I agree. A lot of schools in Chicago canceled yesterday and today (including mine). But I think a bigger reason was the safety of the little kids who had to walk/take the bus etc. Then there was a trickle effect of if it's not safe for little kids, then it's not safe for commuter schools. Most of the universities…

Yep. There are a lot of commuter schools in the Chicago area and all of them canceled for both of the vortexes (is that a fucking word?!). I can totally understand it. Also, when it's a commuter school most people (faculty and students) are probably going to skip anyway, or have to stay home because their kid's…

I totally understand your point. I guess I'm looking at it less from the perspective of the couple and more from the perspective of the 80 other people who are dining there. Should they all have to suffer because of a babysitter canceling? Also, I work in events not retail. A pair of shoes is replaceable, an event…

Oh my god! I'd just go there for the drinks! Now I want a cocktail!

Not absurd at all. They have been voted in the top ten restaurants IN THE WORLD. If I was seated next to them I would not want my (probably once in a lifetime) experience ruined by some kid crying. If you buy tickets to a sold old play and you can't make it, tough shit. Same goes for a concert. "Hey Beyonce, my…

Aviary is on my list too! I keep hearing awesome things! Good to know you had a great experience. My Christmas gift was a reservation at iNG which is doing a Dali inspired menu right now. We had a blast (despite both of us just getting over the flu). And sort of on topic, the table next to us had their high…

I'm just here to say I support everything you have said. My bf and I are saving up for tickets to Next this year (Achatz other restaurant) and I'd be SOOO pissed if some people showed up with a crying child. We are a couple of meager means, but we really love food, and instead of buying gifts for special occasions…

I only wish this was the case for me, as my boyfriend hasn't cut his hair in months. Which would be fine if it weren't for the comb over that's taking place at the front of his head. I just want him to cut it off!!!

I wonder if this is less about drinking about more about the general attitude of the mom? I can only speak from witnessing different friends go through pregnancy/child rearing. The one who was more relaxed and "snuck" a glass of wine during her pregnancy is the one who didn't let the children sleep in her bed, makes…

Have you heard of Raynaud's? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynaud's…

Also, Gary looks fabulous.

On my evening walks with my human-named pooched I've come across Kevin, Roger, Hank, Bruce, and Stanley. All dogs. All awesome names.

My mom did the same thing - hang out, have a glass of wine with the host mom, make me feel embarrassed that she was still there so by the time she left I was overjoyed and never wanted to go home. It really worked in our favor because she became best friends with my best friend's mom and now we're all one big happy…

Totally! However, my mom never cooked breakfast (cereal and oatmeal, but that's about it), so I would always come home and whine about why she didn't make pancakes shaped like the first letter of my name, and how Mrs. K's pork chops actually tasted good and hers did not. Ahhh, she still rolls her eyes at me about…

I've had mine since just before the 2011 Snowpocolypse in Chicago. They are AMAZING at keeping my feet/calves/pants dry, but they are TERRIBLE at warmth. Although I've been adding a thin pair of Smartwool socks on underneath and that's been helping. Apparently they made a thin liner to wear under the fleece. My…

His video tour of Marquette University (his alma mater) is pretty great.

This is great! I have three people knocked off the list just like that! And know I'm addicted to Uncommon Goods! Thanks and happy holidays!

My boyfriend is a board game nerd and we bought this for a few people last year. Good choice! There are different versions available too. Even a more "America" friendly one if you know people who aren't super into gaming and might need different artwork to get the creativity going! :)

Yes! I work at a college now and we have student workers, mostly boys. There are a few who probably wonder why I always assign them to work on tasks alone. The most common problem for me is the smelly shoes/dirty hair combo that makes me want to gag. If the problem isn't dealt with early on (I'm not agreeing with…

Oh man, this reminds me of my little guy who is no longer with me. He used to hop around like that! Although he couldn't handle the hardwood floors so he stayed on his blanket if he was in the kitchen. His little bunny face and crazy jumps made my day. As he got older, his joints got arthritis and the joyful…