second city, second place?

I am not going to look up the actual dates or facts.

But about a year or so ago the city of Chicago hosted the World Boxing Championships. All went well and it proved that Chicago was ready to host the big games...

Except that some of the boxers from less privileged countries didn't want to leave. They didn't want to go back to their poor countries. So they didn't. Instead they hid here.

On rare occasions, The Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Whitesox play baseball at home on the same day or night. This causes complete chaos on the El. Public transportation falls apart during this time.

Every year the big event; The Taste is held. This year, a block or two away there was a gang related shooting.

These things and worse things happen here. But people get over it. When the entire world is watching, things won't be forgotten so easily. I hate to be so negative but I just don't know if Chicago is ready to host the Olympics.

I would love to be at the games, photographing. It would be amazing. But I just don't know if its such a wise idea. King Daley, are you sure about this? Would this be good for the city and the people who live in the city? Honestly?

Ok, I hope you are right.

A book review

me try read chuck p new book. three chapter i on. is hard rather. i no good read broke english. words kind like 'Trainspotting' but dont see i adjusting to chucks words as me did with Welsh. due back book place soon. i up give? Time who tell.

how to be a great writer

you've got to fuck a great deal many women
beautiful women
and write a few decent love poems.

and don't worry about age
and / or freshly-arrived talents.

just drink more beer
more and more beer

and attend the racetrack at least once a
week

and win
if possible.

learning to win is hard-
any slob can be a good loser.

and don't forget your Brahms
and your Bach and your
beer.

don't overexersise.

sleep until noon.

avoid credit cards
or paying for anything on
time.

remember that there isn't a piece of ass
in this world worth over $50
(in 1977).

- Charles Bukowski

You're getting married / shoot me, kill me

Mandatory Replacements post. Listen to these two tracks from '83. As mentioned during this radio show, these tracks are outtakes from the album 'hootenanny'. A solo demo of the song 'you're getting married' appears at the end of the ep 'Stink', and is worth the purchase of that ep alone. The audio on this youtube video is a bit sketchy, but it is still damn good. Well worth a listen.



I wish I could of seen this band live.

Make it rain

Some nights I just sit in my room and listen to Tom Waits. The man is the best song writer of all time. I know, I know. It's a bold statement to make but still, I honestly believe it. I am honored to say I have seen him live twice and he didn't disappoint. Both times were the exact opposite, to be honest. Both would be my favorite two concerts I have ever been to. The man goes out of his way to entertain. He could just stand there in front of a mic and sing and everyone would be happy, but no. He has his own stage built. Tom stomps on the ground and smoke (dust?) rises up. He kicks little bells to add percussion. Each tour he assembles a different 'junkyard orchestra', so thus each tour gives him a different sound. The man also tells stories. He is a comedian. In Chicago he spoke of eating at the Wiener Circle, among other things. Tom Waits might be the devil, or at least he plays one in an upcoming movie. Mr. Waits doesn't tour often, but hopefully I can see him live again.

Cubs in Five (part II)

Instead of ranting, lets just take in the lovely birth of this beautiful baby. This ran in the Trib a few days ago.

James Presents: The News in Brief

Sources tell me the STNG's days are numbered, which concerns both me and my empty checking account.

Saw the great Kevin Smith tonight. He answered a few questions, but mainly just told hilariously in-depth stories. The first question of the night was about working with Bruce Willis in the movie A Couple of Dicks. It took Smith an hour and ten minutes and several disgusting and unrelated stories to answer this simple question.

The Blackhawks first preseason game is tomorrow. I am excited for this season to start up. I expect good things to come. I may buy a Versteeg tshirt. Some say he eats hockey pucks for breakfast, all that we know is that he is called Versteeg.

Top Gear is still the best TV Show, even if The United States gets royally dicked over as far as getting 'new' episodes goes.

The Cocks also play tomorrow. Amanda wants me to get down with her college's football team. They are supposed to be good this year, but after watching the first two games I am not so impressed... yet.

Next month I will find myself in the SC. Should be good times. Bring it, Kentucky. I am only expecting dick puns, dick puns galore.

Stanley said more in this Office season premier then in every other episode, combined. It appears as if they are giving him a story line, that is exciting and will take my mind off of the unnecessary drama that Pam and Jim's pregnancy is going to bring (or so I predict).

I am taking pictures tomorrow. I will put a picture up on this blog tomorrow, as the ratio of text to pictures is at an unhealthy rate currently.

Its a long way back to El Paso...

Goodnight World.


love,
James

Happy Birthday, dad.

Ten out of Ten

Bears season started tonight. It was quite a rough outing. But alas, it was just the first game. I expect good things from this team this year, and this poor performance isn't going to change my opinion.

Last year, I watched every single Bears game with my dad. During several games, I was invited to watch with my friends, mainly Corey - but I always turned the offers down. I just enjoyed watching them all with my dad. Little did I know that those would be the last I'd ever see with him. I feel so much better about turning my friends down now. My dad got me into sports, especially the Bears. I always remembered while growing up every sunday the Bears game was on. Even when I was in Ireland, I listened to the Bears radio and followed a espn online display thing, and kept in contact with my dad via email. Overseas, that was always the ice breaker.

"How about that poor performance from Rex? Good thing the 'D' saved the game. Hows things at home?" Is how many of the emails started.

I just miss him. This upcoming Tuesday would be his birthday. I wish he was here, he's the only person I want to bitch to about the poor performance of the offensive line and such.

But I did watch the game at Amanda's brothers place with her family. It was good times despite the lackluster game. Amanda and I went to the Cubs game earlier in the day. It was an amazing time. I got burnt a bit in the sun, but it was worth it to see Ted Lilly pitch a pretty solid outing. We were roughly 15 feet from catching Lee's homerun, which is some what sweet, as the night before i told Denis that we were sitting in the bleachers, so I will catch a Derrick Lee homerun. The man was the only one to hit one, so I came oddly close to predicting the future.

I haven't really talked about what I did i my weekend day by day in a while, so heres a quick little guide to it:

Thursday - took train up to the city, went to The Art Institute and the Cheesecake Factory
Friday - came home from the city, shot Wilmington High school football game / hungout at bonfire with xtdx and other good kids
Saturday - Shot some Morris stuff with Sara then went back up to the city.
Sunday - Was at Cubs game, then watched Bears game, and just arrived home now.

Goodtimes!

Talk to you soon.

love,

James (or Ryan to some people)

Kyle the Eagle Scout at The Coal City Area Club

I have spent an unexpected amount of time in Coal City, mainly at the Area Club (CCAC). Earlier today I went out on the water with the Eagle, and these are some of the pictures. There is nothing more relaxing then jumping in a boat with a true friend. Good times were had. The man is planning a Halloween party, if you are reading this then you are a friend of mine, and thus invited. So show up!

I phoned my 'boss' Steve in regards to my paychecks, and I found out there was some error that has since been corrected, so I should be getting some money very shortly! It is about time... He also had some kind words for the work I have been doing. I won't get into details, but needless to say I felt pretty good about what he was saying. I think I am getting better at being a PJ. I really love to do it. I seriously look forward to my assignments. To get paid to do this is amazing...

To make a career of this would be the greatest. I am feeling more confident. I want to find a full-time staff job somewhere. I am trying to put together a new stronger portfolio. Once it is completed I am going to run it by my 'boss' and by my former teacher / mentor (if I can get ahold of him).

But it is late (or early I suppose) and I should get to bed. I am off to Chicago tomorrow to hang with a lovely girl. I think she is too good for me. That is for a later post I suppose. For now I shall read for a bit then lights out. Goodnight world.

love,
James

The Tea Pary Express bus tour crowd - New Lenox, IL 09/07/09

See more at the Joliet Herald News Website.

To Go Home

Hope it be my mind won’t slip
Sailing on a sinking ship
Into the sunset and back

Dark night on a long highway
Little lights in the houses say
There's somebody’s staying up late

Oh I’ll be true to you
Oh yeah, you know I will
And I’ll be true to you forever or until
I go home

God it’s great to be alive
Takes the skin right off my hide
To think I’ll have to give it all up someday

- Daniel Johnson

The Angry Cry of the Angry Pie

I like him already, just because his name isn't Rod. Does that make me lame? If he doesn't end up in prison then he already has passed the test to be considered a good Governor in this state in my opinion. Take note George and Rod.

I have had trouble walking lately. I tripped like 4 separate times yesterday. On Thursday I nearly tackled Quinn because I tripped over a tent post while on assignment. People have always criticized the way I walk. Perhaps they are right? I must be doing something wrong.

Banned from Teen Arts

I am trying to redo my portfolio, so thus I am looking through assignments I have done lately. I came across this one, again. Many posts ago I believe I mentioned both the show Top Gear, and the Ariel Atom. I would love to have that car. It would be my dream car. But at the same time I'd also be happy with this car, The Freeway. There was only a limited amount of these cars ever made. They were manufactured in the late 70s and early 80s. Now it is estimated that just a hundred or so (i don't remember the exact number) are still running, so a collection of twenty of these in one place was quite a spectacle. So if you, blogosphere could get me one of these little cars I would be more then happy.

Thanks,
James.

ps, I deleted this blog's link on my Instant Messager profile a while ago, because I figured I should keep it somewhat private. I doubted anyone actually clicked on my my profile then the link, so it creepy to think someone has and has since been reading it. creep.

i know.

i think it's time that i respond to you.

i read, and i care. Do you still read this? Its not important, i think.

i also think i understand.

--

The weather always seemed to be shitty. It was summertime but it always seemed to be raining.

I remember everything, I remember the texts. I remember THAT text. I wouldn't call it a load of shit. I meant it then as I would mean it now. It was the most apparent reason to me. I might be an asshole, I won't deny that. I wouldn't say you were fucked. Not by me atleast.

I appreciate the thoughts and prayers, I really do. It really does mean much to me. I don't think I could stress this enough.

I remember the drives and everything else. I remember the birthday night. It was indeed the night I met her, oddly enough. I felt guilty about the ditching. Ask certain people that I ranted to that night. I consulted many different opinions. It was a terrible thing to do, thus the asshole status is relevant. Nothing was too late though. Yes, I met her then. But no deal was sealed. I felt the same about how I felt about 'us' before and after our talk.

There can only be better things in store for you, even if that store is Best Buy.

I am happy, I am thrilled. Don't you hope for failures, darling. Stay positive. I know soon you will also be happy and thrilled, and I will only hope for the best.

(like i said, I hope we can be friends. I really do. )

Maybe this is too plagiarized for my blog. oh well.

goodnight.

ps. A Nikon D700 or D300, perhaps?