Media portrays warped image of women’s value

Written by Abi Humber Tuesday, 08 May 2012 14:57

Since moving to Chicago and becoming politically active, I realize some of my readers may have grown to see me as “Pastor Stephen’s daughter-gone-rogue”—the tattooed city girl with multiple facial piercings who sure seems like a liberal and might even be a feminist.

Well, I’ll let you know up front. That’s all true.

In the words of Rebecca West, an author from the early 1900s, “I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.”

It may seem I’ve changed dramatically since living in Hills­boro, and I suppose that may be the case. For what it’s worth, though, I still see myself as the...

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Future is an undecided option for this student

Written by Abi Humber Tuesday, 24 April 2012 15:49

Lately, I’ve been feeling pretty dramatic about my future. Big surprise, I know.

I’ve reached my mental capacity from considering the vast array of options that exist, then reached my emotional capacity after coming to terms with the fact that none of those options particularly interest me.

This crushing disappointment has led to an intense, ongoing inner monologue:

“Has my entire college career been a huge waste? Should I have gone a totally different direction...like maybe tried to live in some African jungle, riding elephants and learning to make soup from tree bark...or something?”

“Of course not,” I tell myself, “There are way too many spiders in the jungle. Big ones, too.”

But should I have come to North Park...

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It’s so easy to succumb to our material world

Written by Abi Humber Tuesday, 10 April 2012 15:04

Until about a week ago, I found myself with a massive amount of disposable income (three jobs, no bills) and have been basking in the luxuries of a really, really, materialistic life.

New shoes from Steve Madden’s spring line? Sure! Impromptu shopping spree at Forever 21 just because I can? Why not! Extravagant West Coast trip without a budget? What a brilliant idea!

My daily commute to work brings me through some of the coolest neighborhoods in Chicago, filled with unique shops just bursting at the seams with stylish clothing, vintage records and kitschy figurines. In my mind, an unlimited amount of stuff I must have.

Inside these stores, I used to browse aimlessly until I found something to buy: knick-knacks that (insert...

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Commuting by bike is challenging in Chicago

Written by Abi Humber Tuesday, 27 March 2012 14:51

Ten Things I Never Knew About Bike Commuting in Chicago Until They Happened To Me:

No. 1: Rush hour on Lake Shore Bike Path is just as insane as rush hour on Lake Shore Drive.

Bicycles may not be two-ton death traps, but the cyclists are weaving in and out among the other bikers and rollerbladers, trying to speed ahead just as much as the cars are.

The situation is worse in the summertime when you add drunken beach bros to the picture—huge groups of oblivious, sunburned juiceheads trying to cross the path to the beach while cyclists are zooming to work.... Bad news.

No. 2: Cyclists are as big of jerks as car drivers.

This is a continuation of No. 1. Car drivers cut each other off and, yeah, it’s annoying, but it’s probably not...

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