a little bit in love

with this guy:



Saw William Elliott Whitmore last night. It was a real late show and didn't end until quarter to two, but he is such a fantastic performer that everyone there would have been happy to keep going all night long. I've seen him a few times and this was maybe the best. Great energy. Hard to stomp on the sticky floor. People hootin and hollerin, really into it. He put away a lot of whiskey and a couple tallboys of PBR onstage and almost fell over when he stood up at the end. Still though, he's just a soulful guy and didn't have a single moment when he wasn't charming, talented, bared and true. He's got a new album out, with a bit of a backing band. Piano, organ... It has such a full sound and it really fits him. Listen to the track on this page. Seriously. Love him just a little bit.

I am a ridiculous fan.

Had a late night the night before last too; Abbey is moving to New York today and she had a big going away party. The barbecue got called on account of rain but we packed into her living room and ate pizza and drank wine and headed over to Rainbo club later on. It was interesting to be in that big group and realize how good Abbey is at connecting people. There were a lot of "we can't stop seeing each other when Abbey's gone" conversations, because everyone has gotten to know and like other friends at her parties and things. And she's good at reaching out at other peoples' friends too; she asked Ben to call Mike and invite him out because she likes him so much and wanted to say goodbye. Abbey has become a pretty good friend of mine, but is also entirely part of my Chicago world, and it is really sad to think that she won't be around to invite to a party or run into in the neighborhood or grab dinner with. I cried drunken tears on the walk home and thought about all the goodbyes I've had to say to close friends. Then I got home and sang a joyful song about my peanut butter toast with honey and cinnamon before passing out.

I guess I went out on Monday night too, just for a little bit. It was Poppy's birthday and after going grocery shopping and practicing guitar for the wedding, Ben and I geared up again and biked over to the Innertowner to wish her well. She was keeping herself busy smiling and falling on people but I thought by her many hugs and snuggly nature that she was glad we came.

It feels really good to be out in the neighborhood again. I feel like I missed the whole summer somehow, out of town a lot, working weekends, weird things going on. I don't think I've been to Rainbo since winter coat on top of the Qbert machine time. I've been going out with work folks, but not in my hood and I always tend to be the youngest. It was a little embarrassing but I was happy to be one of 5 short blonde mullet-tailed girls at the bar last night, comparing bikes with people, checking out creative haircuts and facial hair, being out late on a weeknight in the city, thinking lots of people are hot and interesting-looking, feeling that urge again to have a sweet tattoo that everyone would think is awesome.

Cue comments from family members telling me not to get a tattoo.