kidsmoke

Welcome to Via Chicago, uhfr! I know I wasn't the only one who was so very grateful you spoke up last night!

Personally, with my chosen power of Freezing Time, and my assigned power of Animal transmogrification, I might start the fun while waiting in line and when the line was getting long, I could freeze time for a moment, change into a giraffe or an elephant or kangaroo...maybe a manatee, the choice would be the tough part...and then restart time. Wouldn't that be a great boredom buster? The looks on the faces of my fellow line-waiters would be priceless. ("Shit! was that giraffe always there??") And then I could switch back to myself and everyone would be inside their own heads thinking, "I KNEW

Ok, so you've chosen a superpower in Superpowers - Part One. You've been randomly assigned a second superpower in Superpowers - Part Two. Now you get to tell us: How will you use your superpowers to make your next Wilco concert experience a more perfect outing? This should be interesting. Ready, go! PS - If you never got around to choosing a superpower, go here: http://viachicago.org/topic/49597-superpowers-part-one/ and then ask to be assigned your 2nd power, here: http://viachicago.org/topic/49607-superpowers-part-two/ and then you'll be good to go.

Ok folks, here's the second part of our Superpowers trilogy. You've made the difficult decision on what superpower would be yours. Debated about it, and finally committed to one. Now it gets fun because in this, Part Two, you get assigned a superpower to go with your self-selected power! That's right, and not by me, but by the gods of randomness. I mean, what superhero ever got to choose his or her own superpower, right? Did Superman? The Flash? Magneto? I have put all 18 superpowers into a hat, stirred vigorously, and plucked one out for each of you, one at a time. I of course returned each

Thanks, Paul. You always sum these up so very well, and remind me of little details I had already forgotten. Really appreciated!

I was going to try to put up Part Two of this today...you'll like Part Two, it's amusing....but it will need to wait until either late tonight or early tomorrow, since I've got a Tweedy solo show to make my way to in L.A. Bear with me. Part Three, the final part of the Superpower Trilogy, will follow hot on the heels of Part Two. See you later then.

I guess I'm going with freezing time. Maybe then I'll eventually catch up with myself.

I was contacted recently by Lotti, who asked if I could get a letter and some Swedish goodies To Jeff Tweedy and his family. I was happy to help, and now that Jeff has shared Lotti's letter to him, I will post it here for those of you unlucky enough to have missed tonight's dramatic reading. It really is a beautiful and extraordinary fan letter. Here it is in its entirety: To Mr Jeff Tweedy and Lady Wilco and childs and not forget Uncle Twopillow, I send little token of affliction for noble Abba tribute deed at Mass Mocking event. We have result of whipping round from all in village and

I'm going to say yes. No getting tired out.

Yes, but could you make correct change? Those of you choosing the Midas Touch should realize that I put this one in as a joke, and that Midas had no control over what he turned to gold. Everything he touched turned to gold! There are a few problems inherent in this. Even taking a piss could be a problem. Golden showers indeed. Now what did I say about making up your own superpower, John? No, you may not be "God" in this game. I'll probably put up Part Two of this game tomorrow or the next day, so everybody have your superpowers chosen.

Ew. I was going to choose invisibility too, but now I'm a little grossed out to think about what I might accidentally see or hear. Nose-picking for instance. Of course one could always leave, but maybe not quick enough. I may want to give this more thought. Same problem with mind reading!

Read #1 again. Yeah, mind reading would be intense.

I love kale too.

Yes, but choose a superpower, Anthony! Only those who choose a superpower will get to participate in "Superpowers - Part Two". You don't want to be left out!

Anchovies. But only on pizza.

Ok, since December seems to call for play and silliness, I give you this, a new game of sorts. It will be a 3-parter. Today's post (Superpowers - Part One) asks that you select the ONE superpower you would like to have, from the list below. Feel free to explain your choice. These are the only superpowers you may choose from, so don't go making up one of your own. 1.) Super Vision : You can see for miles, with infinite clarity! Includes X-ray Vision and Heat Vision. 2.) "Fish Boy" or "Fish Girl" : You are the master of the world's waterways, and can swim endlessly and breathe underwater

My you people are an even-tempered bunch! I expected many complaints.

Go ahead, you know you have them. Get them off your chest here. Like, I bought this gorgeous reversible Christmas wrap, and it is wonderful paper, but it is on such heavy stock that the edges are like razors and every time I wrap something with it, I'm afraid I'm going to give myself the mother of all paper cuts! I know, I know....silly first world problems.... ...but, PAPER CUTS! Ok so I've been very careful and so far so good. But I'll let you know. Stupid expensive reversible paper. What do you feel like griping about this season? It's better than bottling it up!

We're gonna need some new songs soon, Jeff.

And in response to "Heavy Metal Chicken", may I point out that "Chicken is Chrome".

You guys are cracking me up! Remember the Mountain Chicken (and watch out!)

Just reading that made me smile. What a wonderful way to give Haileigh faith in the good in the world, and in her dad! Years ago, when I took my daughter Alissa to her very first rock show at age 8 (She's nearly 18 now), Jeff dazzled her by singing Hummingbird to her. She was already a Wilco fan, but wow, did that ever cement the deal! She'll always love this band. I'll bet today Haileigh can't wipe the smile off her face or the glow out of her eyes!

Look, gang, it isn't easy. ever, to discuss politics in a crowd. The topic is polemical by its very nature. Whatever political views you hold, it is likely that you've given them a lot of thought over a lot of years, and hold your own opinions strongly. It's the nature of the beast. Those of us who moderate here don't expect all of you to agree, especially in a political thread. What we do expect is a "live and let live" mentality that allows all of us to inhabit this space. There is enough blame to go around here, and many members have behaved badly and given in to ugly impulses. I ask now

Or, alternatively, Chicken Up My Sleeve (Which bears a startling similarity to A Chicken in the Arm!)

Hesitating Chicken