Close Up and Personal: Faces in the Crowd

[Juan C Ayllon]

Hey,

Last night, a band called "Lost Identity" played at my brother, Luis, and his wife, Lisa's place, Cabs Wine Bar Bistro in Glen Ellyn, IL.

Dave Kinney, a regular patron at Cabs, was a member of this group that reunites every several years and covers a lot of retro songs, including hits from the Beattles, Crosby Stills and Nash, and Erik Clapton.

Here are the photos I shot last night:

'Lost Identity' at Cabs!

Cheers,


Juan C. Ayllon

[Juan C Ayllon]

The Picasso Statue in Chicago Wearing White Sox Hat

Well, the Chicago White Sox finally did it. Wow.

They swept the series against the Houston Astros, winning the final game 1-0 in a very tightly contested series.

My hat's off to them.

Cheers,


Juan C. Ayllon
CBZ Staff Writer and Illinois resident

[Juan C Ayllon]

Hey,

I attended a Murder Mystery Dinner at my brother's place, Cabs Wine Bar Bistro, in Glen Ellyn, IL this past Halloween. It was a lot of fun and the food was great!

Below is a link to some photos:



Murder Mystery at Cabs!



I wore the football jersey and pads seen below to the dinner, which I borrowed from a high school football coach and wore to two Halloween parties two days before.






Here's a photo of three sisters who threw one of the parties on Saturday:



After I visited them, I went to another in Woodstock, Illinois, where I DJ'ed on and off into the wee hours of the night (someone else linked his IPOD to my DJ console and played sets while I socialized, then gave a half-hearted attempt at mixing some CDs). Fun times!

Enjoy!


Juan C. Ayllon

[kikibalt]

Great photos Juan, it looks like you guys had alots of fun

Frank B.

[Juan C Ayllon]

Thanks, Frank! Both the parties and the murder mystery dinner were a lot of fun.

I hope you have a great week,


Juan

[Juan C Ayllon]

A while back, Karl Hegman and I made a bet on the World Series, with the winner receiving a steak dinner.

Well, I won.




Juan C. Ayllon Collects on White Sox Bet!

I enjoyed my steak at Cabs Wine Bar Bistro in Glen Ellyn, IL while taking in some blues, courtesy of Zora Young playing at her new CD release party.

For more photos, click on the link below:

Zora Young CD Release Party

Thanks, Karl!

Regards,



Juan

[Juan C Ayllon]

Carrie, a new friend

Well, I must say that since I've joined an online dating site, things have taken a turn for the more interesting!

Pictured above is a gal I started chatting with about three weeks ago or so. She's a real sweetheart. Anyways, we're supposed to meet just after Christmas when she swings into town.

At very least, things will be very interesting over the holidays for me!

Regards,



Juan C. Ayllon

[Juan C Ayllon]

“I Have a Friend in Michigan”

By Juan C. Ayllon


I have a friend in Michigan
She makes me feel like a kid again
She makes me laugh
And makes me want to sing
When we talk I don’t want the words to end
Now if I was a billionaire
I’d buy a plane just to fly out to her
I’d fly in just to hang around and chat
I’d walk her dogs and I’d wash her cat
And let her know that she’s really “where it’s at”
I’d build a house right next to hers
With a big old porch and two rocking chairs
We’d watch the birds and butterflies
And cumulus clouds billowing in majestic skies
We’d sing silly songs and play fun board games,
Chase her dogs and dance in warm summers rains
So as I muse in Chicago’s cold north suburbs
And fumble hard just to find the words
I wish I had a boat to fly across the lake
To see my friend who makes my heart quake
I wish I had magic powers to take away her pain
Cast it in the lake to never be seen again
I’d bind her wounds and make her really know
She’s got a heart as pure white as the driven snow
Thank you Jesus, thank you Lord
For bringing us your majestic holy Word
Giving us a chance to live again
And giving me a cool friend in Michigan


By Juan C. Ayllon, Copyright 2005

[kikibalt]

Thats beautiful Juan.

Frank B.

[Juan C Ayllon]

Thanks, Frank! I really appreciate that.

It was both fun and cathartic writing the piece.

I hope you have a beautiful weekend, my friend.

Enjoy those "In 'n' Out Burgers!"

Cheers,


Juan

[Chuck1052]

Juan- Thanks for your wonderful posts and I hope
that you have a great Christmas and a Happy New
Year.

- Chuck Johnston

[Roberto Aqui]

Hey, Juan, good luck, and as an aficianado of the opposite sex, BE CAREFUL!

I am no a poet, but the onliest poem I wrote and sent to a young lady literally broke down the gates of HELL. That was over 12 yrs ago, and the smoke is just now clearing!

[Juan C Ayllon]

Hi Chuck,

Thank you for the kind words! That means a lot to me. I wish you all the best over Christmas and the new year as well!

Hey Roberto, thank you for the sage advice. Whew! Unfortunately, I have a tendency of wearing my heart on my sleeve more than I'd like, especially when I really like someone.

I'm reminded of the words of Steve Perry's song, "Foolish Heart", in that regard:

-------------------------------
FOOLISH HEART
Steve Perry
(S. Perry/R. Goodrum)

I need a love that grows
I don't want it unless I've known
That each passing night
She'll want somehow
We'll be there ready to share

I need a love that's strong
I'm so tired of being alone
But will my lonely heart
Play the part of the fool again
Before I begin

Foolish heart
Hear me calling
Stop before you stop falling
Foolish heart
Heed my longing
You've been wrong before
Don't be wrong anymore

Feeling that feeling again
I'm playing a game I can't win
There's knockin' at the door
My heart wants more
Think I'll let her in before I begin

Foolish heart
Hear me calling
Stop before you stop falling
Foolish heart
Heed my longing
You've been wrong before
Don't be wrong anymore

Foolish heart
Foolish foolish heart
You've been wrong before

Foolish heart
Hear me calling
Stop before you stop falling
Foolish heart
Heed my longing
You've been wrong before
Don't be wrong anymore

Foolish heart
Oh, foolish heart
You've been wrong before
Foolish foolish heart

---------------------------

Maybe for Christmas, I'll get a "Kevlar Heart Protector." They sell those, don't they? ;-D

Anyways, all kidding aside, I'm sure things will work out the way they should. As the saying goes, "Let go and let God." That's what I've got to do...

Hey, everyone, have a safe and great Christmas, New Years and holiday season.

All my best,



Juan

[Juan C Ayllon]

Jerry Quarry's Son

[Juan C Ayllon]

Wow. What a difference several weeks make.

I actually met up with my friend from Michigan several weeks ago. It was interesting and fun, but didn't work out quite as I'd hoped. We're still friends, but that's about it.

Interestingly enough, I started dating a local gal who lives about 45 minutes away and I'm having a blast. No poems right now, but who knows? Maybe down the road. Easy does it...

Have a terrific day,



Juan C. Ayllon

[Roberto Aqui]

It seems as though you have an unlimited field to play in Juan. Take care you don't pick the last flower in the field you scamp!

[Juan C Ayllon]

Hey Roberto,

That's funny! Well, it's good to have fun.

I'm home sick with a cold today, as I ran myself into the ground this weekend and got sick.

I went out with Becky on Friday night, prepared for DJ'ing a weddding on Saturday, went to Harvest-Rolling Meadows to watch Becky sing in a choir at their 9:30 service, then sit with her afterwards, drove to Harvest-Lake Zurich where I caught some worship music and helped count the collection money, drove back home to pack my gear and drive to the hotel where I set up and DJ'ed for a wedding, which began at 4:30 PM and wrapped up around 10:30 PM. It went very well and may be the source of other gigs, as the groom said he felt there were lots of future weddings brewing...

What was cool about this hotel is they gave me a hotel room to change in both before and after the wedding reception. I'm so used to changing into and out of my tux in the restroom, so this was a much welcomed surprise.

It was after midnight by the time I broke down, packed and drove my gear home. It was friggin' 6 degrees F! I think I carried in about two things and left the rest in my van. Too cold for me! As my head was stuffy, I called in sick.

It felt good to sleep in and get some much needed rest. Still have the stuffy head, but oh well. I'll just have to get some more rest!

I hear that the wind chill factor has it below zero today. Yuck.

I'm chatting with my mom on the phone now, so I'll run.

Have a great day,


Juan

[Juan C Ayllon]

Hey,

Last night, I got together with some of my buddies from church to watch the Bear's play-off hopes get dashed by North Carolina. However, we still managed to have a good time. At halftime, we tossed around this huge, ancient rugby football I'd gotten at an antique store years ago. As it was getting dark, Tom Glunz turned on these back lights on his huge back yard. Later, we went to Gino's East in Lake Zurich, IL for some deep dish pizza. See photo below:



From left to right, there's John, who shot photos for one of my CBZ fight reports, Ryan Sems, and Tom Glunz, who's shot a lot of photos for a number of my fight reports.

Hey, friends are the best.

Cheers,


Juan C. Ayllon

[Juan C Ayllon]

Hey,

We caught our share of snow last night, as evidenced by the following photos of my back deck:





That's my weimeraner, Zoe, in the shade!

Cheers,


Juan C. Ayllon

[kikibalt]

Juan

Cool pics. but put your dog inside

Frank

[Juan C Ayllon]

Hey, I had a good time with my new friend, Lori, today. We grabbed coffee at Starbucks, then a bite at my brother's restaurant, Cab's Wine Bar Bistro, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.



It was a fun night. As her birthday is coming up in a couple days, I bought her this goofy teddy bear, which she got a kick out of.

Interestingly enough, after I dropped her off at her car, she called my cell, as her car was giving her serious problems.

After calling AAA, we took in some jazz at Cabs (Sundays nights free at Cabs) while we waited for the tow truck.

After we followed the tow truck to the garage, we shared some laughs before dropping her off at her place.

Interestingly enough, I knew her older brother in Southern California back in the 80's. It's a small world!

Anyways, needless to say, I'm having a good time getting to know cool people at this juncture of my life.

Cheers,



Juan C. Ayllon

[kikibalt]

Juan
here is a pic. of my son Frankie and i in Laughlin Nv., for the Laughlin motorcycle river run. that my Harley in front of us, an that Frankie's Harley in back of us.

Frank

[kikibalt]

Juan
Here is a pic. of my wife Connie ( L ) doing a interview with Jim Hill from KCBS-T.V

Frank

[Juan C Ayllon]

Hi Frank,

Very nice pics! Thanks for posting those up.

When I lived in So. Cal., I used to hear about Laughlin now and again, but never made it out.

Just curious: What was the interview with Hill all about?

Have a great day,


Juan

[kikibalt]

Juan
The interview with Hill was about our sons boxing career's

Frank B.

[Juan C Ayllon]

Thanks, Frank! Those sons of yours were great!

By the way, you might enjoy the photo below:




It's Rita Figueroa and Oscar De La Hoya at the fights on January 27, 2006.

Hope you have a good day,


Juan

[Juan C Ayllon]

Yeah, I've been slummin' it at the crib the last several days, trying to kick this nasty stomach flu. Today, I seem to be on the downside of this bug.

Having missed an excellent fight card in Cicero last Friday by all accounts due to this illness, I look forward to getting out and about.

Above are a couple photos I shot of myself while playing with my cell phone camera.

Sheesh,


Juan C. Ayllon

[kikibalt]

Hey Juan, cool pics. but you need a shave

Frank

[Juan C Ayllon]

Thanks, Frank! I appreciate that.

And, oh yeah, I'll be shaving tomorrow morning before work, that's for sure!

Hope you have a good evening,


Juan

[Juan C Ayllon]

Hey,

I thought you'd enjoy this indepth interview of WBO Heavyweight Champ Lamon Brewster of mine that just went online at the latest issue of "Wail!":

Lamon Brewster Unplugged!

Cheers,


Juan C. Ayllon