April 27, 2006
Sumos In Rosemont
Allstate Arena is hosting what could be the first sumo wrestling event ever in the Chicagoland area. The World Sumo League is landing on Rosemont on May 27th, with tickets going on sale this Friday.
Will all the people who have quietly enjoyed Sumo wrestling on ESPN be pulled in? I'm tempted!
Source:Chicagoist
Technorati Tags: Allstate Arena, Sumo Wrestling
Posted by JB at 8:48 AM | PermalinkApril 26, 2006
Vitamin C Cigarette
As if the 'standing room seating' wasn't a bad enough idea, how about a Vitamin C infused cigarette? The non-smoking creator of the cigarette created it to help his smoker wife combat the vitamin loss attributed to the act of smoking. The creator also claims that it smells better and does not stain teeth. Currently the cigarette is only available in Quebec but will eventually move to other Provinces. I guess Americans will have to make due with quitting to get the same benefits...for now. Any bets that this ends up here too?
Technorati Tags: Vitamin C Cigarette, VitaCig
Posted by JB at 10:58 PM | PermalinkStanding Room Only Flight
This is probably one of the best ways to make a flight even less enjoyable, 'standing room seating'. Airbus is pitching the idea to Asian carriers, but no one has taken the bait to wedge more people in a plane. Not only is it painful to think about taking a flight of any length in this set up, it would be even worse to just be stuck on the runway...waiting...and waiting...and waiting...
Source: Treehugger
Technorati Tags: Airbus, Standing Room Seating, Treehugger
Posted by JB at 10:36 PM | PermalinkApril 25, 2006
Foo In The Spring Sunshine
Foo has been very photogenic lately...
Foo napping on a copy of 'A Dirty Job' by Christopher Moore. So far it's pretty good and Foo likes it too.
Technorati Tags: photo, Foo, cat
Posted by JB at 10:37 PM | PermalinkApril 24, 2006
Movie Magic
I have a thing for seeing how things are movies are made, so if you are like me make sure you check out the special features on the DVD - A History of Violence. There is an excellent multi-part section showing how everything in the movie was done including set making, scripts, shot set-up, special effects, stunts and wardrobe. It's a real treat for movie fans.
Technorati Tags: A History of Violence, DVD, Special Feature
Posted by JB at 10:33 PM | PermalinkApril 19, 2006
Follow-Up WBEZ Story on Chicagoist
Chicagoist has a follow-up story on the WBEZ format change (dumping the music for 24/7 talk) featuring an interview with WBEZ's Director of Communications, Daniel Ash. After Inga and I read the story and the interview, we're confused. It sounds like the powers at WBEZ are confused too and not sure what they are going to do in 2007. I think they are feeling a music dumping backlash and are trying to come up with a format where they can stay all talk and keep the music fans happy. The interview didn't bring any warm fuzzies and all in all sounds half baked. Thanks to Chicagoist for keeping up on this story...
Technorati Tags: WBEZ, Chicagoist, format change
Posted by JB at 11:25 PM | PermalinkApril 18, 2006
"Get A Haircut" - Follow-up
Crede and Pierzynski are giving in to 'The Man' and getting their haircut. They are turning it into a charity event however on Thursday morning on WSCR - 670AM.
Technorati Tags: haircut, Joe Crede, A.J. Pierzynski
Posted by JB at 11:06 PM | PermalinkApril 17, 2006
Reinsdorf To Crede and Pierzynski - "Get A Haircut"
Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has asked Joe Crede and A.J. Pierzynski to get a haircut, as he doesn't like the shaggy look. Will Crede and Pierzynski let 'The Man' tell them what to do? They looked like their locks were flowing tonight. The White Sox haircut watch has officially begun!
Technorati Tags: Chicago White Sox, Joe Crede, A.J. Piezynski, Jerry Reinsdorf, haircut
Posted by JB at 9:58 PM | PermalinkWBEZ Backstab
We are shocked to read stories in Chicagoist and Chicago Tribune this evening, that WBEZ is dropping all of it's music programming as of 2007. This move was conveniently announced just after their long pledge drive. After contributing we feel betrayed. Keeping in mind that this is a public radio station that drones on and on in their painful pledge drives that they cannot run the station without its listeners; to completely drop programs that are institutions like 'Jazz with Dick Buckley', 'Comin' Home', and 'Blues Before Sunrise' is criminal. Inga commented after reading these stories 'Radio in Chicago is bad enough. Now this!'.
The quotes at the end of the Tribune article are very poignant:
"I call on all those who love great Chicago music not to stand by and let our public radio abandon our great music heritage," wrote Freeman in a dispatch that has been circulating widely. "Let WBEZ, the City of Chicago and the FCC hear your voice."
Wrote pianist Dan Cray in his own, mass-distributed e-mail, "Anyone who loves jazz in Chicago should be outraged."
The new philosophies at Chicago Public Radio are "a feeble excuse for giving up music," adds legendary deejay Buckley, who says he's bitter about the way the station has turned its back on his show and others. "Passport" host Heim, who also served as WBEZ's music director but recently left the station, did not return phone calls.
Says Lauren Deutsch, executive director of the non-profit Jazz Institute of Chicago, "I think this is really a misread on their part of what the mission of a public radio station is.
"To discontinue music programming really shows a lack of commitment to serving the community."
I hope WBEZ made plenty of money on their pledge drive, because if this household is any indication, they won't be getting nearly as much in the future.
Technorati Tags: WBEZ, Music programming, Jazz, Dick Buckley, Comin' Home, WDCB
Posted by JB at 7:46 PM | PermalinkApril 16, 2006
Along The Tracks
Technorati Tags: photo
Posted by JB at 10:17 AM | PermalinkApril 13, 2006
Suicide Seed
If Inga plants any Yellow Oleander in her garden, please check on my well being regularly. Of course I am kidding (finger crossed :) ), but Sri Lanka is going through a spike in suicides using the toxic seeds of the Yellow Oleander which grow all over the island. One large seed is enough to kill a person.
Source: Warren Ellis
Technorati Tags: Yellow Oleander, Suicide Seed, Sri Lanka
Posted by JB at 12:13 PM | PermalinkApril 8, 2006
Young Fans
Technorati Tags: photo
Posted by JB at 9:54 PM | PermalinkApril 7, 2006
All Things Pachinko
I've never played pachinko let alone been to Japan, but have always been curious about pachinko machines and parlors. The facination stems from the percieved relation it has with two loves of mine: pinball and gambling. PingMag has an excellent Pachinko article that covers the history, culture, design and lure of the game.
Technorati Tags: PingMag, Pachinko
Posted by JB at 11:03 AM | PermalinkApril 6, 2006
White Sox World Series Trophy Day
Went to the White Sox game yesterday with some friends. It was the third game of the season as well as the third day of celebration of their 2005 World Series Championship. Opening day was the unveiling of the World Series banner. Before game two they passed out the world series rings. Game three was trophy day with plenty of pomp and circumstance.
Before the game Shawn Mullins played a couple of songs including his hit from a few years ago, 'Lullaby' (later he sang the national anthem).
The trophy ceremony began with White Sox staff marching out from center field with the same style flags that are on the World Series trophy. They formed a circle around the pitchers mound, replicating the trophy. Two banners were unfurled in the outfield that said 'Thank You White Sox Fans'. Then White Sox all-stars Harold Baines, Minnie Minoso, Billy Pierce and Luis Aparicio walked the actual trophy out to the pitchers mound where it was then presented to the fans by manager Ozzie Guillen. All in all good ceremony to celebrate the series win.
Oh yes, they also passed out 20,000 replica trophies. Yes, I did get one. I checked and they are going for between $50 to $60 on Ebay. Hmmmm.
The game itself was fun despite the outcome, an 11th inning loss. We were also reminded that summer isn't here just yet as the warm weather at the start of the game faded as the game went on until it was freezing as the game went into extra innings.
The center entrance to U.S. Cellular Field
New World Series Banners
Unveiling the 'Thank You Fans' banners with the flag bearers around the mound.
Harold Baines, Minnie Minoso, Billy Pierce and Luis Aparicio walking the trophy to the mound.
The replica trophy giveaway.
Foo with the trophy.
Technorati Tags: photo, Chicago White Sox, Replica Trophy, World Series Trophy
Posted by JB at 10:40 PM | PermalinkApril 3, 2006
Support A New Orleans Band in Chicago
Matt Golombisky of the Tomorrow Music Orchestra (and other projects) sent out word of two shows this week featuring New Orleans ensemble 'The Other Planets'.
'The Other Planets' which are an eclectic gonzo musical ensemble from New Orleans which combines elements of freak rock, avant- jazz, comedy, social commentary, and electric noises in a way hitherto unapproached by musicians in this area in recent years. Led by percussionist/ vocalist/ composer, Anthony Cuccia, with conceptual puppet-mastery and derangement counseling from Dr. Jimbo Walsh, the group has performed for engaged audiences since June of 2003. These gigs will include Jonathon Kirk on trombone, Caroline Davis on sax, Matthew McClimon on vibes, Matthew Golombisky on bass, Quin Kirchner on drums and Anthony Cuccia on percussion/samples/vocals.
Tomorrow. April 4th. Silvie's Lounge (1902 W. Irving Park). with Bebelo ("...a melodic rock band with moody lyrics and haunting melodies. Jazz influenced, Bebelo plays original, catchy tunes you won't easily forget....") three bands total. show starts at 9pm.
Thursday. April 6th. Muse Cafe (817 N. Milwaukee). it's a jam session too for electro-acoustic minded people. drum'n'bass and such. 8-10pm! BYOB.
Technorati Tags: The Other Planets, Matt Golombisky
Posted by JB at 1:15 PM | PermalinkApril 1, 2006
April Fool's Day Recap
If you've been on the internet today, you have no doubt been bombarded with sites full of April Fool's jokes. If you haven't had your fill; Wikipedia contributors have archived this year's April Fool's Day jokes pulled off on the web, television, radio and in print. It's quite a list.
Technorati Tags: Wikipedia, April Fool's Day
Posted by JB at 9:35 PM | Permalink