The past week was a relatively slow week followed up by a fun and busy weekend.
We will go head and skip head to Wednesday April 23, 2014 when I drove over to Aurora to film the Aurora University vs Benedictine University lacrosse game. This was my first time testing out the $2,500 lens I got my hands on a 70-200mm f/2.8L telephoto lens. It was different than my normal 18-135mm, hence the super zoom ins that I was experiencing, but the difference in focus between foreground and background was incredible. Not to mention the photos, even though I only took a few. Video to come next week, check out some of the photos.
On Thursday April 24th, I was able to catch the classic Neuqua vs Waubonsie lacrosse match up. I filmed the game and pumped out a video by Sunday afternoon. The video is posted below, but when I was watching the game I kept having flashbacks to 2006 when I was a junior on the team and there was a bench clearing brawl mostly involving JJ suplexing a huge guy over his shoulder. Great memories.
Friday the 25th found me furiously editing 2 lacrosse videos in the morning before I headed out to Carmel, Indiana for my first FV tournament of the year. I finished editing a game I filmed about a week ago, between Aurora and Hanover which was a blowout but had a few good shots. Check out the highlights below.
Continuing on to my Friday, I drove over to Carmel, Indiana, about a 3 hour drive around 3 pm. I arrived and settled into the hotel and then drove over to The Vogue theater to catch Deer Tick open up for The Hold Steady. The theater was along a normal city road, so I parked in the neighborhood across the street for free! John told me about this show about a week ago and fortunately I was headed to Carmel, right next to Indianapolis that weekend for lax, the perfect combo! Then the past week, John's computer crashed and he lost a semester's worth of work, so he had to skip out on the concert, but I couldn't let this deter me from seeing Deer Tick perform for a second time, so I hoped in line after a 15 minute drive over to the Vogue theater from my hotel.
While waiting in line, I met a nice couple my age from Purdue University, Francis & Andrew. I tried to pawn off my extra ticket, but had no luck, as it appeared all those wanting to see the show already had tickets. At the door, the doorman asked for my ID and then a second ID, as if I don't look 21 with this Goatee, child please.
Once inside, I headed toward my usual spot, a bit off to the left and second row, perfect spot to see Deer Tick take the stage. Francis and Andrew ended up right next to me for Deer Tick, they were there for DT as well, and had found out about them through Middle Brother, the collab band between Deer Tick, Dawes, & Delta Spirit.
The show started and Deer Tick played a fantastic show as usual. I love the way they perform and play their music. Awesome. John McCauley, the lead singer, unzipped his pants at the end of the show, and I was thinking, wow, here comes his willy. Instead he lit a lighter in his hand and then began to burn his pubic hair off. He did this for a solid 30 seconds, and he was loving it! Quite the end to their portion of the show. Unfortunately they were the opening band for The Hold Steady so they could only play a certain amount of songs. After their show was over, they sent their set list into the crowd. Francis, the girl next to me, who I was now best friends with, ended up with it. I was able to snap a picture of it (before she got it signed by leader singer John). This was the next best thing to having actually received the set list.
While Deer Tick cleaned up their set and took their equipment back stage, I watched with a close eye and took a few steps back to let The Hold Steady fans get closer. While this was happenign lead singer John began taking pictures with fans off to the side of the stage. I started to snap a few photos, and got a semi-decent one. Right after this happened I struck up conversation with two woman who took a pic with John and then one of their husbands. Two of them were parents of a 16 year old who loved Deer Tick but couldn't come to the show (21 and yup). We chatted each other up for about 20 minutes while the band set up. Finally they came on, and the crowd absolutely loved them! The Hold Steady really got the crowd into it and I was having fun, but didn't know the lyrics and the concert was more of story telling performance, so I felt like I was missing out. After about 45 mintues on the stage, I decided to head out. On my way out, I came across the Deer Tick merchandise table. After carefully browsing the items available, I decided to pick up my first vinyl album. War Elephant by Deer Tick. Even though I still haven't officially opened or played the album, I felt a great connection buying this, and holding it in my hands. It felt like gold.
On my way out to the door, I saw the bassist of Deer Tick picking up a drink at the bar. I walked up to him and told him, "great show." He responded with "Why thank you." As I shook his hand I told him that, "I loved it!" What a great concert and experience. Last time I saw Deer Tick, Rachel recognized the Drummer and high fived him. This time I recognized the Bassist and shook his hand, and after I did so, other people started to congratulate him. Legendary.
I walked out of The Vogue that night, so happy that I went to the Deer Tick show by myself and smiling from ear to ear, holding my first ever vinyl album. I listened to two songs they have yet to play live for me all the way home, Mange & Blood Moon. I blared these songs through my car speakers all the 15 minutes home from the theater, what a show. Come back to Chicago Deer Tick!
I got back to my hotel in Carmel around 11:45 pm, but my night was far from over. I went down to the hotel bar, which was closing at midnight, and met up with a lax dad from my team. He wasn't done having fun, so we went out to TGI Friday's for a few drinks a few apps. We had a trio of apps, as well as some fried green beans. I first had a Jack Daniels and Coke. Then the lax dad I was with had other plans for me, Maker's Mark on the rocks. The bartender joked with us how the lax dad was taking me home to get some tonight. Funny, but a little weird! After 3 of the Marker's Marks and another set of Jack Daniels sauced apps, we headed back to the hotel, and I finally crashed around 3AM, a happy coach. What a great night.
The next day was our first tournament as a team. Since I had not started drinking until after the concert, I was perfectly fine. We lost our first two games, 6-2, and 13-5, but then turned on the jets and won our 3rd game 10-6. The goal of the year came from one of my attackman in this game who dodged behind the back and stepped in for a rip during the game. So sick! I drove home 3 hours that Saturday evening, after 3 hard fought games, but more importantly, 2 sunburt legs due to my above the knee khaki shorts I was sporting. On my way home I stopped at Steak 'n Shake and picked up my usual, Triple steak burger and fries, chicken tenders and fries, for a solid 9 bucks total. What a deal!
Sunday April 27th I spent editing lacrosse videos all day, and then coaching a lax game. After work on Monday the 28th, a lax dad brought by a 64 oz Solemn Oath Brewery Wreck IPA beer for me and Gio. Such a kind gesture that we both for surely will enjoy, and I am enjoying as I write this blog!
This past weekend I also watched the movies Princess Mononoke and The King of Summer. Princess movie was a great animated film about destroying the earth, made in Japan, basically the Stars Wars of animted films. And Kings was a great film about enjoying childhood and being free during the summer. Oh how I miss it.
So there it is, the last week of my life in review, summed up by an awesome Deer Tick concert. If you haven't listened to them before, you need to do yourself a favor and listen up. Start with War Elephant, or ask to come listen to my vinyl album of it. I finished up this Tuesday by filming a lax game between Naperville North and Naperville Central. Another 2 games, 1 college, 1 high school coming later this week, then Rip the Duck weekend in South bend where Rachel plans to take the train out to me, what a sweet woman!
Check in next Tuesday!
It's Ya Boy!
Josh