July 30th, 2003 08:45 hours CST currently listening to: "Mainly Mornings" by Kitchens of Distinction

My knee is getting better, but it's still really tender. The area around the kneecap is still kind of swollen. I went out last night and it wasn't bothering me that much. Both Celeste and Maria offered to help me move my gear into the practice space, which was so nice of them, but I turned it down. I can't drag heavy shit down the stairs yet. The three of us plus Dean met up at Ear Wax last night and then Dean said goodbye and we went to a bar called uh........ crap, I can't think of it. Then we went to Rainblow. I got a wicked case of hiccups that hurt like hell. Had to take time out in the toilet to get them to go away. Taylor bought us all shots and that was it for me. Bleh. Too much whiskey and coke.

I'm in such a neat space right now. I'm meeting a lot of new people and normally when I meet such girls like this, I'd want to date at least one of them instantly, but that's not the case this time. I just want friends and getting involved any further than that would seriously mess everything up. It's really nice. There's no stress. We all just hang out and have a fucking amazing time.

Oh, by the way, DJ now has a website. He's entered into the beginners world of web addiction. He's got some cool black and white photos up there, so go check them out.

July 28th, 2003 09:00 hours CST currently listening to: "Tomorrow" by Morrissey

Well, I'm now wearing a knee brace, so that kinda sucks. Not sure when I hurt my knee, but I've been limping the last two days. I went to the gym on Saturday, and didn't have any problems, even though it was already hurting. As gross as this sounds, I get the sensation that my kneecap wants to cause my knee to bend the opposite way it should. Like those aliens in "The Arrival". Gross, right?

I know this weeks MP3 of the week isn't really a b-side, but unless you're a Cure freak like me and own the double 12" version of Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, then chances are you haven't heard "Hey You!!!" before, and it's a fucking awesome song. It's a get-your-ass-outta-that-chair-and-dance kind of song. It's way too short, so put it on repeat.

I want to thank everyone for showing up to Club Foot on Thursday night. That was such a good time! I didn't sell many airiel CD's, but I still had a fantastic time. Ben, Mark, Mischa, Maria, Celeste, Lesley, Misa, Joee, I love you guys so much. David and his girlfriend showed up, along with Seth, which was such a nice surprise. The tracks that Misa played (Kiss Me Slowly and Liquid Paper) sounded great. I'd love to have someone do dance remixes of them. I took a bunch of pictures, and so did Mischa. Mine are here and Mischa's are here.

Took Friday off so that I could go get my scooter. God damn thing wasn't fixed at all. The oil leak was still there and the break and rear running lights still don't work. Mossimo worked frantically for an hour with me there, watching. I finally gave him my keys and took the bus home. Grrrr. Didn't do much of anything that night. Stayed in. Replayed Metroid Prime. Watched Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Saturday, got my ass to the gym, which felt great. Ended up going to see NNB, Beans and Outhud at the Empty Bottle. Celeste sent me some tracks of Outhud and I LOVED them. They played a good set, despite the technical difficulties. Problems I'm all too familiar with. Next time they come around, I'll know their songs and be up there dancing my ass off.

Sunday I had Maria over for a French Toast induced coma session. We watched a few episodes of Futurama and then Rejected. I crash for two hours, which was way longer than I had wanted, so I did laundry instead of going to the gym. Went over to Maria's later to meet with her, Celeste and Dean to watch Sex in the City. Lucas was on as well, so we watched the last half of that. He was the fashion prototype for indie kids everywhere.

July 22nd, 2003 09:40 hours CST currently listening to: "Please Yourself" by The Darling Buds

I had a great time last night. Everything during my work day pretty much sucked ass. We declared on Friendster that Tuesday was "The Suck" and so many people agreed. My counter-suck effort came in the form of a 30 minute workout that was very overdue. I felt fantastic after that. I ended up negating it all by finishing off the two huge-ass pieces of pizza that Mischa and I had on Sunday. Met up with a bunch of hooligans at Danny's last night to get the rest of the suck out. It worked. We were all doing a lot better. Joee revealed that he was Ian Curtis. Jenn had black and white striped stocking on. Aric was, well, Aric. Mischa is now blonde. I couldn't get my eyes of Natalie. Misa was cozying up to a ultra hot boy. Things were good. Joee was even telling people about the airiel listening party tomorrow at Club Foot. Damnit, he's nice.

I woke up to the friendster equivalent of x-mas when I booted up my comp. 5 messages, 2 friend requests and 1 ultra cute testimonial from Lesley. I'm hanging out with some really fun people lately. I get my Vespa back today and rumor has it that my break and rear running lights are working, which means I can now drive that biatch to work.

July 22nd, 2003 09:00 hours CST currently listening to: "Begging You (Stone Corporation Vox Mix)" by The Stone Roses

Well, I'm pissed off. I had to work late last night and during my boredom, Dave decided to bust me for using AIM. I swear he's know that I've been on it for months now, ever since it got dead here again, and then he comes off all snippy about it. Prick. I'm not letting him borrow my Battle Royale DVD now.

Anyway. Pretty light weekend. I met up with my aunt and uncle from Wisconsin on Friday at Trader Vic's. I think it's gin that causes my ear aches! I know it sounds completely weird, but after two "flag poles" or whatever they were called, my right ear was killing me. So strange.

Saturday was pretty much a cleaning day. I met up with Mischa at Scooterworks so he could give me a ride home. His muffler completely fell off of his Vespa, so he was dropping his off as well. I came home and cleaned. Met up with Josh, DJ, Jeff and Kim at the Twisted Spoke around 7. Lot's of food and beer. We went over to The Black Beetle afterwards and I did a few whiskey shots. That's what I call high efficiency drinking. Beer always fills me up too quick and beer along with food fills me up twice as fast. So, a few shots of whiskey gets me to a better level. Rather cool, that.

Sunday was pretty lax. Mischa came over and we watched Battle Royale. People, I'm obsessed with this damn movie. I want to see the sequel sooooo bad. We had some kickass pizza and then called it a night.

July 17th, 2003 09:00 hours CST currently listening to: "Fantasy" by Lush

July 14th, 2003 09:00 hours CST currently listening to: "Firefly" by airiel

This was a great weekend. I did what I set out to do on Friday and rented a bunch of movies and stayed in. Going out drinking every night of the week wears you out, boy. Anyway. Watched Predator 2; Bill Paxton rules. Also watched Jason X which was a big fat stink bomb. As soon as I saw the text "Crystal Lake Research Facility" at the beginning I was already groaning in pain. I rented Devil May Cry 2 for the PS2. I'm really glad I didn't go out and buy this game. What happened to the freakin plot? The dialog? TRISH???? I don't get it.

Saturday I got up early and did laundry and took my car in to get an oil change and tune up. Then I met up with Mischa and Maria at Lula Cafe for food. This would end up being one of the best days of 2003. Maria rode with Mischa on his Vespa T5 and I rode my Rally 200. We went up to Scooterworks so I could have them look at my oil leak. They replaced the fuel floater assembly and now the leak is worse. Also, my taillight is messed up. The break light doesn't work and the running light ends up burning out. Who knows. We then went to a hardware store, who's name I can't remember, but I know it had the word Beaver in it. Seriously, it did. I got a couple tools for my Vespa and had one of my keys copied. We then headed North to Evanston. Stopped at a vintage clothes store, then a comic book store. The weather was picture perfect. Beautiful blue sky with clouds. Wonderful temperature. We then went to an ice cream shop on the northwest side of Evanston. I got it up to 4th gear at one point. After that stop, we went east to the Bah'hi' (sp?) temple. This was amazingly beautiful. Again, picture perfect. I thought it was a bit morbid that they used spikes and needles all over this thing to keep the birds off it, but I have to admit, it really did the trick. Saw the biggest rabbit ever. We then went back to Mischa's enormous apartment and then split up so I could get a shower and change of clothes. I met up with them at Maria's, who lives three blocks away form me as it turns out. Mischa and I then went to Ear Wax for some grub. We went to a party at Celeste's place, for a guy I've never met nor was even introduced to. At least I finally got to meet Celeste. The male/geek conversations over shots of rum got dubbed "sausage-con". Good grief. I high-tailed it out of there around midnight.

Sunday I didn't do a whole lot. Picked up my car from the shop. I have an oil leak in that thing too. Damnit. Got groceries, whatever. Stella finished the vocals on "Firefly", which is going to be on the third "Winks & Kisses" EP, "Melted". I can't stop listening to it!!! She did such a wonderful job. I can't wait to get it mixed once David is back from Germany. I had such a hard time coming up with a vocal line for this song and so I offered it to her. She nailed it. She really did. I'm so excited to have her on there. I want to team up with her again.

July 11th, 2003 09:00 hours CST currently listening to: "Season Song" by Blue States

Another workday morning with a hangover. Here's the week in review. Tuesday night, went to Rocka-tiki with Hope for a Friendster get-together. Mischa, PJ, Misa, Joee and Vincent were all there. I met one of the DJ's, Talyor, who played Ride's "Leave Them All Behind" and a New Order song who's name is escaping me at the moment. Anyway. You know those weird devices at places like Dairy Queen where they have this constantly mixing thing of lemonade? You know what I'm talking about. Anyway, this is how Rocka-tiki stores their fucking Mai Tai's. Fucking hell, the were served in pint glasses! I had three of these monsters inside three hours. Now, yes, I was driving, but my friends can attest to the fact that I'm a very concentrating driver when I'm under the influence. I dropped Hope off at home and then went back to my place. I was so dizzy when I closed my eyes in bed that I made myself get up and watch a few episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus. I was so hung over the next day that I felt crappy up to the point where I went to bed Wednesday night. Craziness.

Wednesday was hangover day™. I felt like hammered shit the entire day. Managed to get a greasy burger with DJ during lunch. DJ, Dave, John and I went to see 28 Days Later at the new AMC theater close to Navy Pier. This was my second viewing and I still say that this is the best movie of 2003 so far. We waited through that haunting song as the credits rolled and I got the soundtrack the next day. It's the song I'm listening to right now. "Season Song" by Blue States. It's fucking tremendous. Anyway, the boys really liked the movie a lot. Dave said that he was even a bit shaky when going to bed, wondering what all the noises were and making sure all the candles were blown out. Hahahah. I ended up scootering over to Rachel's to give her back her bike lock. I love my scooter to pieces. She and Hans showed up on their Rat Patrol bicycles. I wish I could show you the URL, but I can't find it anywhere right now. Rat Patrol is this group of utter freaks making freaky, mutant bicycles. I'm not sure if I can even explain it, but these all belong in a Red Moon production. We sat on the porch for a while and we tried replacing the rear light in my scooter, but I think the wattage was wrong, because it blew out as soon as I revved the engine.

Yesterday was fairly normal. I wasn't hung over anymore so that ruled. Ben and I went to Heavy Stereo at Club Foot last night. Linsey, Mishca, Joee and Jay were there. Joee isn't going for the mustache thing after all (thankfully). He couldn't handle the feeling when it got sweaty. It was cool to finally see Linsey in a bar. Ms. Misa already made handout flyers for the "Winks & Kisses: Frosted" listening party on the 24th, which is the next Heavy Stereo night. We're gonna hand these out massively at the BRMC show on Monday. I don't have my copies of the CD yet, but they should be arriving any day now. The Tonevendor Top 10 List already has it slated at #3!!!! That's fucking awesome.

I'm debating if I should go to the Phaser show tonight at the double door. I've been out almost every night this week and I really need to be watching my finances. Especially because of London, but also because I have a bunch of spending to do this weekend. Mischa and I are gonna ride around all day. I have to get my car to the shop for an oil change and a tune-up, buy a new bike lock, buy new bulbs for my scooter's speedo and tail light, get the oil leak looked at, and get copies of my scooter keys. That, and I have to do laundry. I'm wearing my last clean pair of skivies right now. Yeah, screw it. I'm not going out tonight. Maybe I'll just get some movies and do laundry. Party!!!!!!

July 7th, 2003 08:50 hours CST currently listening to: "Firefly" by airiel

I want to be bad and eat a McGriddle. Went to a BBQ over at Kindesign yesterday. Things were nice and quaint and people were loving the veggie kabobs I made. It suddenly turned black outside and I tried to zip home on my scooter but got caught in the downpour. I had to hang up my clothes, they were that wet. I spent the rest of the day playing Vice City and watching a few movies. Tried to get some people together to see 28 Days Later again, but nobody called me back. Bastards.

July 6th, 2003 09:35 hours CST currently listening to: "We Are The Beautiful" by Chapterhouse

Craziness. The Ben's and I went down to Krissy's for a 4th of July BBQ. My stomach has not been the same since. Seriously, it's been in knots ever since 4AM that morning. I thought it was just a hangover but it's been cramping off and on. Ick. This sucks. Other than that, the BBQ was pretty fun. I made some vegetable kabobs that were a huge hit. I'm supposed to go to a BBQ over at Kindesign today at 3 and I might bring the same things. Have to hit the grocery first.

I got my tickets to LONDON!!!!!! Jen popped up on AIM and told me to haul ass over to Travelocity to get my tickets. Ben and I are going to to be in friggin London for friggin Halloween! I can't believe it. We leave on the 30th of October and come back on the 10th of November, which means that we'll be there for 2 weekends. I mentioned taking a train to Manchester and he one up'd me by saying "yeah, or we could take the Chunnel to Paris for a day..." Who knew I would have such choices!?!?

3 of the 4 songs for the Melted EP are mixed and sound pretty fucking fabulous. For some reason, the "In Your Room" track won't play in my car stereo. Bitch. The "Frosted EP" is already available at Tonevendor, which I'm oh so excited about. It's being sold for a dollar cheaper than I was previously told. Rock. I should be getting my copies at my office some time this week.

I treated myself to a double feature last night. It was hot out and my stomach felt like shit, so being in a dark, air conditioned building was right on my menu. Saw "28 Days Later" and "T3". "28 Days Later" is the best movie of 2003 so far. It was chilling and amazing from the very start. People actually left! I'm not kidding. At least a dozen people rushed out of the theater during the first half. I haven't seen that happen EVER in a movie. Well, a few people left during the re-release of "The Exorcist", but that was nothing compared to this. I can't wait to see this movie again. "T3" is pretty much a flaming turd of a blockbuster. Way too cheesy and pun-filled to be taken seriously. Even though I thought Ah-nold was beating a dead horse, I actually really liked Claire Daines and the guy who played John Connor. The new chick does a very bad job of being unattractive. Purrr. But yeah, it's a sucky Terminator flick. They do however, open the door for about a billion sequels, all of which will be even more sub par than this film was.

I want my stomach to stop hurting.

July 1st, 2003 09:35 hours CST currently listening to: "Medicine" by The Sundays

A few neat things: 1) I've gotten completely hooked all over again on SSX Tricky. I got my copy back from Christian last week when I picked up my PA speakers and I had forgotten what an amazingly fun game this is. I even went and played the original SSX and realized just how much better the controls are in Tricky and how much easier it is to do tricks.

2) Got my scooter back on Friday. She's purring like a 27 year old Italian piece of crap kitten, but she still has a fuel leak. I discovered it yesterday. *sigh* Gotta call scooterworks today. Joy.

3) Recorded the "Winks & Kisses: Melted" EP this weekend. May have gone down in record as the fastest EP ever recorded in a weekend. This was the first time where I hadn't been undergoing (serious) emotional stress or had been sick. We finished early both days. David has a really tight schedule this month, because The Assassins are recording their album towards the end of July and our time to mix this this is gonna be limited. Hopefully we'll hammer out a song on Wednesday and Thursday. Might do one next week. Then we have to wait for Stella to get her vocal tracks back to me for "Firefly". Then it's all done. I can't wait to hear what she does.

4) Alyssa is finally back on-line. I've missed her.

5) Deb is gonna visit me in Chicago in August!

6) I got my DVD copy of Battle Royale yesterday, and thankfully, it's good quality. The DTS track is all screwed up but the stereo track is fine. This movie has put me in a trance. Come over and we'll watch it.