Halloween Party

ASAK

The Halloween Party I went to was great check out some of the pics at Stevie's Blog, http://trudesign.blogspot.com/

I'm the Elvis

Digable Planet / Audioslave

The Digable Planets are having a show and CD release party on Nov 4 at the Park West. This is a great group people should think about checking them out.
They have been around for a while and make quality hip hop music. If you go to this show I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Audioslave is also playing this month. They are playing at the UIC Pavilion on The 7th. This band is made up of all the people from Rage Against the Machine except the lead singer who has been replaced by the lead singer of Soundgarden, most people no that already, They sound really good, but I would guess they are even better in concert.

If you want to find out more about shows that are going on in Chicago check out this amazing website, http://www.jamusa.com/

SAW II

Went to the movies last night and watched the movie Saw II. As I expected it was just as disturbing and twisted as the original except with a few more characters and a lot more blood, if that is even possible.

This movie will make you sick and is not easy to watch, so I do not suggest you watch it unless you are truly ready or this type of psycho horror film is what you like. The movie is twisted and disturbing, As in the first movie the twist at the end is so incomprehensible it makes your brain exploded.

In the end though if you are looking for a movie with the type of sick twisted ideas similar to the movie Seven than Saw II is the movie for you. I do however suggest watching the original Saw first.

Holy Crap

The Sox win it in what else but Sox fashion.

Congrats to Sox fans

The Parade is either going to be on Friday or Monday

(Hilarious Picture, Good ol' Ozzie)

WhirlyBall

Its been awhile since I played some good old fashion WhirlyBall so I thought if I talk about it I will be motivated to start playing again.

Who ever made this up is a genius. The game is played on bumber cars in a big open area. The object of the game is to score a "wiffle" type ball trough a hole in a backboard using a "Scoop".

It seems somewhat easy and it would be if they did make the steering of the bumber cars nearly impossible, also any time you try to do something, shoot, pass, etc., you are smashed into by the other team or your own.

The game also gets a lot more interesting and exciting as the night goes on because it is located inside a bar so people tend to get a little tipsy and even worse at steering. It is expensive though so when you go there should be a minumum of 12 people there with you.

Al sign us up for a softball Whirly.

WhirlyBall
1880 W. Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
1-800-8-WHIRLY

CTA Riders

If you are an avid CTA rider you should think about switching to the Chicago Plus cards. Coming soon there will be a fare increase of $.25 for any cash users and the $.25 transfer will be taken away. But, those who have the Chicago Plus card will not have to pay the increase and will be able to use the transfer.

I have heard a lot about these cards and it is looking as though now I will be getting one. Everyone who has one swears by them so I am not to mad about having to order one.

They work similar to the IPass in that you just walk through the turnstyles and don't even have to take the card out of your wallet. Also like the IPass it takes the money straight from a credit card and therefore you do not need to worry whether or not you have enough money on your card when you get to the L or bus.

Unbelievable

Amazing, if you missed it, don't worry it is probably already being replayed on ESPN classics.

Dan Flavin

The Museum of contemporary Arts (MCA) is holding an exhibit that people should think about seeing which is called Dan Flavin: a Retrospective. The exhibit is of the works of Dan Flavin, obviously, showing what can be done with light and color. In particular he uses fluorescent lights to show how everyday objects change with the addition of color and light. He work is minimalist and yet it fills the room with his ideas. The art work is very interesting and sometimes literally unbelievable. What I mean is that he can take what appears to be a red fluorescent light and with it fill the entire room with two, three or more colors then that of red.

It is a very cool concept and also very intriguing. So if you get a chance stop by the MCA because it is only there till the 30th of October.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is located at 220 East Chicago Avenue, just one block east of Michigan Avenue, in the heart of the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago.

Monday it is closed

Tuesday 10-8

Wednesday-Sunday 10-5

Admission is free from 5-8pm on Tuesdays.

Otherwise,

$10 General

$6 Seniors and Students

Hip Hop Show

Everyone might not like Hip Hop, but I do, so I will be stopping by the Abbey Pub this weekend, once or twice.

Two groups I like will be playing. The first group is Earatik Statik who will be playing on Friday the 21st. The other, and the one I like a little better is Jedi Mind Tricks they will be playing on Sunday the 23. Both shows begin after 9pm.

Both of these groups are very good and I actually saw Jedi Mind the last time they were at the Abbey and it was a really good show. If any one would like to go, which I suggest people do, The tickets can be purchased through the Abbey Pub website, http://www.abbeypub.com/ , or at the door.

Tickets for both shows are $15

If you have never been to the Abbey before you have been missing a great little venue. Even if you do not like Hip Hop I really think you should try and find a show that is playing there. The Pub plays all musical types and genres, so check it out. Every show I have seen there has been great, it has a personal and intimate feel plus the sound is amazing.

The Abbey Pub
3420 W Grace St
Chicago, IL 60618
773-478-4408

The Ultimate in Foosball

www.elevenforty.com

The Interpreter

I really did not think this movie was going to be any good, but I was proven wrong. Starring Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn, The interpreter, turned out to be one of the better movies I have seen in awhile.

It is about an interpreter (Kidman) who over hears a plot to kill a diplomats and there for starts a huge investigation into how to protect not only the diplomat, but the interpreter.

It is a good movie that keeps you guessing and also gives some nice cinematography inside the United Nations building which has never been done before.

Halloween Costumes?

Halloween is two weekends away and just like every year I have nothing. Well this year I am going to be ready, I'm trying to psych myself up or I won't actually do anything.

This year I have mapped out some of the costume shops in the city and hope that if I do not wait till the last minute I will be able to get a good costume, even though I am usually bad at thinking upthe right one.

If any one is in the same boat as me here are three huge costume shops in Chicago. Have fun thinking of what to be and can't wait to see some good costumes out there.

Broadway Costumes
1100 W Cermak Rd, 2nd Flr
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 829-6400

Chicago Costume
1120 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 528-1264

Fantasy Costumes
4065 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 777-0222

Think Cafe

Thanks to Dan and Mr. Blake I was able to go to this restaurant, Think Cafe, over the weekend. I can honestly say this might be one of the best restaurants I have ever been to.

The restaurant has a very elegant yet unassuming atmosphere that makes you feel special even if you are wearing a beat up red hooded sweatshirt. The restaurant has dimmed lights but it is still bright enough to see everything around you. There is no music so you can hear the chatter of the people around you, and yet it does not intrude. The volume is not loud , but it is not quiet, it is just about at conversation pitch.

Think is BYOB and so we did, with a few bottles of red and a couple of beers we took our seats. Immediately the waitress was giving us frosty mugs and wine glasses and not even thinking twice about it. The menu was very diverse and had many different styles of meals to choose from, but first, appetizer.

We went with the caprese and the crab cakes both were brought out in a well displayed artistic manner and the taste was equally enjoyable.

The food ranged from over 8 different types of pastas to rack of lamb and chicken marsala. I ordered the linguini and scallops. The food was so good and perfectly filling that I almost did not want to eat for the rest of the weekend.

The food was truly unbelievable and of the 7 of us that ate there. we all left as pleased as ever. Pleased with the service and the meal, it ranked up there as the best food we all have had in awhile. I highly recommend and would go as far as saying that everyone must eat there at least once in their lifetime.

Thanks again Dan and Mr. Blake

http://www.think-cafe.com/aboutus.html

Santullos

This pizza place has actually helped me survive when the cash is a little low. They serve a New York style slice from 4-6 pm that only costs $2 ($3.25 any other time). The slices are big enough by themselves to fill up on, but there are also great sandwiches.

I have had a few of there sandwiches, The classic Italian, the flat iron, the meatball, but none impressed me as much as the spicy chicken sando. This was a truly great sandwich with chicken breast, pepperjack cheese, roasted red peppers, lettuce tomato and spicy mayo it was delicious.

The pizza I am not saying is the greatest, but it is good and a huge amount for a good price. The sandwiches are unexpectedly good and should be given a try, especially the spicy chicken.

Santullo's Eatery
1943 W. North Ave
773-227-7960

World Series

Well looks like there is going to be a World Series in Chicago. The Sox through pitching and clutch hitting have just dominated the LA Angels. It is hard to believe, but there starting pitching pitched 44 and 1/3 innings out of 45 this series. That is something that has not been done since 1985 in the regular season and 1956 in the post season. I am not a Sox fan, but do have to give them some respect.

Sorry Bout That

Been out for a bit, but I am back now. I have a lot to talk about and will get to it all soon. Check back Monday afternoon.

Till then give this game a try, my record is 2.

http://www.fetchfido.co.uk/games/.htm

Show at the Goose

Frequency Below is playing tonight at Goose Island in Wriglyville around 9:30 pm. I think people should go check it out.

http://frequencybelow.com/pages/upcomingshows.html

Sorry the post came so late.

Marathon

Don't forget the LaSalle Bank Marathon is this weekend, Sunday Oct. 9th. The race starts at 8am sharp.

Many people we know will be running in the 26.2 mile race this year and it is always fun to go cheer them on so try and get down there. It starts at grant park near Buckingham fountain, but one of the best places to watch the race from is in Chinatown.

I suggest people go down and check it out. The race is great to watch and it helps the runners you cheer on.

Good luck to all the runners, here is a map so you can meet people downtown.

http://www.chicagomarathon.com/img/pdf/05_coursemap.pdf

Sox vs. Sox

For those who live on the moon or in Europe, the White Sox beat the Red Sox 14-2 in the first game of the ALDS. This is good news for White Sox fans and pisses off Cubs fans, but had to put it out there anyways.

Game 2 today at 6pm in Chicago.

Italian Festival

If you work downtown in the loop or do not work during the day you should check out the Festival Italiano in Chicago.

It takes place at the Daley Center Plaza from 10 am until 5pm. There you can enjoy some food along with an Italian celebration.

At the festival they will have live music, art and some Italian fashion for the ladies. They also have cooking demonstrations and tasting. So if you are in the neighborhood or don't have much to do you should head on down to the festival.

Its free and it is a beautiful day outside and if you miss it today it will be there tomorrow and Friday.

The Film Capital of the World

The 41st Chicago International Film Festival starts on Thursday the sixth. The opening movie is the Elizabethtown staring Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst.

The festival goes till the 20th of this month. The movies play at different theatres all over the city, so check the web site to see where and when to catch a flick.

The movie passes range in price from $60 for 6 movies all the way to $150 for 16 movies. For the opening and closing movies it is about $20 a ticket.

I am definatly going to check out the grand finale movie, The Weatherman, it stars Nick Cage and was filmed in chicago and Evanston. It was actually filmed on Lincoln and Greenbay road.

This should be a fun month and when I go to a movie I will let you know if they were any good.

http://www.chicagofilmfestival.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CIFFSite.woa/wa/pages/Home