I Survived Lollapolooza!

I can’t believe it! After planning that one weekend for over a month, it actually went smoother than I thought possible. With over 20 people planned to stay in the house, the amount of final confirmations were that of over 15. When the last three flights were cancelled, and the weather was as cool as a mid summer nights dream, the weekend was fantastic. Everyone to some degree received an upgrade in accommodations. Those that were on the floor were suddenly moved up to the sofa sleeper. That’s Luxurious Living!

I feel sorry for the younger generation. Technology has certainly taken a bite out of being social. For the most part, everyone was great. But I noticed something odd. The older ones, 30 year olds plus were a bit more socialable than the younger ones. Don’t get me wrong, everybody seemed to be doing fine. But you got more eye contact for the older ones. The 23 year olds would be engaging and interacting as well but you would only get one eyeball! The other eye GLUED to that bloody screen!!

I actually think the ‘older’ generation got the best of both worlds. First, living in an age where social media meant taking your butt outside and knocking on your neighbor’s door to place football or an actual social game. When the Internet came along, yes, we did become ‘addicted to some degree’ but for the most part never forgot what it really meant to be ‘social’. After all it is our generation that founded the Internet, wifi and yet maintained some social abilities in the REAL world.

You young folks….grow up and get a life. Screen saver is not a LIFE!

I can’t believe that at one point when the Brit left the room I was actually envious and wanted to leave with him. The ‘kids’ were actually here for lollapalooza and I even asked them what their favorite artist were so as to continue the festival going on Pandora but they were sooooooo glued to their screen savers that it would have taken a burning building to tear them away from their 2 inch screen.

Even in the age of blogging, the thought that they were being blogged about was annoying to a couple who found out. The older ones were fine with it. Are you kidding me? We’re in the age of digital technology, digital files of every kind are posted on the internet and suddenly these kids, obsessed in everything digital are somewhat annoyed about ‘being blogged’.

Malaysia made a point since many of them are about to enter the professional arena. Thus the reason of me leaving out the names! But I told the kids that being that they are already grafted at the hips with technology and social media, then you of all people couldn’t control anything anybody does especially if you too are part of the problem of ‘voyeurism’.

In spite of these revelations, the Poloolzy folks mingled throughout the house sharing stories of their day gallivants thru the momentous musical acts that drowned out the day’s sun. Texas managed to purchase tickets for three days serving as an anchor for the rest of the day ‘passes’ the others had. She was suddenly the ‘popular’ one of the bunch since it was she who could tell each of them what to expect. On the final day, she went with Malaysia 2 to the madness event. The three from Canada, biologist, from Ottawa was interesting as well. One actually reminded me of Peppy Lepew in the way she talked. Her voice was like that of music in its melodic charm. Almost hypnotic. They had such a good time that they left me a note and a $10 tip before heading back into the cloudy sunset known as Canada. There were two ‘rockers’ (I call them) from Minnesota. At first I didn’t know how to take them. Full of tattoos on the guy and the girl had a ringed lip, I thought, ‘man….now would have been a good time to lock myself in a private room with a shaft on my side.’ Turned out I was completely wrong on that level as well. They were horticulturalist who’s one of many goals was to see various gardens put out by the city. Who knew! They spoke at how much they enjoyed their stay even to the point of going to the corner around 2 in the morning to pick up a beer. Even Malaysia 2, after arriving stayed an additional 3 days, cancelled her flight to extend one more day and cancelled her stay at the hostile she had previously booked. Yeah…. I think she was happy.

I feel bad for the 3 girls from Cancun since they had sent me the most emails prior with each email more excited than the next one. I had to have fausto to send them a text message just to see where they may have been since my phone was unable to send international text messages. Thanks Fausto!

As of now, it’s a slow week. Summer winding down. I’ve been fielding quite a few emails for longer-term stay since many are trying to either enroll or return to college. This week I only have six guests, two of which were unable to come since their flights were either delayed or cancelled. Tonight, Netherlands has arrived for three nights and one guest to arrive every day this week.

As my friend fausto once put it, I will have recommendations from the men on Mars before this is over with and so far, the recommendations has been growing at a steady ready. To date, there are 14 maybe 15 recommendations posted on the link. The reviews are so nice that I removed from the ad, the term ‘African American community’ and replaced it with inner city.

Nothing major has happened as of today, which I have to say, is nice…. I THINK! Malaysia has received two jobs as an engineer one of whom will require 90% travel and the other that will work around her travelling schedule. The brit is now working as the Asst. Director to Second City….so that means TICKETS for me!!! The only new discovery that has been made is the fact that my British ol chap is not so old! It turns out that he is only two years behind me. That explained a lot of the sarcasm we’ve been exchanging. With his seriousness of an old man and the playfulness of 40-year-old….its been interesting. But let Malaysia 1 tell it, we’re old and we need to get together for a happy ending so that we wont die an old lonely death. Great.

Sorry folks this wasn’t as colorful as the previous blogs but sometimes, bland is good!