My kind of town Chicago is.

Whenever I hear people speak of Chicago who are tourists it always makes me chuckle a bit, because I can't imagine what Chicago must look like for those seeing it for the first time. I live amongst 9 million individuals some have spent their entire lives here others have immigrated or moved to this magnificent city (we do have magnificent mile after all here). I have lived here my entire life. I guess I always took advantage of the fact that I reside in such a marveled and beloved city to this country. New York and LA may have more numbers than us, but Chicago is a clean and beautiful city full of decent people. We are the infamous gangstas' of this country and we are proud to be Chicagoans. I realized today that I'm just about as Chicago as Chicago can get. I suppose I embody this city and what we stand for. No, I don't embody the silly little corrupt government aspect, but I reflect other pieces of it.

Like any typical major city there is a dire need to be fashionable. I enjoy flashy things and love to keep up with fashion styles. You don't need a ton of money to look good either! I can craft an outfit with accessories for super cheap thanks to target and other. I absolutely love staying busy and love the rush of the city. I feel like people in Chicago (not all), but many are go getters. We take pride in hard work and I'm certainty not afraid to work hard. I work two jobs and am going for a masters, but not to torture myself. To prove to myself that I capable and I can work hard. I'm no gangsta, but here in Chicago we have so many sub cultures! One that I feel close with is the punk culture (especially Irish Punk). As a teenager I was lost without my music and concerts and seeing local bands just made my heart melt. When I was in Arizona at the Street Dogs concert and Flatfoot 56 it was crazy to see how different people act there vs. here in Chicago. At punk shows here we like to beat on each other and go crazy at concerts. One minute there's a huge pit and the next amazing grace is playing and we are arm in arm enjoying life with one another. I just love how diverse this city is. Sure sometimes I wonder why my parents would want to raise a family in such an overpriced, crazy, busy, and hectic city! Then I think about it and I see tourists and their awe of the city and I remember my awe's when I was a little girl going to the aquarium with my parents and walking along lake shore drive looking at the skyline. I imagine that is why people struggle in New York and L.A. We are proud of our cities and remember our awe's so the suffering at times is worth it.

People also assume that because I am a city girl I am afraid to enjoy the simple things in life that I am a materialistic stuck up little creature. This is so far from the truth. I am not stuck up, I will not judge you, and I love all people. I am not afraid to get rugid and dirty. I love the outdoors and camping. My dad and I were sitting sipping on our nice hot drinks during this fall weather and discussing life per usual. I expressed my need to have a man who isn't afraid of the outdoors and who frequents being outside and camping. I love camping and being one with nature. Industrialization I believe made us forget to appreciate how beautiful this world is and how blessed we are to have Earth. My cute friend chuckled at me the other night and said that I was an environmentalist. It's kind of true. We are slowly destroying the gift that has been given to us. This is our home and we need to respect it. I also love fishing and I love living in the Midwest. For those who believe the Midwest is flat this is untrue! Sure we don't have mountains, but we have hills that are gorgeous. We have so much water here in the Midwest and it's fresh! None of that salty stuff that makes you feel weird after swimming in it and there's no sharks! We are the farming capital here and our cornfields are the coolest part of having fall and a harvest.

This fall has been incredible thus far I have no idea where I am going with this post quite honestly. Just a need to vent on my love for Chicago. I've been doing what I want to lately and it feels great. I think it's what I have needed for myself. I need to learn to do things for myself and not listen to others. I have lived in fear and really limited myself for the past couple years. I could blame someone else for all the submissive behavior I have grown accustomed too, but that would be unfair because ultimately it has been me who has limited myself. Sure, we are influenced by others and what occurs in our lives I acknowledge this. As someone who frivolously studies communication and human behavior I understand just how influential socialization is on our everyday experience and our personal growth in life. Though I respect and acknowledge this I realize just the person I have become.

"Women must make a name for themselves if we do not fight to do so we will never be taken seriously. Men believe that they can outwit us, out exert themselves, and outdo us in nearly everything. Women are just as capable if not more capable. We must suffer great pains and we have the ability to give birth. We see the world through an emotional lens and often hurt just as much as those that are hurting. Women are the definition of strength and for men to denounce that and objectify us we allow them to control our strength. They fear us this is why they ultimately suppress our voices. This is why when women began to stand up for themselevs they were deemed witches and killed of. This is why in modern day women are seen as nothing more than sexual objects that are easily manipulated. This is why young girls feel like they HAVE to have a boyfriend and without one they are nothing. Little do they know they are something. They are a force that is to be reckoned with and if given the chance they could do such great things."

Part of one of my feminist rants... Yes that is my writing. I do believe this and I do believe that behind every great man there is a great woman. Look at Eleanor Roosevelt (my personal hero) her husband was a wonderful man who did so many great things for this country, but she was just as great if not more great. She is an example that all women should follow. We need not be afraid to say we are feminist and that we believe in women's rights and equality. We should not believe that sex will sell us. These pop stars sicken me, because they are brainwashing our youth into believing they need to be a certain way to be accepted by men. Not all men are like this women. For everyone don't be afraid of being who you are and loving the person you are. If you don't love yourself no one will and if you don't work everyday to better yourself you won't be a better person. You are in control of your own life. You can do as you wish and you need to. Live life how you wish to live it because you only get one chance here on Earth. Enjoy the beautiful world and the simple things. Don't say no all the time (take the movie yes man as an example) try new things you wouldn't normally try and experience. You might be surprised how much you discover about yourself.

Love always,
The girl of random rants Alexis Zoe