#chicago 2012

[thisisablogabouttheblackkeys]

Another great gig poster by Crosshair - Chicago, 2012.

[starboydjh]

For my friends on Tumblr who don't Irish dance or who don't understand it, I'm going to tell you why I dance. 

See that little brunette girl with the Dora the Explorer bob in the blue dress? that was me ten years ago. she started dancing because she was a busy child and her mom thought it would be fun. she would watch the "big" girls and think "I'll never be that good."

Now, see that girl in the red and black dress, dancing on the NAN's stage for the first time in Chicago? that was me last summer at my first nationals. Unfortunatley, due to some medical issues, my father couldn't be there, but as soon as i got off stage after dancing my light shoe round, I called him and the first thing he said was "You're one of the big girls." 

I dance for the girl in the blue jumper and blouse who never thought she'd ever dance at nationals. I dance for the sparkle she'd get in her eye and the smile she'd get on her face when she'd watch the open champions dance. I dance for the girl who used to beg her mom to sneak into the auditorium while we were waiting for medals to watch the big girls. I dance for her. not for the medals and the trophies and the sashes. 

I know this was really long and corny and emotional but it's been ten years so cut me some slack.

xoxo hadley

[whistlerchicago]

(photo: Kristen Kaza)

Now that we've all fully recovered from that epic New Year's Eve party at the Whistler, I'd like to take a moment to thank all the people who made it possible.

Kristen Kaza, who conceived and produced the best party in town.

DJ Tess, for spinning slow jams and setting the perfect vibe.

Les Soubrettes, for taking burlesque to the next level.

Bell Fine Foods, for providing exceptional snacks.

Mollie Nye, Jennefa Krupinski and Emily Beaufort, who did a little bit of everything.

Our incredible staff at the Whistler: Eric Henry, Charles "Rib Shack" Simpson, Alex Pilkington, and Stephen Holliger.

And these folks, who provided goodies for our gift bags:

The Pleasure Chest

Imbibe Magazine

Weatherby's Bitters

Letherbee Gin

North Shore Distillery

Bow Truss Coffee Roasters

Whistler Records

Miss Jessie's

Penny Lane Hair Studios

I really don't know how we're going to top it next year — but we'll try!

—Billy

[defmills]

Deftones fukkah

[yoknapatawphagentleman]

I have to get this out of my system, or I'm going to go insane.

Call me crazy, but I think it's insane to act like such a little kid when you're walking through Chicago. These people are on a mission, and they'll cut you if you don't act normal.

And the aimless flirting in our group has to stop. I can't deal with it. As well as people that are just acting stupid. I can't handle it. I need these people to get it together.

I just had to get away from them. I'm sitting in the hotel lobby. Sure, I'm about to do some research, but mainly I just had to get by myself. It's been a crazy day and I can't deal being around people I know or am supposed to know anymore. I have to have my alone time.

And this conference. My gosh. I hate to be this guy, but this is kind of a waste of my time right now. So far, Model UN is just like the normal UN... acting like they know EXACTLY what they're saying, but not having any solutions. And the UN can't really fix anything! My committee sat around, trying to define literacy. Stupid alliances. I just sit in my seat and let people come to me.

Plus, I'm wildly unprepared. There are people in my committee spouting all of these declarations and programs and such that I have NO CLUE about. I don't know how China acts with Eritrea... I didn't even know that was a recognized country until a few hours ago! People are looking at me like I'm stupid, and if there's one thing I don't want to be, that's misunderstood as unintelligent.

As an added bonus, there isn't wifi in my hotel room, or in the committee rooms in the Sheraton. What kind of junk is that.

I really want to be in my bed at Belmont, watching tv with no cares in the world. Unless something big changes tomorrow, I'm not doing this in the future. And it probably won't, seeing as I'm in committee for over 9 hours tomorrow.

Pray for me.