March 8, 2008
Places where things happened
Innocuous. But there's a story everywhere I look.
The alley beside my apartment on Wayne Street. My bedroom window is the second one in the line. That's where M. would break into my apartment on a nightly basis.
The crazy psychedelic walkway at O'Hare. This is where I ran to catch my flight to White Plains, in the middle of a full-blown panic attack. Good times.
Cafe Avanti, Southport. The congregation point for all of us for a bazillion years. So many memories.
The spot underneath the L tracks a bit south of Addison where I wiped OUT one crazy night - I was with Jackie and Rob - and we were walking back to my place on Melrose, and suddenly - I tripped over an exposed manhole cover - the sidewalk was being dug up - and I was AIRBORNE. I literally FLEW through the air, and ended up on the ground, literally eating dirt. I am so lucky I didn't knock out my teeth, or puncture my eyeball. It was a wipeout of global proportions. And all I remember is Rob saying, in a British accent, totally deadpan, "Oh, dear lord", and Jackie saying, in a kind of dismayed solemn tone, "Sheila, you're on the ground!"
The Melrose Diner - corner of Broadway and Melrose. I lived right down the street from that place, and ate there probably 4 times a week. Awesome diner.
My Pie! Every Sunday, for YEARS, Jackie and I would have dinner at My Pie, and then go back to her place and watch Life Goes On, a show we absolutely adored.
Improv Olympic. Words cannot express how many adventures I have had in that building. M. worked there, taught there - we would meet up after the place closed, because he had keys - and he would play the piano for me, and we would drink and play cards and make out and watch movies. I also saw a million shows there - or I would meet up with him after his show - but my main memories are of me and M. there, afterhours, hanging out, bringing food in, all the lights off except for maybe one neon beer sign. Magic.
I never lived in Chicago, but I visit every three months, almost without fail. This post makes me want to move up my next trip immediately...
Posted by: Courtney at March 8, 2008 11:38 AM2 things:
I love the My Pie sign.
And, isn't the White Plains airport like, the most wonderful not-annoying place to fly out of?
Posted by: Noonz at March 8, 2008 7:38 PMI've been in that O'Hare terminal many times.
Never as bad as the time you had (thank God), but some pretty bad times.
The neon rainbows really don't help.
Posted by: ricki at March 10, 2008 10:37 AMYour'e making me terribly home sick, Sheila.
Posted by: Alex at March 10, 2008 1:42 PMWhen I go back to this one city where I lived for about 10 years of my life, it's a lot like this. These mundane spots. Streetcorners and storefronts and cafes and places that - to me - feel as if they should have little historical signs up in front of them. But in reality they are quiet and unremarkable and forgettable - to everyone but me. I rarely go there, but next time I do, I'll bring my camera.
Thank you for sharing these.
Posted by: Marisa at March 10, 2008 2:49 PMI love the psychedelic walkway. Hey, check your email when you get a chance. There's something neato going on and you're invited!
Posted by: Cara at March 10, 2008 9:00 PM