April in Chicago...

...is far too much like January for my taste. Today started out with sun, turned into a downpour by 3pm, and was snowing by 5pm. It's now almost midnight and still snowing. This is the forecast for tomorrow:



On Sunday, the snow/rain/sleet grossness is not such a huge deal because I can stay in, clean, and watch some TV (assuming our satellite dish doesn't lose its signal due to crappy weather like it did tonight). On Monday, however, I have to figure out what I can wear that doesn't include snow boots but will keep my feet warm and dry, and will be both work- and concert-appropriate, since we're going to see a show tomorrow night (Glasvegas, for the record). I'm not a huge fan of Sunday/Monday night shows, but sometimes you don't have a choice. I hate to keep complaining about the weather, because really, I should know what to expect and complaining doesn't ever solve anything, but it's completely draining.

Jon finally forced me to watch Changeling this weekend. I actually liked it a little more than I thought I would. I was surprised that I'd never heard of the case before. You would think a man that killed as many as 20 young boys would be a larger part of the general consciousness, even so many decades later.

One last movie note: We saw Observe & Report last Wednesday. I meant to write something up about it, but found that when I sat down to do it, I didn't really know what to say. I don't want to discourage people from seeing it, because it's not bad...but I don't want anyone, on my recommendation, going to see it and not liking it because they didn't know what they were in for. I have no problem suggesting films like I Love You, Man, because they hold pretty true to the way they're being advertised and if you like that kind of movie, you won't be disappointed. With O&R, it's entirely possible you won't like it because you wanted something different for your $10.

Confusing? Sorry. Let me put it this way. If The Village hadn't been billed (in my opinion) as a horror film, I may not have been as hugely disappointed in it when I saw it. Going into O&R, I knew what to expect, but most people won't. They'll see Seth Rogen and Anna Farris' names attached and think "lighthearted, goofy mall cop comedy" when that couldn't be further from the truth.

This is the email we all got from Steve at the Movies before going to the screening:

The film is called OBSERVE AND REPORT, starring Seth Rogen and Anna Faris, from writer-director Jody Hill (THE FOOT FIST WAY and HBO's "Eastbound and Down"). Yes, this is the Seth Rogen mall cop movie, but please do not think that this film bares even the slightest resemblance to PAUL BLART. This movie is about as dark as dark comedies get these days. Comparisons have been drawn with TAXI DRIVER and THE KING OF COMEDY. In fact, think of this film as "What if TAXI DRIVER had been a comedy..." There are easily a half-dozen jaw-dropping moments in this movie, and in many ways O&R changes the current landscape of R-rated comedies. It's that messed up...in a good way.

Like I said, it's not bad...at all. In fact, I liked it. But I had an idea of what I was about to see. And if you're looking for a proper review, since I'm too lazy to come up with the words, check out Tankboy's take. I pretty much agree with all of it. Especially the part about Aziz.

I Like My Music Loud

Festival season is upon us! Never mind the fact that the actual festivals are still months away. Every year, about this time, I sit and look at the lineups for the English/Scottish music festivals and wish I had an extra $2000 lying around. Last year, with my very first Lollapalooza and Pitchfork experiences on the horizon, I didn't think about it at all. This year, I've already bought tickets to Lollapalooza and Pitchfork, but I can't help looking at what I'm missing out on half a world away. For example, Blur and Oasis may both be playing at Glastonbury this year. Can you imagine? This would have blown my mind in 1996. I think they should play at the same time on opposite ends of the park and see who draws the biggest crowd. Seriously, guys, let's settle this feud once and for all, ok? ;)

I think next year might have to be the year I go back, with Jon in tow. He's never been to the UK and he loves music (generally the same kind of music that I do) just as much as I do. I know he would have a great time...and it would be such a cool thing to do together. I don't know if I'll ever actually brave the camping aspect of it, but if I did, I'd feel better having him there too. This may be wishful thinking if we do end up moving next summer, but we shall see.

Right, so enough daydreaming about what I'm not doing. In terms of music, I can't really complain. I saw Primal Scream last Sunday at the Metro. I would offer an opinion on the show, but my views are pretty similar to these and these. Let's just say my ears were still ringing well into the next day. I think it finally stopped around 3pm. Pretty intense, eh? It might be time to give in and buy earplugs. I go to enough concerts that it will genuinely affect my hearing later in life (which is closer and closer to being now, instead of "later") if I don't start taking real precautions. It may have affected my hearing already, honestly. I haven't noticed, but I didn't notice my vision getting worse over the last two years either...which apparently, it has.

(More pictures on my Flickr page)

I guess the Scream were hanging out at SmartBar (an after-hours type of venue attached to and owned by the Metro) post-gig, so I officially missed my chance to meet them by *thismuch*. To be fair, it was a Sunday night and late and I need more sleep than I used to. We got home pretty late as is, and meeting bands is always a toss-up. Back in the day, I would have waited hours and hours for a slim chance to shake a hand, but I suppose I'm getting lame in my late 20s. Jon was with me too, though. It's one thing to keep yourself up, but another thing entirely to make someone else wait up with you.

So, in keeping with the music theme for this post, I have been listening to The Charlatans all week. I sometimes get on a kick where I will avoid them for a while and then when I put them on again a few months later, *BOOM* everything seems fresh again. If you've never listened to The Charlatans: 1) I'm not too surprised...especially if you live in America. They never did make it very big here 2) You have no idea what you're missing. I'm not going to say they're perfect, but if you like the kind of music that I like, they're pretty damn close. 3) They were compared to The Stone Roses a lot when they first started in '89, but have since grown into their own sound quite nicely. 4) Talk about range. No album is quite like the last. They're not afraid to try something new, which terrifies me, but almost always pays off. 5) I can't pick a favorite song, but this is a really good one from their latest album:



In other news, I've changed the name of my blog and I may change it again. I'm still trying to find some kind of groove with my posting, so I'll just keep changing it up until it feels right. As with everything even remotely creative that I attempt, I'm never satisfied, so we'll see. I'm just happy that I've stuck to it. It feels good to write about things other than manufacturing companies and all the other stuff I fill my workday with.

In my last post, I mentioned going to the eye doctor to get contacts. That was...interesting, to say the least. It was far from the simple task I thought it would be and it took visits on two separate days (five hours in total) to convince them that I should be allowed to take the contacts home and practice. I still haven't gotten both of them in at once. At this point, I don't know if I ever will, but I'm trying. On the plus side, I was told that I have excellent reflexes and "superhuman" eyelids, which is good for life, but bad for contacts, I suppose.

Last night, Jon and I went to a Gapers Block meet-up. They have one every month, but I haven't gone since November, maybe October, due to holidays/being out of town and then due to the bitter cold and not wanting to go outside in it. Anyway, last night was a blast. I am really happy and proud to be involved with GB in any capacity. Since I left my position at V89 and moved to Chicago, I missed being involved in something that wasn't necessarily a job, but required self-motivated work. I like being part of a unique organization and I like the people that I've been able to meet, both through V89 and GB.

The meet-up last night was at an Irish pub called Emmit's. There was a beer sponsor (featured above), which meant free drinks in addition to the great company. It was pretty crowded when we got there, but gradually thinned out. I saw a few people I already knew and got the chance to meet a few more that I only knew of through GB or Twitter.

Today has been fairly low-key. It's been raining all day and is supposed to snow tomorrow (here's hoping it's the last time?). I will do just about anything I have to in order to stay indoors, including cleaning. And blogging...

Something to smile about

This, my friends, is a beautiful thing:

And it reminds me that spring is indeed around the corner. It's amazing how different 40 degrees feels in February than it does in October. The snow is beginning to melt and only a few man- and plow-made icebergs linger in the corners of parking lots. This may be the first weekend in a long time that I don't feel like hibernating, and that's a good thing, because we are going to see the lovely Maria Bamford and local comic Dan Telfer at the Lakeshore Theater tomorrow night. The best part? It's free! The Lakeshore is always a good time, and there is nothing I would rather do on a Saturday night than go to a comedy show or concert.

In other Chicago comedy news, I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts today at work (well, I listened to a few goodies, but I have something to say about this one in particular), and I felt the need to post about it on *GB*. I'm always happy when I can post about something I love on the site and if it turns even one new person into a listener, I will be beyond thrilled!

Comedy and Everything Else is a weekly comedy podcast featuring Todd Glass, Jimmy Dore, and Stephane Zamorano. I started listening because when I was a young, impressionable 24-year-old, I watched Todd Glass on Last Comic Standing and thought he was the shit. He was the only person on Seasons 2 and 3 that I found even remotely funny (sorry, Ant!), mostly for his straightforward and sort of goofy (in a good way...playful may be a better word?) persona. When I found out he was starting a podcast, I was on board immediately.

30 episodes in, I still love it and am a loyal listener and fan. The "comedy" is not anyone doing a written set of jokes, mind you (though there is a little shtick thrown in sometimes). It involves a lot of talk about early days in their careers, being on the road, good and bad comedy clubs, heckling, heroes in the biz, and a tiny bit of industry gossip. The "everything else" includes politics, religion, infomercials, marriage, gay rights, raising children, education, smoking cigarettes, smoking pot, pop culture, and much much more. Sometimes controversial, always funny, I like that they aren't afraid to say some of the things that I would like to say if only I had the balls. I almost always agree with them, too...and sometimes, I even learn.

The episodes are all a bit long compared to most podcasts, usually hovering somewhere around the two hour mark, but I always feel like it's worth the investment to listen to the whole thing. They also have amazing guests (in my opinion), from Doug Benson to Jimmy Pardo and Jeneane Garofalo to Jen Kirkman. Ok, I didn't intend for this entry to be a plug for anything, but there it is! Get me going and I can't stop! I like spreading the word about things that give me joy, even if it is to only one or two people. I'm not saying that my cup of tea will be everyone's, but it can't hurt to throw a little love out there into the universe, right?

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Well, the forecast said snow, and today didn't disappoint. The first real snowfall of the year always seems magical in a way. Waking up, looking out the window to see everything -- buildings, cars, trees -- dusted with white...it looks just like a Christmas (or some other wintry-type holiday) card!

And then you go out in it. Your feet slip on the pavement, your pant legs become encrusted with dried salt from the sidewalks, the bus speeds by you while you're waiting to cross the street, splashing muddy slush all over your white shoes. Ah, the joys and the hazards of winter in Chicago. It sure is pretty for a little while, though.

(The view from our window tonight -- Sears Tower and WaMu lit in red & green)

The difference between the breezy, sunny 75 degrees it was when I left Florida on Saturday and the wet, grey 23 it is here right now couldn't be any clearer. For some reason, I still choose to return to Chicago (for now). But don't get me wrong, Florida has its charms.

For the record, I had a wonderful vacation. The wedding was spectacular, as predicted.

I've uploaded a bunch of pictures to Facebook and there are more of the reception here if you're at all interested....the best part was the wild techno music and crazy dancing, of course. Unfortunately, I didn't partake due to nerves over the possibility of re-injuring my leg. I'm still not 100% about it and thought booze and jumping around like a mad woman was probably a high-risk combo. Instead, I stuck to the picture taking, which proved to be fun in itself. And as a bonus, there are no embarassing pictures of me floating around from that night (I'm sure there are embarassing pics of me somewhere from some time in my life, but if I don't have to see them, they don't exist, right?).

Speaking of embarassing...my mom showed up last Sunday with her new husband (they eloped last year, because that's totally normal for moms to do, right?) wearing this:

Yes, I got to spend the entire day with Thing 1 and Thing 2. In public places. It was fun. We ate, we shopped, we mini-golfed, we walked around Downtown Disney, we ate some more...it was all good in the end. Pics up here.

Monday and Tuesday were spent with Dan, who came over from Tampa. More shopping, more eating, drinking, saw Bolt in 3D (must've been drinking when I agreed to see a movie with Miley Cyrus in it, eh?), lots of Starbucks and interesting conversations with strangers, etc. You get the picture.

Thanksgiving with Jon's family - do I need to describe the eating? Lots of yummy vegan foods. Nuff said.

Went to Animal Kingdom on Friday which was just beyond cool. If you've gone, you get it. If you ever have the chance to go, take it. I love animals, and this felt a lot more animal-friendly than a zoo. Interesting fact about the park: Jon told me last night that the entire Magic Kingdom would fit inside of the one safari ride at Animal Kingdom.

We waited in line for about 30 minutes and the ride lasted 18 more. Now that's what I call time well spent! Everest was good as well, though far too short if you ask me. Finding Nemo show was great too.

I thought it would be really busy, considering that it was the day after Thanksgiving, but it wasn't at all. I'm guessing everyone was shopping? Or sleeping off the turkey? Or conserving money? Well, whatever the case, it worked out well for us! Pics up here.

That's it for tonight. This took way too long to write/post...which is why I give up on blogging I think. No attention span. Mad props to Walt for posting something every single day in November. I don't think I would have something to say each day, so color me impressed!

And as I write this, Jon is setting up his new 42" TV in the bedroom. It's OBSCENE. I just had a look at it. No one needs a TV that big, I'm sure of it.