Sunset

Taken 8/31/08

Flying Flag

Taken 8/17/08 in front of a Greek restaurant on Halsted.

Awake to see the sun rise

These pictures were taken early in the morning of August 12, 2008, while I was waiting for my cab to arrive to take me to the airport.



When I turned around to walk back to my building to meet the cab, I saw a shooting star.



This made getting up at 4:30 in the morning worth it.

Where the cab drivers are

Sometimes I feel like I don't really things about this city that I should. I go a lot of places, and see a lot of things, and although I'm pretty good at exploring neighborhoods, there are things that make the city live that you only see if you are looking for them.

Late Saturday night we were coming home from a friend's house. My boyfriend got thirsty. We found a convenience store, but it closed 15 minutes before we got there. Down the block there was a restaurant that appeared to be open, so we walked in to get a bottle of water.

The place was packed! Apparently cab drivers go there after their shift, or perhaps for their break. As we walked it there was only one person waiting for food, but soon after many more people came in.

I have driven down that street, and passed that restaurant many times. Usually during the day. I've never been in the restaurant, or really even gave a thought as to going. But there we were, with a bunch of cab drivers, getting some water.

It made me wonder what else I miss.

Lollapalooza After Show - The Blakes and The Whigs at the Back Porch at House of Blues

We got there a bit late, so we only got to hear The Blakes perform two songs.



Those songs sounded great, though, so I was really hoping to see them on Sunday.

The Whigs came out next. I had listened to their album once and thought it was good. I mostly went to this particular after show for a few reasons.

1. I was only going to be a Lollapalooza on Friday in the evening, so I thought that tacking this on would make it closer to a full day of music for me.

2. It was the cheapest after show.

3. My friends had already decided they were going to this show.

4. There were so man bands I wanted to see on Sunday that I figured if I went to this show, which featured acts who were playing the festival on Sunday, it would make Sunday that much easier for me.

Notice none of the reasons were because I really wanted to see The Whigs. Actuallly, I don't even think I listened to their album until after my friend told me I should come along. Am I ever glad I did, because they were absolutely amazing.



They played with so much energy and passion, it was really infectious.



I'm so glad I went to this show. I certainly left a fan of the band.

Lollapalooza, Day 1

With a week to dwell on it, and my photos uploaded, I'm finally ready to recount my Lollapalooza experience.

I thought I was over my disappointment at missing the first part of the day. I knew all along that I was going to have to work that day, and I never planned on seeing any of those bands. A variety of circumstances meant that I had to work from home on Friday, and while that helped me conserve energy after a long work week (including a business trip which had me flying the red eye home Thursday night - a flight that was delayed), it seemed sort of cruel that I was sitting at home instead of seeing bands. Oh well. If I had been there all day on Friday I probably wouldn't have made it through the weekend. Or thought Friday night/Saturday morning.

I didn't arrive at Grant Park until 6:00, which was just enough time to grab some food and prepare to see Bloc Party. It was my fourth time seeing Bloc Party, and even though I thought they were great last week, I think it was my least favorite of the live sets I've seen. I don't know if it was a function of not being in a small venue or near the barrier as I had been the three previous times I saw them, or if it was the fact that I wasn't happy with the set list. I don't know, I wouldn't have set it up that way. There were two or three songs I wanted to hear that weren't played, and I think I would have ordered the songs that were played differently. Oh well, I still love them.

After Bloc Party, I went back to where my friends were, and listened to Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks while waiting for Radiohead to perform. I thought they were pretty good, but I was only halfway paying attention.



Radiohead took the stage. I was really hoping they would put on a good show. I saw them once many years ago, as an opening act for REM, and I have to say, back then I wasn't all the impressed. I know many people who have seen them since and they all claimed that Radiohead was great, but I was hoping to see that for myself.



I loved their set. My only complaint was the screen, which was split into 6 pictures. From as far back as we were, it was difficult to really see the stage, and the small pictures on the screen weren't much better. But what was most important was how it sounded, and it sounded wonderful.



And then there was the drama surrounding the woman who climbed the speaker pole to watch Radiohead. It was kind of distracting, and I was a bit annoyed, but it brought a bit of surprise to what was a short day at Lolla for me.

It may have been a short day at Lollapalooza, but it certainly wasn't a short day. Next post: I discuss the after show.

Fly

Taken on a #147 bus on 7/26/08

Looking forward

I'll post more about Lolla once I upload my pics, which may happen soon and may not.

But right now I want to look forward to the shows I have coming up. I have tickets for these three:

9/8:


9/13:



9/28:


And while I don't have tickets, I'm seriously considering this one on 10/25:

My top 5

5. Does It Offend You, Yeah?
4. The National
3. Rage Against the Machine
2. Love and Rockets
1. Flogging Molly

Who did I see at Lollapalooza?

I plan on posting a lot more later, but for the sake of getting started, here is a list of bands I actively listened to for at least 2 - 3 songs. Oh, and some of these artists, I may not have actually "seen" them, but I actively heard them.

Friday
Bloc Party
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks
Radiohead

Saturday
Does It Offend You, Yeah?
The Ting Tings
Dr. Dog
Foals
Booka Shade
Spank Rock
Jamie Lidell
Lupe Fiasco
Toadies
Rage Against the Machine

Sunday
Office
Brazilian Girls
Chromeo
Amadou & Mariam
Iron & Wine
Flogging Molly
Love and Rockets
The National
Nine Inch Nails