Chicago is a city of neighborhoods and neighborhood bars. Every neighborhood has a name. Every neighborhood bar is like Cheers. People go there because the folks inside, especially the bartender, knows their name. Names are important. They’re the first words we know about ourselves and each other.
When I think of my favorite neighborhood bar, I can’t separate it from the folks who are always there. Over time the people grow and change. Some days all one bartender can talk about is his camera. Other days all he can think of is sports. That’s who he is. That’s part of what makes him interesting.
We have personal jokes. He knows some of what I like. I can tune in. I can have my beverage and hardly talk to him at all. There was a time when he was not a happy guy. He’s a friend. You ride it out. Everyone has phases. . . .
It’s a well-known fact that I think of my blog as my father thought of his saloon. But in one way it can’t be the same. Saloons don’t have RSS feeds.
What difference does that make?
When I change focus for a while — you might do it too, or you might not, but we know I always will — readers can decide the new direction is not their “beverage of choice.” That’s cool. That’s only right. I do the same thing — with the blogs I read, not with the people in my life.
In life when my friends shift gears, I often come back to see what they’re doing later. Most often what I find is that we have plenty in common still. Yet when a blog has changed direction, it’s felt more permanent. I hardly ever go back. I’m rethinking that today.
Over the next week or two, I’m going to check in on blogs I used to read. It will be like visiting the old neighborhood bar to see who’s still there. I’m looking forward to it.
I think I might find some nice surprises. What do you think? What’s your experience? Do you ever go back to the old neighborhood?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!! Liz understands how people think.
Hi Liz,
Never really had an old neighborhood to go back to, not in real life anyway since my father was a Methodist minister and we moved about every three years. But it’s becoming quite amazing that I have a thought one morning that turns into an action and then I pop over hear and look what you post.
I felt like I had left the “neighborhood” that originally surrounded my own blog, as if I were off on somebody else’s path and not my own. So in a way this morning, I returned the blog (in a matter of speaking) back to the “old neighborhood” where it started off from. It’s still a different layout of course but the “feel” is back and the little guy has resumed his place on the river bank, staring at his reflection.
So, you weren’t kidding when you said you were inside my computer were you? Oh, and by the way…Yesterday I upgraded the memory and power supply in old reliable…it wasn’t quite as clean in there as you described. 😀
Hi Kirk!
That’s so cool! I get jazzed every time I hear about that blogger synchronicity. Yeah! I see that you put back your original header with the little guy by the river. It does make for an entirely different feel . . . more “category of one,” more relaxed, more in keeping with the title, especially how you spell it.
I was doing fine inside your computer. But it’s cool that you upgraded. That’s always fun!
Hi Liz,
Thanks for taking a peek. It’s the way the blog started off and I felt like I had gotten off the beaten track. I suppose you have to go exploring sometimes just so you realize where you’re supposed to be, right? (I believe that made sense) 😀
Yes, Kirk, it made beautiful sense. And it was just what I needed to hear. 🙂
thanks for that.
Go figure 😀
Kinda’ cool monopolizing one of your posts comment section. It’s like having you all to myself. 😀
Liz!
You bring back some of my fondest memories!
I was travelling from Clemson, SC to ‘Frisco years ago by Amtrak and there was a 4-hour stop at the Union Station in Chicago.. had to change trains. So I took a long walk up the street to the Sears Tower… I had it all planned, in fact.
It was around noon, and I hopped into a tiny little bar for a quick beer… and oh yes, it was so typical of Cheers … the decor and the buzz… lol
I spent about an hour in the glass covered lobby on the 108th floor … the skies were clear, and I could so far out… they said you could see up to three different states. Consumed a whole roll of film … still have ’em…
I know I’m rather off topic here, but couldn’t help remembering the Sears Tower and the mug of lager in that cozy little bar… 🙂
Cheers! 🙂
thanks, Kirk. That makes me feel special.
Hi Zakman,
You got to see the real Chicago. It’s a friendly place where it’s hard not to fit and feel comfortable. I so like it here for that reason. Thanks for sharing that. I’m so smiling to think about it. 🙂
Never had the pleasure of visiting Chicago, but I do know from living in Montreal how a neighbourhood bar can carve a warm niche out of a big fast city. As a blog analogy, this one is right on the money – you’ve inspired me to do a little re-visiting of my own, in fact. Thanks for this.
Hi Jen,
The “invention” of the neighborhood bar is one human triumph so far. When a neighborhood bar is done well, people come together in quiet celebration of each other.
Thank you for thinking my blog goal fits. It’s heartening. 🙂
Hi Liz!
There are blogs I read less often. But I have not had an experience where a blog I was keen on and I took our different paths.
The blogs I no longer read are closed down. I wish I could go back there…
Hi Alina!
oh yeah, I’ve had a favorite blog close it’s doors. I still go back to visit. I still wish it to re-open. I miss the blogger. . . . I wonder whether I’ll ever get to meet him.