DirtSwimming

WHERE CHICAGO VIEWS THE REST OF LIFE.

Friday, June 30, 2006

Naperville Ribfest 2006


Come out to the Ribfest in Naperville for a taste of the best ribs around. Prospector's favorite for the last several years have been the Aussom Aussie and Texas Outlaws BBQ. A fitting festival hosted by people who don't get their hands dirty.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

The Prime Time Of Your Life. Now. Live it.


If Daft Punk defined Coachella in 2006, what will they do at Eurockéennes in Belfort?

Shady Chicago Politics. Again.



So Stroger finally is giving up. He wants his son to take his place as president. He wants his best friend Beavers to take the commissioner's spot. That vacates two alderman seats in the city. Who will get them? Beavers wants his daughter to take his spot in the 7th ward. She can do it. She is his chief of staff. Who will get the 8th ward? A friend? A family member? 3 to 2 odds it will be one of those.

Why does Chicago politics have to be Chicago politics? Aren't the feds cracking down on politcal clout? Or are just the building inspectors getting the axe? Just more unqualified people getting jobs they don't deserve and soaking up more tax payer money.

Would this all have happened if Forrest Claypool won? Why? Claypool is by the book. If anyone could've stopped the spin cycle of political corruption it would've been him. Stroger's [in]convenient stroke won him A LOT of sympathy votes. It was also [in]convenient that several of the south side polling stations had "issues".

Maybe in DirtSwimming's next life, they'll be born into a more connected bloodline. Good luck Todd. Just don't raise our taxes.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

SUV v. Compact Car


Is a standard SUV really worse for the environment than a fuel efficient compact car? Depends on who you ask. Depends on what you do. If you don’t like to get your hands dirty, or are a minimalist, or a bum who mooches rides from your friends, and you still own an SUV, then you are exactly what are causing this planet to become Venus. If you are constantly on the go, moving for friends, moving yourself, or making your place an IKEA showroom, chances are you make more than one trip anywhere. This really does not cut down on fuel emissions, save at the tank, or cut down on traffic anywhere.

If you look at the pattern of growth in real estate and auto purchases, SUVs have gone up in sales consistently with the housing market. Home Depot, Lowe’s, Crafty Beaver, and others have seen their lots fill up with both hatchbacks and SUVs since their inceptions, and have probably noticed the same cars returning to fill up with bricks for retaining walls, closet rods, and bathroom tiles, that would normally take just one trip in even a Jeep Liberty. What’s more, these compact cars have less horsepower and power than the SUVs do, and use up even more fuel and energy because of the excess weight. Carrying 300lbs. in a Rodeo does not have the same impact as it would in an Accord or Camry. Distance traveled has similar factors, not counting the weight. An SUV with an average city rate of 17 MPG that has to go that same distance to and from Point B has used up one gallon. A compact car with an average city rate of 30 MPG that may have to go at least twice to and from Point B has used up more fuel than the SUV. If it has to go a third time, that is almost one gallon more.

Rather than pushing for people to drive smaller, more fragile cars in an effort to conserve gas, automakers, government officials, and the cast of Grey’s Anatomy should push for more energy efficient SUVs. We have the Mariner hybrid, as well as the Escape hybrid, but what about the Hummers? The Jeeps? The Land Rovers?

Monday, June 26, 2006

NBA Draft: Why the Bulls need Adam Morrison



Prospector has been accused of favoring the Great White Stiffs of basketball. Having Dirk, Nash, Hinrich, Gasol, and Ben Wallace (not white, but best defensive threat since Rodman) on the floor on the same team would be a dream come true. Prospector should also admit that in 10 attempts at a layup on an 8 foot rim, 2 were successful. It is not a racial issue, or a demographical opinion. Prospector grew up in Chicago (inside the city limits) and has watched and read of some of the best talent to come out of area schools the NBA has to display. Schools such as Simeon, Westinghouse, Proviso East, King, St. Patrick, Providence-St. Mel., Farragut, and Thornton just to name a few have produced the best players and coaches anywhere in the country. But Prospector enjoys Hoosier and Euro ball. Players who play with every last drop of energy in their bodies because that is what their little league coaches (fathers) wanted them to do. White stiffs have disadvantages in the NBA these days. They are not as big, not as agile, and frankly not as athletic as others. They must rely on outside shots, oversized elbows, and wild hair to survive. Which is why the Bulls need Adam Morrison.

Prospector would love nothing more than Chicago to take Andrea Bargnani, but that is unlikely. Morrison is big, and tough. He is a player that is not afraid to get knocked down, and can get his team going. He would also be the perfect compliment to Kirk Hinrich, who has been searching for a Nick Collison since he left Kansas. Morrison and Hinrich would be the Stockton & Malone of the early 21st century. This is a long shot as they may just end up as the Steve Kerr & Craig Ehlo of our time. Prospector has also given up on Tyson Chandler. You've fooled Chicago long enough. While Shawn Marion would be an invaluable asset to the team, the Bulls would have to sacrifice too much to get him. Giving up a #2 pick in the NBA draft is like Gibson's giving up red meat. But the Bulls have the #16 pick as well. Also a very valuable position. This could put us in line with JJ Redick. When it comes to basketball in Chicago, we are very forgetting of personal setbacks.

Jeff Fest Leaves Some out in the Cold


Prospector went against his word from previous experiences at the Jeff Fest and went not once, but twice in one weekend. In years past, the crowd has been plagued by a crowd you'd expect to see at a downstate county fair. People were rude, fights broke out, dental work was left at home, and sponsorship was at a minimum. On Friday, Prospector ventured out because he believes in second chances. Upon paying the $5 donation, the crew stumbled upon Mike & Joe, and was as pleased with their music as with the crowd that joined them. The mood definitely catered to the 35 and under crowd, and sponsorship extended nearly one city block. Pretty impressive considering the fest covered only a 1.5 block area. The food looked good, but the beer tasted better, so the liquid diet got two thumbs up.
Pressure from friends drew Prospector to the Fest for a second night on Saturday. The blues in the air only meant one thing: this was not going to be a 35 and under crowd. While the $5 donation hopefully didn't go into a back pocket, our guess was that most in attendance chose to keep their donations to themselves. The crowd definitely were not virgins to a good time. While the liquid diet of Bud Light filled the stomach, the urge to photograph the less-than-attractive still was kept to a minimum. The theme for Saturday was Even The Women Can Kick Your Ass. The two steps forward Jeff Fest took on Friday, were taken back on Saturday. Mike & Joe better start practicing, because unless they play for 72 hours straight next year, DirtSwimming will pass on the Jeff Fest.