AZ’s “DIARY OF A DAMNED MAN”

I planned on one quiet weekend alone at home. Starting next Friday it’s crazy again for almost 2 months. This was my downtime. Or so I thought.

I rose early and watched Bill Maher, who had Michael Moore and John Waters on the show. It was entertaining and got me though 3 cups of hot java. Then at 8 AM I just went nuts on cleaning rooms in my house. In my ultimate wisdom around 1 this afternoon feeling as I didn’t have enough to keep me occupied and tequila wasn’t appealing to me, so I decided I’d tear my record (vinyl) collection out of the shelves and alphabetize them and then put them in chronological order. It’s something that has needed to be done for awhile so I went to it. It took hours!

mary czerwinski as vampira

In midst of that project I got a text from Mary Czerwinski the actress and friend who came out to support me last weekend at the Sci Fi Striptacular. She asked me to come to her play tonight, “Plans 1-8 From Outer Space”

In 1959, modern soothsayer Jeron Criswell unveiled the infamous “Plan 9 From Outer Space” to an unsuspecting world: a sinister alien plot to raise the dead in order to take over mankind!  But on September 25, the best has been saved for first, when New Millennium Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Plans 1 Through 8 From Outer Space; a prequel based on what’s widely considered the worst movie ever made.  Celebrate the Halloween season with alien overlords Eros, Tanna, and the nefarious Ruler as they as they wage war on the human race.  From psychotropic soda pop and the subliminal music of Eros Presley to a new world religion based on a science fiction novel, audiences will experience the true face of fear while receiving a valuable history lesson on a future that might have been in the future! Based on the work of visionary director, Ed Wood, Plans 1 Through 8 From Outer Space answers the question, what went wrong the first eight times?  Finally, the beginning of the story that finishes at the end!

maila nurmi as the original vampira

Plans 1 Through 8 From Outer Space  runs Friday and Saturday nights at 11:00 pm, September 25 – October 31, 2009 at National Pastime Theater, 4139 N. Broadway in Chicago. Advance tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.nmtchicago.org or reserved by calling 312-458-9083.    Half-price tickets available while supplies last at www.goldstar.com.   $10 student and industry tickets (Students must show current student ID/industry must provide h/r or business card at box office).  Discounts applied at box office and are not available with online ticket purchases.

lisa marie as vampira in tim burton’s ed wood

I thought it over and knowing that I really needed to sleep so I could work on my guest room and office tomorrow, thought about her support, and what a great person she’s been to me this year and within 10 min agreed to attend. Now I’m doing what I can to stay awake. I have 2.5 hours till showtime, AGGHHHHHH.

Just need to stay alive through the next 6-8 week stretch. And in between it all it’s back up to NG to hitch a ride to the mighty Mississippi River Trip! This year I know what to expect and to wear thermal underwear at night. Fer sure.

smallville came back on in it’s new season.

it was another tough one for z.

drinkin and thinkin wish i were roller rinkin’

or new glarus beer, rewind one fuckin year

one too many times I fell over you
once in a shadow I finally grew
and once in a night I dreamed you were there
I canceled my flight from going nowhere

one too many times I twisted the gate
when I was crazy I thought you were great
I keep my renditions of you on the wall
where holiday romance meant nothing at all

you wait in the wings like a Saturday flirt
protecting the judge, you don’t want to get hurt
and once in a moment it all comes to you
as soon as you get it you want something new

you wear those eyes that never blink
you always were the missing link
you painted your mouth, you let me know
you really are the only show

you got that walk, you do the stroll
you make me lose my ground control
you got that look I can’t resist
like something missing, never kissed

you do the pogo without the bounce
you got the name I can’t pronounce
you fall in love  you like the sting
you make believe it’s everything

just take your time
it’s not too late
I’ll be your mirror
you won’t hesitate
I’m easy to be found
whenever you come ’round

lock me away where the silly boys go
i’m on top of my nerves, don’t you know
take me apart ’cause I’m out of control
send me a letter on a midnight scroll

dance by the window in flamingo pink
go through the motions in your Romeo mink
condition’s red, disposition’s blue
why am I so attracted to you

trip down the alleyway, take the back stairs
i know it’s good but good isn’t fair
that’s what you said, flashbulb in your eye
how can I hold you when you’re waving goodbye

A good drink which is very agreeable with me is  tequila gimlet.

The gimlet is a cocktail typically made of gin or vodka and lime juice. The name comes from the name of the naval surgeon - Gimlette - who introduced this drink as a means of inducing his messmates to take lime juice as an anti-scorbutic. (Sir Thomas D Gimlette, KCB, joined the Navy in October, 1879, as a Surgeon; he retired in June, 1913, as a Surgeon General.) Sir Thomas Gimlette  was looking for a way to prevent scurvy in British sailors, invented the drink in the late 19th century. The lime juice in the drink contains a large concentration of Vitamin C, and so by combining it with the sailors’ daily ration of Gin, he was able to ensure they would stay healthy on their long voyages. Interestingly enough, this is why British sailors are referred to as “limeys”.

Gimlets are supposed to be made using Gin. However, just like with the Martini, there are people who think they don’t like Gin so they make the drink with vodka instead. If you do that, then you aren’t making a Gimlet – you’re just kidding yourself.

A 1928 description of the drink was: “gin, a spot of lime, and soda” (D. B. Wesson, I’ll never be Cured III). A 1953 description was: “a real gimlet is half gin and half Rose’s lime juice and nothing else” .

For the vodka gimlet, replace gin with vodka. As of the 1990s, maybe earlier, bartenders often answer requests for the gimlet with a vodka gimlet. Vodka gimlets were popularized by renowned proposition gambler and raconteur “Hong Kong” Freddie Wong, whose spirit of choice is quadruple-distilled Belvedere. As the gimlet was director Edward D. Wood, Jr.’s favorite cocktail, he often used the pseudonyms “Telmig Akdov” or “Akdov Telmig” (Vodka Gimlet spelled backwards) for his adult novels.

 Following are the top 5 ways to junk up a Gimlet:

· Substitute Vodka for the Gin
· Add other liquors to the glass like Rum or Tequila
· Add cherries or cherry liqueur
· Add soda or tonic water
· Put lemon juice in it

9/2/2009

Wednesday night Sept 2nd my friends and I met up again at the House of Blues to see the Cult. Dave brought his wife Kristina, Dave bought me a ticket as an early birthday present. I ran into my ol friend Laura Sorgman downstairs which was a surprise as well as reuniting with Brian the Maniac and his wife. I got a call from Kris and Lloyd who are the owners of Toffler’s a very popular live music and drinking establishment who are also very big Cult fans and their trek from Madison to Chicago in afternoon traffic verifies the fact.  After I gathered the masses together and I escorted my entourage up to the Foundation Room once again. We were greeted warmly, ordered a drink and found a spot out on the balcony in the center. The Cult has been one of my favorite acts for years now, and I have not missed them on any tour since 1989 so this would mark 20 years give or take a few months. I had also seen Ian Astbury from The Doors a handful of times, which was spectacular given they are my favorite band and no other singer would have been accepted by myself other than Ian, who fit the boots perfectly.

This particular tour they were playing the entire LOVE album and then would come out for a 45 min set of some of the fans favorites and bands biggest hits. Something was different though, Ian was in a really jovial mood and was very funny. He mocked people in the audience and had some fun and funny things to say between songs. He was actually hilarious, and up till now, I’d only ever seen him serious.

Needless to say they once again topped themselves. The Cult were simply the best and the sold out crowd was not disappointed.

After the show Kris, Lloyd and I hung out in the Foundation Room for a bit where some shenanigans took place and I met a lady who approached me regarding our initial meeting a year before at a Ministry concert and we began a long conversation that took us outside. We all also chatted with Chris the bass player as well as John Tempesta who was again drumming for the band. We took pictures and it was a really good time.

Whatever photos do not folow this story below can also be seen here: www.facebook.com/search/?q=alex+zander&init=quick#/profile.php?id=709305337&v=photos&ref=search
my images are made public.

The night was over, I rode the train home with a smile on my face and would prepare to make dinner for Kris and Lloyd the next night and also prepare for my trip to New Glarus the following day. And at approx 6PM they arrived with a case of Spotted Cow for me and a bottle of Belgium Red ale in tow. Dave and I made a big dinner after much conversation and afterwards we all retired to the living room for a nite-cap and watch a DVD of my latest JBTV appearance with the burlesque girls which was a promotion for the upcoming Sci Fi Striptacular which I would be hosting later in the month.

We rolled into New Glarus at exactly the time I had predicted, it was 1 PM Friday Sept 4 and the weather was PERFECT and would remain perfect for the remainder of our stay.

Dave and I unloaded his car which was packed full of my camping gear and we set up in my friend Renee’s back yard which we call home over the next 4 days and 3 nights. Dale arrived in his van which is adored by license plates from the state of Iowa with the word LUCIFER on the front and back. He unloaded and set up a tent that he could actually stand inside of. Dale stands over 6′3 or so. He looked into my tent which I had finished setting up and had inflated my massive air bed and asked me if I brought my trampoline with.

It was about 3 PM now and we needed to go to Roy’s Market for supplies. I thought it’d be fun to make a quick pit stop to the water treatment facility and drop in on Mich. When we pulled into the facility we were practically surrounded by some of his co worker asking why we were there. One gent saw me and recognized I was Mich’s friend, and it was right then that my pal the Irish Piper himself called. He had already left but saw a black van heading into his place of employment and told me to hang tight. He then gave me and my friends a tour of the water treatment plant. It smelled good.

Afterwards he went off to his haus to prepare for dinner and Dale, Dave and I went to Roy’s and picked up supplies. Why is it you never get enough ice? After we loaded up with more food than needed but not enough booze (and Dale doesn’t drink), we rode our bikes into downtown NG where we’d meet Mich and his family and Renee for dinner at Glarner Stube  www.glarnerstube.com. Outside I saw an acquaintance I met last year on the Mississippi River Boat trip named Dave Mosier and we all went inside for a drink.

The Glarner Stube is proud to have eight New Glarus Brewery beers on tap - more than any other tavern in the country! Some of the beer changes out seasonally, but the fantastically popular brews like Spotted Cow, Fat Squirrel and Organic Revolution are flowing year-round.

Within minutes Mich and his family, Stef, Tonie and Kyna all arrived as did Renee our hostess as we waited to be seated. Dale and Dave had no problem striking up conversations as I bounced between Mich and Renee. And after we were finally seated we were greeted by our waitress Aleta who amazingly juggles 3 jobs not to mention her kids. (both Aleta and I share the same birthdate) Mich and I chuckled as Dave ordered the special and I of course had to ask if Gary could make for me the sampler he made for me the first time I ate there. And he happily did. This is an array of their veal bratwurst presented with red cabbage and asparagus, and is not on the menu. I think he should name it the Zander and put it on the menu. The food and aptmoshere of the ‘Stube’ is one of a kind and very inviting and the food, well, it’s just out of this world. It was nice to sit with Mich and his family again. And I knew the night was about to begin.

And it did, after dinner with a walk over to Toffler’s, www.tofflers.com under a full moon which was hovering above the church on what is best described as thee most perfect night.

At Toffler’s I naturally had to have a margarita and as Lloyd sat at the corner of the bar, Missy was more than happy to accommodate. I have to admit, I enjoy when she goes out of her way to concoct this drink for me. And she does a good job of it. She also looked really great this Friday night, and of course we had to pose for a photo.

The whole lot of us hung out for a few hours and Kyna assured us she’d be taking the canoe trip with us the next morning on the Sugar River where I’ve been canoeing religiously for the last 10 years. And I’ve done so with amost colorful and  amazing cast of characters. And, I believe we’ve established Kyna is my good friend Mich’s daughter, and she being a Ganshert, can drink. Well we indeed did drink on this trip. We drank a good bit.

The entire trip went just over 3 hours and we returned to camp in time to clean up and rest up before a gathering we would have for dinner. And a couple of hours later, Mich arrived with is wife and other daughter Tonie and we all BBQ’d for the gang as well as out host and hostess, Renee and her man Mike.

Mich went out of his way to pick up some alligator meat and made grilled alligator and fried pickles which are a couple of my favorite Cajun treats. And I BBQ’d and it was a really nice night as we prepared to head back out to the downtown to Toffler’s in order to see Joel Pingitore & The Playground of Sound perform outdoors at Toffler’s. Dave stayed behind to sleep and Dale wandered the streets alone, meeting folks and taking photographs. He would later regroup with us at Toffler’s.

Joel’s amazing band just blew me away. He is the best kept secret in blues based rock as far as I’m concerned and he reminded me very much of a young white Stevie Ray Vaughn. (yes, I meant to say that) And they played 2 sets that actually kept me hanging around a bit.

Dale and I biked back to our campsite and I fell fast asleep without getting evicted.

When I woke up it was Sunday and day 3.

Woke up and we alll made breakfast. Dave had managed to get about 14 or more hours of sleep, something I can’t imagine. We all ate and then rode our bikes back into town. Renee and Mike had a head start on us as they had to set up their booth for vending: www.mikemyersdesigns.com

Sunday morning was to be a really big day during the Wilhelm Tell Festival which had been going on all weekend. There was not only the Outdoor Art Fair - 48th annual Wilhelm Tell Festival Art in the Park,  in Village Park but the Ethnic Fashion Show  in the Fest Tent.  Dale was most excited about the Yodel Contest which was  at 6:30pm. It didn’t surprise me. The whole fast was  the story of Swiss independence and the town once again as it does during all of it’s fests was alive and full of people.

I had a Bloody Mary at the Sportsman’s as traditions calls and then walked to the park to say hi to Renee and Mike who were selling the glass items they create. I checked out all of the vendors, had a bite to eat and then walked back up to see Mich perform and be part of the fashion show. WHAT THE FUCK? He was dressed in traditional Scottish Bagpipe player garb, and sees to forgotten he’s Irish! And a Scot in a Swiss fashion show! LYNCH HIM! Hang him by his balls which are freely swinging under his kilt!

All in all it was very entertaining and after some photos we went up to Toffler’s for Bloody Mary’s. I had really been feeling the pain of busting my knee I received while coming gout of the river after our dam slide. And every step sent pain rushing through my body. Even when I wasn’t walking it still ached. My mistake was telling Steve the bartender, the big Italian wop that he is. He told me to lay my hand down flat on the bar, and I followed his instruction not using my head and he took his big hairy fist and pounded my hand into the bar. MOTHERFUCKER. He then asked if my knee felt better. Don’t they have Italian villages anywhere up there. DAMN!

We putzed around most of the day and later that evening all went to Mich’s for dinner and we also watched the JBTV DVD. I felt quite proud in showing it. Afterward Mich played Joel’s DVD which was also impressive. Mich’s father Joe came by with a woman named Barbara which seemed to have earned lots of respect from Dale. The whole family was there and later that evening we were dropped off at our bikes and made one more quick trip back to our site in Miss Renee’s backyard. I fell fast asleep and naturally woke up before the crack of dawn, as usual. I slowly gathered things together to pack and the guys rose abut an hour or so after. It was Monday morning and I was sad, I knew I had to head back to the city. I wasn’t looking forward to dragging everything up 3 flights of stairs, steep and narrow stairs with my aching knee. But in all it is a small price to pay for all the friendship and generosity I continue to receive in NG. Besides, I know I’m always going back.

Mich, Kyna and Stef came by with Bloody Mary’s and helped us out a little bit. It was really nice of the ladies to send us off as well. People in the city just are not like that. I mean it was a holiday after all. Renee had already left with Mike for a Harley ride, so it was officially farewell, and over.

The 3 of us spent the morning in town and Dale went on his way first as I had one more stop to make and that was Mark Barnaby’s guest house www.barnabyguesthouse.com where I intended to spend my birthday weekend this coming December. With who, I do not know yet. It’s just a damned shame I can’t take one of the persons I’ve taken in the past, a perfect road tripping companion that enjoys laugher and drinks, and passionate conversation. A late night drunk debater.

The guest house was just perfect, and has all the amenities one could ask for. And the host and his wife are just the nicest people, so I was sold. It sits right on the creek and there’s a fire pit next to it which I am able to imagine piling up wood in the December snow and building a great big fire drinking spiced cider outside next to it with my friends. Oh, it’s going to happen.

After telling Mich goodbye, Dave and I got into his ride and were out on the country road heading for the highway around 330 PM. It was a perfect weekend, it was Labor Day, and we had traffic.

Thanks to everyone and I mean everyone that made my most recnt trip so much fun. I cannot wait to come back. 2 more times this year. Be ready!