Wicked

I finally got around to seeing Wicked the Musical. It was really good. I have never really been to a musical before so I didn't really know what to think, but like all the reviews have said it was not to be missed and I'm glad I didn't. The seats were in the middle and up one level. The view was really good and the price of the ticket was not too ridiculous, though they were still expensive. I really wish I had read the book, but still understood and enjoyed all of it. It really does make you feel like you are watching a movie. It's impressive how they change the sets so fast and so smoothly. The costumes are well made and the actors I thought did a great job. The songs they sang were overall well done. Some of the songs were catchy and some were just funny, and the choreography went well with all the songs. The whole thing was worth the money and should be checked out if you can get a ticket. I think it has become a lot easier to get good tickets where as before you couldn't get anything without spending over $200. Thanks Erin for coming with me and finding my ticket.

16" Softball National Championship

If any random crazy fans of 16" softball were interested the "No Gloves" Championship is going on this weekend in Forest Park.

For the schedule click here

Philadelphia

Ok there is a little to much to talk about and I'm a little late so i will say a bit and then have to let the hundreds of pictures I took tell the rest of the story. First things first, I love Philly. This was my first time there and I did not know what to expect and I was blown away, blown away by the history, the layout, the diversity, the night scene, and the people of this city. Nothing, the whole time I was there, didn't make me want to just move there. I cant believe how strange it is to walk around and see buildings that are hundred and hundreds of years old, and yet inside them might be a new restaurant or a bar. I went to Philly a week early for my cousin Mike Gawlicks wedding, he married Erin Victory. Mike was nice enough to let me be in his wedding as a groomsman, that was a lot of fun, but I'm getting ahead of myself cause I was there a whole week just experiencing the city before the wedding, which by the way was great and went really well. When I got into Philly it was about 8 pm and I actually didn't have any clue as to where I was and or where I was going, I also didn't have a place to stay and no one to meet up with. The Nondorfs got in earlier that day, but were out to dinner and Erin's sister Joy did not get off work till 11 so in the airport I followed some signs that got me to a train it said it was going into the city so I hoped on it. I was kinda hoping like in Chicago, DC or even New York the last stop on the train would be in the heart of the city, turns out its not. So I missed my stop, but not that big a deal, easily recovered. After turning around I got of in the middle of what they call Center City (the heart of Philly). Hmmm... well then I just kinda wondered around with a tux, a bag of clothes and a backpack for awhile and tried to find maybe a bar or restaurant that looked inviting to just hang out in till either the Nondorfs were done with dinner or Joy got off of work. The problem was that not only did I not see anything to go into, but it actually all looked kinda shady and therefore caused me to keep walking, I ended up in Chinatown for a little while which was nice cause there I didnt feel like anything would happen to me. I really didn't mind any of this except that the bags where getting heavy and there is no real way to hold a tuxedo bag. Finally I saw a sign, which I later realized where all over the city, that pointed directions towards landmarks. Al had told me that the hotel and where they would be around was near Independence Hall so I followed the sign, which was just an arrow pointing up, but it made me feel better any ways. Little did I know that I was still kinda far away. Eventually wondering through the streets of Philly at night I was able to meet up with the Nondorfs right near Independence Hall and I realized that I was able to be in the same spot as the signing of the Deceleration of Independence on the 4th of July and I that this is exactly where I wanted to be for the next week. All this happening within only 2 hours of being in Philly. Ok all that was just an intro and I feel it was already to long so I am not really going to say much else except that Lorenzo's on South street was the best pizza and of all the steak sandwiches, Geno's, Pat's, Jim's Ishkabibbles and others, Ishkabibbles in its little pink open window storefront had the best sandwich. I did try the wiz, I didn't put gum on a tree, but I did see "the playground where I spent most of my days" and ran the rocky steps among many other things. The whole trip was unbelievable and I cant wait to go back. I'll have pictures in blogs below.

Mr and Mrs Gawlick

Not to many wedding pics I think I was to busy dancing. The wedding though was amazing and the reception afterwards was in the Penn train station and was the coolest setting I've seen. Thanks Victories. Some pics here

Philly Photos

Independence Hall

The First Bank

Rocky and Joe

Masonic Temple

Geno's Steaks

Click on the Pictures to get my sets, or here

Happy Village

I thoroughly enjoy this bar and hope to be frequenting it more often, not because of the booze or the people (not that there was anything wrong with them), but because of there beautiful beer garden and there ping pong room. The actual bar area is kinda dark and dive-y with a good bartender and a small crowd, so therefore liked by me. When you walk in there are the arcade games and the jukebox with small tables lining the left wall. The long straight bar is on your right and goes pretty much the length of the room. Behind the bar on the walls are your standard nic naks like a clock with Bobby and John Kennedy, along with the classic Christmas lights and beer promotions hanging all around the ceiling. At the end of the bar you can either go straight or you can go right. Right is the bathrooms, which for some reason have an unusually large urinal, no problem, except it is contrasted hilariously with an extremely small sink. Passed the bathrooms and in a second room was the ping pong room. Nothing crazy just two Ping pong tables with a bar in the back and little tables all around the room for people to watch or wait. What I thought was really cool about this room is that they have a little boom box sitting in the front of the room with a pile of cds people have left, the cds are all burned and mostly mixes that you have know idea what are on them, but it is definiatly an ingenious idea. Right next to the boom box is a port and speakers for an ipod. Say if you came early on a Saturday morning and not a lot of people are there, just throw on your ipod and play some pong to what you want. Back out through the bar and out the other door is the beer garden, its real simple, but looks amazing. Immediately to your right is a pond and a garden, straight in front of you is an archway covered in ivy and through that are the tables and chairs. It is not huge and I could see it getting packed on a nice day, but it is worth checking out. There is no food or at least none that I noticed, but the beers seemed cheap and reasonable and the place is really worth checking out.

I Know I Suck

Sorry about no posts forever, Ive been in a funk, but I will be back and more reliable. I have several posts I want to do so I will get them going as soon as possible. I doubt I can get to all of them today but don't worry they will follow shortly. I will start it off with a short one...

I saw this bike on the street the other day and it is the coolest thing I have ever seen, I have actually had a concept in my head to make a bike for the last couple of years and this is about the only bike that has come close to looking like my design. Its made by Puma and costs a ton of money and I don't think you can get it in the US, but its really a pretty sweet bike. That cord in the picture actually helps hold the bike together and if you were to steal the bike and try and ride it without the key that cord snaps off and the bike becomes unrideable (I think I made that word up). This is one of the many cool things it can do besides its awesome look.

more pics

more info http://www.puma.com/bike/pindex.jsp

Happy Birthday Erin

A Globe

My Aunt Peggy Macnamara, who makes awesome watercolor paintings and has a couple of books out, was asked to paint a globe for the city of Chicago. Its sort of like the "Cows on Parade" they did a while back, but now they are using huge globes. Anyway if you are ever by the Shedd or the Field Museum check it out.

Platform 29

"The Next Generation" are playing another gig and this one is important. the last show at Tommy Nevins was awesome but this seems like it is going to be much bigger and better and since they are movin on up they decided they need a name change, they will no longer be called The Next Generation, but instead they are going to be PLATFORM 29. They will be playing at the Irish heritage center on this Friday the 13th, so come down and show some support.

Here is the link http://irishfestchicago.com/irishfestchicago.aspx

(They are still called The Next Generation)

or click here

I'll Get To It I Promise

Well, I have been out awhile first I had Connor and Molly's Wedding on Friday the 29th, then I had to wake up at a nice 5:45 to go to the airport so I could be back in time for the Patriot Games, and after that crazy weekend I went to Philedelphia on Tuesday night. I stayed in Philly from Tuesday till Sunday for a vacation and more importantly Mike Gawlick and Erin Victory's wedding, which Mike was nice enough to let me be a groomsman in. The whole week in Philly was awesome. I cant get it all in right now, but I will soon. Many stories to tell.