lightning...

i have to share this video for a couple reasons...first, this video is just awesome. who doesn't like a lightning show? second, remember a few posts ago when i thanked my late crew? well, this is why...

Lightning strikes three of the tallest buildings in Chicago at the same time! from Craig Shimala on Vimeo.

our guys deal with a lot of crazy situations...the weather is no exception. also, i really like the way the city looks in this vid...ha! on another note...things are changing at work and not sure how much longer i'll be talking to these cats but, for now, im gonna enjoy these last couple of weeks. i am sort of happy i wont have to be babysitting anymore...sometimes it sure felt/feels that way...ha! seriously, its just dispatching but i will miss messing around with these cats...peace.

start planning...

some news from atlanta for those planning on making the trip...

first, there are no alcohol sales in the state of georgia on sundays. i had completely forgot about it...when i used to live in savannah we would make the drive into south carolina to fix this problem...ha! bars still sell but you can't buy a six'r to enjoy at the park. that being said...the race will be taking place at a park so plan ahead. stock up on saturday...not that there wont be plenty of beer provided by the organizers but you might want to have your own?

second, if you're planning on flying...now is the time to buy tickets. the longer you wait the more expensive atlanta gets. if you're driving...this won't be a problem...this is my plan.

third, if you are flying and you find that boxing your bike is cheaper than putting it on a flight with you...the cats over at "no brakes" will be glad to accept your bike and hold it down for you. make sure you contact them to work out the details.

fourth, this is mainly for the messengers who deal with flatlands like chicago...

It's far hillier in GA than in Chicago, so if you're rocking the singlespeed you might want to consider gearing down, but if you find yourself in a bind once you show up we'll be able to take care of that for you!

there you have it folks...start registering for the race as soon as possible. don't be afraid to contact the organizers with any questions at nacccs2010@gmail.com. big ups to the cats at "no brakes" for any and all help. that weekend they plan on helping out as much as possible...

The shop will be having a sale throughout the entire weekend on everything in stock. We've got a big huge backyard with plenty of places to lock your bike or chill. We'll likely be grilling, should have plenty of beers around maybe we'll pull out all the stops and make yall some sweet tea etc. nice little restaurant/coffee place next door.

keep an eye on the naccc's page for more info...if i understand correctly they'll be updating with more info soon...peace.

get yours now...

even if you can't make it to guatemala get your t-shirts now! good job to the organizers...great design...




head over here to order your shirts. again, great job and good luck to all attending the event...peace.

the late crew...

i can't say this enough...thank you. my late crew is, for lack of a better word, awesome. like i've said many times before...not many stick around to play from four to six. why? im done trying to figure that out. anyway...i would like to thank the five cats that constantly stay with me...

1117 wendell
1168 kyle
1141 kirby
6721 jerry
6787 nick

not sure if anyone heard but chicago got hit with a nasty, nasty storm on friday. we knew it was coming and apparently it was only going to last one hour...wtf?! how did they even know it was gonna last that long? don't know how they do it but just like they said...it swooped in at exactly four, right when i get to dispatch...yay? it lasted more than an hour...ugh! the winds were so strong that windows were being blown out of the sears willis tower...check it. newspaper stands and garbage cans were flying across the streets. grills left on peoples balconies of their condos were crashing down on the street. rain and hail...damn!! trees didn't stand a chance...

pic courtesy of the gromanowski's...

holy sh*t!! are you serious?! even though trees didn't stand a chance my late crew fought it and got the work done. i called every single one of them and told them that if they need to chill for a few...that was completely fine. no package is worth their life. even then...these soldiers toughed it out in weather that b*tch a*s trees couldn't handle...ha!

in all seriousness...these five are usually the cats that stay with me no matter the weather. a big thank you to them for toughing it out with me no matter the conditions. i will do my best to keep you guys happy during my shift...peace.

the perfect storm...

friday was an interesting day. i don't dispatch as much, sorry i keep saying that(ha!), but i can still tell when a day is going to be horrible. the phones kept ringing to place orders and to check on orders...ugh! it's not that big of a deal...this is the nature of the job. calls come in and the work gets dispatched.

for the most part, the last day of the week is usually busy. people are trying to get work done before the weekend and people are trying to leave for work early, especially right now that its warm out. again, this isn't a big deal...we're used to fridays. this past friday was special for several reasons...

1. the blackhawks won the stanley cup. this is a HUGE deal for chicago sports. they haven't won it in 49 years...one of the longest droughts in sport history. i'll get to the longest one in a minute(thats what she said). on friday, chicago celebrated the monumental ocassion with a parade that brought out millions...thats right, millions. have you ever tried riding your bike or driving your car through millions of people? it is not an easy task.

2. the blues fest at grant park. to be honest, if it wasn't for the parade the blues fest wouldn't be that big of a deal but still...the crowds went from one party to another. the streets were supposed to clear up around noon but thats not really how it went down. the blues fest had us singing the blues? allllright...enough with the silliness.

3. the crosstown classic. when the cubs and sox meet...it's always a big deal. the rivalry is something that people take very seriously. when it takes place at wrigley...well, the traffic is even that much more dangerous. the wrigleyville area is packed with bars and people flock to that area like they were giving away free milkshakes. wait, what? btw...the cubs have the longest drought in sport history without a championship...im still a fan but it sure is getting harder and harder(thats what he said).

4. only 7 riders came out to play. wtf?! seriously? i just don't know what to say...i would say im disappointed in the crew but my hatred for this gig has been growing to the point that i just don't care anymore. im not hating the crew...just the nature of the biz is starting to grind my gears. work will get done when it gets done. like i told one of our riders who was angry..."just breathe, this sh*t ain't worth you getting up in arms about it...lets just get the work done and start the weekend". im done caring about whether cats show up...i seriously just don't care anymore. i don't let this job get to me anymore...the manager looks at me/us like we don't know what we're doing...not much we can do when no one comes out to play.

there you have it boys and girls...friday was the messenger version of the perfect storm but we got through it. those who came out got the benefit of those who didn't. well...they also had to be pushed all over the city and for that i thank them. i know its nice to be busy but its annoying to be behind and annoying to feel over worked.

on another note, usa looked horrible agains england. i still have faith in our boys...peace.

it was nuts last night...

chicago blackhawks are the stanley cup champions...that is all...peace.

food...

there's a lot of info going up on the guatemalan site...the big week is quickly approaching. for those of you going...i thought i would share some personal favorites as far as food is concerned. don't get me wrong...guatemala has all kinds of cuisine that shouldn't be missed but i figure i would highlight some...

chuchitos...



this is basically a miniature tamale. nice and bite size but packs a lot of flavor. im sure it wont be expensive and makes for a great snack.

hilachas...



this is a cant miss in my opinion. shredded beef in a tomato sauce of sorts with chunks of potato. usually served with rice and make sure to roll up some tortillas with it. you'll be full for days after eating this sh*t...delicious!

chiles rellenos



damn! my aunt still makes these bad boys here in chicago. when she does...i make it a point to not miss out. stuffed chiles with pork and random herbs, spices, vegetables. i love this too much! put some rice on it with a tomato sauce and you're in heaven. trust me...much like the chuchito, it's also small in size but packs a sh*t ton of flavor.

paches



these are the same as tamales but instead of being made with corn they use potato. in my opinion...much more flavor and more delicious than a tamal. don't get me wrong...i'll get down on guatemalan tamales any day but if i have to choose im going with the pache, period!

mixtas...



oh-boy! the guatemalan version of a hot dog. instead of a bun they use a tortilla...any self respecting guatemalan knows you use corn...ha! then you grab a salchicha and put it with some repollo and guacamole...boom! my mouth is getting watery just thinking about it.

candy...




if you see boxes like these for sale...don't skip them. they're filled with delicious sweet guatemalan candy. especially the canillitas de leche...be ready for sweetness like you've never tasted. if you're diabetic or hyperglycemic...you might want to proceed with caution but, well...take a chance? candy in guatemala is like nothing else.

pollo campero...



yes. yes...it's a chain but it's delicious. here in chicago we are very fortunate, in my opinion, to have two in the city. seriously, i don't know if they'll have them in panajachel but if you happen to come across one...don't hesitate to stop by and have some chicken. don't skip on the sauces either. man-o-man...now i sorta want to go and get some.

anywhoo...i'll try and post some other random guatemalan stuff i can remember. i love my parents homeland. unfortunately, i won't be able to attend...i guess thats just the way the canillita crumbles? see what i did there? instead of cookie i said...ah, forget it. i reserve my silly jokes for the kid.

remember...keep your eyes on the guatemalan site. they're constantly updating it. they have just added a translator to it. good luck to any and all headed out there for the good times. thank you to all who have a hand in organizing, especially nadir...peace.