Or, some random things that really, really don’t suck about living in the city in the summer (despite the sweltering heat).
1. Summer concerts- Going to school in Mt. Pleasant, MI may have afforded easy access to casinos and cow fields, but the musical diversity of the university left something to be desired from a place where memorable highlights included Chingy and Jessica Simpson. So I am still a little wide-eyed and amazed at the virtually endless concerts, shows and festivals that Chicago continues to offer up in more venues than this small-town girl could ever have dreamed of (um, how cool is the inside of the Aragon?) My only complaint now is that I have too many selections, too much choice, and too little support from my bank account. Ticketmaster may have my credit card digits saved online, but I’m still not sure if that’s a good thing…
2. Summer Breeze- Seals and Croft is right- it does make me feel fine. Finally, in the middle of this hot hot heat, living in the windy city is starting to pay off.
3. Summer Transportation- The Red Line may be more crowded with Cubs and Sox fans out in full force, but at least it’s (mostly) timely and air conditioned. It provides a much-needed 10 to 15 minutes of relief in an A/C-less world.
4. Summer Reading- Okay, so technically I could pick up a good book for under 12 bucks during any season, anywhere in the continental U.S. But this is the one city where I can take that book, along with an iced coffee, and sit in the breeze on the beautiful lakeside underneath the city skyline on a calm day. Plus, the nice weather has prompted many used bookstores to set up my one great weakness- sidewalk sales. Which leads me to-
5. Summer Shopping- Yes, I could go with the obvious giant-sunglass-providing girl-traps here (H&M, Forever 21, etc.), and don’t get me wrong- those places are great (and cheap)- but summer sales are happening in smaller boutiques and vintage shops across the city as well. And who doesn’t love ducking into a little shop to escape the heat and coming out with a purse shaped like a bowling bag? Come on guys- I’m talking to you too, here- there’s no need to be ashamed.
6. Summer Drinking- Just as good as winter drinking, only you don’t have to worry about getting wasted and losing your coat. The only thing in danger of being lost is your dignity and sense of balance (both highly overrated, anyway).
7. Summer Festivals- From Tasting Chicago (which tasted a lot like mini-pizzas and beer) to attending St. Pat’s Block Party (they gave away those glow-stick things for free!), I’m seeing more of the city than I ever did shut up in bars and clubs over the winter. What do you get when you mix cold beer and a hot summer day (besides dehydration)? Heaven, that’s what. A little piece of frothy heaven. Plus, you have to drink it faster so it doesn't get warm. So you also get a little drunker. But mostly you just get heaven.
8. I’m not an alcoholic, I swear. This doesn’t really have anything to do with summer, but I just wanted to make that clear at this point in the list.
9. Summer barbecues- Hot dogs!!! Plus, friends, potato salad, bug spray and more beer (please read #8 again). I recommend going to as many barbecues as you can before the season ends. Tip: bring your own barbecue tongs and you’ll be the hit of the party.
10. Summer sun- Who doesn’t love the sun? And that’s a rhetorical question. Please don’t reply to this article if you’re one of those people who like to avoid UV rays and only go out at night. Do you hear me, princeofdarkness009@gmail.com? I won’t even open your e-mail.
So there’s my brief and slightly detailed list- 10 more reasons why I should get down on my knees and be thankful that I chose to live in this city. Or was it the city that chose me?
Hmmmm….
Powered by AkoComment 2.0!
