Rockin' the lakefront

We went to see this guy in concert last night.

It was Ben Folds followed by John Mayer. Overall: Good show, at a great venue, on a weird night.

The show was at the Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island. It's a great little outdoor venue in downtown Chicago, just off the lake, over by the museums and Soldier Field, just tucked out of the way. The sound quality was fantastic. Sight lines were really pretty good. It was strange, however, in that even though the show was on June 28th, after the first song, Ben had to ask a stage hand to get him a hat because it was "fucking cold out here!" The temperature at show time couldn't have been more than 63. Very strange. Then you have the video screens. Flanked to either side of the stage were large projection screens that later, for John Mayer's set, gave you close ups of the various musicians in the band, and of Mayer's vocals. If you've ever seen John Mayer perform, then you know that while he's a very good guitar player and has some catchy tunes to his repertoire, nobody needs to see his mug that close up. Especially while he's singing. He looks like Joe Cocker had a baby with Ray Charles, and that baby has some sort of Bell's Palsy. Not pretty. Anyway, since for this concert Ben Folds is just the opening act, all we get on the video screens is a recurring series of inane commercials. Some for the venue's concessions. Some for upcoming shows. Some are advertisements I recognize from TV, just without the sound. It's annoyingly distracting.

The fact that Ben was the opening act, I get it. He's not as big right now as John Mayer. I know that's messed up but it's the fact as the world stands today. I blame Dick Cheney. Regardless, hasn't the man earned enough respect to not be running commercials during his set? That was ridic. Other than that, the set was terrific. A nice mix of old stuff and newer stuff. A sampling from all his solo albums and a little something off all the old Ben Folds Five records, too. Even a couple of improvised ditty's created on the spot that fans of Ben Folds have come to expect from his live shows. He plays the piano with such a reckless abandon and sense of humor, you can't help but have fun at his concerts. Even without a current radio play track, he still had a large portion of the clearly John Mayer-centric audience singing along with some of the songs like "Zak and Sara", "One Angry Dwarf" and "Landed".

John Mayer was pretty good, too.

Next up: July 5th.....Wrigley Field.....The Police!

Hogwash

Sorry I haven't been posting much or commenting on other people's blogs. I've been training my replacement at work. What?! They actually expect me to work? That's Hogwash!



No... This is Hogwash, the new Children's improv group I was just cast in. I don't know how up to date the site is, but basically they do improvised fairy tales for kids groups. I first heard about them when we used them for our company 'holiday kids day.' I loved the energy and fun shows they did. Plus soon I realized that I knew and respected a lot of people in the group. I start rehearsing with them next weekend. From what I gather, we'll be doing a run of shows for the summer, but also we can be hired for events etc. My new daytime availability will come in handy for those shows.

Count down

The count down has begun. This is my last week that I have to work in an office. The last Monday that I have to get up bleary eyed eyed, not recovered from the weekend, dragging my ass downtown to do mindless work that I DON'T enjoy. It's the last time I have to dress in casual office wear and the last time I have to have a time card approved.

I couldn't be happier or more excited to finish out this week!

- Mo

Ugghhh

Ugghhh, my face hurts. As part of getting ready to leave my job, I've been squeezing in as many Doctor's appointments in while I still have insurance. I've been poked and prodded more than Paris Hilton in the slammer (za zing!).

Anyways, this week it's all about the dentist. I hate going to the dentist as is. I get really tense and my jaw hurts for days after. In my head I know there's nothing to freak out about, that it'll be over quick and that I'll be ok, but I get really nervous. Still, I manned up and made the appointment. Besides a basic cleaning, I knew I had to get two fillings that I have been putting off for months. I set up two appointments. During the check up I found out that I still had a wisdom tooth that needed out as well as another filling. Yesterday was supposed to be just to take care of the cavities. I asked to be gassed up. Once I was "relaxed" they went to work. Towards the end I overheard through my blaring headsets that he had time and might as well pull the wisdom tooth. I wasn't expecting to have oral surgery yesterday, but I did. And that included a stitch. Overall I'm pretty much feeling fine. I went to bed early last night, after popping numerous Ibuprofen. I'm pretty lucky considering what some go through with their wisdom teeth. I'm actually a little more achy today, but it's not too big of a deal. Mostly I'm just skigged out by the string in my mouth from the stitch . Yuck. One more appointment on Monday, and then it'll be back to ignoring my dental health for a few more months.

(Sorry Colin, I had to post it. This picture deserves to be on the cover page!)

- Mo

They really should watch who they hire

Hilarious!

Thanks That Other Blog

Mr. and Mrs. Brimblecom

Spent the past weekend taking part in the various wedding festivities for my good friends Billy and Ali. We had a great deal of fun, slept very little, ate and drank very much and will need a good week to completely recuperate completely, I think. Here are some of the highlights:

• Thursday lunch at Gates BBQ with Ed, Jason and Kay.


• Ed rented a car, and somehow ended up with a minivan with Sirius satellite radio.


• Bachelor party dinner at the Majestic Steakhouse.


• Slap boxing at The Hurricane.


• Jason's speech at the rehearsal dinner where he spoke about Billy's strength and perseverance, how he's overcome difficulty and hardship time and time again. "A car accident that broke his back...losing a leg to cancer...a band called The Start. Just horrible, horrible tragedies."


• Late night Taco Bell runs night after night.


• A viewing of an incredible documentary titled "The King of Kong". Promise me you'll watch out for this little film and see it.


• Billy and Ali's choreographed first dance at the reception.


• The privilege of getting to emcee the reception for the new Mr. and Mrs. Brimblecom in addition to my duties as a wedding ceremony usher.


• Getting to hang out with some of my favorites from the KC music scene through the years; guys like JD Warnock, Eric Melin, Brian Everard, Chris Tolle and Nick Colby from the bands The Creature Comforts and Ultimate Fakebook, among others.

It was a fantastic time overall. Billy and Ali are so clearly happy, it was a joy to be involved. Good times this weekend, good times.

- Corey

Buh Bye!

I did it! I quit my job today. Whoa, I know.

I was extra nice and gave the company a months notice, but starting June 30th, I'll be working for myself again!

Whoo hoo. I'm both excited and nervous as hell. I thought I was going to throw up when I told my boss. Still I know I'm doing the right thing. My hair and makeup business is booming and I just can't physically handle doing both full time anymore.

Hopefully now I'll not only have more time to grow my business, but I'll also get more sleep, have time to clean the house, go out with friends, write, do more shows and finally relax.

Keep passing my name along people.

- Mo