Comin' down too quick, my own private apocalypse

Lifter Puller + naps = The thing to do. Those late nights make me tired during the day. Lazy Sundays and Birthday Mondays. This is almost poetry.


---
and it wasn't just the first time
it wasn't just the last time
it was all those times that were inbetween
when it was such a joy to ride with you
i didn't mean to frighten you
didn't say goodbye to you
summer was such bang-up fun, didn't mean to hurt no one
just tried to enlighten you

We gotta stay positive

Ryan Thompson is not a music journalist, but I do love music.

The Hold Steady.

Sure upon first listen they are just some bar rock band in which the 'singer' Craig Finn kind of talks more then sings. And every song involves pop culture references, drug usage, and just songs about American youth, but they are so much more. If there is one thing m IChat away messages can tell you, its that I like this band, and the lyrics they write(I think I might have mentioned that before). The are very simple yet poetic, like Bukowski or Ginsberg. Each album involves the same cast of (fictional?) characters, mainly taking place in a fictionalized Minneapolis. Every song involves these themes, and many even contain the same phrases and expressions through out album to album.

From album to album:

Almost Killed Me - An introduction to the band. The album starts off with the song 'positive jam'. "I got bored when I didn't have a band, so I started a band, man" Finn is of course referring to his previous band, Lifter Puller (or Lftr Pllr if you are cool). They had a very similar music style, but instead of that bar rock sound they had more of an 'indie rock vibe'. "We've got to start it off with a positive jam, man". Other songs on this album make brief references to Lifter Puller, and also songs start to bring in the cast of characters.

Separation Sunday - My personal favorite album. The first track on this cd opens with the line, "she said always remember never to trust me, yeah she said they the first night that she met me". From the start you realize this is an incoherent story of a religious girl who gets tangled up with some sketchy drug-using people, but then ends up getting saved in the end.

Boys And Girls in America - The first line is, "there are nights when i think that sal paradise was right. boys and girls in America have such a sad time together". This album is about the relationship of a boy and a girl, and the rises and falls that they go through.

Stay Positive - Their newest album. The lyrical content revolves around a murder of a couple of kids. The third track, 'One for the Cutters' contains the lines, "Now the cops want to question everyone present. They parade every townie in town through the station. But no one says nothing and they can't find the weapon. The girl takes the stand and she swears she was with him. Her father's lawyers do most of the talking". An interesting note is that the title track is kind of a thank you to the fans, and is a big throw back to each previous cd, borrow lines from each previous album.
For example, the 2nd verse goes: "When the chaperone crowned us the king and the queen, I knew that we’d arrived at a unified scene. And all those little lambs from my dreams, well, they were there, too. 'Cause it’s one thing to start it with a positive jam, and it’s another thing to see it on through. And we couldn’t’ve even done this, if it wasn’t for you. We gotta stay positive. We gotta stay positive. We gotta stay positive. We gotta stay positive".

What does any of this mean, well i guess its all speculation. But to quote the song 'Charlemagne in Sweatpants' off their 2nd album, Sepertation Sunday:

"do you want me to tell it like its boy meets girl and the rest is history? or do you want it like a murder mystery? i'm gonna tell it like a comeback story".

Separation Sunday - A comeback story.
Boys and Girls in America - Boy meets girl and the rest is history.
Stay Positive - A murder mystery.

Craig Finn is clearly putting much thought into each song and lyric in this band. I am excited and I wonder where they will go from here. One other quick note worth mentioning is that they are an incredible live band. Perhaps that is a topic for another day.

Balloons

Supporters release hundreds of balloons in memory of murder victim Brittany Brooks and other domestic violence victims during a balloon launch at West Park in Joliet on Saturday, May 23rd 2009.

Dear Diary,

Wow. Wild weekend. Balloons and everclear. Where to start?

Taught gym at my old school Thursday and Friday. It was a bit weird to be back at that place, but overall was a nice experience. It was really easy because all of the gym classes were combined due to the seniors being done, so the actual gym teachers lead the way, and I was just kind of there, trying my best to help out. I didn't recognize any of the gym teachers there, but they were nice though. Joked around with them a bit. Upon leaving school Friday I was attacked with a water balloon. I was outside my own damn house at this point. A car pulled up by my side, threw the balloon, then sped off. I was so confused. I then headed up to my porch, where I was unlocking the door, and the car pulled back up again. They apologized, said they thought I was a junior, and that they were sorry. I told them its all good, and that I wasn't a junior. Watched the glorious Hawks overtime victory, then went to Sara's. The party was going off. Many good people. I had some everclear(!?), which is something I never really imagined having. I remember working at the IGA and just glancing at the bottle. Just reading the warnings of that made me never want to touch the stuff. But things change I suppose! Things were just out of control in ways that I don't even feel like discussing here. Overall great times though! Sara gave me a hockey goal. What a doll.

Saturday. Hungout in downtown Wilmington for the Herald. What a place. Afterwards I made it out to West Park for a different assignment. Very depressing stuff. Its mind boggling that people kill each other. In this day and age, people are still being stabbed. I apologized to the parents of the victim, but nothing I or anyone could say is going to bring back their daughter. So many tears were falling everywhere. It is rough. But the park was so close to Sara's house so she stopped by briefly. It brought me out of that terrible mood. Snapped a few pictures of her, she is / was not impressed with them. Need to reshoot them sometime! I picked up Hamy and made it out to ISU. Saw all of those kids. A great night that ended on a slightly sour note though. As I offended this dude because i threatened to eat a piece of his pizza. I realized the man was very passionate about it, so I apologized, but he wasn't having it. He said I had 'bastard eyes'. Next time I see him I hope to mend things. I left him a note, don't know if he'll see it though. Hamy and I then started to head back. Well, we stopped at a rest stop for a long time and just talked. It was so nice out we just sat on the playground as the trucks hummed in the background. We drove home into the rising sun. I got home at some offensive time. My mom was getting ready to leave for work. That is always a shitty situation, she hates to see me get home at such a time. Perhaps why i need my own place?

Today the Hawks are about to start their game. I shall be watching that with Hamy hopefully! Afterwards I am going to play some street hockey with Smuts and the gang. I am very excited for that, of course. After that I think I am going with Corey with some concert in Morris? Busy weekend. Life is good.

Sincerely Yours,
Ryan

Pots & Pans

Went to the rat hockey this morning. Had enough people for an actual game. It was quite fun, but I clearly was the least skilled out there. Some of the people playing were letting up when I had the puck. Disappointing, but I will get better.I had a few goals and a assist. One of those goals I would say was legitimate. I was so dead after the game. I am soo out of shape. Staying on topic, the Hawks lost last night. They are down 2-0 in this series, but the good news is that the next two games are played in Chicago. The home ice. Both of them need to be won. They are so crucial, like the x's.

It is such a nice day. I brought out a lawn chair, and I am just sitting in my front lawn with my computer. I am feel pretty good right now.

The Eagle's football ended up on the roof again, last night. At least I didn't put it up there this time. When it happened Cody and I both fell to the ground in laughter. The Eagle was clearly not as amused. I will get it down again. Its all good, its all good.

I believe I am going to the modern wing tomorrow with Chad! It is free for the rest of this week, I need to take advantage of that. Chad is on vacation right now. Last year, that meant him living at the apartment, and him being amazing. So obviously I don't get to see him as much with this situation, so I have to take whatever Chad time I can get. Should be good times!


---
There was a band called the Pots and Pans.
They mad this noise that people couldn't stand
and when they toured all across the land,
the people said, "No, no, no!"
But the drummer said, "Yes, yes, yes, this tour is a test."

Has your skin grown thick from bands that make you sick?
Has your skin grown thick from a thousand stinging pricks?
Have you been made dense standing upon the fence?
Have you been made dense from polish and pretense?

Well, this is where it stops.
This is where it ends.
Let's tear this whole place down and build it up again.
This band's a beating heart and it's nowhere near its end

First Breath After Coma

Panorama done very quickly and lazily in photoshop, without help from the tools that might make the process a bit easier and more legitimate.

From the Box:

Yep, the hockey was brilliant. There was a very low turnout of people, so Ray and I had most of the ice to ourselves for the couple hours. Not bad for the combined 10 dollars we paid to get in. It was good to step back on the ice. I didn't fall, I really was expecting to fall on my face again. It was basically just Ray giving me some basic lessons. We practiced some simple things, quite a good time. I think I am capable of joining in on a game on either Wednesday or Friday.

And you are Bankrupt because:

You don't call or email me. Eventually you call, asking me if I got the email. "No I have been away from the computer. I will head home now and check it out". Of course there is no email. So I eventually end up on the phone with an angry writer because no one bothered to inform me of said assignment. My mind-reading skills are a bit lacking as of late. Sorry?

Unrelated to anything:

Much respect to those whom do something, and stick to it... everyday. I am impressed. Too many lazy days for me, you have motivated me.

---

Explosions in the Sky are a good band.

Bonus Post!

Ryan Presents:
My Top 5 recent folk songs at this present time:

5. Fionn Regan - Hunters Map. What an adorable person. Bray, Ireland's Fionn Regan. I still stand by the ultra gay statement of that I wish this man could sing me to sleep every night. This song is just such a lullaby.

4. Andrew Bird - MX Missiles. You all knew there was going to be a Chicago guy on here. This is just a weird song. His lyrics are above me, but I still enjoy it. This song makes me wonder why this man isn't some huge rock star. He clearly can write really catchy pop songs.

3. Six Organs of Admittance - Words for Two. I can only imagine how much more I would enjoy this song (and all of his songs ) while on some wild drugs. I don't do drugs though, but I still really enjoy this music. This song comes from the album 'School of the Flower', and is another excellent sleeping album. Just don't expect that sound when you see his band live, they are electric and very loud, still brilliant though.

2. Tom Waits - Day after Tomorrow. This is just a sad sad song. Tom Waits is a wild guy. The man likes to experiment. This song is off the album "Real Gone", which contains several songs which have him beat-boxing in them. Strangeness aside, he can still just sit down and write a solid folk song. I have a feeling this is one of those 'velvet underground' type songs, where people will come back to it twenty years and really be blown away by it. These people will wonder why the man wasn't 'bigger'during this time. The song is just very moving.

1. Damien Dempsey - Factories. Start and end this list with an Irishman. Damo sings about his youth in 'factories', and it just so personal. As far as I can tell, most Irish-musicians don't really write about the problems that plague Ireland. I think that is why he is so popular over there, he is just singing for his people, and they can really relate. "...I know lads who died, that sound chills me inside still" It is just haunting. But I already wrote a book about him on the facebook a while ago, so I won't continue.

One of These Days

Oh my god. I was a Cub Scout once. I remember always just hanging out at some kids house, doing lame stuff. I certainly don't remember doing anything like this before. I just got done shooting an assignment at this boy scout camp, I was just walking towards my car when I stumbled upon this. My mind was blown. It looked like so much fun. There was such a huge line of kids dying to run around in one of those giant balls. Which reminds me, I need to pick up my Pitch-stock tix soon. I haven't been blown away by this years line up, (out of the loop I suppose) But The Flaming Lips and Doom would both be badass to see live.

On with the show:

Ugh I am so tired today, and I just watched the Hawks fall to Detroit in game one. What a bummer. I stayed out far too late last night knowing that I had to wake up early for an assignment. My thought process was that I could shoot the assignment, then come home and nap before the game. Well, sometimes things don't turnout as planned as my 'boss' called and informed me of a fire in Lemont. So I had to leave the festival that I was shooting at, and goto said fire. By the time I got there it was already mostly out, and I wasn't allowed to get that great of a view. I had a nice chat with a Fox News camera guy. We compared lenses and such, his outperformed mine. Of course his video camera lens was most likely worth tens of thousands of dollars, so obviously his was better. I let him check out my camera though, and he was showing me all the crazy stuff he can do with his. Next time if I ever I run into him again I am going to ask him if I can shoot some footage with his. I have yet to meet a news guy who wasn't nice.

I am hoping The Sun Times will run one of my pictures, but there was so much other news going on, I have my doubts. I will have to pick up a copy on my way to HOCKEY! I am really pumped about it... I don't know you cats have picked up on that yet.

---
There's a million rebel songs unwritten
There's a million rebels unsung
There's a hope to have out there one of these days

Oh My Golly!

You can call me all the names you want, you can mock what I do, how I do it, how I look, etc... But it is no big deal. Your thoughts and opinions don't mean anything to me anymore. I was bound to offend someone eventually. Its just a shame that said person picks such a ridiculous way to show their displeasure. But I digress...

The Herald. Shit is finally starting to pick up with assignments. Had one today, it was alright I suppose. Whenever I shoot some event such as a 'groundbreaking' or something I always come away with stuff that isn't as great as what I would of liked to of captured. Coming away with quality stuff from all of these similar events is something that I truly need to work on. Luckily I get to redeem myself tomorrow, as I will find myself outdoors with some volunteers. As long as it doesn't rain too much, there will be much potential for some decent pictures.

As I sat there waiting for that event to start, I got into a sweet conversation with a man that was there. One of the things I love about doing this is the people that I get to meet. Having a camera by your side just makes people want to talk to you. I am usually shy, but photojournalism has been changing that trait drastically. I always get into these interesting conversations with these people that I now realize I obviously would of never spoken too had they not wanted to talk to me because I was shooting for the paper.

I love it.

Tomorrow or something I will throw up an image to go with this post and change the title, perhaps.

Hawks / Detroit game one is Sunday! Should be a solid series. The Honorable Hamy said he is watching it with me, good times to be had for sure.

Almost forgot, I slept though two phone calls early this morning, I believe both were schools looking for a sub. I called that it would happen. A few hours before via the interweb, I told Denis a school would call tomorrow- and that I wouldn't answer. Correct I was, but still. I could of used the extra cash!

All of those schools are getting out soon. I Need to find that second source of money. I've got things to buy, people and places to see. Cash rules everything around me.

Rep the Wu-Tang as much as possible.

Look at me!

Yeah, so Denis informed me that a garage sale was selling hockey equipment. I went over there, tried on the helmet and the gloves and they both fit. They came in a set with like everything... I went home and all of this stuff seems to fit! I just need to figure out how to properly put all of this stuff on, then I will be out there ripping shots off with Ray. How is that for being quick about getting shit done? Just last night I talked about how I need to get equipment. I am good.

I need to be one of the dudes in the background of this image. Instead, I am on the other side of the dirty glass, shooting through. Once I acquire some money, I am going to buy a legitimate stick and some pads. And I am going to start going to 'rat hockey' at Inwood. It is basically just a pick up game early mornings on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This way I can learn some skills without looking like too much of a jackass. Let it be known, I am not a good ice skater. During the winter time I played with the kids on the I & M Canal, and I fared somewhat well, except that I cannot do that stop that you see everyone do, and one time I fell on my face. Not just fell... I landed on my face. Either way, the sooner I can get on the ice the sooner I can get better.

I think I had more stuff to write about, but right now my mind is blank. Perhaps I can legitimately write about more stuff tomorrow... After all, this is two posts in a row. Give me a break!


---
I know some things I’d rather not
Like the time ahead is all the time you’ve got

Constructive (almost) Summer

Like a certain Hold Steady song I got myself a giant ladder, climbed on top and then eventually we all drank and talked. Of course, I had the ladder to get on top of the Roadhouse (not a water tower) so that I could get the Eagle's football down. I enjoyed waltzing on top of the Roadhouse though. I think the Eagle was very happy to have his football back, hopefully I won't kick it back up there anytime soon. So many good people at that place last night. I had to go from group to group to converse with the different people... but I just have to feel good about knowing so many decent people. Legitimate post coming soon. I just had to share this with you all (aka myself).

--

raise up a giant ladder, with love, and trust, and friends, and hammers. (This summer!) We’re gonna lean this ladder up against the water tower, climb up to the top, and drink and talk. (This summer!)

Me and my friends are like Doublewhiskeycokenoice. We drink along in double time; I drink too much, but we feel fine. We’re gonna build something, this summer. Gonna build something, this summer.

This summer, grant us all the power to drink on top of water towers, with love, and trust, and shows, all summer. (Get hammered!) Let this be my annual reminder that we can all be something bigger.

Fairies, Hockey, and Speeding, Oh my!

Kiera Todd, 4 makes some bubbles during the Fairy Fest at Pilcher Park in Joliet on Saturday, May 2nd, 2009.



The most awkward part about photography is dealing with kids. In this day an age you need to be very careful about shooting kids. Before anything, I seek out the child's parents. I explain to them I am shooting for the Herald, and ask if I can get some pictures. So far I have never had any problems, but to be honest I do not have an ID proving I am shooting for any Sun Times paper. If any one ever asked me to show some ID I don't even know what I would do.

I wouldn't mind being a kid again.

I've been a little bit down for the past few days, but all of that changed today. Dramatically. I am sticking with the list format, deal with it.

1. Got called up for an assignment for the Herald. I love shooting for them, I always feel pretty good doing it. This one went well - got some decent shots, and some compliments by my 'boss'. That is always a bonus. Feedback is always crucial.

2. Went ripping through the outskirts of Minooka, got pulled over by a cop. 52 in a 25. "Why are you in such a hurry?" the cop asked me. "No hurry - well I mean, I need to buy a hockey stick!" He let me off with a warning. Good guy, must be a hockey fan. Don't let my screenname fool you, I have been digging cops lately. I guess I am growing up or something? I picked up a really shitty ten dollar roller hockey stick. I feel more confident that this one won't break so easily, since it is supposed to deal with the concrete and such. I might head out to the rink tomorrow to put some shots on net.

3. Hawks win! They are headed to the third round, and they shall play either the Red Wings (which would be amazing) or the Ducks! Either way, it is going to be a great series.

4. That girl called. I was somewhat concerned that she was pissed at me. Infact, she still might be... But, I feel much better after talking on the phone. She doesn't seem to be one to talk on the phone, so a call is a positive in my book. I don't even know, don't ask.

5. Randy Moller goal calls. I can't stop listening to them. The man is the radio announcer for the Florida Panthers, and on occasion the man yells some completely random movie quote or other pop culture quote after the Panthers score. Makes me laugh alot.



There is a part 2 of this video, make sure to watch it also.

Wakka Wakka. (Is that even spelled correctly? Spell-check doesn't know what I am trying to type)

Edit: I spelled the title of this post wrong, and just caught it now a day or so after. Its only slightly embarrassing. I seriously never passed a spelling test. No joke.

bird on the wire

Leonard Cohen.

The man was on his game last night. For a 74 year old man, he sure can still move around. Whenever he would leave the stage he would literally skip off. His voice was dead on, and he played every song that I wanted to hear. He was backed by nine (!) band members, each contributing in a great way to make a full sound without taking anything away from Cohen. Half way through his set they took a break, which is legitimate because they played for like 3 hours. The show was at the Chicago Theater, which is such a shitty location to park at... so I decided to park at a meter near Buckingham fountain. Save some money that way, but the spots became a tow-zone past 11pm. I wasn't too concerned because the gig was supposed to start at 8pm on the dot. I am pretty sure it did start right around that time, but I didn't expect him to play for so long. During the 3rd encore I glanced at my phone and saw that it was 11:05. "Shit" is what i said to Chad as I showed him my phone. So we booked out of there as fast as we could accidentally almost going backstage (or so we like to believe). My car was surrounded by other cars, thus it was not towed, ticketed, or booted. Thanks Chicago.

It should be mentioned once we found our decent balcony seats, we went to the bar and payed 8 bucks each for a Jamesons on ice. Rather pricey, but it just seemed like something that needed to be done. Sipping on the whiskey and enjoying one of the greats.

Post show, despite the amount of flashing red and blue lights around everywhere on 55 - I sped home. I wanted to make it home before 1. It might have been one of my fastest drives home from Chicago ever, as I was at Chad's doorstep at just a little after midnight. I tried calling a certain lady, to no avail. So instead went to The Roadhouse. A bunch of THE kids were there and I had a few laughs with them up until the 1am closing time. I then found myself in the parking lot, ripping one-timers towards the direction of Kyle the Eagle Scout. I have to play hockey whenever and wherever I can. One shot hit him right in his 'man bits'. He was in such pain. He was just collapsed in the middle of the parking lot. It normally would of been pretty funny (it still was i guess), but the week before we were throwing the football around post bar-time, and I accidentally kicked it on the roof. This was The Eagle Scout's ball mind you. Luckily our good pal Nick, who works at The Roadhouse said we could get it down in a day. But I felt like Charlie Brown. Like if he was ever actually given the chance to kick the ball, it would just end up on the rooftop of a bar that he was just drinking at. Good Grief.

Anyways, this is quite a bit of text. The moral of the story is that I love life.

A blog post with a picture will be coming soon, I swear.


--

"I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch,
he said to me, "You must not ask for so much."
And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,
she cried to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?"