In keeping with the metaphor of cities as lovers, Chicago is the one who, after just a few dates, has serious potential to be my lifelong love. I will always have a passion for New York, but the place is too big for me to wrap myself around. Chicago has diversity and energy and opportunities but on a more convenient scale. I felt I could really get to know Chicago - all its nooks and crannies. In Chicago there is great shopping, fantastic parks and green space, a beautiful waterfront, and a variety of cultural events I was actually interested in. And the city was friendly to visitors but, unlike San Francisco, didn't give me the impression that it had no purpose other than to be an amusement park.

Never has a city caused me to laugh in delight so many times. Like when, near the art institute, I saw a table of chess boards set up on the sidewalk, encouraging people to play, for free, with friends or strangers. And when I watched the chimps do somersaults at Lincoln Park Zoo. And when I discovered the Lily Pool (which is where my new masthead photo was taken). And when I gazed into the city's reflection at Cloud Gate.

Of course, the city's major flaw, which I did not experience, is the freaking COLD. I wouldn't survive one winter. And so, sadly, Chicago and I aren't quite a match made in heaven. But, in all other ways, Chicago is doing everything right to woo me.

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Cloud Gate