1,001 Chicago Afternoons

“You know my human brain story?” I asked my wife.

“Yeah.”

“That was him.”

“Ah.” » Read the rest of this entry «

If you’re stuck downtown with a rolling suitcase and an hours-long gap between work’s Christmas-early quitting time and the flight that will take you to the non-Midwest family that scored a bid to host this year, there are places you can just walk in. » Read the rest of this entry «

Lady! I’ve gazed upon thy face;
     ’Tis [something something something]” —
Mantled with smiles, what witching grace
      Has there built up as throue! [sic.]
Thy pearly teeth! — dear heart, don’t flutter —
They must be death on bread and butter!

A man’s love for Miss F— only exists on crackling microfilm no one can quite read. » Read the rest of this entry «

“The governor is guilty.”

“How do you know that?”

“He’s the governor of Illinois.”

– Fictional TV drama “The Good Wife,” 2014

…

Illinois’ reputation for political corruption is legendary, and well-earned. I have no problem with being the butt of jokes about shady politicos — we’ve put in centuries of work toward that rep — but it does raise an idle question.

Is Illinois the worst? » Read the rest of this entry «

Dawn is odd to colorblind eyes. It’s a mixture of orange and green, a color pairing that makes perfect sense to my particular visual defects but earns blinks and confusion when described.

It’s OK. My version of reality is prettier than yours. Even when seen from a 6 a.m. train rumbling toward a city of glass. » Read the rest of this entry «

As Chicago is as quiet as a tryptophan slumber, I’m stuck at work and I’d rather gouge an eye than cover Black Friday shopping, I will be using this post to announce new and exciting changes to the privacy policy for 1,001 Chicago Afternoons and its multinational corporate holding shell, thouagoftnernoo Inc., a Delaware Corporation.

We’re as open with our policies as we are with your data. That’s the 1,001 Chicago Afternoons Way.® » Read the rest of this entry «

Chicago’s last war dance started by the Wrigley Building, then headed west along the riverbank past Trump Tower, Marina City, and The 3D Printer Experience. » Read the rest of this entry «

In October 2016, my friend Kate stood in line for six hours to buy a block of tickets for “Hamilton.” Thursday’s 7 p.m. showing was the first available date. So I saw “Hamilton” last night.

Although my readers deserve a probing, incisive review of the rap musical’s portrayal of our nation’s early days, I have a flight this morning. In the interest of time management, I pre-wrote my review before the show based on what I’ve heard about the play and what I remember off-hand about American history. » Read the rest of this entry «

On Monday, the sky will darken, and we’ll see a universe greater than we can ever hope to be.

If we choose to use it. » Read the rest of this entry «

A child I knew just killed a man. » Read the rest of this entry «