Adam is in Arizona this week and who can blame him with the DNC kicking off tomorrow and he’s trying to fit the EK exhibit into the schedule. I hope so. Incidentally Krysten Knievel moved to Chicago (Robbie Knievel’s daughter and Evel’s granddaughter) and she fronts a rock bands and hangs at my friend’s bars, Live Wire and Liars Club to name two. No doubt I’ll eventually bump into her.
Wednesday August 14th I had the day off work and had the gear all packed the night before to go and podcast again from one of my friend Larry’s events. I hauled all of the gear, a big sign and banner and two stools down the stairs and Eric pulled up out front and we loaded everything into his big Jeep. He’s on a cane now, and at least it’s a cool cane, as he is recovering from his second spinal fusion surgery and there is one more to follow. He helped the best he could. When we got to the venue, The iO Theater at 1501 N Kingsbury we were told we had to set up outside. This was something I was not prepared for. There was not a cloud in the sky and it was around 88 degrees at noon when I was setting up, not once, not twice but three times. I was soaked in sweat. I brought along bottled water but it was warm. Had I been prepared I would have taken a cooler with ice.
At this point it should be noted that for the last 10 days I hadn’t had an appetite. I barely ate at all and I was losing weight fast. That’s the only part I liked. I had prepped food for the week but it all went bad because I could not eat it. Only soup. I originally thought it was a side effect of some new vitamin supplements I’ve been taking. And by the time CAN DO CON rolled around and I set up I had not eaten in over 24 hours. Eric begged me to stop taking them. Over and over. I was suffering and sweating and we had no shade at all and the more thesun moved west the hotter it was on us. I texted to Melita not to come. She didn’t understand and I kept trying to explain that buy the time she was out of court (she’s an attorney) I would be on my way home.
Due to what I thought was heat related I vomited on the way to the restroom. My nose was pouring and I thought it was my allergies.
I told Larry we would have to bail at 5 PM. I couldn’t make it and neither could Eric due to pain. He reluctantly understood. I should note that Larry puts 100% into his events and he as out there in the heat helping everyone set up. He’s an animal!
Jackie sent a text and cancelled since Phoenix was ill. I told her it was for the best. Eric and I barely made it thru an abbreviated podcast #1 and we would take a break and start #2 around 330PM. His business partner Mike was there now and as we started the second installment which we started after I puked a second time.
Everything smelled like weed, It was like being on the CTA. Everyone was walking around blazing pot. Neither Eric or I smoke. Neither of us enjoy the stench.
We managed to get about 30 minutes of podcast #2 recorded and I had to shut down. I could not bear it any longer. I slowly packed up and would sit in the shade. Eric sat in the Jeep waiting. Mike brought me a whisky which was a great gesture but under the hot sun on an empty stomach wasn’t what I needed to feel better. Mike helped with the stools and the manager of the venue carried the very heavy crate out. Everyone there knew I wasn’t doing to well. I should also mention that every single person we met who were part of the show or worked at the venue were some of the nicest people I’d ever met.
Finally we got to my place and I slowly carried 5 trips up 3 flights of stairs. Once in I jumped into a cold shower and layed down in bed. My cats came to my side.
The best part is Eric laughing his ass off at some of the drops I played .I did not tell him what I had planned. It was great. He also shared some hilarious Hollywood stories.
When I pulled myself out of bed I got onto AMAZON and ordered a case of Amazon Basic Care Pediatric Electrolyte Solution, Grape Flavor, Helps Prevent Dehydration, Replaces Electrolytes, Fluid and Zinc. I would have walked to Walgreens but just could not do another trip up and down 3 flights. I think that day I had already did 15-20 trips I just didn’t have it in me. That night was a rough night trying to sleep. Not only because I could not sleep I had cramps in my feet and hands and was feeling muscle spasms.
OH AND FOR THE RECORD AS I HAD PREDICTED DONNIE VIE CANCELLED
I had a Zoom meeting in the morning and got back to work and then my lower back pain kicked in from the carrying all of that weight up and down stairs.
When I did make it to Walgreens’ I also picked up a home COVID test. POSITIVE! I had COVID again and that’s what it was. That and almost 20 lbs lighter. I do have to say I’m pissed after having 4 of those vaccinations and have still managed to get that fucking virus.
I am taking it easy and not going out again till I go back home in two weeks to see my brothers. Back to Morristown for the first time since 1994 and back to Pittsburgh for the first time since Mar 23, 2003 when MK ULTRA was a sponsor for the United Tour with Pigface / My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult / Bile / Zeromancer / Forced / Bottom Feeder at Club Laga
HELLO ROCKFORD!!!
