Cross Items Off Your Life Long To-Do List

March 16, 2006 @ 1:10 pm · Filed under Chicago, See, Do, Free, Family, Outdoors, Free

Don’t be ashamed, we all have one.  It doesn’t have to be your dirty little secret.  Because regardless of whether you have an informal list in your head, or a hard copy in your wallet backed up with a Word document, in some way shape or form, you’ve probably got what I like to refer to as the “Life Long To-Do List.”  And while there are certainly a fair number of items on my own personal list that will require me to leave not only Chicago but also the Continental US (spend time with Nepalese Monks for example) there is plenty of ridiculous adventure that awaits you somewhere within the city limits.  And so, here you have a few great places in Chicago that will not only help you cross a few items off your list, but also give you some great party lines (”So, this one time, when I was doing a Trapeze catch!”) and maybe just make you the interesting person you’ve always aspired to be.

 

1.  Learn to Fly

Since attending the circus as a youth, you have no doubt been envying the trapeze artists.  They were second in glory only to the show girl on the unicorn (or, in hindsight the middle aged woman on a white horse with a cardboard cone) who rode around the rings.  Thanks to the tireless work of the Gaona family, you can share in the renown but pass on all that sketchy carnie business.  At the Flying Gaona Gym at 5917 N. Broadway you have the opportunity to learn the craft year round.  In the summer months they hold lessons in various places around the city.   

 

2.  Tempt Fate with Sushi

Any hardcore Sushi afficianado will be sure to gasp in awe if you’re able to say that you had the wherewithal to choke down some Fugu.  This rather rare (especially outside of < ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Japan) form of sushi is made from the blowfish.  If not cleaned properly the fish is deadly.  You can currently get your hands on some at Tsuki in Lincoln Park. 

 

3.  Get Over Your Stage Fright

If you have been harboring a fear of public speaking since your elementary school days, there is no time like the present for getting over it.  And, at the weekly poetry slams at the Green Mill on North Broadway you’ll do it in style.  The hypertrendy club hosts not only the best poetry slam in town, but also the open mic night that happens shortly before the pros go on stage.  Get over your fear, and get bragging rights that you performed at the Green Mill.  Clearly two birds with one stone.

 

4.  Learn a Party Trick Yoga Move

While you may not yearn for the Zen lifestyle, you certainly wish you could be that bendy.  True, some of the more difficult maneuvers might not be safe for beginners, but a life without risk isn’t worth living.  So, pick up a yoga class at a Bikram Yoga Center in Wicker Park.  After a few short sessions you’ll be busting out a Salamba Sirasana before you know it.

 

5.  Learn to Knit while Meeting People your own Age

At the Museum of Contemporary Art something rare happens the first Tuesday of the month.  The tradition is known as Stitch and Bitch, and it is much cooler than it sounds.  You know you’ve always wanted to craft your own winter accessories, and there is no place to learn like from people who have been doing it for years.  Plus, the event Sponsor Target is picking up your drink tab.  You might as well give it a shot.  If yarn work isn’t your thing, at least you’ve got a whole museum worth of art to distract yourself with.

 

Obviously this list is just a starting point.  Chicago is full of perfect places for crossing items off your to-do list, or even for finding new items to add to the list.  Keep it up though, because pretty soon you’re going to be tired of hearing from friends and relative strangers, ”I always wanted to do that!”

 

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