Circle of Cysquatch

Alright, so I think I was a little harsh with that last post. I really don't hold that much resentment towards Metropolis or the whole NPO art school thing. There is obviously a considerable degree, but last week I was simply fuming. Truth is, I've learned a lot here, met some wonderful people, and really gained a lot of applicable experience that is valuable to potential employers. I've also secured some very good looking references even if every other school in Chicago says, "Metropolis? What's that?" It's very similar to how I feel about Millikin; there were some really wonderful moments, I met the best of my friends, but had some considerable problems and frequent hostile run-ins with the administration and small-minded politics that run private educational organizations. I would say this will continue to be a problem of mine until, of course, those politics favor me. Then that shit is mine.

But really, today is my last day and I am sad. As much as I shit on this place, it's really done a lot more good for me than bad. I won't miss this commute or waking up at 7:30 on Saturdays, but Metropolis has a good heart, if just simply misguided. I'm afraid I can't maintain much hope for their long-term survival, but these people will be able to move on and hopefully find themselves with something that makes them happier. Look at me, I'm a can of spray cheese.

My week has also helped me put a much more positive spin on this. Everything in the world has been happening this first week of March. I was officially offered the dog kennel job, but the day of the offer, I also had a phone interview with an arts school in downtown Chicago. Now this organization is one that Metropolis could take a cue from. They have been around since 1978 and focus on providing no-cost visual arts programming to 6-12 graders within the city of Chicago limits. These cats know their shit. On a staff of twenty, same as Metropolis, they have a development department of four. Metropolis has one woman with only half of her job put towards development. Not any sort of way to run a not-for-profit organization. The man who conducted the interview also told me that he was about to forsake NPO work until he got a job with this organization, Marwen, and it turned his entire disillusionment right around. Some things are too poetic to ignore.

Anyway, so this is wonderful, but now I have to jerk this dog kennel around. They really want me too. The woman was incredibly nice and telling me consistently that the job would soon go to 40 hours a week and I would get a raise and benefits and I feel awful. Also, with Javier getting me the hook-up and then having to do something like this, I just feel like a prick. But there's little I can do. They can't exactly deny that this other job would be a better deal for me. If I am to get hired, I would make more money than I've ever made for less time than I've ever worked. It's a salaried position at less than 30 hours a week with benefits. Kind of unbelievable.

I also have heard from two grad schools within 30 minutes of each other. Neither of them are the ones I really want to go to. The University of Iowa has rejected me whereas the New School in New York has said I am "very high on their list". The guy I spoke to there was very strange and not well-spoken and incredibly excitable. He seemed more nervous to speak with me than I was with him. I got the rejection letter first, but this phone call really perked me right up. I'm not exactly sure why I applied to two schools that I have little interest in attending, especially with little free money, because the last thing I want to do right now is leave this city. I have never been more in love with Chicago than I am right now and I can't even fathom leaving at this point.

I also can't stop playing "For You" and "Thunder Road" on the piano. Michelle scored a Pittsburgh floor ticket for me for Bruce. I'm going to lose my mind. I just want to freaking be him.



Black Arrow got to practice very loudly in one of the most character-filled studios I've ever seen. Ryan, our bass player (that's fucking right, Black Arrow is of FOUR and Robert, Daniel and Jeff have let in another), works at this place and had a lot of free time this week. "I've Had the Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing was recorded on the board they have in this studio. Seriously awesome.

I am also intensely happy with the work we are doing. Medford was a learning curve, for sure. This shit is epic. We're nearly comfortable enough with a working setlist to start doing things with it, and I couldn't be more excited. Honestly, with most of the shit I've seen out there that is making what they can out of this industry, we're going to destroy the world like an arrow through the broken breast of Smaug. When the thrush knocks, people, you answer with a secret door.

This isn't even the half of it though. This week just won't quit. I just feel really damned good. Also, my birthday is coming up and this is what I want:

@ the Metro:
3/23 - Ratatat, $20
4/1 - Margot and the Nuclear So & Sos, $15
4/4 - The Faint, $25
4/11 - Mates of State, $20
4/30 - Mastodon, $20
5/7 - Dan Deacon, $10

@ the Empty Bottle:
4/1 - The Mountain Goats, $16

@ the Vic:
10/7 - Ian Anderson, $69

And that's about it for now. It's like spring is coming or something. Roy Orbison singing for the lonely, baby that's me and I want you only.