🤷‍♀️ What is a co-op? The key difference between a condo and a co-op is the ownership structure. When you buy a condo, you own the unit and a percentage of the common areas. When you buy a co-op, you actually purchase a share of the property, and your lease enables you to live in a unit. 🧐Interesting fact: a co-op building only gets one tax bill and shareholders pay a proportional share of the total bill based on number of shares they own and it is included in their monthly assessment, which explains why co-op assessments appear higher than condos. #chicagocoops #coopliving #chicago #realestate #realtor #broker #atproperties #atpropertieschristies #buyersagent #listingagent #uptownchicago #rogersparkchicago #andersonvillechicago #lakeview #lincolnparkchicago #goldcoastchicago #lovewhereyoulive (at Andersonville, Chicago, Il) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkOrUKGPmvS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I want to be part of the art too. #Pluto #pies #dog #bigdog #chicago #chicagodog #chicagodogstagram #dogphotography #dogphoto #mural #muralart #streetartphotography #trending #uptownchicago https://www.instagram.com/p/Cof0sOqPQjR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

* Grilled Chicken Sandwich made with yogurt marinated chicken breast in pita pocket with hummus, caramelized onions, tomatoes, pickles, tahini, parsley sauce and toasted almonds. * Tahini Ranch Fried Chicken Sandwich made with seasoned breaded chicken breast on a toasted bun with lettuce, pickles, red tahini ranch sauce. * Hummus Plate served with extra virgin olive oil, green chili sauce, fresh herbs, whole chick peas, celery & carrot sticks, pita & whole spiced green olives. Beef Kefta Kabob and Caramelized Onion with Eggplant & Roasted Red Peppers. * Apple Baklava . @ragadanrestaurant . #ragadan #ragadanrestaurant #chickenpitasandwich #friedchickensandwich #hummusplate #falafelshop #jordanianfood #jordanianamerican #uptownchicago (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjqB2oEuCIK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

After a long workday, I thought to send myself out for a little break … though we were playing hide and seek with the mighty cold sun, still it was bit nippy out today with wild wind 😊 #Chicago #Color #EveningSades #EveningWalk #LovelySkies #WildWaves #ColdChicago #LakeshoreTrail #LakeMichigan #Pretty #EveningShades #Chicago #WindyCity #September2022 #Fall2022 #Autumn2022 #HappyTuesday #UptownChicago (at Lawrence Beach) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjCHXXiOOfU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Checked out @lucyschicago this weekend and it was so tasty! I got the crispy chicken sandwich with bacon jam and a chocolate shake. Great food and really cool vibe- super colorful and fun! Check it out if you’re ever in @exploreuptownchi ! . . . #chickensandwich #friedchicken #friedchickensandwich #crispychicken #crispychickensandwich #milkshake #comfortfood #chicago #chicagofood #chicagorestaurants #chicagoeats #chicagofoodie #bestofchicago #uptownchicago #foodie #foodstagram #foodporn #alwayshungry #coolfoodies #forkyeahfoodies #thefoodieinitiative (at Lucy’s) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdsxVwbruRL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I AM GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS YEAR IF IT KILLS ME! Bring those positive vibes to Carol's Pub tonight for karaoke from 7:30pm to 11! #ChicagoKaraoke #PopUpKaraoke #KaraokeTuesdays #Uptown #UptownChicago #Ravenswood #RavenswoodChicago

On Argyle…

On the some-what far Northern side of Chicago, past the infamous excess of the Magnificent Mile and even the tranquility of the Lilly Ponds in Lincoln Park, beyond the bustling Belmont corridor and even further than the farthest flung bleacher seat at Wrigley Field lays an equally iconic Chicago neighborhood. Uptown. Not well known nationally Uptown is rather infamous within Chicago. Infamous for it's decline. At it's height in the 1910's-1930's the area saw itself transform from a quiet suburb, to one of the wealthiest, fastest growing part of Chicago that at the height of it's building boom in 1929 was predicted to rival if not the eclipse Chicago's then central business district, The Loop. The 1930's humbled Uptown, as much of the country at the time was, and by the 70's was one of the most impoverished and dangerous neighborhoods in the city.

This blog is mostly just an outlet for me. I really love learning about the world around me, especially our built environment. Cities are fascinating because you can look all around you and see the story of a given by observing its buildings, their alterations, their state. These all feed into a greater context. To that end this blog is mostly meant to be my own musings, on my city, my neighborhood, places I frequent, places I don't but do find interesting. I’ll probably write mostly about Uptown, but will likely write about other topics as my interest wanes.

Loving Who the World Rejects!

Over 20 years ago I made a big decision...

...to come to Uptown, Chicago; to work with those experiencing homelessness, those in jail, those in recovery, and try to live out the gospel.

I’m still here!

But the reality is...

...when we try and live out the Kingdom of God (Kingdom Love) in our midst, our neighborhood, our surroundings, there will be resistance, opposition, hatred, and even persecution!

Why?...

...because our words, our actions, our love will upset the status quo, the powers-that-be, and the power structure that desires to rule and dominate!

The result...

...a bunch of power hungry, money loving privileged political gangsters, religious thugs, complicit enforcers, and oligarchical bullies will attempt to make your life hell. They will continue to use their tools to keep their empire intact and not allow it to fade to black, by continuing to exploit the weak, powerless, and voiceless.

What do we need to do in response?...

...rage against the machine with righteous anger, confront and resist the empire, include those deemed unworthy and unsightly, and love those around us with the love of God’s Kingdom. 

We have an example of Someone who lived this out: His name is Jesus. He lived in Kingdom Love and died in the hands of the empire because of this, BUT let us never forget, he rose again so we could follow him...

the following 5 links are my ramblings on what I’ve just written above: our need to not just idly sit by and allow the powers-that-be to do what they will...

“It’s Political: My Own Self-Realization!”    https://freeingprisoners.blogspot.com/2017/12/its-political-my-own-self-realization.html

“It’s Political: The Punishments Do Not Fit The Crimes!” http://freeingprisoners.blogspot.com/2018/05/its-political-punishments-do-not-fit.html

“It’s Political: Deemed Unworthy and Unsightly!”   http://freeingprisoners.blogspot.com/2018/08/its-political-deemed-unworthy-and.html

“It’s Political: Building Up and Casting Out!”   http://freeingprisoners.blogspot.com/2018/08/it-political-building-up-and-casting-out.html

“Kingdom Love: Confronting The Empire!”   http://freeingprisoners.blogspot.com/2018/10/kingdom-love-confronting-empire.html

Good morning Uptown. #chicago #uptownchicago (at Uptown, Chicago) https://www.instagram.com/p/BowGrtGHTNT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9vb1kc1op2b9

✨Excited to move to the next stage in this transaction! There’s still plenty of work to be done but if you have an agent who is on the ball, communicates well and works cooperatively with all involved parties- that makes all the difference! Next stop- Inspection, Attorney review and co-op association approval! ✔️ Please reach out if you are thinking of making a move- I am never too busy to talk real estate! 😊 [email protected] 312-493-5430 #realestate #chicago #broker #atproperties #atpropertieschristies #chicagorealestate #coopliving #realtor #realestatetips #andersonvillechicago #uptownchicago #lovewhereyoulive (at Andersonville, Chicago, Il) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck4CQnMPAqa/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Montrose Harbor #montroseharbor #lake #harbor #lake #lakemichigan #lakenights #naturephotography #naturephotographylover #nightphotography #uptownchicago https://www.instagram.com/p/ClEWhQ3uhK-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Pizza Puff and Chicken Wings . @baddabingwings #baddabingwings #badabing #badaboom #chicagowings #pizzapuff #chickenwings #fughettaboutit #uptownchicago (at BadaBing Wings) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjB5sMuLjRo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

somehow evening stole the moments from gray skies to mist up those skies :) light spring breeze totally made us happy with golden moments and sweet sunshine and with a misty horizon :) #Chicago #Skyline #ChicagoSkyline #Pretty #Evening #Golden Moments #Spring2021 #May2021 #HappyMonday #LovelyEvening #GoldenMoments #UptownChicago #LongShadows #LakeMichigan #EveningWalk (at Chicago Skyline) https://www.instagram.com/p/CO_28oDp4bf/?utm_medium=tumblr

Businesses in the Argyle area of Uptown has been hit especially hard, both from the challenges of the pandemic and discrimination against the Asian community. To support local businesses in the area and @celebrate.argyle , @brett81014 and I biked to Uptown yesterday and bought as much as we could from as many small businesses as possible. Our first stop was @tao.chicago for some bubble tea! I got the dragonfruit passion tea with mango bursting boba and Brett got the kiwi tea with kiwi bursting boba. Both were amazing and perfectly refreshing after the bike ride! I love the Argyle area and it was great spending the day supporting local Asian-owned businesses- I highly encourage anyone in Chicago who hasn’t spent time up there to check it out! . . . #bubbletea #bubbletealover #boba #fruittea #stopasianhate #supportlocal #tea #tealover #icedtea #passionfruit #dragonfruit #kiwi #burstingboba #argyle #argylechicago #uptown #uptownchicago #weekend #asiaonargyle #chicago #chicagodrinks #bestofchicago #fruit #summer #spring #springtime (at Argyle Street, Uptown.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNP4DLGBbQg/?igshid=1t7kbc534hdc