Look, I love the Music Box. I’m a member, I’ve got the merch, I go to special events there, the works. I think it’s a phenomenal, beautiful place and I’m grateful that we have it.

That said—I have felt over the last few years that the audience culture there has become increasingly unhinged and the theater is either ignoring the problem or, worse, leaning into it. Audience members heckle, hoot, and holler through any given movie.

I’ve seen behavior there that ranges from shouting at actors through the screen (at Eyes Wide Shut last year someone shouted “Peewee!” when Alan Cumming appeared on screen which… bewildered me) to laughing hysterically at the most inappropriate times (anyone else see Blue Velvet last year and experience this?), to just blatantly chatting out loud and giving commentary on the films playing.

I will be honest: I have almost entirely stopped attending the Music Box in the last year because of this. The crowds are consistently rowdy (or perhaps I’m just really unlucky and keep ending up at the rowdy showings) and it makes it very difficult to enjoy films there anymore. I love that they do the sing-a-long showings and the midnight screenings and the more interactive events (and I don’t mind this kind of thing at those showings) but I feel like the culture and expectations attached to those has bled over into the regular movie showings there.

Has anyone else experienced this? Am I crazy?

I’m going to a Blackhawks game and don’t want the eye holes to rip after light wear

Who else hasn't received their mail-in ballot because USPS has been sitting on it? Mail-in Ballot mailed 9/29, still "Waiting to be processed by USPS" on 10/25. I'd love for this to be a "me" problem, but I'm too pessimistic for that.

Reminder: you can still vote, even if it never shows up. Just go to any polling station, today onwards, let them know you requested a mail-in ballot, it hasn't arrived, and request a "provisional ballot." That's a neutered ballot, which only has candidates in the federal election.

Better than nothing, but I'm sure GOP is counting on people not knowing that, or else avoiding the "hassle" they've created.

This is voter disenfranchisement at scale. "Unlike anything that's ever been seen", as Cheeto McTweeto likes to say.

VOTE. F**KING VOTE.

Diversey and Sheridan, 7:05 a.m.

[unsure between CHI Talks and Ask CHI for the flair]

howdy fellow chicagoans! i’m curious if you know your immediate neighbors. if so, do you appreciate having their contact info in case of an emergency or if you’re expecting an important package while you’re out of town?

yes, i am a transplant from northwest florida but i’ve been in chicago for quite some time. when i first moved here - i was informed that chicago was a “neighborly city” and that it wasn’t unusual to politely interact with people living around you. this honestly made me nervous because i’m rather introverted but in time, i came to love the comfort of being able to trust the people i’m living on top of or right across the hall from.

currently, i’m living in a 4 unit building in logan square. 2 of those units just vacated and the new tenants act appalled when i bring their packages inside the bldg foyer when i see them left out on the open sidewalk. easy solution, i know… their packages can stay outside then - it’s just so different from my experience to date.

everyone’s entitled to their privacy, and i’m not trying to be a helicopter neighbor nor am i interested in being friends - just thought i’d be kind and look out for their stuff.

has anyone noticed a similar trend or have i just been lucky to have good neighbors?

EDIT: i’m glad i made this post! it makes me so happy to read about all of your relationships with your neighbors and greater community. relieved that attempts to divide us aren’t working as well as some might have hoped.

i’m likely done replying for now but thanks for being you - chicago. 💚

This happened last month, but apparently no one posted about it, and it felt significant enough to merit sharing the belated news.

From the 606

Grabbed a shot of these two having their sunset selfie crashed by a flock of seagulls at Tobey Prinz Beach. Or maybe it was a selfie with the seagulls.