01.21.05

On the way to work


But what's the question?



Discovery
From: Mike
To: Felix
Subj: FW: Queensrÿche Weekend -- VIP Acoustic Performance

dude, you gotta talk to Tommy and get into this thing.

> This weekend listen to score tickets to see Queensrÿche
> in an exclusive Loop VIP acoustic performance next Thursday
> at the House of Blues. Just listen all weekend for Geoff
> Tate from Queensrÿche to tell you when to call 591-ROCK
> for your chance to win a pair of tickets to this intimate
> lunchtime performance. Plus, lunch is on us AND Queensrÿche
> will taking your questions. And listen as we open Sunday Night
> Rock of the 80's with Operation: Mindcrime in it's entirty
> starting at 7 o'clock.



Inquiry
From: Felix
To: Tommy
Subj: Queensrÿche VIP Performance

Hello Tommy -

My name is Felix Jung, and I work with the Emmis Interactive folks (we're tucked away, in the back of the Q101 offices). A fair number of us are big Queensrÿche fans, and I'm writing to inquire about the possibility of us attending the acoustic concert next Thursday.

As a testament to my fan status, I'd like to state that there is a jean jacket currently sitting in a closet at my parents' house, in Indianapolis. On the back of said jacket is an air-brushed logo from the Operation: Mindcrime album. I wore this guy for a long while in my high school days. Rest assured, if attending next Thursday's VIP event works out... I'm having that sucker Fed-Exed to Chicago.

There are six of us back here in Emmis Interactive, all of us interested in listening to the acoustic set. However, I know that space at these things is typically pretty limited. While it would be a fantastic boon for us to all attend, I would have no hesitation in selling out my coworkers if it turns out that only I could attend. :)

Please let me know about seating availability, and if there's anything I can do to try to gain entry for me and my coworkers.

Much thanks,
-Felix



Victory
From: Tommy
To: Felix
Subj: RE: Queensrÿche VIP Performance

absolutely... it's a standing room type deal... i have room in the loop box for all three nights next week if any one is interested in that... from what i hear about this week's show, it was awesome...

just give me the names....

tommy



Lunchtime Photos


Not sure what this guy is. Spotted on the corner of Wells and Wacker.


This is just monumentally sad.



On the way home


Found note on a Poetry in Motion poster, Chicago Blue Line.



Penelope's


Tonight, there's a get-together with Matt (Tha.Riddla) and Will (Rogue Designer. The interesting thing is that the three of us first met one another from various online forums like Twelvestone and WOT.

I met Matt a long while back, when I played host for a big Chicago get-together (where several forum folks descended into the city for a weekend of nerdish revelry and excessive drinking). But up until now, I had only ever talked with Will through the boards and through IM. We had hoped that Jeff (persist) to join us, but I think he may have been on the road for work.

We were all going to grab dinner at Piece around 7:30. But I had found out that Matt would be hanging out at Penelope's (where Mel works as a manager) prior to dinnertime, so Chris and I decided to swing on by to check out the place, and to wait with them.


Only the twelvestone folks are going to get this, but on seeing this chair... I immediately thought of swampy.


Oh, what's this? A Ms. Pac-Man machine? On freeplay? Oh, my! Who knew? Well, gosh... it's just sort of standing there, looking terribly sad that no one's actually playing. Perhaps we should... Do you think it'd be alright if we... Well, maybe just one...


The hand-written high score list, since the machine tends to get reset a lot.


Interior shot of some of the stuff inside Penelope's. In addition to the clothing, there are small, stylish items (knick-knacks, books, etc) on display next to the clothing as well.


Cool mirror area, near the dressing rooms.


I must admit: I looked around some, but not a lot. Most of my time was spend hovering over the Ms. Pac-Man game, and catching up some with Matt and Mel.


Matt, pretty much owning the game.


After the shop's closed and secure, we walk over to the corner of Damen and Division. Eric is meeting us up, and we huddle under an awning to keep out of the constant snowfall.

PS: You Are Beautiful.


I have to say it again. I love encountering things that make it seem like the city is trying to tell you something.

Shortly after this, Eric shows up and we all pile into a cab - crammed against each other, warm, and heading towards food.



Pizza at Piece

When we arrive, the place is pretty packed. We get on the list for a table, and see that Will (aka Rogue Designer) has already arrived. We join him at the bar and mill around a bit, waiting for a booth to open up.


Eric and Will.

It's good to finally meet up with Will in person, to finally put more of a face to the name. Here's some interesting trivia: all of us (me, Will and Matt are all Indiana boys, all of us from Indianapolis to boot). There was a lot of reminiscing that came up, and a lot of collective storytelling about the parts of the city we were familiar with. Great stuff.

In addition to having similar backgrounds growing up, we also talked at length about the folks we knew online (this always happens whenever these types of get-togethers occur). One of the things that still blows me away is how many folks I know primarily through the Internet, and how varied we all are. So many different people from all over... well, the world, really. But somehow all these different people share similar interests, similar senses of humor. And everyone gets along. It's really pretty amazing.


Beers are ordered and, against my normal tendencies... I have some beer with my food (thankfully, I didn't get that weird, splotchy thing that tends to happen when I mix food and booze). Shortly after our drinks arrive, the talk goes nerdward and we're all breaking out the cameras, passing them around.

I was totally fascinated with Will's camera (although I've forgotten the name of the guy). The top opens into this hood, and to view the image... you have to look down into the camera.


And, whenever this happens, the obligatory photo-of-someone-taking-a-photo-photo.


Matt and Mel.


Mmmmmm. Pizza.



Poker, Anyone?


After dinner, there's talk of some poker over at Chris and Eric's place. On going back outside, we notice that the snow has been falling steadily, all throughout our meal. We meander up to the trisection and then decide to split up.

Matt, Mel and Chris hob into a cab, heading back to Mel's car (which she wanted to move off the main street). Eric, Will and I hoof it down Damen, coats zipped and heads bowed slightly.

Man - that was a rough walk for me. By the time we arrived at the liquor store on Division, we were coated pretty well with a solid layer of ice. Several times during my walk, I had to brush the layer of snow that was building up on my eyebrows. On walking into the store, the first thing I heard was from a girl who was standing inside: "Jeez, where did you guys walk from?"



We waited around a bit, for everyone else to show. Grabbed some beer, and headed out.


We end up calling Justin and Howard, who end up joining us for a game. L to R it's Will, Eric, Chris, Matt, Mel, Howard and Justin.

The playing goes on for a LONG time, and in the end... it's close to 2:00 AM. Justin and Mel are going head to head, and Mel ends up victorious! I'm not sure if this was her first time playing Holdem or not. But a small part of me thinks that she's secretly a seasoned pro, and totally sharked all of us.


Coupla shots of the snow, which had been falling the whole time we were playing.






Back home!