A West Side Story

While I won’t be diving deep into the past cultural misrepresentation of some adaptations of this movie, I will say that I can only speak on my neighborhood, which is predominantly Puerto Rican, soaked in tradition, love, music, community, and vibrant nuances that have continually shaped me as a Chicagoan. Well, let me ask, what…

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The incredible band, Brigitte Calls Me Baby Location: Madame Zuzu’s in Highland Park, IL

What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?

Last week, I took the train to Minnesota to see my family, which is always very special. However, this time, my dad was there. He recently moved out there to reset and connect closer to my sister and me, and we are so excited about this shift and time together. The guitars were tuned, the…

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Location: Uber Pic heading to River North

I am the protagonist of this story…

Our dark winter tundra is starting to lighten our space and minds with the anticipation of bocce ball, a cold Miller High Life, rompers, straw hats, and seeing people’s smiling faces vs. cringing winter frost frowns. This was my second winter here, and I will say the month of January was bleak with a side…

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Location: Albion Manor in Lincoln Park, Chicago

A Reintroduction to Romance

Many, many moons ago, a man I was seeing burned me a 311 CD because I hated them. I was loud about not liking them, and he wanted to expose me to the whole vibe. And he did. I had just moved from a very small town in Michigan to a relatively medium-sized college town…

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Location: Map Room in Bucktown, Chicago

The Discontent of Comfort

Just a few weeks left in 2025, and this memoir is writing itself with all my hilarious, ludicrous adventures this year: making friends who show up time after time, the dates that remind me of my growth in saying goodbye, those who cheer me on while watching my ranting dishwasher issue videos, people who send…

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