Jen (wife and other half of Shawnimals) and I were talking about Chicago recently, and as the discussion went on we both acknowledged that Chicago is really a pretty terrible place to live, but yet we feel a lot of pride for this city. We know others feel the same way. What’s up with that?

Basically the discussion started with the ongoing statistics and data that pops up about Chicago in the news. Things like the recent Fenger high school beating, Chicago being ranked 3rd for most toxic US city, the political scandals, the ridiculous sales tax, and taxes in general, not to mention the murder rate and gang violence. Then there’s the winters.

It’s enough to bring you to tears, or at least tear out your hair. Looking at all of this, you have to wonder: Why would anyone in their right mind live here? I’ve tried hard to figure this out to no avail.

So are we crazy? Is that it? We’re all simply delusional, or in denial, about this terrible place we just can’t bring ourselves to leave.

Or is it that despite all of these terrible things we manage to remain optimistic? Are people really nice deep down inside, and want things to be better, but are secretly lazy? I don’t really have an answer, but I do like it here – even in the Winter.

I just can’t shake the feeling that I may be crazy.