I am going to Chicago, said in my best Bette Davis voice, to attend a medical conference. It is really an excuse to visit The Windy City. I lived there from 1989 to 2000. Some of my greatest memories both good and bad come from my Chicago days. 25 years later it seems unreal I had ever lived there – was it all a dream?
One of the problems of living in a city and moving away is when you revisit the place you want everything to be just as you left it. It makes you feel sad to see some of your favorite places are no longer there, but it also makes you happy to see some of them have survived – just like you.
The medical conference is on the magnificent mile, downtown, so I will be able to walk about and see the sights – not that I will have much time. Classes are Wednesday through Saturday 7AM to 5PM. I like to learn so I will be happy therein. But what will really be good is meeting friends after lecture for dinner, drinks, whatever. There are more friends than evening times.
Tuesday Someone drops me off at the airport; I fly Southwest to Midway. I am not looking forward to the plane trip. Flying is usually a hassle but SWA sounds like a cattle car. I plan on wearing a mask and plugging into my headphone and do not disturb. I will take the L downtown. I will enjoy that. When I lived there, the L took me everywhere; no car was needed. I am staying the first night with The Other Michael. We will go out to Cafe Babareeba! Patience above! It’s still open! I might get emotional. I can’t get too wild for Wednesday is a school day. I move into the Marriott as lectures begin at 7AM.
I am certain to write on this as nothing inspires writing as ‘going home’ and seeing old places and old friends – some I haven’t seen in 25 years.
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June 18, 2024 at 2:11 AM
Moving with Mitchell
I love Chicago. Havenāt been there in a long time. Iād play hooky from the conference.
June 18, 2024 at 6:56 AM
Urspo
Mitchell – are any of my comments getting through on your blog? It doesn’t seem to be posting them.
June 18, 2024 at 3:22 AM
Anonymous
Iāve never been to Chicago. Sounds like a good time, except for the 7 am start time! Have a great adventure!
June 18, 2024 at 6:56 AM
Urspo
I arrise at 5AM 7 days a week; a 7AM flight is no matter – especially at this time of year when the sun rise about 445AM
June 18, 2024 at 3:39 AM
Anonymous
Hot everywhere, have a hot time, in a good way! DwightW.
June 18, 2024 at 6:57 AM
Urspo
It looks like highs in Chicago are about 30C – practically arctic !
June 18, 2024 at 4:16 AM
Anonymous
42 shot and 7 killed in Chicago this last weekend does not inspire me to visit there. Of course, Birmingham is almost as bad, but I don’t go where these things happen, so far. Be careful. Going back to places I have lived is always a mixture of sadness for what is gone and happiness at seeing it again and reliving in my mind what happened there, like the birth of a child, a place I went to school. Seeing just a glimmer of what I remember is always a thrill.
Practical Parsimony
June 18, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Urspo
I do not keep up with news of Chicago; is this shooting anymore or less worse than somewhere else I wonder?
June 18, 2024 at 7:33 PM
Anonymous
I don’t keep up with any location, but this one shoed up right before I commented. I think Birmingham is crime capital of the US!
June 18, 2024 at 4:29 AM
Mistress Borghese
I sure hope you get to see some fun and sights. A nice city, and not one that should be all work. I did however take an extra day when I was there with work wrapped up on a Friday, and spent Saturday at the museum and took in a few other sites.
June 18, 2024 at 7:01 AM
Urspo
I want to see the AIC again I miss it so
June 18, 2024 at 4:36 AM
Blobby
Chicago is the only place colder than Cleveland to which I’d move. I was hoping to run the Chicago marathon this October, but alas, I was not selected to participate.
June 18, 2024 at 7:01 AM
Urspo
You got that right.
I remember showing up in January for my interview and thinking this is the coldest place I’ve ever been.
June 18, 2024 at 5:01 AM
David Godfrey
Enjoy Chicago, I always do and I never lived there. If it were not for the winters, it would have been on our places to live list. I lived in Orlando for 15 years, when I go back I barely recognize the city.
June 18, 2024 at 7:03 AM
Urspo
oh those winters! I still have vivid bad memories of some of the snow storms. I wonder with global warming will they still happen?
June 18, 2024 at 5:30 AM
Old Lurker
Have fun! Stay safe! I hope you learn lots. Try not to fall asleep during the lectures; this is not the symphony.
June 18, 2024 at 7:04 AM
Urspo
unlike the symphony I have my ghost bag with me full of laptop and phone and other past times to keep me alert
June 18, 2024 at 6:16 AM
loriahawkins
I hope you have a wonderful time. We lived in SW Florida for 20+ years but have been gone 19. I’m sure we wouldn’t recognize much if we returned. Is deep dish pizza on the menu?
June 18, 2024 at 7:06 AM
Urspo
I have mixed feelings about a deep dish pizza. There are so many other scrumptious places to eat that take priority.
This week is mostly impromptu; I am looking forward to that
June 18, 2024 at 8:16 PM
Old Lurker
Deep dish pizza is a contentious issue but surely we can all agree it is superior to that Detroit-style stuff?
June 18, 2024 at 6:56 AM
Ron
Tis nice visiting old haunts. Enjoy!
June 18, 2024 at 7:06 AM
Urspo
How are you faring Ron? What are your updates?
June 18, 2024 at 7:05 AM
Steven
Be prepared for very hot weather! Rather than wearing a bowtie (unless you’re presenting), wear some of your fashionable airy shirts. The weather is supposed to be in the 90’s. Cold for you, I know, but it brings humidity with it. Saturday they say we’re supposed to get rain. Maybe stroll down Halsted Street before you leave? There may be scantily-clad gents to see. If you dare wear shorts on your flight, bring sani-wipes to rid the vinyl seats of fungi that will grow on the back of your knees. Have a great time!
June 18, 2024 at 7:08 AM
Urspo
I had a look-see at the weather; highs soon in the 30C – practically winter temperatures!
Home is above 40C and for thems in F near 110F. chicago will seem cool by comparison.
On the other hand there is no humidity and I will probably not like feeling moisture in the air again.
June 18, 2024 at 7:27 AM
Debra She Who Seeks
Enjoy yourself!
June 18, 2024 at 7:45 AM
jefferyrn
I went to a conference in Chicago. I stayed in the host hotel. They took us to the old stock exchange for a party. That was the extent of my sight seeing. Enjoy your trip down memory lane.
June 18, 2024 at 8:29 AM
Robzilla
I was in O’Hare for roughly 45 minutes, but what I saw from above when my puddle jumper landed looked lovely.
FYI you might want to hold your nose if you’re heading to the South Side. The White Sox are so bad this year they’re threatening to break the 1962 New York Mets record for losses in a season!
June 18, 2024 at 10:05 AM
Anonymous
I see AIC and think diabetes not Sunday in the Park. Get ready with at least one answer to “You brought the heat with you” .I returned to New York recently and it was sad to see so many retail places empty. Restaurants may have changed owners and cuisines since I arrived nearly half a century ago, but the spaces are occupied. But little places like shoe repair, dry cleaners,etc were hard hit by the change in work patterns. My yet to be retired friends tell me a 3 in office 2 out of work pattern has become the norm. So knock on effect is real.
June 18, 2024 at 6:53 PM
Sluggy
Only been to Chicago once. Took the train from rural IL(where i friend lived)into where I picked up the Amtrak to Upstate NY(where hubs drove me home to PA from). I had some time to kill so I hiked over to the Hard Rock and had an iced tea(and bought a pin). Took a cab back to the train station. I’ll love to see the “Bean”, the Art Institute and the Field Museum.
Have a great time reminiscing and having a good time with friends!
June 18, 2024 at 9:05 PM
Anonymous
Travelling Mercies.
Will Jay