Lolla08 – The Logistics (Day 1.25)

The Journey: Twin Cities, MN to Chicago, IL

The Road-Trippers: Myself, Sean, and Ryan met our friends Loren and Alex for a weekend of Lollapalooza 2008 fun

The Destination: Loren’s apartment in the North Chicago neighborhood of Ravenswood

The Dates: Thursday, July 31 – Monday, August 4, 2008

The car: My 1997 160k+ miles Chevy Malibu

The Soundtrack (from what I can remember): Garden State soundtrack, Flogging Molly, Beck’s new one, Sigur Ros, a random mix I made in high school featuring MxPx, FenixTx, Lit, and Incubus, Sean’s hip hop mix, Weezer’s Blue album, The Replacements, Atmosphere’s Overcast, and more that I can’t remember now…

Anyway… here’s how things went down:

* Thursday, July 31 – Departure time, 8:00PM from Eagan, MN *

We left Eagan at 8pm on Thursday evening, made a quick gas/food/Premium stop in Hudson:

Sean: Loren asked me to pick him up a case of Premo on our way. He said he’d pay a premium for it!
Me: *chuckle*
Sean: Yeah, that Loren’s a funny guy.

… and then were on our way. The next stop was just past Madison, then we cruised all the way to Ravenswood – Loren’s north Chicago neighborhood.

Hudson dinner and fuel-up + construction in WI/IL + gas/snack stop on the east side of Madison = we pulled up at Loren’s sometime after 3am. After a beer and a smoke on the rooftop, we called it a night sometime around 5am.

Loren keeps his little apartment’s window AC unit on 60, so we started referring to this home base as “the ice box.” Either way, it made for a truly fantastic sleeping environment!

* Friday, August 1, 2008 *

The next morning, I got up and got moving before the boys did since I had to meet my Viacom friends for lunch. I hopped on the brown line at Montrose (by the way, LOVE the train system they’ve got going on in Chicago) and took the train down to State/Lake where I met the lovely Miss Katie at The Gage.

<img src=”http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o282/doniree_photo/IMG_0316.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Katie and Doni @ The Gage”>

(The food review: I had a soft shell crab sandwich. This is not to be confused with a crab cake sandwich. This was literally a soft shell crab, deep fried in some deliciousness and served on a big bun, like a giant hot dog. Except with claws. It was really awesome, and just greasy enough to give my stomach the base it needed for the rest of the wine and beer I’d imbibe the rest of the day…)

Overall, this was a fantastic place with great service, great food and a perfect-start-to-the-day Bloody Mary. Others from the MTV Networks family met us there and we soon had a table of five 20-something girls talking just enough work to expense the meal. The nice manager felt bad that we got our food split-seconds before we had silverware on the table, so he comped the first bottle of wine. Nice!

From here, we headed to Grant Park (this is me in the middle of Katie and Jen):

Don’t worry! I’ll go into more show-by-show detail later, but for now… here’s just how the weekend played out.

The first show on our list was Duffy, who was totally adorable. If you like the Adeles and Amy Winehouses of the world, check her out.

After Duffy, Katie (my colleague-turned-friend), Jen (new friend out of the Comedy Central NYC office), and I made our way to the MySpace stage to see Mates of State. For the record, the MySpace stage featured some of the best bands and performances all weekend including: the Toadies, Mark Ronson, and Chromeo. Anyway, as for Mates of State, I just got their latest album, Rearrange Us, and I’ve really enjoyed it and was uber excited to see them live. It was a melodic and poppy as I’d anticipated!

Also, as we waited for them to come on, Gogol Bordello was on the big stage and this was something truly fantastic. Again, more later, but WOW. I’ve been dancing all weekend to the songs Sean kept waking us up with. *start wearing purple, wearing purple… *

Somewhere in the middle of all this, I think near the MySpace steam tent, we met up with the boys that I came down with. We ventured across the giant area by the AT&T stage (the big show stage) and found a spot on the hill on the side of the park for Radiohead. Here, I was absolutely blown away. The night was perfect – starry skies seen through hazy clouds, back far enough that we could stretch out on patches of grass, and temps finally cool enough to bask in the breeze.

After the show, and not yet ready to call it a night, those of us shacking up at Loren’s place in Ravenswood (me, Sean, Loren, and Cesar plus Alex) headed back towards the Ice Box. Loren and Alex insisted we check out Big Joe’s – a bar famous for its turtle races!

Ready… set….

GO!

Those are my photos, but check out someone else’s YouTube video here.

Sometime close to 2am (I think?), Cesar and I called it a night, but those other kids partied ’til nearly sunrise (waking me up when they came in at 5:15am).

Lolla Day 1 – Success! I couldn’t believe we still had two more days of that to do…

Get Excited

My dear friend BP is returning home on Sunday from a 6 month stint in Turkey, courtesy of the Air Force National Guard.  I am STOKED, and to add to the excitement… he hasn’t had Chipotle the entire time he’s been there, so our first order of business on Sunday evening is a beer on the porch followed by a Chipotle dinner.  Then we party.  Here’s a gmail chat transcript that I’m excited enough about to post here:

BP: well . . . I am going to go to bed . . . for the last time ever in Turkey (unless I come back for some reason of course)
Lily: YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lily: when you wake up, your journey home begins
Lily: get hungry
BP: indeed it does and indeed I will . . .
BP it’s set for 8h 39m from now . . . as soon as I finish importing a CD I will have just enough time to watch another episode of Jeeves and Wooster before I go to bed
Lily: what CD are you importing?
BP: Grammy Nominees 2008 . . . it’s just more crap, but something different
Lily: oh nice! that should be part of our “The Great Neil Diamond Chi-Town Road Trip Playlist Volume 1″
BP: it very well could be
BP: i’m out . . . tell some people hi . . . I will touchdown in mpls soon enough

Three Stages of Our 20-Something “Adult” Lives

I believe there are three stages to our 20’s. While I use one’s approach to bringing, sharing, or supplying drinks at an organized shindig as my benchmarks, I think these years represent pretty distinct points in our 20’s as we go through them.

The first is the “BYOB stage” and this happens in the last couple of years of college when you’re all finally old enough to drink, but every invite comes complete with an addendum to “BYOB.”

(sorry for the tacky MySpace label, but when I image-searched “BYOB” this is the best I could find…)

These are the years when we all DID bring our own – our own beer, bottle, vodka, boxed wine, etc. And we drank our own. We didn’t so much think of sharing with each other since money was scarce and scoring what you could had to go a long way. So you BYO, drank your own, and left with whatever remained of your own.

The second stage of our 20-somethings is when BYOB turns into “bring something to share!”. You’re still supplying your own beverages, but no one’s getting stingy or upset when someone asks to try someone else’s beer, wine or other imbibe. Just last weekend, I met a new friend of a friend. I’d brought my newfound Skinny Dips (the new New Belgian), and he asked if he could try one. Wanting to share the goodness of a delish new beer find, I was more than happy to share. And tonight, when I was over the margs and wanted a beer, I asked Sean if I could have one of the Guinness (Guinni?) that he brought, and he responded, “Drink ‘em up!”

Stage three – this is the one such as what occurred tonight. The host/hostess actually ask the guests NOT to bring anything, informing them that they’ll be supplying the food, drinks, games, etc. They’re both over the hump of the 2-5, are married, own their house, and had all of us over last night to celebrate the new Mrs. Schaffer’s birthday. Those of us in Stage 2 brought our own anyway, freely sharing to anyone in need or want.

It’s easy to see where I fall in this timeline. I’m still in stage two – the sharing-is-caring stage. When we host at our place, I do what I can to supply something. Last time – for Grand Ol’ Day – it was the Bloody Mary fixings. Mostly, it’s wine. But I still ask folks to bring something because this single-income, I’m-still-renting-a-cheap-place-in-the-city budget does not allow me to supply potables for more than a few people at a time.

I think it’s also easy to see what other “growing up” events fall into the thirds of our 20’s. The renting a crappy apartment, to renting a nicer apartment, to owning a condo or townhome, to owning a house with a yard. From dating all over the place, to significant relationships, to engagements, to marriage. From entry-level, not-sure-if-this-is-REALLY-my-career kind of jobs to a place and a direction you can really see yourself going (I’m still waiting for that stage to fall into place… ).

Either way, half-way through, I like my 20’s.

Sushi, Jimmy Eat World, Lightning, and Rain

While you could argue that I’m also starting to look for it everywhere, I’m really starting to hear hope and wisdom and truth everywhere. Even at the all-ages, Jimmy Eat World concert tonight I attended at First Ave., courtesy of my MySpace.com rep. Thanks, Mike!

And I know that posting lyrics doesn’t do nearly the justice that the music would actually convey, but I’m doing it this way anyway

Jimmy Wisdom:

“Live right now
Yeah, just be yourself.
It doesn’t matter if it’s good enough
For someone else”

And this song has just really always been one of my favorites of theirs – May Angels Lead You In. For some reason it reminds me of this guy from way back when… then again, maybe the band as a whole just does. Either way, this one’s beautiful:

“What would you think of me now,
so lucky, so strong, so proud?
I never said thank you for that,
now I’ll never have a chance.
May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.

And if you were with me tonight,
I’d sing to you just one more time.
A song for a heart so big,
god wouldn’t let it live.”

To top it off, I was kept in great company on the walk from the venue back to my car, parked across downtown. My friend Rod is always inspirational, always encouraging, and always seems to steal the thoughts right out of my head and put words to them.

And to top THAT off, there was amazing lightning in the distance as I drove home. I LOVE lightning and really loud thunder. There’s no thunder tonight, but it finally did rain and cool things off a little bit.

Anyway, it’s been a great night.

My 5 Things Tonight:
- my roommate, who spent the her last day off today cleaning the house and making it look pretty
- Mike, who – in the name of business, fun, and music – treated us to a great sushi dinner and an awesome concert at one of my favorite venues!
- my mom, who called as I was walking into the show “just to chat.” She doesn’t do that often (I usually call her or she emails me), but I love that she does.
- an amazing person I’m lucky to start to call a friend who is at the top of my list of “My Favorite People to Have a Conversation With”
- Rain. Sweet, fragrant, refreshing, summer rain.

Twisted Ankles, Cold Stone Ice Cream Cake, and Soulja Boy

Well, other than my twisted ankle, last night’s wedding festivities were amazing. My dear friends Bill and Beth tied the knot, marking the first of my college crew to do so. Naturally, a big hoopla ensued.

So how did I twist my ankle? The fun answer is that I got cocky and was showing off my mad dance skills on the dance floor. The real answer is that I got cocky and was hopping all over the dance floor when someone’s foot caught mine and I went down, rolling my right ankle, and killing all my dance skills for the rest of the night. I did manage a successful slow-ish drunk number with Sean, and the first part of “Devil Went Down to Georgia” since I could mostly hop around on one foot with that one without looking like too much of an idiot.

The day could not have been more perfect – warm, sunny, slightly breezy. And every time it should have, the sun popped right out on top of Beth as if heaven itself came straight down and high-fived her. We had a case of bridal nerves during the morning, but thanks to bridesmaids that were more prepared than boy scouts, we abated every not-even-an-issue issue with flying colors. Forgot your strapless bra? No problem! I brought three. Curls falling out? Curling iron and super hold hairspray to the rescue. Forgot to cut the tags out of your dress? Have no fear – we have scissors. And powder, and lipgloss and bobby pins and perfume and kleenex and Subway for lunch so no one passes out.

The bridal nerves completely dissolved the moment she got to the aisle. You could see it happen, too. Her eyes met Bill’s and this wave of calm just completely washed over her (naturally, right about the same time the sunshine did). They had a beautiful ceremony and we all made it through without significant tears.

The afternoon was spent cruising around in the limo, stopping in Rice Park to take pictures, polishing off a few brews and Beth finally getting a chance to relax:

Cocktail hour, dinner, and the dance followed – all taking place at the St. Paul Hotel, in downtown St. Paul.

Steph and I shared our own amount of schmoopiness (Happy Anniversary, Bestie!!!):

We danced the night away with Lilla (who lives in Chicago now and who we all miss dearly!) and Bridget (who can cut a rug like no other, giving Allan a certain run for his money!):

Six of the usual suspects shared a hotel room, complete with adventures such as snorers, bed-space-hoggers, friends returning at 430am, giggles, giggles and more giggles (mostly Sean), and spending the morning hours watching brain candy TV on VH1. This is Sean bidding good morning from his post on the floor:

The entire day was a complete success and so very much fun. Congrats, Bill and Beth! (or as Beau, the tail-tuxed pianest composed, “Billobeth.”

I Know a Guy (kind of)

Hi. I’m going to redirect your attention to this post. And then this one. And then preface this post by stating:

I have never watched The Bachelorette. That’s not to say I haven’t watched The Bachelor. I watched the Prince Lorenzo season (YIKES! except that cute Italian girl – what a doll! and the socialite girl was a riot) and then the Brad Womack season.

As you will (or won’t…) recall, Brad turned down BOTH finalists. Blogs and message boards went abuzz talking about how DeAnna should be the next Bachelorette. And she is.

So that’s reason #1 I’m watching this season. Because I already know who she is thanks to the season of Brad.

Reason #2? This guy:

Ok, so I don’t know him know him, but I know him. Or I’ve met him a few times. He’s a MN guy who’s friend with my BFF’s boyfriend, so there’s that. And that’s going to keep me glued to this season.

That and the hope that Reality Steve treats The Bachelorette with the same admiration and respect (aka satire and parody) as he does The Bachelor.

Go Ryan!

Way Back When

We had something of a moment at happy hour on Friday afternoon.  Pub of choice was Sgt. Preston’s (now called Preston’s Urban Pub), and that brought back all kinds of memories for the group at hand of 21st birthdays, because that’s the one place on campus that lets your friends in if they’re under 21 (but doesn’t let them drink, natch).  Anyway, after we all recounted the details of our 21st’s, it struck me that it was kind of a telling sign of a move towards adulthood if we were actually reminiscing about our 21st birthdays.

When we reach a point where that’s a charming little story we share over beers and apps after pulling in respective workdays as a PR professional, media buyer, jr. scientist, merchandise buyer, quality controller, shoe salesman, and marketing specialist… I’d say we’ve turned a corner into a new chapter of our lives.

Hell.  Sean’s birthday’s next and he officially hits “late 20s” in July…

At least these pages turn with the right people in my lives…

Blast from the Past

Trashley got married at the end of February, resulting in a massive reunion of my high school girlfriends. Here’s a picture of me with two of the standouts – Cori and Sarah.

Now, for the fun part

Below is a picture of us the day we graduated from [Park Senior] high school. Sarah’s second from the left; Cori is far right, and I am to the left of Cori.

We grew up pretty nicely, huh? This is seven years ago, as of this June.

CLASS OF 2001!!!

So, how do you fit in?

Said to me while sitting at the table, sipping on an Alt:

“So how do you fit in?”
“Me? Well…”.
[thoughtful pause as I looked around for reference to see who was still surrounding the tables]
The simplest answer was, “I went to college with Will.”
“Oh! I know Will.”
“Yeah? So how do you fit in?”
“I actually know Jeremy’s brother. We used to work together.”
“Oh! I know Jeremy because he and Will have lived together for a few years now.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too!”

Overheard an hour later, spectating the shuffleboard game in action:
“So how do you fit in?”
“Me? Well…”
[thoughtful pause as he searched for the easiest answer, looking for a common denominator]
“I went to college with Evan. Oh! And Doni dated one of my roommates [looks over at me as I'm holding up two fingers] – wait! two of my roommates! But one was like 6 years ago and that was college, so that doesn’t count. But she’s still dating one now. So I guess that’s how I fit in.”

Overheard a few minutes later:
“Hi, I’m Ryan.”
“I’m Courtney.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Yeah, you too!”
“So how do you fit in?”
“Well, I’m married to Aaron [points down to her teammate at the other end of the shuffleboard table], and we went to college with Evan, [looks around for me] and we’ve known Doni a couple of different ways for a few years.”
“Nice.”

I remember the first time I saw the blending of a couple of different circles. This was 7th grade. The “6 of us” (Doni, Michelle, Katie, Holly, Audrey, Robin) had just made the big kid transition from the kids’ church stuff to the big youth group. Much like the transition from middle school to high school, we went from being Top Dogs to the bottom of the totem pole. Not too long after, I entered into my first “pushing the limits” relationship. He was an older guy. I wasn’t really allowed to date yet. His friends fell into the age range between mine and his, so somewhere in between kids’ camp and youth choir, 7th and 8th graders merged a happy friendship. I remember internally taking just the slightest bit of credit. It was, after all, my relationship with his friends that paved the way for my own cohort to get to know them. I can’t take full credit… these things happen naturally and I get that. But still.

I get warm fuzzies when new relationships are formed.

How I Spent My President’s Day Weekend

Day 1 – Friday
No, this day doesn’t really count as part of the holiday weekend, but I took it off anyway, hoping for some plans that didn’t pan out – either way, knowing I had Monday off as well, figured I’d take advantage. Friday was a waste of a day – I spent the whole day sick on the couch. TGF reruns of The OC and 90210 on SOAPnet. That’s all I’m going to say about Friday.

Day 2 – Saturday
My dad is a certified wine-o courtesy of St. Paul College. By day, he’s IT department whiz at NWA’s computer helpdesk. By night, a part-time know-it-all wine-seller at The Cellars in Woodbury. This particular week he was giving a seminar at the store and asked me to be the “lovely assistant wine pourer” (his words, not mine). The “wine education” was a battle royale between West Coast wines. We pitted Washington-Oregon against Califoria to see whose grape was top notch. I don’t remember who won. I just know that I got two good bottles of wine out of the deal!

Two hours of wine pouring (aka tasting) was followed by dinner and some father-daughter bonding and shrimp n’ steak cooking, then a nap, then out with pals to The Independent in Uptown for a small birthday shindig. As was discussed with dear friend Mr. Brown, The Independent is one of the BEST people-watching spots in the Cities. All walks of life. All kinds of attitudes. We pinned stories on innocent passersby as they passed by.

Day 3 – Sunday
I will not bore you with the productivity that was my Sunday, but it was. Oh, and Si was in town and cut/colored my hair for me (I’m an addict). And I did advance my “practice” as my yogi calls it in an early Sunday morning yoga adventure. I’m so hooked. Good thing too, because now I’m paying for it… Anyway, highlight of the day – Fuji Ya’s Sunday night happy hour – Bangalang and I got two tempura rolls, I got my usual hamatchi (yellow tail), we split some gyoza (potstickers), and a bottle of chardonnay. Next time, I’m sticking with sake. 1/2 priced bottles of wine aren’t a bad deal, but sushi+sake=way more fun. Oooh… I have sake at home… and chambord… OOH! Purple haze! Purple haze!

Anyway, then we spied our sushi bar-sharing neighbors to the right, a couple of tie-dye-wearing, stringy-hair-sporting, talkin-like-they’re-trippin hippies, as they were served a pineapple roll and strawberries all drizzled in some sort of sauce and chocolate. So, the Fuji Ya Happy Hour virgins that we were, we asked the sushi chef what kinds of desserts they have. Turns out that comes with the sushi bar! Deliciousness.

Day 4 – Today/Monday/Pres Day
That brings us to today… I’d vowed *not* to go into the office today, but I made the mistake of checking my email from home this morning and letting that stress me out, so I did. 4+ hours should mean an extra vacay day though for coming in on a holiday, so that’s at least worth it. Back in the STP, Erna and I FINALLY signed our lease (though we’ve been living here since December 1… well, technically Nov 1 for me, but the subleasing doesn’t count…), and now Roxy owes me $150.

Meow.