"Hot, Summer Nights" - July 20th, 2008

If you go back four years and one day from today, the date is July 19, 2004. What's the relevance of that date? Well, I saw a band I thought I'd never see in my life. That was my then-favorite band, The Mighty Van Halen. I was one happy twelve year old kid, who at the time still lived in Chicago (but was one month away from moving away). This was a very special show for me, as I got to see the greatest living guitarist in front of my very eyes, and see the band that for so many years satisfied so many people with their music.

That's just a small example as to why that time period was so special for me. Yeah, I was moving out of Chicago in a month. It was devastating then and it still is now. But, my friends definitely did all they could to make my last days there the best they possibly could, and you know what, they succeeded.

Funny how so much has changed over four years, yet so little is different. When you look at it in a certain perspective, it's pretty perplexing. But in the most interesting way possible.

Here I am, July 20, 2008. I still keep ties with my friends in Chicago (as many as I could), I'm still an outrageous Cubs fan, I get the same kicks out of "Whose Line is it Anyway?" (though that was after a brief hiatus), and I still wish I lived in Chicago. Yet at the same time, my favorite band is Rush, and I have to drive 35 miles to even get to Chicago to see my other family friends (which in reality is usually only in the summer). You'd think my life is pretty similar to the way it used to be in 2004, barring a few naturally setbacks. But it's very far from it.

I did this premise for a reason. My life has been fantastic so far in 2008. I had a discussion with Laura (who every reader should know by now) about the future. I think of how I was four years ago, and I wonder how things are going to be four years from today, in 2012. Best case scenario, I'm back, living in Chicago, going to college there, with a job in the city (which has a great economy), and just being back where I belong, living my dream (As a journalist. Didn't catch it already, dummy? :D). And I intend on doing everything in my power to make that happen. But the thing is, you never really know where life will take you. That's the thrill of the ride, folks.

So, we've reflected on the past and plans for the future, what's been happening in the present, one may ask? Last post was June 21st (life-update post, that is), and a lot more than I expected has happened. Just when I thought June couldn't be outdone, well, it has been. And July ain't over yet. How did June end, though?

Like I said, last post was on the 21st. Which means the Cubs were in the middle of their sweep of the Chicago White Sox at Wrigley Field! But I can't brag. The following weekend, we got swept by them in their house. And we just sucked. So, the series was even. You Sox fans who feel like gloating are stupid. The End :D

Anywho, in-between both series', I finished up behind the wheel. What a pain in the ass that was. I didn't like my instructor, everything was so ridiculously simple and fundamental, I was waking up early for seemingly no apparent reason. It was a total waste of time, and I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that. Pointless. It's not like I'm in a hurry to get my license. Considering how expensive gas is and my lack of a job, what's the point, really? I'd say I'm a damn good driver anyway, so I can take my hours gradually as they come.

That same Thursday when I ended behind the wheel, Dale tells me he may be going to Summerfest in Milwaukee, and asked if I was interested in going with. After much deliberation, I most certainly was. So on June 30th, I drove to Chicago and to his house, where I'd stay until the second of July. It was probably the smallest gap between stays of myself at his place since I moved in August of 2004. Definitely a surprise but nevertheless, thrilling. So what did we do that day? Relaxed, mostly. Played some baseball, got a surprisingly enthusiastic greeting from Paige, who I hadn't seen since last August (always nice to hear from someone I grew up with in the neighborhood, regardless), ate dinner, he went to band so I hung out with the neighbors. Bastard threw a drumstick at my foot when he came home, so I chased him around the block threatening to kick his ass until it got boring.

When we went inside, we played Mario Kart: Double Dash (just like old times) and eventually played MVP 05 on the Gamecube, where we did some considerably humorous mock broadcasts for his Toronto Blue Jays franchise. Following that, we'd bust out his old "Whose Line is it Anyway?" tapes. About three years ago, this was my favorite show, bar none. Ever since ABC Family replaced it's timeslot and is hardly on TV anymore, it dropped on my list. So I realistically had not watched the show in years. Wow, did it bring back some memories. Talk about ultimate nostalgia for me. Ever since then, I've been hooked! Anyway, we went to bed later than usual, sometime around 4 am.

The relevance of this day for myself, personally, is that I started growing the moustache. This DOES mean something for the story later on, mind you.

Anywho, we woke up around 9 am on that Tuesday morning, the day we'd head up to Milwaukee for "The World's Largest Music Festival" (also known, in simpler terms, as Summerfest). We were excited. Listened to the radio, talked sports with Dale's dad (Nick Swisher hit a grand slam and had five RBIs for the Sox in the previous night's game, Mark DeRosa hit a grand slam and had six RBIs for the Cubs the same night. Productive day for Chicago, both resulting in wins). After breakfast, we took a walk to the mailbox on 59th and Nashville, and would quickly pack up and leave for Illinois' Cheesy Neighbor.

So, on the way we watched R30 (just like last year, and always feels good), got caught in traffic (because of "fucking Blagojevich" to paraphrase Dale's father, who would throw a series of malicious vulgarities his way in order to convey his displeasure towards the new tollways). We stopped at a Burger King on the way, and would arrive at the camp site around 2:15 pm. We still caught a nice number of acts, smaller acts and tribute bands that really did a nice job, for the most part. It wasn't as hot as last year, which we were thankful for. Very comfortable, relaxing day.

We walked around for the most part, until about 8:30, when we stopped by the stage O.A.R. would be performing at. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band was performing, and to our surprise, had a very strong youth following. It was bizarre. They were tight musically, though for the most part I was focusing on the four hot chicks who were giving all the guys essentially a free show just a mere five rows ahead of us. It was...uhh, entertaining :D

Next would be O.A.R., and we had some drunken college chicks drop in next to us. Hey, I can't complain about that. One seemed to assume that I was 19 years old, which no chicks at a concert had ever assumed about myself before. I really think it was the 'stache. So I talked to the most sober one for awhile, and as soon as the O.A.R. performance started, I was getting a lot of action and attention from two of the four. Some "booty action" from the both of them (figure I'd use a Sean term since I simply cannot think of a more blunt way to put it :D). Can't complain about the result. I thank the 'stache.

Anyway, O.A.R. was certainly a solid performance. Not one I'd rank in my Top 10. Or 15. Or 20, for that matter. But it was pretty good, cannot lie. After the show, we headed out in the stampede that was the Summerfest crowd, sometime around 11:50, hit the bus back to the campground, showered, and went to sleep. Always a nice rest in the camper.

So the next day, we'd head back pretty early (9:30-ish). Stopped for some breakfast at Nick's (cool little place), and got tied up in traffic...again (where I swear I heard Dale's dad rant "I'm gonna grab Blagojevich by the hair and strangle him" :D I love those rants!). We didn't get home until 1:30, and only really had time to hang out on the porch. I was not looking forward to the rest of the day.

Why? I was going straight from Summerfest to the Taste in a matter of hours. I said goodbye to Dale and his family, and moved on in my journey. It was a nice trip to the Taste, got to try Lou Malnotti's pizza and just enjoy the other food out there. It was rainy, nevertheless, enjoyable. But also very, very exhausting. It was so nice to sit down and watch the Cubs game that night, after walking seemingly twenty miles in the course of two days.

So, from there on, not too much happened. Uncle Tom and grandma came by on the Fourth of July and that was a nice meeting, definitely. Watched the Cubs win a close one against St. Louis, no complaints. The weekend was boring, though the week was somewhat interesting. On that Tuesday I was asked to do a guest vocal spot for a band, and had about ten songs to learn by Saturday (which would eventually translate to Thursday). So, I did the best I could to get a vocal down and learn the lyrics in the short amount of time I had. It wasn't easy, but I guess they expected it to be. Because I went to the practice on Thursday and I was bad, and I know it, but considering the circumstances, I felt like I was alright. But of course, to the egomaniac guitar player, I sucked, and he had no mercy on me nor respect, even though I was doing them a favor and tried my damndest to do what I could in two days. When asked when the next practice would be, I was told "This is it, get it done by Saturday."

The work ethic was awful, which is why I backed out. I sensed little chemistry between the guys and it all seemed forced to me when they DID display chemistry. The band is controlled by an egomaniac guitar player who thinks he calls the shots (and isn't very good, sorry pal), a pretty solid and dedicated bass player who seems to take a lot of flack from said guitarist, even though he'd deny it, and a drummer who's very middle-ground, which I do like. This isn't a band I'd be interested in singing for at all.

So, Saturday came and it was Dave's party. Dave's a very cool guy so I assumed his party would be cool. The band I was set to sing for did not do so well that night, and the reactions from the public were not so good either, as an observer. Gotta be honest with what I sees. But aside from that, Gage, Max, and Alex sorta saved the show with some jamming of their own. After that, we hung around the bonfire for awhile, good to hang out with Laura, Cortez, Max, Gage, and Dave again. Always a thrill. It was a good party. Nice job, Dave.

So, the weekend closed out, and it was All Star Week for baseball. Home Run Derby was outstanding, Josh Hamilton put on one hell of a show (28 homers in ONE ROUND!? BEAST!). Then the ridiculous All Star Game itself. 15 innings and wearing out the pitchers and players? If someone got hurt, it'd be Bud Selig's ass on the line. Stupid fucker, making an exhibition game mean something. That's how players get hurt and it screws up any team's chances. Fucking tool...

Crue Fest was Wednesday and you could read my blog for the review. I have to apologize to those who I'd said would go to the show with me and didn't. It was an inconvenience. Sorry. Though I have to say, it was a blast! Second row, fuckers! AND the number of the girl who was on the Titty Cam. I'm telling you, this moustache is doing me wonders! (even if that wasn't the case, let me dream :D)

Thank you, Jason Giambi!

I was also told during that week from Max that he, Gage, and Alex were starting a band and wanted me to be the vocalist. Well, the style of music is right up my alley and I love the chemistry there. We'll see how that goes, but for now, I'm excited! Hope it takes off and goes somewhere! I also started grabbing episodes of "Whose Line is it Anyway?" on DVD. You can't buy those anywhere, so why not just get 'em myself?

Yesterday I went to a Chicago Fire game with my dad and got to see Marcella. Always a thrill to see her. Those games are always exciting too, considering it's ten minutes from where I used to live, and the crowds are always energetic. Very fun game, indeed. I'd also like to apologize to Marcella's friend if I came off as somewhat of an asshole. Too much going on in my head, dude. Forgive me :) Today, the family did a nice dinner at the Weber Grill, and that's where we are now.

What's in store for my future? July closes out with me taking a week-long trip to my uncle's. I am leaving Thursday to go by his place, and on Friday we are leaving for Milwaukee again for two Brewers games at Miller Park, Germanfest, and a Police concert. Can't complain about that. Then we get back to his place, see "The Dark Knight" at Navy Pier's IMAX on the 28th, and go to the "Road to Wrigley" minor league game at Wrigley on the 29th, probably with Sean. It's gonna be a beastly week. August has a Cubs game, another potential stay by Dale's, a hopeful stay by Sean's and another trip to St. Dans carnival with him, starting work with this new band and maybe even having a performance in the month as well. Though I doubt that July can be topped, or even June for that matter. August has the start of school, which we all dread.

So there's still ten days left in July, but it's already done enough to win the "Best Month of 2008" award (well, so far). With a little more than half the summer wrapped up, we all are dreading school. But Van Halen sang it best:

"Those hot, summer nights, that's my time of the year!" I have every intention on making the most of the time I have left to myself, as well.

See ya in August!

-Zach