The Killer Whales!

Is there anything that could make a big sister more proud than to find out that her little brother is an exhibitionist? only finding out that he is a rock star too!!!!


MAGAS, KILLER WHALES The only thing that screams summer high jinks louder than a daylong outdoor show in the parking lot of a run-down old Tastee-Freez is the lineup at this one. Though I'm a sucker for headliner Magas, whose sweaty-gut beats and hectic synth ripples never fail to get a crowd of kids pumping their fists, the special treat here is local outfit Killer Whales. The only time I've seen these boys they performed shirtless in shorts and socks, their skinny-chested innocence teetering on the brink of pornographic, a la Tom Cruise in his tighty whities in Risky Business. The frisky, snotty songs all seemed to begin in the middle of a gust of energy, then end with a crash. Surf guitar smoothed out hiccups of high-speed ska, and two drum kits--one made mostly of floor toms and a well-loved metal trash can--stepped all over each other's toes in the excitement. Also performing are Voltage and Lazer Crystal--the house bands at Camp Gay, which is organizing this show--plus the Chandeliers, Beau Wanzer, Michael Columbia, and Mass Shivers. (Other than Magas's headlining slot, set order had not been determined at press time.) The show is free, but donations will be accepted to defray the cost of the PA and the Porta Potti. " 3-9 PM, Tastee-Freez, 2815 W. Armitage, 773-252-1464. --Liz Armstrong


The Chicago Reader July 28th 2005!!

monday, monday, monday.....

it has been an absolutely beautiful weekend in boston...sunny, breezy and about 80 degrees! needless to say we spent quite a bit of time walking around...checking out some different areas that we hadn't been to yet like the "fens", a huge park in back bay, and down newberry street where all the outdoor cafes were packed! i have been busy imagining and researching ideas for our wedding. initially i was really overwhelmed by all the choices available and the large price tags but mjk and i sat down and had a really good brainstorming session about what our own expectations were and what we would be able to afford...and i think we came up with some fabulous ideas. with renewed enthusiasm, i have spent the morning sending out inquiring emails about space rentals and food costs and am just waiting for the responses. we decided on a couple of dates to work with and a theme so now it gets exciting!

anyway...i am glad that we decided not to stay in boston for an extra month because i am really looking forward to sharing all this with my friends and family. a long giggle and gossip session with bcw, oops, bws (my best friend) is definetly overdue!

I promise to write more about our wedding plans in the future but i dont want to give anything away yet, especially if some of our ideas dont work out....stay tuned!

self explanatory! 

he and i and the rocks 

big rocks

I am engaged! well really "we" are engaged...and what an exciting thing it is! mjk and i took off friday morning to begin a tour of new england. we had a lofty goal of 6 states (mass., new hampshire, vermont, maine, rhode island and connecticut) in 4 days. We headed north first on highway one along the new hampshire coast and only made it about 60 miles before we pulled over along the ocean to explore some large coastal rocks. I ran ahead, eager to stretch my legs and feel the sun while mjk lagged behind a bit watching me hawkishly while asking me not to go so far out. He finally met me out on a big rock ledge and we were pointing out the bouys and birds and freighters in front of us when i heard him pledging his love to me. I turned around and he was precariously balanced on one knee asking me to marry him! I was absolutely astounded! I had no idea that he had been planning this day for months. I remember jumping around a lot and squealing "yes, yes, of course yes" and being so happy and smiley i thought i might burst. then i immediately felt bad because i wasnt crying like they always do in commercials but this was real life and i was just too happy and excited. we hugged and kissed and laughed and took lots of pictures. my ring is absolutely beautiful and fits perfectly! just what i would have picked. it was such a perfect moment! we headed back to the car and went north to portsmouth, new hampshire were we celebrated with some champagne on the secluded patio of the portsmouth brewing company and made a few calls to share the news with our loved ones. It is soo exciting!

inspired by the fish at the new england aquarium 

events!

saturday was a good day in my life... i have officially been a non-smoker for six months! i cannot believe that it has been this long! i think i have amazed myself with my own will power, as i have always seen myself as someone who lacks self discipline. i must say that i am often at odds with my nonsmokerness. cigarettes were very close friends of mine for quite awhile and they were always there for me...in my backpack, in my purse, down the hall at the tobacco shop. i loved the ritual of smoking, all the paraphenalia needed... a lighter or book of matches, an ashtray, the actual box the cigarettes come in... then the act of packing the cigarettes against my palm, pulling one of the sticks out, holding it to my lips and lighting. it was often done without thought, more habitually than anything.

but i am doing really well. i am sometimes at a loss with what to do with my hands so i am typing, writing and crafting more often, very positive activities. i dont have daily cravings anymore but i still think about my old friends. it is easier here in boston as all the restaurants and bars are non-smoking and also that i dont know any smokers here. it will be a bit more difficult when i return to chicago because i have many associations with smoking there, but i am up for the challenge. i have also promised myself a trip to the mexican rivera on my one year anniversary which falls in the middle of january so that is some serious motivation.

saturday also saw some other awesome events in my life...mjk and i have officially been together for nine months. i must say that it seems like a lot longer, in a good way, as we are so close and have done so many exciting things together. i am so excited for our future!

and last but definetly not least...mjk received a new second cousin. a 9 pound (!!) baby boy named carter was added to the family! how exciting

a good book

i have just finished reading Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett and am quite inspired by her ability to write such a loving and compassionate account of her friendship with Lucy Grealy, an eccentric often self absorbed but widely adored writer. It is the story of their special friendship that started in college, a graduate program in writing at the university of iowa, up until Lucys' death just before her fortieth birthday. i guess what i liked about it the most, well there are two reasons. the first is that i liked to read about their writing styles, how the wrote, what they liked to write about, what type of motivations they needed and what there hinderances and superstitions. it was very interesting to be invited into the life of two young modern writers, who were extremely different. the world of writers workshops, the application processes, and lifestyle was something i have never even thought of. the second reason i really enjoyed this book was reading about the dynamics of their friendship. Lucy had some serious physical and psychological issues that she dealt with daily. nothing ever seemed like enough for her, the grass was always greener. but ann had a way of showing you the underlying goodness in lucy so that in the end, you couldnt hate her for all the interuptions she brought about. the late night phone calls, her demanding declarations of love and hopeless irresponsibility. what i really love was anns' ability to be completely loyal to lucy throughout their friendship, as if they were bound blood, especially in a time when it is so easy to flitter about from friendship to friendship.

i dont know if this (my entry) is even worth reading but the book definetly is....so if you have read it or are planning on reading it let me know what you think

a picnic at charles river park 

five fortunes i would like to find in a cookie!

1. you will travel far, often and in good company.
2. you will love greatly, deeply and long
3. you are taking the right direction to your destiny
4. your life will be long, healthy and full of laughter
5. your regrets will be few and inconsequential

a picnic

we woke up to a beautiful clear sunny morning with a few big puffy clouds sprinkled about the sky. today we are going on a picnic and i am extremely excited! yesterday i whipped up a torta di napoli thanks to martha and some hello dolly dessert bars...i cant wait to eat! this whole holiday weekend has been gorgeous so far, which makes up for the crappy week we had! i cant wait for the pops concert tomorrow and then fireworks! happy fourth of july!!!!!!!!!!!!