mizChartreuse || redefiningSuccess

Dear Potential Roommate, The Pilsen neighborhood of the lower west side of Chicago is one that is up and coming. If you know how to apartment search properly, you’ll find huge spaces for ridiculously low rent.  I live in one such apartment–four bedrooms, LOTS of living space. There is one bathroom (which is never an [...]

[Read more →]

“Psst. Hey. Do you smoke?” A 19-year-old black guy asked me one night on the Green Line from Oak Park to Chicago. It was finals week; I was heading home from a night class. That week I was consumed with hating everyone and everything, not really wanting to talk to anyone, so I sat in [...]

[Read more →]

Due to crazies, stalkers, psychos, fatties, weirdos, and long-distance bill collectors, I have changed my phone number numerous times over the past several years and am quite selective about to whom I give my digits. This is why I was quite confused to one night receive a text message that said: “What up dis shontice [...]

[Read more →]

It’s 2 a.m. at your friend’s house. The place is silent; most of the dwellers asleep.  Would you walk into the bathroom when clearly the light is on within and the water is splashing into the sink? Seriously? I mean, come on.  That just happened to me. No knock, just the slow opening of the [...]

[Read more →]

  Really, I love the Irish. They drink like champions. They’re loving, welcoming, and funny. Close family friends are called aunts, uncles and cousins, much like it works in African families. 

[Read more →]