Nothing to see here

I read this somewhere once and copied it down, and can't remember exactly where but it pretty much sums up my (blog, i suppose, instead of book) situation right now;

"Some writers need a while to charge their batteries, and then write their books very rapidly. Some writers write a page or so every day, rain or shine. Some writers run out of steam, and need to do whatever it is they happen to do until they're ready to write again."

And I've run out of steam for now.

Phreakin' Excited for Phish, Sad for Shedd.

Let me just begin this post with a little bit of anger, just to get it out of the way.

WHY IS IT ONLY JUST NOW GETTING HOT OUT? DIDN'T SUMMER START MONTHS AGO?!?!

Phew. So now, where was I. Ah, yes. My Michigan vacation and probably so many other things that haven't been touched on. I will try to begin at the beginning.

So first I spent a week at Camp Michigania, also known as my favorite place in the world (rivaled only by Rothbury). There, I was able to tie-dye, lanyard, polish rocks, sail, shoot & archery, go on a hay-ride, attend an 80's prom, drink around a bonfire, and tan in the sand. In addition to many other moments of hilarity that occurred most likely around a bonfire. I met some awesome people, enjoyed occasional sunny moments, and drank a lot of wine with my parents. I had great times with old friends and old traditions and absolutely am looking forward to next year on Walloon.

Then, I got back to Chicago and realized that it's crunch time, ladies and gentlemen. I have until the end of the month before I get shipped off to live with some new roommates of the parental variety. Unless. The Lorax's stump says it and so does my new apartment lease. Unless I find a job, I'll be moving home. Or into a teepee to live like Eustace Conway, who Elizabeth Gilbert writes about in her 2002 book The Last American Man. He lives off the land, wearing buckskins and making hairbrushes out of porcupines after he's eaten them. Sounds like a pretty lush life, hiking thirty miles a day and drinking spring water straight from a spring. However, my farming skills are pretty sub par, so I've got a lot to learn before I make my move into the mountains.

Sorry, I'm off track. Lollapalooza was this past weekend in Chicago, however, due to high ticket prices and lack of good artists mixed with poor scheduling, I chose not to attend. I did however, catch the URB Aasics after party with special guest Bassnectar. Lorin really threw it down, even when the sub woofer sounded blown. Turns out some idiot had kicked the cables. That party was rocking til around 3a.m. and the open bar really hit the spot.

Since my little brother was in town for Lolla, I got to do some touristy stuff. I got a chance to check out the Shedd Aquarium for the first time since the Oceanarium renovations. I have to say I'm pleased with the new curtain and the lighting, but displeased with the decreased seating and general unhappiness and unwillingness of the oceanarium staff. We arrived for the sea lion show about 20 minutes early to find every entrance blocked by a closed curtain and an unhappy staff member directing us as far away from the oceanarium as possible. Scolded when we tried to peak, or even loiter in hopes of some seats opening up, we didn't get to see the white sided dolphins jump or the sea lions bark. I'm pretty disappointed. Not to mention that later, in order to catch a later show, (that ended up beginning 35 minutes late) we arrived 40 minutes early and ended up waiting a total of over an hour to see a 20 minute show during most of which the trainers were lying to us about the newest performer at the Shedd, an American bulldog, that was actually a pitbull. Overall, I probably won't be spending another $30 to see the new Fantasea show at the end of this summer because it was too crowded, too disorganized and all I really wanted to see was some damn jumping dolphins and maybe a beluga or two. I was pleased to see the otters. They're cute.

After the Shedd lines took so long, we couldn't even make it over to the Field Museum for some pirate fun. Maybe next time, little brother.

Moving on... Tonight our Phriends are back in Chicago! Phish is playing at Toyota Park tonight and even though I'm temping today, I will be there gettin' down and slappin' bags. If you're going, keep an ear out for a Jesus just left Chicago, cause we all know it's coming. The other night at the Gorge Phish played an (from what I hear) awesome rendition of Led Zep's Good Times, Bad Times, so I can only hope for an awesome cover or two from the boys tonight.

For tonight's late night, Kinetic Playground has some awesome acts lined up. Phaded, Big Gigantic, Mr. Blotto-and more. I might be there but I might be too tired. We'll see. For now, stay classy Chicago.

Rothbury > 100-Hour Nap

Just woke up from an 100-hour nap, a week after I returned from the most magical place on Earth. No, I'm not talking about Disneyworld, although that place does have quite a bit of magic going on. I'm talking about Rothbury. The best music festival in the world. According to me and probably everyone else who's ever been there.

Getting there proved to be a little difficult as the traffic got intense getting off the highway and we ended up waiting in one of several lines spread across some grassy areas that probably later turned into camping areas for those arriving late. We finally got in after about an hour (which was surprising, considering the size of ours and surrounding lines) and proceeded to stake out our campsite. Settling in Camp Muskie was nice, a little further than our site last year, but ended up being a great location. Proximity to the frequently cleaned port-a-potties and with some nice neighbors who made breakfast burritos each morning.

Thursday meant Toubab Krewe, Lotus, 2020 Soundsystem, and Break Science, for me at least. Toubab was awesome, as it always is. I'm such a sucker for those African drum influences. Lotus blew me away with an amazing Spiritualize, one of my favorite songs by them, although I do wish they had been performing at the Tripolee Domes instead of the Ranch area. And I guess it's worth mentioning now that the Domes disappointed me with their lack of actual domes. I blame that guy who was climbing on them last year during Lotus/EOTO. Anyways, Break Science was awesome, and had great danceability as he mixed a little dub with some womp womp. Thursday night was also a pretty fantastic reunion seeing as how we'd all made it back to the best place on Earth and you could just feel the energy and excitement pulsating all night long.

Friday the weather was awesome, giving us a little sprinkle of rain with some beautiful sunshine. We spent pretty much all morning preparing for Cheese with all the outfits and glitter we'd brought. but when someone received word that a secret Lotus show was going on in the forest, we booked it there. Since the festival area is a pretty decent walk, we somehow fandangled a free ride on a passing golf cart and were able to wave comfortably at our friends as we passed them by at a rowdy 11 mph. The Lotus show turned out to be awesome. Not only did they play some sweet Lotus tunes in the daylight, but also had Felix from Future Rock and the saxophonist from Big Gigantic on stage as well. All these great musicians were nestled in the trees at a burlesque themed stage. Femi Kuti & The Positive Force was just beginning in the background, so we wandered over there and I got another dose of African influenced drums and some awesome dancers. As the day progressed, we decided to battle our way to the front for String Cheese and did just that. However, there were so many other festivalians that had this same idea that we had to stake out our spot during Damian Marley and Nas's set scheduled right before Cheese. Nas is a little too angry for me and D.Marley's dreads have got to be a real commitment because they reach almost to his knees. I can't even imagine how heavy that must be on his neck.

Anywho, Cheese began their set and I immediately knew why there were over 30,000 people at this festival. The beautiful music, array of balls flopping around above my head combined with the cirque du soleil and hoop dancers left me in awe. Despite loosing my friends after first set and there being tens of thousands of people at the Odeum, I still managed to see the bouncing butterfly held by my girls in the distance. Holding a random object in the air really is the best way to leave no hippie behind.

So after second set, complete with a Desert Dawn, Little Hands, and Way Back Home, my face really did feel melted off... until I heard Chromeo rockin' in the distance. As soon as I heard the first CHROM-E-O, I ran. I ran and danced and danced and ran all the way to Sherwood Court where the two French-Canadians threw it down. I've been a huge Chromeo fan since I first saw them as last years Lollapalooza day show. Thrilled that they were slotted a night show, I opened up the reserves and found some energy not used during the Cheese show and danced my heart out. I must have been dancing like a madwoman because a security guard offered me a playing card with a GT scribbled on the back and invited me to wade through a crowd of several hundred people, wait in line and get on stage for Girl Talks performance that followed Chromeo. While Girl Talk is one of my favorite performers, I weighed the pros and cons of standing in a crowd of strangers to dance on stage and decided it was in my better interest to leave after Chromeo and head to STS9. However, Cheese and Chromeo had plastered a dumb grin on my face and I fell asleep smiling before I could even think about being sucked into Tribe.

Weirdly enough, I woke up at a decent hour Saturday, ready to eat a few breakfast burritos, celebrate our great nation's birthday and get down with The Dead. We started the day with some Railroad Earth and special guest Billy Nershi, who I didn't even notice was on stage (we were sitting behind the sound booth) until someone told me later. At any rate, it was an awesome show. Not as awesome, however, as the 2 Dead sets later that evening. It was a fairy tale evening as the sun set during first set and my friends and I twirled around drinking bagged wine. It almost seemed like we were requesting songs, every time someone around me would say "Man I hope I hear..." it would magically be the next song. Eyes of The World, Shakedown, Another Saturday Night and many more were among those psychically suggested. Although a fireworks show during U.S. Blues was expected and so cliche, I can't say I didn't love it. My mouth was probably open during the whole fireworks show and I might have even eaten a bug or two during that time. I had originally planned to leave The Dead in time to see Pretty Lights, but there was no way I was leaving until The Dead left. So, I missed Pretty Lights and only made it to the STS9 PA set, which ended up not being a PA set at all, to my pleasant surprise.

Sunday really was filled with sun, as I was forced to reapply my sunscreen hourly. While walking to Yonder Mountain String Band, we caught a few moments of Guster. YMSB was awesome, despite the lack of shade and sweltering sun but, we left before Willie graced the stage. Ani DiFranco played some great tunes to a mostly female audience (shocker). When she played a double encore, pretty much everyone was bouncing up and down and spinning around smiling. At Bob Dylan's set there were a increasing amount of naked people, just being free. Nice and breezy for them and obviously a free show for some, judging by the crowd of sleazy looking men holding cameras and camera phones trying to exploit such a carefree group of hippies. Later we headed to Alex B of Pnuma Trio's solo set, followed by Big Gigantic, joined by Murph from STS9. As I fell asleep Sunday night I wanted to click my heels and just stay at Rothbury forever and felt like a little kid that just opened her last present on Christmas day.

Rothbury campgrounds, from above

(Thanks, Jambase.com and Dave Vann for the photo)

Sigh. Post festival depression has never hit me this hard and seriously all I can do (after the 100-hour nap I promise you I NEEDED) is Google Rothbury photo albums and articles in hopes of seeing my smiling face somewhere in the background and reliving those awesome four days. One year til Rothbury 2010!!!

Leasing Agent In Training Today

I never thought this day would come, yet here it is! Today I start training to become a leasing agent.  Now don't get all excited and pee your pants because this isn't quite the permanent solution I was looking for- at least not yet.  As an independent contractor, being a leasing agent might not provide for me as sufficiently as a steady 9-5 so this is just a trial period.  At any rate, wish me luck and I'll let you know how it goes. 

Also something to look forward to is my upcoming recap of Rothbury 09.  I will tell you that I miss it everyday although I don't miss Michigan's swiftly falling nightly temperatures or my tent's ability to make it rain through the rain tarp, but I do miss the crazy folk, awesome music and delicious breakfast burritos.  Don't worry, details (and photos!) are coming.  

I also just recently posted my first guest blog post in Ladies In Waiting, a blog for women in business. You can check it out here.  Enjoy!

The Day The Music Died

Michael, it is sad to see you go.

Your music has been the background to so many of my greatest memories and shows up frequently in the soundtrack of my life. I remember the time when we fell in love.

You will be remembered.

Rothbury Ramblings (7 Days!!!)

Wow, I guess that was over a week ago that I last posted. Time does fly when you're having fun.  Cue me getting really nerdy but, I wonder if thats what J.J. Abrams had in mind when he made the LOST island like some kind o time machine? Does that make sense? Maybe so, Maybe not. I'll bet those who talk to me IRL know how addicted to LOST I am these days, even though I'm about four years late. Boone and I recently took up the full time job of watching LOST from beginning (Season One, Episode 0) until the end (or at least those available on abc.com).  Anywho- He & I are only about a few episodes into season four, so don't spoil it for me! 

NOW, where was I? AH yes. Phish! Phantastic! So sunny and steep and spectacular. They played some of my wish list and some that I hadn't even thought to put ON my wish list. I really liked that they were up to their old tricks with the trampolines at Saturday's show.  I also lost it when Trey brought out THIS during Frankenstein on Sunday. Saturday's Bathtub Gin just made my heart melt and filled me with warm fuzzies.  Now I really can't wait til Toyota Park! 

Up next on my plate, other than (seriously, this time for real) finding a job, is Rothbury Music Festival in Rothbury, MI.  Last year's fest was life-changing and I only imagine this years will be no different.  Or at least a rockin' good time.  Plus who can say no to a String Cheese dance party coupled with a Dead performance? Not to mention the STS9 PA set that I'm (guilty!) totally looking foward to. I would also be borderline lying if I didn't mention how insanely pumped I am to see Chromeo again, and a night set, no less! Last year's Lollapalooza's set was awesome, but during the day when it was hot and dusty. I could go on for hours about the multitude of reasons I'm pumped for Rothbury. Sherwood Forest: a magical glow forest filled with hammocks. Tripolee Domes: probably the best outdoor venue set-up I've ever experienced and certainly the only to feel like you're indoors and out at the same time. (Tripolee Domes is also consequently the same place I fell in love with both EOTO and Lotus last year.) SO, if you haven't yet gotten a chance to look into it, you should. www.rothburyfestival.com.

   Sherwood Forest, in all it's glow-ry. Ha, ha. 

Wow, that really looks like some shameless advertising, but I promise you it's not. And yes, I do have a countdown going in my kitchen if you were wondering. 7 days!!!!

Just Another Merchandise Mart Monday

Today, the tempventures continue.  I have been placed at KimballOffice, during NeoCon, the world's trade show. Or really, what seems to be a gathering of office furniture designers. My job? Answer a phone that may or may not actually be connected to anything because it has failed to ring yet.  Not that I'm complaining about being paid to surf the internet or anything.  

In an attempt to keep myself boredom free without napping under the desk, I'm going to revisit my weekend and recount the memories.  Voila! Enjoy!

Friday, I was able to see a friend perform at the Chicago Blues Festival in Grant Park.  Fernando Jones and the Columbia College Blues Ensemble performed on the Mississippi Juke Joint Stage and was pretty fantastic.  Nothing like a little Al Green to loosen up my carpel tunnel.  I found it humorous that a list of prohibited items included illegal substances alongside coolers, alcohol and  dogs. 

As a lover of all things covered in barbecue sauce, I attended Chicago's Ribfest this past weekend.  Also attending Ribfest was the entire rest of Chicago, successfully morphing the street festival into a standing-room-only situation.  After tasting several of Chicago's best rib samplers, I found the best ribs in the city.  Mrs. Murphy's & Sons Irish Bistro offered hands down the best ribs of the day.  Many ribs were falling off the bone, but these were melting off.  So melty and doused in whiskey marmalade barbecue sauce that they required to be eaten with forks.  I definitely went back for more meat when the rest of my friends opted for pina coladas served inside a real pineapple. 

After Saturday struggled to be sunshine-filled without raining or getting too cold, Sunday was beautiful.  Lucky me, to have a friend that not only owns a boat at Montrose Harbor, but also invites me on it! I spent a lazy day floating about with the sunshine skyline in full view and a cold beer in my hand!  Who knew Miller made cans with a top that can be opened, closed, and opened again.  I hardly spilled any beer on myself when we reached our top speed of 12 miles per hour. 

Eventually I ate my weight in hummus and passed out due to the overexposure to sunshine and alcoholic beverages, only to wake up at precisely the time I should have left for the train. Success. 

Mr. Anastasio's Opus

It's day two of my Prudential tempventures and today it is very clear that there were no blinds blocking my view yesterday, but clouds. I was working in the clouds yesterday. So many clouds that I could not see out the windows. I admit I felt pretty silly when hours later I realized that I could not see the tops of Chicago's beautiful skyscrapers due to the days dreary cloudage.

Anywho. The real reason for this quasi-meaningless post is that I recently acquired the new Trey Anastasio solo-ish album, Time Turns Elastic. It's an orchestral composition that is meant to be listened to as a whole, instead of sampling track by track and I'm pretty impressed, despite the fact that Rolling Stone only gave the album 2 and one-half stars coupled with a half-assed review. The 29-minutes in three movements begins with the first composed by Don Hart and then opens into Anastasio's silly, light, and inspirationally introverted lyrics with Landslide. The rest of the tracks give composing credit to both Hart and Anastasio. It's very instrumental and flows "in and out of focus," according to Anastasio's lyrics. I really enjoyed how he coupled the classical orchestra with his electric guitar shredding I'm so fond of. I did a few internet searches of the album to see what Phans on tour are saying, but it seems like most of them are probably busy at Bonnaroo. At any rate, after discussing the album with a phriend, it seems that this is Mr. Anastasio's Opus. With hints of Phish and other Trey songs throughout, this solo album only shares a few recognizable bars and lines from the name-sharing Time Turns Elastic single included on Phish's fourth-coming studio album. I, for one, give it more stars than RS, and would recommend it to a friend or phriends.

Since we're getting so Phishy up in here, I might as well mention that in 8 days I will be seeing my first live Phish shows!!! I can't even fit the amount of exclamation points that this occasion deserves!!!!!! Plus, it's the 23rd birthday of someone very near and dear to me, so that's gonna be crazy too. I'm hoping for a Birds of a Feather, Cities, Contact or really anything from Junta.

Mother Nature Seems To Have Forgotten It's Summer

So here I am, waking up at 6am in order to arrive at my job-de-jour when I realize that even though it's 10 days into June, it's freezing. And raining. And still dark. Finally, I arrive on the 56th floor, slightly damp, only to find that the beautiful view of Millennium Park and the south side has been hi-jacked by some blinds that appear to be powered by some kind of hidden switch. Foiled again.

Irregardless, today calls for reception fun at Prudential Capital Group, and I have to say this is one of my favorite places to temp. It's not the awesome view or the crazy friendly people that work here. It's the fully stocked fridge of unlimited caffeineated sugary beverages. We're talking Mt. Dew, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Diet Coke with lime, Fresca, V8, sparkling water of many varieties, Root Beer, Dr. Pepper AND bagels with cream cheese. There are not many things I enjoy more than a sugary beverage laced with some caffeine. I like how these people think. Why stay home when breakfast is waiting for you at work?

Disclaimer No. 2: This blog sucks.

On the job front, things are progressing slowly.  On the fun front, things are progressing quickly.  Although seemingly unrelated, the fun front will probably suffer if the job search keeps going this slowly.  I'd better buy some Mt. Dew and increase my resume carpet-bombing. 

This past Saturday I went back to my old stomping grounds of Kalamazoo, Mich. and caught the Bell's Brewery Beer Garden Opening with a performance by Greensky Bluegrass and special guest Pete Kartsounes.  We got down and had a great time, despite the lingering threat of rainstorms.  

This blog is pretty useless, seeing as how my comment count is at a grand total of zero.  Now the question lies- do I continue to write pointless nonsense that goes unread? 

Kate Plus 8 Minus Jon?

So I have to just put something out there about this.  I watched the season premiere of Jon & Kate Plus 8 last night on TLC and I have to say the sextuplets birthday party looked like a lot of fun with all those bouncy castles.  It was too bad they really only utilized one of them (at least from what it looked like) for the 30 kids and six parents that showed up.  They should have somehow trapped the stalking paparazzi in one of the extra castles.  I would like to see them try to ruin lives while bouncing in a jail of the inflatable variety. 

The real reason I mention this, is the semi-recent rumors surrounding Jon & Kate's relationship.  Almost half of the one hour premiere was focused on the failing relationship between the two.  Kate was practically in tears as Jon admitted he was only there for his kids.  I don't know if I'm more mad at Jon, TLC, or the magazines that perpetuated the rumors (be they true or not). Isn't it enough that they're having marital problems?  Must we relish in their sadness during primetime? Jon says he's overwhelmed that he was married at 22, and by 27 had eight kids.  That is pretty overwhelming, but shouldn't he lie in the bed he made?  You can't just walk away from a commitment like eight kids, especially on national TV.  

Com'on Jon, get it together. 

An Update On Why I Haven't Been Updating

Here we are again, readers. Hopefully your thirst for my pointless ramblings has been quenched by my unwavering twitter obsession, if you've been following me. And I know that there are 85 people somewhere that clicked that little grey button by my user name (@shazmgee).

Anywho. I'm preparing for Summer Camp Music Festival as we speak. Or rather, I'm procrastinating preparing for it. One minute it was still winter and I couldn't go outside, and now I'm leaving for the first music event of the summer (or second, if you count The Dead). At any rate, I'm hurrying around trying to make sure my tent isn't missing any pieces, my sleeping bag is aired out and clean, and deciding what season mother nature will choose for Chillicothe, IL this weekend and how that will affect my wardrobe choices. And then there's the footwear decisions, the snack/sustenenence preparation, and all those other things I just know will come in handy. I've been making a lot of lists.

This past weekend, Tally Hall came to town! They played a great show (of mostly new material!) at the Subterranean, which is a small but homey venue. It also has a pretty cool downstairs bar making it possible to stay even after the show has ended. The best part was when they paused the tunes to sing me their version of happy birthday! What started off as an awesome show soon turned to bloodshed, however, when yellow tied guitarist, Rob Cantor was punched in the face on the street. Rest assured the attacker was reprimanded by local officials only minutes later. Chicago is a rough city.

I acquired a copy of the new Wilco album, Wilco (The Album), this weekend. It's pretty good. It really reminds me of the Sky Blue Sky feel and I love the Feist appearance, but I find myself thirsting for more. Sorry Jeff Tweedy, I still dig you (and the new album) way hard though. Everlasting, You and I, and Sunny Feeling are among my favorites.

I'll have lots of new music chit-chat for you coming soon, after Summer Camp, where I'll be seeing the musical stylings of Toubab Krewe, Lotus, Keller Williams, Willie Nelson, Girl Talk and many more. Now it's officially time to end the procrastination by wandering around the Bucktown Target checking items off my many lists. Huzzah!

I Never Promised Anything About Regular Updates

Well it's been a few days since my last post and I'm guessing that very few of you are probably wondering what the hell is going on. There is also a chance you probably haven't even had time to notice. I will explain the situation anyways. So much has been going on that I haven't had a spare moment to kick back and share with you my irrelevant thoughts.

I saw The Dead! The lot was just as I thought it would be and I met so many crazy characters including one man who carried his parakeet-like bird around inside the collar of his shirt. I also ate delicious traditional Deadhead-made grilled cheese and danced like a fool. The party bus responsible for transporting us wasn't too bad either. All in all, it was the beginning of a music-filled summer that I cannot wait for. Summer Camp Music Festival is a week from Thursday!! The schedule is up and I'm excited, mostly because it's my first Summer Camp!

I also had the opportunity to peek into the world of medical insurance claims billing. It was intense. I'm beginning to really develop my reception skills. My ability to skim a directory of names for an inaudible jumble of letters is really picking up. It's really quite an accomplishment.

Further into recently I spent some time at the Village with my grandma and went to the first Michigan appearance of Mr. F at The Loving Touch in Ferndale. There was a pretty good turnout, considering it was a pool hall and typically uses the musical stylings of a digital jukebox.

Now I'm back in Chicago and starting the transition from socks to flip-flops and penniless to moneybags. What I mean by that is it's finally warm out and I'm gonna find a job. More actual substance will be coming later, but remember- without the sour, the sweet isn't as sweet.

Tempventures on Cinco De Mayo Eve

When my phone rang this morning at 8:39AM I tried really hard not to sound like I'd just woken up. I always feel bad when I get professional phone calls and I'm asked if I just woke up. Anyways, thanks to the Opportunities Group, another opportunity was knocking on my door. And this time, it was a law firm that needed my secretarial skills. I was to answer phones, riverside. In the loop, on S Riverside Plaza that is, at Rusin, Macoirowski and Friedman.

Anyways, everyone was friendly and patient as I casually asked callers to repeat themselves while furiously searching the staff directory for a name that sounded like the mumbled breath-speech I'd just heard. Answering the phone was kind of fun. I started the day of confident I was pronouncing 'Macoiorowski' correctly, but by the end of the day I was pretty sure I'd played some weird game of telephone with myself and was pronouncing it a little differently with each call.

Usually the fun ends when I fax in my time sheet, but not today. Public transportation never fails me in Chicago! The ride home was weird, considering I was poked, pretty aggressively, in the foot by a blind, (and seemingly) homeless man. Tonight is the first of the Chicago Dead Reunion shows. Wish I was going both nights, but decided to just do it big one night, instead of holding back at both. See you there!! Here's a bit from the book I'm reading--Peter Conner's, 'Growing Up Dead--The Hallucinated Confessions of a Teenage Deadhead;' "The arena security know as well as any Deadhead there-- you have taken over the arena and the usual rules don't apply. The best arenas instruct their staff that Deadheads may be strange and even scary, but they're really harmless, peace-loving people." I can't wait for my first Dead show!

My Love For Puppies Is Unmeasureable

Meet the newest member of the Phamily: Delilah Jones.

She is 8 weeks old and a faun-colored fun-loving Pitbull. She went on her first walk this morning and wanted to explore and sniff all her new surroundings. I'm officially her Aunt but that just means I'll get to spoil her more than anyone. This is only our first photo together, so rest assured there will be many more puppy pictures and cute stories to come, seeing as how she's stealin' hearts just like her predecessor, top-dog Kaia Goldman.

Happy BEARTHday Mother Nature!

It's Earth Day! And I love the Earth! So to celebrate, Boone and I started making plans to see the new DisneyNature documentary, Earth.  

BUT, it turns out that Disney's Earth is really just footage from BBC's Planet Earth cut down to 99 minutes for cinematic release on Earth Day. Seeing as how I own BBC's Planet Earth on DVD already, it looks like we won't be paying $10.50 to hear someone other than David Attenborough narrate. 

It doesn't mean I love you any less, Earth. 

On The Up and Up!

I'm not sure if that's the correct phrase, but whatever.  I've had a couple of (random) dollar-creating opportunities these days.  Like the day I spent on the 56th floor of the Prudential Building downtown, overlooking Millennium Park and everything around it! Gorgeous! If I could figure out how to upload pictures from my lame camera phone, I'd put one up!  

It wasn't such a bad gig because I got unlimited soda and an hour lunch to bask in the sunshine.  I would totally answer the phone a few times for free soda. I LOVE soda.  I think it has something to do with my childhood soda deprivation.  I had so much caffeine, I don't think I fell asleep until well after 2 AM. 

I visited a dear friend at her office downtown recently as well, to discuss the lives of copy writers, and got a peek into the offices of DraftFCB.  Not only are the employees allowed to wear jeans, but some of them even bring their dogs to work! Plus they have a coffee bar that donates all proceeds to charity. I am beyond impressed! (Oh year, I also really am impressed by the work they've done as an ad agency!)

These opportunities are great for me, because I'm saving up for my Summer Camp Festival ticket, which isn't too cheap, and quickly approaching! It goes down May 22-24. 

Finally, I want to mention the AWESOME cover band I saw Saturday night at Fifth Avenue in Royal Oak, MI. I ventured home for my darling girlfriend Erin's birthday. Anyways, this particular Saturday featured 80's Inc., which originally, someone insisted was 80's techno. It wasn't.  

It was a GREAT 80's cover band.  Their outfits alone did it for me.  One guy wore a red nylon jumpsuit, another the most colorful vest I've ever seen.  At least 4 people commented on it to me, alone.  AND they had a costume change during set-break where all five members donned mullet or metal wigs.  I love the 80's and I can't deny it. They started out with a little Duran Duran, went into some Journey and finished with a banging bit of Whitesnake.  AND they had a Keytar!!! The 80's deserve so many exclamation points. 

The catch was- the dance floor was broken, so dancing wasn't allowed.  Seriously, if you jumped up and down, or even just danced aggressively, you could feel the floor sinking beneath your feet.  It was pretty intense. A few friends chose not to dance only because they feared for their safety. Security was also on hand to calm down people as things began to heat up- for the floors sake.  

The night was an overall great reunion of old friends and I can't not put in a birthday shout-out to Erin.

Meat Freeaster

Due to recent economic times and other important factors I've decided to try and eat more healthy.  What does this actually mean?  Well, for starters, it means less frozen pizza, and more actual nutrients. It doesn't mean I'm giving up cheeseburgers, or even cheese fries, but I have started buying things at the grocery store, instead of just from Philly's Best, Chicago's or Wal-greens.  Basically, I'm sick of sucking down chemicals and clogging my arteries. 

And this isn't too hard with support from my resident raw eater and roommate, Chris!  Friday we spent the day preparing a raw dinner with some great ingredients from Whole Foods.  We made a raw lasagna made of zucchini, squash, tomatoes and several types of pesto and pine-nut almost-ricotta.  It was delicious.  The raw chocolate pudding made of fresh coconut meat was not-so-delicious as only a Vita-mix  can blend as smoothly as probably needed.  Some things just shouldn't be raw. At any rate, the veggies were fresh, delicious and packed with nutrients.  Yum. The recipes for both dishes can be found in the book Raw Food, Real World.

Tonight, in honor of Jesus and his rising from the dead yesterday, Chris is preparing Kenmore's first Tofurkey ham-like-roast with veggies and other delicious items. Will it be as delicious as the lasagna? Or will it be eco-friendly fire?  Is soy REALLY an appropriate replacement for meat? 

In unrelated news, it's also worth mentioning that Comcast woke me up at 7:19am with four phone calls spaced 15 minutes apart to remind me of my 9am appointment with the internet installation man.  All that is in the past and I am surfing the web from all over the apartment--and no longer in the corners of Maggie and Alison's rooms.  So expect (or hope for) more frequent posts! Huzzah!

Really No Substance Here, Sorry

Warm weather was upon us today so Boone and I did some shopping.  A visit to Bed Bath & Beyond led us down Broadway and into a few cool shops along the way.  We picked up some music at Reckless Records, Boone got himself a few Dubstep CD's for less than $5 and I got two really awesome Joan Baez Vinyls for $3.  America IS on sale! One of them is a collection of Joan singing Bob Dylan songs.  Lovely!

I also wanted to report on my visit to the Chicago Canine Rescue.  Alison and I fell in love with a 2 year old pitbull boy named Bertie.  He's all black and was rescued from being starved and used as bait in dogfighting.  Terrible.  This poor guy was so friendly and loving and had the cutest saunter due to a weird turnout of his hind legs.  We had to hold ourselves back from filling out the preliminary adoption papers because neither of us are really financially (or time-commitment) ready to have a pup yet. 

The best part about the Chicago Canine Rescue is they're always looking for dogwalkers and other volunteers, so Alison and I were able to take Bertie for a walk after just meeting him.  And we can come back whenever we want.  I can't wait to spend my summer helping out and walking cute pups around Belmont & Western. 

So latley I've had a really hard time knowing what day it is.  Like Monday, I was convinced pretty much all day that it was actually Sunday.  Then on Wednesday, I thought it was Thursday until about 2pm when I was informed otherwise.  Then, in line with my thinking yesterday was Thursday, I thought today was Friday.  It's like I've somehow missed a day.  Probably Monday.  I've never really liked Monday's anyways.  

I'm glad, however, that today is actually Thursday because there are two new episodes of the Office on tonight, and the new Amy Poehler show, Parks and Recreation, starts tonight.  I've been to a few Chicago Park District meetings and I laughed pretty hard so I can only imagine how funny park district meetings will be when they are actually part of a joke.  

Emmit-Nershi Band is tomorrow at Martyrs and EOTO at the Portage Theatre is Saturday so another weekend of madness is sure to ensue. I will keep you posted. 

Greet The Puppies

Another amazing weekend of music!  Lotus played an awesome show Saturday at The Vic.  That night's version of Greet The Mind was so awesome. We raged hardcore on the balcony, which had a great view of the lights and the band.  Then, after the show, Chuck, the percussionist came by Boone's apartment!  We also dropped in at a crazy burning man party in Ukrainian Village that involved some fire spinners, a karma wash and a band dressed like farm animals.   There was so much to see, I don't think my eyes have ever been open so wide.  We eventually ended the night around 6 or 7 am with a freezing cold overcast sunrise situation on the roof. I might have been involved in the planning of that failed event. 

After a short nap, Ed and I zipped to Grand Rapids where we saw Lotus rock it again, this time at The Intersection, which is actually a really cool venue.  They have a huge bar up front then an even bigger area with a stage and a few bars.  Plus, the bathrooms were really clean!  Kudos, Intersection!  Lotus really made my night when Chuck brought Ed and I some Bell's beer and when they opened with Spiritualize, one of my favorite songs.  Plus I'm pretty sure Chuck smiled at us while he was playing (or maybe he was just drunk). 

Now, after weeks of scouring petfinder.com for adorable puppies, Alison, Peterboy and I are finally going to see some in person.  A visit to the Chicago Canine Rescue should not only warm our hearts with adorable soft puppies but also probably make us burst into tears because Kaia is millions of miles away. I will let you know how that goes. 

Holy Crap It's Been How Long?

It was like one minute I'm in Florida enjoying the sunshine and then the next I'm in a monsoon-turned-snowstorm only to be followed by the saddest times of my life when one of my best friends and the infamous lovepup departed on their journey to Portland.  It was almost surreal waking up without Kaia prancing and trotting around the hallways making the morning rounds.  

That bit aside, I'm moving! So that also makes for a slow-topia. However, the job search is on and Lotus is this weekend at the Vic. Rumored to be the biggest (and best!) show of their tour! Which is good because I've been dreaming of the disco ball from Park West for months now.  I love disco balls.  See you there! 

Southern Comfort on Scenic Hwy 98

Well my loyal readers, as you can tell I've been out of commission.  I'm currently on vay-cay in the panhandle of Florida staying in a rental property aptly named Southern Comfort.  It's literally across the street from the ocean and hands-down the biggest house I've ever been in. 

Plus we somehow had the ability to turn the pool into a whirlpool and there's a funky-attire-only dance party at 10pm this evening. 

Sorry about the lack of updates, but trust that they'll come when I return.  

Someone At Ticketmaster Is Getting Fired Today

Last night, Twitter, my recent totally creepy obsession, informed me that by fluke, 4 Day passes for Phish at Red Rocks in Colorado were available for purchase on Ticketmasters website. Even though they are not supposed to be for sale until March 26. 

The news of this 'fluke' spread unbelievably quick through tweets, texts, and phone calls and was over in about 25 minutes.  And just as all us excited Phans had suspected, all the orders that had gone through were cancelled this morning, unfortunately.  Although many thought that Phish had sneakily played a part in this presale to circumvent scalpers it was merely a error on TM's part. 

Apparently someone thinks their ticket order won't be cancelled and is trying to profit over $1500 from it on ebay.  This guy clearly isn't a Phan.  I hope no one actually buys these from him! 

Phish hasn't played at Red Rocks since 1996 and I was fully prepared to trade my Mansfield tickets in for some Red Rocks.   Looks like I'm back to waiting for my name to be called in the lottery.  =( 

Today, despite a few minor speed bumps, is great! The sun is shining. Boone has the day off. And I'm leaving for the sunshine state tomorrow.  So much to do before the epic 18-hour car ride adventure to the most ballin' beach house in the gulf.  I'll keep you posted so you can all live vicariously through me as I lay on white sand beaches and chill by the pool drinking Pina Coladas. Who knows, this could get crazy.  It is SB09. 

I Thought I Was Supposed To Have Irish Luck?

It's Saint Patrick's Day. And my younger brothers 21st birthday.  He is in South Padre, Texas.  I can only hope that he is safe.  Although he definitely won't see this, Happy Birthday Daniel! 

Phish announced the second leg of their summer tour. Or third?  Does Hampton count as the first leg? Or would that just be a stub? At any rate, I've requested tickets for two nights at stunning Red Rocks (8/1 & 8/2) and also for the show at Toyota Park in Chicago (8/11).  Hopefully those requests will go through and I won't have to go through that terrible LiveNation madness that occurred while ordering my Mansfield & Alpine tickets. 

More realistically though, I had an interview this morning for a technical writing position at an outplacement agency.  With no thanks to my Irish ancestors, it went horrible and I am continuing my streak of unemployment and bankruptcy.  Walking to said interview also covered my feet in blisters, thanks Steve Madden.  

At least today there is green beer to cheer me up.  See you at AliveOne for $2 pints. I will be wearing flip-flops. 

It's All Happening

First is was Phish.  Then The Dead and The Allman Bros. and now String Cheese.  Who will be next on this trendy reunion run of jam bands?  Is there even anyone left to reunite? 

Early this morning it was announced that String Cheese Incident, The Dead and Bob Dylan and his band will be headlining Rothbury this summer!  Not to mention a killer line-up not including these headliners.  

Who I'm most excited to see?  Chromeo, STS9's Live PA Set, Toubab Crewe, Martin Sexton and G.Love  & Special Sauce.  And duh, obviously SCI and The Dead.  

Check it out for yourself at Rothbury's Website.  

Now I just need a way to scrounge up $250.  Luckily, Rothbury has introduced a payment plan, where if you sign up before April 15, you can spread the payments out across two months, allowing you to make your first payment of $100, then two subsequent payments of $75 as the festivals nears.  Great for those that want to reserve a ticket, but can't come up with that much cash so quickly.  

This summer is going to be crazy and filled with music.  I'm most excited that SCI is playing together again in Michigan because this means my Portland-bound pup and best friend, Dani are gonna have to return to their homeland for this festival.  

Rothbury 09 is on! And I will be there, or BUST!

Job Opening- Single Mother of Eight

As a native Michigander, I am an avid reader of The Free Press and specifically Mitch Albom's column, because I have always enjoyed and admired his writing. Today he touched on a subject that I think is important to note in this flash of TLC's popular 'Cheaper by the Dozen' phase, with shows like 18 Kids and Counting and Jon & Kate Plus Eight, currently their highest-rated show.   

Albom talks about the California Octomom who spun her eight newborns and no-husband, no-job and no help from her mother into a new home, countless TV talk show appearances and more baby nurses than you'd think are necessary.  Read his article here.

As an unemployed person actively looking for a job in Chicago, I can tell you that desperate times call for desperate measures, but this is just getting ridiculous.  As I scour craigslist for possible job openings, I often am tempted to click on those ads calling for egg donations, which can net you up to $10,000.  And that's a lot of money.  Until I remember how many injections are involved and how terrified I am of needles.  And that there would be a carbon copy of me running around that I had no control over. Scary. 

Anyways , even though I love Jon, Kate and their plus eight, it's their popularity that has spurred this influx of multiples.  They are on TLC for sometimes hours in a row with sponsored vacations, free hair plugs, free tummy tucks, lifetime supplies of diapers and unlimited juicy juice.   Not to mention that they've recently moved into their second new house since the youngest six were born.  But they are so cute and not dysfunctional-yet, at least. Give them a few more years in the spotlight. 

In TLC's The Gosselin's case, they were merely a unfortunate couple using In-Vitro Fertilization to start a family, whereas the Octomom seems so have used INF to induce pity-donations.  With the cost of IVF rising above $10,000 it's difficult to determine why someone would invest that kind of money into childbearing when there they have no job or income to support the children once they are born. 

It's terrible to think that instead of searching for a job to end financial troubles, some women turn to pregnancy and hope for 'hand-outs' like these.  Americans are typically looking for a short-cut and every pathetic woman that tries this route is not going to get her own TLC feature.  Shine enough attention on stunts like this and it's bound to turn into an epidemic.  

I can only hope that these fertilization clinics have regulations that liken those at animal shelters.  If we can require a fenced-in yard and background check before getting a puppy, how is this different?  Checks to ensure positive family support, the confirmation of an income and a safe and healthy home situation would ensure only serious applicants can take steps towards reproduction. Requirements would enable fertilization to induce pregnancy only for those who are financially, emotionally and physically prepared. 

Peppering In The Occasional Fun

Today Alison and I decided to visit our dear friend Dani at the Chili's in Evanston where she is the bartender.  Evidently we peppered in too much fun during our visit because afterwards I slept for about 4 hours straight, but that's neither here nor there.  It's just so easy to nap with a warm cute pitbull spooning your feet! And when The Devil Wear Prada is on. And when it's dark. 

Anyways, since I've sort of been on a 'what I've been eating' kick, I'll tell you about that peppery fun.  We had big eyes and stomachs that were almost equal in size.  One order of Texas Cheese Fries and a sampler of their new dip special we almost fell off our stools.  It was wildly out of hand.  

Tonight is pretty low-key because tomorrow is Pretty Lights, STS9 and an epic after party! And Sunday is the South Side Irish Parade, which I've never been to before.  So that should be fun. 

See you when I get back!

Oh and if you're curious for a Phish tour preview-- download all three Hampton, VA shows at livephish.com. My favorite is the 21-minute You Enjoy Yourself.  Yesterday, Boone and I just officially got our tickets for 6/21 at Alpine! 

Food So Good You'll Forget The Service Sucks

Last night--(Before Toubab Crewe rocked the HOUSE at Martyr's! Seriously! They raged it until just about 2am, even with daylight savings and all that jazz) - We BYOB'd to Andalous, in Lakeview.  This Moroccan place is small but delicious.  We were slightly neglected and it took a while for our orders to actually be taken and our bread to be brought out, but when the Sweet Couscous, Famous Couscous and Chef's Tangine arrived, we forgot all about the lack of service with a smile. The lamb was just falling off the bone and the sweetness of the almonds, honey, cinnamon, and raisins in  the couscous proves it's name doesn't lie.  Just amazing.  Here is a picture from their website, although it hardly does it justice.  

Can't say enough about this place, really.  The Zalook (a kind of mashed eggplant dip) we had for the appetizer was amazing as well. Not really keen on the service, but the food makes you forget all about it.

So it's 3307 N Clark.  And it's BYOB. And there is a one entree per person minimum so be prepared to eat [WELL!].

My Mouth Is Watering And I Can Smell Summer

Yesterday's weather in Chicago was just gorgeous! So gorgeous that we decided to get a game of beach volleyball together at North Ave. Beach.  However, when we arrived it was discovered that waves had literally frozen over the sand and there were no poles for the net. 

SO, instead of volleyball we threw a legit beach party with a boom box, blue-tiful pitbull, and some beverages (the three essential B's) to keep us warm.  And warm we got! And the pitbull was so tired she was exceptionally

 photogenic.  And she (apologetically) destroyed Ward's beach volleyball.  

Later on, Boone & I met some friends at The Grand Luxe Cafe on Michigan Avenue and had the MOST delicious salad I've ever encountered.  I wish I could include pictures of what I'm about to describe but words will have to do as I was far to hungry to even consider taking a photo of this masterpiece before inhaling it.  

Their Manhattan Chop Salad with turkey, avocado and cheese.  This LARGE salad has a healthy portion of romaine lettuce, asparagus, tomato, white beans, fresh beets (cubed!), red onion, lentils, and assorted vegetables tossed in house vinaigrette.  So it's not the healthiest with cheese and avocado, but it was amazing.  

Boone's cheeseburger was delicious as well.  The Grand Luxe did not fail us.  He got the Max Burger, their self-proclaimed greatest hamburger creation.  It's got cheddar cheese, bacon, onions and roasted short ribs (!) on it.  Boone doesn't care for mushrooms, so he ordered his burger with out.  I was able to sneak a bite of his burger and I approved.  It was yummy and pink.  

Tonight I'm going out to Martyr's with friends to see Toubab Crewe. I'm pretty pumped. 

Now, I will leave all you loyal readers (hah!) with a photo of the happiest beach pitbull you'll ever see. 

 Kaia Goldman!

My Half Day as Mr. O'Day, Middle School Phys. Ed Teacher

I've always played Apples to Apples with the belief that there were certain "money-cards."  The cards in this category are usually debatable, but in my opinion, a few are not.  One of those is Gym Teachers.  

And that is what I was today. 

At about 9:30am my cell phone rang.  I knew it wasn't Boone because if he called me at 5am, he definitely isn't awake yet.  So it had to be KPS.  A half-day as a middle school gym sub? Sure.  

I arrived at the school and was forewarned.  I told the hall monitor I was the sub for the gym teacher and where should I go?  A nearby schoolboy laughed and said "Today is the worst day to sub for him, Ha Ha." 

Later, as the office attendant was showing me where the gymnasium was, she nonchalantly mentioned that "these kids might get of hand."  And added that I should not be afraid to write them up.  Two warnings in under 10 minutes?  Something was up, and those two knew about it. 

When the bell rang, it was suddenly clear.  As 90 12 and 13 year-olds came bounding into the classroom swearing, chewing gum and throwing trapper keepers, I knew.  It was 90 students versus two teachers, myself one of them.  

Taking attendance was particularly horrendous.  Equipped with a list of 48 names and a pencil, my task was to walk up and down the five rows of "squads" and mark who was absent.  This is when I began to play a little game called "butcher their names until they repeat them loud enough to be audible." I'm sorry, but I just can't understand when you mumble the jumble of letters your parents assigned to you.  It is also particularly difficult when 7th graders are liars and tell me "names" that aren't on the attendance sheet. 

Then things really began to hit the fan.  My ally, Mr. Other Guy, announced that it was Spring Picture Day and anyone who wanted to have their pictures taken could come with me, down to the picture-taking-area (which happened to be right outside the doors). 

It may have seemed simple for me to lead around a few 3rd graders, so I got cocky.  Leading 45+ 7th graders through the hallway was a situation.  I found out quick that these 7th graders were accustomed to chivalry because when I opened the gym door to lead them out they let me hold it until the very last person had sauntered through.  So during the time that I waited for these 45+ kids to filter out the doors and down the hallway, chaos had already broken loose.  

There was yelling, pounding on lockers, hitting, shoving, swearing and general hooliganism the whole way, despite my frequent "Shhhh's" and the more stern "please, be quiet's."  Shockingly, whenever I singled someone out who was being particularly loud, I got responses like "I wasn't doing nothing!" or "Theys talkin' over there!"  

When one student smacked the glass window on a classroom door, I attempted to discipline those involved, yet surprisingly, no one in the general vicinity had done it.  The culprit magically vanished.  Another gleaming moment was when one girl dutifully reported to me that the boy sitting to her right had called me a "hoochie mama," though he contested he hadn't.  Liars, the lot of them. 

Later, when several students drifted out of the hallway-authorized-picture-area and (from what I heard from the hall monitors) started a fight of sorts.  Finally, justice was served!  Those students were written up on some great referral forms that looked like novelty traffic tickets.  The listed offenses like gang activity, lack of motivation and drug delivery.  Also complete with boxes to cite involved parties, locations, and penalties.  With a special section just for subs to circle (that's me!).  

Even the class of 90 8th graders was rude.  One girl looked like she'd been crying for about the entire hour, judging by the redness of her face and eyes.  As a kind-hearted individual, I asked her if she was all right.  Apparently, she was PMS-ing because she rudely replied that she was fine, and shot me the dirtiest look an 8th grade girl can muster.  It was rough.  

All in all, no one got a lot of physical activity today except the 8th graders, who were finally allowed probably 20 minutes of free-time during their hour in Phys. Ed.  The rest of the classes spent the hour sitting on the floor, in rows, waiting for their classmates to stop whistling, talking and messing around and start listening.  That time did not come for them before the bell did, ending the hour.  

It's amazing to me that schools think it's the most productive to have 90 students with two teachers in one gym.  And judging by their behavior, it's probably not.  Every hour at least one student was kicked out of the gym for disruptive behavior, not to mention the numerous whistles and shouts from myself and Mr. Other Guy. 

In conclusion, Mr. DiVito, I hope I wasn't a terrible bitchy middle school gym student. And I hope you were paid more than $45/day. 

Twitterlicious

So I gave in.  I made a Twitter account. As narcissistic as it may be, it seems pretty fun. 

Follow me! You can search for me by my username: shazmgee. I hope to one day be an 'aggressive follower' like Jen Lancaster. 

Weekend Update

On the way home from The Kinetic Playground last night we ran into some South Africans waiting for the train.  Their take on the Midwest- It's cold.  I've been saying it for years. Too much damn snow. 

Anyways, last night Groovatron played at the Kinetic.  From what I could gather, moe. must have been pretty crazy because as the after-party, it was kind of a no rules situation.  With the champagne of beers and a slice of pizza bigger than my head, I have to say last night was a great success.  

Also the fact that after Groovatron was finished they literally played the Pretty Lights album straight through.  That was sweet.  

On another unrelated note, my job search has gained priority points, if only to finally end my newly acquired erratic sleep schedule.  Yesterday I tried to take a nap and ended up waking up at 10pm confused and disoriented. I wake up every morning at like 8 or 9am and can't fall back asleep.  This is particularly annoying for Boone. And anyone else I text message before 10am. 

Only 19 days until Mongolia & Friends head to Florida! I can't wait too not see my breath and be barefoot! Not to mention the fact that St Patrick's Day and Sound Tribe are coming up too.  I better start saving my pennies! Or find a job. Either way. Either ways fine. 

A fEATures Beginning!

So it's no secret that I love to eat.   And because I feel that so much of my budget goes to eating, I'm going to recommend and review some delicious places every so often from now on.  It will be fairly informal, but when I eat great stuff, I'll record it and share the experience.  

Today's fEATure: Jamba Juice Steel Cut Slow-Cooked Oatmeal (with fresh Banana and brown sugar crumble)

For less than three bucks, you get a filling portion of slow-cooked organic oatmeal made with soymilk.  Oatmeal is not only nutritious but wholesome as it is a great source of both fiber and protein. Plus, I'm addicted to Jamba Juice smoothies (show me someone who isn't).  I like banana best because combined with the brown sugar crumble there is a banana-bread-like taste.  Perfect for a morning treat, especially because it's inexpensive, quick and healthy.  Way to go Jamba Juice! 

Re-Cap

Hopefully February showers bring march flowers this year, thanks to global warming.  Or is it?  At any rate the weather in New York was great during my stay.  

I began the trip with an illuminating cab ride.  Not a cash cab. Strike one, NYC.  Seeing my cabbie flick off other drivers and yell cuss words out the window simultaneously, I was quickly reminded that NYC is no Wrigleyville.   

Two Tally Hall shows later, Ross and I got ready to see Noah and the Whale and The Hood Internet late night.  Noah and the Whale was hands-down the most disappointing.  After their first album, I expected a pretty good show, especially because it's NATW's only US show before Cochella.  However, the evening was cut short when they played for under and hour and mostly slow jams or new material.  Yawn.  

Noah and the Whale at the Williamsburgh Music Hall in Brooklyn, NY.  

Notice the people sleeping in the front row. 

The Hood Internet (pictured on the bottom right, sorry --fog machines plus my digital camera equal hazy photos) did not disappoint and saved the night! We trekked on the subway to the last stop of the G train in Brooklyn, then walked through an industrial neighborhood and through some sketchy streets, but eventually made it to The Bell House where there was a sweet dance party going down.  Awesome. 

Now would be a good time to point out my disdain for airports.  And airplanes. And airport bathrooms. And airport waiting rooms. And airport food. And airport food prices. So you can see how my traveling to and from NYC would be difficult.  

Anyhow, I made it back to Chicago just in time for Cornmeal's last winter Wednesday show! 

As the earth is defrosting and the streets of Lakeview are flooding, I can't help but look forward to warmer days when jackets, socks and scarfs will no longer be necessary daily items.  

In conclusion, I lied about the prizes!!!!!!! Thank god for my tax return!!! 

Back from the Big Apple

Ahhh...  A long weekend in the big apple.  Excuse me for not posting more regularly these past days, but as many of my readers (Hello, Erin, Mark, Drozd and Wookie) know, I've been all over the place.  Finally, I've landed back in Chicago and am in the Midwest to stay.  

I promise I'll have an all-inclusive update complete with revealing photos, exceptional prizes and probably upwards from three hundred exclamation points coming soon. 

Until then! 

Pretty Late Lights

As my live music quest continues and my money depletes, I find myself questioning which shows to attend and which to skip.  If I've already seen a band a few times, I'll pass.  Or if the ticket is really expensive and I'm not really into it.  

Pretty Lights was almost one of these.  

After weeks of being reminded by my boyfriend that Pretty Lights kicked ass and I really needed to get on listening to it, seeing as how we'd already purchased our tickets.  Although I'd heard his pleas, I was skeptical.  

Boy, was I wrong.  Pretty Lights was amazing.  The Subterranean is an awesome venue.  The upstairs balcony is slightly quieter than the floor level, but also more roomy and a great environment for a sold out show.  

Plus a V.I.P. area that was easy to get into and the location of Future Rock drummer, Darren Heitz. And because Future Rock  gives my boyfriend a raging boner as his favorite band pretty much ever, meeting him was his (albeit unplanned) valentine's day gift. I'm the best. 

Not to mention the fact that Pretty Lights then played a late-night secret no-rules situation show in a friend of a friend's basement in Chinatown after he played a second encore.  

Learning from my mistakes, I, from now on, will always listen when my boyfriend tells me to listen to certain music.  Maybe. 

Now, I must go back to bed and recover from my weekend filled with sassy shenanigans and even better times. 

Sharing is Caring #1

I'm riding on a dolphin doin' filps and shit.  And laughing at this video. It's as real as it gets. 

I never thought I'd be on a boat. 

Thanks, Mark! 

All You Need Is Love...

I love Valentine's Day.  

Not the corporate ploy to spend money on anything red or pink but the part where you express your love to those closest to you. Mostly because I have an overwhelming amount of love and a lot of people to give it to.  

Last year I did this by getting drunk off champagne while making pancakes for my roommates, who had not been informed I was making brunch, and went to class, so I ended up eating most of the pancakes with Kallie, while we finished our own personal champagne bottles.  Then I proceeded to spend the better part of the day sobering up while writing a paper.  

I think there was also a situation that involved some drive-by yells at the Planned Parenthood picketers. Who bring their families. When it's below freezing.  But anyways. . . 

Not this year.  

This year, things are different.  I'm attached to someone and I'm very much interested in being cute and making things that convey that.  I am still, however, not interested in spending a lot of money. 

So the combo of no money and a lot of love equals baked goods. My culinary skills are wildly lacking but my baking skills make up for the difference, leading me to decide on cookies and cupcakes for my loved ones.  

My great friend, Crowe, (who I love because she not only reads this but also thinks I'm funny) brought over some heart-esque shaped cookies she had already made and we got to work with frosting, sprinkles, and candy conversation hearts.  We also used some heart doilies and a lot of green glitter--both kidnapped from Chi Omega. And a bottle of champagne. 

Behold! 

(And yes, that's confetti cake with rainbow chip frosting topped with a dollop of pink frosting and a candy heart)

MY DELECTABLE MASTERPIECE(S)

So except for the tart variety, which are gross, candy conversation hearts are the best part of Valentine's Day.  Although it's painfully obvious that they don't have a quality control section in their manufacturing plant, because some of my candy hearts are not shaped like hearts and do not have words.  Some of my favorite conversation hearts include; No Way, Too Hot, LOL, and Don't Tell.

Now, not only will my friends know how much I love them, but also that I can spell their names in frosting! Believe me, it was tricky.  My 'Becca' cookie took 2 tries and one cookie just says HAT due to space limitations (See Picture). 

What Wealthy People Don't Do

In a strange turn of events, I found myself thinking I was headed to a job interview.  The ad called for a creative business professional and I'm just about the most creative professional I know, the business part shouldn't be too difficult to wing.  

However, the creative business professional they were searching for was a little too business-y and not very professional.  I will give them creative.   

The marketing position I thought I was interviewing for turned out to be a plug for Nouveau Riche, a real estate investment college and nationally known pyramid scheme.  

Dawn, the lady who greeted me, was not in on the joke that there even was a marketing position to be filled.  I know this because she looked at me pretty blankly and quickly started yapping about this school in Arizona that teaches you how to make the big bucks.  

One thing led to another and I was in a conference room with several pathetic looking individuals who seemed just as confused about their whereabouts as I was. 

The man giving the PowerPoint presentation asked a question: What's really in your future? Some of his possible answers were job stress, divorce, and nursing home, mostly due to rampant inflation.  

If I, too, purchased the Residential Real Estate Encyclopedia education package, then referred others, I could retire at 65 with millions-or more-in the bank. If only I could capitalize on the foreclosures and desperate families trying to live out the American Dream. 

At this point I'd realized that I needed to get out.  I silently motioned that I needed to leave, and quickly left. 

Cragislist- 1 Shannon- 0

Plans to rage

Here are a few dates that I'll be raging for sure: 

2/14 Pretty Lights @ Subterranean, Chicago, IL

2/19&20 Tally Hall, Brooklyn & CT

2/21 Noah & the Whale, Brooklyn, NY

3/13 STS9 @ Congress Theatre, Chicago, IL

See you there!

I'm in love with the Bonnaroo line-up

So I just checked out the line up for 2009 Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, TN.   And can I just say, I'm having trouble finding reasons NOT to go.  

Especially after seeing Galactic last night at The Vic, I'm totally sold on just a few of those bands that make it worth $250 and a drive down south.  Plus a guaranteed stop at a Waffle House.  

I've never seen Wilco, so that draws me in just as much as my recent love for MGMT, and of course the chance to see Trey, Mike and the rest of those phishy boys two more times?! 

I need to find a job! For blogs-sake, wish me luck on my interviews this coming week! 

Belated Nonsense

Phew, one week at home and I'm spent. 

I kept meaning to post in this earlier this week, however, the lack of wireless internet at my parents house made it pretty difficult.  Plus, I was keeping busy by doing chores for money. 

My parents house used to be my house.  Let me explain.  After entering this new phase of my life where I'm looking for a job and trying to start taking on my own responsibilities it has become clear that Bloomfield is no longer where home is.  

That and I emptied my bedroom and dropped the contents off at the Salvation Army. 

Now, for your visual and intellectual pleasure, I am going to share a few incomplete thoughts from my week at home. 

First of all, Michigan is cold.  And not just cold, but bitterly cold.  And when I say bitterly cold, I mean the sun shines fooling you into thinking you don't need gloves, but you do because it's 1 degree outside

 before windchill. 

Secondly, babysitting is by far the best birth control there is.  Jon and Kate make it look so easy. 

Also, a friend of mine recently reminded me of two really fantastic cartoons from when I was a kid.  Duck Tales and Tailspin, both brainchildren of Walt Disney with amazing theme songs (that can be seen on YouTube, and I highly recommend doing so). 

And speaking of Duck Tales, the opening credits begin with Scrooge McDuck surfing on a wave of money.  Here is where I apply for that position.  I would bathe in money and bounce on pogo sticks any day, even if I do ruin the occasional christmas. If that job is available, I am absolutely, hands-down, the best candidate.  Com'on! Money surfing! 

The last thing I want to mention is that I recently saw the Sigur Ros documentary, Heima, which follows the band across Iceland as they play a series of unannounced  free shows surrounded by the beautiful and unique landscape of their native land.  It blew my mind.  I now have an intense desire to move to Iceland and wear sweaters.

I've Always Liked Puppies More.

Today was a nice Sunday. I spent the morning in bed and the afternoon seeing a chorale and watching the football. I visited my grandma at the Henry Ford Village, also known as a dorm for old people. And she only asked my name once.

This old people dorm comes complete with co-ed floors, sub-par cafeterias, and it's own television station. Not to mention the ceramics studio, doctor's office, market and game room.

Want to move in yet? With the income-fixed rent, it sounds pretty nice, huh? Too bad there's an age limit. Must be 65 to get in. I wonder if someone can doctor me up a fake ID...

Anyways, I spent the day at the OPD and usually I get all uncomfortable around all the older people, mostly because I mumble a lot creating a language barrier. Today was different. After listening to the chorale from Detroit High School for Performing Arts sing songs about Jesus, we went to a super bowl party!! It was B.Y.O.B., my grandma brought half a sandwich.

Upon our arrival, we were entered in the door prize raffle. After each touchdown, they picked a ticket from the scoring teams ticket basket. We chose the Cardinals, cause, come on Steelers, give someone else a chance!

And what do you know, after the first Cardinals touchdown, my grandma's ticket was chosen! She won a football shaped beer mug!

Winning a prize was too much excitement for us so we called it quits and went home to watch The Boss in the comfort of my grandma's dorm room (okay, apartment).

The game isn't over yet, but I've stopped watching it, obviously, because Puppy Bowl V is on.

I caught a big one, Pa

After 2 hours of frustrating error screens, I would just like to let everyone know that I successfully ordered Phish tickets. I am now the proud holder of tickets to both Phish in Mansfield, MA and East Troy, WI.

Start your engines, it's road trip time.

Beer and Birthdays

In 11 and one-half hours Phish tickets will go on sale. I have to admit, I'm terribly nervous about this. Tickets for Deer Creek went on sale recently and supposedly sold out in minutes. My summer plans, and consequently (maybe) this blog, will be back to the drawing boards if tomorrow doesn't go as planned. Cross your fingers, if not for me, for the blog.

In other, more interesting news, last night I discovered that I like dark beer. When I had my first taste of Guinness, I thought I would never be a dark beer lover like my Irish ancestors. They would be turning over in the graves watching me drink PBR, Keystone, Busch and the likes. Last night, however, I made them proud. Well, maybe.

I am now the proud drinker of both Smithwick's, a red Irish ale, and Bell's Porter, a medium-bodied beer. I can't really give you any more information about either, except that the Porter kind of reminded me of coffee and chocolate and Smithwick's was lighter and also served as a good chaser for a shot of SoCo Lime.

I tried both these treats at Ashley's in Ann Arbor as I celebrated a birthday with one of my oldest and closest friends. Later, after cake supplies were purchased using food stamps, an attempt was made at baking a late-night birthday cake. This might have gone well, depending on how important you think vegetable oil is to the cake-baking process.

I will tell you now that vegetable oil IS in fact important to the cake-baking process.

I will also now tell you that it is not a great idea to eat birthday cake sans oil at 2am after drinking the previously mentioned dark beers. But, I won't tell you why.

I'd also like to throw in a quick shout-out to the birthday boy, Mister F. Check out his tunes on myspace.com and wish him a happy birthday before it's too late.

Public Apology #1

I forgot that I am under strict orders to publicly apologize to Mark for turning down drinks at the bar to write in this last night. Which I didn't even do because I fell asleep watching Jon & Kate Plus 8 and woke up at 4am to a fully lit bedroom and a blaring television.  

Sorry, Mark! 

My First Day As A Substitute Babysitter

I guess I figured I was mildly prepared for my first day of substitute teaching solely based on my babysitting experience.  No one else seemed to support this claim, seeing as how I have zero teaching experience unless you count my stint as an after-school Mad Scientist, where I was regularly unable to both factually answer questions or execute simple experiments until I got fired. But, I felt supremely confident that substitute teaching involved an introduction and several videocassettes (or DVDs, depending on the school district). 

However, subbing was, to my surprise, so much like babysitting it was a breeze.  It did involve more actual teaching that I expected, but it really just turned out to be several hours of arguing with 3rd graders about what their teacher does and doesn't let them do every Tuesday.  I had a sneaking suspicion that Mrs. Rikena doesn't typically let her students sit on the floor under their desks in lieu of chairs. Or spend the entire day making origami cranes that are missing heads, (only because she hasn't learned that part yet).  Or erase words from a sentence I'm currently writing on the board because it's her job.  But what do I know? I'm not in 3rd grade anymore. 

Despite the part where another teacher had to come and quiet down my screaming class, I think things went relatively well.  

There was also the part where we were using adjectives to describe things in the room and one student wrote the words "big,"  "blonde hair," and "heart necklace," to describe me.  So maybe I didn't clearly explain what adjectives were.  My bad.  

And the part when the math lesson was completely beyond me so we just built structures out of straws and twist ties until it got too out of control.  That wasn't my fault, all the plan said was "explain pyramids and build them." Oops.

The best part of the day was when I found that the agenda left by the teacher had scheduled for a Power Hour at 2:30.  It wasn't until later that I found out this was an the hour of the day in which other children from all over the school joined my class, doubling it in size, and tried to fill out worksheets far beyond their intellectual capabilities. This resulted in me explaining how to figure out each word problem at least thirty times.  

Somehow, I have to say I would rather spend an hour drinking a shot of beer every minute than explaining word problems to 3rd graders.  

Disclaimer No. 1: No dolphins here.

I will not be writing about dolphins or any kind of dolphin-related paradise. Sorry, fin lovers. 

Although I am an avid watcher of Planet Earth and totally enjoy the episode on Deep Seas, I went on a whale watch in Boston once and only saw two dolphins before I spent the next seven hours throwing up in a paper bag. 

After weeks of deliberation, it's here.

After weeks and weeks of mind-boggling stress revolving solely around deciding on what to name my blog, I finally came to a verdict.  A love child belonging to my fondness for made-up words and a place I imagine to be just after college graduation but not quite the real world. 

As I transition from parent payroll to my own personal struggle street, I'm going to hit a few speed bumps along the way.  And see some heady live music while I'm at it. 

Here is where I will chronicle my adventures, thoughts on those adventures, and pretty much anything else that comes to mind. 

It begins now.