Favorite Chicago Things Part II: The Cta

CTA.



Okay, so anyone who has lived in Chicago knows that the CTA is one of the biggest pains. It never arrives when you want it too. It delays when you're running late to class. The bus always leaves just as you're getting to the stop. Or, on a day like today, your bus hits someone. (True story, but she's okay. Her fault.)

But even though you curse it every day, you also learn to take it for granted. It is so vital to living here. Even those who drive everywhere rely on it for means of communicating directions, navigating around neighborhoods, etc. I can get anywhere in the city--and most of the city at any time of the day. It is incredible. Moving to Springfield, Missouri, without a license is beginning to scare me, hardcore. I might invest in roller blades.

Favorite Chicago Things

I keep thinking about how I'm leaving Chicago in just 68 days. There's a lot I'm going to miss. Here are a few of my favorite things (cue the mental image of me running down the hill in a Maria wig). Some of these are Chicago only, some are chains that I first experienced in Chicago.

WOW BAO.


What do I say about Wow Bao? A Bao is a little warm asian bun that is filled with goodness. Imagine your favorite Chinese dish--Kung Pao Chicken, Thai Curry), Teriyaki Chicken...and even a delicious desert Bao (Coconut, Chocolate, or Banana). They also serve rice bowls, but two bao were always enough to fill me up on a break from work at Lush. Aside from Bath Bomb demos, this is the thing I miss most about working at Lush. The covenient Wow Bao right around the corner.

RED VELVET TEA at ARGO.



I do not go to Argo Tea nearly as often as I should. But when I do go, I always get the Red Velvet tea. That's right. The deliciousness of red velvet, but drinkable on the way to rehearsal. Served hot or cold. Amazing.


DEVIL DAWGS



This joint is amazing. Conveniently located down the alley from The Theatre School, Devil Dawgs serves the greatest hot dogs, slider burgers, and french fries. Delicious, reasonably priced (Dawgs and Fries are pretty cheap, the sliders add up when I make it a triple cheese), and you don't have to walk for more than 2 minutes round trip. The Slaw Dawg is the best (cole slaw on the hot dog). During rehearsals for A Raisin in the Sun, director Phyllis Griffin would often send one of the stage managers to pick us up fries to share and dawgs.


I will most more favorite things later. Off to rehearsal now.

oops

Jenna Guy: I think I'm turning black.
David: Can you find a way?
Jenna: Black.
David: Oh. Not back.
Jenna: Now you just look stupid.

I love her.

home.

Over the past four years, I have loved living in a city with such a vibrant theatre scene. I love having several options of shows to see for any given day of the week. My creative mind has been shattered with some of the most breathtaking theatre I’ve ever seen and I have learned from some of the biggest theatrical mistakes imaginable. With such an eclectic community, everyone is willing to take risks. It is necessary to survive in such a busy and often-competitive world. I could not have asked for a more rewarding educational experience from my community.

However, as I plan to cut the safety leash of education and run into the “real world” of theatre, I want something completely different. I want to provide theatre opportunities to communities that might not normally have them. I want to create cutting-edge, ballsy, provocative work in small town Nebraska. I want to introduce Sarah Kane to the future theatre artists stuck with no other outlets other than high school productions of Rodgers and Hammerstein or Neil Simon. I want to stir something in the gut, crotch, and soul of unexpected patrons. My home will not only allow me to do this, it will encourage me to and provide a pool of artists who share my passion and goals.

I’ve noticed a very large difference between the theatre professionals I’ve talked with in Chicago and the dedicated volunteer actors of community theatres in America. Professional actors too often see a show as a gig—a way to pay rent. That is understandable—it is their job. Yet the volunteer actors are working nine-to-five jobs before heading to the theatre from six to eleven every night. Why? Because it is what they want to do. They have come together to share with their community their talents, as well as [hopefully] a story that needs to be told. It is among these dedicated and passionate performers that I will call my home. By building my home in a community in need of theatre and with like-minded and passionate individuals, I know that my work will come from a place of love. They may not have the training, or even the skill as the professional performers, but I have found that too often passion reaches the back of the house more than the Method.

My home will not only be a place where artists can collaborate together, it will be a sanctuary. I think back to my younger self and the one place I felt free—the theatre. No matter what was going through my head or in my life I knew when I went to rehearsal, I’d be free. More importantly, I knew I could use that freedom—and that which I was freed from—to fuel my craft. The same open arms that greeted me at The Des Moines Community Playhouse will be present in every theatrical journey I embark.

Does "It Get Better?"

I'm participating in an intergenerational study with gay men right now. It is a writing group. We meet on Fridays for two hours and discuss/write about various things. Four juniors/seniors from DePaul University and then several older gay men. It is an absolutely fascinating experience, and I love using generational gaps as framework for larger theories/ideas.

Yesterday, we discussed the It Gets Better campaign. We were to write a short response to the campaign, as well as a response to the notion that It Gets Different. The writing was easy and I'll admit, I didn't think or reflect as much as I should've. But in the group's discussion, I did.

I realize I may sound like a cold, bitter fool here. I'm just processing thoughts. Putting things on the table. Creating discourse.

I don't understand why all the recent gay suicides are making national news. We had a National Spirit Day where people all across America--people identifying with each of the letters in our too-long acronym of LGBTQIA--wore purple to show their support of ending Anti-LGBTQ bullying. It's wonderful and beautiful that so many people showed their support.

There are hundreds of videos on YouTube for the It Gets Better. Everyone from Sarah Silverman to President Obama to the Broadway Cast of Wicked has created a video, explaining why and how it gets better. I'll admit, some of these videos are annoying. Some are mundane. Few are actually inspiring. But the fact that so many people are jumping on board is pretty cool, right?

But is it necessary? Is it helpful?

Gay students have been committing suicide for years--decades, even. So why now? Why are these cases making national news? Is it because America finally realizing something should be done about it? Is it because the media wants to stir something up? Or is it because our society missed this particular narrative? It used to be if a TV show, film, or play had a gay character, they died. Either suicide, AIDS, or murder. That's not the case anymore. We can finally be represented as happy, healthy, and living individuals.

Enter the media. Reintroducing the narrative that gays kill themselves. Yes, there is truth to this. LGBTQ students are four times more likely to commit suicide than heterosexual students. But sometimes, I blame the media more than I blame the bullies.

Kids are bullied for everything. You wear glasses? Bullied. You're overweight? Bullied. You wear the same outfit because you don't have money? Bullied. Freckles? Bullied. You're different in any capacity (never mind the reality that everybody is different)? Bullied.

So why is it that the gays seem to be the only ones driven to the point of suicide? Is it because they/we are bullied more? Possibly. Or is it because for years, the media and entertainment have hand-delivered an excuse to all gay youth? If we turned the spotlight away from gay suicide and worked to destroy this disgusting social narrative, would queer youth see suicide as an option?

Furthermore, I don't know if I agree with the It Gets Better campaign. I'd like to believe that the hardships, trials and bullies gay high school students are faced with disappear completely. But they don't. They change, yes. I'm not taunted in the hallways at DePaul University like I was at Des Moines Christian (ironic, I know). I'm still seen as second-class citizen by our government, though. I still cannot donate blood or serve openly in the military (not for long!). In many states, I can still lose my job or my housing just because I'm gay. Most states prevent me from marrying and adopting. I am still called "fag" and "homo" as I walk down the street.

I don't say this because I want to discourage the younger generation. I don't want that at all. But more important than "things getting better," I've developed thicker skin and a strong support system of family, friends, and boyfriend.

Things may not get better . But they get different.. And that difference is worth all the bullying, hardships and legal persecution thrown in our faces every day by the ignorant and asinine closed-minded fools living in America.

random thoughts.

I have class at 8 am. It is 4:40. I have 3 hours. I tried going to sleep before 2, and I just couldn't fall asleep. At 3:30, my phone alerted me that I had a new voicemail. No missed call so no clue who it was from. Voicemail in the middle of the night? Not a telemarketer. It's a Sunday night, so probably not a drunk dial. Must be an emergency. My mom is at Mayo clinic right now, so I immediately start to panic and my mind rushed to sixty different places in the fifteen seconds it takes for my phone to start playing the voice mail. It was a potential employer. She apparently called around 1:00 this afternoon, but I just got the voicemail....at 3:30 AM. Weird. Anyway, I feel bad because I really want this job. I shall call tomorrow.

I wish the gym was open 24 hours. They open at 5:30. I'll go then. I need to start working out. I'm not in bad shape, by any means. But we could all be a little bit healthier, right?

Do you think people should be paid for donating organs (while living. Clearly you can't pay the dead)? For example, someone needs a kidney. I have an extra. Should I be paid for donating it? I watched an SVU the other night that dealt with this. They were charging people for black market organs... but the organs were healthy, the operations were being done by a professional, and it could've saved a young boy's life. People aren't donating at the rate others are needing the organs. Should there be more of an incentive? If I knew someone that needed a kidney and I was a match, I'd give it to them. But it isn't like I wake up in the morning saying, "You know, I think I'm going to give away an organ today." But if I got paid for it, I just might. People get paid for donating plasma. Why not kidneys?

I'm actually not sure how I feel about it. Just something to ponder.

The other night when I was talking to Thomas, we had the most amazing conversation. Through the conversation, I came to the realization that he is unlike any guy I've ever been with. There are many reasons for this, but the main difference is... he makes me feel significant. He makes me feel like I deserve the world. Like I'm the most amazing guy in the world.

There's a quote in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, on page 24, that says "We accept the love we think we deserve." I've always loved this quote. What I love about Thomas is that he makes me feel like I deserve it all. In the past, I've accepted feelings of insignificance because it is what I thought I deserved. Yes, I've experienced love before. And I'm not trying to say I've been made to feel like crap by everyone else. But I've felt insignificant. It feels nice to not feel that way. To always have a smile on my face. Feels even better to feel like I deserve to be smiling.

And I don't mean to be cheesy and overly romantic. But it has now been a year since the beginning of my homeslessness-loss-of-all-friends-terrible-ordeal-phase. So much has changed in the past year. It's nice to be with someone who makes me feel as significant and as strong as I am.

The gym opens in half an hour. Am I really doing this? Am I actually going to the gym at 5:30? I'm nervous. Gyms freak me out. Why? Because I'm not fit like the other gymmers who go at 5:30. The gym is not a place I line up for outside. Harry Potter, yes. Exercise, no.

But alas. I'm still writing because I have no idea what to do with my life. And I don't have Netflix anymore and I've already watched every episode of Law and Order SVU that I own.

I think I'm going to gather my belongings and make a gym playlist now.

Have a happy Monday. (Especially Olivia Dustman--HAPPY BIRTHDAY!)

change.

My name is David and I have a problem.

I have an SVU addiction.

Seriously. In the past 2 weeks, I have watched close to 2,500 minutes of Law and Order Special Victims Unit on Netflix Instant Watch. That is 41.6 hours. It is a problem.

Yes, this has resulted in loss of sleep and social activities. But it has reminded me of a passion I've ignored for too long. Abuse victims. It seems every other episode deals with an abused child--typically sexual, but they've dabbled in neglect and the presence of illegal drugs/alcoholism. Some of the stories are outrageous--a girl was kidnapped 7 years ago and ends up killing her kidnapper on accident and regrets it and refuses to return to her family. I've rolled my eyes a few times at the extent of the writer's imaginations. But the thing is...this happens. Yes, it is a fictional show, but similarly outrageous crimes are happening to the children in our country on a daily basis.

A report of child abuse is reported every five seconds.

Almost five children die everyday as a result of child abuse. More than 75% of these children are under the age of four.

Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at every level of education.

When I was in 8th-12th grade, I was an active member of HOPE Drama Troupe--a drama troupe through the Des Moines Child Abuse Prevention Council. Our 25 members wrote our own script and performed for thousands of students each year. I remember one performance day... we performed at a school, did our question and answer session, packed up the van and left for our next performance. After the next performance, our directors received a phone call telling us that because of us, seven children had a safe place to sleep that night. Now I don't know anything other than that. I do not know specifics, nor do I even remember the name of the school. I just remember the ecstasy of, literally, saving lives.

Even after those children had a safe place to sleep, their lives are forever at risk...

Over 60% of people in drug rehabilitation centers report being a victim of abuse or neglect.

Abused teens are three times less likely to practice safe sex, increasing risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy.

About 80% of abuse victims grow up to meet criteria for at least one psychological disorder.

Since graduating high school and leaving HOPE Troupe, I have done nothingfor abuse victims. Sure, it inspired a tattoo on my right wrist, but that is about it. If the above statistics are true, since my last performance in HOPE! Troupe on May 7, 2007, over 5,600 children have died of child abuse in the United States. And what have I done in that time? I directed The Laramie Project and assistant directed A Raisin in the Sun. By no means am I saying theatre cannot have an impact on people's lives. It absolutely does. It impacts my life all the time. I love theatre more than just about anything in the world, but how can I not do something about the young lives that are being taken daily by parents, uncles, aunts, strangers... I'm not trying to be too dramatic, nor am I implying that nobody should go into theatre. For me, theatre has become too selfish.

Aside from that, after living in Chicago for three years and experiencing all sorts of professional theatre...I'm not sure it is what I want to do. I love theatre and I don't think I could ever stop doing it completely. But professional theatre too often becomes about the paycheck and the passion falls to the wayside. I'm not interested in directing a show to get a paycheck. I want to direct a show because it is a story that whatever community I'm a part of needs to hear. I can do that on the side. I feel too much of a burden for children and families.

So... I am finishing my time at DePaul's Theatre School. I will graduate in June 2011 with my BFA in Theatre Arts, Directing. But then I will begin pursuing social work, eventually receiving my Masters in Social Work.

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Statistics taken from http://www.childhelp.org/pages/statistics.
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Sidenote: I cannot stop listening to Christina Aguilera's new album, Bionic. So good.