Two non-working days in Chicago

No bands, no family commitments, no Girl, nowhere to be for two day straight in the city proper. I haven't had a weekend like this in a long time. Nothing to do and I did everything at my own pace. For a while, I had to force myself to do less...I think I've become to used to busy weekends. Anywho, it feels good to stay in town for once.

- Local business advertisements are always on a different level. It doesn't matter how well they do it, local advertisements can never be as good as national advertisements. Jon and Adam used to complain that Madison, WI had the worst local commercials in the world. You had your Brothers Main, Laugh Lines Comedy club (before it closed), Big Mikes...they were all pretty bad and all had that low-budget, extra cheesy feel. In Chicago, the local commercials all share similar characteristics, too. It seems like every local commercial in this city has the same sounding smooth jazz (really cheesy), soft light filters, and they always try to give you the impression that you're sophisticated enough to use their products. It gets annoying after a while...then I realize that I should just let my ADD take me to another channel during commercial breaks.

- Friday nights at Diversey River Bowl are always a trip. It's not exactly real bowling, but it's a good chance to hone in your concentration skills on the lanes. Then again, after quite a few beers you forget about the smoke and flashing lights. Perhaps I take bowling too seriously.

- Cab Rides, a show, bowling, and expensive drinks have made this weekend one hell of a wallet burner. I think I should get back to being lazy at least one weekend night when I don't travel. Or I could find a lazy and local lady friend.

- I saw a benefit concert in memory of This Person. The show had a different feel for it was in tribute. The crowd didn't seem like concert goers. They seemed more like supporters of fine arts (and family). Actually, I think it was because there were more Asians on stage and in the crowd than in any other concert I've ever attended. Not that I'd point at race as the issue here, but seeing these guys in bands playing shows kind of inspired me to get off my ass and work the music angle more. In two sentences each, here's what the bands had to offer:

- Pete the Genius: A singing drummer with a keyboard. Playing keys in one hand and a simple hi-hat/snare beat in the other while singing is no easy task.
- Mirror America: Asian Rocka-billy. Double guitar solo action.
- Aden: Patient rock. I got a few drinks during this set, used the bathroom, canvassed the crowd....
- Ee: Lead guitarist was pretty amazing. The guy worked arpeggios like a champ and was so accurate in drag-picking chords into blues/folk licks, it actually makes me want to study guitar again.
- Seam: headliner. Patient rockers. The set seemed really emotional. These guys really took in the benefit angle of the night. It was nice to see some good honest rock.

Disclaimer: I may or may not have confused Aden and EE, but that's not because they looked or sounded the same, mind you.

More Three Sentence Therapy:

- I have still yet to see the video footage of the "brains knocked out" moment of last week's 446 show. I think it would be more hilarious if I never saw it while all of my friends have seen it. That would be sweet.

- Domestic Lesson of the weekend: If you don't change your Brita filters in almost a year...your water will taste like shit. You can't blame the sink water after a while. Water is good.

- I'm learning that Jason and I have have a similar upbringing. We both grew up Asian in mainly white cities and our parents are both doctors. It was like Millhouse from Springfield finding Millhouse from Shelbyville...except that in this case I know a lot of other kids who had the same upbringing.

- I still can't watch Chicago sports and root for the local team. I don't think I'll ever grow to like any of these teams. Maybe the Sox....

. . [~] . 0 (Grumble) Grumbles .