The stomach steps into the spotlight

The human body has 78 or 79 organs depending on which Google result you choose to go with. But only five of them (brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver) are deemed vital. That has to be a discouraging feeling to be the stomach or the small intestine. The heart shows up in a Ferrari. The brain... Read more »
By Chris O'Brien,
today at 6:25 am • 

I wasn't ready to love Toy Story 4

I wasn't ready to love Toy Story 4
I don’t remember much from 1995, but I do remember seeing the original Toy Story. I remember the scene when Buzz Lightyear showed up in Andy’s room for the first time. I remember, “To infinity… and beyond!” Or how about that first “flying” sequence when he bounced off the famous Pixar ball, did the loopty loop on the... Read more »
By Chris O'Brien,
July 15, 2019 at 7:23 am • 

Medium Rare turns 250: Five things I've learned from five years of blogging

Medium Rare turns 250: Five things I've learned from five years of blogging
On July 13th, 2014, I published my first Medium Rare blog post right here on ChicagoNow. Since that time, I’ve written 249 posts ranging from philosophy to comedy to whatever bucket you’d put my four-part sandwich saga into. Each time I’ve hit a milestone (100th post, 200th post) I’ve taken a second to reflect on... Read more »
By Chris O'Brien,
July 8, 2019 at 7:54 am • 
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We let sandwich prices get out of control (part 4/finale)

We let sandwich prices get out of control (part 4/finale)
Disclaimer: You don’t have to read these posts in order, but it will make way more sense if you start out with “We let sandwich prices get out of control: Part 1 followed by Part 2 and Part 3.  The basic premise is that sandwich prices have gotten out of control and our only hope to avoid the inevitable $20 price... Read more »
By Chris O'Brien,
June 24, 2019 at 7:02 am • 

We let sandwich prices get out of control (part 3)

We let sandwich prices get out of control (part 3)
Disclaimer: You don’t have to read these posts in order, but it will make way more sense if you start out with “We let sandwich prices get out of control: Part 1.” followed by Part 2. The basic premise is that sandwich prices have gotten out of control and our only hope of avoiding the inevitable $20 price... Read more »
By Chris O'Brien,
June 17, 2019 at 7:08 am • 

We let sandwich prices get out of control (part 2)

We let sandwich prices get out of control (part 2)
Disclaimer: You don’t have to read these posts in order, but it will make a little more sense if you start out with “We let sandwich prices get out of control: Part 1.” The basic premise is sandwich prices have gotten out of control and our only hope of avoiding the inevitable $20 price tag is... Read more »
By Chris O'Brien,
June 10, 2019 at 7:47 am • 
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We let sandwich prices get out of control (part 1)

We let sandwich prices get out of control (part 1)
There was a time in America when eight out of ten people were humming the same song. This tune became a national anthem of sorts and was more popular during it’s prime than the peaks of MMMBop, Who Let the Dogs Out, and I’m Blue (Da Ba Dee Da Ba Die). During this time period, if you were... Read more »
By Chris O'Brien,
June 3, 2019 at 7:03 am • 

Game of Thrones Starbucks cup: Subtle drip marketing at its finest

Game of Thrones Starbucks cup: Subtle drip marketing at its finest
Game of Thrones always takes over the internet, especially on Monday mornings. But last week the headlines weren’t about which characters lived or died, it was all about the Starbucks cup that was “accidentally” left on the table right in front of Daenerys Targaryen.  The producers of the show made an official statement saying this was a mistake... Read more »
By Chris O'Brien,
May 13, 2019 at 7:26 am • 

In praise of the innocent prank

In praise of the innocent prank
Growing up, there were kids who were into sports and kids who were into music. Kids who lived for the four-square game at recess and kids who were off doing their own thing with fake swords and magic spells. But every school, maybe every grade, had at least one kid whose passion was for the... Read more »
By Chris O'Brien,
May 6, 2019 at 7:45 am • 
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Please, take this idea: Traffic Jam and the Push-up Jar

They say you should never shop for groceries when you’re hungry. I think the same warning should apply when writing the “Please, Take this Idea” series. Today I have two food-inspired “appetizers” that I’m combining into one idea feast the same way I used to do at Applebee’s with buffalo wings and mozzarella cheese sticks. The first idea is... Read more »
By Chris O'Brien,
April 29, 2019 at 7:37 am •