I was wondering what my 1,000th review should be...a tattoo place? Soon. Skydiving? Eventually. Motorcycle school? I'll wear a helmet. Roller derby tryouts? YES! (ok, no not yet). All noble activities, but with short time to perform any of them for today's entry...well, I began to ponder other solutions.
And as I approached my home gate after the pursuit of fresh food items (ie; my bi-yearly trip to the grocery store), I looked one block ahead...I saw a man, who was singing a joyous song. How poignant, right? Vocal inspiration. The soundtrack of our lives. I often wonder if I could even come up with a suitable set of songs to sing at the top of my lungs, without the aid of karaoke or intense drugs...I digress. Back to singing man.
Well, sure it registered at first as strangely poetic, but he was also managing to urinate intermittently as he swung back and forth, aiming his whiz at passing trees and laughing to himself, whole-heartedly. As he passed me (as I struggled to heft 7 bags of groceries, and unlock the gate at the same time), he said "hello." Despite fearing being the next "tree" on his little escapade, I nodded politely, making eye contact. He then sang a different tune...Michael Jackson's "Remember the Time We Fell in Love."
Reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruOp66ClMBs&feature=PlayList&p=C72AB03F88357CB2&index=1
And then it struck me: I'll write about Uptown.
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Remember the time we fell in love, my dear Uptown? I was seeking shelter away from Wrigleyville...and there you were, a beacon of non-conformity. Full of halfway houses, crackheads and methadone clinics. Shady el stops, a plethora of crime. Yeah, sounds pretty badass, eh? Well, ok...not really, but despite all of its shortcomings, Uptown is a thriving, charming (albeit somewhat gritty), epicenter for diversity, culture and passion. And it's a stone's throw from all the yuppified neighborhoods we hold near and dear...civilization is not far off.
I've called Uptown "home" for a little over 3 years...making it the longest place I've lived in Chicago, by a longshot. I was an apartment jumper, moving short distances (all on the north side) at the end of each lease, never quite settling all the way in, or feeling any type of loyalty towards a particular 'hood.
Until I moved here. I technically reside in Buena Park, the Southeastern most corner of Uptown...which, in all reality is probably a little more "Wrigleyville-ish" than the heart of Uptown, but I venture over often, and make it a point to frequent businesses across the 'hood. Plus, we are getting a Target. If this doesn't signify "we've f'ing made it!" then I do not know what does. Bring on the throes of people...let's do this thang.
My favorites:
Little Vietnam: a cultural hotbed of fantastically cheap and authentic food, bakeries, grocery stores, and I owe them (curse them?) with my addiction to banh mi (Viet sandwiches), pho (best hangover cure EVER) and bubble tea. List: http://www.yelp.com/list/little-vietnam-chicago
Wholesale Shopping District: Between Montrose and Wilson along Clark. List: http://www.yelp.com/list/wholesale-shopping-no-tax-id-required-chicago
Uptown lists:
General: http://www.yelp.com/list/viva-luptown-chicago, http://www.yelp.com/list/come-play-in-uptown-chicago
Date spots: http://www.yelp.com/list/uptown-date-spots-chicago
Coffee: http://www.yelp.com/list/buena-park-java-chicago
Buena Park: http://www.yelp.com/list/buena-park-gems-chicago
Delivery: http://www.yelp.com/list/lakeview-buena-park-delivery-chicago
So despite the crazies, there is always a tune being sung, a drama unfolding, ethnic fare to sample, people to partner with, passion to be shared. Things are not always what they seem...
Uptown will long have a place in my herart, and hence...my 1,000th review is dedicated to it. It has made me love Chicago. It has been my home.
Cheers to a thousand more... read more