Bogota is on the forefront of social evolution.

"Another innovative idea was to use mimes to improve both traffic and citizens' behavior. Initially 20 professional mimes shadowed pedestrians who didn't follow crossing rules: A pedestrian running across the road would be tracked by a mime who mocked his every move."

Awesome.

listening to: [adult swim]
in my sink: 1 pot, 1 spoon, 1 fork.

I got promised a press pass for Thursday night by New Black!

At first, there was excitement. Then, the nerves crept in. With fear. And doubt.

This is going beyond amateur photography, isn't it? I mean, can I continue to claim that this is "just a hobby?" Seriously, is getting a press pass to a concert part of "just a hobby?" And are my photos good enough to justify a press pass?

Suddenly, I feel all this pressure. I'm sure, during the Blue Meanies, there's going to be all these professional photographers with these huge expensive cameras with lenses that go out to there, and then there'll be me with my little Panasonic digital 3x zoom. Don't even get me started about how these cameras are like extensions of their, um, manhood. I'll be the only one who needs that extra 3 feet closer access, really. Hey, you - quit laughing. Yeah, you, the one in front of the ten-year old Compaq Pentium 200 Mhz "computer" with the dying 13" VGA screen that takes up your entire desk. I see you. I bet your screen name is "littlebopeep69" on AOL. Isn't it? I thought so.

Um, where was I? And how did I get on such a weird tangent? Oh, yes. In the past, these "professional" (read: able to afford more expensive equipment than me) photographers have never really intimidated me. Heck, it's their job. It wasn't like my photos had to be better than theirs or anything; I was just doing this for myself. Besides, I was behind the fence. But now, well, I'm not making any money from this, but I'm sure I'll want press passes in the future. So my pictures have to at least be worth that. There's got to be some kind of give-and-take somewhere.

Geek's disclaimer: Yes, I know Pentiums weren't yet around in 1994, and neither were computers up to 200 Mhz. Deal. I also don't remember what size screens were or if VGA was the stuff then, either. Get over it.)

listening to: new black, orbital, moby, cake, crystal method
in my sink: a bowl, a spoon, a cup

Just about everyone's doing top five lists this time of year, so I thought I'd join in. The problem with that is, I run the risk of doing what everyone else is doing. I could give you the top five albums of 2004, or top five artists, or top five songs or whatever, but let's face it - you can find those lists in forty-three thousand other places. Instead, I'll give you:

The Top Five Seven Days of 2004

It's new, it's hip, it's really neither of those two things. Funny, most of my top five days actually do center around rock concerts, but what are you gonna do. Like many others out there, I'm nothing if not obsessed. Plus, um, I came up with seven and didn't want to chop off the last two. Again, what're you gonna do.

1. July 17. This day should live in infamy. It probably won't, but it should. There'll probably never again be a day where I reserve an entire bar and hire a major Chicago band like The Detholz! for my own birthday party. It was by far the best Detholz! show I've seen yet. That has nothing to do with the fact that much Guinness was consumed, although that fact has a lot to do with why this is my number one day of 2004. Old friends, good friends, a great band, great beer. Good times.


2. February 14. No, it doesn't make it on the list because of romance or anything like that. The Detholz also played this night, but they're not the reason either. On this night at Subterrannean, Sybris opened for the Detholz, and they blew my mind. Since that night, they've become one of my favorite Chicago bands. Tons of other bands since then have made such an impression, but I think Sybris was one of the first since moving to Chicago, and thus this was a defining moment for me.
   Unfortunately, this night could also make Chicago's worst day of 2004 list. Days later I'd find out Chris Saathoff was killed by a hit and run. I didn't know much about him or his band Chin Up Chin Up at the time, but I'd later appreciate the hole he's left in the Chicago music scene.


3. June 17. I went to the Metro to see the Ponys, because I heard good things about them. However, I wasn't ready for the band that came after them. Once again, my mind was blown away; the Fiery Furnaces were and are unlike any other band I've ever heard. And I love it.


4. January 10. A few days before this, Cafe Ballou opened. I first set foot inside on this day. Coffee Nirvana.


5. February 7. After several years absence, the Poster Children made their spectacular return at the Empty Bottle.


6. November 17. (Sorry, cameras weren't allowed that night.) The Pixies at Aragon Ballroom. C'mon, it's on your list, too.


7. July 30. I rode with Critical Mass through Chicago. Bikes. Lots of bikes. Bikes stopping traffic. Bikes pulling boats. Naked people on bikes. What's not to love? Unless you were in a car, and I wasn't, so, uh, yeah. Then later that evening, Troubled Hubble AND the Detholz! played the Metro. How can anyone contain themselves?

You may have noticed, as I did, the number of times the 17th came up in this list. Weird, huh. Realize, too, that this is my top seven list, not yours. Had I gone to see Arcade Fire at the Logan Square Auditorium Thanksgiving night, or the Futureheads, or many other missed opportunities, those may have made my list too. But I didn't, and I'm a loser for that. So there.

listening to: the flaming lips, the poster children.
in my sink: 1 bowl, 1 spoon, 1 cup.

Last night I went to the Metro to see Troubled Hubble, Sybris, and the Changes. As usual, I brought my camera. As usual, I planned to take several pictures of two of my favorite bands, something I've done several times at the Metro, right in front of the security guards, for years.

First off, photography is my hobby. My pictures are for my own personal enjoyment. I post them online so my friends can see them, much like most of the technologically enlightened world does. Sure, some bands use my photos on their website and and for other promotional purposes. To date, I've never charged for my photos, because I love the music that much. So in effect, I'm doing many Chicago bands a service when I take pictures at the Metro.



The Metro doesn't see it that way. Last night I was able to take this picture before a security agent approached me and informed me the cameras aren't allowed unless I have a press pass.

They didn't do this because my flash might disturb the band or because I'm getting too close (there's a fence keeping us pee-ons from the uh, "press"). The only reason I can think of is that my pictures, and yours, for that matter, might upstage any official press or Metro photos. After all, if just anyone can take and publish these pictures, why go to the professionals or Metro sites? Exactly. Except, you know what? If you want to see more pictures of Sybris from last night, you're out of luck. There are none.

I don't argue that they have the authority to do this, but it's just plain rude. Can I not allow you to take pictures in my home? Sure, I can. Would I? Of course not, because I'M NOT A JERK. (Well, okay, I am, but I still won't.)

Here's what I want to do. I want to find twenty other people with cameras, digital or otherwise, and take a little trip to the Metro. We'd go early so that we dominate the front row. Then at the same moment, we'll all take out our cameras and start shooting. If the security approaches any one of us, we'll just show him our homemade press passes. Or the finger. I'm open on that one.

Who's in?

listening to: pink floyd.
in my sink: 1 pot, 2 spoons. You can take pictures if you want.

The phone conversation between me and substitute services at 6am this morning:

me: "Hi, I'm a substitute and I'm calling in sick."
her: "Have you already been assigned?"
me: "No."
her: "Then why are you calling in sick if you haven't been assigned?"
me: "..."
me: "I'd like to make myself unavailable for assignment then."
her: "Oh, okay."

Okay. Um, how is that different? Aside from semantics, of course.

Ten minutes later, the sub caller called me anyway.

Tell me again now, the development of bureaucracy in the third century B.C. was actually a good thing? This was an advancement for the Ch'in and Han dynasties?

listening to: along came polly
in my sink: 3 plates, 3 cups, 1 pot with lid, 2 spoons, 1 fork, a colander, and a coffee top thingy. and a partridge in a pear tree.

I had a good conversation with Tankboy last night. You see, a couple weeks ago, he played Pump Up the Volume on the screens while dj-ing at Ten56, and the movie got me thinking. I thought it was an interesting choice to play right after the election, though he claims he put it in randomly and wasn't making any sort of political statement. Then again, some of the most inspiring events in history, the ones that have spurred movements or revolutions or whatever, may in fact have happened by mere chance. The ones inspired probably had those thoughts in mind already, and just needed something to spark them.

But I digress. We talked about current events and how depressed and unsatisfied many of us are as a result of those current events, and specifically, we discussed what we can do about it. Of course, in many ways, post-election, it's a bit too late, but I don't know. The options I see are to lay down and take it (a.k.a. bend over) or do something drastic. Now, what "something drastic" is, I refuse to consider at this point. Whether it be "taking it to the streets," forming a little commune in the wilderness, selling our cars, or starting a solid and indignant letter writing campaign (FEEL THE ANGER BURN FROM MY PEN - oh yeah, KEYBOARD), we have to do something.

I'm not going to get into how Tankboy feels about it. He has many public outlets of his own with which to share his opinions, and it's not my place to share them for him. Suffice to say that neither of those two options are satisfactory to him, and he's looking toward the next election. I think many are.

And he's right. Neither of the options I see are viable. I looked around the bar and saw many people, sitting comfortably, socializing happily, and enjoying good drink and good music. There's really no reason to upset that. Or is there?

On the other hand, I also see a country headed for ruin. I see several poor families left out of options. Everyday I see children not getting the education they deserve and a system that cuts its own arm off in response. I see unfeeling corporations growing stronger and caring less about the well-being of those they subjugate. I hear of Americans being killed every day to uphold a "Democracy" that people don't even seem to want. (And yes, that can be argued.) I see a world growing angrier and angrier at us, yes us, not just our government, because it's time to start taking responsibility for our own government. After all, it's supposed to be BY the people and OF the people, not just FOR us, right?

On the other hand, I'm afraid four years may be too long. I'm afraid the damage done to our country may be irreversible by then. I'm afraid we may not be able to have so care-free and comfortable of an evening with friends at the end of four years. I'm afraid of many things. I still don't have an answer, but less and less do I feel like I can just sit back and see what happens.

I've never got all political here. In the beginning, I never cared. Then, I didn't think it had a place here. Lately, I didn't think I had anything to say that hasn't already been said, better, sometimes by other fellow bloggers. Oh, I also don't want to get visited by the secret service. However, I guess it's engrossed my thoughts enough that this is now what's on my mind, in my life, and thus, in my weblog. I don't know if there'll be more in the future, but I've certainly set a precendent, haven't I?

I have to watch Pump Up the Volume sometime when I'm not drinking.

Disclaimer for the secret service: Nowhere in this post have I advocated or suggested revolution or violence. In fact, my conclusion was that violence in any form is unnecessary. While I'm at it, may I just say that all members and leaders of our government are um, human beings, and thus, no matter how horrible or criminal their actions may be, deserve to continue living.

listening to: arcade fire live in montreal, since i missed them here.
in my sink: grease. & dog prints. grease always seems to be accompanied by dog prints. everyone glare at oreo now.

I'm so sick of huge corporations screwing over little people like me. I'm so sick of automated bureaucracies making the simplest tasks near impossible. I'm about to give up cell phones, cable tv and cable internet entirely. I don't think being able to communicate with the outside world is worth having to bend over and take it from these people.

Here's the latest in the never-ending saga of Me Being Screwed Over By Communications Companies.

A couple weeks ago I received my cell phone bill from a company we'll call Horizon Tireless. It happily informed me that my last bill is past due, and I now have a five dollar late fee on this bill. At the bottom of the same bill, it said "Do not send payment. Your balance will be automatically deducted from your credit card at the end of the month." Checking the previous month's bill confirmed what I already knew; it said the same thing at the bottom.

I called their customer service line, I line I'm unfortunately becoming way too familiar with at this point. I explained everything to the girl, and she told me that my credit card had expired. Only, it hadn't. Well, whatever, just, change my credit card information, and be done with it. She did so, and told me everything should be fine. The crisis was averted, there's no extra charge on my bill, and we can all go back to living our lives.

Until today.

I received ANOTHER notice from Horizon Tireless telling me my account is STILL past due and threatening to disconnect my phone.

Let's back up a minute here. See, I set up automatic payment so I didn't have to do anything or worry about paying each month, and especially so this sort of thing wouldn't happen. Suddenly, not only am I dealing with it, but I'm dealing with it every two weeks. Plus, it's not just sitting down to write a check and walking to the mailbox anymore; I'm spending ONE AND A HALF HOURS on the phone with them. Every two weeks. So yeah, it's not a little thing anymore. I'm mad, and I have reason to be.

Three calls each give me different "solutions." Two of them told me they couldn't help me, despite this being Ver, excuse me, Horizon's screwup in the first place. One person told me to call #PMT, which, I'm sorry, only gave me the option to make a one-time payment.

I tried going to the website and seeing if I could fix it there. This is what I got:

Set Up Auto Bill Pay - Declined
You are already enrolled in an Automatic Bill Payment program. To enroll in the online Auto Bill Pay program, you must contact Customer Service at 1-800-922-0204 or by dialing *611 from your cell phone (airtime free) to remove your account from the existing Automatic Bill Payment program. As soon as your account is no longer associated with the existing payment program, you may come back online and sign up for Auto Bill Pay.
Thank you.

See that number up there? Can you guess what number that is? Yes. It's THE NUMBER I ALREADY CALLED. The ones that told me THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. And since when does a service have TWO automatic payment services? That seems a bit excessive if you ask me.

The last guy actually helped me. To make up for all the inconvenience, he deleted this month's bill. He just got rid of it. It's gone. I no longer have to pay it. Then he found the right number to call (after a couple failed attempts), stayed on the line with me to make sure he'd given me the right number, and even CALLED ME BACK to make sure everything was solved.

I'm still in shock. I'm sitting here with my jaw on the floor. Someone in a customer service department actually provided a service to a customer. Cedric from um, Horizon Tireless, thank you. All you others, really, quit your day job. NOW.

After all that, I'm tired, I'm upset, and I'm very very hungry. I could have had dinner two hours ago, but no. Instead I've been fighting the Man. On a Saturday night.

listening to: stupid customer service representatives
in my sink: the same thing as last post.

Last night Dan and I went out on the town. We saw the Dollar Store at the Hideout and ended the night at the Empty Bottle to see the Dirty Things, Telenovela, and Bang! Bang!

Both shows were awesome. The Dollar Store was very funny, Telenova was a solid good time, and Bang! Bang! rocked my socks off. (Really, I can't find my socks.) I'm afraid the pictures I took aren't very good, however, and here's why.

Innjoy had all-you-can-eat fish and chips and free drinks from 9 to 10 before the Empty Bottle show. That's right. Free drinks. I've become quite skillful at finding and taking advantage of several free offers scattered throughout this great town, but you know, they're really dangerous. I mean come on... free alcohol? You're just asking for trouble right there.

Let me say this about free anything during set time periods: I will take it as a personal challenge. It's as if I'm on some kind of Monty Hall game show and given five minutes in a store to stuff as much as I can into my cart. It becomes a race. Now, I guess the all-you-can-eat deals are more like a marathon, but since the Empty Bottle show started at 10, that was a race too. So from 9 until 10 last night, the race was on. I guess there's something to those kinds of game shows, because Dan was highly entertained by my feeding frenzy. Really, I mean, there's no time to actually enjoy the meal. I was too busy stuffing my face with fish, chips... and alcohol. Specifically, vodka tonics.

By my count, I had four in one hour, plus a long island iced tea.

I didn't think it was possible to get THAT drunk in one hour.

So, again, you know, I apologize for those pictures.

UPDATE: Dan's are better.

listening to: Kim, Bang! Bang!, and ... the Cars?
in my sink: 1 bowl, 1 mug, 1 spoon, 1 spaghetti bottle.