august takes form

Lincoln + Douglas Debates

    Illinois is the "Land of Lincoln."  We are very proud that this great US President was raised and served in Illinois before taking office in the Executive Branch.  Anyway, before doing so, he debated with a fellow named Douglas.  At the Harold Washington Library (a great big, beautiful library in the middle of downtown), two actors re-created a portion of the debates and then improvised a Q&A session, entertaining questions like, "Mr. Lincoln, what was your wife Mary's favorite color?" or "Mr. Douglas, what would you have done differently if you were elected President?"  I was amazed at the factual knowledge that these two impersonators inter-wove into their responses.  When I took a picture with them, they kept giving me a hard time about pictures taking too long to take and develop.  I, with the help of Canon, showed them!

Audacity

    Raul's brother, Thomas, is the drummer for a loud band called Audacity.  They are on their second tour, which included a stop in Chicago.  In addition to hosting five guys in our living room floor for a few days, we all went to their show to support them.  Like I said, it was loud.

Sparkling Clean Apartment

    If there is anything I love, it is spotlessness.  One morning, I decided to deep clean the bathroom.  The morning somehow became the afternoon and after five hours of the most thorough cleaning of my life, the bathroom sparkled.  I was proud.  And I smelled like bleach.  But I was proud, nonetheless.

Let August Ring

Act I, Scene 1

Saturday

• went to Oak Park (quaint suburban town) with Raul.  Ate at a trippy Italian, Creole, Jamaican restaurant.  I ate an oyster.  That was a first.  It was weird.

• Dream of Gerontius (a symphony about a man's experience of death and purgatory) with Alisa & Lisa.
  

Sunday:

• Raul’s Birthday - lots of candles. lots of pizza.  lots of love.

Monday:

• Aquarium - I saw dolphins, balooga whales, and lots of fish.  My favorite part of the day was sending pictures of the sea creatures to my niece, for her enjoyment.
  

Tuesday:

• Worked with Kelly - Tuesday & Thursday, I got temporary work with Legal Helpers (where Raul and Kelly work).  Highlights include, 1) holding $2,000 cash, 2) meeting a woman who was trying to secretly file bankruptcy on her husband's debt, just before she divorced him, and 3) reading two books, drinking Iced Tea and listening to Enya, because that was the hardest part of my day.

More Bike Love

I just found out that my bike is pronounced Röss, like "Rose," not "Ross." So, she is a she.

Still very much in love.

July's Dynamic Finish, Act II

Scene 1: Wednesday

• listened to an incredible, free, Piano concert @ the Chicago Cultural Center , aka my favorite building in Chicago so far.  The pianist was extremely talented.  The music was classical and beautiful.
• went to our Wednesday night ritual, Man Night.  With a familiar "growth group" flare, us guys, usually Mogan and Chris (see picture), Raul and myself, sit down with some Mexican food and share a fraction of our present lives and struggles, followed by prayer.

Scene 2: Thursday

• Dave, an associate pastor of Missio Dei, offered to buy me some coffee and swap stories.  We went to a hip cafe called Ipsento.  (Tour Life guys, this is the place.  It's ready for you to come visit.)  In talking with Dave, my appreciation for this local church has grown.
• I visited the closest theatre to my apartment: The Chopin.  It has been owned by a Polish immigrant named Zygmundt, for 30 years.  He was delightful and gave me a tour of the entire building.  I will be looking for shows to audition for at the Chopin.
• At night, I traveled to Northwestern University (a prospective school, by the way) to watch my first musical in Chicago, Girls v. Boys.  It was so very, very good.

Scene 3: Friday

• Helped Rob, the photographer from Jantzen's wedding and my ride home, move to a new apartment.  First, Haha.  This story must begin with laughter, because it certainly didn't end that way.  Thursday night, Rob and I were texting salutations when I offered to help him with the move the following morning.  He was shocked, since we had only met a week earlier, but grateful for the help.  Friday morning, I showed up at Moody with a book and waited for Rob to return with the U-haul he went to pick up.  Minutes later, Rob returned.  No u-haul.  He said he visited two u-haul stores and both were completely empty.  Gosh, what happened to U-haul?  This recession must have hit them hard.  Um, no, we came to find out.  The last day of the calendar month hit them hard.  Everyone in the city was moving.  For the next 2 hours, we called EVERY, no kidding, EVERY truck rental place in Chicago: Penske, Budget, Ryder, Home Depot, and all remaining U-hauls. The response: No trucks.  Who would have thought that so many Chicagoans relocated on the last day of July?  Not us.  So, after our initial defeat, we decided to grab some food, to recharge and reorganize the battle plan.  At Lalo's Mexican Restaurant (supremely tasty Mexican food buffet for only $7), we decided that Rob would start taking smaller car loads, as I waited at Home Depot for a truck to be returned...which, was a long shot, but our only option, since Rob had to be out by midnight.  I cozied down with a book in front of the rental booth.  Rob left.  Out of pure pathos, I'm sure, the man behind the counter got on the phone and started calling all of the Chicago Home Depots, asking, "Hey man, do you got any trucks?"  After each call, I would glance up with a obligatory, "thanks for asking...again" nod.  Until..."hey, brotha, I got you a truck."  "Yeah?"  "Yeah, but you gotta go get it.  It's down town.  They'll hold it for 15 minutes."  "Thanks."  I was out the door and on the phone, calling Rob to come pick me up, so we can get on the freeway and claim our coveted flatbed.  Smoke shooting from his tires, Rob slowed down just long enough for me to get the door open and one foot in, then, woosh, up the street to the freeway entrance, a quick left, zero to sixty up the on-ramp and then---gridlock.  Welcome to Chicago.  We kissed bumpers and brake-lights all the way to our exit, but somehow got there in time.  They gave us the keys and we parked our flatbed in the Moody parking lot.  But the story does not end there.  The laughter had only just begun.  We enter the apartment building to find that the freight elevator is closed for servicing.  "NOOOO!"  we cry up to the fourth floor, as we size up the 2 sofas, 2 mattresses, and a bed frame, against the narrow stairwell.  It doesn't matter.  There's no other choice.  After lots of sweat and unthinkably weak forearms, we fill the U-haul with load #1.  Satisfied with our accomplishment, the laughter returned, accompanied by total unbelievability at the amount of obstacles we faced.  I guess the we ended with laughter after all.  Rob, it was a delight to adventure with you again.  
• Then, I went Swinging.  Although my arms were dead, I still had some leg power, which took me to Grant Park, where the Chicago SummerDance Festival was well underway.  Live music and lots of Swing Dancing filled my heart with utter joy as the sun set behind the gorgeous Chicago buildings.  I did have lots of fun, although, I truly missed dancing with the familiar friends from Fullerton.  I'll be seeing you all at Memories on September 14th.
  

Postlude Video:



Curtain.

Thank you for watching.

July's Dynamic Finish, Act I

What an adventurous week.  Here's the scene break-down:

Scene 1: Sunday

• bought bike (in case you didn't figure that out from the "I Found Her" video) & helmet 
• went to church (Missio Dei - Wicker Park), which I am thoroughly appreciating
• asked God (ie. prayed) for provision in theatre pursuits...see Monday for results!

Scene 2: Monday

• got headshots taken (ie. pictures of myself to give to casting directors). Pictures forthcoming... 
• went to a panel discussion of "Directors on Directing lecture.  I met inspiring directors and got some good advice and a few contacts.

Scene 3: Tuesday

• bought plane ticket to visit Fullerton, CA !!!  Mark your calendar: September 8-14.
• Watched a final "farewell" symphony with Justin Botz.  This old Biola acquaintance, new friend of mine has been such breath of fresh air.  We spend many hours exploring Chicago and talking about "finding ourselves and finding God."  Now, he's heading back to California to follow God's leading.  I'm going to miss you, man.
• enjoyed "Family Dinner" (a Tuesday ritual) at our friend, Lisa's house. Mac & Cheese.
  

I love Chicago.

End of Act I.


INTERMISSION.

I'm In LOVE!

I FOUND HER!!!!

Jantzen gets married

The Road to Wisconsin

Last Wednesday, Jantzen and I drove from Chicago to Neenah, WI, where his (then) wife-to-be spent much of her childhood.  Jantzen's family and the wedding party slowing trickled in, bringing a great deal of excitement, laughter and absurd group games to fruition.

Bachelor Hike & Cheese Factory

On Thursday, Jantzen's brother Jerome did a phenomenal job of putting together some activities to commemorate Jantzen's final day as a bachelor.  We drove up to Lake Winnebago (at one point on an unpaved road...by "accident"), until we got to a serene trail head.

After hiking for a bit and coercing Jantzen to prove his macho-love for Jessica (see video), we had Jantzen jump from a tree branch into the arms of his groomsmen, to communicate his trust and our willingness to support him through uncertain times.  Actually, we just wanted to razz him a little because he was getting married the next day, but the "trust-fall" excuse really came in handy.

After hiking, we headed to a cheese factory, which is a rare find in Wisconsin. *cough* But really, the cheese was delicious, except the squeaky cheese, which I did not care for.  Also, did you know you can make Fudge Cheese? Of course not, because you can't.  But Wisconsin can.  And as weird as it sounds, they do a pretty good job of it.

After that, we went out to a lake, made Jantzen open a few faux gifts (one of which contained our lunch), and spent a few minutes talking about and praying for his married life.

Ceremony & Reception

On Friday, we slept in, dressed up, strutted around Wal-Mart with our tuxes on, and made our way to the church where the Loza union would be declared.

The pre-ceremony pictures were ridiculous and fantastic.  Some of which included a corn field, a giant fish mailbox, a playground and a *cough* broken slide.  Until the wedding began, the other groomsmen, Jantzen and myself sat in a room and (seriously) read scripture and prayed.  I love how God-centered my friends are.

Anyway, because Jantzen is a photography buff, he gave each groomsman a disposable camera, in order to take pictures of him and Jessica when they kissed during the ceremony.  That moment is forever immortalized.  Jantzen, you are a clever man.

At the reception, after a half-chicken dinner, excellent best-man/maid-of-honor toasts and some peculiar activity with a cake and a knife, the dance floor was opened.  The time that followed (approximately 4 hours) was an absolute party.  When Jantzen found out that his DJ was from a "Family Friendly" group called "Rock the Flock," and that they wouldn't dare play anything by Michael Jackson or Marvin Gaye, he was really concerned that the reception would be a flop.  The groomsmen and I assured him, however, that we were going to make the most of a hyper-conservative, Christian music dance party.

And make-the-most, we did.  Whenever something cheesy was said, one of us yelled out (usually me), "Rock the Flock!" in utter mockery and ironic support.  The more cheese, the more outrageous laughter!  And we all know, Wisconsin has a lot of cheese.  We did interpretive dancing, scottish line-dancing (kilts and all) and even limbo (special thanks to the bar tender for letting us use her broom handle).  Toward the end, the DJ played the hardest trasher-Christian-rock I have ever heard (and didn't know existed).  Each song became more and more un-danceable.  But we pressed on, until finally the towel was thrown in and the flock couldn't rock any longer.


Car Decoration

Following clean up, the wedding party headed out to the parking lot to let our creative energy have a go at Jantzen's and Jessica's get away car.  We tied on balloons, attached bottles to the back bumper, and tagged up the windows with lots of cutesy marriage phrases.  The car was a masterpiece.

Then the whole gang, minus Jantzen and Jessica of course, drove over to Perkins (owned by the same company as Marie Calendar's) for a late night snack.  Upon returning to the hotel parking lot, where Jantzen's car was located, Jerome and I found that the rain which had started only minutes before, had completely stripped away any trace of attractive decoration, leaving only a gloppy mess in it's place.  We were devastated.

The next morning, as the photographer, Rob, and I were getting ready to head back to Chicago, we came across Jerome in the parking lot re-doing the car decorations.  This guy really was the best man!  Rob and I were happy to help Jerome redeem the disaster, so that Jantzen and Jessica wouldn't be left wondering why the wedding party trashed their car the night before.

The Road to Chicago


Rob and I headed back to Chicago, passing numerous farms, lots of dairy-producing animals, and sharing memories of Jantzen, our own life adventures and heartaches.

My wedding trip to Wisconsin was truly a happy time.  Patrick, Andrew, Jerome and I were so honored to stand next to our man Jantzen.  He and Jessica will do well, because they are obedient to the voice of Christ.  May your love be divine.