Quick Trip: Chicago

What is JetBlue minus functioning DirecTV on board? And, for that matter, what is JetBlue with inoperative Wi-Fi at the airline's terminal at JFK? Just another airline, that's what. Also, while I'm addressing the airline that remains, barely, my favorite domestic carrier, I have to comment on the screechiness of JetBlue's public address system at JFK. I really wish they'd fix it and maybe train announcers to modulate their voices a touch.

The point of this post, however, is not to complain about JetBlue or offer further evidence of my slide into curmudgeondom. It's to write a bit about Chicago. I spent Sunday and yesterday there visiting my friend Mike. We had a great time. He recently moved to Andersonville, a very likeable hood. It has an interesting retail base, which includes one of the best home furnishings stores I've ever come across, the absolutely beautiful Scout, as well as a more recent high-quality addition, Haus. There's also a fab newish coffeehouse in Andersonville called The Coffee Studio. Wow. Great coffee, educated baristas, clean concept, beautiful space. If I lived in Andersonville I would move in.

Also lovely was the all-too-brief time we spent with Sarah at Bar on Buena, a place with an impressive beer menu. I loved the beer selection and I loved our friendly beer-smart waiter, too.