Latest TravelHost Chicago articles

Check out my latest TravelHost Chicago articles including:

-A profile of blues musician Joanna Connor

-An in depth feature on various Chicago comedy venues

-A store spotlight of Marbles: The Brain Store

http://travelhost.com/jsp/magazines.jsp

Flip through the latest issue. Yes, you can page through the magazine online. It's the future.

This past summer, I investigated a strange culture in a far away habitat....Los Angeles.

Check out my findings in this article from The Real Chicago e-zine.

Los Angeles: An exploration of its people in their natural habitat

Child's Play in Chicago

Need to know some great spots to take your kids? Check out one of my latest articles for The Real Chicago e-zine.

Child's play in Chicago

A Letter of Query

Dear America's Got Talent Producers-

I have decided on an ideal job for me.

This job would be choosing the music that goes under the contestants who are either being put through to the next round or booted on America's Got Talent.

I feel that I would be highly qualified to choose this music. For example, I would choose the song "I Believe I Can Fly" to accompany the success of body contortionist Lou Meyer's as he goes to the next round of the competition. Also, I am very good at identifying songs with the word "hero" in it. "Hero" by Mariah Carey, "Hero" by Enrique Iglesias, "Holding Out For A Hero" by Bonnie Tyler, "We Don't Need Another Hero" by Tina Turner, or even "Believe It Or Not (The theme from Greatest American Hero)" by Joey Scarbury.

Also, I have a lighter side. I believe that audiences would enjoy the song "Hit The Road Jack" behind failed contestants 42, 157 and 92. 

Unless one of those contestants is all women, then I would choose the song "Lady" by Kenny Rogers.

I thank you for your consideration for this position.

Sincerely, 

Megan Green

 

lordy, lordy, look who's...not 29

a lot of people fear turning 30 like it's the time that you have to start thinking about the color of your coffin (oooo, how about a nice, dark cherry wood?). however, i was told by several people into their 30's that turning 30 means you don't have to worry about all the crap from your 20's anymore. 

i am fine with that.  when i think back on it, i worried about a lot of stupid stuff in my 20's...like Y2K and running out of Stridex pads.

i have also thought back in the past couple of weeks about what i thought about turning 30 when i was 20. when i was still in college and watching Felicity on the WB i thought my life would be certain things by the time i turned 30.

here are some of the things i thought...

-i would still be living in nashville (didn't happen)

-i would have lots of money (ummm....no)

-i would have babies...that's more than one (none that i know about...wait...that's a no)

-i would be fully into a career that had something to do with what i learned in college (still headed that way)

-i would still be driving a car (i just drove a car again for the first time in over 2 years...not counting the car i drove at Disneyland when i went there for my birthday this year - see pic)

-i would never be tied to my cell phone (i constantly hear phantom rings...it never stops)

-i would have great friends (yay!)

-i would be in love (double yay!)

-i would still love to watch the show Felicity (i fully admit this has happened...thanks Netflix)

i guess the 20-year-old Megan would be kind of confused if she saw my life at 30, but i think she would still love it...i mean after she got over the whole time travel thing.

Making Both Your Bank Account And Your Body Healthier

While gyms and fitness studios are about as abundant as Starbucks, lately, people are having a big problem affording these gyms.

I recently did an article for The Real Chicago about easy ways to get fit for less in Chicago. These include free trials, free summer fitness classes in the park or on the beach or even long-term fitness solutions with deals on gym memberships.

Check It Out:

Get Fit For Less - The Real Chicago Article by Megan Green

(photo courtesy of City of Chicago & Millennium Park)

 

A Far East Adventure Only A Few Train Stops Away

hello to the hundreds of loyal followers of my blog (and by hundreds i mean the loyal group of a few friends that check it out)-

sorry i haven't posted in a while. finals were pretty stressful, and once that smoke cleared summer fun was already underway. 

i am still writing for the real chicago e-zine and travelhost chicago magazine. 

here is an article i just did for the real chicago where i suited up, packed a bag, said good-bye to my parents, put $2.25 on my cta card  and hit the streets of chinatown for a day's adventure.

(spoiler: i had to put more money on my cta card to get back home)

if you haven't been to chinatown in chicago before (or haven't gone recently), check it out. lots of culture, good restaurants and unique shops are waiting.

Chinatown Day Adventure in The Real Chicago E-zine - An Article by Megan Green

(photo also by Megan Green)

Super!

Sam Super, comedian and all-around good guy, sat down with me earlier this month for an interview for The Real Chicago. We ended up doing a spoof celebrity interview that The Real Chicago published and Comedy Sportz Chicago included in its latest newsletter.

Check It Out:

Sam Super Interview Link

Scorch!

The Roosevelt University newspaper, The Torch, did its annual spoof issue called The Scorch (clever, yes?). It includes Onion-esque articles and news.

I did two pieces for it.

Check them out at these links:

Who is Roosevelt's New Professor?

Bat Cave Under the Gage

*the great Trebek photo was done by Chrissy Bruzek*

A Shamrock Shuffle...into the ridiculous cold

The forecast was cold. The forecast was snow. But, like a stubborn Chicagoan, I decided to not chicken out of doing the Shamrock Shuffle 5K on March 29th.

Believe me, when I saw the mounds of snow on the ground and the bitter snow still falling, I wanted to back out. However, the need to not be the one to say "umm...let's all just stay inside and watch reruns of Family Ties" propelled me to get up, grab my sneakers and gloves and brave it.

I was not prepared. Sure, I dressed warmly, but, today, people participating in the Shamrock Shuffle needed major protection from the elements -- especially on their feet.

I sludged through the snow and ice for those 3 point whatever miles wishing I could go back to the start of the day and put plastic bags on my feet. I was sure I was about to become a member in the 9-toes-or-less club.  

People were trudging (shuffling?) right along with us. Had we all not been freezing, the falling snow and views along the lakefront would have actually been picturesque. Instead, we all looked at times like we were participating in a fun run towards our deaths -- sponsored by Fleet Feet. 

Myself, my friend Natalie (yay Nat!) and my boyfriend Timmy (hooray for Timmy!) made it through. Despite wanting to quit at one time or another, we made it across the finish line. We were cold, somewhat in pain and mostly numb. We were all very proud of each other.

I was rejoicing in the humorous tale I had lived to tell until the feeling started coming back into my feet. It hurt, and I fell very quickly into the cavern of whiny jerks. I apologized then and still apologize for being a cantankerous complainer. 

As they said on an episode of 'ER' (I can't remember which one), "Life is too short to spend it whining." I am pretty sure a patient coded on the table then.

Hey, I am just thankful the feeling eventually leveled out in my feet...and that I have an official Shamrock Shuffle T-shirt. And, I am still pretty freaking proud I finished the race. 

A Brainstorm is a'brewing

The best comic book shop in Chicago...and the world?...

I recently profiled a comic book, video and gaming store called Brainstorm. I am not lying when I say this place is great for both people who consider themselves comic book geeks and those who think Spiderman is only reserved for Toby Maguire fans.

The movie selection is amazing, as well. 

But, the most amazing thing about this store are the workers. The nicest, most genuine people to ever hock Marvel products.

Click me for to read the Brainstorm Article

Up All Night

Remember Rhonda Sheer "Up All Night" on USA?  If you don't you were probably a better person than I was. This show consisted of some of the trashiest movies (not X-Rated trashy, just really horrible) ever to clog up the shelves at Blockbuster.

Well, this time, I stayed "Up All Night" in a different way. I profiled several 4a.m. bars in Chicago. For the people who just can't drink enough before 2a.m.

Check It Out:

4a.m. Bars in The Real Chicago

If you happen to be in a Chicago hotel room...

...check out the TravelHost Chicago magazine. This issue has a few articles I wrote in it. 

TravelHost Chicago is in hundreds of hotel rooms around the area. I am pretty proud of my speakeasy article.

If you aren't in a hotel room (I am not saying that anything naughty has to be going on. You could just be visiting.), you can read the magazine at www.travelhost.com.

-Select the "Cities" link

-Type in Chicago, hit search

-Select the Chicago Downtown and North side option, hit "select edition"

-When that page pops up, hit "Read Magazine"

After that, you should be able to flip through the pages of the current issue.

Also, you will notice a picture of me from a ComedySportz ad. I am all over this motha'.

Let me know if you have any thoughts.

Stitch 'n' Bitch at the MCA - by Megan Green

Article on Stitch 'n' Bitch for the Roosevelt Torch Newspaper

The Oscars - The Real Chicago E-zine Article

My article "Academy Awards for the Cinematically Challenged" - published online with The Real Chicago 

www.therealchicago.org

*more articles are coming soon with this publication*

2008 Election Article

2008 Election - Roosevelt Torch Article - by Megan Green

Follow the link to view a partial version of the article. The Web site did not post the entire article.

Valentine's Day Article

A Roosevelt Torch article for Valentine's Day - by Megan Green

Ghost Tour Article

Ghost Tour article from Fall 2008 issue of the Roosevelt Torch - by Megan Green:

file:///Users/megangreen/Desktop/CLIPS/Chicago%20Tour%20Bust%20Ghosts%20-%20Torch.pdf

If you see something...

The rest of this phrase is supposed to be "say something."  Unfortunately, as I have learned about the majority of the general public, the phrase should be - "if you see something, awkwardly look the other direction until it goes away."  

Unfortunate, but not far off-base.

Case in point, I was on the CTA Red Line on a recent weekend, and I was quietly seated listening to my iPod - translation:  I was in my own world listening to a variety of Monster Ballads.  I eventually noticed a strange man dressed all in leather - leather shoes, black leather pants and a leather jacket with the tags hanging off.  This man was also wearing red-tinted sunglasses.  Not exactly the uniform of the inconspicuous train rider.  

He silently fidgeted in one seat and then another as we passed from one station to the next.  The train eventually pulled up to the Chicago station. The doors stood open for a few seconds until the familiar ding of "doors closing." It was only at this point that the man walked to the door to exit the train.  It was also at this point that there was an unfortunate young man standing on the train platform waiting to board who got in the leather man's way.  

This act of blocking someone's exit from a train is usually met with an "excuse me" or a simple, silent push-through and exit. However, this day, for whatever reason, the leather man decided to up the ante. He violently and without pause punched the boarding man in the face.  The young man fell to the ground and the leather man kicked him.  

The attacker then calmly walked out of the train, up the stairs and into the crowds on the street.  

Of course, those of us left on the train were shocked.  Some asked the young man if he was OK.  He was.  Some inquired with each other about what had just happened.  However, no one, at least that I saw on my train, reported the incident.  The young man who was attacked was clearly more embarrassed by the situation than angered.  He simply went and sat down with his friend like nothing had happened.  

No one called the train operator on those ever-present buttons.  No brave soul followed the attacker up the stairs (either for payback or to facilitate a capture).  No one phoned 3-1-1, as constantly instructed by signs on the CTA.  The incident just happened and faded into the memories of those who witnessed it - stored away as a cautionary tale or an exciting story to parlay at dinner that night.

Truth be told, the random act of violence ended up causing about as much panic or reaction as if someone had dropped their soda on the train, and it had exploded.

And, I would be willing to bet if that happened there would be more than a few angry passengers looking to have their dry cleaning bills paid.  Especially if it were orange soda. Man, that stuff stains.

  

Lessons Learned

Well, that didn't last long.  Luckily no one really bet on this little wager.  

I got entranced by the latest season of American Idol.  See, there was this blind guy who auditioned.  It was inspirational. I promise.   Ok, I really can't defend this.  I am embarrassed even writing about it . 

So, the not watching TV thing is not happening. i am making sure that i limit my tv time, so i am not chained to the box for several hours at a time watching mindless tv during my semester break.

 

This is like my crusade to kick my coffee habit every few months...it doesn't last long.  after a bit, i figure that some habits are ok to keep going.  i'm not shooting heroine here.  

Somebody get Charles Dickens on the phone...

After traveling to Paducah twice (twice) in November via an annoying train ride, I was really hoping that the final train ride of 2008 would be tolerable.  Like the rest of 2008, this experience would be frustrating and stressful, but it would also have a slight shimmer of hope.

I worked the morning of December 22 at my holiday job, and then I hurried down to Union Station in time for the obligatory hour before my train was scheduled to leave. I was not greeted by a mundane wait in the seating area of Amtrak.  I was greeted by hundreds of angry Amtrak ticket holders.

Due to freezing Chicago temperatures, the trains were delayed up to 24 hours. The tracks were freezing. The trains were running out of food, and their toilets were freezing solid. My train was delayed indefinitely at the time I arrived at Union Station.  I settled in for the long wait in the chilly waiting area. People were huddled close together -- partly out of preserving body warmth, mostly out of the severe overcrowding at the station.  Due to the close proximity and the long waiting time, the people waiting around me slowly began to chit-chat.

I am usually not a fan of idle chit-chat.  In fact, I avoid it at all cost.  However, the people around me quickly became the most entertaining things in that area, so I relented and began to talk.  One man, named Scott, had simply traveled to Chicago that day to get his computer fixed. A woman, Stacey, was traveling home for the holidays.  Stacey had already gotten so frustrated with the wait that she had purchased a bottle of wine and was happily downing it when we began to speak. I liked her immediately.

The other people I met were a student from Eastern Europe, a mom and her young son, named Demetri. All of these people were linked with me for these few hours by our frustration.  We all just wanted to get home to whoever was waiting for us with open arms and presents.  

As the hours ticked by, the Amtrak workers had little to report beyond more delays. The trash cans were overflowing. The toilets were plugged. We were all trapped in our own quest for survival.

The best thing people could do was to try to be friendly and helpful to those around them.

The student from Eastern Europe didn't get off to a very good start. She dropped her traveling case on my toe. She apologized a few minutes later when she realized her case was on the floor. I accepted, then proceeded to swear a lot under my breath at the pain. She turned a corner when she became the default babysitter of the young boy Demetri while his mother went to get food.  When the mother came back, the student went for food.

The mother gave all of us bottled water. Gold star achieved.  Stacey offered to share a cab with me if our train was cancelled.  Very nice.

Scott, the day traveler with computer problems, went for popcorn, which he shared with all of us.  Another act of stress-induced kindness.

Scott seemed like a very nice guy.  An older man, probably in his 60s, with graying hair and a very tall stature.  He had more of a grandfather demeanor than a creepy one. Always a positive.

This grandfather demeanor prompted the mother to let him take her son to the bathroom.  While they were gone, she turned to Stacey and myself and stated how she was wary to send her son to the bathroom with a stranger.  However, since Scott was with obviously traveling with Stacey, he must be ok.

Stacey and I looked at each other and paused for a moment.  We broke the news to her.

Scott was not with Stacey.  We had just met him. As the mother began to breath heavily, we tried to assure her that he seemed like a nice man. 

Her face turned a terrifying shade of amber alert.  The minutes slowly ticked by until Scott returned with the young boy.  The kid appeared OK. No visible bleeding or trauma.  

Another good deed apparently accomplished -- that is, until the young boy's inexplicable fear of trains turns out to be from the uncovered memories of being abused in an Amtrak bathroom.  Hopefully not.

When I finally boarded my train about five hours after I was supposed to, I sat back and thought about all of these people helping each other during this time of hoping, wishing and waiting. I will not say that this was a full-fledged Christmas movie, but it did smell a little bit like Christmas spirit.

We could have ignored each other.  We could have yelled at each other.  I could have stayed in a corner watching my DVD of the third season of the X-Files.  But, we did not stay in our own private bubbles.  We helped each other.  We were kind to strangers.  As the toilets overflowed, we let our hearts overflow a little, too.  

And that is really what Christmas is all about.  With all the stuff life throws at you, Christmas helps you survive the crap.