The Must-Read Book -- "Devil in the White City"

Hey ya'll, I haven't blogged in such a long time! This is something I'm vowing to change. With school and work being so hectic as I near the end of my Masters program, it has been hard for me to find time to do something leisurely that I love -- reading! My reading list has been piling and piling. And in order for me to truly remember the contents of a book, I have to read it twice....so the reading list is twice as long! Haha. But I have usually switched on and off reading the "cheap entertainment" books to books with more depth. So after I attempted the first "Twilight" book (which I thoroughly did not like), I needed something to really intrigue me. I had my mother pick my next book from my enormous pile which would be The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson.

This non-fiction book, set up in novel style, revolves around two true stories with little historial sub-stories mixed in surrounding the creating, planning, executing, and aftermath of the World's Fair Exposition of Chicago in 1893 (White City) and the story of an owner of a World's Fair Hotel who became known as the first American Serial Killer H.H. Holmes (the Devil). I will admit that it gets off to a slow start but as the characters and fair start to evolve, you as a reader get pulled in to the history, stories, and people surrounding a year that changed Chicago forever. You invest in these characters, root for them. And it's all true...the places, the people, the events. They lived and breathed and transformed Chicago to start its journey on becoming the great city that it is. In fact, you can still see reminants of the fair...just tour the Museum of Science and Industry or the Art Institute...both built for the fair and continuing to be visited and admired today. It made me want to be there and immerse myself in that excitement (I think had Chicago won the Olympic bid, we would have experienced a similar excitement). But I'm satisfied knowing there are authors like Larson who bring us as close to the fair as possible through through the written word. Pick it up and give it a read!

P.S. If you have read it and are as interested as I am, there are "Devil in the White City" tours available in Chicago. There are a few out there so research (some focus on the architecture and others focus on the H.H. Holmes murders).

Things I Learned at the South Side Irish Parade

For those of you who don't know what the South Side Irish Parade is, let me fill you in. The Sunday before St. Patrick's Day is designated as the South Side Irish Parade that takes place down Western Avenue on the South Side of Chicago. It consists of a parade featuring all things Irish including kilted-men playing bagpipes, curly-haired Irish dancers, and lots of knitted Aran sweaters and there is lots and LOTS of green. Plus, it is about the only day and place where you can witness a parent pulling their child in those little red wagons along with a 24 pack of beer. And this is the one day that it is absolutely OK to drink in the morning, afternoon, and night. So in the Irish spirit, let me share with you what I've learned from being a part of this momentous event.

1. Wear Green -- there are boas and hats and shirts and tuxedos.....get in the spirit!
2. If you are taking the train, get in the first or last car -- everyone congregates in the middle
3. Even if you aren't Irish, you are allowed to be and say that you are on this day
4. If you are a Cubs fan, be a Cubs fan on the inside -- you are on the South Side.....
5. Wear comfortable shoes -- You will walk (or stumble or crawl..) everywhere!
6. Be an excellent maneuverer -- the crowds at this parade and at the bars are worse than Black Friday shopping
7. Tip the bartender -- they are working their butt off...show some appreciation
8. Apologize and Forgive -- If you spill your drink on someone or bump into them or anything that could start a fight...apologize and offer amends. The battle or fight isn't worth it and the most people usually get is some blood splatters, bruises, and get thrown out of the bar that they just paid a $10 cover to get into. And if you are the person who gets bumped into or spilt on, ...forgive and move on. Another way to put it -- If you are a mean drunk, don't bother coming.
9. Do watch some of the parade -- the Irish dancers are fun to watch and the bagpipe players really show off the Irish culture with music
10. Meet People! Everyone around you is most likely there for the same reason you are....to celebrate and have a good time. Talk to people. Laugh with them. Drink with them. They are your best friends for that day. Be joyful and be happy.