...And the Great Escape

Howdy,

I haven't said that in a while so I reckon it's about time. It's been a hell of a week. My nerd ties have been brought back into swing as we've been rocking out to l5r for quite a bit this past weekend. It's good to be back doing something that keeps my mind sharp. This week was our big spring break type escape. We decided back in december that we really wanted to see an Irish Punk Band in person. We didn't have enough time to go see Flogging Molly, however we were able to make it to the Dropkick Murphys. Here is our tale...

I awoke to the sound of my new phone freaking out on my recliner. I crawl out of bed and check the time. 9:15. That time comes rather quick when you pass out at 05:45. I dug around for my pants and a t-shirt. Tim was getting ready for his internship that I had to bring him to, so I plopped down on the couch and waited for him to get ready. We got out to the car and hit the open road, looking for untold adventures. We instead were tailed by a cop who wanted to "scare me straight" after I was doing 32 in a 25. Fucker followed me for like 5 blocks. I was waiting for his lights of hate to pop on and then deal with explaining how he was a dick for sitting at a 45 to a 25 intersection and how my de-acceleration was due to me just seeing the sign, not his big scary unmarked squad car. I eventually drop Tim off at work and roll back to the house. I had to get my clothes for the trip and get my shit ready. Its nearing 12:00 and all of the fucking hot water was gone due to the washing machine I guess. God damn terrorists. I bite the bullet and get in the shower. Half way through the water kicks in and burns the shit out of me. My junk might never be the same. I got redressed and picked up little Timmy from a live remote, but not before being accosted by the crazy chick who was mentioned previously.

We eventually escape, get our shit in the car and head over to pick up Nik.We rock out for most of the way down, taking occasional breaks to call Nik Gay or for some reason people nailing my mom. So we let the good times roll and eventually get to Chicago which is a Nascar race in and of itself. We were staying in this Days Inn that required us to use valet parking, so I surrendered the keys to the Stallion and we explored around the hotel. I guess Chicago is much like the good ole' US of A in the respect that what they call a queen size bed, is not what we call one. It was more like a cot or some shit. We ended up getting down there late so pre-concert drinking wasn't going to be accomplished. We hitched up a taxi and headed on over. We pulled up in front of this old looking theater, which looked very damn similar to Green Bay's Meyer Theater. The letters on the sign read "DROPKICK MURPHYS SOLD OUT" We got into entry line and 15 minutes later we had beers and were listening to the rocking tunes of "Everybody Out!"

Every time I go to a show I'm usually really into the opening act, Everybody Out! was no different. They were rad as shit and when the Lead singer just says "aw Fuck it" and stage dives, you know it's quality. We moved on to Big D and the Kids Table. We ended up meeting this girl named Angie, who was looking for a strapping young lad such as myself to protect her from the occasional mosh pit ass jockey who randomly comes shooting out of a pit and ends up ruining the show for the people who don't have anger management issues or who are mentally challenged. We ended up getting caught in middle of a spontaneous pit that erupted from rejects from the main pit. This is one of those times that I think I was born in the wrong era of human history. I get a huge rush from defending and if you ask Nik, he'll tell you I make one hell of a human shield. I have a supernatural grace for being a big guy and I am able to block, shove and hold my own against most things that were thrown at me.

Dropkick eventually comes on and things get fucking insane. There was a couple who were maybe 5 people down who watched me work my magic as far as protection go. The girl was kinda cute in my book. They eventually work their way to me and the guy asks"hey, can you watch my girlfriend for me while I go mosh?" Well I didn't mind so I said "sure thing" Things are a bit rowdy and then the theme for "Shipping up to Boston" comes on. The shit hits the fan and once again I am in middle of the pit, this time with the girl. "Get behind me" I yell and I slowly start to edge us back to the front, but before I can get us out, I'm charged by a drunk idiot. I shove him hard out of my path.

This inspires one of the great stories of my days. Something my dad would be proud of, even if it didn't involve me being banned from a state. He spins around and looks at me and decides to charge me head on. I tap the girl behind me, motioning for her to take a step back. The guy gets within my reach and I cold cock him, sending a punch flying right where his collar bone meets his neck. He sputters and stumbles back a few steps. He regains his composure and decided to get up in my face. This guy was a good 7 inches shorter than me and bald with a sqaure beard, it was like punching that guy from System of a Down. He figures he can play the intimidation card on me, you know because he looks like that guy from the BYOB band. Didn't work so he grabs at my arm to attempt to throw me into the pit. I instead whip him onto the ground into the crowd behind me. He stumbles and almost takes a digger into the pavement, he gives me one last defeated look at disappears into the crowd. The girl taps me on the back and I turn my ear to her. "holy shit" she exclaims.we survive the show. It was fucking incredible. I got to hear my favorite song "dirty glass", which made the trip that much more amazing.

We wander out into the night and like 8 million people cheer at me or have comments to say about my superman shirt. We started to follow Nik's Mapquest directions to a bar called "Exit". We're walking and Nik gets ambitious and reads ahead.
"well I think we may need a cab..."
"Why?" i asked.
"Cause it says to get on I90..."
"I'm not built to go that fast, Nik" I replied.

Tim, Nik, and I flag down a taxi and get over to the Exit. It's a pretty cool bar as its got this sort post apocalyptic theme. I could have been a bar in Mad Max. It has old motor cycles all over the place. Lighted gas masked were strewn throughout the bar, and the bar itself was made of stainless steel grating. We started drinking and I realized that the beer here tasted funny. Like not HA HA HA ITS FUNNY, but man this shit tastes funny, sort of funny. Nik naturally finds an attractive bartender and gets to work with his technique. We explore the bar and find a candle lit shrine to Chuck Norris. Rad. We have a few more beers then head over to a diner called "The Hollywood" While we're waiting for our orders, we got to watch the BP across the street get robbed. 10 minutes after the robber got away, the fuzz showed up and started trying to detect or something. We get out into another taxi and headed back to the hotel.


-Jeric