Day 18 - Chicago

Hey friends. Dave, cello extraordinaire, is awesome and is making a guest appearance on the blog today. Enjoy.

We came into the windy city and went straight to the museum district (note: Dave is traveling in the Balmorhea car with Mike and Rob). Found a great parking garage right across from the art museum that said $5 PARKING! Awesome. Only thing is right next to that, in small letters, it said "first 20 minutes". So we pulled into the garage only to realize that we were about to have to drop around 30 dollars to hang out in this particular part of town. No thanks... next we found a parking meter that took twenty four quarters to park for two hours. Who carries 24 quarters? Maybe you could put them in a sock and carry them around with you, I don't know. The windy city is aptly named; you'll walk down a street with the wind coming head on, in your face. Next you'll turn a corner, 90 degrees, and surprise! The wind is still magically coming from straight on, hitting you in the face. The physics of the thing is baffling.

So we went to a great bookstore and hung out for a bit, then to the venue, a great loft/warehouse convert called the Aviary, which houses a great sound system and some real nice art. It was warm, clean, and full of friendly people. CJ Boyd and his Sexxxet played after us, and put on a great show. Next the Tomorrow Music Orchestra, a 20-something piece group put on an amazing post-classical show that blew everyone's mind. CJ put us up at his place, and it was our last show of four or five nights with him, and we were sad to say goodbye the next morning. All in all a great day. The cold and confusing day was put out of our minds by a great night of music, art, and friends.

Visit Chicago, bring a coat.

-Dave