Memorial Day

Today I met with Mordecai for lunch even though I wanted to stay at home and watch the Michael Jackson memorial on TV. But I couldn't find a listing for it on non-cable TV so I just brought my laptop with me. We ate at Little Branch Cafe, which is tucked amongst those insane and seemingly abandoned high-rise condo buildings near Soldier Field and the Museum Campus. That area of the South Loop is so weird.

On the way back to the more normal part of the South Loop, we stopped by the giant sculptures by Magdalena Abakanowicz. They've been around for a while now I think, but I've never seen them up close; they're kind of creepy. I've seen some of her work at Northwestern's art gallery, and I think her work is often about World War II, which means I probably shouldn't be making a face at the sculpture's crotch in my face, but it was right there.

I spent the rest of the day watching MJ's memorial on and off and trying to read Marxist literature on a computer screen. I can't believe Paris Jackson spoke at the memorial at the end; it's bad enough to see young children crying almost hysterically in public because they've lost their legendary father in an untimely fashion, but what's even sadder is that as the day went on, I wondered, "Did Joe Jackson feed her those lines? Was that scripted?" But Aunt Janet was on standby, so I felt a little reassured (BTW, where was Uncle-To-Be-Someday Jermaine Dupri?). I have to say, as inappropriate as this comment may be, I loved how Paris turned around at the end of her goodbye and just bawled into Aunt Janet's plentiful bosom.

In lighter news, my mom made Fourth of July jello. She's been experimenting with all kinds of jello for the past few years. This past weekend, she made this maki-style kind of strawberry jello. The lighter layer was made with marshmallow, so it was a little soft and chewy. Here is my mom demonstrating one possible way of consuming the roly-poly jello. I am reminded of Fruit-By-The-Foot fruit snacks.

Print Is Not Dead

Tonight we went to Andy and Melinda's new place. We ate and talked baseball, and to everybody's amusement, Andy passed out at 10PM. I heard Michael Jackson songs coming from the living room, so we concluded the housewarming party with Michael Jackson videos. I can't believe I had never seen the entire video for "Smooth Criminal" until tonight! Wuuut. Yet another video that I think trumps "Thriller." But if I ever get a dog, I think I'd like to name it "Thriller."

Before we went home, we dropped by a 7-11 for a Hawaiian Punch Slurpee. Before even entering, I saw Fabolous on the cover of a magazine and made a beeline for it. It was XXL's "Hip Hop Soul" issue, and he shares the cover with The-Dream, who is apparently largely responsible for Mariah Carey's upcoming album and lead-off single, "Obsessed." The magazine was a must-buy. Anyway, LOSO LIVES! I had seen signs of a pulse elsewhere; I guess he has an album coming out shortly.

I'd also like to highlight my Kelly Taylor-esque dress, by a designer named Tracy Feith for Target. It has neon-orange stitching and the bubble hem, which I've loved since the late 90's, early 2000's, when I first saw it in Japan in Cutie magazines. I'd have worn it with Doc Martens to keep the 90's vibe going with the jean jacket (Pikachu on collar), but I like wearing Fryes in the summer. I highly recommend floral dresses in the summer. Next up on my summer-wardrobe-wanty list: a good linen blazer.

Thursday as Friday

I found out yesterday that I don't have to go in for my part-time job tomorrow (scanning barcodes at the Regenstein [again] three times a week). This was a pleasant surprise. Today felt like Friday.

Today's Discoveries

Mushroom hill on Whipple Street

Just something I came across today while walking to the train station after taking Oji out. I thought it was cute.

Jorge Cantu in Spanish ESPN

I screamed out loud when I saw my bench star, Jorge Cantu, on TV at a bar for the first time. I enjoy seeing my non-White Sox Fantasy players on TV. Nar then laughed out loud and yelled "SHOT GUN TO THE FACE," referring to Cantu's Robert Redford-like complexion. I don't think Nar thought of it so positively, but I think Cantu also has a bit of a Redford-like gleam to his eyes. You may think I'm in baseball love, but I maintain that I only find Robert Redford objectively handsome, as in I find him handsome but not the kind that I have an interest in. I feel the same about Brad Pitt and Alain Delon--I see causes for infatuation by others but am not infatuated myself. Also, while Cantu is a fine baseball player in reality, he's been more or less bench material for the past couple of months. That does not warrant true baseball love.

Today's Revisit to the Past

Oscar Mayer Elementary's Field: 12 Years Later

In seventh grade, I played softball. At Oscar Mayer's field, I hit a homerun to centerish-right-ish field. I don't really remember anything else about softball except once I was playing first base, and OMG it was so stressful! I was like, traumatized. Anyway Mordecai and I had some time to kill before seeing "Public Enemies," so we walked around and I revisited the spring of 1997 here with my non-baseball outfit and shoes, and an Elle magazine for a bat.

Pack Wars

Last weekend Joe, Mordecai and I went to the Bunny Hutch for a baseball card event. The event involved miniature golf, batting cages, and pack wars, which I can best describe as something like sports card bingo. Lots of sun, heat, raffles, giveaways...AND SOUTHPAW!!!

I asked for a photo and then asked about how he/it distracts opposing pitchers by doing dances behind home plate in the first row. Then he/it did some dances for me and signed a magnet for me.

This is John of Elite Sportscards and Comics. He is our go-to man when it comes to baseball cards. He is our Baseball Card Uncle.

Bad News

Today Mordecai and I went to apply for a marriage license but left with our tails between our legs. One of us has not been driving or walking around with a driver's license since returning from New York/Pennsylvania. So we will return next week, and hopefully we will prevail.

Mordecai had to go back to work so I went to Chipotle for lunch. I ate an entire vegetarian burrito. On the way back home on the train, I was drifting in and out of sleep. I was totally owned by the burrito. I got back home, gave my tired feet a sea salt bath, and then fell asleep in the living room. I woke up once to move to the bedroom and slept some more. Mordecai apparently called me 10 times to see where I was since I didn't tell him my afternoon plans. So I wake up to Mordecai saying to me, "I called you a bunch of times, like within the past hour, I sent an email too" followed by "Michael Jackson died." I felt even more disgruntled than I normally am after waking up from a nap. I think Mordecai had thought I died with the news of Michael's death.

I saw that my Facebook and Twitter feeds were flooded with reports of Michael in a coma, rumors and then confirmation of his death, comments about Michael's scandalous ways, and lots of "R.I.P. Michael Jackson." I liked former LLA classmate Jhared's comments: "Take Tito! Take Tiiiiito!" and "Honestly...Mike died a long time ago. If you're real with yourself you know what I'm talking about." On the one hand, I was hopeful for at least one more good album and I really really really wanted to see him live. But I also had a feeling that it was all over anyway, that the concert in London was going to be a farewell concert, and possibly a sad one since he probably couldn't sing and dance like he used to.

A few years back, Mordecai and I were watching an MTV "Best Dancer" countdown, and we were sure that Michael would be number 1. Who could be better? But we were apalled to see Michael ranked at number 2. Guess who was number 1: CHRIS BROWN. Yes, CHRIS "WHEN WE GET HOME, I'MMA KILL YOU RIHANNA" BROWN. I mean, we didn't know him as such then, but that countdown was just a disgrace, lies, fallacies, real real messed up. I think of Michael Jackson as possessed when he sings and dances, like his mind is in another world when he performs. And I don't have a "theory" that explains my gut feeling, and I'm not interested in one, but I think that the scandals in his life are almost excusable given his talent. Maybe "excusable" is not the right word; perhaps "irrelevant" is better. To me, his life off stage was just not as interesting as his performances on stage! Maybe I'm not thinking right with the heat and all, but there are lots of people who do shady shit with children and lead tumultuous personal lives. But who could sing and dance and influence people like Michael? NO ONE. Today, Michael Jackson returned to his home planet.

Wedding Weekend!

This past weekend, Mordecai and I attended two weddings. On Friday, we went to Sarah and Matt's wedding in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

Mordecai's parents drove us back east and we flew back on Saturday from Newark. On Sunday, we went to Jade and Raj's wedding at the Harold Washington Library in Chicago.

Congrats to Sarah & Matt, Jade & Raj!!! Wedding season is a lot of fun.

Sunday: Lookin' Good, Feelin' Good

On Sunday, Mordecai and I went to Michigan Avenue to run some errands. We've been down here every weekend for the past couple of weeks. I especially like the little area right around the John Hancock building, because there are lots of rich little old ladies with small dogs who wear these "I don't give a fuck" outfits--like in the winter, it'll be fur coats and sneakers. These ladies above on the left, however, most certainly gave a fuck when they got dressed in the morning. What was even more awesome was that the woman on the left representing the primary colors had a Forever 21 shopping bag.

I don't know what kind of outfit it is that I concocted when I got dressed yesterday, but I wanted to pair my Frye boots with shorts because all the Japanese girls in the girly magazines do it. I also busted out my Nodame shirt, which I got last summer at this York store that provided the wardrobe for the Nodame Cantabile live action drama series. It's funny, the minute it starts to warm up, I completely forgive and forget about Chicago's fierce winters. Bring on the heat!

Saturday: Won an Authentic Alfonso Soriano Jersey

At least I think it's the authentic one. On Saturday, Mordecai, Joe and I dropped by Elite Sports Card & Comics on Montrose by Damen to see if any of us won a raffle/sweepstakes contest we had automatically entered by buying boxes of Topps Series 2 cards a few weeks ago. For every X number of packs you purchase (I forget how many, we aren't at this Little League level), you get to enter Y number of raffle tickets, and for every hobby box or jumbo box you purchase, you get to enter Y + more raffle tickets. Since Mordecai and I got a hobby and jumbo (Big Leagues), we entered a lot of tickets. The owner, John had the tickets and corresponding prizes listed on a sheet of paper. A 5 year old won an autographed Kerry Wood photograph, and a 74 year old man won some stickers of something unknown. I WON FIRST PRIZE, AN AUTHENTIC ALFONSO SORIANO JERSEY (MEDIUM).

I waltzed into Elite with my new White Sox jacket, too. This just adds to the long history I have with the Cubs, where it seems like I should be a solid Cubs fan. I've written this elsewhere, but I'll say it again: I spent a large portion of my childhood/adolescence half a block from Wrigley Field at my grandma's; I went to a day care with Shawn Dunston's daughters; I went to many Cubs games with said day care; I have met Ernie Banks and have a personlized autograph from him; many of my friends and classmates are Cubs fans; I have met Koyie Hill and have a personlized autograph from him; and now, I win this jersey. The other jerseys that are going to be up for prizes in the next rounds are the Phillie's and Joe's favorite, Chase Utley and the Giant's and Joe's other favorite/Filipino brother, Tim Lincecum. I would've preferred Lincecum because he's on my fantasy team, but I guess it's fitting for me to win a Cubs jersey. At least I don't think lowly of Soriano. His face looks a little skull-ish to me, but I like him fine, and would prefer his jersey over that of other "Cubbies," save for maybe Ryan Dempster because he's also on my fantasy team. This jersey will probably not be worn, but I will hang it and take care of it with tons of pride and gratitude for Elite and John.

Upon careful inspection (Mordecai happened to capture the moment, even though the photo is a little out of focus), I noticed the giant Cubs logo on the front that is bigger than my face is made to look like it's sewn on. The little black zig-zags are merely printed instead of being actual thread. I'm not sure of the details of an authentic jersey, but I really hope the actual "Cubbies" aren't running around with the same patch, because that'd be sad and lame, much like reported crappy facilities in Wrigley Field.

In closing, I want to say that I thought maybe this was a sign that I should "transcend team loyalties" like one of UIC's finest, Prof. Jon Jarrett, who specializes in the foundations of quantum mechanics (or something like that). I only talk to him about baseball (never took physics in my life), and he once told me to email him a list of my favorite players because he collects cards. My email ended up being this long-winded explanation of liking Japanese players, the White Sox over the Cubs, and now a growing, fuzzy love for the Tigers, and how fantasy is just fueling me into overdrive. I ran into him the next day by the mailboxes, and I said hi, and he looked at me and started laughing. In the email, I had asked him about this mysterious "transcending team loyalties" thing. Since all I got in response so far is laughter, I'm still kind of lost in fantasy/personal biases, not knowing exactly how to feel about this Soriano jersey as a Soriano jersey, versus as a prize from Elite and John. If he ever writes back or clarifies the "ascent" or what the Land Beyond is like, I'll certainly update here or on the Marauders of Time blog or Third Base or Bust. Maybe I'll just have to straight up interview him.

Recent hair

Since around the time I last posted, I decided that I wanted to lighten my hair a little. I hadn't changed the color of my hair since senior year of high school when I dyed it back to black for senior pictures. There are many things to think about--wedding hair, roots, highlights vs. overall color change, what shade of brown, how natural or weird it will look, etc. Jenni helped me out a ton, encouraging lighter shades of brown, and my stylist suggested highlights for the time being.

I went to Salon Moka on Milwaukee by Ashland, because word on the street was that the owner is Japanese. It's not exactly a Japanese salon like Uni-Hair is in Arlington Heights, but it's a helluva lot closer than Uni-Hair. The owner/my stylist, Masa, is indeed Japanese, and it turns out he might have even known my dad back in the 80's. Anyway, the results are kind of subtle, which is what I wanted, except in brighter light. I am told that things will tone down a bit over time, so maybe I will have a more concrete opinion as time goes on. I kind of thought that highlights were 1999 or something, but I guess it depends on how they're done. And to Masa's credit, when I was walking away from the salon, I was stopped by two young girls who asked, "Excuse me, where did you get your hair done? It looks nice." It was kind of bewildering; were they spying on me? Anyhoo, I also need to figure out how to get my hair did-did for the wedding.

Aside from that, the other hair news I have is that I got another headband from American Apparel with the remainder of a gift card. I decided to get the tealish-blueish one, and I layered it with the purple one I wear often, to get THROWBACK ARIZONA DIAMONDBACK COLORS!

Matt Williams

Not that I'm fond of the Diamondbacks, or know who this Matt Williams person is. I just thought it was funny that their colors used to be purple and teal, but then I read on Wikipedia that it wasn't teal, but turquoise, and further, there were reasons for the color choices:

...Turquoise was chosen because the greenish-blue stone is indigenous to Arizona, copper because Arizona is one the nation's top copper-producing states and purple because it has become a favorite color for Arizona sports fans, thanks to the success of the National Basketball Association's Phoenix Suns.

I do have a couple of D'Backs, or D'Bags, as some might say, on my fantasy team, and Carlos Quentin got his start as a D'Back with the older colorway. This headband combo matches my my purple mosaic Outdoor duffel bag, and my teal/turquoise umbrella. It's been rainy on-and-off, and I've been using that bag from last summer, so I take pleasure in matching those accessories with ones for my hair.