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February 4th, 2005
10:07 am - Coming to town...
Brandi and I are coming to Chicago.
We'll be heading over on the weekend of March 12. Our flight comes in late on Thursday night (the 10th) and we'll be leaving on the 13th in the early evening.
We found a sweet deal at The Drake Hotel thanks to a cool one-time discount I got at Expedia. Of course, its also around the corner from Brandi's Shopping Mecca aka H&M.;
Some things we wanna check out are the Body Worlds exhibit at MSI, The Ocean Blue are coming to town, scope out some silly St. Pats festivities (even though the river is always green despite the dye) and visit my folks. I also just heard about some Jackie Kennedy-Onassis exhibit at the Field that would be of interest.
See you then
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February 3rd, 2005
04:22 pm - These are the days of our lives
Life has been either busy as heck, or just waiting to be recovered from.
- thinking of a wedding date and location
- juggling work requests within a recently re-organized company
- planning a trip to Chicago in March
- coordinating a time when I can meet with a trainer since I've recently turned into "Fat Elvis"
- So many concerts I really wanna see
- I still need to send out some late gifts
- I wanna clean up all of the junk I moved here with thats taking up wasted space in the closets of my apartment
I wish I had 30-hour days sometimes. When I come home from work lately, I'm exhausted. I hope it gets better soon. Re-orgs can be hell within any company, I don't care how cool the people are.
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January 25th, 2005
January 17th, 2005
09:14 am - Gee, am I looking forward to this?
This week in LA
Tuesday: High 78/Low 52 - Sunny
Wednesday: High 80/Low 50 - Sunny
Thursday: High 76/Low 48 - Partly Cloudy
This week in Troy, MI
Tuesday: High 21/Low 15 - Mostly Sunny
Wednesday: High 32/Low 15 - Snow Showers
Thursday: High 21/Low 9 - Few Snow Showers
I know, I know. I used to live out there so I should just shut the hell
up and get used to it. I have a business trip out there this week.
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January 11th, 2005
January 10th, 2005
02:01 pm - I Predict a Riot
So I got my first music assignment for 2005.
Since most people at LiveDaily cover pop music, they were approached to cover the first US appearance of the "next big thing" out of the UK, Kaiser Chiefs. I'm the only one who knows the stuff, so I got the call. Amazing. I'm the only one? Cool.
I kinda think of them as the latest in the whole "robotic Britpop" exports in the line of Franz Ferdinand, The Futureheads and Bloc Party. Kaiser Chiefs remind me of Blur in a way with their musical eclecticism.
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January 9th, 2005
03:26 pm - Wow
Its been raining nonstop since Thursday. Its supposedly going to be back to normal on Tuesday.
I've never been through rain this heavy thats been pouring nonstop 24/7. Amazing.
Of course, LA will still find some reason to say we have a water shortage this summer.
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January 7th, 2005
01:38 pm - When you're feeling blue
You still have that rock star with the last name of Ashcroft to help you along through all of our country's toils.
Here's the video again for you who forgot...
http://www.ifilm.com/viralvideo?ifilmid=2424640
There's some other god ones here.
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January 4th, 2005
01:30 pm - Quick update
Yes! I proposed to Brandi during our Hawaii trip and we're officially engaged. Most people's responses have been in the range of comments as "Its about friggin' time!" It feels really really good.
The Hawaii trip was great. My uncle and aunt in Kailua (2nd biggest city on Oahu next to Honolulu) were very nice to us and loved having us over. They have one dog, three cats, a few turtles, a guinea pig in an outdoor cage and several birds (many in an outdoor aviary). You can guess its no surprise that they also volunteer at the Honolulu Zoo every sunday to feed "their son", Kruger the White Rhino. Most of the days were spent being lazy by the beach and taking long naps.
We then spent a few days in Waikiki and became tourists. Dole plantation, North Shore and Chinatown among a few things.
On our last night in Waikiki we went to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel (the pink one on the waterfront) and had a few drinks at the shoreline Mai Tai bar. After a nice walk on the beach at night, I popped the question. It couldn't have been more perfect.
New Year's Eve morning we headed to Vegas to do our allnighter. We went to The Ghost bar at Palms Hotel (55th floor and the best view of the Strip) and grabbed a table with another couple. We had free drinks throughout the night thanks to the party tickets and the fact that we were "kicked out" of our table thanks to the fact that the hotel owners, The Maloofs, wanted to see the fireworks and for some reason security decided we had to leave our table. Thanks to some negotiating and the mallofs welcoming us to the table, we had fun for the evening. The fireworks from all the major hotels were really cool but the temps were SOOO COLD. Oh well, you only live once, eh?
We flew back at 6:45am and crashed at home. I'll send pictures later.
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December 27th, 2004
08:24 am - Aloha and Mahalo
So we've been in Hawaii since Saturday afternoon. Nice.
Flight was okay and we were greeted by my uncle at the baggage claim to hugs and leis. A nice drive thru the rainy mountains and off to his house where my aunt was also there to greet us. We're having a blast.
Its raining like mad right now (its 8:25am on Monday). Hopefully it'll let up soon. I wanna get some more sun. My neck is a little too crisp right now.
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December 22nd, 2004
10:07 am - Songs about Drugs make me laugh
I'm not a proponent of any drug really - well, I do enjoy a good Scotch or liquor on several occasions.
Anyway, when a song comes out about drugs, I always get a kick out of the sarcasm it brings out. I don't think of the song as a proponent in any way really. Club culture and the drugs that come with it deserve the ridicule some songs give it I think.
Take for instance, the songs from Queens of the Stone Age, 'Feelgood Hit of the Summer', where Josh Homme sings "Nicotine, Valium, Vicodin, Marijuana, Ecstasy and Alcohol... C-C-C-C-C-Cocaine!" Its funny considering those are the only lyrics to the song with its title. Its just weird sarcasm I think.
Now Soulwax (also known as '2 Many DJs) has a song called 'E-talking' and their accompanying video shows the A to Z of popular drugs in a ridiculing manner. Check out their video here (my favorite example is "LMNOP"). Their album, 'Any Minute Now' is a fave of mine for this year, but its not in the US yet.
http://www.7digital.com/downloads/soulwax/
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December 20th, 2004
10:54 am - Conveyor Belt Sushi?
I love this stuff.
Brandi and I went to Little Tokyo on Saturday afternoon and stepped into the Frying Fish (yes, correctly spelled). They have only what I read about in books, a conveyor belt that has plates of sushi and stuff humming by. Its fascinating.
The idea has been in Japan since the 50's. Its cool and suprisingly fresh.
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December 17th, 2004
December 5th, 2004
03:28 pm - Things I've Learned this weekend
Just back from a great getaway to Vegas w/Brandi. Things to ponder...
- The band Queen, although overplayed at times in movies and sporting events, made timeless theatrical music that will live forever. Go see "We Will Rock You" just for that.
- Asian Grandmother Cab drivers think kids have "dirty mouse" and will tell you incessantly
- People who go to the Rodeo in Vegas look like my parents, especially when you walk behind a group of them. Big black cowboy hat and rodeo jacket on the tall guy and a short lady with poofed up hair totally dressed like a mom.
- Banana splits at 3am are really good
- Take a risk and bet on numbers in roulette, don't just rely on the side ones
- The casino at The Sahara dies around midnight
- The casino at The Stratosphere is always empty and with good odds, even on a Saturday night
- The quick check kiosks at LAS are your best friend. Never take check-in luggage when you leave mid-day on Sunday or you'll be in line for hours and hours
- There's a Rod Stewart impersonator at Imperial Palace who doubles as a blackjack dealer.
- Apparently people still think walking around The Strip with yard-long beer bongs around their necks will get them laid.
- Our Cab Driver thinks the words "Body English" suggest an alternative lifestyle
- The new passenger train on the East side of the strip has been open for 3 months and its already broken down for repairs. Perhaps they should have taken some tips from the CTA.
- Dinner at The Eiffel Tower may cost a few bills, but its worth it, even if the portions make it look like they should bring tapas to Live Aid
- Thank God even the 80-seat express jets from America West have more legroom in the exit rows
- The "Luv Tub Suite" rooms at Imperial Palace have mirrors above the king-size bed and the 5-person "Real World Party" bathtub. However, its got no Jacuzzi-like jets. I was waiting to see a picture of Jack Horner from Boogie Nights.
- Rodeo cowboys don't go clubbin'. They just go out to dinner then hang in the hotel bar.
- Supposedly some people think its cool to not only get married in Vegas, but get married with the groom in a poncho while the bride is decked out in a gown.
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November 24th, 2004
12:24 pm - Concert Question
Lots of bands lately are reuniting and releasing new albums. Tears for Fears is one of them.
I like the new album. Its really good and sounds like they never disappeared. However, last night's show was good, but it could have been better.
The first hour of the show was basically all the new album. I'm sure alot of people in the audience have it, but I'm sure alot more don't. They come for the 80s stuff since this whole 80s revival is coming back. It wasn't until the last half-hour of the show did they play all the hits.
I just wish they mixed the songs a little bit better. Is it okay to think this?
In any case, they sound great. They live here now and did alot of talking to the audience to mention that very fact. I guess Curt Smith has a daughter who likes Hilary Duff and The Wiggles. I'm also surprised that they played 'Break it Down Again' even though Curt wasn't on the album.
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November 23rd, 2004
09:17 am - Happy weekend
So the trip home was a good one.
We took the red-eye from LAX and arrived at Ohare a little after 5am Friday morning. Apparently there are more people who are able to do this than I thought as everyone but us seemed to be sleeping on the flight. I thought we could, but damn those seats. I'd probably fidget in 1st class too. I just can't relax in those seats when I need to.
We got the rental car which was a sweet 2-dr Dodge Stratus. It smelled like smoke inside, but the car was just too sweet to pass up so we drove from Ohare to Indiana in about an hour - a world record in my opinion.
Folks took us out for breakfast to this place in downtown Lowell (yes, there is a downtown, its about 2-3 blocks) with all these antiques. Has a big Denver omlette for 4 bucks. Life is good. Spent the morning back home with the horses, took a nap and had some great chats with the 4 of us. Later that night we went out for pizza with my aunt and uncle and my cousin's family. I miss Aurelio's pizza, but its funny when Brandi ordered red wine the waitress asked if she wanted ice. Ah, Indiana.
Saturday we headed up to Chicago, grabbed some lunch at Cheesecake Factory (a tip - go to the bar for immediate seating instead of 60-85 minutes) and headed to the mother-lode that is H&M.; We each bought over $200 worth of clothes each (we packed light to take the booty home in our suitcases) and were there for so long, the soundtrack on the PA system repeated itself. Thankfully H&M; has good taste in music.
After shopping we headed to the hotel in the Clark/Belmont area. I guess our hotel, The City Suites, is known as the rock-n-roll hotel as many bands stay there when they tour thru town. The front desk manager was gone when we arrived and we had to wait several minutes, but because of that he upgraded us to the King suite. Nice.
Went to Bad Dog to meet up with all the old friends. Thank you to Liz, Diana, Josh, Patrick, Kate, Alex, Rich, Carol, Melanie, Ken, David, Lance, Kelly, Michael, Linara, Barry and Barry's lingerie model for showing up. It was great hanging out with good friends, food and of course, drinks.
Sunday was some quality time at the Art Institute for some history behind the painting, American Gothic. Its called 'Gothic' because of the window style behind the couple and the two models were the artist's Sister and Dentist. Sometimes I think I'd have majored in Art History because of all the work and history that comes behind the work itself. Its not just some picture of something. There's so much more behind the brush strokes.
We met up with Heather and John at Uncommon Ground for some coffee and talk. Uncommon Ground is expanding to that abandoned deli next door with a full bar and will be 100% non smoking. A first. Not a bad idea for an alternative. Heather and Amy are doing alot of the artwork for the place too. Check the bathrooms when they open and you'll see their tile and paint work.
Flight home was alot better than the red-eye even with a delayed takeoff and a bad movie (A Cinderella Story).
I miss Chicago. We'll be back soon.
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November 18th, 2004
10:26 am - Chicago here we come
So in case you don't know already, its the Chicago fun weekend.
I've never flown a red-eye flight before, but we're doing one tonight and arriving at OHare a little past 5am. Ouch. Time for some good coffee. At least the drive to Indiana shouldnt be all that bad. I'd take the toll road and bypass the city, but I'd hit the same shitty traffic whether I went thru downtown or not, so I'll opt for a downtown drive and pass the cool skyline.
Hanging for the day in Indiana on Friday will be interesting, but quiet and quaint nonetheless.
I hope the shopping on Michigan Ave won't be as chaotic as if we were there after Thanksgiving - aka the start of holiday shopping hell. H&M; Baby! And yes, I know that Karl Lagerfeld did some designs. I think every person I've told has made mention of that name in some way.
Don't forget to come out on Saturday night. Bad Dog tavern 'round 9 for some basic hanging and eating. Love to see ya.
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November 17th, 2004
09:40 am - Amazing Race?
So I was all excited like a little boy watching Star Wars for the first time when "The Amazing Race 6" came on last night. I was even more excited to find out that the race was beginning in Chicago. Perhaps I'd see some familiar spots.
However, my excitement was quelled as only the first 20 minutes of the 2-hour show were in Chicago. Yes folks, apparently in the eyes of Jerry Bruckheimer and his production staff, an adventure in Chicago is running from Grant Park/Buckingham Fountain to a Blue Line train subway stop and "racing" to O'Hare airport. From OHare, they had to choose one of three flights to . From there, the rest of the program focused on Iceland's gorgeous landscape and people quarreling in their cars as they looked for waterfalls and hot springs.
I can understand that Iceland exceeds Chicago on landscape and beauty, but come on. Let's see some urban adventure here and there!
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November 16th, 2004
November 10th, 2004
10:18 am - Peace and Quiet
Its nice to have the occasional work at home day.
Nobody to bother you, no papers thrown on your desk, no conversations to accidentally overhear at the desk next to you and no annoying outbursts of laughter in the perimiter that distract your attention.
By the way, I'm naked right now as I type this. Or am I?
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