The Beginning Of The End

Its a film about giant cockroaches that attack Chicago after escaping from Rantoul AFB, and the film was surprisingly correct in geography, mentioning towns that do exist along I-57. I want the effing bugs to descend upon us already. Just like Funky Nassau would agree, three guys who look like they'd be right at home in the Jaxter Hotel of my previous post. It was 42 degrees today and tomorrow it will be 7 degrees. Sunday the wind chills will be twenty five below. I'm really getting tired of dressing like Rorshach from THE WATCHMEN because I am this close to just keep the damn mask on all year round....Wayne

Living On The Cheap in 1979

At work today I was talking with the Xerox Repairman Supreme, Joe Flores, and we got to talking about the old days when we could live off just about nothing and enjoy ourselves. Joe Curtin, my boss, brought up the old Jaxter Hotel, at 58th and Kedzie. That was a dive with a strip bar in the basement and you could pretty much see bar fights like in "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown," knives and poolsticks and all. But back when I worked with the Elvis band, we'd leave our gig at Laurel & Hardy's on 63rd and St. Louis and hit the Jaxter. One guy in a jumpsuit, the rest of us in sdilk shirts and suitcoats. Looking back, I could've passed for Mr. Furley. The looks we'd get, but we got our beers at a scoot a piece, and those were the days. Joe Flores said he was happy with a pack of smokes and a longneck. I've also posted a photo of O'Banion's, which used to be on Skid Row in River North. It was a late night place that ranged from punk to new wave. I recall getting contact highs from pot smokers clothing and opening bathrooms on kids dry humping. Again, dressed as we were, this time from playing a dive that's long gone. As is O'Banion's and the Jaxter. Ghosts of the city again...Wayne