Sunday, June 29, 2008

Working on Some Photos


Shonna Tucker 1
Originally uploaded by bridgeportseasoning.

While the Sox return the favor to the Cubs for last week's sweep, I decided to work on some photos that had been sitting on the hard drive from Taste of Randolph Street last weekend. This one is for Marcus of his sweetheart.

Ms. Tucker and her tiny but strong hands makes me miss Muscle Shoals, too.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Surprises Guests


Andre Williams 1
Originally uploaded by bridgeportseasoning.

More goodness from the Sadies concert at Schubas last Friday. This time, the incomparable Andre Williams takes the stage to sing "Agile, Mobile and Hostile."

Bad Thin Lizzy Cover Theater

I've always wondered why there aren't any Thin Lizzy tribute bands. It can't be that hard to find light-skinned black man with wild eyes and an unruly natural who plays bass to impersonate Phil Lynott. I personally think a Thin Lizzy tribute band would go over like gangbusters on St. Patrick's Day and eventually make bagpipe bands obsolete.

Until then, I'll have to salve my wounds with suspect covers from aging hair metal bands, like this cover of "Suicide" from Europe. Actually, with John Norum handling the lead guitar duties this version isn't as bad as Def Leppard's cover of "Don't Believe a Word" from their covers album a few years back.


Monday, June 23, 2008

Sunday, June 22, 2008

That Kind of Weekend


Andre Williams with The Sadies 3
Originally uploaded by bridgeportseasoning.

The one thing that makes me feel old quicker than being outside the L&L Tavern at 2 a.m. is being inside the L&L Tavern at 2 a.m. I know things change, but back when I used to live up north I could count on the L&L being filled with barflies and theater folks at last call.

Not anymore.

Anyway, I and a few friends wound up there Friday night after seeing the Sadies at Schubas. The Sadies are great live, but you can pretty much count on seeing a guest appearance onstage by Jon Langford any time they come to town. What extra bang we got for our buck included guest appearances by Sally Timms and the great Andre Williams.

Lucky I packed my camera and managed to snap some shots (above is one of a few with Williams singing with the Sadies). The set's up on flickr, if you want to peruse 'em. I'm so glad I bought this new camera.

Tonight, after working on edits for some work I picked up from Time Out Chicago and fleshing out the week's food and drink coverage on Chicagoist, I'll be editing shots from Taste of Randolph Street, where Drive-By Truckers and Bobby Bare, Jr. brought the house down, I ran into more people than I thought I would and helped someone with her stated goal of getting blind stinking drunk before her gig last night. How I found the energy for a glass of cotes du rhone at the Tasting Room after, I don't know.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

I Chat With People About Vapid Things


Our Man in Chicago: Mmm...Anne Hathaway
The uncomplicated Man's Angelina Jolie
me: The uncomplicated Man's Angelina Jolie?
OMIC: Yeah. All of the hotness and smokiness, none of the complications (mild weirdness, desire for a million kids from various countries)
Also, married
me: There's nothing smoky about Anne Hathaway.
She's a brunette version of Betty from the "Archie" comics.
OMIC: Hmm
me: Hot, yeah.
Smoky, not so much.
Unless she goes for one of those Reese Witherspoon post-breakup makeovers, then...
All bangs, Pilates and push-up bras
I could deal then

Monday, June 16, 2008

The Learning Curve of a New Camera


Your Humble Photographer at Al-Khayameih
Originally uploaded by bridgeportseasoning.

For the life of me I have no idea why I resisted buying a new camera for so long, but I'm glad I finally did. Now if I can just tear myself away from this ten-year-old cell phone I'm hauling around. In fairness, Peg took the picture, but the settings were mine.

New Belgium Brewing is bringing their Tour de Fat to town Saturday and a longtime Chicagoist reader is gonna trade in his car for a bike. I'd like to think that I had something to do with it, but gas prices at $4.50 a gallon might have more to do with it.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

The Things You Step In Sometimes


Yesterday I found myself in the lounge of a famous hotel working on an assignment. Word to the wise: never order a $20 martini on an empty stomach and proceed to drink it while interviewing the bartender.

Sunday, June 08, 2008

The Short Drive to 40 Begins


Cucumber Soju at Kohan
Originally uploaded by bridgeportseasoning.

The main problem with a three-day weekend is that it ends too quickly and you wind up thinking of other things you wanted to do after it's gone. I still managed to do a lot, like drink for cheap, drink for cheap, and drink for cheap.

Being a food writer there was also dinners and photos involved. The best thing I did this weekend, however, had to have been getting a massage.

I hadn't had a good thorough massage in ages and forgot how amazing a great one could feel. It's like a reset of your whole body. For an hour Friday afternoon, by body was a set on a complete F5.

If there was anything about the massage that gave me pause it was a rather odd compliment that the masseuse gave me twenty minutes in, as she started working on my legs.

She starts poking me in the buttocks and said, "You have a nice ass." I was in the middle of bliss, so I responded, "Thank you." That was followed by my realizing what she said. Then I asked, "What?"

She repeated her statement. "You have a nice ass."

I know I do; I work hard for it. I just found it odd that she should bring it up.

Anyway, I walked out feeling no pain at all. The following day, waking up with a hangover and at Morning yoga I was able to reach positions I have a hard time reaching.

Like I said, never discount the feeling of a good massage. If you have a nice ass, even better.

Monday, June 02, 2008

Finally, A Rockumentary I'd Pay to See.

Peep, Peeps!


Just posted an interview with "Top Chef Chicago's" Stephaine Izard on Chicagoist. Read it, then DIGG , reddit, stumbleupon and add it to your facebook profiles.