Given the reason for this road trip, I feel kind of guilty that I am getting so much enjoyment out of reading these installments. But I am. Praying for you and your family, and looking forward to hearing about your next adventure.
I've enjoyed this travel series, and being from Chicago, really liked this one. I decided to subscribe based on this post. Admittedly I have to catch up on some of your previous entries.
That picture of the coffee shop said they have locations in Chicago and NYC. Lou Malnatis are around Chicagoland and they sell frozen pizzas in some grocery stores. Franchises.
In many ways, the Catholic Church is like a franchise. For the most part, it's consistent. Here in the US, they're about everywhere. They're a constant. There's a comfort to traveling and being able to pretty much know what you're waking into. A church is one of the few places you can use to reliably get out of the noise and find some solace.
That first series of pictures of the Old Norte Dame are heartbreaking in a way. I can't imagine the maintenance costs of keeping up those massive inner city churches. But while they stand, there's something humbling about just standing in the same place where countless passages of life happened. Aside from hospitals, churches are about the only places that host and harbor every human experience and emotion from life to death. A baby brought into the world on one floor, a life decades old fading away on another. The joys of marriage and baptism fill the air one day, the sorrows of a funeral the next.
The franchise comparison is an interesting thought. I do get the feeling that most franchises are run better than the American Church, but what do I know?
Wow. What beautiful churches. Thank you for showing them to us, Steve. If I had to choose between NYC and Chicago--ah, I'd take Philly. I know, that wasn't the question. Okay, I've lived in all three of those places--if I had to choose--and I must choose between NYC and Chicago, I'd take Chicago. Yes, I'd take Chicago over NYC (because NYC has no affordable housing).
Here's two songs for driving time. Promise not to play them until you hit the open road or you'll get road rage if stuck in typical Chicago traffic jams. And try not to speed when you play them. Studies have shown certain types of music causes people to drive faster than they normally would. The study named "Take on Me" by Aha as one such song (a very nice song, but not included below). So be careful with these two songs below because they're the type that would cause pedal-to-the-metal driving if you're not on your guard. But otherwise, they're both splendid for long drives (I regularly drive to FL from NEPA and can only bear it if the music is great). These songs sound best on ear buds, because the music "shoots" from one ear to the other, seeming to go straight through the head . However, but do not wear ear buds while driving. But they're both also really great songs for working out--weight lifting is a real stress buster. The first one is about aging (message: it's not our fault we're aging). The second one is just an all-around upper about personal growth (message: keep trying). You may have heard them both before. "If it helps, use it." Happy travels.
Yeah, Yes is musical genius. Try Fragile's "Roundabout" for driving as well, but again you could easily find yourself driving 90 mph if not "aware" of the link of rock-and-roll and speeding. I try not to drive over 75 mph and to stay away from other cars in case there is a mistake made by other drivers or a blowout. In general, I find music has a huge impact on mood. As a matter of fact, it's so powerful that I turn off any song moving me in the wrong mental and spiritual direction immediately (and unfortunately, some of those songs I actually "like" from a musical standpoint, but I know when I'm being lead into temptation immediately--for instance, there are songs that musically I like but that reminds me of a not-so-holy situation I got myself into in the past (cringe-and-groan inducing in recollection)--I turn them off, even though I like the song! It sounds crazy, but one has to be very careful about where one allows the mind to wander if trying for max mood and work output. The enemy of the soul knows which buttons to push in our brain--forewarned is forearmed). Yeah, songs can lead one into temptation or grief or they can keep one elevated and focused. For mental work, I play classical music very softly--that allows me to keep workiing on otherwise irritatingly repetitive tasks (like paying bills or preparing maddending forms, like one's annual tax return). It's hard to believe, but I've also become very aware of impact of certain personal habits (like daily weight lifting (3-5 lbs, many reps) and stretching) or "other input" on my ability to keep my mind (working RAM) "ordered" and upbeat.
You made it!! Love hearing you write about my city. Your intro bit really does it justice.
You picked right with Lou's. That's the deep dish people from Chicago actually eat. On the whole, though, we usually opt for Chicago-style thin crust (a/k/a "tavern style"). Make sure you grab some of that before you go, along with an Italian beef and a few dogs for the road.
It's cool seeing all those churches. I was married at Cantius, attended mass once at the one you stayed at, and had a friend married at another one you showcased. We've got some great churches here for sure.
Can't wait to read part two!!
Also, if you're still in town, grab a burger and cocktail at Au Cheval in the West Loop. With a side of bacon. You won't regret it.
Given the reason for this road trip, I feel kind of guilty that I am getting so much enjoyment out of reading these installments. But I am. Praying for you and your family, and looking forward to hearing about your next adventure.
It’s all about making the most of a bad situation. Whatever happens, I’ve decided I’m going to thrive.
I know pizza. That’s NOT pizza. That’s a casserole.
Pizza diversity is our strength
Not
I've enjoyed this travel series, and being from Chicago, really liked this one. I decided to subscribe based on this post. Admittedly I have to catch up on some of your previous entries.
That picture of the coffee shop said they have locations in Chicago and NYC. Lou Malnatis are around Chicagoland and they sell frozen pizzas in some grocery stores. Franchises.
In many ways, the Catholic Church is like a franchise. For the most part, it's consistent. Here in the US, they're about everywhere. They're a constant. There's a comfort to traveling and being able to pretty much know what you're waking into. A church is one of the few places you can use to reliably get out of the noise and find some solace.
That first series of pictures of the Old Norte Dame are heartbreaking in a way. I can't imagine the maintenance costs of keeping up those massive inner city churches. But while they stand, there's something humbling about just standing in the same place where countless passages of life happened. Aside from hospitals, churches are about the only places that host and harbor every human experience and emotion from life to death. A baby brought into the world on one floor, a life decades old fading away on another. The joys of marriage and baptism fill the air one day, the sorrows of a funeral the next.
Safe travels.
Thanks for subscribing, and for the comment.
The franchise comparison is an interesting thought. I do get the feeling that most franchises are run better than the American Church, but what do I know?
Wow. What beautiful churches. Thank you for showing them to us, Steve. If I had to choose between NYC and Chicago--ah, I'd take Philly. I know, that wasn't the question. Okay, I've lived in all three of those places--if I had to choose--and I must choose between NYC and Chicago, I'd take Chicago. Yes, I'd take Chicago over NYC (because NYC has no affordable housing).
Here's two songs for driving time. Promise not to play them until you hit the open road or you'll get road rage if stuck in typical Chicago traffic jams. And try not to speed when you play them. Studies have shown certain types of music causes people to drive faster than they normally would. The study named "Take on Me" by Aha as one such song (a very nice song, but not included below). So be careful with these two songs below because they're the type that would cause pedal-to-the-metal driving if you're not on your guard. But otherwise, they're both splendid for long drives (I regularly drive to FL from NEPA and can only bear it if the music is great). These songs sound best on ear buds, because the music "shoots" from one ear to the other, seeming to go straight through the head . However, but do not wear ear buds while driving. But they're both also really great songs for working out--weight lifting is a real stress buster. The first one is about aging (message: it's not our fault we're aging). The second one is just an all-around upper about personal growth (message: keep trying). You may have heard them both before. "If it helps, use it." Happy travels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fUudna1Xuw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfgPEh2J9aI
I had no idea you were a Yes fan, Anne!
Yeah, Yes is musical genius. Try Fragile's "Roundabout" for driving as well, but again you could easily find yourself driving 90 mph if not "aware" of the link of rock-and-roll and speeding. I try not to drive over 75 mph and to stay away from other cars in case there is a mistake made by other drivers or a blowout. In general, I find music has a huge impact on mood. As a matter of fact, it's so powerful that I turn off any song moving me in the wrong mental and spiritual direction immediately (and unfortunately, some of those songs I actually "like" from a musical standpoint, but I know when I'm being lead into temptation immediately--for instance, there are songs that musically I like but that reminds me of a not-so-holy situation I got myself into in the past (cringe-and-groan inducing in recollection)--I turn them off, even though I like the song! It sounds crazy, but one has to be very careful about where one allows the mind to wander if trying for max mood and work output. The enemy of the soul knows which buttons to push in our brain--forewarned is forearmed). Yeah, songs can lead one into temptation or grief or they can keep one elevated and focused. For mental work, I play classical music very softly--that allows me to keep workiing on otherwise irritatingly repetitive tasks (like paying bills or preparing maddending forms, like one's annual tax return). It's hard to believe, but I've also become very aware of impact of certain personal habits (like daily weight lifting (3-5 lbs, many reps) and stretching) or "other input" on my ability to keep my mind (working RAM) "ordered" and upbeat.
You made it!! Love hearing you write about my city. Your intro bit really does it justice.
You picked right with Lou's. That's the deep dish people from Chicago actually eat. On the whole, though, we usually opt for Chicago-style thin crust (a/k/a "tavern style"). Make sure you grab some of that before you go, along with an Italian beef and a few dogs for the road.
It's cool seeing all those churches. I was married at Cantius, attended mass once at the one you stayed at, and had a friend married at another one you showcased. We've got some great churches here for sure.
Can't wait to read part two!!
Also, if you're still in town, grab a burger and cocktail at Au Cheval in the West Loop. With a side of bacon. You won't regret it.
negative nancy here, regarding the road trip video, which was VERY nice, but the accompanying muzik was (vomits here)
I just grabbed something kinda chill. Wasn’t my favorite either but I didn’t have time to keep looking
sometimes, just silence?
You *can* turn off the sound, you know. :D
Lou Malnati's is a Chicago landmark. Good on you for finding it! Looking forward to the next installment.