We are not as young as we were, truly. After our slow start due to a very late night and consumption of a bit of Grey Goose, we finally decided to venture into the world just before dinner. Yeah, okay, it was a very slow start. What can I say? The couch seemed more appealing. Anyway, once we graced the outside world with our presence, our first stop was the Amalfi Hotel. As I’m sure you all know, this hotel is the location of Durandemonium 2013, the Duran Duran Fan Convention, that we are organizing for October. While we have heard nothing but fabulous things about the hotel, we still wanted to see it with our own eyes. The first thing we notice, of course, is how it is nestled in a good area. There are a ton of other hotels around along with a variety of restaurants and bars. Of course, Harry Caray’s, where we will be enjoying the dinner/dance part of Saturday night, is right across the street. The outside of the hotel is sleek and modern, which fits in well with downtown Chicago. Nice. As I entered the lobby, I was amazed at how the pictures of the hotel online are really accurate. It really does look that cool! I wondered as there have been many, many hotels that look a certain way online but fall short in reality. Not this one. Of course, we had to see more than just the lobby so we took the elevator up to see the Manager’s Reception going on and the meeting room in which registration will be taking place. As we exited the elevator, I immediately noticed the volume. People at the Manager’s Reception were clearly having a good time! The Manager’s Reception is a nightly deal at the hotel in which there is an open bar and appetizers that is included in price for hotel guests. We walked into a very happening bar area that was crowded with people. The two bartenders seemed very busy mixing drinks. We also noticed that people were taking their drinks with them, which will come in handy for Friday night of the convention as we have games planned for that time back in the registration area. Both Rhonda and I were pleased at how contemporary, sleek and cool the hotel was. It seemed clear to both of us that they really want to cater to people like us!!!
After our stop at the hotel, it was onto dinner, which was good as we were beyond starving. Now, the fact that we were stopping for a decent meal should alert the universe that this was not a normal tour weekend for Rhonda and I. You see on tour, we often don’t eat. We joke that there is not food on tour! Why is that? I guess it happens because we are too busy traveling to get to our next spot and we just run out of time. After our very large meal, we were off to Panic night at the Beauty Bar. This is one bar/club that I haven’t been to in Chicago. It has a very unique theme in that it literally focuses on a beauty parlor image completely with getting manicures there and hair dryer seats lining the walls. Fascinating. Anyway, Panic’s music focused on a 80s theme, which we welcomed. They even played Rio! Did we look like dorks counting down the 1, 2, 3, 4 that Simon usually does? Probably but we didn’t care. We also had the opportunity to get pictures taken in an old-fashioned photo booth in which the pictures come out in that tiny filmstrip of 4 pictures. Well, ours were…a little less than flattering. We didn’t have a plan, which was the problem, we think. After a few hours, though, we were really starting to drag. While we didn’t do a lot during the day, we still didn’t have a ton of sleep. That was our excuse. Of course, it could be that we are getting old and can’t do multiple nights in a row anymore, but we thought about one other possibility.
We need adrenaline. On tour, we have it in abundance. First, we are always on the go either getting to our next location, getting ready or being at a meetup or show. There is no time to acknowledge one’s tiredness. None. We can’t afford to be tired and call it a night. If we did, we would miss something. We can’t have that. Nope. That would be unacceptable. Even though, touring provides the adrenaline needed for multiple late nights, I have to admit that getting sleep last night feels pretty good, too. This leads me to conclude that the BEST plan moving forward would be for the band to tour but that they allow a day in between. For example, this could be done by playing more than one show in the same city before moving on. They might appreciate a schedule like that as well. It would allow them the same kind of rest and less travel.
While on the topic of travel, today, Rhonda and I drive back up to Wisconsin, to my place. Tonight, Duranies will converge at my happy home to talk Duran, watch some Duran, maybe play a Duran game or two. I’m looking forward to it!!
-A
I do think too, their concerts are pure adrenaline suppliers.
Since they’re recording material for the new studio album, which I guess they’d love supporting with a tour sometime soon and somehow, now I just have to sit and wait for the announcement of a live date, keeping my fingers crossed.
By the way, today I enjoyed their BBC in concert 1982 live from Hammersmith Odeon Theatre.
Cool is your description of the Fan Convention hotel Wow!