Sprizee :: A simple girl replete with complications

C'mon, baby don't you wanna go?

I'm headed to Chicago in a couple weeks. I've never been before and I'm totally excited. This will be the first year in the last five than I haven't left the country. Okay, I left the country in May to cheer on my friends who were participating in the Vancouver Marathon but I barely think Canada counts seeing as how it's a mere 3 hours away. Don't argue with me!

View Chicago Scoop in a larger map (and to see what I've mapped so far)

My point is I spent the morning mapping out sights to see. But have you been before? Do you have some recommendations for me? Even if you haven't been, what have you heard? I've already got tickets to see U2, the Cubs at Wrigley Field and a whole lot of places to stuff my face. But I could always use more suggestions. I know there's at least one monkey out there that could teach me a thing or two. Now's your chance. Get bossy!

It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall, and the major lift.

What do you get when you combine the lyrics of Leonard Cohen and the voice of Tyler Stenson?

Tyler Stenson - Hallelujah on Acoustic Conversations

Last week I found out Tyler Stenson is moving to Nashville, Tennessee. What? No! I had always planned on seeing him live in Portland, Oregon. I mean he plays a show at least once a week. But the last time I was down there in April I missed his set because other plans got in the way. Plus, it was easy to rationalize I could just catch another show on another trip. But now he's leaving, soon. I'd go to his final PDX show in a few weeks, but I'll be in Chicago (to see U2). Luckily there's also a few other sets between then and now.

Which means, there's a road trip in a my future. Who drives 3 hours one way just to catch a live show? I mean, I like lots of bands but won't go out of my way to see them live. I had a ticket to Interpol once that I just gave away to another friend because I couldn't be bothered to drive 3 miles. And I really like Interpol! But it probably has more do with the type of crowd and the venue. I don't enjoy having to fight my way to the front, avoid having beer spilled on me and my toes stepped on. I know. Strange.

There's a small list of bands I'd go out of my way to see: Blind Pilot, David Gray, OK GO, and obviously, Tyler Stenson. Notice how U2 didn't make the list? Yeah, that's because standing in line all day just to get pushed out of a good spot right before the concert starts isn't exactly my idea of a fun. For some bands I'll go out of my way. Mostly mellow, wistful bands. But not all the way to Nashville.

Anyways, my point is I can't wait to dine at the Waffle Windown! (And catch a live Tyler Stenson set.)