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.