The footage from this project starts with the beginning of April and our Easter trip to Pennsylvania. It ends with the end of June as the Summer begins before we head off to Audiofeed. We had a few family visits and visits to family during this period both for my family and Elphie's family. We were able to get out to visit with my cousin Jill a couple of times which is nice. She doesn't live that far away but it just hadn't really worked out to get to see her much the last few years. We experienced some extreme weather as Spring went along, possibly even driving into a tornado as we returned home one evening.
The project runs a bit longer than I intended or expected. This is due in part to the extreme weather events.
04.01.2026 - 04.13.2026
On Thursday April 2nd, 2026, Elphie and I left to go to Pennsylvania to get my car inspection done and visit with family for Easter. My parents had been around quite a bit in Chicago prior to this due to the cancer in my mom's eye but they were back in Pennsylvania so that's where we went for Easter. We drove from Chicago to Erie, Pennsylvania where we had a hotel for the night at Red Roof near Hallman dealership so I could bring the car in first thing in the morning. Along the way, we saw the Easter bunny in the University Park Mall in South Bend, Indiana. The trip was mostly uneventful. On Good Friday April 3rd, 2026, I got up early to take the car over to Hallman for the inspection and Auto Butler session. We were scheduled to check out of the hotel at 11am and so we did that and I walked over to the dealership to see if the car was ready. It took about another half hour. I got the car, returned to Red Roof to pick up our things and Elphie. I gave the Cherry Float Coca-Cola a taste test. The "cream soda" flavor was mostly all I tasted which I am not a fan of. I probably won't try it again. We got to Warren, PA in the early afternoon and hung out with family, watching some Pittsburgh Pirates baseball. My parents two cats were caught grooming each other. On Easter Sunday April 5th, 2026, we attended church and had family dinner compliments of Bob Evans. Uncle Steve and Great Aunt Nancy came over. My mom gave us Easter baskets. I captured some footage of the daffodils in the yard and in the house as well as we watched the Pirates again. We drove back to Chicago on Monday April 6th, 2026. It was another rather uneventful drive which is good.
On Thursday April 9th, 2026, Elphie gave Stein a bunch of catnip and captured footage of the result. I wore my "going postal" Flatfoot 56 shirt and seemed fitting with the current situation at work. We vistied my cousin Jill and her husband Brent and kid Arch in Barrington over the weekend on Saturday April 11th, and Sunday April 12th, 2026. Jill was on call in the Emergency Room while we were there and had to step out for a surgery. My parents had also been staying there due to being close to the radiation center for the eye treatment. We had a really good pizza from La Pizza Via and it was fun to hang out. On our way out of town we stopped in a McDonald's we were told was "bougie." It didn't look all that much different from any other McDonald's we've been in. Back at home while watching hockey, Stein made sure to be in contact with both Elphie and I.
On Thursday April 9th, 2026, Elphie gave Stein a bunch of catnip and captured footage of the result. I wore my "going postal" Flatfoot 56 shirt and seemed fitting with the current situation at work. We vistied my cousin Jill and her husband Brent and kid Arch in Barrington over the weekend on Saturday April 11th, and Sunday April 12th, 2026. Jill was on call in the Emergency Room while we were there and had to step out for a surgery. My parents had also been staying there due to being close to the radiation center for the eye treatment. We had a really good pizza from La Pizza Via and it was fun to hang out. On our way out of town we stopped in a McDonald's we were told was "bougie." It didn't look all that much different from any other McDonald's we've been in. Back at home while watching hockey, Stein made sure to be in contact with both Elphie and I.
LIVE @ Schubas Tavern (04.14.2026)
On Tuesday April 14th, 2026, The Castros came through Chicago on a tour with Raynes at Schuba's Tavern. Marco insisted on getting us on the guest list and so we accepted. I captured a new cover song that The Castros performed from Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin (performed during the Super Bowl halftime show). We watched about half of Raynes before heading out. Elphie and I both felt tired and Elphie's commute to get to the show had worn her out.
I captured some footage of geese and their goslings on the roof deck of the Truman College parking garage in the morning as I was making my way to work. As we arrived at Schuba's, I captured some footage outside of the building and a historical marker.
I captured some footage of geese and their goslings on the roof deck of the Truman College parking garage in the morning as I was making my way to work. As we arrived at Schuba's, I captured some footage outside of the building and a historical marker.
04.15.2026 - 05.13.2026
There was a significant fog over parts of Chicago during my commute home on Thursday April 16th, 2026. It appeared to be mostly a north side event but as I drove south on Lake Shore Drive, it showed to be pushing in from Lake Michigan and to the south. Once I crossed the Chicago River, things cleared up for the most part, especially inland. There was also protesting on the pedestrian bridge to North Avenue Beach against ICE. On Friday April 17th, 2026, we hung out at J.P.U.S.A. for the evening with The Castros, Shaws, Colleen Davick, and a few others. A storm hit while we were there and we went to view it from the windows at the roof. On Saturday April 18th, 2026, Elphie wanted to experience a confessional booth so we visited Queen Of All Saints Basilica. It was an interesting experience. I noticed a stained glass for Saint Bridget of Sweden. On the way home, we encountered a crash on the express lanes of the highway. One of the cars appeared to be driving away. Later, we saw the aftermath of a crash into a car dealership on Western Avenue.
After a bad start to the playoffs for the Pittsburgh Penguins, on Saturday April 25th, 2026, I decided to break out my first hockey jersey of Darius Kasparaitis in hopes to bring about the pain he was known for inflicting on the Philadelphia Flyers. It worked so I did the same on Monday April 27th, 2026 with my James Neal jersey. The hockey jersey magic wore out on my birthday unfortunately.
Wednesday April 29th, 2026 was my 46th, birthday. The Penguins game didn't go so well but Elphie made french toast and brownies to celebrate the day. My parents arrived for my mom's follow-up appointment. On Thursday April 30th 2026, I captured Buckingham Fountain flowing for the first time. Seems it might have been a test run though. I also captured the large sink hole that developed near work on Clifton Avenue.
On Friday May 1st, 2026, my parents apparently got caught in a May Day protest. That evening we went to The Patio for BBQ dinner. I got too close to a fence post and did some damage to my car, unfortunately. This just after paying it off. On Saturday May 2nd, 2026, we got up and went to Andersonville to have brunch at Svea. While waiting and then after, we went over to the Swedish American Museum. We then drove north to Wisconsin to take my parents to the Mars Cheese Castle. On the way back south we took a quick detour to drive by the gate of Michael Jordan's mansion in Highland Park before continuing to Rosemont for the Chicago Wolves playoff hockey game against the Texas Stars. The Wolves won! On Sunday May 3rd, 2026, Elphie stopped in Jewel-Osco to visit the pharmacy and encountered Cinco de Mayo festivities including a Mariachi band playing.
On Thursday May 7th, 2026, there was a ribbon cutting event at the location of the new men's shelter for Cornerstone called The Haven. There were all sorts of folks from various city of Chicago and Illinois governing offices and social service organizations. I was not prepared properly and didn't wear "professional" clothing. Oops. Hopefully we will be up and running with the new Haven site soon. On Saturdy May 9th, 2026, Elphie wanted to go to a Burlesque yard sale. It happened to be just down the street from The Haven and across from the local police district. After we were there for a bit and the Shaws arrived and checked things out, we went to The Alley where Elphie got a few things. We then headed back north to Outskirts Vintage and I stopped in Loud Pizza Records for a listening party to Social Distortion's Born To Kill. I picked up a couple other albums as well while I was there. I didn't win the raffle for the signed art piece. We went over to Byron's for dinner then visited Kate at Outskirts Vintage before heading home with a quick stop at Target.
On Wednesday May 13th, 2026, though she wasn't feeling well, it was the day Elphie celebrates her birthday. I set up her birthday decorations by her coffee mug for when she woke up.
Wednesday April 29th, 2026 was my 46th, birthday. The Penguins game didn't go so well but Elphie made french toast and brownies to celebrate the day. My parents arrived for my mom's follow-up appointment. On Thursday April 30th 2026, I captured Buckingham Fountain flowing for the first time. Seems it might have been a test run though. I also captured the large sink hole that developed near work on Clifton Avenue.
On Friday May 1st, 2026, my parents apparently got caught in a May Day protest. That evening we went to The Patio for BBQ dinner. I got too close to a fence post and did some damage to my car, unfortunately. This just after paying it off. On Saturday May 2nd, 2026, we got up and went to Andersonville to have brunch at Svea. While waiting and then after, we went over to the Swedish American Museum. We then drove north to Wisconsin to take my parents to the Mars Cheese Castle. On the way back south we took a quick detour to drive by the gate of Michael Jordan's mansion in Highland Park before continuing to Rosemont for the Chicago Wolves playoff hockey game against the Texas Stars. The Wolves won! On Sunday May 3rd, 2026, Elphie stopped in Jewel-Osco to visit the pharmacy and encountered Cinco de Mayo festivities including a Mariachi band playing.
On Thursday May 7th, 2026, there was a ribbon cutting event at the location of the new men's shelter for Cornerstone called The Haven. There were all sorts of folks from various city of Chicago and Illinois governing offices and social service organizations. I was not prepared properly and didn't wear "professional" clothing. Oops. Hopefully we will be up and running with the new Haven site soon. On Saturdy May 9th, 2026, Elphie wanted to go to a Burlesque yard sale. It happened to be just down the street from The Haven and across from the local police district. After we were there for a bit and the Shaws arrived and checked things out, we went to The Alley where Elphie got a few things. We then headed back north to Outskirts Vintage and I stopped in Loud Pizza Records for a listening party to Social Distortion's Born To Kill. I picked up a couple other albums as well while I was there. I didn't win the raffle for the signed art piece. We went over to Byron's for dinner then visited Kate at Outskirts Vintage before heading home with a quick stop at Target.
On Wednesday May 13th, 2026, though she wasn't feeling well, it was the day Elphie celebrates her birthday. I set up her birthday decorations by her coffee mug for when she woke up.
LIVE @ Reggies (05.14.2026)
On Thursday May 14th, 2026, Elphie and I attended the ska show at Reggies. The show was in the restaurant. I had some obstacles to deal with on the commute home from work but we made it shortly after "doors open" and there was a booth open to sit to order our meal. DJ Chuck Wren spun his ska tunes throughout the night which always includes some interesting covers. The local band Tone Zone Skam opened the night, followed by The Write-Ups of Flint, Michigan and the headliner was Stop The Presses from Brooklyn, New York. I have enjoyed Stop The Presses over the last few years and it was cool to see them play again. I ended up capturing a new song performed. It seemed the set lengths went from longest to shortest on this night, ha!
LIVE @ Case Cafe (05.15.2026)
I went to a Casa Cafe show for the first time on Friday May 15th, 2026. Beton Arme was in from Montreal, Quebec, Canada and joined by Fuerza Bruta and Home Invasion. There are full sets available on YouTube from the night at the Midwest HxC page. I captured "Verdugo" during Fuerza Bruta's set. It was good to hang with the Bawinkel's a bit at the show. At the end of the night it appeared there were brass knuckles and an unspent rifle round on the floor. The brass knuckles turned out to be wooden.
LIVE during Slide Away Fest @ Aragon Ballroom (05.23.2026)
On Saturday May 23rd, 2026, I attended the second night of the Chicago edition of Slide Away Fest at Aragon Ballroom. HUM was the headliner and what drew me to the show. I guess I got lucky and found a ticket for $37 on Stubhub for this sold out show rather than the $70+ face value ticket.
On my way to the show, Chicago was engulfed in a dense fog. Down by Lake Michigan it was hard to see the boats on the water.
I really enjoyed this show of all shoe gaze type of bands. I captured "The Summoning" by HUM of their recent release Inlet. It's quite a long song but I like it quite a bit. I took a guess that it might be what was played at that point in the show looking at the setlist from the Brooklyn edition of Slide Away and seeing the set list from the Friday show at Aragon Ballroom. The other bands who played were Nothing, Chapterhouse, lovesliescrushing, Sunshy, and DIM. I will keep an eye out for other Sunshy and DIM shows as they are from Chicago and likely to play around the area.
On my way to the show, Chicago was engulfed in a dense fog. Down by Lake Michigan it was hard to see the boats on the water.
I really enjoyed this show of all shoe gaze type of bands. I captured "The Summoning" by HUM of their recent release Inlet. It's quite a long song but I like it quite a bit. I took a guess that it might be what was played at that point in the show looking at the setlist from the Brooklyn edition of Slide Away and seeing the set list from the Friday show at Aragon Ballroom. The other bands who played were Nothing, Chapterhouse, lovesliescrushing, Sunshy, and DIM. I will keep an eye out for other Sunshy and DIM shows as they are from Chicago and likely to play around the area.
LIVE during Church @ Liar's Club (05.24.2026)
On Sunday May 24th, 2026, Elphie and I attended the Sunday matinee show at Liar's Club known as "Church." Our friends Coxey's Army were on the bill. We decided to get Capriotti's since it was nearby. Turns out, Coxey's Army had the same idea and went there too! By the time we had arrived, they had finished and were loading in at Liar's Club. The show started on time. There was another one in the evening so they had to try to keep on time I think. The local band was The Homicidols and they opened the afternoon. Blind Adam was meant to play but had to drop out. The Old Breed played second with Coxey's Army closing the afternoon. I captured a bonus clip of Coxey's Army with The Old Breed covering the Cock Sparrer song "Working." It was nice to see our friends in Coxey's Army and hang with them for a bit until they needed to hit the road to get home.
https://youtu.be/fnDYOkjqmBA
https://youtu.be/i4XPLbhzI8E
https://youtu.be/i_GmHE2MWtA
https://youtu.be/fh3g1D-q0EY
05.25.2026 - 06.02.2026
On Monday May 25th, 2026, I took the day off for Memorial Day. We went out to visit with my cousin Jill in the suburbs and swim for the day. My cousin Doug, Jill's brother, was there with his wife Jamey as well as their mother Barbara. It was a nice visit.
On Wednesday May 27th, 2026, I captured the Buckingham Fountain shooting high on my commute to work. On my commute home, I noticed smoke in the sky to the south and captured that as well. It turned out to be a fire in a chemical plant near I-55. On Thursday May 28th, 2026, we got up early due to an extermination appointment that was scheduled...and then canceled. Elphie captured some photos of Stein in Sphinx mode. On Friday May 29th, 2026, Elphie captured some photos of Stein needing to touch us both while laying on our laps.
During my commute home on June 2nd, 2026, I encountered a wreck and then some military helicopters flying overhead.
On Wednesday May 27th, 2026, I captured the Buckingham Fountain shooting high on my commute to work. On my commute home, I noticed smoke in the sky to the south and captured that as well. It turned out to be a fire in a chemical plant near I-55. On Thursday May 28th, 2026, we got up early due to an extermination appointment that was scheduled...and then canceled. Elphie captured some photos of Stein in Sphinx mode. On Friday May 29th, 2026, Elphie captured some photos of Stein needing to touch us both while laying on our laps.
During my commute home on June 2nd, 2026, I encountered a wreck and then some military helicopters flying overhead.
LIVE @ Cobra Lounge (06.03.2026)
On Wednesday June 3rd, 2026, Elphie and I went to Cobra Lounge for the last show by '68 in Chicago. They were joined by Nate Bergman. I had not heard of Nate Bergman prior to this so I checked out how he would self describe and it was emo folk. Maybe that's country? Anyway, I captured a clip of his set. I was hoping to capture "Always Love" from '68 but they didn't end up playing that song. I ended up capturing "Will You There" instead. There were some technical issues so that might be why they didn't play as many songs as the some of the other shows but it was still a good time. Elphie met me there after work and after her therapy. While she waited in a nearby park, she captured footage of a large centipede type bug. Elphie got a salad in the restaurant and I got a couple slices of the pizza before the show. After the show, Elphie got in a confrontation with a delivery robot driving down the sidewalk toward Cobra Lounge as we left.
https://youtu.be/WUu6nj5N79k
https://youtu.be/3V6vaWshpWQ
06.04.2026
On Wednesday June 3rd, 2026, Elphie and I went to Cobra Lounge for the last show by '68 in Chicago. They were joined by Nate Bergman. I had not heard of Nate Bergman prior to this so I checked out how he would self describe and it was emo folk. Maybe that's country? Anyway, I captured a clip of his set. I was hoping to capture "Always Love" from '68 but they didn't end up playing that song. I ended up capturing "Will You There" instead. There were some technical issues so that might be why they didn't play as many songs as the some of the other shows but it was still a good time. Elphie met me there after work and after her therapy. While she waited in a nearby park, she captured footage of a large centipede type bug. Elphie got a salad in the restaurant and I got a couple slices of the pizza before the show. After the show, Elphie got in a confrontation with a delivery robot driving down the sidewalk toward Cobra Lounge as we left.
https://youtu.be/WUu6nj5N79k
https://youtu.be/3V6vaWshpWQ
06.04.2026
On my commute to work on Thursday June 4th, 2026, I again encountered military helicopters...again.
LIVE @ Chicago Street Pub in Joliet, Illinois (06.05.2026)
We decided to take the drive out to Joliet on Friday June 5th, 2026 to catch a free show at the Chicago Street Pub featuring SMFC with Tobin Bawinkel of 6'10 and Flatfoot 56 also playing. Our friend Bob had inquired on if I had any vinyl mailers sitting around and I did. It turned out he was asking on behalf of SMFC and so I loaded them in my car to take to this show. I captured "I Did Everything The Hard Way" from the SMFC set and "Travelers" from Tobin's set. Afterwards, we hung for quite a while with Andrew Tromaton outside. We also got to talk to Tommy of Toilet Rats a bit as he came to the show with Tobin. June 5th happens to be Gundlovdag in Denmark.
https://youtu.be/zVvOQNZwkiM
LIVE @ Chicago Street Pub in Joliet, Illinois (06.05.2026)
We decided to take the drive out to Joliet on Friday June 5th, 2026 to catch a free show at the Chicago Street Pub featuring SMFC with Tobin Bawinkel of 6'10 and Flatfoot 56 also playing. Our friend Bob had inquired on if I had any vinyl mailers sitting around and I did. It turned out he was asking on behalf of SMFC and so I loaded them in my car to take to this show. I captured "I Did Everything The Hard Way" from the SMFC set and "Travelers" from Tobin's set. Afterwards, we hung for quite a while with Andrew Tromaton outside. We also got to talk to Tommy of Toilet Rats a bit as he came to the show with Tobin. June 5th happens to be Gundlovdag in Denmark.
https://youtu.be/zVvOQNZwkiM
06.06.2026 - 06.13.2026
On Saturday June 6th, 2026, it was Sveriges Nationaldag. On Wednesday June 10th, 2026, I captured some of the storm aftermath on my commute home. There were a lot of trees down or at least limbs as Chicago experienced a derecho.
On Thursday June 11th, 2026, Elphie's brother Jason and sister-in-law Karen flew into town to visit and catch a couple baseball games. As we drove to pick them up, we saw more of the storm damage. We drove them back to the house from the airport. After some rest, we drove them around Chicago. We took them by the Buckingham Fountain, the Crown Fountain, the Bean, and down Magnificent Mile. We then took them up to Wrigley Field where a Mumford And Sons was scheduled that evening. I dropped them off to get some pictures then picked them up later. We then drove them into the Graceland Cemetery to show a few of the interesting things we've found there like Eternal Silence and Inez Clarke. Next we drove up to Wilmette to the Bahá'í Temple and the Home Alone House. We drove back south through Chicago and let them see the Museum of Science and Industry building and the new Barak Obama Presidential Center before heading back to the house for a little bit. We then left to go to Rate Field for a Chicago White Sox game against the Atlanta Braves. We had front row outfield seats but unfortunately the game was postponed due to the inclement weather in the area. As we left, we saw some significant cloud buildup to the south and west. As we drove down Pershing Road, the skies got dark and then the phones gave alerts of a Tornado Warning. I think I saw it to the south of us as we drove on Pershing Road toward home. There was a motorcyclist standing still on Pershing Road near the old factory buildings by McKinley Park. I drove around him then had to wait at the traffic light. We also had to wait at the traffic light at Western as well. As we crossed Western entering our neighborhood, the rain increased intensity significantly. It was hard to see and I hit a speed bump a lot faster than I would have liked. We got on our street and in front of our house when the rain began to swirl. I pulled into our driveway then we ran into the house, getting entirely soaked in that short distance! A tornado was confirmed not far from our neighborhood and we are assuming we experienced what was left of the storm. It may not have been a tornado but it sure seemed likely to be close to it.
On Friday June 12th, 2026, as I made my commute to work, I captured footage of the storm damage in the neighborhood. Jason explored the neighborhood and got some good phots of the storm damage. Elphie took Jason and Karen out into the neighborhood and downtown while I was as work. After work, I met up with Elphie, Jason and Karen outside Rate Field. I showed them where the home plate of the old Comiskey Park was located then we went into the game. Our seats were along the left field foul line this time. The game was the Chicago White Sox versus Los Angeles Dodgers. The White Sox won! I captured some of the firework show at the end of the game. As we made our way to where my car was parked in Chinatown on the Red Line, we noticed a significant accident on the highway. I was not able to capture it. It seemed to delay the train though. Back at the house, Jason and Karen had their first Malört experience.
On Saturday June 6th, 2026, it was Sveriges Nationaldag. On Wednesday June 10th, 2026, I captured some of the storm aftermath on my commute home. There were a lot of trees down or at least limbs as Chicago experienced a derecho.
On Thursday June 11th, 2026, Elphie's brother Jason and sister-in-law Karen flew into town to visit and catch a couple baseball games. As we drove to pick them up, we saw more of the storm damage. We drove them back to the house from the airport. After some rest, we drove them around Chicago. We took them by the Buckingham Fountain, the Crown Fountain, the Bean, and down Magnificent Mile. We then took them up to Wrigley Field where a Mumford And Sons was scheduled that evening. I dropped them off to get some pictures then picked them up later. We then drove them into the Graceland Cemetery to show a few of the interesting things we've found there like Eternal Silence and Inez Clarke. Next we drove up to Wilmette to the Bahá'í Temple and the Home Alone House. We drove back south through Chicago and let them see the Museum of Science and Industry building and the new Barak Obama Presidential Center before heading back to the house for a little bit. We then left to go to Rate Field for a Chicago White Sox game against the Atlanta Braves. We had front row outfield seats but unfortunately the game was postponed due to the inclement weather in the area. As we left, we saw some significant cloud buildup to the south and west. As we drove down Pershing Road, the skies got dark and then the phones gave alerts of a Tornado Warning. I think I saw it to the south of us as we drove on Pershing Road toward home. There was a motorcyclist standing still on Pershing Road near the old factory buildings by McKinley Park. I drove around him then had to wait at the traffic light. We also had to wait at the traffic light at Western as well. As we crossed Western entering our neighborhood, the rain increased intensity significantly. It was hard to see and I hit a speed bump a lot faster than I would have liked. We got on our street and in front of our house when the rain began to swirl. I pulled into our driveway then we ran into the house, getting entirely soaked in that short distance! A tornado was confirmed not far from our neighborhood and we are assuming we experienced what was left of the storm. It may not have been a tornado but it sure seemed likely to be close to it.
On Friday June 12th, 2026, as I made my commute to work, I captured footage of the storm damage in the neighborhood. Jason explored the neighborhood and got some good phots of the storm damage. Elphie took Jason and Karen out into the neighborhood and downtown while I was as work. After work, I met up with Elphie, Jason and Karen outside Rate Field. I showed them where the home plate of the old Comiskey Park was located then we went into the game. Our seats were along the left field foul line this time. The game was the Chicago White Sox versus Los Angeles Dodgers. The White Sox won! I captured some of the firework show at the end of the game. As we made our way to where my car was parked in Chinatown on the Red Line, we noticed a significant accident on the highway. I was not able to capture it. It seemed to delay the train though. Back at the house, Jason and Karen had their first Malört experience.
Saturday June 13th, 2026, was our 11th Anniversary. Elphie and I didn't really do anything special. We needed to get some groceries and I captured some storm damage footage as we made the drive.
LIVE @ Everybody's Coffee (06.14.2026)
On Sunday June 14th, 2026, Elphie and I went to the 50th Anniversary Block Party for The Alley, meeting up with Kori and Robert. We caught a couple of the bands. We went to eat after at Jaiyen Sushi and Noodle. It seemed to be a bit of a fancy type restaurant. I was able to get some crab ragoons and decided to go with their signature sushi. It was a bit different than I expected and appeared to have red and black caviar on it. It was good.
After this, we went to Everybody's Coffee in Wilson Abbey because Christian Welch put together a show for Smell Before Rain with Great Horse! opening and Leper closing the night. Smell Before Rain features Kevin Schlereth's son Kevin III. I captured a song called "Six Flags Great America" from Great Horse! and "Far A Bheil Do Ghath (Where Is Thy Sting?)" from Leper along with a song from Smell Before Rain.
LIVE @ Everybody's Coffee (06.14.2026)
On Sunday June 14th, 2026, Elphie and I went to the 50th Anniversary Block Party for The Alley, meeting up with Kori and Robert. We caught a couple of the bands. We went to eat after at Jaiyen Sushi and Noodle. It seemed to be a bit of a fancy type restaurant. I was able to get some crab ragoons and decided to go with their signature sushi. It was a bit different than I expected and appeared to have red and black caviar on it. It was good.
After this, we went to Everybody's Coffee in Wilson Abbey because Christian Welch put together a show for Smell Before Rain with Great Horse! opening and Leper closing the night. Smell Before Rain features Kevin Schlereth's son Kevin III. I captured a song called "Six Flags Great America" from Great Horse! and "Far A Bheil Do Ghath (Where Is Thy Sting?)" from Leper along with a song from Smell Before Rain.
After the show, we got home to see Carolina win the Stanley Cup. That was fun.
https://youtu.be/XK7pqhpjsGo
https://youtu.be/3LdBQL5UglE
https://youtu.be/FAIAjfYdgFM
06.15.2026 - 06.20.2026
https://youtu.be/XK7pqhpjsGo
https://youtu.be/3LdBQL5UglE
https://youtu.be/FAIAjfYdgFM
06.15.2026 - 06.20.2026
On both Thursday June 18th, and Friday June 19th, 2026 I captured some footage of activism on the pedestrian bridge at North Avenue Beach over Lake Shore Drive. On June 18th, the sign was condemning ICE and current immigration policies. On June 19th it was Juneteenth and the protest was more geared toward racial issues in this country.
06.21.2026
On Father's Day, May 21st, 2026, Major League Rugby held its championship game at SeatGeek Stadium in Chicago. The Chicago Hounds ended up going undefeated and played the California Legion for the championship. Flatfoot 56 was booked to play a show on the stage after the game. It was a rainy day...a very rainy day. There appeared to be an accident on Archer Avenue as I drove to the stadium. Once I arrived, I got my poncho and headed out into the rain to get into the game. I made my way into SeatGeek Stadium following a guy who had an umbrella hat. Umbrellas are prohibited items and so security informed the man his umbrella hat violated the terms. He had to throw it away. Once I got inside the stadium I saw a booth selling Bridgeview BBQ and ordered a brisket sandwich. I got in the general area where I was meant to sit and stayed under the cover of the stands while I ate the sandwich. Shortly after I finished, Tobin Bawinkel looked out from the nearby suite and invited me in. Thankfully I got to watch the game from the suite and stay mostly dry and hang out with the Flatfoot 56/OllieMob crew! The Chicago Hounds won the championship and completed their undefeated season! After the game and after the shield trophy was presented, Flatfoot 56 played a short set in the rain and overcame the technical issues that came with playing in the rain. I captured the first song of the set, "Ollie Ollie" which they dedicated to one of the Hounds players Oliver Devoto who was retiring. I drove home Vanessa and Edie so they didn't have to wait in the rain during load out. It was a fun night!
https://youtu.be/B1uaAJBV0Ek
https://youtu.be/B1uaAJBV0Ek
06.22.2026 - 06.24.2026
On my commute home on Monday June 22nd, 2026, near McKinley Park on Damen Avenue, I was passed by a car which proceeded around another car waiting at the red light in the left waiting for the light to turn green. The driver proceeded into the intersection and turned left before the light turned green.
https://youtu.be/FrsD7jyxeWI
On Wednesday June 24th, 2026, Elphie's sister Chase and brother in law Chris were flying in to visit for a few days. Yet another storm hit. This one brought a tornado warning closer to where Jill lives. We started to drive to pick them up at the airport only to find the flight delayed another hour. We got home, I noticed on a flight tracker that their flight circled near Dayton, Ohio. We got to the airport to pick them up. Elphie went in as I waited in the cell phone lot. Elphie said there were a bunch of military veterans and military bands in the terminals. As I went back to pick everyone up, Cicero began to flood. We got home after detouring to avoid a slow moving train crossing Archer Avenue.
On my commute home on Monday June 22nd, 2026, near McKinley Park on Damen Avenue, I was passed by a car which proceeded around another car waiting at the red light in the left waiting for the light to turn green. The driver proceeded into the intersection and turned left before the light turned green.
https://youtu.be/FrsD7jyxeWI
On Wednesday June 24th, 2026, Elphie's sister Chase and brother in law Chris were flying in to visit for a few days. Yet another storm hit. This one brought a tornado warning closer to where Jill lives. We started to drive to pick them up at the airport only to find the flight delayed another hour. We got home, I noticed on a flight tracker that their flight circled near Dayton, Ohio. We got to the airport to pick them up. Elphie went in as I waited in the cell phone lot. Elphie said there were a bunch of military veterans and military bands in the terminals. As I went back to pick everyone up, Cicero began to flood. We got home after detouring to avoid a slow moving train crossing Archer Avenue.
LIVE @ The Salt Shed (06.25.2026)
On Thursday June 25th, 2026, Chase and Chris were going to see Amigo The Devil with The Dead South at The Salt Shed. They had offered to buy us tickets but we weren't comfortable with the price tag. I kept an eye on the re-sell market and ended up getting Elphie and I tickets in the afternoon for less than half of face value! So we also went to the Salt Shed to see the show. While I was at work, they ordered Falco's Pizza getting the deep dish style. I got home, had a couple slices of pizza then we headed out to the show and got there without too much trouble. A selfie outside the venue was necessary, apparently. We passed through security without any issue and got to our grandstand seats which happened to be on opposite sides of the venue from each other. It turned out seats next to Elphie and I were not purchased so Chris and Chase made their way over to where we were for the Dead South set and being in our separate corners for Amigo The Devil. I captured clips from both bands and the night was enjoyable. The Salt Shed is a surprisingly well done venue. After the show, I drove them down the Magnificent Mile and we drove over to where a new goth night is happening but there was no parking and it was pretty late. Before I could go to bed though, we had to introduce Chris and Chase to Malört.
https://youtu.be/3rDCpOPV_Ac
https://youtu.be/Enzmkf1w9to
https://youtu.be/3rDCpOPV_Ac
https://youtu.be/Enzmkf1w9to
06.26.2026
On Friday June 26th, 2026, Elphie took Chris and Chase through the city going to the Bean, the Crown Fountain, and a few other sites. They met me at work and we proceeded north toward Highland Park for a comedy event at Madame Zuzu's. We drove on US-41 passing the Bahá'í Temple. We ate at a place called Michael's where I got a Buffalo burger. The comedy was decent at Madame Zuzu's and we hung around a bit after. We then drove by Michael Jordan's gate and then the Home Alone House after passing a cool looking church. As we returned to the city, I missed the turn I meant to take and the new detour ended up having us waiting at a light at the Grosse Point Lighthouse. We also passed the Bahá'í Temple again. In the city, we were able to see the Lindbergh Beacon on the Palmolive Building enhanced by the fog. We ended up going by the Obama Presidential Center again as well as a golden lady statue before heading back to the house. Chase and Chris had an early flight in the morning.
06.27.2026
On Saturday June 17th, 2026, we attended the graduation of Bobby which included acoustic performances from 6'10, Death And Memphis, and Flatfoot 56. While there, we hung out with the Theisen's and other friends and saw some fireworks lit off by neighbors. We also captured some fireworks while leaving the Theisen's house.
https://youtu.be/qmEB3pBeheI
https://youtu.be/-3usJ5XSEU8
https://youtu.be/3Ltksa5m5uc
There was nothing else noteworthy to finish the month so this is where the project comes to an end.
Additional soundtrack includes "Ghosts of Easter Rising" by Project 86, "Foggy Dew" by Bealtaine, "Resurrection Song" by Brother Daniel, "Feed My Frankenstein" by Alice Cooper, "Terror" by Starflyer 59, "Tàileadh / Changeling" by Leper, "Cloud City" by HUM, "Cloudcity" by Sheltershed, "Rise Of The Robots" by Staple, "Downpour" by Black Swift, "The Dryness And The Rain" by mewithoutYou, "But When He Saw The Wind He Was Afraid" by The La De Les, "Psalm Of The City Of The Dead" by ZAO, "Cemetery Gates" by The Smiths, "The Bottom Of The Grave" by Bryan Scary And The Shredding Tears, "Life's A Grave And I Dig It" by Nekromantix, "Ain't No Grave" by Johnny Cash, "Children Of The Grave" by Grave Robber, "In The Temple" by Wovenhand, "A Storm Coming" by Bradley Hathaway, "Stormchaser" by Terminus Victor, "The Storm, The Storm, The Storm" by '68, "The Aftermath" by Beloved, "Let The Wind Erase Me" by Assemblage 23, "Wild Wind" by The Dingees, "Changin' Wind" by Glenn Kaiser, "Protest" by 6'10, "Flash Flood" by The Bandulus, "Starla" by The Smashing Pumpkins, and "Mr. President (Have Pity On The Working Man)" by Randy Newman.
On Friday June 26th, 2026, Elphie took Chris and Chase through the city going to the Bean, the Crown Fountain, and a few other sites. They met me at work and we proceeded north toward Highland Park for a comedy event at Madame Zuzu's. We drove on US-41 passing the Bahá'í Temple. We ate at a place called Michael's where I got a Buffalo burger. The comedy was decent at Madame Zuzu's and we hung around a bit after. We then drove by Michael Jordan's gate and then the Home Alone House after passing a cool looking church. As we returned to the city, I missed the turn I meant to take and the new detour ended up having us waiting at a light at the Grosse Point Lighthouse. We also passed the Bahá'í Temple again. In the city, we were able to see the Lindbergh Beacon on the Palmolive Building enhanced by the fog. We ended up going by the Obama Presidential Center again as well as a golden lady statue before heading back to the house. Chase and Chris had an early flight in the morning.
06.27.2026
On Saturday June 17th, 2026, we attended the graduation of Bobby which included acoustic performances from 6'10, Death And Memphis, and Flatfoot 56. While there, we hung out with the Theisen's and other friends and saw some fireworks lit off by neighbors. We also captured some fireworks while leaving the Theisen's house.
https://youtu.be/qmEB3pBeheI
https://youtu.be/-3usJ5XSEU8
https://youtu.be/3Ltksa5m5uc
There was nothing else noteworthy to finish the month so this is where the project comes to an end.
Additional soundtrack includes "Ghosts of Easter Rising" by Project 86, "Foggy Dew" by Bealtaine, "Resurrection Song" by Brother Daniel, "Feed My Frankenstein" by Alice Cooper, "Terror" by Starflyer 59, "Tàileadh / Changeling" by Leper, "Cloud City" by HUM, "Cloudcity" by Sheltershed, "Rise Of The Robots" by Staple, "Downpour" by Black Swift, "The Dryness And The Rain" by mewithoutYou, "But When He Saw The Wind He Was Afraid" by The La De Les, "Psalm Of The City Of The Dead" by ZAO, "Cemetery Gates" by The Smiths, "The Bottom Of The Grave" by Bryan Scary And The Shredding Tears, "Life's A Grave And I Dig It" by Nekromantix, "Ain't No Grave" by Johnny Cash, "Children Of The Grave" by Grave Robber, "In The Temple" by Wovenhand, "A Storm Coming" by Bradley Hathaway, "Stormchaser" by Terminus Victor, "The Storm, The Storm, The Storm" by '68, "The Aftermath" by Beloved, "Let The Wind Erase Me" by Assemblage 23, "Wild Wind" by The Dingees, "Changin' Wind" by Glenn Kaiser, "Protest" by 6'10, "Flash Flood" by The Bandulus, "Starla" by The Smashing Pumpkins, and "Mr. President (Have Pity On The Working Man)" by Randy Newman.
Footage filmed using an iPhone 12 and 14 and Crosstour CR-900 by Elphie and Joel A. Swanson. Titles and other animations created and project edited using Final Cut Pro X on a Mac Mini by Joel A. Swanson.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh9ZwEF2QQpO_ZsH7j3Ts06Vv_7r-Brix
