Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Destination Success

Wow over a week back from vacation and no Spain Trip post. Man I probably forgot most everything about the trip, and I didn't take any notes. Unfortunately this post will not be about our European Vacation, but the more recent trip to the city of Chicago to see the Smoking Popes last Friday night.

The show was sold out, 36 minutes according to the Smoking Popes website. Since the show didn't start until 11:00, we decided to eat before the show at the Wrigleyville Goose Island Restaurant a few blocks from the Metro. I absolutely love Goose Island Honker's Ale along with most of the beers that they make. The restaurant also has beer choices that aren't available in the liquor dept of the local Jewel Osco, so I had to try the Red they had, I can't remember the name, but it was delicious. The fish and chips were OK, not as exciting as I thought they would be, but they also weren't too pricey, average for a Bar and Grill. I really wanted another Red, but didn't want to fill up and get tired for the show. We decided to head to the Full Shilling, next door to the Metro. It used to be called Fuel and was more of a Rock/Punk Bar until they recently redecorated to be more attune to the sports fans which pile in during the baseball season before, during and after Cubs games at nearby Wrigley Field.

A few PBRs later, it was time to head to the show. We didn't want to get there early as we had never heard of Bella Lea. Wow was the line long. I couldn't see the end of it, and the Tribune reported it being around the block - and its a long block. Luckily we had our tickets mailed to us - and a high school friend of Mrs Waj was pretty close to the front of the line. I noticed that two lines were forming near the doors, one for Will Call and the other for people that already had tickets. Most people (not sure why) decided to get Will Call tickets, even though the show went on sale a few months ahead of time so there was plenty of time to get your tickets. After finally catching up on recent events, I tried to persuade my group that we could go to the front, since we had tickets in hand (it was pretty windy and cold). They didn't want to lose our place in line, and a few minutes later a Metro rep yells out that people with tickets could come to the front. Finally we could get it.

We walk in and try to go to the balcony for some good seats, but somehow the seats were reserved, and the standing room wouldn't allow us to see the stage, so we headed back downstairs. We decided to take our normal spot stage left, although a little closer than normal, since it a heavy crowd (even with half the people still not in the theater yet). By the time we made it to our spot, Bella Lea was finishing up their set. Barely 20 minutes, great! I thought, the Popes will have plenty of time for a good set. Unfortunately they didn't start until 40 minutes later, to let more of the crowd in I believe.

Finally the lights go out, and the show begins. An amazing set, spanning all three original full length albums. Of course there was the obligatory tall/annoying/distracting people that always seem to be in front of you, which took away from the show. Also from the side angle we couldn't really see the drummer and barely see the 2nd guitarist Eli, even though he was right in front of use (damn tall people and beams!). The sound wasn't as full as it could have been, since we were pretty much right in front of the stage left speakers. Overall it was really great to see them again, and I hope they follow through with their announcement to play more shows!

And for Dave... the ride home was pretty nice as well...

Waj

[edit] so I decided to publish this a few weeks after I started, which is why I kind of ended it so quickly.

Monday, November 07, 2005

Welcome Back Kotter

Well I'm finally back to online civilization. Amazing what 8 days without looking at a monitor can do for you. More about the trip later, but while catching up on some of my emails while gone, I read this funny article about Guitar Hero - a video game with a guitar controller. Its something I'm definitely putting on my Christmas List this year. Along with Eyetoy Play 2; these are 2 things I really want for my playstation 2. Not only for myself, but these look like super fun party games. I'm really bad at making my Christmas list...

Waj