RandomCha

David Spade is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame BEFORE Robert Duvall.

Okay, but I’m not going to write about that …

I have more exciting news. I just got off the phone with Greg Allen. Those of you not from Chicago may not know him; he’s creator of the longest-running theatre show in Chicago, “Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind,” an ongoing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes each week (go to http://www.neofuturists.org). Anyway, Greg’s work has been a big influence on me since I moved to Chicago in college and first saw the show.

It influenced the writing of my book as well. And I had this dream of getting him to read it so that, providing he liked it, I could put a quote from him on the cover. That would mean so much to me. Back in February I started volunteering at the theatre, helping to organize their play archives. So I was getting to know people around the place. And then a few months ago, my friend Sharon successfully auditioned her way into the show’s cast. So I figured I was making some headway …

Once I’d met Greg a few times and he sort of knew what I was doing with the archives, I casually mentioned my book and said I’d be thrilled if he could read it. And he said he would read it! Wow. Well, several months have passed and Greg mounted 7 shows in 8 months, which of course means that he’s had no time really. And meanwhile my publishing schedule has been rolling along; the book covers have been designed (but not printed), the actual copies of the book will probably arrive this week, as will promo postcards I had made up. I was holding off on printing the covers on the chance that Greg would be able to write me a blurb in time.

Well as I said I just got off the phone with him. I called to ask about using the theatre on a night when it’s ‘dark’ to have my book signing/release party. And much to my delight, Greg told me that he has managed to read half of the manuscript thus far and really likes it! He said, “I really like the way it’s structured, the randomness, how a life is made up of all these little slivers. You know usually someone asks you to read something and it’s like ugh, but I’m really enjoying it. In fact I was going to finish it last night but I sort of pooped out. And you know I’m happy to support it any way I can, lend my name to it.”

I told him how much that meant to me and how thrilled I was. And we talked about possible dates when I could use the theatre and we came up with the 23rd or the 29th or the 30th of October. Greg told me he will mention those dates at the theatre’s business meeting on Sunday; I said I’d call on Monday to get the verdict. He said he’d try to finish reading it and write me a sentence or two by the end of the week. I thanked him profusely and then said goodbye.

Wow, I’m really excited. Things are coming together. With a little luck, in a month the book will be ready to sell. Keep an eye out for updates.

Walking through the streets tonight, dark but lights everywhere, cool, a breeze, the noises of indistinct music and cars carrying people places and other people talking on their cell phones, the leaves on the trees discreetly rustling; walking through the streets tonight on my way to have a drink with someone I’ve never met before, it’s hard not to feel something. I wouldn’t call it happiness exactly, and I wouldn’t call it depression–it’s just a feeling. An awareness of moving through space, of going somewhere different from where I am now. I’m going to a place with people there and noise and alcohol. And I’ll talk to someone, maybe, they’ll notice me, they’ll make some comment about the shirt I’m wearing. And then, after some time has passed, and after something has happened or nothing has happened, I will once again walk through the streets. And there will be the same sounds, the same activities, and I’ll return to the apartment where I am now. Maybe that journey back here is the whole point for making the first journey. I leave this place so that I can have the feeling of returning.

Great to finally have this on CD! Most of the songs have a real ‘bar band’ kind of feel, albeit a bar band with backing vocals by Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. A pleasant groove to be in, and “Like A Hurricane” is a striking Crazy Horse rocker with a tenderness hidden in the lyrics; Neil’s version on “Unplugged” I feel is the definitive one. Another highlight is “Star of Bethlehem,” an introspective shuffler about the loneliness of memories past that just dares to be taken as a bona fide Christmas song.

However, the genuine overlooked masterpiece on the album is the moody, haunting “Will To Love.” Neil recorded a demo version on a casette deck one night in front of the fireplace with his guitar, and then bumped it up to multi-track where he overdubbed instruments and vocals for several hours until he was finished. The result is an amazing bit of narcotic psychedelia that predates both the low-fi glitch folk of the Microphones (you can still hear the crackling fireplace on the track) and the surreal imagery of the Flaming Lips. This amazing track alone would be reason enough to buy this CD, but as a bonus the rest of the songs on here are great too!

Please check out “On The Beach” if you haven’t already.

1 jigger gold rum
1 jigger dark rum
1 pony curacao (this is the small end of the measure)
dash of orgeat (almond) syrup
juice of 1 lime
dash of bitters

To a tall or stubby ice-filled glass gently add the ingredients in the order listed. Stir very gently until mixed and garnish with a cherry.

—–

I just made myself a ‘test’ mai tai right now, just to make sure my recipe is correct. It’s lovely. I am suddenly tipsy. I’m excited about my birthday tiki party tomorrow night.

I bought 3 of the 5 Neil Young CD’s that came out on Tuesday. Initial faves: “Revolution BLues,” “Will to Love.”

Three nights ago I had two very strange, different dreams.

In the first I was hanging out in this dim, very large and empty nightclub. It was a high-rise nightclub; in fact, I think I could see Times Square through the windows from where I was sitting. Across from me was Kenny Rogers. He was dressed in black, kind of like Johnny Cash. Kenny & I were just hanging out, talking. I think he was telling me about his life, his history but it wasn’t like a confession or anything. We were just two people hanging out and talking. In the dream I knew he was famous and everything but at the same time he just seemed like an ordinary guy. I think we were both drinking whiskey & coke. I wasn’t really saying much, just listening. I almost told him that I saw his record of “(Just Dropped In) To See What Condition My Condition Was In” at the Brown Elephant, but I didn’t.

The other dream happened later in the night. I was with this other guy, older, kind of looked like a Gold Rush prospector. We were sitting at a checkered tablecloth. The guy was slicing open a human foot that he’d just cut off of this other guy, who was asleep on a bench nearby. He sliced off a bit and chewed on it. Then he took another slice and as he did, the guy on the bench woke up and started looking around. I was terrified, not because of the sliced-open foot on the table but because the guy had woken up.

I was sort of jolted out of the dream and woke up. But as soon as I was awake and realized it was only a dream, I wasn’t afraid. Even so it still took a long time for me to go back to sleep.

No work today. Waiting around for UPS to deliver my new shoes; I bought a pair of Simple sneakers on zappos.com Friday.

Andy is visiting his dad in Indianapolis until Friday. I have the place to myself. First time I’ve been alone for a period of time in this apartment. I like it. Of course I miss Andy but wow, having the bed all to myself and all the space. Well, it’s a vacation for me too.

Sunny today. Not too hot. I like it. Reading Doris Lessing. Chatting. The book is coming along. For those who haven’t seen already:

New From Rob
Autumn 2003

100 Spinning Plates

http://www.geocities.com/randomc75/100spinningplates.html

Watch For Updates

No one around to hang out with tonight. I ordered out for a pizza and watched half of “Blue Velvet” on cable.

I only like pineapple juice when it’s part of a cocktail …

Last night actually I had whiskey & Coke, two of them, while dining at the Holiday Club on Irving Park with Gavin. It made me ravenously hungry and I wolfed down the half-priced meatloaf special in about 5 minutes. I felt kind of slow and tired the rest of the evening instead of jaunty. Ah well.

Cool site I found: http://www.webtender.com … seems to be a good forum for recipes. Of course there’s a lot of terrible ones on there, you have to sort through to find good ones, but too many is better than not enough.

A few days ago I had finished the Neil Young bio and now totally switched gears, “The Golden Notebook” by Doris Lessing. I think it’s one of those long, thick books that grow on you as you read them. Anyone else read it?

The rainstorm tonight was totally awesome. I have to say that so far this is the wettest summer in Chicago since I’ve been living here. Next month will be my 10th anniversary. I’ll drink to that.

Back to cocktails … thinking of having a Tiki Party for my birthday, which is August 22nd (hint, hint). Just thinking about the music I’d play and what drinks we’d serve gets me all excited.