I do mean Chicago and not r/chicagor4r. The latter of which had definitely been broken and spammy/scammy for quite some time, but I digress...

Did what happened to this city? Something is socially out of whack and really just hasn't recovered since the pandemic.

Like, places are busy again, the city is hopping. Bars and restaurants are packed. But where is the community? Where is the comraderie? Where is my group of friends? Where are the invites to be social? Where did everyone go? Is everyone just out on tinder dates and avoiding their friends? Did everyone above the age of 28 get married and now every public place is just littered with 24 year olds who just moved here?

I'm so confused. Can't remember the last time a friend even reached out to grab a drink or a bite or to see a show or a movie.

It's not like I'm anti-social or introverted or expecting someone else to do the planning. Quite the opposite, in fact. I've lived here my whole life, know tons of people, manage multiple softball teams all summer, multiple bowling teams all winter, am constantly inviting people to play bar trivia on my few quiet weeknights, and I''m a regular at concert venues and jazz clubs. I have tons of hobbies and I'm constantly organizing and inviting and introducing.

And yet here we are. It's summer in Chicago. So many people out and about. So many things to do. Festivals. Patios. Food. The lakefront. And my phone? Silent. Where are all of the fucking people. A friend told me the other day that they went to see Barbie and Oppenheimer at a theater alone. Two blocks from my place. Um... okay cool. Where was the fucking invite, person I reach out to and invite to things.

Something just isn't clicking right now. Chicago seems broken. Am I a little bitter? Sure. Maybe work sucks? Maybe friends are getting old and drifting away? Maybe I'm a little complacent, a little too comfortable, or a little depressed? Or maybe I'm really just missing a good, consistent, intelligent, available, exciting companion to keep me on my toes, spend time with me, and connect with?

So I know what you're asking yourself. The questions that women always ask, because they "want you to be up front with your intentions". Well, what if my intentions are to find chemistry first and worry about the roadmap later? I know that's a scary concept. Am I looking for something long term? Short term? Just friends? Just physical? We'll that's the thing. I'm open to any and all. I don't believe in closing the door on any outcome as long as it is organic and feels eight. I think it's silly to make up our minds while hiding behind a smartphone screen before we get to know each other and engage with each other face to face like humans.

Let's do this like REAL LIFE, not some shitty anonymous version of tinder, which is literally rotting everybodies brains. Why rule out possibilities? Like if we are a great fit for a relationship then that's excellent. But if we're just getting friend vibes, or summer fling vibes, or cuddle buddy vibes, or one hot/steamy night vibes then THAT'S FINE TOO.

Let's go to some shows, hit some jazz clubs, sit on the lakefront until way after dark, spend late nights on the couch, go out to brunch, stand in line for overpriced ice cream, go kayaking, plan a road trip, make out in a movie theater, etc. I'm open to ideas!

What I am absolutely looking for in a human companion:

Intelligence, curiousity, emotional availability, logistical availability, top notch communication skills, a certain level of maturity, someone with a great smile and knows how to make me smile, but also a major plus if you can empathize with a certain level of depression or loneliness, because I might be those things sometimes.

You can be an introvert or an extrovert. But at least have hobbies, interests and passions. I want to find someone that I can meet up with spontaneously but also plan ahead and spend fun weekends together, or evening activities, or maybe even play hooky with and ditch work together if we're both sick of everything and want to get away for a day.

You need to be in the city (preferably) or the near suburbs. Joliet is not a near suburb. Understand basic geography and transportation. If you're one of those people that don't know what neighborhood you are in, don't take public transit, or don't drive, this is NOT going to work. (Seriously, might sound crazy but a ton of women in Chicago seem to not know how to get out of their house or go anywhere. Blows my mind.)

Please be 18-45. Close to my age or younger preferred but ultimately, age is not a big deal to me if the chemistry is right. Also, don't be a Republican. Science is real, racism is bad, guns kill.

Me: I'm 34M, white, single, college educated, gainfully employed, intelligent, extroverted with a busy social life, play tons of rec sports (mostly softball this time of year), and many hobbies (musician, longboarder, trivia nerd, etc).

I've been single for a long time. I'm unfailingly loyal, emotionally and logistically available, appreciate humor and I'm insanely attracted to intelligence, ambition, and opinions.

Looks wise, I'm totally average. I don't look like Brad Pitt and I don't look like Shrek. 5'9, dark hair, green eyes, beard, muscular/thick/chubbyish.

Let's put it this way, I'm not a boring person. And I'm not the kind of guy most of the people in my life would ever expect to be feeling lonely and on reddit looking for a human connection. But alas, here I am.

If this sounds interesting to you, shoot me a message with some REAL INFORMATION: 1. Your age 2. Your location 3. What you do 4. What about my post seems interesting to you 5. What are some of your hobbies and interests?

I'm straight and looking for women only. No men. No trans. No taken/poly women.