No Need for Shades
 

Is Wildman's future that bleak? I thought they were essentially sound, but not really fixed for growth.

No Need for Shades
 

I think that's right, but I think other firms may take this as an opportunity to poach some of the better groups, with medium to long term disasterous results for the firm.

Fagel Haber
 

Anybody got any insights?

WORLD CHAMPS!!!!
 

Victory Parade Route Announced...
 

The White Sox Victory Parade will start on Addison, turn right onto Clark, right on Waveland and right on Sheffield...










(kidding... for you out of towners that's the block around Wrigley Field) Real parade is on LaSalle St.

Victory Parade Route Announced...
 

But it won't go North of Madison.

Victory Parade Route Announced...
 

Much as I like the Sox, the fans all over the Loop today annoyed the hell out of me trying to get to work... they were just milling around and moving very slowly.

Also, I have to admit it's a bit mullet-tastic down here today.

Victory Parade Route Announced...
 

Tragically, this is Not True. They made it all the way up to Wacker, and parked.

I'm over it. Seriously, they need to shut the hell up. And what was the deal with that low flyover by the jet(s?) followed immediately by explosions on the ground? What is this, Bagdad?

Victory Parade Route Announced...
 

DOn't ask me. As soon as I heard the parade was on LaSalle, I decided to work from home today.

Victory Parade Route Announced...
 

I can't believe I had a dep in Park Ridge during the parade. DAMNIT!

Victory Parade Route Announced...
 

Cubs fan? Or just trying to piss you off?

Victory Parade Route Announced...
 

Well, unless you're logging in from somewhere besides the office, I'd say you got back in plenty of time to catch the excitement.

Since it's still a little hard to hear on the phone because of the damn honking.

Victory Parade Route Announced...
 

I tried to pass it off on a Cubs colleague...

I heard the parade was awesome.

Victory Parade Route Announced...
 

I got back to the office around 1:30. I was listening to it on the radio. By the time I parked, it was winding down.

Victory Parade Route Announced...
 

All I can say is the fireworks that started when Steve Perry was singing were the Best-timed Fireworks Ever.

Victory Parade Route Announced...
 

Is it no longer a joke? I thought it was a joke.

Victory Parade Route Announced...
 

It is, but Steve Perry doesn't know it yet. Shhhh....

Dude, you missed a lot today. Lots of important news, like the Libby indictment and Mr. Sulu of Star Trek fame, admitting he, like many of his fans, hasn't been with a woman.

Victory Parade Route Announced...
 

That's exactly what I thought. You gotta give the guys credit for keeping (semi) straight faces.

Housing Market
 

What do we think? I'm very close to buying a place in Lakeview - I think it's a great deal (compared to surrounding sales in the area). It's not new construction, and actually needs some work (which I like). Moreover, it's not a stepping-stone place; I plan to stay there for at least five years.

The Lakeview market is in no danger of moving drastically in any direction, right?

Housing Market
 

Boys Town is very stable. We are all looking forward to pictures of you in chaps (and nothing else) in front of your lovely new home. Um, from the back, please.

Housing Market
 

Not quite in Boystown, but it's not a bad a idea to follow the gays - their flowers/yards are fabulous, which increases the vaule of the entire neighborhood.

You want a picture of my ass? Why didn't you just ask?

Housing Market
 

*sniff* I miss Chicago. Uh, except for the weather. And the lack of any sunshine whatsoever.

Your ass in chaps, baby.

Truth to tell, I know nothing about housing prices in Lakeview. I rented, and it was a long time ago.

Housing Market
 

2. I live in Montrose in Houston, and the yard of the month competition can be cutthroat. Note: never cut your gay next-door-neighbor's vines.

I bought this book for Christmas for my sister who lives in the Mission District in San Francisco. It's sort of a look at bohemian neighborhoods and it focuses specifically on Wicker Park in Chicago. I may end up stealing it from my sister.

Housing Market
 

If it's in "West Lakeview" (i.e., around Ashland or Damen) then it's a strong growth area that's really only in the early stages of gentrification. That makes the five-year appreciation potential huge. Negatives are you might not want to do much walking around at night until you get a good feel for the neighborhood, and there is not nearly as much public transtportation. My brother lives near Barry and Damen and he drives downtown because it would be over an hour commuting by bus to the el.

Housing Market
 

I think we get a decent amount of sunshine. Of course, it's 12 degrees right now, so who really cares.

I'll PM you a picture of my chapped ass.

Housing Market
 

It's unbelievable how much better a well-landscaped 12x12 front yard makes a street look, especially when they are all beautiful.

Housing Market
 

Not quite that far west. In fact, it's on Racine.

Housing Market
 

Then you're pretty much golden. Housing prices will drop in that area about the same time Thurgreed does NFH. And posts about it.

No, but if it does it'll be up rather than down.

Cool. Thanks.

I wanted to buy in a more up-and-coming area, but that's b/c I can walk anywhere at night w/out really being worried. Sequels cannot.

When I got here a year ago, theoretically with hip young family in tow, Lakeview was the neighborhood the agent I was working kept pointing me to, despite it being kind of outside his normal region (which was Lincoln Park, the area one of the partners thought would be "just perfect" fro me - apparently under the mis-impression that my firm pays associates $300,000 a year).

So if you're looking for a fairly safe neighborhood that is moderately hip but will transition you into early parenthood (if that's in your future), you're probably in the right place.

I don't really care about hip. I really just need safe and somewhat quiet (but not the suburbs). River North aint that quiet.

When I say "hip," I mean that there's interesting stuff to do around. There are some decent places to eat around there; some nice shops, etc.

As for River North, tell me about it.

Housing Market
 

Not that this matters to Coltrane, but South of Belmont and west of the tracks, this may be true, but from Belmont to Irving Park, Ashland to Western, the gentrification is nearly complete. Teardowns on my block have recently crossed the $500k barrier. And "West Lakeview" has been almost completely supplanted by Roscoe Village and St. Ben's/North Center for those neighborhoods. Haven't heard of anyone having any problems walking around at night in the last 4 or 5 years other than the stuff you get anywhere on the northside.

South of Belmont, while I know people who live there happily with kids, I wouldn't buy yet because of (i) the still crummy neighborhood elementary school and (ii) the proximity of the Lathrop Homes. I just don't understand spending $400k+ on a condo or $800k+ for a house directly across the street from a large-ish public housing project that isn't going away. But hey, it's their money.

In any case, 2 (or 4 or whatever) on not worrying about a value crash for property on/near Racine--especially since you aren't buying the most expensive place on the block, you can count on it staying ahead of the market as a whole.

Actual Salary News...
 

Certain Chicago firms have begun bumping 1st year salaries to $135k from $125k, after almost 6 years of stagnation.

Lollapalooza 2006 Early Info.
 

Press conference held today to announce Lollapalooza 2006:

Lollapalooza will double in size when it returns to Grant Park next summer on a bigger playing field that will stretch from Hutchinson Field to the Petrillo Music Shell, organizers announced Monday.

The rock festival said it will schedule 130 artists to play eight stages over three days, Aug. 4-6. Lineups will be announced beginning in March.

Rumors are Smashing Pumpkins may reunite to headline the event.

More to come...

Lollapalooza 2006 Early Info.
 

Hmm. Lollapalooza has been good to me. I may have to return to Chicago for round two.

Housing Market
 

For those of us doing plaintiff's work, how do you get into the projects?

Housing Market
 

It's harder than you think. Bush's compassionate conservatism has led to a real tightening of the standards.

Lollapalooza 2006 Early Info.
 

The Trib. website is reporting that the Red Hot Chili Peppers will be one of the headliners.