The rotation of the Earth has been slowing, Chicagoans.
Fear not, as there's no cause for alarm. In fact, the slowly decelerating spin of our home planet is a natural phenomenon that has been occurring for the past few centuries. There'll be no doom and gloom, we promise. All it means is we're getting an extra second added to our clocks today.
When the clock strikes 23:59:59 tonight, instead of rolling over to July 1 (00:00:00), clocks will advance to 23:59:60. This adjustment is scheduled by our timekeeper overlords every few years. The last appearance of the leap second was just two years ago in June 2012. There have been just three seconds added since 2005.
While the added second to the world's clock may cause a few technical glitches for websites, computer systems and chronologists alike, for us laypeople it's time to relax and enjoy the finer, more bite-sized gems that make Chicago great.
Here's our suggestions:
1. Take a bite of Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza.
2. Test the waters and dip a toe in Lake Michigan.
3. Take a shot of Malört.
4. Puke Malört.
5. Reenact Home Alone.
6. Gaze dreamily at the beautiful Chicago skyline.
7. Sip a late-night coffee from Dark Matter, Intelligensia, Metropolis or other best Chicago coffee shops.
8. Read a line from one of Chicago's best books, like Saul Bellow's The Adventures of Augie March (Find a copy at one of Chicago's best bookstores).
9. Bang your head like it's Wayne's World.
10. Try to identify a one-second clip from one of the best Chicago albums of all time.
11. Light up some tobacco and a pipe from Chicago's oldest family tobacconist, Iwan Ries & Co.
12. Order a CHEEZBORGER at Billy Goat Tavern.
13. Sample one of the best summer session beers available in Chicago.
14. Learn why Illinois had a record-breaking month of June.
15. Discover the cutest dog from Chicago's huge puppy gathering at Soldier Field.
16. Slide across the floor in your socks like you're in Risky Business.
