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[alasdair2000]

Hi everyone!

It's been a while since I've posted but there's been a lot going on.

I sold my 'condo' and car, emigrated from the UK to Chicagoland with three bags of belongings, found a job, bought a car and finally a house.

Perhaps the most frustrating part is not being able to build my own machine. I've been stuck with a laptop (Asus G50V) which has Vista x64 on it. I didn't dare make system changes since I didn't have time to fix any screwups.

[Google]

[[TN] Nathan]

Welcome back, how are you liking the US?
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[mojo1340]

Yeah, weccome to the US and welcome back to TN!

[alasdair2000]

Most of the time, everything is fine. I love the food. Slow cooked BBQ and Sushi are awesome. I've been expanding my taste for beer.

But the system is screwed up. Like having to pay for a 'village sticker' each year to park but then having to pay again each time you use it. Double-dipping.
And, given this is normally a commuter lot, having no way to buy said sticker at the train station or outside of working hours.

[fussnfeathers]

Welcome to the US!

You're in a great area, Chicago is a great town. Well, except for the government corruption and stupid fees...........make sure you get some time to hit the museums, especially the Museum of Science and Industry, Art Museum, and Natural History museum. Some of the best in the world. Dig into the Chicago blues scene, you'll finally get to hear the REAL stuff.

Take a trip up to Milwaukee on a weekend, that's a great town too. I've lived in both areas for the better part of 23 years, there's a ton to do. You just kinda need to know where to look for it. For a longer trip, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, (UP to the natives), go all the way up to Sault Ste Marie, and soak up the history there. You can almost physically feel it there. Go west to the Quad Cities, that's fun too, and Minneapolis, if you have time. Castle Rock State Park is worth a visit, too. Almost killed myself as a kid there many times.

Beer............stay away from the name brands. Bud, Miller, Schlitz............well, maybe Colt 45 if you want to get your Billy Dee Williams groove on. Stick with the microbrews. You should be able to get stuff like Dead Guy ale, Long Trail Ale, Catamount, bunch of stuff. Ask around at the good liquor stores, they'll steer you the right direction. There's a monastary up near Milwaukee that's legendary for their beer, comes in bottles with corks.

And, when you DO build a new rig...........you're gonna be very happy. Much better selection, and if you buy online, no taxes. Well, as long as the online store doesn't have a shop in Illinois, anyway. Then you have to pay sales tax.

Enjoy, and dig into the lifestyle there. There's a ton under the surface, just watch your step. There's a lot of poop in there too.
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[alasdair2000]

Thanks FnF

Although I just moved to Chicago, it's not my first visit. I've already seen all the Chicago attractions other than the zoo.

I haven't been to any blues events yet but I have been to a rock concert, the a capella competition and we occasionally go to see two bands where we know one of the players. My mind has gone blank on names.... Jerry's Basement can be found on MySpace.

I've been to Penn State Park in Door County, Mid Ohio Indy Car track, Galena in the Tri-State area and I've been to the Dells in Wisconsin. Oh, and the obligatory trip to Mars Cheese Castle near Gurnee. I think Castle Rock is on the list of things to do. There's so much that I get confused.

Beer.... I don't do lager at all. I tried to pick it up by drinking MGDs before I came over but as soon as I discovered real ale, I couldn't go back. Anchor Steam Ale is fine on tap. Fat Tire and Dead Guy, I'll drink if they're available and nothing better is. Favorite locals so far is anything by Rockbottom and Flossmoor Station Station Master.

Work calls...

[fussnfeathers]

Definitely make plans to take a week to hit Summerfest in Milwaukee. Well, well worth the trip. Lineup this year looks pretty good........Sheryl Crow, Tom Petty w/ ZZ Top, Jeff Beck, BB King, Robert Randolph, Eric Clapton w/Roger Daltrey.................. www.summerfest.com Get a couple of 3-day passes, and go nuts. $33 for those, and no extra charges for admission. Plus, those headliner stages run all afternoon, so you'll see at least five bands before each official opening act and headliner. And, of course, a ton of local bands playing all over the grounds. Take a good bit of money, soak up a bunch of brats made to order (peppers and saeurkraut, of course, with hot mustard), tons of stuff to do. Obviously, the headliners are in the evenings, 10PM usually, sometimes earlier.
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