Chicago Life Archives • Choosing Figs

December 30, 2019

On Pivoting. And 2019.

Earlier this year my friend recommended a book called Pivot to me. I went to the library to find this book and, even though the Chicago Public Library's website said that it was on the shelf, it wasn't where it should have been. So I picked up this other book called Pivot instead, because I did find that where it was supposed to be. Same same, right? I mean, I'm sure both books covered basically the same ideas, just probably with different audiences in mind. Both were focused on reinventing your life and your career. Both were focused on switching gears. Anyways, I...

The Big Monster Door at Big Monster Toys as part of Open House Chicago

November 25, 2019

in Chicago events, Chicago Life, Life List

The things in Chicago that I never do.

Do you have lists of things you want to do and that would be easy to do but you just never do? I do. I'm not talking about the big, monumental things. I'm not talking about walking the Camino in Spain or riding a motorbike across Vietnam or learning to ride a motorbike so you could drive it across Vietnam. I'm talking about the little things. The things that would take an hour or two. An afternoon. The things in your own city or even your own house. The things that could be accomplished with minimal effort. There are always restaurants I want...

Leaves growing on the side of the trail on The 606 in Chicago. | Bloomingdale Trail | the 606 in early spring.

May 28, 2019

in Chicago Life

The 606 in early spring.

A few weeks ago I took a random Monday off from work. I'm actually pretty terrible at taking my vacation days off. I always feel like I need to save them up for big trips that I never end up taking or to get paid out for if I ever find a new job. So I never end up taking those one-off me days, three day weekends, or time off just for the hell of it. It just feels like I'm wasting those vacation days to take them for no reason. You know? But then, in April, I literally worked the...

Pizza pot pie at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder.

March 2, 2019

in Chicago Life, goals

The shortest month. The longest month.

February was short, 28 days, but it felt, in many ways, much longer. February is always a weird month, a transition from gung-ho January into the reality of a new year. Over the last month, I feel like I got a little more lax with my "diet," it got a little harder to get up before sunrise to get myself to the gym. I mean, when you wake up, daily, to this, it's hard to want to get out of bed and leave your apartment. And, with the freezing Chicago weather, it's also been really hard to not want to spend the...

The Beach - a Snarkitecture art installation on Navy Pier in Chicago. A giant indoor ocean made from white ball pit balls.

February 2, 2019

in Chicago Life, goals

I’m always good at Januaries.

I'm always good at Januaries. I'll make all my resolutions on the first of the month and then hit the ground running towards my goals. Of course, that momentum usually fizzles come February...

Turning 38 and leaving room for magic. | My birthday party at Chicago Magic Lounge in Andersonville.

January 21, 2019

in birthday, Chicago Life, my birthday

Turning 38 and leaving room for magic.

I turned 38 over the weekend and it's officially safe to say that I am in my "late thirties." At 37 I could still say mid-thirties and be, technically, OK, but there is no denying that 38 is no longer mid. 38 lands in a solidly late position. Last year, turning 37, I wasn't really into my birthday. I just wasn't in a good place in my life and didn't have any energy or desire to celebrate turning one more year closer to 40. I ended up choosing a bar close to home, thanking friends when they kept cancelling because I didn't...

Greetings from Chicago Mural in Logan Square.

December 26, 2018

in Chicago Life, food, New Year's

Looking back at 2018.

I always get kind of nervous to look back, in December, at the resolutions I had made for the year back in January. Usually, by now, I've completely forgotten what, exactly, I pledged to do with my twelve fresh months. Oh, who am I kidding, I usually forget by February. I was pleasantly surprised, though, this year, when I reread my 2018 New Year's resolutions. Sure, there were things I knew I didn't accomplish. I didn't lose any weight or really cut down on sugar like I wanted to do. I mean, I guess I did lose some weight and did cut...

My ticket for a cubs game at Wrigley Field. Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds.

August 29, 2018

in blogging, Chicago Life, sports

Are you going to blog about the Cubs game?

Recently I've been going through all of my old blog posts. Ones from 2006, 2007, 2008. The last time I switched hosting and themes I lost all of my featured images (🔝🔝🔝) so I've been replacing those. I've been updating broken links. I've been adding more photos since I used to only post one or two and then link to now-defunct gallery pages for more. I've been cleaning up typos, adding alt tags, cross linking, writing meta descriptions. And, wherever possible, I've been reworking them to align with my SEO strategy. Of course, most of the posts are hopeless. They are...

Pizza tour of Chicago with Chicago Pizza Tours - Pistachio Pesto pizza with pistachio pesto, berkshire sausage, burrata, and honey at Coalfire Pizza in Chicago

April 15, 2018

in Chicago Life, food

A Chicago Pizza Tour with Chicago Pizza Tours

My sister gave me a choice for what to gift me for my birthday: cash, a gift card, or a ticket to join her on a Chicago pizza tour with Chicago Pizza Tours. While my debt-ridden bank account always appreciates money and my Starbucks card can always use that reload, a pizza tour sounded like fun. Plus, with stops at four different restaurants across an afternoon, it was free lunch. And probably dinner too. My birthday was back in January, but we decided to hold off on going until the spring, when the weather would be nicer. Of course, spring in...

Adopting my foster cats - Ford and Rooney. | Two cats snuggling on the bed.

March 7, 2018

in Cats, Chicago Life

Living for a future that doesn’t yet exist.

I avoided dating before I left home to travel the world. I was afraid that I'd meet someone and that he would interrupt my plans. Because I had a plan. And I knew what I wanted for the future. And I didn't want anything to get in the way. It's been seven years since I left. Three and a half since I returned. And I still avoid anything that could possibly be considered a "commitment." Anything that might get in the way of any of my future plans. Because I have plans. Or, at least, ideas. I still think, often, of traveling...

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