Riot Fest Review

Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it's been.Grateful Dead Truckin'

One day spent in Chicago, one day spent in O'Hare Airport. Right now I have been
up and going for 41 hours. That's 12, 24, 36, plus a few more. I have entered
zombieland in my brain.

Sunday morning, up at 0300, one hour BEFORE my alarm. 0700 flight to ORD.
Tired but happy. Arrival and NO RIDE to the TravelLodge hotel where friend is
staying. Apparently they are TOO cheap to let you use their van. You get ONE
pick up and one return and NO OTHER RIDES no matter how long you stay there.
Which means NO I CAN NOT GET A RIDE. Ok, then. My online friend DPD
offers to come pick me up at the airport. We exchange “what's the secret
password” info and I hop in the car. Off to downtown Chicago, Humboldt Park. Riot Fest 2013

My first stop is the Merch Table. But we can't find it.... so lunch and a few bands
and more wandering. The drizzle starts. We are in for a full day of rain, slowly
falling and then a steady, strong, downpour. The ground turns to mud. Walking
from one stage to another is treacherous. Poor DPD is drenched and shivering. I
have a poncho and hat and am snug inside it. Just my feet are sucked in to the
sludgy swamp. We finally find the merch tables but the selections are few. Yes, I
get 2 more very much needed but way too expensive T shirts. :-)

Let us listen...
Suicidal Tendencies does not impress me. Rocket From The Crypt Does not impress me. Quicksand does not impress me. Are you sensing a trend here? Against Me! Is pretty good. Bob Mould is good.  The Dismemberment Plan is....strange. The Replacements , the last and main band of the night is...OK. Good music but basic rock music. The Pixies were nice but the sound was too low for where we stood offside of the stage.

At 1815 we headed back to the AFI stage. Their banner is up. The crowds are
growing. I stake out a spot on the side and we wait. I am tired, cold, and wet. I
will not even try to get closer at a fest., so my pix are few and blurry. Then... the
rain stops. The sky is a rosy red as the sun sets behind the breaking clouds. How
perfect! How... miraculous? This is my 20 th time to see them. It is just as exciting as the first time. They are THAT good. The sound was good, the guys were perfect. As I picture them on stage I see the job they do. They put forth their music like it is the only thing that matters. And I would have to agree. We sing along. We all know the words. Davey climbs and sings. Jade and Hunter play and jump. Adam keeps that beat. Some things never change. THIS IS A GOOD THING! Enthusiasm is the word, on both sides. They have perfected what they do and they give us everything they have. A Fire Inside. They still have it.

The Leaving Song Pt. II
Girl's Not Grey
I Hope You Suffer
A Single Second
Love Like Winter
Ever and a Day
17 Crimes
Kill Caustic
Just Like Heaven (The Cure cover)
Bleed Black
Medicate
God Called in Sick Today
Miss Murder
The Days of the Phoenix
Silver and Cold
Dancing Through Sunday (this set list is a cut and paste. There my be errors)

I mention to my friend that he has lost his AFI virginity. I speak to the young
couple near us. She too is seeing them for the first time. We discuss our love of the band, the music, and their incredible stamina as a band. Then it is over and we move to the next stage. The sky opens again.

We leave the fest over muddy grounds. We seek food and then I am dropped off
again at ORD. It is 0215. In 45 minutes I will have been up for 24 hours. The first
flight is 0530.

Thank God ORD has such good food selections. Travel makes me weary and
hungry. All flights are full, all day long. I do not get on the 5am, nor the 6am. Not the 8am, not the 9am, not the 11am. Not the 12n, not the 2pm. sad sigh I do get a few naps curled up on the gate area chairs, but I am beyond tired. Then I made the decision to reroute thru CVG. There is a flight leaving at 3:30. The 3:30 IAH flight is full, but if I take the connection, which is already running late, I might not make the last connecting flight to IAH. What to do.

The airport gods smile on me and the two flights are at adjoining gates. I am torn between the two. IAH: might have 2 seats. I am #2. It is almost time to go. Gate agent tells me to go stand by the door. And I wait for her to give me a seat. And wait. And wait some more. Other people arrive for this flight. I go tell the agent at the CVG slight that I will take the direct. Then.... go, go, go. I got a seat, the very last open seat on the plane, and I am headed home.
I finally crashed at hour 42. I slept like the dead and woke after 1300. whoa.
Was it worth it? HELL YES! :-)

Scotland

Hoots man! A lovely visit to Edinburrrh and Glazzgow.

After thinking about a road trip to Vancouver, we shifted gears and flew to Scotland. Edinburrrrrh, as the locals say it.

Connecting in EWR, to our delight, we get the last 2 seats in Business First Class. We are wined and dined across the Atlantic. Arrival early Thursday. Quick stop at the tourist board, then bus to city center and a short walk to our hotel. As it is only 0930, we check in and drop bags until our room is ready.

Thu: Slowly we walk to Edinburgh castle. The historic fortress dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh. Up and down, down and up. Steps. And more steps. Rain and more rain. Some very old parts, some newer. Interesting, but going from building to building in the rain is not fun. Some parts look like they haven’t been updated in ages. When the sun broke through the view was breathtaking.

Pet cemetery.

Back to the hotel for a little R&R. That's rest and re-hydration. Find one converter plug does not work so we have two phones and the notebook vying for charge time. Nearly 1900 we wander off to seek dinner. If we exit one door we are at street level. If we go the other direction there are TWO flights of steps . No rush and we plan tomorrow's day. Back to our room where we drop into bed, legs aching.

Fri: Early start to Parliament buildings. We try to avoid the hoards of Froggy school kids. Private tour when no one else joins. At noon we take the underground tour of Mary King's Close Underground tour. Once a busy 17^th century street, these houses are now underground. We learn about life and death from disease. A little bit “kitschy” for me, but fun all the same.

Backtrack to Holyrood Palace, which is the official residence in Scotland of the British Monarch. We wander through the 16th century historic apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots. Outside are the ruins of the Holyrood Abbey. On this dull, rainy day I want a box of crayons to add some color.

I need some crayons.

Fish and Chips for dinner. Decide to spend one more day in EDI. No room in the inn so we book a hotel down the road. Then book our GLA hotel. Once more, we drop into bed.

Sat: Full Scottish breakfast at the little eatery. Steady rain. Check out and relocate. Off to the Medical Museum. We love the Concession Entry fee, meaning Old People. Small, but interesting. Then off to the National Museum. It’s a good day to be inside.

Sun: Slept until 9am! Cloudy, but no rain. B just outside the Waverly Train Station. R&R until noon check out and 1315 train to Glasgow. One hour ride and a short walk to hotel. Check in and Coffee.

I love being in the city.

Coordinate meet up time with Ali. I am so excited to meet her after knowing her online for so many years. At 4pm we meet and head to a local pub where the three of us we eat and drink the afternoon away. I asked her if she remembered HOW we met. “AFI.” Walk back to our hotel where we continue eating and drinking and chatting. A lovely day.

Mon: Rain again. After B we head off to the Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis. This is a beautiful gothic cathedral dedicated to the founder of Glasgow, St Mungo. We opt for the private tour inside. It is well worth it. Our guide points out many things we would have missed on our own. Wander the shops on Sauchiehall Street. Find a tourist shop with all the souvenirs I need.

Huh?  :-)

Most museums closed on Mondays. We did find the National Piping museum.   and see an assortment of bagpipes.  OK, I could do without the nonstop music.  

Rain again. So glad we brought along umbrellas this trip. Three PM hotel stop for hot chocolate and leg rest. We have one hour to see the Museum of Modern Art. We do it in 20 minutes. Dinner time we set off to see what is available. We like the menu at the first place we look, but continue meandering just to see what is out there. A long walk down the street and we decide the very first place had what we both want. Back we go only to find they are out of these items now. Ugh… We retrace our steps and finally have our dinner. 

Packing to leave.  It has been a really good trip despite all the rain and steps.  Good food, nice sights, perfect meeting of friends. 

Should have stocked up as I finished them all.

 

Oh... and the last two Business First out of GLA.  Life is good.

Seoul, South Korea Part 1

안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)

Once again, the #1 son is overseas and we plan a visit. It's a long way to go and I got the arrival day mixed up. Upon arrival in Tokyo we must sit on the plane with shades closed while people in paper hazmat suits come on board and take the ambient temperature. It is the height of the SARS epidemic. We are given a bright yellow paper and allowed to proceed. We run like crazy to try and catch the last flight to SEOUL, pleading to be let on when we are told there will not be a meal for us. Finally we arrive in the Republic of Korea.

The bus let us off right across the street from our hotel in the Itaewon area. The kid has class so we meet up with him later that night. The hotel is worn. The carpets stained, the wallpaper peeling and the “complimentary slippers” are well, well worn. They get kicked under the bed.

It is pouring the next morning. A good day for the Korean War Museum. Things we both find interesting. I have more fun looking for English translation signs with bad grammar. This would be a good job for me. Later we wander the streets with the kid in search of dinner. Cass beer is mild but every table in this restaurant has cooled beer holders so your drink never gets warm. I LOVE it!

The streets are clean and there are public toilets everywhere inside buildings, with signs to tell you. This is my first trip to Asia and I love the bustle and sights.

Child's public toilet.

Day two we are off early on a tour to the the DMZ and Panmunjom where there is a collection of blue UN buildings. In the main conference room mikes on the tables constantly record everything said. You are allowed to straddle the ceasefire line. This is the only place where you can safely walk into North Korea. South Korean soldiers stand guard inside and out in a modified tae-kwondo stance. Outside you can see these soldiers standing half hidden by the building. We are told it is harder to be a target when only half exposed.

Only 44km (27 miles) from Seoul, the tunnel was discovered in October 1978. It runs through bedrock about 73m (240ft) below ground. It is apparently designed for a surprise attack on Seoul from North Korea, and can easily accommodate 30,000 men per hour along with light weaponry. (http://en.wikipedia.org)

I can officially say that I have been to “North Korea” after walking around the table that spans both countries. Beauty and danger are mixed in this historic setting. Despite its name, the DMZ separating the two Koreas, which remain technically at war, is one of the world's most heavily militarized frontiers, bristling with watchtowers and landmines.

The DMZ

    

Half visible = less target.

The road of no return.

 Another evening spent wandering and finding eats.

Next day we head to Yongsan Electronics Market and Namdaemun Market. You name it, and there is a market or a street filled with items. Electronics. Sewing notions. Quilts and table cloths. My men are entranced in the tool shops.

Anything you could possibly want.

We finish the day at Seoul Tower. We wander and people-watch. Interesting artwork above us. The “Locks of Love” area (similar the one recently taken down in Paris) make me wish I had a lock of my own to place there. Kid and I share a cotton candy and man has his picture taken by young local girls. He says they think he is Clint Eastwood. ;-)

 

the King's room

The nexy day kid drops us off at the Gyeongbokgung Palace. This was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, built in 1395. Beautiful and colorful architecture inside and out. Costumed King and Queen  parade about. 

Burgers at the roof top Beer Garden for dinner

Next day Seodaemun Prison. This place gives me the creeps. Sound track moans and screams while families with small children walk about, the children trying out the various torture chambers. I sit on the “death seat” in front of my jury. Yes it moved. Yes I screamed.

 

One last dinner with the kid and we are headed home again.

Aloha Hawaii

Honolulu, Hawaii.

Aloha.

Hawaii is not a place “I've always wanted to visit”. I'm more of a Caribbean mindset. But, when my son was stationed there for two years we visited. The first time, it poured the whole week. Every morning we set off for the north shore beaches. Every morning, before noon, the rains came. Waikiki beach was closed to swimmers because of sewage backup. Luckily we were on Kaneohe Bay on the north shore with the most beautiful beach. Our next trip was full sunshine. I made sure I crisped my body. Painfully so. We had use of kid's car and drove all over. It made up for the disappointing first visit. 

 

Kaneohe

Now we come to our third visit. This is a meeting of cultures, language, and families. We are here to celebrate the marriage of our #1 son, to his lovely Korean bride.

Imagine, going to the airport knowing you have, not just a seat, but a First Class seat! For me this is an exciting experience. We decided to use all the man's miles for the family. First class for the bride and groom. First class for me and the man. Sorry Kid#2. Only enough for you to go in the back of the bus. We tried. We really did spend the better part of an afternoon looking for the best deals for our miles. All 800,00 of them.

The wedding party, family and friends total 14 people. The Bride and Groom, 5 family members for her, 5 for my son, and 2 local friends. Because of the language barrier they chose not to have a traditional wedding reception, but instead a sunset dinner cruise.

The location was Ala Moana Beach Park, with Diamond Head in the distance. The sun mostly shined, rain was  just a few sprinkles. The wind kicked up and we thought the little bridal trellis would take off and fly away. The only problem was late flowers. The leis were not ready when promised but they did throw in a lovely centerpiece. Not that they could use it. But it looked nice in their room.

A short and simple ceremony. Smiles all around. Then off to our sunset cruise with entertainment. The dancers were placed all around the cabin and we had a great view. The dinner was yummy. 

those thighs...

 

 

Before and after the wedding day, we thoroughly relaxed. Beach and poolside with libations. Visiting with family, catching up on everything.  Wandering the shops. And especially sitting near the pool or in the hotel lobby. We spent 3 nights at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and then 3 nights at the Hale Koa Military hotel.

grape juice

grape juice redistributed

free with purchase

The Sheraton is old and will soon be remodeled. It was a very short walk to the beach where, twice a day, the hotel brought us water and a piece of fruit. A bit pricy considering the “resort fee” was $26 per day. Ok that did include towels and chairs. 

do not be fooled. that water was COLD

Duke Kahanamoku  “The father of modern surfing”

The Hale Koa was everything we could want for our resort hotel. We could visit with our neighbor on the balcony, aka the lanai. But the best part was the lobby. The couches and chairs had opiate properties. The breeze was delightful. If only we could have brought our drinks there. Ahhhhh......

sharing my snack

View from my lanai

looking up

We tried NOT to get too crispy. We ate too much, we drank too much.  North shore drive led us to Maui Mike's and Ted's bakery.  We stood under Banyan trees, and in front of the Hawaii 50 building.  We had Japanese cook-it-yourself.  We went to a luau and got ourselves inked. I bought souvenier Honolulu Cookies for others and HAD to have a box for myself. 

 

under a banyan tree

 We had a lovely time. Would I return? I suppose for the right reason. Mahalo.