AZ's Diary of a Damned Man

8/13 - 8/15

Friday morning I woke up early and went over to Marcos and Lee's to get all of our camping gear combined and packed for our weekend camping trip in Wisconsin. Marcos was supposed to o be ready to go at noon but was getting reamed at work and didn't get to pick Lee and I up till after 2, which really put us behind. Leaving Chicago afternoons on Friday is hell no matter where you're headed and the later in the day it gets the longer one spends waiting out the traffic. And to make matters worse we had to stop in Arlington Heights to make a store stop for a client of Marcos.

So the food was already purchased which is retrospect isn't really a good idea since it takes up more room in the car.

We were up pretty ate but everyone was bright-eyed and ready to go canoeing. Marcos and I went to Albany to pick up more supplies, Lee and I made a ton of food and by 9 AM we were up top ready to hit the cool water and warm sun. Andy went with Lee and Chris (aka Kid Rock) followed in a 3rd canoe. About an hour into the trip Marcos in his ultimate wisdom decided to break my record of no canoe spills and stood up and danced in the boat while we were sitting still against a log in a pretty strong current. The canoe tipped and all of our food and refreshments went down river never to be seen again. Somehow I grabbed what was left of the Jack, but when Marcos tossed it over to the receptor, it shattered and was all gone. The remainder of the 6 hour river ride would be completed with no refreshments whatsoever.

We got back and Kelly's parents made us dinner and then we hang out at the site and the group dwindled as at 130AM it was only Lee and myself playing MINISTRY trying to isolate ourselves from eth big brouhaha that was going on annoyingly and quite obnoxiously behind us.

I was up again before 6AM and waited for anyone else to wake. Marcos got up and we cleaned up the site and packed our gear in record time. We were on the road by 920 and in Beloit to eat at Arby's by 10. I had the chicken salad I've been drooling over since they introduced it a month ago. I wasn't that great and I wish I would have had roast beast.

Sunday afternoon we got back and unpacked. We were tired, bruised, cut and sore all over. I tried to grab a nap but that was impossible and I tried one of those new salads at Quiznos. I do not recommend eating their salads. They suck. The subs are good but the salads have not enough...salad. I should have just tossed that salad.

Paige and Shena wanted to get together but I was too tired and thought I'd get some sleep. I told Jon to give them my regards and I would catch up with them later. I took two sleeping pills at about 630 and put on my AC and TV and went to lala land. At 1030 they came in my door. Shena was gone for two weeks, missed a bunch of fun, (I would have been happy with Florida) and wanted to say hello. It was so hard to wake up, not only from the medicine but because I was fucking exhausted. Anyway, it was good to see her and 2 hours later I was back asleep.

Painted my new office space to match my bedroom today and unpacked my books. Went to Home Depot, Kelsey's for $1 Burger and went through a massive stack of mail.

Then I got a great email from the people at HUSTLER. They saw the photos of me at the Flashback Weekend Convention earlier this month and on Saturday I was wearing a black and red HUSTLER T and on Sunday a HUSTLER tank top. So because of me showing my support they are sending me a bunch of HUSTLER swag. Hope there are more shirts in that batch.

8/18
Wednesday night was the first night of the Chicago Underground Film festival now in it's 11th year. Jim Van Bebber was to be the guest of honor and his movie The Manson Family which was tentatively titled Charlie's family for 10 years or so would be making it's debut. Now I am no fan at all in anyway or form of Serial Killers, however I am a massive fan of Van Bebbers films. I've waited to see this thing since I first got a trailer of it back in 1192. I had seen his My Sweet Satan, Chunckblower, Roadkill, Skinny Puppy video and Doper over 100 times. In fact at one time it was standard that any guest of mine would sit and watch these films upon their maiden visit to my home. Leigh Marino, Jeff Brown and I could and still do quote lines from all of his features.

Jim arrived late and completely inebriated. He was a wild man, and a loose cannon and was something of which to behold. And after the movie he took questions, shouted obscenities and insulted a few of his fans. After which he jumped in a cab with me and went to Delilah's, Schuba's and to an after show get together at my place. He left around 4AM and after not getting nearly enough sleep my phone began ringing with calls wondering where Jimbo was and if he was still with me and what time I last saw him etc. It was a trip. And as much as I am a fan of his films and hold them in high regard, I'm not certain that I want to hang out with him in the near future. I've been around every type of hardcore animal and rock star excess and have till this day near seen anything like my friend Jim Van Bebber. The Manson Family was worth the decade long wait and in one of the most detailed and precise films I have ever witnessed, and I'm happy to have seen it as it is meant to be seen, in a theatre.

Thursday 8/19

Stopped into the fest for a minute and hit Liars Club to see I LOVE RICH in a secret "dark" set. Full Throttle lived up to his name and I enjoyed their new songs a lot. The only light was their massive sign lit up behind them. I skipped the rest of the film fest for that night in favor of going to see Kaylani Lei and Sydnee Steele a couple of porn hotties we met in Vega$. We had no problem getting past the front door of Crobar. Saw Daniel Metcalf the publicist and the girls were pretty happy to see us. We chilled for a few and ended up at Crazy Horse where it was more suitable for us. Grego became himself and left me there without letting me know he was leaving. So I was stuck and being that the cab driver refused to get my card I had to go into my place and get cash for him. ANNOYING. The new law states the are required to take plastic . And this is another one of my beefs with cab drivers.

Friday 8/20

Went with Shena down to shoot an episode of JBTV where we met up with Lupe', and Messy who proudly displayed their new ViXXXen shirts. The show went well and it was weird not being what I've been on that show in the past. In fact there was a vibe of love in the room that I haven't felt in my life in a long time. it was one of peace and serenity and when it was over I felt rally good about what we accomplished. She was great in her all American southern bell manner and beauty, Lupe' was sweeter than ever and Messy was the great Messy that I know and love and will sadly miss as she moves to LA next month.

Afterwards on the way over to take them home we stopped at Kelsey's to indulge in their free Friday buffet, where we met Marco's, Johnna, and Paige who could not make the show. I was also a bit bummed Vera could not make it. But she will make up for it today if she joins me for a quiet day in the park.

It's now Saturday morning. The film fest and after show parties run all through the week. There is an air show that will be very loud this weekend and I have what seems like a hundred invites and offers to join up with friends at many different locations. But if Vera comes to town I will opt for the most subdued.