Everything Hits at Once

Yesterday I had one of the busiest days I've had in a while but it was all positive stuff. With my writing assignments, sometimes my deadlines are spread out when other times they all converge at once. Yesterday I had some music previews due, then I had to go interview a band in person and then I had to attend two concerts in a night. Needless to say, a lot of converging.

First off, I had to go to Metro and interview the band the Presets before their show that night. Granted, I'd already did a phone interview with them a couple of weeks ago for another publication, but whenever a chance arrives to do an in-person interview, I jump at the chance. There's just something so much better about interviewing a band in person. More impersonal, I guess. There was a Cubs game about to start so I got to the venue a little late. Luckily I still was able to interview the band backstage. It made me feel like that kid in Almost Famous except not quite. I felt all important holding out my recorder and asking questions. Usually most people make me really nervous, but for some reason, it doesn't intimidate me to interview bands or people in general, even if that band is from another country. I think I see it as my job and just delve in. After the interview, I rushed home, ate dinner and went to church. Yes, church.

So there's this new music venue in the city where bands play in an actual church. I thought it was an interesting idea, so I pitched it to a magazine I write for. At the last minute, they wanted me to attend the concert and interview the priest. Of course I was already supposed to cover another show later in the night, but I decided to take on both tasks. Everything at the church went swimmingly. I interviewed everyone I needed to and got to stay for part of the show. Last night was the first time I've been in a church in I don't know how long. The past couple of weddings I've been to haven't even been in churches. It was kinda a cool venue and it was especially weird to see hipsters mingling there and drinking beer. Yes, they serve beer in this church! I left half way into the show and managed to make it across town to see my fave band right now, Cut Copy play. I even had a VIP pass which just meant I had a good spot to watch. I was amazed how I was able to accomplish so much yesterday. It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun. It was such a contrast hanging out in a church listening to a mellow band then going to see a dance band in a club. And interviewing a priest. Story of my life, I suppose. So now I have to transcribe a bunch of interviews and turn in some articles soon.

I think I've decided to hold off on any sort of day job as long as I can, i.e, until my money runs out. I just can't balance both an office job and the writing I'm doing and I feel my writing is more important in the long run. I will get paid for some of the stuff I write, albeit now right away. I just need some time to figure out what direction to take. I really enjoy being a journalist and being out there in the world talking to people.

This weekend, the momentum isn't stopping. We're right in the middle of a heavy concert season. Tomorrow night I'm seeing another concert at that church. This one should rock a little more. This weekend is also the annual Hideout Block Party comprised of several bands playing in the course of two days. I know I'm going to part of it, but probably not all of it. Then Sunday night and pretty much every day next week, more shows. I'm trying to make up for my lack of going to shows in the past few weeks.

The weather has surprisingly been nice here. I should go to the beach or something. My bday was okay--nothing too special. I didn't really celebrate it until Tuesday night when the boyfriend took me out to a nice Italian dinner. And then of course seeing my fave band live a day later seemed like a late bday gift. I'm just glad it's over with. Welcome to my early 30s. Yikes.