Why does it seem like all the music groups that I want to see are in Australia right now?  Guns N' Roses, Linkin Park, U2, and Jeff Martin are there.  Please come back to Chicago!

Amplify’d from bestgaychicago.com

Chicago LGBT Howard Brown Heath Center in Serious Financial Troubles Chicago’s Howard Brown Center , which provides health services to the city’s LGBT community, is facing a potential shut down of its services over alleged financial mismanagement by the organization’s top officers.  The Center provides primary health services to over 6000 LGBT Citizens in the Chicago area, many of whom with HIV and AIDS. The Chicago Tribune reports, that Jamal Edwards, who was appointed president and CEO of the organization in June when two top executives were dismissed after an National Institutes of Health audit found they had mishandled the Centers funds, said Howard Brown will need to raise  $500,000 over 50 days and an additional $500,000 next year or risk closing its doors! . A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ office of inspector general report found more than $3 million in grant funds, part of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, or MACS, which has tracked thousands of men both infected with HIV and not infected with HIV since the mid-1980s, was used between 2006 and March of this year to cover general operating expenses at Howard Brown. Staff members have agreed to sacrifice paychecks if necessary, and he’s confident the community will rally behind Howard Brown. MAKE  A GIFT TO HOWARD BROWN   TODAY. Read more at bestgaychicago.com

I just got home from an evening of relaxation at the Starbuck's and I ate dinner at Panda Express.  I decided to ride my bike up there and enjoy the last day of moderate temperatures before the heat and humidity return tomorrow.  I was busy on the internet and before I knew it, I was there past dark.  I didn't realize it at the time but that was a huge mistake.  When it came time to ride my bike back home, a distance of about a mile, I was once again disturbed by how dark all of the streets are in Westmont.  In the past few years, I have been annoyed with the darkness of the streets in Westmont and Downers Grove, especially during the winter months because I walk everywhere.  I thought it was even worse this evening, riding my bike, because I could not see where I was going.  I grew up in Chicago and there were lots of street lights around and I guess I just don't understand how these dark streets here can be safe for the people who walk, ride, and live down them.  Its 2010, why can't they put in some street lights?  I am sure there are reasons that probably now include money issues but they seriously need them.  People get murdered, robbed, and shot in the suburbs too.  If someone wanted to hurt people, these streets would be a haven for them.  I would imagine that Chicago is safer even with all of its evils because at least the people there can see them coming.  Here, you can't see 2 feet in front of you.  So I guess my message to all the dark suburbs is TURN ON THE LIGHTS!!

Its been a while since I posted anything but that will be changing.  Since its been a while, I should update you, my readers, about what has been going on in my world. First, about 4 weeks ago, I finally quit smoking.  I started taking Chantix about six weeks ago and kicked the habit.  Its been a rough road to being a non-smoker but I am finally there.  Now I am counting the days until I can stop taking this horrible drug.  I hate the way it makes me feel, but right now its the only thing between me and a cigarette.  Chantix is definitely the lesser of the two evils, but it doesn't seem to mix with the Chicago summer heat and humidity. Next, I have finally purchased a new HP Pavilion Desktop Computer, the a6430f.  This means that all of my computer issues I was having before have been erased.  Now I can spend more time blogging and enjoying the social part of the internet instead of troubleshooting hardware problems.  I absolutely love my new desktop computer, which now has Windows Vista and Ubuntu 8.04 installed. Finally, I can now say that my ankle is pretty much back to normal.  Or at least as normal as it will most likely get.  Its slightly bigger than it used to be but all that hardware takes up space. Well, stay tuned for more soon!

Thursday, I saw Van Halen live at the United Center in Chicago.  Jenny and I enjoyed it thoroughly.  Its no secret that this time around, David Lee Roth is back!  They played all the old school Van Halen songs, including some that haven't been played awhile like Little Guitars, I'll Wait, Mean Street, Unchained, Dance The Night Away, Ice Cream Man, and more.  David Lee Roth is still quite the performer with his baton twirling, kicks, and dancing.  He also showed off his storytelling skills before playing Ice Cream Man.  Diamond Dave told a story about being at Kenny's, smoking pot, and watching the seeds roll off the Pink Floyd album cover.  Eddie Van Halen was also looking good after being in rehab and he performed awesome as usual.  Alex Van Halen still has his great talent as well, which was obvious during the drum solo.  Wolfgang Van Halen, Eddie's 16-year-old son, played bass and his great moment was when he told Dave, "Gimme A Break" during Unchained.  Wolfie did so well that Michael Anthony wasn't even missed.  But my favorite part of the show was when Dave was waving his red flag during the intro to Jump.  Other highlights of the show include a giant microphone, a blimp, and lots of confetti during Jump!  Overall, the show was great and it was definitely awesome to see the original play together again.  My hope is to see them live again, but I have this feeling this reunion is going to be short lived.  I am glad that I got the chance to catch the show and I can finally put the almost original Van Halen, with Roth, on my belt!

 

Yesterday, I went to see Collective Soul and Live perform at the Congress Theater in Chicago on Milwaukee Street. This concert had to be one of the best shows that I have been to, ever! I had a little trouble at first because I wasn't able to print my ticket anywhere before the show. I finally did get in after they found my name on a list of people who bought tickets for the show. When I walked in there I wasn't thrilled with the fact that it was standing room only and it was very warm inside. However, I found a spot and waited for the show. When the opening act came out, I was fortunate enough to meet a couple of women who asked me who it was on stage. I didn't know but it turned out to be the former lead singer of Tonic.  Since I was by myself the women took me in as their fourth person and I hung with them and the guy they were with.  Meanwhile the guy from Tonic performed well and the few people that were paying attention applauded. When Collective Soul came on, the crowd got more and more packed in. The heat started to rise in the theater and before I knew it, I was in a constant state of sweating. Collective Soul delivered some of their best hits and the crowd and I were yelling and going crazy.  It was pure bliss.  After the lead singer from Collective Soul told everyone, "Tell your friends you saw Collective Soul", they left.  Even though my legs were tired of standing, I wanted more Rock N' Roll as I waited for the final performance, Live.  I thought at that point I had seen the best part of the night but then Live came on and continued what Collective Soul started.  Only by the time they came on, the crowd got even more packed and more crazy and the temperature in that theater only went up.  Live performed and I was very surprised how awesome they were.  I can definitely say that I am now a hard core Live fan!  Overall, the evening was packed with high energy, great music, a die-hard crowd, and the kind of heat that can only be enjoyed at great concert.  I highly recommend seeing these two if possible.  Great show!  Below is the only decent picture I was able to take all night with my camera phone of Ed Kowalczyk of Live.