Hot August Knight (work in progress)
Full Moon shot off my back deck by Dave Strauss Aug 5, 2009
In a few weeks we’ll have the full moon shot in New Glarus.
The Chicago Industrial Street Fighting Team
Alex Zander, Martn Atkins and Mark Williams
(i have caught up till Aug 17 and still have to conclude up to last night. I slowed down but there has still been a lot of action in the world of AZ, and things don’t look to slow down anytime soon.)
It’s been awhile hasn’t it? This is the start to my busy time of year so we’ll get caught up, but first of all.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICH GANSHERT !!!!
“You’ve been so much more than a friend to me, and I think you know that. It’s been a great friendship so far, filled with laughs adventures and much much more. You’re a real brother to me and thanks for making me part of you family.” - az
Well, back on July 31 I took an Amrak train down to Indianapolis to attend a very unique, if not thee most unique wedding of my lifetime. Chris and Julie would become Mr. and Mrs. Curry the following Saturday. It’s been a tough year for me but there was no way I was missing this one.
At the get go there was a large group of Dutch women sitting directly behind me. How did I know hey were Dutch, because one of the women would not shut her mouth. She rambled endlessly about everything making sure to interject at least every 10-15 minutes that she was DUTCH. SHUT THE FUCK UP! It made me nuts. I couldn’t even get into the book I was reading. Granted I am easily annoyed, but 90 minutes into the journey I was at my wits ends. The thought of 5 hours with this woman’s mouth behind me was unbearable.
Take some advice from Eva Herman: “I believe, we women should shut up more often,” German TV news presenter Eva Herman said in a recent interview. “Why do we always have to have a say in everything?” If anybody wishes they could turn back the hands of time, it is Herman. Forget about free will. Forget about emancipation. Forget about equal rights. If she would get a chance to start all over again, she knows what she would do.
I’ve had some experience with a chatty Dutch woman so I know what I’m talking about. But at least in my experience, the woman had SOMETHING INTERESTING TO TALK ABOUT! The fucking endless banter that I was forced to endear was nothing but this lady enjoying the sound of her loud, annoying and senseless babble about absolutely NOTHING! I’m sure everyone else on my car enjoyed hearing about what a slut grandma was, her kids, her boyfriend and his age which she stressed over and over and over. And her stupid Chicago travels and staying in a hostel ad shopping and eating and Wrigley fucking field. BLAH BLAH BALBBITY FUCKING BLAH! DOE HET NEUKT ZWIJGEN! or as Archie Bunker would say, “STIFLE YOURSELF!”
Ironically she was going hoarse from so much talking by the time she finally got to her destination. Where in fact she was going to purchase a PURDUE sweatshirt. Hmmm. Wonder how I knew that?
Of course my arrival time was 2 hours later than scheduled and Amtrak never announces the ETA, why we are stopped or any type of considerate communication to inform travelers why we are running later. All I can say is that it’s a good thing that we have cell phones, because they certainly do not post ETA’s in Indianapolis a place where ignorance is actually a virtue.
Jeff was on standby and he pulled up shortly after I had de-boarded the loud and crowded train. We met each other with smiles and I tossed my bags in the back. As I took my seat I smelled hot wings. I thought it was him and asked “Were you eating wings?” He replied that he picked some up for us go wash down with a nice bottle of silver tequila he had secured.
Once we got to his pad we were up all night till 5 AM chatting and catching up. I hadn’t seen my friend since Oct. when we met Tommy Victor (PRONG, MINISTRY, DANZIG) and Monty Pittman (MADONNA, PRONG) for margaritas. The state of the economy sure has hit us all pretty hard.
We rose the next morning to go out and pick up wedding gifts for our friends who were to be wed later that day. Only after stopping by White Castle where I was dead set on trying their new pulled pork slides. This would prove later to be a mistake.
I saw a big interesting looking barn so I had Jeff pull over the side of the road so that I could take pictures of it. After we changed into our Hawaiian shirts and wrapped the gifts we were off to the Curry’s HUGE piece of land for a wedding unlike any other. It was all Polynesian themed and a luau. Pink Flamingos along the road marked to path for those unaware of his property.
Keeping the promise I had made to myself, I did not have one drink the entire day and woud not untill after the nuptials were exchanged. Upon my arrival some had been boozing for a few hours. In his kicthen was a huge roasted pig, eyes and all. Tiki gods and torches were abound and the bar was well stocked and manned I might add.
As the hour crept closer and after meeting Chris’s mother who I just adored and father who I became fast friends with and would trade communications with over the next 48 hours, I became more and more aware that this was turning into a big reunion. Many personalities attended that I had not seen in well over 12 years. Everyone from the old gang was there except for Vanessa who had pulled a no-show.
Overall it was a brief but beautiful ceremony and the reception was just a big bash of exotic foods, music and drink. I had a great time catching up with old friends and making a few new. And when I woke up in the living room the next day, it seemed to have started all over again. And as quickly as it began it all ended with my 4 AM ride to the terminal for another grueling Amtrak ride back to my home of Chicago.
The weather had finally been good over the last few weeks. One week before the wedding Mike Blackley and his gal Donna were here and we spent a lot of time at the beach. So I was certainly in outdoor mode, but I had only a few days to prepare to go out to Montgomery to visit my best friend of the last decade, Bob aka Newbomb Turk. In the meantime I was helping a new friend and photographer who just happens to be a burlesque fan get his new place. I hooked him up w/ an apartment and he repaid me with a bottle of Chivas and a bottle of Single Malt Jack to share with him.
Dave Strauss is an interesting guy. We met last winter at Wham Bam Pam and Bonnie Babs house party. We were both smashed and later rekindled our friendship at Blue Bayou. Since then we’ve become neighbors, drinking buddies and cooks. Dave had been working as a sales rep for Ritz Camera, that is until the day after a late night BBQ and a battle with a bottle of tequila on August 7th.
So it was August 7th and I’m on the Metra to the burbs to meet up with Bob. By 330 PM he had me in his black caddy, we picked up his German Sheppard Lugar and we were off with only one pitstop, Woodman’s where I would pick up a case of Tecate and a bottle of tequila. Upon arriving at his casa before I could open our first beverages we were called to go back pretty much to where he had picked me up which kinda of delayed our festivities for a couple of hours.However with that behind us we were drinking, eating some incredible hot Italian sausage and watching Grindhouse on his drive in which he had installed in his back yard. It turned out to become a rather really long night. Late night texts, phone calls and intoxicated conversation and laughter all included. I have no idea what time I got to sleep but upon awakening and being Sunday morning I partook in communion. That communion continued all day, I amused Bob and my friend Dave who within the last 24 hours became unemployed drove out to pick me up and we had quite and adventure on the way home. Stopping at a town fair and several bars on the way home. The town fair in Montgomery was like an episode of the Twilight Zone. Just fucking inbred and weird. I did discover long ago that one not need travel too far outside of Chicago before everything looks and smells like Indiana.
Late that night after a stop at Wrigleyville North and Holiday Club, I was home, asleep and had 2 days to rest for Too Dark Mark’s visit to Chicago. And Tuesday night was coming on fast.
Mark arrived late, after 10 PM on Tuesday night August 11. Dave and I had the grill ready and food prepped for a late night dinner. A couple Chivas drinks later and Too Dark arrived with a suitcase full of liquor and Cajun food. He was staying for 6 days and wanted to be well stocked. Well stocked? That’s laughable. The contents lasted a day maybe after that there were MANY trips to the corner liquor stores over the next 6 days. Mark had been recording a couple of his bands songs with Martin Atkins for about 6 hours prior. He was ready and this night was a late one. Of course, it was Mark and I.
I met Too DarK Mark as I call him, Mark Williams in Oct of 1995 when I was spinning at a local gay bar called SPIN. The night he came to the club I was hosting a Skinny Puppy Remix CD Release Party. He introduced himself and handed me a copy of a Skinny Puppy remix he made of T.F.W.O. Ever since we’ve remained very good friends only getting closer over the past 5 years. He’s the gent that I went to Baton Rouge last Feb to visit in order to escape the cold Chicago winter, a broken heart and to laugh it up. We did that and a whole lot more. He plowed me for 5 days with booze, women, food and adventure. And it was time to do it in Chicago, this time when the weather was good.
The next day I began to work and once that was out of the way we rode our bikes out to Oak Street Beach, stopped at the Bistro had a couple cocktails and quesadillas then found ourselves a nice spot on the water. We stayed there soaking up sun for about 4 hours (back. get it.) After taking in the beauties and a few beasts including a kid that creepy crawled the sand around us looking like Gollum, we rode off to Ranalli’s where we had some grub and a couple yards of beer. Mark is not used to biking miles the way I am so we had a Taxi van pick us and the bikes up and returned to Casa Diablo. It would prove to be another long night and we also learned that the recording session that was set for Friday was actually moved to Thursday. So we ended up at Holiday Club for Karaoke. Mark dedicated and sang Hank Jr.s “Family Tradition” to me and I closed the night w/ my rendition of Andrew Dice Clays “Hour back” routine before heading to the front bar where Dave ended up picking up a girl I’ve known for a while who is also Industry. Mark and I sat up before calling it a night.
mark and I departed for r Montrose Beach this day and in his ultimate wisdom thought it’s be a good idea to rent a Jet Ski. I knew it was going to be ugly. Lake Michigan isn’t like most lakes where people Jet Ski, it’s choppy. And we were not out there for 5 minutes that he flipped the thing over. My aches in pains would not set in till later. After spending the day at the beach we returned home, washed up, Mark departed for the studio and I was ready to head out to Blue Bayou for a burlesque show. But prior to that we were paid a visit by Greg Duncan, my ex’s brother. We had some food, enjoyed a show, which ark arrived for exhausted and speechless, had a bite to eat and left before the show began. Greg’s sister Kelly joined us later and the night turned into another grand adventure. We did some photos with the girls had some laughs and of course ended the night at Holiday Club. This night, Greg ended up getting a girl and bringing her back to my place for the night.
The next day it was he 3 of us off to the beach where trouble awaited. AZ, Greg “Drunkin’ ” Duncan and Too Dark Mark, all tan, primed and ready for chaos.
We got to Montrose Beach again and were all just giddy. And we were quite a spectacle I’m sure. Maybe not that bad since a lot of people around us were laughing. Greg and I took bikes while Mark cabbed. Somehow we lost the gal that was with Greg the night before. I guess that’s what she gets for farting in front of us, unembarrassed and not excusing herself. DISGUSTING! By this day we were all very tan. Mark was in a better mood since he got some sleep and the energy flowing between the 3 of us was out of control. If people were laughing maybe it’s because we came off like total idiots.
In Baton Rouge people don’t get much sun. In the summer it’s so hot and so sticky w/ humidity people stay in w/ the AC on and go from car to the inside etc. So Mark exposed to the sun was relatively something new for him, and he was red as opposed to myself who was now darker brown. And we were out there taking photos, goofing and laughing for 5 hours till one lady completely erupted at me causing everyone to stare. And she was bitchy, BITCHY! I hadn’t be around a woman like this in many years, and she wouldn’t let down. We figured it was time to pack and head back to my flat.
A few hours later Morgan came over for a big meal which Mark and I prepared and then we went to Holiday Club. Greg had split for the night and would return later. After Morgan had a drink or 2 w/ us,I decided to take Mark to Carol’s. We both looked like hell but went anyway. The point of drinking more didn’t even make sense but we did. I met a nice looking lady with cool glasses and she was in some pix w/ us, but I don’t recall her name or if I gave her a card. Either way, if she happens to read this, hello, and it was fun meeting you.
The live and was playing and Mark had them dedicate Family tradition to me. Of course he just laughed his silly ass off as usual. At this point I was numb to his hilarious abuses.
Though it makes no sense in the fact that my father and I are not close, nor does he drink and the fact that I do not smoke anything, I’ve opted to share those lyrics for those not in the know.
Family Tradition by Hank Williams Jr.
Country music singers
have always been a real close family
but lately some of my kin folks
have disowned a few others and me
i guess its because
i kinda changed my direction
i guess i went and broke the family tradition
they get on me wanna know Hank
why do you drink?
(Hank) why do you roll smoke?
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
over and over
everybody made my prediction
so if i get stoned
I’m just carryin’
on an old family tradition
I am very proud
of my daddys name
although his kinda music
and mine ain’t exactly the same
stop and think it over
put yourself in my position
if i get stoned and sing all night long
it’s a family tradition
Don’t ask me Hank
why do you drink?
(Hank) why do you roll smoke?
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
If I’m down in a Honky-Tonk
Some ol’ slicks tryin to give me corrections
I’ll say leave me alone
I’m singin all night long
it’s a family tradition
Lordy, I have loved some ladies
and I have loved Jim Beam
and they both tried to kill me
in 1973
when that doctor asked me
Son how did you get in this condition
I said hey sawbones I’m just carryin on
an old family tradition
So don’t ask me Hank
why do you drink?
(Hank) why do you roll smoke?
Why must you live out the songs you wrote?
Stop and think it over
Try and put yourself in my unique position
If I get stoned and sing all night long
It’s a family tradition!
Hell if I know what time we got in, and in fact I may even have some of these facts out of order, but it’s the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. though there have been necessary omitions.
Greg arrived back in the morning. It was Saturday and my cell phone was damaged due to the Jet Ski incident which I was feeling more and more each day. Bruised all over, sore and stiff, all that could cure me was a stiff drink and pain killers. Greg came back by and we once again returned to the beach for a few hours before coming back home and preparing a big feast which Andy and Morgan would be joining. Actually Mark prepared it while the rest of us goofed. By this time after a nice big meal for 5, not only was I feeling the fatigue but I was feeling that the mess in my house was out of control. Sand everywhere, CD’s DVD’s books dishes it was more out of hand than anything I had ever dealt with in my own home. I’ve had BBQ’s w/ 30 people and never had a mess like this. And it wasn’t going to clean itself, and I wasn’t about to get any help whatsoever. Glasses were broken, a first since Holly’s visits last year. Some of my Sambos got shattered and my Franklin Mint Buckwheat plate was destroyed. But I kept my discontent in. For the time being.
I do have to add though that somebody spilled a beer in my living room, and Andy did his best to clean it up on his own. That’s a nice token of friendship. Greg also did his best to clean off the glass of my big dining room table. So I give him props for that.
As evening progressed Mark and Greg went out to get their muscles relaxed at a massage parlor downtown, I stayed in and Morgan and Andy left. AZ fell fast to sleep.
A few hours later the guys were back and intent on dragging me to Holiday Club. I was out but Mark didn’t let up. So I gave in, got dressed and walked in and didn’t see the point of it so I got my keys and went home and fell back to sleep. I didn’t even hear anyone come back in.
Sunday morning, I feel like I had finally gotten some sleep. My haus was a complete wreck, and Mark was leaving later that day. I didn’t even bother with having a drink, and I picked at whatever leftover remained. Mark came awake and brought me his phone, it was her, she was bored and broke. I told her to go ahead and come over. The 3 of us began to continue in taking the booze that was left over. My body hurt all over.
All 3 of us were hungry but I didn’t really feel like going out so I ordered pizza from Ranalli’s. They outvoted me for thin crust, something that’s against my religion. The pizza arrived and we all dove in. Not having deep dish was not making me happy but I’d deal. All I could do was look and her and express how disgusted I was with my home. In was in as bad shape as her own, only with more stuff. More dishes. More everything. I know, I’m hung up on my material possessions.
People always ask me, “What good is it all going to do when you die?” Well for one I have something to leave behind to those I love, it is a collection that says proudly I WAS HERE. And other than that, it is part of who I am. Not long ago, I lost it all. I spent too much money and effort and work going into making this home what it is. And I like it.
Martin Atkins arrived to pick up Too Dark in the afternoon and she took a couple pix of the three of us, “The Chicago Industrial Street Fighting Team”, and we hugged and said goodbye. She and I made our way to the bedroom for some extracurricular activity. But not an hour back or so later Mark calls and informs us his flight is cancelled due to tropical storm Bill heading to his region. I offered to leave the backdoor unlocked and went back to doing what we were doing. The tall man arrived, went out for more vodka, returned and proceeded to dance outside of my wild west room door and play Wesley Willis as loud as he could laughing all the way. I actually went out naked in the hall at one point asking him to knock it off.
So we finished later than sooner at what we had started, fell asleep, Mark went to sleep and at 3 AM I woke up for more and then she fell back asleep and I was up for the remainder not feeling so good. Actually feeling really bad.
From what I learned the next day, Mark puked when he woke up, and did 12 more times on his trip back to Baton Rouge. I was sick 3 days, she was also sick for I think 1.5. We had food poisoning, all 3 of us from that pizza. I called in to complain and was told it was most likely if anything the sausage.
“My friends are gone and my air is grey, I ache in the places where I used to play.” - Leonard Cohen “Tower of Song”
It was Monday, I was hoe, sick and sore all over. Just to motivate myself to begin cleaning was one of the biggest chores of my life. Five bags of garbage on my porch and 5 loads of dishes later and I had only put a dent in the damage. I needed sleep, I needed to work, and I needed a new cell phone.
To be continued, the month is still young.
More to come
