Friends

I’ve been getting emails about the weird things going on with my blog. Keep ‘em up, please – they all help as I re-design this thang.

As you can see (on the actual site, if you RSS), I’ve moved forward with the new theme I wrote about a couple weeks back. It’s called THESIS by DIYthemes, and so far I like it.

I’m getting help from this guy and even this guy, but my objective is to learn all about the code and get to a point where I’m writing it myself. So far, so good.

Next I plan to:
• change fonts to a san-serif
• add a background image border
• move the header and include a new design
• add social networking links, a portfolio page and fresh blogroll
• upgrade to the latest WordPress version

WEEK IN CHICAGO

Last Tuesday night I arrived in Chicago for a working session with new clients, a visit with family and friends, a Stalelife-sponsored White Sox event and games versus the Cubs.

I posted a bunch of new images on Flickr. They tell a quick story, but here are some impressions:

• The Garcia’s baby girl Cecilie is as cute as reported. Strong, too.

• Sadly, I missed seeing two other new friends, Rylan Soble, Matt and Amy’s boy, and Wil Salihar of the Warren and Lisa Salihars. Next time…

• You forget how much advertising there is on the streets of Chicago until you get back

• Great weather - I even wore a jacket one day.

• The Sox can beat NL teams, apparently just the last-place ones.

• Cubs fans are even more obnoxious after a twelve pack. Ugh - worst fans in baseball.

• Working with my partner Kurt is much easier in person. 

• I missed my family every day, and that feeling got stronger the closer I got to home.

There’s more images at my Flickr account. Even ones with people nowhere near as uggo as that Cubs fan above.

One of my friends from SXSW, Andy, had a funny quip when I mentioned that I miss a good rhythm and blues riff (not found with the new bands).

He simply said “that’s because you’re old” in his thick Edinburgh accent.

It’s true, I grew up eons ago on the Southside of Chicago. We regularly saw great blues acts, like Buddy Guy, Ko Ko Taylor and Bo Diddley, at P.J. Flahertys on 95th. My friend Brian Finn worked the door and I never paid a cover, and hardly ever paid for a drink with Patty behind the bar.

In particular, I recall the Bo Diddley show – he was a man amongst men on stage. Pure self-imposed greatness (he hardly got the credit he deserved), even his first hit was titled “Bo Diddley”, followed years later by “Hey Bo Diddley” and “Diddling”.

His music was covered by big acts, like the Beatles and Stones, who were looking to re-invent the Chicago style. And by George Thorogood who brought “Who do you love?” into the mainstream . His notes were used by everyone – Elvis, U2, The Animals, The Clash, The Stooges and dozens more.

I hope Bo found love in life, because his music was an amazing part of mine. I was fortunate to have his talents in “my backyard”, and I think he deserves credit as the father of Rock and Roll

RIP, Bo Diddley.