All posts tagged Chicago

How to Deal with Disappointment

by Tim Schraeder on 10/02/2009 in Chicago with 2 Comments

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. – Martin Luther King, Jr

chicago_2016_logoMy co-workers and I planned to hail a cab and head down to Daley Plaza at 10:45 to hear the final vote for the 2016 Olympics.

We had no idea we’d be out in the first round.

I think the picture captures the feelings of most Chicagoans.

Shock. Disappointment.  For others, relief.

No matter where you stood on the issue, the Olympic bid was an epic moment for our city… and no matter what, I still believe Chicago is an amazing city!

Was it the corruption? Politics? Anti-American sentiment?

I thought with Obama and Oprah heading to the IOC there would be no question we’d get it. And if they couldn’t, you know Daley probably knew somebody who knew somebody who could pay for the vote.

Truthfully, I hope that the energy and money the city put into trying to get the Olympics here will now be focused on the real need that exists in our city right now… the senseless crime, corruption and poor infrastructure. I think there’s a lot of renewal that still needs to happen here and energy that needs to be spent making our city better.

Sure, I’m disappointed… but I know that there’s no other place I’d want to be than in Sweet Home Chicago!

Greater things are yet to come… greater things are still be done in the city…

And, for a laugh… here’s someone’s take on why we lost…

olympic_rings_chicago

Another Reason Why I Love Chicago

by Tim Schraeder on 09/14/2009 in Just For Fun with 1 Comment

Oprah is crazy. I mean, seriously, the woman gets what she wants.

I did think it was rather obnoxious when they announced they’d be closing Michigan Avenue for a taping of her season kick-off.  Who does that?

Anyway, as much as I wanted to be there, duty called and I couldn’t there for the taping.

By now you’ve probably seen or heard the flashmob dance that broke out during the Black Eyed Peas singing “I Gotta Feeling”…

Seriously so cool. And one more reason I love Chicago.

Los had an interesting take on lessons the church can learn from this… check it out.

Happy Labor Day

by Tim Schraeder on 09/04/2009 in Just For Fun with No comments

Twitter was abuzz with the arrival of the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks the other day. Last night I noticed it was getting darker,earlier. And just now I was at Whole Foods and saw they already have pumpkins, squash, gourds and apple cider out. With Labor Day weekend ahead of us it’s inevitable… the sun is setting on summer. Fall is near.

I’m OK with that though, I love fall. Only thing that I don’t like about it is that when you live in Chicago you just live with the ominous gloom that winter is getting closer. Sort of takes the joy out of it, but still… I like it.

I really don’t know where the summer went… time is flying!

But, it was a great summer, my third living in Chicago, and I absolutely loved it.

This city really does come alive in the summer.

Hibernation is near.

Happy Labor Day… talk to you Tuesday!

The Break-Up… and where not to do it in Chicago

by Tim Schraeder on 08/26/2009 in Chicago, Personal with No comments

The movie The Break-Up starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston was filmed in Chicago.

I actually used to live down the street from the Fireside Bowling Alley where the infamous bowling team scene takes place.

It’s actually a common sight to see. Being a town full of the young and the restless, it’s inevitable you’ll find a couple breaking up somewhere.

My good friend Lyndsay Rush is an aspiring writer, blogger and one of my favorite Twitterers… and on page four of today’s RedEye shares the Breakup spots to avoid in Chicago.

Timely advice for all of us…

I saw someone get dumped the other night.

It was a tragic scene. She was in tears; he was all “I just don’t think I can do it anymore,” and the waiter was awkwardly hovering, unsure whether to bring Kleenex, refills or the check.

As I gawked at the train wreck before me, I thought to myself, “Man, getting dumped sucks.”

Then I thought, “Wow, there’s an original statement.”

Then I thought, “Is this considered talking to myself?”

But I digress.

While a breakup is a horrible experience regardless of the locale, there are certain spots that would make being dumped exponentially worse.

I began a quest to determine the worst possible places in Chicago to break up with someone or to be broken up with. I know, I know. It’s a bit of a downer. But it’s for your own good.

I began to ask around. I started with my roommates, who are both in relationships. They both laughed and thanked me for such an upbeat question to start their mornings. They clearly were not going to be of any help.

I then asked one of my guy friends whom I used to briefly date. His response? “Flat Top Grill.” Which was where I dumped him last summer. Whoops!

I then turned to Twitter.

Through some golden suggestions as well as some research of my own, here’s my version of the 10 worst places to get dumped in Chicago–along with a little commentary from me. No need to thank me.

  • Anywhere at Navy Pier: I went to Navy Pier and all I got was this broken heart.
  • While on the Untouchables Tour: One minute you’re learning about John Dillinger and the next minute, BOOM, you’re dumped.
  • On a pedicab: Now featuring reduced fares for singles.
  • At the Wiener’s Circle: Nothing says dumped like a chocolate milkshake.
  • In line at the Hangge Uppe: Frankly a bad place for anything to happen.
  • At a poetry slam: Not unless you could channel your heartbreak into a kick-ass poetic masterpiece.
  • Right before the Purple Line goes express to Linden: $2.25 buys you 20 minutes of awkward silence.
  • On the kiss cam at a Bulls game: Almost worse than when they accidentally frame a brother and sister on camera.
  • After a tandem bike ride to Evanston for ice cream: You better believe I’d make him peddle the whole way back.
  • During seventh-inning stretch at Wrigley: Take me out to the ball game, take me out of your life.

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