june 2025: softball season
Summertime means softball.
For the past some odd years, I’ve been a member of the CHIRP Radio softball team in a local media league. We’re not the best, but we have been told that we’re the most fun. We’re the only ones who bring a giant speaker and play walk up music for each person who goes up to bat (for a long time I was “Deceptacon” but this year I’m trying out “Things That Are Bad For Me Part 2” by Colleen Green because it’s so tuff). I think we have a lot of heart and try our darndest in each game.
I grew up decisively being a non-athlete, but I tend to say yes when I get asked to do or join something. That’s how I initially got roped in even though I never played before. Now, I love it. It’s part of my summers. I like playing on a team and being outside. I’ve moved up from being relegated to catcher to playing short center field and feel so satisfied when a ball thwacks into my outstretched glove and I get the batter OUT.
What are you up to this summer? Stay cool out there!
July 27: I’m DJing for CHIRP at Millennium Park, opening for Lala Lala and Horsegirl! Free show! Grab a blanket and camp out on the lawn when I get things started at 5:30.
I unintentionally read two books in a row about people who time traveled to the present without causing a paradox. Both are great:
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (romance, spy thriller, Arctic explorers)
Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob the Drag Queen (Black history, queerness, hip hop)
Summertime is also street festival season in Chicago so there’s free music everywhere all the time. We’re spoiled.
July 16: Surprise Chef at Schubas Tavern
July 17: Les Savy Fav with Meat Wave and Babe Report at Empty Bottle
July 18: Finom playing a free early show at Kilborn Park
July 26: Letters to Cleo at Wicker Park Fest (I’m very tempted to try to catch their late show the same night Ovef Ow plays Reed’s)
July 28: Horsegirl and Lala Lala (and me the DJ!) at Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park
I’ve been embarking on a musical journey with Matt where we’re catching up on every notable new release so far in 2025 and thinking about our mid-year top albums lists. I’ll share some recs next time…
