Jinked

I had never gone to the Printer’s Ball in Chicago before. Rahsaan and Mary have been a few times, and those few times they always had some pretty great stories to share. There’s always a lot of free reading materials (which I will probably just cut up for zines), lots of people to talk to, exhibits, demos, chaos. This year was no exception.

My day started around 2:30. I had driven from Chesterton (I was eating lunch with the Grossbauer peeps!) to Rahsaan’s house. He had offered to drive, so I was all for that. Not that I mind driving to the City, but any chance I get where I don’t have to take my own car is always a plus. Anyhow, when I got to Rahsaan’s place, he wasn’t there. I guess his day was a little more full than he realized. It was cool though. I always carry zines to read in my purse, and my car is really great for lying on. If you can’t recline on your car because it’s too nice or expensive or both, I pity you. You’re really missing out.

Eventually we got to the city, cycled around for good parking lots ($10 wasn’t that bad for downtown) and searched for this mysterious hot dog place Rahsaan wanted to eat at. They split the ends of the dog and char them. It looked tasty, but I wasn’t hungry at the time. At least it made him happy.

Walking back from the hot dog place, under the El (or is it just ‘L’) I saw the glint of something shiny. Something, very American. It was a credit card and a room key to the Hyatt. I scooped it up and looked it over. This was the third time in my life I’ve found a credit card just lying on the sidewalk. I think life likes to test my will, thinking I could easily turn thief at just the right time. Too bad, life. I WIN, YOU LOSE.

The person’s name on the car was Sheryl, so Rahsaan acted the fool and asked a woman who had just passed the spot if her name was Sheryl. She was blond. I thought she looked like a good Sheryl. She wasn’t.

I was going to call and just cancel the card; I didn’t know what else I could do with it, but then I remembered the room key. I would feel bad if some tourist had lost their only credit card while on vacation and had to have it canceled because it was lost. Well, I know I would feel pretty bad if that happened to me.

So Rahsaan and I walked to the Hyatt some million blocks away. It was okay though. I didn’t mind. Exercise is a good thing, and we had time to kill. Besides, it gave us a chance to scout the pubs and bars as we walked. Beer before the ball was a must for some reason.

So we returned the card to the front desk at the hotel, and the lady tried to find the person. We left, so I don’t know if Sheryl ever got her credit card back, but I like to think she did, and now has a better impression of Chicago as a friendly city. Too bad Rahsaan and I are from Northwest Indiana. Hee!

We had a couple beers at this place nearby called Mother Hubbard’s. We filled out an MLB nickname trivia game our cute server gave us and won swag because we got them all right. It was pretty awesome. “One of these is ancient.” I totally knew that was the Mariners. Thank you English degree. You helped me win bar swag. I’m glad you’re good for something.

At some point we ended up leaving Mother Hubbard’s and found ourselves in the Nordstrom shopping mall type thing. We went through the building to get to the street on the other side. Man, did I ever feel like I was 12 all over again and sleeping over at someone’s house. All these women lined up in chairs getting their makeup done by overzealous makeup counter “specialists” twisting arms to sell makeup. It was frightening. One woman asked how I was and all I could sputter as I walked away quickly was, “I am fiiiiiine.” Don’t do my makeup. Please.

A little buzzed, we took the bus back to the place where the Printer’s Ball was to be held. It was actually in the same place Zine Fest in Chicago was earlier this year. I’d love to get a table at that next time around. I wonder what it costs or what I have to do.

So Printer’s Ball. Got some swag. Met up with Mary. Walked some more. Saw Dan Hein of all people! Watched some dude do printmaking. Walked even more. Got hungry. We left for this Asian place. The meters were free for some reason, so that made us stoked. We saw Naz and her guy walking down the street, oddly enough. Got stoked again. Ate curry, sushi and drank tea. Left. Saw Pierre’s doppelganger. (Seriously, this guy totally looked like Pierre and weirded both Mary and me out!) Went back to the car.

Some asshat parked directly behind us, but left his phone number in the passenger side window of his car, so at least he knew he was being an asshat when he parked there. A minute or two later he came out, moved, and Rahsaan drove Mary back to the garage in which she was parked.

We then parted ways and went home. The end.

I wish I had brought my video camera. I told Rahsaan I would reenact the events of yesterday with stick figures, but I don’t feel like doing that right now, if ever. Sorry dude!