Well it's been a very bizarre week to say the least. I spent 4 or 5 days unpacking and when it ended I still haven't really found anytime to watch any TV till tonight. Last Saturday I ventured to Silvie's to catch I LOVE RICH is a fulfilled show. I had a 1.2 a bottle of Makers in me thanks to Angie and took a flask full to the show. It was a great time and with the time change ended a lot later than I would have preferred. In fact it got off to a late start. But it was nice to sit and talk with Full Throttle and Eric and see the guys. I was introduced to an aspiring label founder named Rhonda who I would run into later in the week. She and her friends were having more fun than anyone in the joint. Silvie's has a stage now which made the place more enjoyable that the Annual Richmas show.
Luckily for me last evening they re-ran last Mondays episode of 24 and now I'm watching one of my favorite Adam Sandler films, Big Daddy. Sandler has one of the best screams/yells in the biz and he's consistently made me laugh. Even dumb date movies like 50 First Dates and Wedding Singer busts me up. Maybe I'm not supposed to think like that but so what, I'm twisted. But you all have to agree Fairuza Balk was the shit in The Waterboy. But she is the bomb in just about everything. In all it was nice to catch TV between IM's from Linny and Jode.
Anyway, my email was down for a few days and it did give me some time to get some much deserved personal things in order, in line and out of the way. Though it seems I lost track of time for a day or so I'm glad I did. Many emails from friends wondering what was up etc and a few surprise spur of the moment visits from a couple friends helped to get my quacks in a row and set some other actions in motion. The weather in Chicago was warm, warmer, then rainy and chilly. I did spend many hours on my back porch swing taking in the elements. Then it got goddamned cold. And by that time I was in much need of sleep.
Maybe much of it was last Tuesday at Ranalli's when I had 2 new members inducted into the Beer Mafia and hung out with Tony the buyer for Tower Records. I got him to put in some orders for eth new Subsonic and I LOVE RICH Cd's for their upcoming events. It was one of the best times I've had there in a long time. And I had to be back there on Thursday but completely forgot a prior arrangement so I rescheduled an interview I did with a few fellows who will be traveling with PIGFACE on the tour which begins next week.
Friday just after noon at 12:30 I left home for Ranalli's which meant I had to transfer just blocks north of Wrigley Field ON THE CUBS HOME OPENING DAY What a mistake. The normally 30 min trip took almost 90 min. The fans were many, and in their typical fashion rude, rowdy and already drunk prior to the game. It was a mistake I'll not make again and always check the Cubs schedule before plotting my mode of transportation during the season. It wasn't bad enough I had put the interview off for a day, but now I was arriving 15 min late. Just a week before I had received the following letter.
Hello Alex Zander,
I am a local independent filmmaker, who for over the past month, have been working with Martin Atkins & Co. on the Free For All Tour Documentary. I am very excited and proud of this project. We've been following the loyal fans, focusing on the field reps/street teams/promotional parties (Nocturna/Belmont Undead)...and the pre-production that goes on at Martin's office. We are also covering the West Coast and Midwest dates of this tour.
We have been starting to confirm interviews with the Tour sponsors/Promoters/Club Management/etc...
We want to touch base with every aspect and individual that is helping fuel this tour. As an official Tour Sponsor - we would love to hear of why you participating/and about your relationship with M. Atkins/Underground Inc./Related Bands/etc... I am a fan of your publication, and I realize you would have a great perspective to share on film.
If you are interesting in taking part in this Tour Documentary, please let us know ASAP. We will make arrangements/accommodations to for this interview -- we have been doing lunch/dinner filming -- So, If you would prefer a more formal, comfortable setting. The bill is on us.
Please let me know if interested:::
Take Care,
CLIFF
Well I'm all over anything Atkins related, in fact I was once on the diet, but that's an unrelated story so I of course agreed and set it up for Ranalli's. Upon entering late and making introductions we took our table ordered a round of food and a 1/2 yard each and began discussing everything surrounding my work, Martin's work our dedications and the people and environment involved. Some of it fantastic, some of it rather depressing,. Especially when you consider Martin and I have worked the better halves of our lives on different ends of the same spectrum to have to realize the same thing at the same time. Maybe not so much as us seeing it as seeing the reaction of the general public. And when the media has the masses vacuumed into the same way of thinking and buying and not to mention illegal downloaded music, "the futures uncertain and the end is always near."
It ended about 2 hours later we said farewell and I wet to pick up my mail. It was so perfect out in the jacketless weather I opted to walk home, knowing I HAD time and NEEDED the cardiovascular exercise In fact when I decided to walk home in the beautiful weather it took me the same amount of time. It's 4.59 miles and I loved every minute of it.
I caught up on some work and took in some TV did a little chatting and then took a sleeping aid. A little after midnight as I prepared to brush my teeth after shutting down my PC there was a ring at the door bell.. Unexpected pop in or my psycho killer has found me as it has been made fro me to know "it" is trying hard to complete it's interruption of my flow of happiness?
Stay Tuned
Posted by Alex Zander at April 9, 2005 10:15 AM