04 March, 2008

Fuck the Popeyes on 103d.

Ate @ the Popeyes @ 103d and Kedzie to-nite. Tried to use a coupon, but the girl refused.
You gotta pay for drinx.
No, that's just if you want to get the catfish dinner. See- read the coupon.(Revolting thought, that- people eat CATFISH ??)
No.
So I whip out another card. Let me use this.
I don't know how to use this.
Ask them, they do. (I motion to the other workers)
(She does)
Can I have two?
No.
Every other time I have ever used this card that is the deal. See- it doesn't say you can't- no limit, rite?? Ask them.
(She does, and they say)
Doesn't say there's a limit on it.
But still ...
No.
So then I change my order to get just one. Done. Since I now don't have to break a twenty, I pay with $5 in quarters and some other change.
I am very pleasant and smile and cheerily respond throughout.
When I get home, I discover that the chicken pieces are tiny.
I am to send a card to the manager saying that they have lost my business because it is vey obvious that they do not want my money.
I was very polite, too. Did I mention that? Jerks.
Maybe that long fabled Harold's Reniassence is about to occur.

Lost

I know, i know, no one cares.......... but shit, SO THAT EXPLAINS IT ALL, HUH ?? I can dig it.
finally the saturday finished - then maybe to-morrow the su day...

03 March, 2008

I baptise thee in the name of the Maxwell and of the Rock and of the Di Lammermore



from

Ce sont les tonneaux vides qui font les plus de bruit


Sunday nite @ Gallos

The nite was leading up to a dinner @ Shipley's later on this Sunday nite. Hung about all day - and too late I realized that I would have to miss mass. I thought that Loyola was NOT on spring break and Gf and I could take in the 9pm mass, but then i got word that Niece.1 actually WAS on Sp. Break. I tried all my north side/Evanston contacts for late masses that would fit, but none did.

I employed(sic) Spongian Logic- it was better to go and enjoy frenz company instead of forcing an unnatural leaving time just to make a mass. Making mass was not a 'religious rule' - but it was better to skip mass for the betterment of man...... or something like that.

Nice ride up to Evanston after collecting Gf @ the collection point. It was a Shipley dinner - extremely delicious chicken a la Reisling. Totally great - the skin was simply scrumptious - I love chicken skin a lot - generally it is the most tastiest piece of the bit. Again, I know I could do it, but the various parts and burns and saltings and turns and etc. are as fascinating to watch as good to eat.


Also part of the dinner was the the tiny potatoes. I may have written this before, but these tiny potatoes (organic babies)reminded me of time ago when I was supping it up @ Gallo's and I casually let it slip that I really dislikes boiled potatoes - the MAIN staple of Mom and Dad. As it happened, the next week was another Gallo supper -and on the menu was goodly tasting boiled spuds. I will also amidt that spud in Ireland - boiled - also taste great. Something about context .... err, the gravy.

Gf and I left and we stopped by a Frank Lloyd Wright house on Sheridan Rd. -about 7300 North. We always wanted to stop by, and 'this is when we did it'. We'd be driving back and the alert in the car would go out -'where is it?' as we crossed the area. Promise keepers. I had just a few seconds of juice left in the camera batteries, and you can see the result.

Link back to J and B

Cup winners J & B went into action last Thursday nite. Read about it up -except for the SECRET INFO only for J and B general staff- through this link. It does not include the final qustion.

Fleet action is imminent

Nice shit on the Colony. One of the most imteresting roofs we climbed as kids. It has all sorts of different roofs and levels to clamber about. We have some pictures,non digitised, of us up there from the late 80's.

Stunning platform to rain down dstruction, water ballon style, on the targets below.
That's 59th on yr left and Kedzie on yr rite. And 60 years after this snap was pick'd, that's up on the water tower. In full view of veryone who walked by 2 nite. except they never looked up. Except when destruction rained down.

02 March, 2008

films and settings finally set

We had lots of plans, but some got thrown into a pit and we were all called witches or something.....

Rehersals - pit

So, making a movie - not so much a plot, but there is dialogue. Have a part for Pepper, my notoriously notorious friend. notorious one thing is him saying "yeah yeah, I'll be there in exactly 25m......and 25h go by. It's one of the things I love about him. And yes, the one time I absol. had to have him in the foxhole next to me - he was there, with his '45, standing in the steel storm calmly taking out bayonet-brandishing enemies charging our position while I was attempting to clear the jam in the .50 caliber machine gun. But I've learned that minutes often means........well, it often means never. It's always a treat not knowing which. So, wanted to get him the scriptpito so he could practice for Sunday. Never happened.

Hilts as Christ

Long time I'd staged pictures of me in the Christ pose. Since that terrible beard and starting-to-get-long-hair was gonna be gonna be gone w/in 30h or so, I got the flash to Christ it. Cold- but not too cold - day, and I figgered that my silver maple out back would be a good cross. It was all on the run, since I had to collect Chemical Man soon and drive out west soon: so I had a slapdash effort to set up the camera, stick some hockey sticks to-gether to make the crossbars, and then practice hitting the button while climing up a ladder and then a fence to get into position. Went ok - foolish (the point) but not super pleasing. It's ok.
OH SHIT - I'm going to Hell for this snap !!! Wait -I forgot - Jesus was a kool dude, and while Crucifixion is a horrible thing, my efforts are not so different from Jim Carazival or those dudes in Pilsen who reenact the Passion. Well, a little different. Monica Bellicuhi wasn't there.

Haircut -gotten done

I told Chemical Man that it was to be this Saturday that we'd drive out to Darien - sorta where I was the nite before for the basketball game - and get our hair cut from our childhood barber Aldo. Child......... well, I was 19 when I first went to Aldo. Yeah, child. We went out there by a little strange way, but we got out there in good time. I drove and kept thinking I knew where I was exactly - but we got there despite that.

So glad I got my cut. The beard remained - it had another day or so to go- but always losing so much hair makes one feel like a new born baby. I had the same cut as last time: a bit on top to sweep to the side, razored out in back and sides. For the last few decades I always got the real short all over with a little bit sticking up on top - it grew into a nice deal and I loved it. Looked professional while shrt. However, last Aldocuttime finally I switched so I could let it grow 'long' on top - all for that feeling of tossing yr hair back and forth when I'm dansing (true). Hmm. And when was the last time I danced??


Aldo was in good form. He is retired, but he still sees his old customers in his house. Darien is a BIT FARTHER than the place on 63d in the Old Neighbourhood, but the NS-1 Peter Strasser is a great equalizer. He had 'customers' earlier in the day - hair on the floor I did see - but it was only us when we got there @ 1.45p. I took some snaps while Chems got his done- in between trips to the pisser to relieve myself. Too much cafe in the morning and Walgreen's Brand Cola (.79 -v- $1.49 for Coke - easy choice) on the trip over.

Haircut? Perfect. I like.

Film permission and notes- gotten done

Wanted to make a film about Aldo. Had to ask him if we could do something next haircut. Short, 10m, about his coming to America and his experiences here. He was more than happy, and Chem and I -err, I- took notes and addresses and such. A serious little film. Serious as in NOT STUPID. Good ideas. Will film interview w/ Aldo in 3-4m, whn we go out and get our hair done again. Plan is to get Moho - who lives nearby - to join in.

White Castles

We set sail back to the city, and we had a coaling stop @ White castle. Thank yr lucky Hilts for me being on my good behaviour : a girl working there stopped me and said "Hey, aren't you @ Hilts H.S. in the library? You helped me use the copying machine."

A teacher never knows the time nor place..............

Trip to gf's bro's-pit

Was going to Gf's bro's again. She called and said he was flu ridden and she was just going to drop off shit and leave. We had plans to go out and eat and catch a movie. I'm more than happy to hang out w/ her family - we rarely do, and sh sees my family all the time. I'm a bit badfeeling on my part because of that, but in reality context dictates it.

So, no drive to the Northwest side. We'd hook up later. Some unexpected hours now free.

Rehersals - pit

Called Pepper with the unexpected hours in my mind. Knew he wouldn't come, but tried anyway. Wrote up his lines all nice for him to practice. I had to get this shit done - wanted to cut off the beard and get my hair cut done all @ once - the impact impact.

Dinner - eaten

Portrait of the Artist as a younge man - gotten done

Decided to fuck around and go in costume. In the mood. In earlier times I liked to be loud and goofy and whatever the fuck goes. I remember tlling Joker again and again that "You've never seen the real me.", and it's kinda true. The sad thing is that the "real me" was out of commission by the time I hung w/ him closely - I was 24. Yeesh. So, in the spirit of Vito and Vampdom going about in drag in years past because it was funny, I decided to turn a hat/scarf backwards and use it as a hat. Meaning I was to look real real stupid. Stupid, yes. Pointlessly stupid. Look @ the picture. I decided "Go". Gf? Generally she's ok with most of the stuff I do. She couldn't care less i was going to pointedly make a fool of myself. She's pretty cool.

A funny reflection, though - where to go to do my 'performance art'?? The only two places were either Keegans or Lanigans. Decided to go to Lanigans because if I was to look like a Freak, this was a better place to look like a Freak. Truely is a place where most people know my name -or @ least my face. Oh, the manager St. Nick would shout out in his very Irish accent "WHAT THE FOOK ARE YOU DOING, YA FOOKING HILTS ?!?", but leave it @ that - he's known me for six years now. Keegans - I knew I'd know a lot of faces (turned out to be 6-7 that nite)- is familiar, but less so. There'd be a lot less people I know.

The other side of the reflection is that sometimes I totally want to avoid Lanigans. When I want a drink with myself and my paper, I'll skip Lanigans and go to Keegans - less chance of being drawn into a conversation. Because I will. But @ Keegans there is space and volume and people as buffers if I want.

I love both places for many reasons.


However, Lanigans was empty - so it was to be Keegans. We went in, costumed up was I, and felt ok. The owner Barney saw me and I saw him - and he didn't make a fuss. His non chalance I took as an impremateur. I go there often enough - he's known me what - 16 years?? The bartenders were kool as well (deliciously so), so I was able to sit down, have a few drinx, and relax in the glow of people looking @ me like I was some sorta Fuckin' freak.

Freak!

Now - don't get me wrong - seriously, I wasn't that freaked up- just backwards worn head gear that was a lot less severe than the picture looks - but it was enough. I enjoyed it. The next step?? Wigs!! I can't wait v- unless I discover that they are more expensive than I thought. Who needs real hair?? Brian Jones here I come!!

Plus - for the first time - I asked the bartenders to give me the cider/guiness in 40/60% proportions. That fucking cider is just a goddamn killer on me stomach. the 40-60 tasted great.

Blindsided from another planet .....................

Walked home in the cold. 2 miles. Only had a vest and a my 'Facecut jacket on as well. And the head gear, except now proprly worn instead of backwards.

Soccer and basketball

Deeply tiring day in school. So exhausted - i know, ain't we all. 7th and 8th just felt like falling asleep. soccer practice after school then. We didn't stay too long- head coach wanted to give'm a day off, but i'm glad she had'm play. The last program I was with we'd start every day practice the week before thanksgiving - that Dr. King frase about the "Tyranny of now" (that Barrack has used and correctly said is Kings.....oops, sorry - that's just a joke - it was a non issue for me) really rangs out w/ that program. Now, that every day practice drained the life out of me then, but the kids really needed it - they will be much better adults for it (or @ least all the reseasrch say).

Went directly from my practice to my old programs practice (Presidents H.S.2) to talk over the possibility of some games with them - well, one game. However, there is no room for an official game on their schedule - filled up to the max allowed by CPS. however, the bone of a scrimmige game - in full uni, probably reffed by one of us - was thrown out. Funny- I loved that program so much, and in all reality it is one of the things in my life that I look most proudly on - I totally want to incorporate as many aspects of that program in Hilt's H.S.'s soccer program. However, I am just a JV coach new to the program and do not want to be a pest. I have to know my place. Shit, I ain't even got a full time job here - I am but a sub.

To Gf's rite after. She -the wonderful gf that she is - drove all the way to our favourite pananni place on 111th and picked up some cheese pananni's for my third and final meal on a Friday in lent. Also had eaten a stuffed cheese giordano's for luch - glad I'm not Vito ('The Trouble w/ cheese') or I wouldn't be able to eat anything on these Fridays. It was great - (called Pananni X-press, I think - used to be called Arabica coffe house, but my guess is the racism eths after 9-11 forced a change of name for business sake) everything here is great.

The the long drive out up Odgen Ave to Downers Grove to watch my schools team take on sixoutofeightnephewandneiceshighschools boys b-ball team in the section final @ Downers Grove North High School. Very obvious it was all Hilt's H.S's team - the biggest thrill for them came when a three cut it to 10 with 4m left. No chance - sloppy as my school's team can be, the n/n's team was totally out heighted and only stayed within 'not being killed' distance was three after three. Teachers in the crowdc- just the ususal ones who show up -me, three gym teachers, and a retired gym teacher.

Next game is in Oak Lawn and easy for me to get to. Good. Competition will be tougher - it'll be a 32m game, I do believe. Gf has indicated she will go. Wednesday nite, 7.30p.

A stop @ Joyces on the way back. An expensive bar -well, for me - and a VERY VERY VERY blue coller bar. Hockey always on - one of the bar tenders has a serious love of it. Only drank two - and I didn't get sick. Again, love the fact that I can now wear nice clothes to bars and not worry about ruining them with the fucking smoke. Fuck the shitheads who were against the pro clean air laws*. Their arguments included there is no proof that second hand smoke kills -anyone have any links pro/con on that? and let the market place handle it by opening up non smoking bars and let the non smokers go to them. My kiss off to that argument is easy - oh, ok, lets let the capitalists protect the health of the workers. They've been such --and continue to be-- such a champion of what is good for health and wellfare of countries people so far.

To the pisser, and of course when I come out some fuck is already hitting on Gf. Not her fault @ all- it's just so tiresome. I mean I'm sure the guy saw us sitting to-gether for a half hour - what did he expect??**
..................................................................................................
*=How I hate to play the game . 'pro clean air laws' was originally written 'anti smoking laws'.
**=How I hate to play the game .

Quite possibly Gf's Greatest Game

Written by Virgil Hilts
Nothing done @ all done by Lazers

The Set up

We were way shorthanded this gameday. It reminded me of that game several years ago when Dragon was new to the squad and was joined by Chemical Man and I. That was the famous 'stickhandeling' game where joyously Chem and I used hangman on the penultimate question and then got a 'free but lose your turn' on the last question. The joy didn't last - we lost on the final Q that day - but what about this day?

Six teams- Cup Champions J & B, Da Bar, and six other teams whose names I kinna remember. One of the teams didn't last and another team took its place - so i guess threw as seven teams. We were repped by Chemical man, GF, and Hilts.

First Half

I was feeling it. We got in late and I was immediately loud : "HEY - CAN WE GET IN??" I was sorta like the douchbage-two-times shouting "I'm putting on Body Spray Body Spray" I embarrassed Chem as much as a Stix victory shout. There would be more - much more, both good and bad.

So- late entrance by J & B, but @ end of the first quarter - it was us on top.

Here were some of the first half questions (as best as I can redo them from my sloppynotes- I am in no way equal to Lazers):
Which later famous actress was a Love Boat Mermaid?
What Peanuts character does Whoppi Goldberg have on her chest? (Gf got this one for us)
What category does Harold Baines rank 18th in ML history? (Gf got this one as well - just kidding)
Javy Vasquez's rank in ML K's since 2000 (again, Gf did not get this one)?
Mark Burlehe's rank in Al lefty K's since 2001?
Mark Burlehe's games played in the minors?
A.J. Perzinski's top HR total came w/ what team?

I'm pretty sure we got one Hat rick in this half.

Ok - I am remembering now - one of the cat's was "White Sox". The other two ?? Uhh....... uh......... Lazers?? Where were you??

Last q- Sly stallone made a 1989 commercial in Japan for what sort of meat??

Second Half

Q's culled from the Categories- Birth years/ Inventions &Discoveries / Sun Times. And there was an incident.


First Incident
Fuckin Benky. I understand to let new teams have a little lee way, but sometimes he can be a pretty big bitch. Benky did the 'Throw the ball into the box from your seat", and it was us against some other team. A girl on that team jumped over to our table to throw, and while Benky came over and asked Gf and Chem "Are you guys gonna let her do that?", I snuck over to a seat directly above the box. Benky only noticed when...................SOMEONE ON MY TEAM called out to me "Hey are you gonna ....." and Benky turned around and saw me. The girl returned of her own volition, but Benky forced me back. When i asked, fairly I thought, that HE HAD GIVEN THEM THE OPTION OF THROWING FROM OUR TABLE, SO WHAT THE FUCK ABOUT US? he started the countdown. Pissed off, i just tossed the ball - wildely and fast- in th general direction of the box. Missed, but it rolled around and almost got in. Da Bar called it "the Angry Throw". It was stupid as it missed us the points. Fuck. But.........(Censored by J and B General Staff)............

Asshole.

The Peppys principal was named by me - remembering always Peppys dictum "go with the first guess you had". Can't remember the question. There was also a hangman passed down to us which was asked the following: "What was Wrigley trying to sell by packaging it with gum ?
The gum proved more popular by far?" This was another Gf moment, cause she provided the "B" in "B----- ------"? And finally, when the first TV was was made, what was it's Lenght and Width? We got half rite as the first team to guess, but it cleared the bases and no one got it.

What did we get rite? Top person in all time patents? That would be my 'Secord goal' on that one, not Gf.

Final Question Time/ Locations

Pissed off @ Benky still, there came a concord of enemies that rarely happens. Da Bar had a hang man and Benky mis did the spelling. It was obvious they would have gotten it - but when the mistake was discovered, he made them throw the ball. A loud scene ensued, and he asked them "What am I supposed to do?" to which I yelled out "Give them the points!" Benky ritely hailed this Blue Moon Moment - and we.......well.....I....would hail (Not 'Heil') back.

Went into final Q fourth, behind the tied BT's (whatever that meant) and Da Bar @ 1300, Blockheads (so, I disc some name sin my notes),us @ 960, and a 770 and a 740.

Three part final, all teams had to answer it. Gf again bigtime. But would it be enough??
1) Where is that famous sculptures of "Cars on a Totem pole"?
2)What High School is @ LaGrange Road and Colorado Avenue?
3)How many miles does Joe Orr Road run east between Western and where it runs out.

By the way, I think it was Trophy who immed. yelled out 'Titty bars!" when the specifics of the last question was called out. What did I yell ?? Wait for it......!!

Gentlemen??
PART II
Answers to questions:
Terry Hatcher the mermaid
Woodstock the Whoopy
2 (i think)
1 (i think)
46
Sox
Sly's was pig meat
The Gum supplanted Baking Soda - Gf guessed us the "b" to keep our hang alive, and when Benky said "...as in". referencing him I said "B as in bitch"....to which Chem's said "B as in Boy".
Thomas Edison.
On the final q's, we got
22d and Harlem- rite, thanks to Gf
Lincoln Way East -rite, thanks to Gf
and we got wrong "six Miles" - my guess is every person who ever existed ever would have gotten that one wrong.
Second Incident
Before they read off Da Bars score, in solidarity stood up on my chair and did a three "BANZAII's" with my scarf tied about my head. Tried to copy it for Youtube release, but my head.....uh.....got cut off........
We lost. One of the new teamns won. Prtty sure it was the one who joinned the game inprogress.
How lame are we??
BANZII !!!
BANZII !!!
BANZII !!!

Fashion statement

01 March, 2008

Or A Whipping Boy

VideoHilts Award winners in the following catagories:

Best Bass Player performance
Best Background Singers performance
Best Sax Player performance
Best Drummer performance
Best keys performance
Best Tambourine performance

and, of course:

Best Sting performance