Woundup Team News Coverage begins NOW!
1. Erika and Mark have set the date. Our wedding will be June 18, 2005, at the Open End Gallery (Damen and Fulton). We went to check it out yesterday. There's a staircase the two of us can descend dramatically. Then we will perform the ancient fertility dance. If you'd like to attend, just email me your address and we'll send you an invite: marksdonahue@gmail.com
There will be NO wedding WeBLoG... Although, on second thought...
2. No word on the court date yet. Our opposition sent a letter accusing me of not owning my own car. Ha! We've got that beat. I had the VIN number tattooed on the back of my neck. Whenever we bring it in for an oil change, they just run me under the scanner.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Friday, March 25, 2005
Love, Left, Life
I will bet anyone $5 this is the answer to a question on this week's "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me."
Last Train to Kool Filters
Well, music lovers, I turned down a ticket to tonight's Slint reunion show. Wanna know why? 'Cuz they're BORING. Matt was nice enough to offer, and I don't begrudge his kindness. I just hope he found a worthier showmate. Louisville post-hardcore. Rodan? Rachels? Shipping News? Copper? Yaaaaawwwwnnnnn...
Yes, I can see the hate mail streaming in. Erika and I took a trip down memory lane last night and fired up some mid-90's hardcore/indie: Promise Ring, Satisfact, etc. Remember the mid-90's? Mocket? The Impossible 5? The Warmers? Monorchid?
Okay, enough. And with that... silence.
Yes, I can see the hate mail streaming in. Erika and I took a trip down memory lane last night and fired up some mid-90's hardcore/indie: Promise Ring, Satisfact, etc. Remember the mid-90's? Mocket? The Impossible 5? The Warmers? Monorchid?
Okay, enough. And with that... silence.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Better Vision (as done by the Kicky, One-Word Lede Players)
Better.
The doctor says my eyes have gotten better in the four years since my last exam. I'm going to get a weaker prescription. How 'bout that?
I didn't even ask her why they got better. I've heard of this happening to other people, but I never thought I would be so lucky.
Maybe the use of italics in my WeBLoG posts has improved my vision. Maybe reading high-quality drama has improved them (or reading high-quality baseball literature). Maybe it was all those cheese fries.
Ha! I'm hungry again. I'll see you at dinner with my improved eyesight... and my kicky, one-word ledes!
"Boring...
The office was boring today."
The doctor says my eyes have gotten better in the four years since my last exam. I'm going to get a weaker prescription. How 'bout that?
I didn't even ask her why they got better. I've heard of this happening to other people, but I never thought I would be so lucky.
Maybe the use of italics in my WeBLoG posts has improved my vision. Maybe reading high-quality drama has improved them (or reading high-quality baseball literature). Maybe it was all those cheese fries.
Ha! I'm hungry again. I'll see you at dinner with my improved eyesight... and my kicky, one-word ledes!
"Boring...
The office was boring today."
I Really Liked This One
On Monday night, Erika and I stepped "behind the velvet rope" and witnessed firsthand the grueling burden of proof put upon literary contest judges worldwide.
Two academic friends of ours went over submissions for a college poetry competition _ while eating a barbecue chicken dinner. They got greasy fingerprints on some of the poems.
With a piece of my own writing headed before a panel of judges (if it wasn't already thrown in the trash), I wonder under what circumstances it will be scrutinized. A nice Indian dinner? Norwegian smorgasbord? McDonald's?
Unfortunately, I turned my play in through email, so there'll be no tell-tale food stains on a returned copy.
I have to stop writing these things before lunch (see yesterday). That could be my WeBLoG gimmick _ the guy who writes before lunch. I've seen worse, folks.
Two academic friends of ours went over submissions for a college poetry competition _ while eating a barbecue chicken dinner. They got greasy fingerprints on some of the poems.
With a piece of my own writing headed before a panel of judges (if it wasn't already thrown in the trash), I wonder under what circumstances it will be scrutinized. A nice Indian dinner? Norwegian smorgasbord? McDonald's?
Unfortunately, I turned my play in through email, so there'll be no tell-tale food stains on a returned copy.
I have to stop writing these things before lunch (see yesterday). That could be my WeBLoG gimmick _ the guy who writes before lunch. I've seen worse, folks.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Lunch Time
smoked ribs w/barbecue sauce -- hot artichoke cheese dip -- southern fried chicken -- barbecue buffalo wings -- hot ham and cheese with dijon mustard -- chicken vesuvio -- macaroni and cheese with breaded topping -- garlic mashed potatoes -- cheese fries -- goat cheese omlette with hot sauce -- fried catfish . . .
Keep Those CAPS Under Wraps
Well, well, well... That was the RETURN time listed on our official court filing document, whatever the hell that means. It means I have to call another number Friday to get the date of the REAL hearing. A wasted trip to Daley Center. I was almost hit by a bike messenger on the way to the office.
What would we all be doing 200 years ago? There would be no jobs for bike messangers, copy editors, fact checkers, freelance journalists, court clerks, transit cops, computer programmers, bus drivers, etc.
ABC-7's Hungry Hound is doing grilled cheese and tomato soup today. I've got a lot of chicken vesuvio leftover. Last night, we took Heather and JS to our little Italian hideaway in Melrose Park. The hot dipping cheese for their artichoke appetizer was the best I've ever had. EVER. If you're nice, I might tell you how to get there.
What would we all be doing 200 years ago? There would be no jobs for bike messangers, copy editors, fact checkers, freelance journalists, court clerks, transit cops, computer programmers, bus drivers, etc.
ABC-7's Hungry Hound is doing grilled cheese and tomato soup today. I've got a lot of chicken vesuvio leftover. Last night, we took Heather and JS to our little Italian hideaway in Melrose Park. The hot dipping cheese for their artichoke appetizer was the best I've ever had. EVER. If you're nice, I might tell you how to get there.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Woundup In Court
Tomorrow is D-Day, and H-Hour is 9:30 a.m. Erika and I will head to small-claims court in an effort to get our $3000 back from those negligent northwest side auto mechanics.
Cross your fingers for us. We feel confident with our evidence, but we could use all the psychic help we can get.
Unbeknownst to Erika, I rented "Inherit the Wind" and have been working on my Clarence Darrow impersonation. I also bought a pair of suspenders.
Wish us luck. I'll fill you in tomorrow with the verdict.
Cross your fingers for us. We feel confident with our evidence, but we could use all the psychic help we can get.
Unbeknownst to Erika, I rented "Inherit the Wind" and have been working on my Clarence Darrow impersonation. I also bought a pair of suspenders.
Wish us luck. I'll fill you in tomorrow with the verdict.
Monday, March 21, 2005
The Camera in the De Kooning
The Village of Bellwood, Ill. will unveil its hi-tech, wireless surveillance system on Wednesday. Will South Holland follow?
I know we're already being monitored in most public places in Chicago. The War on Terror (capitalized in a recent GOP Rep.'s news release) has greased the slide for the full-coverage monitor culture anticipated in George Orwell's comedy, "1984."
Feeling paranoid? Not me. In fact, I might sign up for one of those fat jobs behind the Bellwood video desk. It'll give me limitless material for my Don DeLillo knock-off novel: a lonely young man experiencing life through the disconnected, icy lens of the security camera. Tres post-moderne.
PS -- We here at Woundup will be checking out the book that alleges a CIA connection to the Abstract Expressionist school of painting. Abstract Expressionism _ perhaps the most hated artistic movement of the last 100 years. At least until WeBLoGism came along.
I know we're already being monitored in most public places in Chicago. The War on Terror (capitalized in a recent GOP Rep.'s news release) has greased the slide for the full-coverage monitor culture anticipated in George Orwell's comedy, "1984."
Feeling paranoid? Not me. In fact, I might sign up for one of those fat jobs behind the Bellwood video desk. It'll give me limitless material for my Don DeLillo knock-off novel: a lonely young man experiencing life through the disconnected, icy lens of the security camera. Tres post-moderne.
PS -- We here at Woundup will be checking out the book that alleges a CIA connection to the Abstract Expressionist school of painting. Abstract Expressionism _ perhaps the most hated artistic movement of the last 100 years. At least until WeBLoGism came along.
Friday, March 18, 2005
Home Stretch
I'm putting the finishing touches on my play.
It feels like I'm flogging a dead horse, but that's a good thing. It means I'm almost done. By this time next week, I should be ready to send it off to the contest judges. Right now it's a radio play, but I'm going to adapt it for a stage competition, as well.
I don't want to flaunt. It's counterproductive. This thing may never get put on, but I feel I've learned a lot _ about playwriting and my own process. Sometimes it gets lonely, as the cliche goes, and I want to tell people what I'm doing. Hence, this post.
If anybody would like to read it, just email me and I'll send you a copy. It's short__11 pages.
It feels like I'm flogging a dead horse, but that's a good thing. It means I'm almost done. By this time next week, I should be ready to send it off to the contest judges. Right now it's a radio play, but I'm going to adapt it for a stage competition, as well.
I don't want to flaunt. It's counterproductive. This thing may never get put on, but I feel I've learned a lot _ about playwriting and my own process. Sometimes it gets lonely, as the cliche goes, and I want to tell people what I'm doing. Hence, this post.
If anybody would like to read it, just email me and I'll send you a copy. It's short__11 pages.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Young Man's Blues Inc.
Whew. It's been a rough week for ol' Mark's sense of self-purpose. I need to dial the Conni Confidence hotline...
Conni: Hello? Conni Confidence here.
Mark: Hello. My name is Mark and I need help.
C: What's the problem?
M: I feel like I'm spinning my wheels. I'm not living up to my potential. I'm in a rut. I can't see the forest for the trees.
C: I think you've got a bigger problem.
M: What's that?
C: Exhibitionism. You have an unhealthy desire for validation in the public eye. It leads you to write cutesy posts on your WeBLoG airing your personal feelings. Much like this one.
M: This is a blog post?
C: It certainly is.
M: Then we're both...
C: Fictional constructs.
(Pause.)
M: Do I still get charged for this call?
C: No, but we'd appreciate a donation of--(Mark hangs up.)
Conni: Hello? Conni Confidence here.
Mark: Hello. My name is Mark and I need help.
C: What's the problem?
M: I feel like I'm spinning my wheels. I'm not living up to my potential. I'm in a rut. I can't see the forest for the trees.
C: I think you've got a bigger problem.
M: What's that?
C: Exhibitionism. You have an unhealthy desire for validation in the public eye. It leads you to write cutesy posts on your WeBLoG airing your personal feelings. Much like this one.
M: This is a blog post?
C: It certainly is.
M: Then we're both...
C: Fictional constructs.
(Pause.)
M: Do I still get charged for this call?
C: No, but we'd appreciate a donation of--(Mark hangs up.)
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
American OCD
Back, back, back from Buffalo. We had a fine time with Capt. Aaron, my two brothers and some ol' pals. I didn't get to see everybody, unfortunately, but there's always next time.
So let's crank up this WeBLoG machine one more time and get back to business... because I am OBSSESSED.
More laffs coming soon.
So let's crank up this WeBLoG machine one more time and get back to business... because I am OBSSESSED.
More laffs coming soon.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Shuffling Off...
Hey everybody,
Erika and I are driving to Buffalo tonight _ well, we're really going to stop at our favorite Ohio town, Elyria, and continue on tomorrow morning. We'll be gone till Sunday, so Woundup is essentially on SPRING BREAK. I might check in from the road.
Plans for the trip? Thrift shopping, eating, drinking, catching up with old friends, hanging with my two brothers and getting ready for the fantasy baseball draft. How do I do that last one, you ask? With lots of love, baby.
See you soon!
Mark
Erika and I are driving to Buffalo tonight _ well, we're really going to stop at our favorite Ohio town, Elyria, and continue on tomorrow morning. We'll be gone till Sunday, so Woundup is essentially on SPRING BREAK. I might check in from the road.
Plans for the trip? Thrift shopping, eating, drinking, catching up with old friends, hanging with my two brothers and getting ready for the fantasy baseball draft. How do I do that last one, you ask? With lots of love, baby.
See you soon!
Mark
Friday, March 04, 2005
Outdone By O'Donnell
I really wanted to read Jim O'Donnell's article on mid-major Division I basketball teams today, BUT it quickly dawned on me that Jim O'Donnell wrote it.
You might remember his LeBron James profile late last year in the Sun-Times. Today's effort isn't quite as bad, but it wore me down enough that I threw it away after the third graf.
"...Timothy-Leary's-alive dreams...?"
You might remember his LeBron James profile late last year in the Sun-Times. Today's effort isn't quite as bad, but it wore me down enough that I threw it away after the third graf.
"...Timothy-Leary's-alive dreams...?"
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Capital "T" _ Tab
Of all the Unwound guitar Tab websites in the world, I had to wander into this one.
That's definitely one of the toughest Tab assignments _ UnW had all those wacky alternate tunings.
Who do you think is the hardest band to Tab? Just rock bands _ leave out Sonny Sharrock and James Blood Ulmer. As an old Guitar World reader, I remember seeing Tab for an Ace Frehley solo off the "Alive II" album. How 'bout Tab for a Greg Ginn solo?
In the past 100 years humanity has developed the Impressionistic Novel, Non-Representational Painting and 12-Tone Composition... I think guitar Tab needs to take the next step forward. Can we do feedback Tab?
That's definitely one of the toughest Tab assignments _ UnW had all those wacky alternate tunings.
Who do you think is the hardest band to Tab? Just rock bands _ leave out Sonny Sharrock and James Blood Ulmer. As an old Guitar World reader, I remember seeing Tab for an Ace Frehley solo off the "Alive II" album. How 'bout Tab for a Greg Ginn solo?
In the past 100 years humanity has developed the Impressionistic Novel, Non-Representational Painting and 12-Tone Composition... I think guitar Tab needs to take the next step forward. Can we do feedback Tab?
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Definitely Not Well Liked
I think if syndicated columnist Mark Steyn stepped in front of my speeding Accord, I would seriously consider NOT stopping. But I bet once I slammed on the breaks, Steyn would berate me as a coward endemic of the Left.
Regardless, I occasionally check in with Steyn, the ultra-right mouthpiece, at his soapbox throne in the Sun-Times editorial section.
If you cut out Steyn's own hysterical paranoia, this critical assessment of Henry Miller is interesting. Miller was heavy handed. He did write clunky dialogue. He was obssessed with ex-wife, Marilyn Monroe. I don't know. You might not be able to make it through, and I wouldn't blame you.
In no way am I praising Steyn's body of work. His columns have a seething desperation that suggest he's making his last stand in a Berlin bunker. Viewed as a rabid, caged animal, he's amusing. That's why I read him.
Regardless, I occasionally check in with Steyn, the ultra-right mouthpiece, at his soapbox throne in the Sun-Times editorial section.
If you cut out Steyn's own hysterical paranoia, this critical assessment of Henry Miller is interesting. Miller was heavy handed. He did write clunky dialogue. He was obssessed with ex-wife, Marilyn Monroe. I don't know. You might not be able to make it through, and I wouldn't blame you.
In no way am I praising Steyn's body of work. His columns have a seething desperation that suggest he's making his last stand in a Berlin bunker. Viewed as a rabid, caged animal, he's amusing. That's why I read him.
Turgenev Wouldn't Have Minded
Here's a gem from the world of literature and legalized gambling.
The Indiana Lottery tried a similar ploy years ago, but scrapped it on poor sales of their George F. Will ticket.
The Indiana Lottery tried a similar ploy years ago, but scrapped it on poor sales of their George F. Will ticket.
Radio Dayz
Time to catch up, catch up. My competition is burying me in the all-essential CIR category (content index ratio) that WeBLoG analysts monitor.
A slow work day, a finished (nearly) play and the Tribune sports section... I can't wait to read the "Inside Media" column. As Erika can attest, I'm an AM sports radio nut. I have it tuned-in all over the house, as I move from room to room getting ready for work in the morning.
When it comes down to it, I just enjoy radio chatter. As a nervous person, I find it relaxing. And I also happen to like sports, so there you go. When I was a little boy, I used to tape record my own fantasy talk radio show.
Well, I'm not gonna wait any longer to read the latest. If you're ever bored in Chicago from 6-11 p.m. weekdays, bring over a six pack and we can listen to the "Mike Murphy Show" together.
A slow work day, a finished (nearly) play and the Tribune sports section... I can't wait to read the "Inside Media" column. As Erika can attest, I'm an AM sports radio nut. I have it tuned-in all over the house, as I move from room to room getting ready for work in the morning.
When it comes down to it, I just enjoy radio chatter. As a nervous person, I find it relaxing. And I also happen to like sports, so there you go. When I was a little boy, I used to tape record my own fantasy talk radio show.
Well, I'm not gonna wait any longer to read the latest. If you're ever bored in Chicago from 6-11 p.m. weekdays, bring over a six pack and we can listen to the "Mike Murphy Show" together.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)