Tim Stopulos

As you may have picked up from earlier posts, I recently moved into a new joint in Chicago. It's a nice little apartment north of the loop in Edgewater, and I'm living with John Michael, a comedian from Dallas. I thought I would give you guys all a tour, so you can see how real ballers live.







Boom. Right when you walk in, you get hit in the face with this. Chairs with green pads on them. Windows so high my camera can't even see the top. A phat medium-size screen TV on a kitchen table. Floors of the richest hardwood. That's a tough living room. I mean, green pads, people. Oh yeah, 3 course menu for 12.99 at Friday's.

It's snowing in Chicago
and cars are passing by.
I stare from undressed windows
at the dusted walks outside.

It's cold here in Chicago
strangers are dormant foes.
No one smiles or says hello
their lips are frozen closed.

It's dark here in Chicago
The days they end too soon.
It seems the sun's no match right now
for the ever-present moon.

It's snowing in Chicago
each flake twist and turns around
searching for her perfect spot
upon the whitened ground.

I'm new here in Chicago
and like her, I've come to see
if I can find a spot
that perfectly fits me.



It's snowing in Chicago
from a light and looming gray.
My words, like snow, fall quietly
and soon will melt away.

Thank you to everyone who came out to Uncommon Ground friday night. That was officially the most fun I've ever had playing at a coffee shop. Thanks to Brandon for the great sound, Seville for the great loaf, Shannon for the roadie services, BK for leaving Common for Uncommon, and J Bine and TStopIII for taking the time out of their Chi-town Saturday nights to come see the show. I hope everyone had a great Saturday.

By the way, I have a CD of the show, so I'll put up some sound bites from it soon. Stay tuned...

Highlights:

1) Play it Cool in G#
2) Jon (back from the dead)
3) Meatloaf
4) Post-gig Jam at Mark's

I've been in a rock band before. I remember thinking it was a lot of fun. I got to write music, play it loud with some friends of mine in front of people. Really pretty awesome. I want to do it again someday.

However, I just got done playing Cherub Rock on drums on 'Rock Band' the video game. And it was amazing. There's something about that game that makes you feel like you are truly an outstanding individual when you play the songs right. I've kinda had a buzz going ever since I finished, which was a while ago. I look forward to doing it again.

The whole thing's pretty disillusioning really, because I've been in a real rock band. I know what that's like. Honestly, the feeling I got after finishing the game was comparable to the feeling I got after a concert. Granted, the 'Rock Band' crowd is more raucous than any crowd I've played for. Still, it seems like a real life rock band experience should blow away a computerized one. Right?

Which begets the question: Could a virtual experience ever be as good, or perhaps better, than its real-life counterpart?

If nothing else, it's good for everyone to get a chance to feel like they're rocking socks.

Thoughts...

I got a few requests for the tab to this song, so I thought I'd just post it here until I get a tab section on the site. Here's how I like to play "Where I'm Going".

WhereImGoing.txt

With the 1.05.08 show at Mulligan's, the Quad-Cities leg of the FutureStopsLoveShow has officially come to an end. Coal Valley, IL turns out to be a pretty cool place, thanks to Pieter Hanson and co. I'll be back at Mulligan's again in about a month. So keep your eyes out, C Valleyans (and those who live in the CV burbs). And FYI, my name is Tim Stopulos, not Tim Stopulus, as Mulligan's would have you believe. That's the trouble with being Grecian-American. But that's my challenge.
I'm heading back to the Windy one in a few days. The holiday season was a good time, and I'm looking forward to coming back and playing the QC soon.

Highlights from FSLS 1.5.08

- I'm a Believer (first danced-to song of the evening)
- Ants Marching (2nd time around)
- Malaga (it just felt right)
- Happy Birthday (a cappella)

Thanks for coming - take care and keep in touch.

Tstop

So it wasn't quite as futuristic as I think we all would have liked.









Still, the FutureStopsLoveShow had enough Stops, love, and show to make up for the lack of future. And I think we can all agree that JT was there, in spirit. All in all, it was a beautiful thing to behold, and a very decent way to start 2008. Or at least the first weekend of 2008. Thanks to everyone who came out, especially those who requested originals. That's refreshing. Tonight, the FutureStopsLoveTour continues at Mulligan's in Coal Valley. If you didn't get enough last night, or any at all, come out tonight.

Highlights from FSLS 1.4.08 (in my opinion)

- Where I'm Going (Feat. J Stops on keys)
- Wait it Out (winner of best crowd attentiveness for the evening)
- N'sync's "Merry Christmas" a cappella. (shortest song of the evening)
- Pride and Prejudice (winner of 2nd to last song of the evening)

Then again, nothing tops "One Bread, One Body" (see above) or "Piano Man (Joe Lucas version)"

See you soon!