Tuesday, September 30, 2008

9pm with a gumballhead

My downstairs neighbors have all their kids and grandkids over to watch the sox game. I figure I don't have to watch the game myself as I can tell the outcome of each play based on the frequency and volume of yeahs and boos. They're pretty hilarious because they're not my family.

I got summoned for jury duty today and I'm trying not to be pissed about it. It's on a Monday morning where I would normally be working frantically trying to make serious deadlines. Also, it's in the same week that I'm going back to Michigan and I can't exactly afford to take two paid days off right now. Then again, there isn't anything I can do about it so I shouldn't sit and stew over it all day. but I will.

The days have gotten much cooler. This morning I left the house (on bike) in a t-shirt as normal, not registering that it was fifty degrees outside. By the time I determined it was too cold to bike I was too late to turn around. I grit my teeth and faced the wind. Just the other day I was thinking that if I lived in a more temperate climate I could probably go without a car at all and continue riding longer and longer distances.

After doing serious damage to this computer last week. I'm back online with a freshly reformatted hard drive. I'm kevdek and I'm a regretful PC.

NPR is streaming the new Bob Dylan bootleg series. I'm pretty into it.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

back to the week

The weekend ended up being everything I was hoping it would be. The Cubs won the division title - my seats were so close to the field I felt I was part of the game. I will say this about major league baseball - it moves so quickly! When going to a Whitecaps game, for instance, it seems like you're there all day. Granted Saturday was a relatively short game, but there was so much going on it didn't even feel like I was settled in before 'go cubs, go.' I'm glad I went, though. I had a great time and I'm not feeling much cognitive dissonance about the value of the tickets - I'll probably never get such great seats again.

The Hideout Block Party was fun, too. Attendance wasn't as strong as last year due mostly to what many call a weaker lineup. In fact, the festival didn't sell out for the first time in years. Nonetheless, the acts I went to see were fantastic. And Neko Case performed, 'Buckets of Rain,' my favorite Dylan cover.

Xtina and I will be returning to Grand Rapids Oct. 30th for a long weekend.

More updates to follow

Thursday, September 18, 2008

weekend view

Work has been pretty tough lately. I'm looking forward to what is shaping-up to be a fantastic weekend. Saturday, although I'm working in the morning, I've managed to score some pretty sweet tickets to the Cubs and Cardinals game. In fact, they're about 20 rows behind home plate and are going for an unspeakable amount of money on ticket brokering sites right now. I gave some serious consideration into selling them but after a day deep in thought and helpful discussions with Xtina and with Metal, I decided for a number of reasons that I should go to the game after all.

As soon as the game ends I'm biking south to the Hideout Block Party where I'll see one of my favorite artists - Neko Case. Afterward I'll sprint downtown where I'll start an impromptu parade in my honor and will bring all races and classes of Chicagoans together in a choreographed rendition of 'Twist and Shout.'

Well, not that last part but I'm one trip to the art institute away from what I call the 'Bueller Trifecta.'

Sunday I have the day off and will spend it doing a long ride in the morning - I'm feeling better these days and didn't end up having to see a doctor. My favorite cycle route (the one in which I got hurt) is completely under water in light of last weeks events but the routes on the south side should be fine. After my ride I'll be going back to the Block Party for a concert by the likes of Mucca Pazza, Ratatat, and The New Pornographers - featuring Neko Case.

I'm nervous about getting my hopes up that everything will work out, but I think this weekend will be the kind of urban weekend that I've been waiting for for a long, long time.

Sunday, September 07, 2008

slip and fall

I may have mentioned this previously but my place of employment has an annual bicycle contest that I have been participating in all summer. My goal has always been to finish in the top ten and as of two weeks ago I was ranked seventh overall in the region. Prizes include trips to NYC and to Guatemala, gift certificates and PTO hours. The competition ends in two weeks so I've been hitting it pretty hard.

This past Wednesday I got up at dawn intending to finish my standard 65 mile training ride (I try to stay around 20 mph). The trail was a bit wet so I slowed down but slipped around a corner on what must be the first fallen leaves of the season. I'm pretty scraped-up on my hip and elbow and until just recently I had some serious pain in my bones - so much so I missed a free Andrew Bird concert downtown.

I've (correction: Christina has) been tending my wounds the best I can and I'm still in some pain but I wouldn't let it keep me from riding in the Chicago Bicycle Federation's Boulevard Lakefront Tour. Early this morning I bandaged myself up and competed today's 93 mile trek (63 miles on the course and 30 miles to and from the starting line in Hyde Park.) I didn't think I'd be able to finish - even yesterday - but Xtina and I made it. I love group rides; I'm considering riding in the North Shore Century Ride.

A friend of mine is riding to the U.P. in a few weeks. It makes me think I should try riding to Grand Rapids sometime. The only problem would be the route.

Xtina thinks I should get a bike tattoo.