Weather:
This is our rainy season. Good thing it’s relatively short.
Since you can’t skate because the world is wet here are a few things to get you hyped while you’re sitting on the couch: Chucky Berl’s Darlin’ and Billy Poore’s Speakeasy
I’m sure you already follow KoolMoeLeo on instagram. If you don’t go follow him. Then read this TWS interview. Then go to Uprise and pick up Downtown Wigwam aka Vol III and enjoy his part.
Kick in what you can for Yeah. Steve’s the best!
Alex has a couple amazing shows coming up: New American Paintings: Midwest Edition opening May 16th in Elmhurst and a show with Kelly Lloyd opening at Carrie Secrist June 2nd.
Some of my best work has been displayed at Chris Smith’s many galleries. For example this and this and this and of course this. I’m working on something for May 30th which is the last show at the Terraformer. Meet me down there. We can grab a pie at Pleasant House and some beers at Maria’s. Hopefully it won’t rain fire.
It’s a little far off but heavy hitters Michael Sieben and Travis Millard at Rotofui July 17th.
This just in! Lighting Bolt is loud and terrific!
I’m still working through a bunch of things and trying to figure everything out. There are also a number of other unexpected turmoils that keep intruding into my life lately but the main thing I’m trying to make a priority is making new memories and sharing experiences.
With that in mind and with summer on it’s way, here are a few suggestions to make this year a little better. These are all just suggestions and they may not be for you. Use your best judgement. If you have other ideas please give me a yell and let me know. As I get older it’s harder to motivate and get out (especially during the week) but every time I do it’s well worth it.
Go to the zoo! The Lincoln Park Zoo is probably my favorite place in Chicago and now they have snow monkeys and the snow monkeys are the bee’s knees! I’ve heard a lot of different opinions about zoos and every one is entitled to theirs but I’ve been going here my whole life, it’s the oldest free zoo in America and I love it. You can ride your bike there pretty easily. Down the street is Rickshaw Republic and they make something called Rendang that I occasional crave and dream about. It’s one of those dishes I wish I could make at home but it would take a lifetime of practice and they’ve got it perfected so I’ll just leave it to them. Actually I’ll probably try and make it in the crockpot sooner or later.
Go to the Cultural Center! I’ve been telling everyone I know to check out the Archibold Motley show. Now the The Graphic Art of Valmor Products show is there and The Evolution of House Music starts next week. Even if you don’t like art you can walk around and appreciate the building. Also everything is free. There’s a ton of other great museums and the Garfield Park Conservatory is an awesome day trip but the Cultural Center holds a special place in my heart. It’s my favorite.
Go see a performance. Last year I saw a couple fantastic plays at the Steppenwolf. One about the Chicago heatwave and one about graffiti and a few other ones. I also saw the best dance thing I’ve ever seen at Hubbard Street. Normally I’m not a huge fan but after I saw this I wanted everyone else to see it. It was great. Tickets are usually a little pricey but if you get on the mailing list or look for it you can find them super cheap. If you don’t like live theater go see a movie at the Music Box. Sometimes they have an organ player.
Go see a live reading. Go to a poetry slam, a story slam, even live comedy, or improv. All those things are fine and fun and in abundance in our city. Some will be good. Some will be great. People telling honest sad stories always gets to me. I choke up a bit.
Send more mail all the time.
It’s CCBW so have a beer that’s made in your neighborhood or better yet one that’s brewed in your house! Sign up for a CSA if you cook at home. Pick the right size so it’s not a burden. Get to know your farmer. Eat more vegetables even if it’s just to balance out the steak tacos and BBQ.
The most important thing to do is spend time with friends and family. Laugh, text each other nonsense, go on a few road trips, push around, debate, adventure, make this summer the best on yet.
A few weeks back we took a trip to New Orleans.
I had never been but Allison had visited a couple times and I had some friends who used to live there but that was all before Katrina.
All of my other knowledge came from documentaries and the show Treme.
New Orleans is unlike any city I’ve ever been to.
They have the French attitude towards alcohol consumption coupled with the American attitude towards all out indulgence.
Music is huge and every place you look. It’s also honored and respected.
I heard the best street musicians imaginable.
We were also there during French Quarter fest. It seemed like there were endless different stages playing any type of music you could think of with people cheering loudly and dancing with abandon.
There was also lot’s of art being sold on the street. Paintings, prints, photos, I wish I could understand the economics of it. I guess it has to be viable or it wouldn’t be everywhere.
The room we stayed in was connected to a bar. There was no lobby. Just grab a beer and get your key.
We toured cemeteries and big old houses. Saw the house Django Unchained was filmed in. Saw Archie Manning and John Goodman and Sandra Bullock’s houses. Learned about history and fortunes lost. Our guide was top shelf and filled with civic pride. Actually everyone was filled with New Orleans pride.
Stopped by Humidity. The streets were pretty rough but I saw a lot of good weird cutty spots.
Checked out the zoo. Not as good as ours but not too shabby. They’re doing a big renovation that looks promising.
People always rave about the food and it was pretty great. Except Po Boys. Those are just ok. Those just seem like sub sandwiches.
Of course I found some BBQ and some more BBQ.
We also visited Cochon Butcher which seemed like the New Orleans version of PQM.
Or maybe PQM is the Chicago version of Cochon. Or maybe they both opened independently at the same time. Of course I’m partial to PQM’s Gyro.
The other thing that stuck out to me is that this is the south.
Unfortunately no boiled peanuts.
I was offered a chance to go on a Plantation Tour several times which made me uncomfortable.
On the other hand tweakers and wingnuts seemed to be tolerated and encouraged.
Crime seemed mostly reasonable and tourists seem to make up most or all of the economy.
They have gigantic World War II museum.
We skipped that and went to the Ogden Museum instead.
The Jim Roche exhibit was great!
Usually when I go to a city I try and drink a ton of different local beers but there wasn’t a lot of options there. I think a big part of that is the humidity. It was already pretty muggy when we were there. A good pilsner in a tall can is my suggested pairing.
Should you go? Of course! Go everywhere at least once and if you’re going to New Orleans go all in. See lots of music! Ride the very slow street car! See a cemetery. Walk down Bourbon Street on your way to another destination. Eat beignets.
Do I have a return trip planned? Not anytime soon but at least I’ve had these moments. A random walk in the rain with headphones on and stray cats crossing my path. A street corner brass section playing the classics and passing the bucket. I threw my dollars in.
That’s it. That’s all I have for this fine installment. No Rod Serling twist. No bait and switch. I hope you enjoyed the applicable and disregarded the rest.
Thank you for taking the time to read. I mean that sincerely.