Living, Breathing and Loving Chicago
Sure, unexpected flattery from strangers while you walk down the street is great, but nothing makes my day more than spotting hilarious (and harmless) vandalism on the streets of Chicago! This little gem was spotted on N. Stockton Avenue near Wrightwood Avenue:
Pretty clever! I want to know who creates custom stickers to vandalise pedestrian walkway signs! I’m not sure that’s a very lucrative business, but I could be wrong!!! :o)
Dev xx
It’s Thursday! And in case you are wondering what the heck to do tonight other than sit at that same bar you do every night with your buddies, kickin’ back Old Style, may I suggest attending a magic show? (Don’t worry, you can still drink alcohol at the show!)
Ain't he cute?! His perfectly coiffed hair, clear complexion and thick, nerdy glasses made me instantly swoon, even before I saw the show in its entirety!
Because tonight at 8 pm, at Gorilla Tango Theatre a fabulously engaging, highly entertaining magician will be ready to amaze you with fun tricks and dirty jokes. Edd Fairman, the magician who runs this show, was voted “Magician of the Year” by the Chicago Wizard’s Club, and for good reason: His show will make you rethink the simplicity of some of the most classic tricks in the book.
We all want to get really nice things for cheap. So what if I told the ladies out there that you can get an amazing hair cut for $15 (guys, you can get it for even cheaper!)?
My clean, classy $15 hair cut!
No, not at Hair Cuttery or at that hair training school down the street, but that you could get a really awesome hair cut by trained professionals with a load of experience and it won’t cost you $50 to $90. Hard to believe, right?
In need of a simple, classic hair cut to reshape the style I already have (lots of layers in my very fine hair), I searched around on Yelp only to find upscale hair salons ready to charge me $75 + for something that should never cost so much. Maybe if I was getting hair extensions, an updo or the latest Kate Gosselin `do, I would be willing to shell out my hard earned cash, but not this time. This time, I needed to keep it clean, simple and classy.
Bello Hair Studio caught my eye with it’s unique reviews: People said that it was a hidden gem of hair salon for a great price, and they were right.
It’s been a while, and I have a lot of catching up to do, but while I write about all of my shenanigans and the next fantastic thing going on in Chicago, feast your eyes on this fun little picture!
I spotted this Vienna Beef truck cruisin’ it’s way down Randolph Street in the Loop and thought that it was so cute!
If you’re having a hard time reading it, here is what it says (starting from the top left corner where the “Da” is):
You know you are in Chicago if…
You use this adjective (Da) before saying the name of any local sports team (no it’s not an element from the periodic table!).
You fondly remember when this was the only one… 312
You like either the North side or the South side baseball team, but never both.
You take the words, “cooler by the lake” very seriously.
You still claim that the Sears Tower is the tallest skyscraper in the world.
You know the expressways by name, not number.
You stake claim to your freshly shoveled parking space with retro furniture.
You buy an umbrella every six months.
You commute 20 feet above street level.
You would prefer if New York just kept Macy’s.
You have two favourite football teams: Da Bears and anyone who beats the Packers! <— My favourite!! :o)
You fear the words, “lake effect”.
You play softball without a mitt.
You know what the phone number is to Empire Carpet.
Have a great day, Chicago!
Dev :o) xx
Did you know that the Michelangelo’s David is 17 feet tall? Back in the 1500s, bigger equaled better, and larger than life sculptures were considered the industry standard. Don’t get me wrong, massive sculptures are awe-worthy, but what about a sculpture that can fit on the tip of an eyelash?
In the Nicole Gallery until 22 May, micro-sculptures that fit in the eyes of needles, on the tips of eyelashes and on doll house-size paper flowers are on display and ready to amaze you.
Charlie Chaplin on an Eyelash, seen through a microscope
The amazing artist who creates these tiny 8th wonders of the world is English-born Willard Wigan, and you really have to see them to believe them. The “Hollywood collection” of Wigan’s work is on display and can only be seen through a microscope. He makes his own tools and works in between heart beats.
I know that MCH has been really quiet for a couple of weeks now, but rest assured that it’s not going anywhere! Part of Making Chicago Home is (and making Chicago home) is finding a job and a new place to live, which is what I am doing now!
Sorry for the lack of updates, but I will be back early next week!!!
Dev :o) xx
Hey y’all! Are you a male comedian who is just itching for a shot at being on television? Now (more like on March 23) is your chance!
Spike TV is launching a nationwide search to find undiscovered comedic talent for a new late-night talk show, which is being developed and produced by Thom Beers of Original Productions (“The Deadliest Catch,” “Ice Road Truckers,” “Ax Men,” and “Monster Garage.”)
According to the press release, the new late-night show will differ from others because it will seek out ordinary people doing extraordinary things! The host (that’s you!) will be new comedic talent who mirrors the regular, everyday dudes the show will target.
Beers described his perfect host as a “laid back guy with whom every dude wants to be friends. He drinks beer, loves sports, video games and is unassuming and approachable.”
Is it you??
For more info, contact me at makingchicagohome@gmail.com or check out Metal Flowers Media.
Dev xx
173 years ago, Chicago was born. Today, on the city’s birthday, people came together at the Chicago History Museum to celebrate the diverse neigbourhoods and rich history that make Chicago the best city in the United States!
Mayor Daley talked about how “the past, present and future [of Chicago] will always be immigrants” and how in celebrating the birthday of Chicago, we are really celebrating the “history of our families”.
Mayor Daley admiring Bleeding Heart Bakery's Chicago birthday cake!
The crown jewel of the birthday ceremony was, of course, the gorgeous cake designed by Bleeding Heart Bakery. It featured the State Street Marshall Field clock, the Sears Tower, the old Water Tower, the John Hancock building, the Chicago Theatre sign and Chicago’s flag draped around the whole cake.
Detail of the MF State Street clock
Are you still waiting for your Time Out Chicago mag to arrive in the mail this afternoon before you plan your weekend? Get a jump start and see what I have planned…
THURSDAY:
The beautiful, talented ladies of Vaudezilla present a free Bartop Burleque Show at Blue Bayou Bar & Grill. Located at 3734 N. Southport Ave., the Blue Bayou will charge no cover and have $4 drink specials available to you as you are entertained by bartop singers, dancers and performers.
Vaudezilla gals will start entertaining promptly at 10pm, giving you plenty of time to feast on authentic New Orleans cuisine (mmm, gumbo). Look out for local performers who will join the ladies for the festivities!
Preservation Chicago took a different approach to its list of most endangered buildings – the “Chicago 7″ – one of its efforts to raise public awareness of the threats facing some of Chicago’s most at-risk architectural treasures. Instead of focusing on seven buildings, PC decided to look back at the tragedies, tribulations and triumphs it has faced and lessons learned.
Executive Director Jonathan Fine led the lecture at the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s lunchtime lecture series to reflect on the 21 buildings they have either lost or saved.
Click through the gallery above to learn more about the buildings. To learn more, please visit Preservation Chicago, Landmarks Illinois and Chicago Landmarks Commission.
Dev xx
