A Silent Revolution in a Time of Resolutions

This is the time of year I usually look back and reflect on the year that was and also look ahead in anticipation of the year to come. This year I have decided to simply think about right now. I get so caught up with being nostalgic about the past and plotting the future that I get lost in real time. I have learned alot because my life has been thru so many twists and turns and what I figured out is that you can plan and plan and go over every forseeable detail but life is not predictable. If it were it wouldn't be any fun. There is something to be said for taking things as they come and reacting honestly to the situation. Your instincts guide you and I think the gut reaction to a new situation is usually the most interesting way to go. Not overthinking and depth of comtemplation, just intelligent reactions based on who and where we want to be. There is a beautiful honesty for living in the moment. It's a different state of mind that breeds new course of direction. Gives you the strenght to take chances.

Taking the Big Chances: Has anyone made a new years resolution yet? Have you ever stuck to your resolution without fault? Why is it such a difficult task to make a mental decision and abide by it? The body is so easily swayed by the mind. Or maybe it's vice versa. What if this year we just choose one specific goal. Something that you can feasibly hold on to. An idea or a change that you know would make you feel powerful.

I think the first thing we need to do is envision how great it's going to feel when you realize you are in control of yourself. A successful resolution is all about control. We often put the power over ourselves out of our own self. It's the silent voice in the distance that won't let you do the things you want to do. I make my life more dificult that it should be all the time. I fight with mental demons on a daily basis but am starting to realize something. It's not about spending time arguing with myself. I can ignore those conversations altogether and simply go out and DO what I feel. I know the exact moment that I choose to relinquish control and maybe i can change that.

Your choice of resolution does not need to be stated here. That is something personal to you. What I do wanna know is how your quest is going and keep me posted of the ups and the downs. When do you feel good? What makes you feel weak? If you fall a bit off track were you able to get back to where you wanna be at. Do you feel you have to let other people down by doing something for yourself. Is feeling good about yourself making your relationships better with others around you?

It's important to me that we all have a great 2007. We are intelligent people and we have been successful in most aspects of our lives. This is about taking advantage of today. One small step at a time. Let's do something for ourselves that makes us look back on 2007 with amazement.

Start this tonight and the rest of your life.

Marty

The Murderer is a Mass Editor

I was approached by a magazine called Concierge Preferred in regards to writing an article about living in Chicago and what to do if you decide to visit. They said to give the article alot of personality and take people on a ride though your life in Chicago. I took the assignment seriously and took my time writing to give the piece some real deal Chicago feel. When I checked in and read the published article, it really kinda blew my mind. What the writer writes and the editor murders. hahaha

Click here


They took out alot and focused on names and places. I wanted to post the full deal here and let you read what I originally intended. I understand they had limited space for the article and thought I would rather have people see the cooler, less sanitized, version if they wanted.

Marty Marty Casey - A Day in the Life...

All of the amazing architecture in Chicago has created what I consider the most beautiful skyline in the world. I have performed in nearly every major city in North America over the past 10 months and when I'm riding home in the tour bus and hit I-90 (Skyway), I see the City of Chicago glowing on the water and I know this is where I belong. I love the energy of being right downtown and I like staying at the WChicago Lakeshore Hotel (644 N. Lake Shore Drive) with stellar views of Lake Michigan. Waking up early is usually not my bag but when I make the effort to get out of bed and catch the sun rising over the water it really sets the tone for my entire day. It always puts me in a great mood. The other perk of staying at a hotel along the lake is that sticking to your workout routine is not so difficult when you get the good vibe experience of running along Lake Michigan. I love running along the lake from Oak Street Beach up to Fullerton Avenue and then stopping to take a breath at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool(Corner of Fullerton Avenue & Cannon Drive) to see the serene lagoon environment and prairie-style landscapes designed by Caldwell in thelate 1930s. Once you walk through the gates of the Lily Pool, the sounds of the city almost disappear and the organic environment sucks you in as you focus on the birds chirping and toads croaking. This place is a necessary infusion of nature in the heart of the big city. I continue my run back along Lake Michigan and when I pass North Avenue Beach heading south, the city skyline is revealed and I always start singing the line from the Aliotta, Haynes and Jeremiah song called "Lake Shore Drive": "Well There Ain't No Road Just Like It, Anywhere I've Found, Runnin' South on Lake Shore Drive; Headin' OnInto Town". After the invigorating run I start getting hungry for Cherries Jubilee French Toast, one of the many unusual breakfast items offered at BongoRoom (1470 N. Milwaukee Avenue) in Wicker Park. The French toast combines caramelized brioche with dark cherry compote and vanilla beanice cream and served piping hot over multicolored plates. This place has a line out the door every day of the week. So, while you wait for your hot spot on the list, you can pick-up some new gear at Una Mae'sFreak Boutique (1422 N. Milwaukee Avenue), a hipster sheik clothing shop that carries new and vintage clothing. After breakfast I need to stop in at Filter (1585 N. Milwaukee Avenue) for a coffee to go. I got a long day ahead and need to fuel up on caffeine. With my rocket fuel in hand I head over to TK Men Clothing Store (1909W. North Avenue) and meet up with stylist Lindsay McKay and get my wardrobe for the upcoming tour. She has the coolest threads from around the globe and only buys unique items so no one else in town will own the same pair of pants or jacket. This store is all about unique personal style and I love it. Not to mention, there is always Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap in the TK Kegerator. I got my wardrobe in hand and now I need some vintage gear for the tour. I head to the Chicago Music Exchange (3270 N. Clark Street) because they have 100's of amazing new and vintage guitars hung from floor to ceiling. This place is a musician's paradise. They also have a phenomenal repair shop that can piece together all of my smashed guitars from the previous tour. With my newly acquired vintage Fender Jazzmaster I head over to Johnny K's new recording studio (Groovemaster) and get some rehearsals in with my band The Lovehammers. This is a state of the art recording studio where music by Staind, Three Doors Down and Disturbed has been recorded. Time for a late lunch and I am headed to Café Iberico (739 N. LaSalleStreet) for tapas and sangria. I love this place because you sit with your party at long tables and the environment really promotes conversation. The vibe is loud and the music is salsa infused. Each plate is a small serving so each person orders several dishes and you share. It makes for adventurous eating and everyone gets to try something they have never dared try before. I am still amazed that some people have never tried calamari or escargot. The sangria gets people dancing in the middle of the restaurant even if it is still only lunchtime.

I need to see some live music and I catch the Red Line train and getoff at Wrigley Field (1060 W. Addison Street) and take a short walkover to the Metro (3730 N. Clark Street). I love this place because many nights they have early shows starting at 6:30 pm. Sometimes it's nice to catch the early show and leave your night open for another event. Metro is the greatest place to see live music in Chicago. This former cabaret theatre has developed music artist ranging from REM to the Smashing Pumpkins. This is the place my band, Marty Casey& The Lovehammers, got its start. The owner, Joe Shanahan, is one ofthe most knowledgeable music aficionados in the country and he books amazing national and local acts nearly seven nights a week. My ears are ringing from the show and I need to relax and grab a beer before venturing out into the night. I like to stop at Elm StreetLiquors (12 W. Elm Street) and grab a drink and see who the guest dj of the week is. They have everyone from Kill Hannah to members of Filter spinning every genre of music imaginable. Lovehammer guitarist extraordinaire Billy Sawilchik dj's every Wednesday. I always make reservations at Wildfire (159 W. Erie Street) for a steak dinner. The black peppercorn encrusted filet mignon is the best I have ever had when served up with white cheddar au gratin potatoes, creamed spinach and steamed broccoli. This place makes me feel like I am teleported back to a supper club from the 1950's and the ambiance is really classy. You gotta dress to impress at Wildfire or you are just missing the point of even going there. The night is on fire and it's time for some action. A cool place to hang in the city is undoubtedly Rockit Bar (22 W. Hubbard Street). The upstairs bar spins killer rock music and live concert DVD's. The bar is always packed and it's best to try and grab one of the tables in the front of the upstairs bar. The owner is Billy Dec and he attracts many celebrities to the club. It's not uncommon to see Tommy Lee or G Love hanging out there when they are passing through Chicago. Rockit Bar is over the top and I feel like chilling out as the nightwinds into the wee hours. I head my crew over to Zebra Lounge (1220N. State Parkway) for some late night cocktails, Gardetto's snack mix and sing alongs with the human jukebox piano man. He knows 100's of songs and has been performing there for over 20 years. He is a definitive entertainer and gets everyone involved in the music with guest singers, tambourines, shakers and toasts to the town. It's closing time and right around the corner is the legendary Five Faces Ice Cream Shop (10 W. Division Street). The name is misconceiving because the place is more of a grease pit fast food spot than ice cream shop. I have never eaten at this place in the daylight but at 4 A.M. it hits the spot. The hot dog and fries combo is cheap and soaks up some of that last drink for the road that I didn't need. At this point I better be drinking some water cause it has been a long day of celebration and there is always another big day around the corner when your living life to the fullest in Chi-Town. Time for some sleep. The Bears start at noon tomorrow and we need to do some tailgating before the game.