As I was walking into work Friday morning I was thinking about Saturday night. Well, there's the downtown gallery crawl. After that The Features would take the stage later that evening at the Mercy Lounge. Plus I had an invite to a party near Music Row being thrown by a co-worker. Seeing as I've already ridden my bike more this spring than I did last summer (I guess that's this summer's resolution) I realized it'd be easy for me to bike the entire evening. My apartment is on the west side of Centennial park, once I get across it and onto Elliston, which then turns into Church, it'd be a straight shot to 5th Ave North and the Arcade. Getting from the Arcade to the Mercy Lounge would not be too hard, get over to 8th Ave and follow it down to Cannery Row. Then, after the show I'd head up Demonbreun towards Music Row where nearby the party was being held. I just remembered how much it sucked with that bridge closed when you either had to get up to Broadway or over to Division. That was a painful period. Anyway, after the party I'd hop back on the bike and head home. Did I mention this is Fan Fair weekend? Parking would be a pain, tourists to dodge, plus the crowd draw for the Features would mean a packed Mercy Lounge parking lot. Free spaces downtown would be at a premium so there's $4 (Library garage, if there's space) saved. And now that they're charging $3 to park on the back lot and with gas prices being what they are it was a done deal. No way was I touching my car which has sat most of this past week (see above about walking into work).

I love it when a plan comes together.

Around 6:30 I finally hopped on my bike to see how well my plan would work. I've biked to the Flying Saucer a few times but never the additional five blocks to the heart of downtown. The ride took about 10-15 minutes. Not bad considering it'd take about the same to drive and find parking for the car. Church Street was not too bad to bike on but I stayed on the sidewalk to avoid Nashville and Fan Fair drivers. Until drivers get better about respecting bicycles around here I'll stick to sidewalks unless there's enough space on the street for a bike. One bad corner sidewalk on Church I had to dodge a traffic light pole, the box to run the traffic lights (one of the few not blaring music these days), and a hydrant. I feel sorry for someone in a wheelchair since it's obvious no one realized the tight squeeze those three objects presented. I walked my bike into the Arcade after I watched them yell at my friend Kami for riding it inside. Seeing no obvious bike racks I carefully chained my back to the stairwell making sure that it did not interfere with the operation of the stairs.

It was the night I decided to break down and buy the Brother Mel guitar I've been eying at the past two gallery crawls. It did not hurt that Brother Mel was there. There were a number of other pieces I wanted to take home but this one piece was enough. Red, black, and white, I think it'll look great in my living room with everything else that's going on. Daniel is back in town and saw a friend who introduced me to a few more people. I finally bumped into Ben and caught up with him. We were both going to leave so unchained my bike. As we're standing there someone from the Arcade comes up and tells me I can't chain my bike there and that he about got the bolt cutters to throw my bike in the alley. I asked, do you have a bike rack? No. You have to find some other place to chain up your bike. I realized there was no point in trying to argue with the guy. He'd hear nothing of "maybe you should get a bike rack". Apparently it's such a big deal to them that they can't be bothered with putting up a sign saying not to chain a bike there either. Whatever. I had a show to catch.

I got back on Church and then cut down 8th. It was another quick trip 5-10 minutes, no big hills, and the traffic was reasonable. The Mercy Lounge is another place that could benefit from a bike rack. Granted, I was the only one that rode their bike to the show. Still, if more people realized how close it is they'd do it too. Despite all the hipsters being worked into a frothing lather about the opening bands I thought they were ok, but not great. They were well rehearsed and tight but the first band was basically nothing but the same disco beat from one song to the next. The middle band was good but at some point I bored with them. The Features however did come out and rock it. I've never been so hot and wet at the Mercy Lounge. It was a steamy sauna not helped by the rocking taking place on stage. Funny, for a band that would not do a cover song for a commercial and as a result lost their record contract they sure seemed to have no problem letting Camel cigs plaster the Mercy Lounge. The band never acknowledged the corporate sponsor but they did not have to. Every inch of the Mercy that could be covered was festooned with the Camel logo.

Post show I hopped on my bike and hit the party. More art, more music, more interesting people. I got to talk Illinois politics with someone that pays as much attention as I do (for me it's boy I'm glad I don't live there anymore). Around 4am I hopped on my bike making my way towards Vandy's campus and onto an empty West End. The only bad part of the trip is hauling the bike up and down the stairs of my apartment. I made it up the stairs, put my bike on the balcony, crawled into bed, and passed out. Art, music, friends, exercise... all on a bike. I'm looking forward to the next time I can pull a plan like this together.

Made up Band Name of the Day: Spaghetti Western