NATO Summit

Well, another NATO summit has come and gone and I, for one, am beat.  Three solid days of protesting is hard on this dog.  But boy oh boy did I protest some stuff.  I marched against pollution.  I marched for pollution. I protested large corporate America.  I also filled out some job applications at Boeing and JP Morgan Chase.  I attended many sit-ins - though I generally fell asleep during them.   I met a number of fine people, all passionate about their cause.  Many seem to be on the same grooming schedule as I.  I went to the Mayor's house and whizzed on his lawn - not so much as a symbolic gesture of my anarchist tone - but because I had to go and that was where I was at the moment.  I hope that I did not make a brown spot on his grass, because he seemed to have nice grass.  Most Mayors do.  You can't have some half-ass lawn if you're the mayor.  Some of the protests that I attended did get a little crowded.  I'm not sure where the next NATO summit is, but I hope that they consider a place with some more space.  Montana would be great.  We'll go up there and shake our collective fists at the mountains and peaceful beauty.

Brian Boitano Event

As I was watching the Chicago Blackhawks game with the Old Man tonight, I saw a commercial for an event that I know is simply going to be huge.  It is the Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular featuring a performance by Chicago.  A combination of greatness!  I can't believe that this has not been thought of before.  Two artistic superpowers weaving their magic together under one roof.  At least two or three nights a week, I find myself listening to post-Peter Cetera era Chicago in my headphones while watching old tapes of Brian Boitano performances.  I've always found it infinitely frustrating not to be able to enjoy both loves simultaneously on the same artistic canvas.  Now I can - and I can enjoy it live.  I must get tickets.  However, I am frightened to even try to comprehend what the ticket scalpers are charging for this event.  I have to assume that the prices rival those charged for the Super Bowl.  Or the Globetrotters.  I mean, how do you put a price on Brian Boitano fluttering around to "Saturday in the Park."  Tears will be shed.  I - Hoagie The Dog - love jazz-influenced classic rock.  And I love the art and pageantry of figure skating.  I don't imagine that I will be able to afford the ticket.  However, I will be at home, on the couch with my headphones on, "25 or 6 to 4" playing, watching either a tape of Brian excelling in the 1988 Olympics or perhaps a tape of his Food Network show "What Would Brian Boitano Make?"  I'm cool with that.