25 Fings

Already did this as part of a Facebook meme I got tagged on. But in the grand tradition of writers re-purposing their material for different publications, I'm gonna post it here as well...

25 Things About MEEEE...

1. I am very proud to share a birthday with Link Wray, one of my all-time favorite guitarists. No one, not even Ron Asheton, ever made a guitar cuss quite like Link did.

2. I am an adventurous eater and enjoy ethnic cuisine from all over the world, except for Ethiopian food. That shit just plain sucks.

3. I think Pearl Jam basically ruined American rock music. I have always been utterly mystified by (and thoroughly immune to, and profoundly annoyed by) their enduring appeal.

4. I used to wear big silver hoop earrings, but I took ‘em out about seven or eight years ago and the holes closed up. I am seriously considering getting my ears pierced again.

5. I don’t have any tattoos, though I want to get a tattoo of a Tiki mask or god on my left bicep. I’m still looking for the right illustration, though.

6. Unlike most people, I am continually getting more adventurous, more playful and less serious as I grow older.

7. I have recently developed an appreciation for argyle socks. They look absolutely awesome with white loafers.

8. I have been a Cubs fan since moving to Chicago in 1980, but the Dodgers were my first favorite NL team. (Dodgers third-sacker Ron “The Penguin” Cey” was my first favorite player.) I have gone back and forth between the two teams over the years. I may start rooting for the Dodgers again now that Jeff Kent is gone — esp. after the way the Cubs played like pants-wetting little leaguers in the last two NLDS — but I’m way too indoctrinated into/damaged by the Cubs cult to ever completely cut the cord.

9. The Tigers have always been my favorite AL team, and I still think their home uniforms are the coolest and classiest that any major league squad has ever worn. Suck it, Yankees.

10. My first big league ballgame was May 30, 1976 at Tiger Stadium. The Yankees beat the Tigers 4-0 on home runs by Thurman Munson and Roy White, but the most memorable part of the day was seeing Yanks manager Billy Martin get tossed out of the game while handing the NY lineup card to the home plate umpire.

11. I wish I could sing like Al Green and play guitar like Grant Green. I have no desire to do anything like Seth Green.

12. CREEM magazine made me want to write about music, though I had no idea at the time that I would actually be doing exactly that — and actually making a decent living at it — decades later.

13. I have, at various times in my life, very seriously wanted to be an archaeologist, an architect, a historian, a film maker, and a rock star. I have no regrets whatsoever about how it all turned out.

14. Whenever I watch The Kids Are Alright, I wish I were playing in a band again.

15. Lemmy (yes, THAT Lemmy) once told me that I “drink pretty good for a journalist.” This was shortly before we were kicked out of a hotel for singing Walker Brothers songs on his balcony.

16. I’ve thrown up from drinking too much only once in my entire life. Zakk Wylde and the late Dimebag Darrell were directly involved.

17. I’ve known since I was five years old that I don’t want to have kids.

18. I’ve also known since I was five years old that I totally loves the ladies. Blame Tina Louise and Barbara Eden for that.

19. A beautiful woman without a sense of humor (or a love of music) is about as appealing to me as stale bread.

20. I have been told way too many times that I look like Jack Black. There was even a kid who worked at my old dry cleaners that was completely convinced I was Jack Black. (“What movie are you working on now? School of Rock was dope,” etc.) But at least I’ve never been mistaken for a member of the Brand New Heavies, unlike my dear friend Eric.

21. I love to travel, but have spent way less time out of the US than I would like. My two-month trip to Greece in the summer of 1981, with my friend Aristotle (natch), was an utterly life-changing — not to mention supremely hilarious — experience. I still intend to write a book about it someday.

22. Authenticity, joy, kindness and beauty are the four things that most inspire and drive me these days.

23. The only things I really miss about Chicago are my friends and Italian Beef, and not necessarily in that order.

24. I think BBQ always tastes better when it’s served from behind bulletproof glass.

25. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in my entire life than I am right now.

Comments

[dsinger]

Re: #24

Farmer Brown's on Clybourn: gone but never forgotten.

[Reed]

Re: #3
Eddie Vedder is not a talented vocalist, lyricist, songwriter or musician. But he's a good frontman and the band has toured incessantly. Sometimes that's enough, sadly. Well, that and Jeff Ament's stupid hat.

Re: #8
Pearl Jam fans remind me of Cubs fans. No offense. Well, yeah, I guess I can't say no offense 'cause how could you not be offended? So...offense! Anyway, if there's a Venn diagram for the two, you're hangin' out in the sliver.

Re: #25
Fuckin A, man. I have to agree.

[Rich]

Jack Black?! WTF?! I mean, i dig Black and all but i don't see it. You're way hotter, dude!

And yes, Pearl Jam destroyed music (and made people think that "Grunge" was commercial crap) and Cream magazine was the holy grail for young rock'n'rollers in the primitive print days of yore (and mine).

[Dan E]

Thank you, Rich - although some girls have told me that they think Jack Black is hot, so who the fuck knows? I figure, at least people like him; it'd be way worse to look like someone who is roundly despised!