Slán 2007

Some random thoughts for what will most likely be my last post of the year:

If you haven't made it to Kuma's Corner, you really should. Hands down, the best burgers in Chicago, if not the freaking world. Had lunch with M. there yesterday. While most of their burgers are named for some killer metal bands (Neurosis, Mastodon, Melvins, etc.), I rocked the Famous Kuma Burger-bacon, cheddar and fried egg...mmm-MMM!

I've been without cell phone service for the past 48 hours due to the cell tower in my area being out of commission. Aggravating to say the least. Thanks, T-Mobile!

Even if I hadn't already planned on staying in with The Boy this NYE, there is nothing going on that would entice me to deal with all that drunken buffoonery. Maybe I would hit the Pegboy/Methadones show at The Note, especially since that starts early enough. Otherwise, what else is there? Spoon? Please, talk about overrated. Jon Brion? Pass. The Smoking Popes with Everclear? At the Hyatt Regency O'Hare of all places?! How's the fall from grace feeling, boys? I'll stick with leprechauns and video games, thanks.

I'm debating whether or not to take L. and his sister to go see Sweeney Todd next weekend. All 3 of us are Tim Burton fans, but the more I think about it, I don't think the musical premise will go over well. There's also the matter of catching I Am Legend as well. Decisions, decisions. The Orphanage looks amazing-I'll most likely fly solo to that one.

I've fallen in love with Squeeze all over again. Catchy melodies and the best lyrics this side of Lennon/McCartney.

See ya next year!

Mustaches and mini-tours

The winter beard looked like shit so I shaved it off. I'm awfully proud of the mustache, though, and kept that as well as a bit under my lower lip for good measure. I think I look debonair, and as long as I think so, I could give a flying fuck what anyone else thinks. So there. Hmmm...maybe I am just a tad bit narcissistic.

Tonight at practice I heard 3 new tunes and came up with some pretty cool melodies for all of them. I still can't believe how fortunate I am to have my muse back (certainly not the same as the old muse), and that the songs have been coming along at such a speed. We ended rehearsal tonight talking about setting up a Midwestern mini-tour of sorts, that last weekend in February. There's talk of hitting Indianapolis, but excuse me if I find that city and the majority of the state of Indiana to be repugnant. We'll more than likely hit Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin on this proposed trek. I start tracking vocals in a little over a week for the demo which only adds to my excitement.

Tomorrow night's plan after therapy involves meeting N. for dinner at Kuma's, and then down to The Note to catch Rollo Tomasi and Riddle Of Steel. Need to collect that belated birthday gift from her (a mocha I'm sure...hey, I'll take what I can get!).

Ho Ho Ho

Still in my pj's at 1:00PM with no intent on getting out of them until tonight, if at all. The heat in my apartment is sorta functioning, which is better than things had been in days past. I've managed to peel myself away from my...excuse me, THE BOY'S new Xbox and have done a pretty good job of keeping away from Halo 3. The goal is to surprise L. with it when he gets back from Disneyworld next week, but I can hear the game calling me. I can, I swear! I have basically zero video game skills (I think I peaked with the Super Nintendo), so it should be interesting to see what I can learn from my son.

Yesterday afternoon/evening was spent with Mom and the stepfamily in Park Ridge. It's nice to see that our families have been able to assimilate so nicely. My brother is adamant that I "get with it" and get an iPOD, even going so far as to buy me an iTunes gift card and Best Buy gift card to go toward at least an iPOD Shuffle. Now I know I am a prime candidate for music consolidation, but I like playing compact discs; I like to look at the artwork and lyrics. I'm also a bit apprehensive about downloading anything on this laptop at it has crashed a few times already. Some of my more computer-savvy friends have suggested bypassing the iPOD altogether and going with a decent MP3 player. The one I have I got as a freebie and wouldn't you know it-it doesn't work. I'm sure I'll get something soon, though. Then again, I could always sell the iTUNES card and use the Best Buy card toward more Xbox games. Hmmm...

I was grateful to celebrate my 35th birthday on Sunday with bandmates, my cousin and a beautiful woman, over the best pizza in Chicago. M. and I have reached a point where we can see the potential of a great romantic relationship developing, but we both have our own---er, "hangups" and remain apprehensive as we have established such a good friendship. The last thing either of us want to do is ruin a good thing by getting all romantic. Ha. Logistics have put the ice on things with EG but we do remain friends and I can't see that going away.

Going through The Onion's The Year In Film 2007, I was happy to see that 8 out of their 10 movies of the year were ones that I have already seen (and enjoyed) or plan on seeing in the not too distant future. On the subject of films, M. and I may catch Juno later today, should I decide to get dressed, that is. The more I think about it, couch time seems much more appealing.

Sweet-cakes and milkshakes

After weeks of scheduling conflicts, I was finally able to get together with L. last night and watch Before Sunrise. Beforehand, we exchanged dating war stories over the past year and took solace in knowing that all of that nonsense happened for a reason.

During the movie, L. made it a point to show some of Ethan Hawke's character's mannerisms that she saw as "Buckleyesque", noting a bit of a physical resemblance. While I did notice a few similarities, he did kind of come off as a bit of a smug prick. I wonder-was that..."Buckleyesque"?

Hiding Out

After some miscommunication on my end, rehearsal was called off last night, only to be called back on again. By the time I received the message, though, I was already at The Hideout, watching a rough cut screening with JC of a mutual friend's documentary, Christmas In Darfur. I hadn't seen JC in over a year so it was good to catch up with her. Admittedly I had some reservations about visiting the Hideout since my last time there, for their annual Block Party last September, wasn't exactly a great time, music notwithstanding (note to self: must check out The Frames under better conditions). Once there, any sour thoughts vanished and I watched a surprisingly poignant film about some friends' attempted journey to get into Darfur. The two JM's and their crew are quite talented and I look forward to owning a finished copy. After a brief Q & A, the music started as did the reminiscing. A good night indeed.

So Emotional

The reality of being sans son this Christmas (and my birthday) hit pretty hard last night once we got home from seeing Alvin and the Chipmunks (not as corny as I thought it would be; I would have rather caught I Am Legend at the IMAX-featuring a seven minute preview of The Dark Knight Returns-but I promised D. we'd see it with her). L. confesses to me that his science project-known about since last Wednesday-was due tomorrow and he wasn't sure if he had all the supplies necessary. Very rarely do I get angry with him, but in this case I was convinced that he withheld the assignment from me because he didn't want to take time away from his weekend with me. It was after a call to J. and letting him know of her decision to ground him that he confirmed this. While this conversation should have ended at that point, I projected what can only be described as my fear of abandonment on him, reducing us both to tears. It's not that I begrudge L. his time at Disneyworld with his family, but I am having a difficult time imagining my birthday and Christmas without him. We will be celebrating the holiday a few days earlier with my Mom's family which will help to offset my grief but this anguish really does seem to have taken over me.

It goes without saying that I have a strong and special bond with my son. When I bottomed out back in August 2002, I believe I was saved in order to be there for him. I really think he is the only reason I am still alive today. My relationship with him and how I view it has been criticized as unhealthy in the past by people who really can't afford to be questioning anyone's parental role, but I stand by the decisions I made in his regard. He is the number one priority in my life and no one and nothing will ever come before him.

Bring on New Year's Eve. Please.

Polish Sunday

Spent the entire Sunday on the couch, catching up on dvr'd television (Torchwood, Heroes, The Dresden Files) and Netflix rentals (Rescue Me, Jackpot). Last night's show in Mount Prospect was quite enjoyable on many levels (like I'm gonna kiss and tell! Come on now...). For one, my old boss from 15 years ago came out with his wife and while time did not permit too much catching up, we are certain to do so shortly after the holidays. The woman affectionately known as EG came out as well, bringing a friend who I also met at Riot Fest back in mid-November. Time/work/distance has prevented us from spending too much time together, and we agreed to rectify this pronto (some of which was done in...er, private.)

ZTS headlined a 4 band bill, and the opening band were fronted by a guy I went to high school with. We had a few mutual friends but he was always kind of a prick. Time seems to have mellowed him out. We went on at midnight and made quite a few jaws drop. Following the end of our set, I talked to a promoter from the Bloomington-Normal area about a potential show at ISU in early '08. As we loaded out, we were greeted to a sheets of ice covering everywhere we walked. Naturally, this made for a delayed departure and by the time our gear was loaded out and EG's and my car were scraped off, it was after 3:00 AM.

Over twelve hours of sleep last night and I'm ready to crash again. Bring on the week.

Welcome home, D.

South side snow

Played our first show tonight at Reggie's Rock Club, a new-ish club on Chicago's South Side run by the folks that own Record Breakers (formerly based in Hoffman Estates). I will admit to being less than enthused to play once I got a look at the accumulating snow outside and even less than enthused when one of the bands cancelled (couldn't take the haul from Schaumburg. Pussies). Thankfully, spirits were lifted with some great food (the insanely attractive bartender didn't hurt, either.) and though the turnout was far less than capacity, I had a great time playing and those that watched showed their appreciation in spades.

Saturday's show in Mount Prospect promises to be a packed house by all involved in setting the show up. Apparently the venue is a "Polack stomping ground" and I'm told we'll be treated very well.

We began tracking music a little over a week ago with the goal of finishing a 5-6 song demo by February/March. Once completed we'll start talking about touring, the prospect of which scares me a bit. I've never really toured sober. Not that I think I'll have the urge to drink-I just wonder how my tolerance will be should my bandmates (save M. who is not only sober, but single as well. This should prove scandalous indeed) get a little rowdy post-show.

I have plenty of time to think about this, for now slumber beckons.

One year ago

This weekend marks one year since I moved out of my father's house after 2+ years of some of the lowest points in my life. Time on Rascher Ave. was of course peppered with some good to great moments (reconnecting with my college love who I still speak with on occasion; cultivating a 1-1/2 year relationship with D, quite possibly the last woman I truly felt connected with). Moving to my present digs, as some of you may know, was stressful to say the least. Getting little to no help from my brothers, I leaned on friends to pitch in at about the closest I ever want to get to the "home stretch". I do not speak with most of these friends anymore out of fear and embarassment (which again, some of you probably know).

Settling back in today after driving through the mess that was Chicago's first winter storm of the season, it occured to me that with all the ups and downs, the agony and ecstacy I've endured this year, were I to get a chance to go back and do anything different, I wouldn't change a damn thing (save for the lying and cheating of course).

I see bright things on the horizon for 2008 and with both feet planted firmly in the Here and Now, next year should improve upon 2007.