

chi_kate — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:43:11 +0000

I attended my first live hockey game of the season yesteday (so sad that it took until January for me to make it out to one): The Blackhawks versus the Calgary Flames. Amid some personal disappointment (Jerome Iginla wasn’t playing for the Flames, and neither was Darren McCarty), the game itself was a good time. We arrived in time for the warm-up, were able to, er, borrow some better seating than we paid for, and the Hawks beat the Flames in overtime, which always makes for a bit of excitement. Better still, they had a montage of Blackhawks past and present up on the screens before the game, to the tune of the cheeseball classic Here Come The Hawks (if you really want to hear the lo-fi kitsch of this song, you can download it from the Blackhawks website). I know some folks on here like to hate on the Blackhawks (I’m no fan of Bill Wirtz, either, that’s for sure), but the game was a good time, and there are worse things to do on a January Sunday afternoon.

But hey, if you’d rather not spend your money at the United Center, you can always check out some underwater hockey.

‘Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world.”*

chi_kate — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 20:15:21 +0000

I’m just getting over a head cold, and one of my favorite home remedies (those remedies which comfort us whether they’re medically sound or not) is tea. Nice, hot tea, chamomile in the evening, Irish Breakfast in the daytime, is my remedy of choice (closely followed by the traditional chicken soup) for when I’m feeling ill. But to be honest, I don’t need to be sick to enjoy tea. After a couple of trips to London, I realized that one of life’s major civilized comforts for me was enjoying a nice pot of tea by the fire, whether I managed to get scones and cucumber sandwiches along with it or not.

High tea isn’t that hard to come by in Chicago, what with The Drake and The Walnut Room having firmly established themselves as high tea spots in the city. But more places are getting into the proper tea game, as noted by Time Out, including The James Hotel, VTK and Winebar, to name a few.

If you just want to have some tea, proper or not, there are more and more tea shops appearing around town as well. The Argo Tea chain seems to be trying to compete with Starbucks in the shops-popping-up race, with new locations opening in quite a few spots. Russian Tea Time has been in place for years as a go-to Russian food and drink spot, and you can chill at Dream About Tea in Evanston, Saint’s Alp Teahouse in Chinatown, or Unique So Chique Tea & Chocolate Room. Places to pick up some tea to enjoy at home include My Place For Tea, TeaGschwendner and Ten Ren Tea and Ginseng Co. I can personally recommend the Urban Tea Lounge in Uptown, where owners CeCe and Hank Anderson will take care of you just right, I promise. More tea spots can be found at TeaGuide.net.

Now I’m off to have a cuppa…

*-T’ien Yiheng

BYO guide

chi_kate — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 17:13:40 +0000

Time Out recently came out with a cover story on that most hallowed of boozing traditions: The BYO establishment. With a feature series of articles encompassing a guide to BYOB restaurants, a cheat sheet to match food and wine, liquor-friendly BYOs, the best of the corner store wine offerings, and a list of 10 things to know before heading out to BYO, this guide has BYO drinking covered.

They even tell you why there are so many BYO spots in the city:

“In Illinois, it is legal for a patron to bring alcohol into any restaurant, as long as he or she is of legal age and the business allows it. There are a few reasons why some 250 Chicago restaurants not only allow but encourage you to bring your own alcohol. One is that there are many hoops a business owner has to jump through to get a liquor license. For instance, in Illinois, businesses within 100 feet of day-care centers, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, churches and libraries are ineligible. And restaurants must have at least two bathrooms–one for women and one for men, which many smaller spots do not have–to pass inspection during the application process. The Illinois Liquor Control Act of 1934, which permits residents to vote a precinct dry through a local option referendum, is another reason some restaurants, such as Tre Kronor (3258 W Foster Ave; 773-267-9888), choose to adopt a bring-your-own policy. Others are BYOB by design, not default. The owners of Think (2235 N Western Ave; 773-394-0537) say their BYOB status keeps them plenty busy.” –Jean Iversen, author of BYOB Chicago, 2nd edition.

Happy birthday, Darkroom

chi_kate — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 17:38:00 +0000

Tonight Darkroom is celebrating its 4th anniversary by, of course, throwing a big party. Featuring DJs Brian Jones, Arturo vs. Johnny Kesh, and DJ Kellz, as well as drink specials and giveaways, this should be one of the better Wednesday night parties going on tonight. Darkroom is a personal favorite of mine, I think it’s a great space that’s a good size, and the vibe has always been cool when I’ve been there. Check it out.

“We saved the world. I say we party.”*

chi_kate — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 15:59:59 +0000

Ah, would that I were going to be around this weekend to partake in the Buffy Sing A Long at the Music Box Theatre on Friday and Saturday nights at midnight. “The musical episode of the long-running television show is a fan favorite and inspired such adoration that it just had to jump to the big screen. Buffy fans (and those who have yet to be converted) can watch it larger-than-life, surrounded by hundreds of singing, shouting, and laughing fellow Buffy-heads, with subtitles to help lead the audience in a sing-a-long with all the characters. Plus Buffy-inspired fun. $12 ticket price includes Goodie Bag! Advance tickets available through Ticketweb starting at midnight December 21.”

Unfortunately, I’m going to have to miss it, since I’ll be out of town. But you fine folks should enjoy it, because Buffy was always one of the best shows on television, and the musical episode is definitely one of the most entertaining ones.

Since I can’t hit up the sing a long, I’ll just post some of my favorite Buffy quotes for your reading pleasure, after the jump:

Giles: [after Anya decides to have an after-holiday sale] Brooms all around, then.
Willow: Or I could whip up a jaunty self-cleaning incantation. It’ll be like Fantasia.
Giles: We all know how splendidly that turned out for Mickey.
Willow: I think I’m a little more adept than a cartoon mouse.
Tara: And you have more fingers which is good… cause then there’s no need to wear those big, white gloves to overcompensate.

Willow: Ask her to dance.
Riley: Right. Dance. Wait. No.
Willow: What’s the matter?
Riley: I can’t dance.
Willow: Then, talk. Keep eye contact. Funny is good, but don’t be glib. And remember, if you hurt her, I will beat you to death with a shovel.
[Riley looks frightened]
Willow: A vague disclaimer is nobody’s friend.

Larry: I would love to get me some of that Buffy and Willow action, if you know what I mean.
Oz: That’s great, Larry, you’ve really mastered the single entendre.

Willow: I’ll give Xander a call. What’s his number? Oh, yeah, 1-800-I’m-Dating-A-Skanky-Ho.
Buffy: Meow.
Willow: Really? Thanks. I’ve never gotten a “meow” before.

Cordelia: When did you become Martha Stewart?
Buffy: First of all, Martha Stewart knows jack about hand-cut prosciutto.
Xander: I don’t believe she slays, either.
Oz: Oh, I hear she can, but she doesn’t like to.

Dawn: Lurk much?
Spike: I wasn’t lurking, I was standin’ about. It’s a totally different vibe.

Xander: Yep, vampires are real. A lot of ‘em live in Sunnydale. Willow ‘ll fill you in.
Willow: I know it’s hard to accept at first.
Oz: Actually, it explains a lot.

Giles: It appears to be paranormal in origin.
Buffy: How can you tell?
Giles: Well, it’s so shiny.

*Buffy.

Cold weather sporting

chi_kate — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 16:40:22 +0000

Here now, what’s all this? I left home for work this morning to discover that winter had finally arrived in Chicago. Spoiled as we’ve been by the warm temperatures of the last couple of months (or, if you’re like me, a bit freaked), it’s sort of a relief to feel things getting closer to normal around here, at least temperature-wise.

So in the spirit of enjoying the winter as opposed to whining about the cold, check out Time Out’s guide to skiing and snowboarding in Chicagoland. (Remember snow? It can be fun.) While lots of folks travel to Colorado and the like to ski and board, there are plenty of places to hit the slopes close by, including Four Lakes Alpine Snow Sports, Villa Olivia, Raging Buffalo, Wilmot Mountain, and Cascade Mountain.

And as a Michigan native, may I humbly suggest checking out some Michigan ski and snowboard areas if you’d like a weekend trip? The Michigan Snowsports Industries Association has information on pretty much everything to do with snow sports in Michigan.

And the walls come tumbling down

chi_kate — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:56:14 +0000

The Commission on Chicago Landmarks will be taking a vote today to decide whether to tear down The Farwell Building on Michigan Avenue, a currently designated landmark. It was designed in the 1920s by architect Philip Maher and is one of the last remaining neoclassical Michigan Avenue buildings. In a city known for its architecture and landmarks, it’s a shame to see such buildings being disregarded by developers. And for what is the Farwell building to be demolished? You guessed it: more luxury condos. Or to be more specific, parking for more luxury condos. And perhaps if the Farwell goes, other landmarks will go as well. What price luxury condo progress?

UPDATE: The Farwell is saved, for now.