I started running, and so I've started getting fatter. The paradoxical effect a result of a dramatic increase in appetite and calories in, not completely offset by the increase in calorie use.
But, there are health benefits to this new obesity. Like an increased desire for fresh fruit, for one. My roommate Tony has this appliance that's really been facilitating this. A "magic bullet". It's a super-convenient mess-free inverted blender. Sort of tough to explain beyond that the blending cup and the serving cup are one and the same.

Also facilitating my fresh produce consumption has been my discovery of the Latino-oriented Cermak Produce just south of my house. 15 full-size limes for 99 cent. Total. And that's just one of many fabulous deals. Stay away from cereals and soy milk though. These aren't such a bargain.

Been debating with the roommates about the name of the actual neighborhood we live in. What's in a name? Errbody's got their own stake it seems. Who knew it was so contentious? Real estate drives a lot of it. And ethnic/class identity. Beyond that mess, Chicago itself is hopelessly confusing.

History has it that in the twenties University of Chicago parceled the city up into 75 community areas. Based as they were in academia, these parcels were rather arbitrary and many were unrelated to the divisions between the actual neighborhoods they encompassed. Their dubious origins the least of their weaknesses, the urban demographics of Chicago have changed a LOT in the last ninety years. The community areas remain in common usage but can often seem rather meaningless.

Then there are the wards- larger, and non-contiguous with the community areas. Finally, the Catholic parishes divide many Northside communities into smaller units. During my 3 week stay further North, I was in St. Ben's. Here on Mozart St.- no idea. Oh, did I mention zip-codes?

The friendly roommate debate centers around three names: Logan Square, Bucktown and Humboldt Park. In the "Humboldt Park" of common usage we are indeed residents. This common usage area extends from Armitage Ave. in the North to Chicago Ave. in the South, Western Ave. in the East to Pulaski Ave. in the West.

However, in some ways 'Humboldt Park' is an ethnic/class identifier, and everything East of California now feels a lot more like Bucktown or even extended Wicker Park than it does like Humboldt. And I'm certain a majority of the residents in the Eastern swath would jump to distance themselves from Humboldt. Further, the official "Humboldt Park" community area #23 differs from the area of common usage, and is actually much further West. As an illustration of the ridiculous nature of the community area classification system, the Eastern border of the official Humboldt Park #23 is Humboldt Ave/Sacramento Ave. This avenue bisects the grassy Humboldt Park Park itself into two neat halves, meaning that half of the park itself is unincorporated in the community area of the same name.

Truth will prevail.