Okey dokey weekend.

Why do the long weekends go by so damned fast?? It was a good weekend, more or less. It was a little more quiet than I would have liked it to be, but not shabby. On the Fourth I went to my parents' neighborhood for the "big" parade. It was interesting. I always see a lot of people I grow up with. Some I'd rather not see, but whatever. I made a stop over by SIL1X's house to visit with her and her family. After that I went to my stepbro's house. There was a ton of food, lots of drinking and some Texas hold 'em. Good times. I had to go home pretty early because Charlie doesn't like the fireworks, so I had to take care of him. Saturday I called up Tonya at the last minute. We went to play miniature golf first, and then went to the h o r r i b l e Cheeseburger in Paradise. We went to have some chocolate nachos. We ended up sitting in the bar area, and there was a pretty interesting group of people sitting at the bar. They seemed to be regulars there. Now, I have a bar that I frequent, where most of the people who work there do know my name, but it's definitely not a bad chain restaurant with a tiki from hell theme and overpriced crappy tropical beverages. We could not stop watching them, they were fascinating in all of their white trash splendor. From there we went to this scary little dive bar in the middle of the woods somewhere. Ok, the woods of Des Plaines, but the woods no less. There was a lovely couple sitting next to us. He had long stringy blond hair and missing teeth. She had a matching mullet and a really awesome smoker's voice. She was also quite a bit older than him. There was a third woman with them. A fatty who thinks it's a good idea to wear a tank top. Bleh. Anyway, the fatty went to leave and mullet man walked her out while his old hag girlfriend stayed at the bar. I told Tonya "Oh, they for sure are making out!" Tonya agreed. An interesting cast of characters came and went throughout our few beers. Not long before we were getting ready to go, Serial Killer dude walked in. He stood directly across from us at the bar. He never sat down. He had a beer, and just stood there and kinda stared at us. I never finished a beer so fast in my life. Serial Killer man left, and we hauled ass out the door. We jumped in her car and left. Well, being that we were in the middle of the dark woods, we convinced ourselves that Serial Killer man was following us. We turned the wrong way on purpose. Tonya dropped me off at my car and I sped away, back to the safety of Chicago. Sunday was a day of rest, much needed.

Name that Tune, this time a theme or two

So, I'm sure none of you are really working on Thursday. So, for your distraction, Name that Tune, again. This time around, there's a theme. Ok, there's two. There are also two songs that are specifically for two people (I'm looking at you, BP and TheMarty). All are welcome to play, even my Canadian friends ;). Rules: Again, there are none. Just please don't cheat. I will admit this time I had to get some Google help, but that was due to the theme, and the request for longer lyrics. A refresher: There are twenty song lyrics. Try to name the title and the artist. Bonus round: Name the two themes. If all 20 songs are named, there will be valuable prizes. Answers will be posted sometime next week. Play on, players:

1. Far - We've been traveling far - without a home - but not without a star
2. Devil without a cause - and I'm back with the beaver hats - and Ben Davis slacks - Thirty pack of Stroh's
3. It's just a small step for him - It's a nice break from Vietnam (filmed in a factory)
4. If tomorrow all the things were gone - I've worked for all my life - And I had to start again - with just my children and my wife
5. Come back home to the refinery - Hiring man says "Son if it were up to me" - I go down to see the VA man - He says "Son don't you understand"
6. Terrorists your game is through - 'Cause now you have to answer to - America, Fuck yeah
7. Bright lights - the music gets faster - look boy don't check your watch - not another glance
8. Colored lights can hypnotize - sparkle someone else's eyes - now woman, I said get away
9. Laughing on the bus - playing games with the faces - she said the man in the gabardine suit was a spy
10. I can't see myself at thirty - I don't buy a lacquered thirty - caught like flies - preserved for tomorrow's jewelry again
11. Yankee dollar talk - to the dictators of the world - In fact it's giving orders - and they can't afford to miss a word
12. As I was walking a ribbon of highway - I saw above me an endless sky - I saw below me a golden valley - This land was made for you and me
13. Oh I've been smiling lately - dreaming about the world as one - and I believe it could be - some day it's going to come
14. You see, war is not the answer - for only love can conquer hate - you know we've got to find a way - to bring some lovin' here today
15. Tell us commander, what do you think? - 'Cos we know that you love all that power - Is it on then, are we on the brink? We wish you'd all throw in the towel
16. How many times must a man look up - before he can see the sky? - Yes 'n' how many ears must one man have - before he can hear people cry?
17. In the locust wind comes a rattle and hum - Jacob wrestled the angel - and the angel was overcome - you plant a demon seed
18. 99 dreams I have had - in every one a red balloon - It's all over and I'm standing pretty
19. It's just a rumor that was spread around town - a telegram or a picture postcard - within weeks they'll be reopening the shipyards
20. How can you say - no child is left behind? - we're not dumb and we're not blind - they're all sitting in your cells

I'm no hypocrite

Because Julia called me out on this: There was another Crosstown Classic this past weekend, whilst I was in MI. The White Sox swept the Cubs. That's one way to look at it. Another: Between the six games played between these two Chicago teams, an even split. I'm saying it now: See you in October, South Side. (I myself will be far far away from Chicago should that happen. The city will Implode.)

I'm Baaaaccccckkkkk

Hopefully for good! Got home, and the internet is being good to me today. Hopefully that will last. Best. Weekend. Ever. Shannon, TheMarty and I had a great weekend in MI. Good times. I have a photo or two that my very tired ass will upload for you later in the week. There are so many great quotes, and great moments, as there always is when in MI. A sampling: "I WILL eat Martian asparagus before I die." (OPB, in the car, on our way) "It's Ok. My toes are in the cool waters of Tahiti." (OPB, in the car on the way home) Followed by: "Yeah, well my ass is firmly planted in the Sahara."(Shannon, awesomely voicing her displeasure at the leather seats in the car. And, finally, one of my own: "Well, this blows fainting goats." I may or may not provide additional quotes. I didn't have my little notebook handy at every moment (though I should have, there were some classic lines), and there was quite a bit of drinking. God bless Freedom Juice. Have Shannon make you one or three sometime - it's masterful. Anyway. Weather was mostly awesome. Shannon and Marty picked me up at work at noon on Friday from work. TheMarty had requested that I stand on the curb, thumb extended, much like the hitchhiker I was. I so totally did. Got to MI no problems. Boat ride. Uno. Awesome. Saturday was a beautiful day. After some breakfast shinanigans at Cracker Barrel we went out on the lake. I had my first ride as a passenger on Shannon's wave rider thing. She's a good driver. I trusted her, literally, with my life. We ran into some nastiness in the form of choppy water and bad juju from a speed boat with a waterskier on back. I was SURE we were going to fall off, but I had the death grip and Shannon handled it, so no problems. The problem occured when we tried to dock the damn thing. We were in the right place, but no clue as to what to do once we got there. So, we waved our hands at neighbor Dave until he came out, laughing, to assist. His sage advice to us was: "Well, just keep going til you run out of gas, you'll drift to someone's house." That said he then helped us out of the water. Then more drinking and Phase 10. Sunday bad weather, bad movie. We went to see The Happening. To that I say Meh. Drinking, game playing, you get the drift by now. Monday, sadly, it was time to come home. TheMarty forced me to listen to some comedian, David somethingorother Cross maybe? I'm glad he did - David whatever is a funny funny guy. There may be more on this trip topic later this week. I'm exhausted, and it's back to work tomorrow. Ahhh - it's good to be back~!

An update

But let's not hold our breath. Landoverlord (aka VonBroinlaw) hinted at getting me my very own internet connection last night. At 8:30. While I was packing. I asked VonSis if it could be put off by, like, a day as I was busy at it was late. It has been put off. One would hope while I am in Michigan VBIL gets it all squared away. Have a great weekend. Come hell or high water next week there will be another Name that Tune. Nothing says Independence like Name that Tune.

Giving up for the week

Still no internet. About to send a nice yet stern email to my landpeople. I'm threatening them with an infiltration of one of my techie brothers to fix it. That Might get them to act. We'll see. I'm out of town this weekend with OPB and Shannon. Should have something to talk about next week. If. If I have internet. Meh.

Still Nada

I'm guessing I still don't have internet at home. I didn't check last night, because I was busy having awesome dinner at Feed with my most favorite cousin Jyl. A dinner at which I told her I have a blog. HI JYL. So, real quick - every day I walk over to get my free RedEye newspaper at work. Every day I have a little giggle. See, some smooth operator with an exacto knife or somethin' change the word "Free" on the side of the paper dispenser thingy to "I Pee" I don't know why this is funny every freaking day, but it is. Fingers crosses I'll have internet soon.