Brian Michael

As my summer winds to an end, I can look back and gladly say it was amazing- at least musically. I went to several music festivals and concerts- let me tell you about one such event.

I was freshly 21, and ready to utilize my new ability of buying drinks. I also wanted to journey into the Windy City itself, Chicago. On a whim, I bought a day pass for the Metra and a ticket to some bar called the “Cobra Lounge.”

Riding the Metra for the first time was exciting! I’m grateful for the other passengers who helped me out with figuring how things worked. I even met a guy who I attempted to talk about concrete with. I even rode one of the “- Line” trains, which stopped for a good ten minutes for some unknown reason.

At the lounge, I proudly displayed my ID to the bouncer. He glanced at it and marked my arm with a big “X.” Confused, I asked about its purpose. He responded that it was for those underage. I kindly asked him to check my ID again. He did, and said, “oh, never mind. You’re good.”

“What about the ‘X?'”

“Just wash it off.”

Without questioning what was stopping anyone under 21 from washing off the “X,” I went in. After the “X” was essentially gone, I went and bought a burger and a drink. I even got to meet one of the band members of Vatos Tristes (guy with trombone pictured above).

It was finally time for the music. There was this large room off to the side of the bar that was dimly lit and crowded with people. I had quickly realized that these events are probably more fun with friends. Oh, well. I did meet some cool people there, so that’s cool.

There were several bands playing that night- the already mentioned Vatos Tristes, SCAM LIKELY, Daundry, and bloom. I checked some of their songs out online, but hearing them live was very different. The best way I could describe it was very punk-rock-like. As such, there was a sort-of mini mosh pit. At first, I was really good at standing around, but later on I partook in the mosh pit. It was very fun but also tiring.

Eventually, the bands finished. I left to ride a night train (which I have now learned that you are not supposed to do). My first train was slow to arrive, and I started to panic. The next train I was supposed to take, the Metra, was arriving in five minutes. The time it would take for the current train to arrive plus for me to walk to the train was eight minutes. As soon as the train stopped, I ran as fast as I could to the Metra.

I saw the train pulling in and sped up even faster. After hurling myself up a flight of stairs, I did it! I was there on time! I was-

Oh.

The train was on the other side of the tracks.

Most expensive Uber of my life.