Theatre, Chicago, Sherlock, Love

Today was the official launch of The 2019 Year of Chicago Theatre. It will be a year highlighting Chicago Theatre. The year will feature performances, grants for theaters, and a Global media campaign. Our mayor spoke tonight about how Chicago can give NY and London a run for their money in terms of theatre.

I remember when Hamilton came to Chicago, Lin-Manuel Miranda kept being asked: "Why Chicago?" and he kept looking at the various interviewers with odd bewilderment on his face and said, "Of course Chicago, Chicago's theater is amazing, How do you not know this?". I also remember during a theater open house having it be suggested Chicago has more theaters (storefront theaters/comedy clubs/etc) than NY. I am glad we will be spending a year remembering our amazing theater. Though I think "the world (is) wide enough for both (Chicago) and (NY/London)"

This is also the middle of Chicago's annual Theater week where numerous shows across the city can be seen for $15 or $30 dollars. Yesterday I saw "My Dear Watson: A Sherlock Holmes Musical" by Jami-Leigh Bartschi presented at the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival at The Edge Theater. I enjoyed it since I love Sherlock and because it was a nice break from the super heavy and troubling plays I have seen recently.

I will say one plot point which rubbed me the wrong way was the idea of trying to figure out if Sherlock was a man or a machine. Why would a machine not be a man, why can't a man be a machine too? I am glad that the program points out:

 "As you watch this show, remember that loving and being loved may not look the same to all people, but that does not mean they are not capable"

This week is also Valentines Week so I am even more aware of issues of Love. I recognize it can be problematic to give identities to people or characters who lived long before a particular term was created. But saying that, many in the Ace/Aro communities claim Sherlock as our own. And I feel identifying Sherlock as Ace or Gray A or Demi seems to both fit the character as written and as to how the character has been interpreted through history.

The question, if a person is a "man or machine", is problematic. Love is Love no matter what form it takes. I mean The Greeks had 6 words for Love: Philia, or deep friendship. Ludus, or playful love. Eros, or sexual passion. Agape, or love for everyone. Pragma, or longstanding love. Philautia, or love of the self.

I would say Sherlock "Aced" Philia, Pragma, and even Ludus with Watson. I would be happy to end up a Sherlock's Watson or even a Watson's Sherlock. So this whole man or machine is a false distinction and the question can x person Love is an unreasonable question. Everyone can love and everyone should be loved in return.

Lacunae and meaning

la·cu·na

     an unfilled space or interval; a gap.
     a missing portion in a book or manuscript.
     a cavity or depression, especially in bone.

“For those on the margins just being alive

is an act of Justice” Pastor Jamie Frazier

I recently read and enjoyed The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver. It was a story of warmth and art and identity and creativity. The ending while hopeful also was dark (house un-american activities committee dark). The story was challenging because it was a reminder of how we turn on those who are innocent and creative, and who want to be left alone. How often where someone is from, or who they love, or their non-harmful opinions determine their fate. The Lacuna of the title covers the Lacunae in stories and the lives of others and in our own lives. There are always large holes in our knowledge of a topic or in our knowledge of a person.

Reading this story reminded me of the Lacunae encapsulated in words "We have always been here". which references the fact that women, POCs, minorities, etc have always been a part of creative and social movements. The groups who are often accused of being new, of being radical, of being nontraditional, are the groups who have been there since the beginning. But because they fall in some preconceived box they are told they do not belong. It is hard when you know you belong but others tell you that you are wrong, and will never belong.

Recently my Pastor Jamie Frazier referred to this (in the way that Pastors often seem to be able to read minds with the best of them): what might be called a Lacuna of justice. “For those on the margins just being alive is an act of Justice.” Which is powerful and true. Too often just being alive is radical justice. Pastor Jamie continued that for these "Justice is taking time for self-care".

Look for the Lacunae of the stories you hear, look for the Lacunae in the groups you are apart of, look for the Lacunae in your own life's story. And be alive and make that an act of justice.

The Weight of Films: Black Panther

My roommate and I have a tradition of seeing superhero movies together. Last year we were really excited for Black Panther, and went and saw it opening weekend. We fell in love with the film. Together we explored the political theories behind the various character's views, and became absorbed in learning about the intention behind everything in the film: costumes, colors, fighting styles, ..... 

Personally, I also used the film as motivation for a reading challenge to read books by non-white-male authors. I read authors I had not read before and discovered some cool anthologies such as:

When Black Panther went to Netflix I was excited because it meant some of my family and friends who had not seen it in theaters had their chance. I knew some were not big superhero film fans but I felt that Black Panther was different enough they would enjoy it. I was wrong.

Person A: It was just another superhero film, not that original, too many battles, too many special effects, I was not impressed 

Person B: But we watched a different movie than she* did, we watched a superhero film, she* watched a history and cultural film

And I realized this was true. We had seen two different types of films and had two different reactions to those films. And I recognized that part of what made Black Panther amazing for so many was the truth it was "just another superhero film". But in most superhero films, POC are an afterthought, or find themselves in token roles, in Black Panther they were able to star.

I was reminded of this when I found out Black Panther was up for the Oscars. I am glad it was chosen to be the first superhero film nominated for best picture, I am glad that it opened peoples imaginations to new stories and new authors. And I know there are many out their who will not understand why because they see it as "just another superhero film". But I also recommit myself to keep doing the work of exploring and learning and working to better understanding the experience of others. And that is a pretty good call of action from a superhero film. Break a leg at the Oscars Black Panther.

*Referring to me Dreaming Ace

Legacy. What is a Legacy?

The question Legacy. What is a Legacy? from the musical Hamilton seems like a useful frame for this Martine Luther King Jr Day. So what is the Legacy of MLK Jr? 

How are you standing up for what matters? What justice issues are calling your heart and soul? 

• Issues surrounding our broken Immigration system? 
• The death of refugees in the US Government facilities? 
• The separation of families at the border?
• The Black Lives movement? 
• Police violence? 
• The school to prison pipeline? 
• Education in general? 
• The environment? 
• Issues of our Native Peoples? 
• LGBTQ Issues?
• Disability rights?
• ...

Have you been to jail for justice? I want to shake your hand

Cause sitting in and lyin' down are ways to take a stand

Have you sung a song for freedom? or marched that picket line?

Have you been to jail for justice? Then you're a friend of mine

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuwsjKvOIoQ)

And if the ever-growing list of areas that need justice is making you want to hide in bed you are not alone. One place you might find inspiration is the song "Have you been to Jail for Justice" which brainstorms some of the ways you can get up and take a stand for justice.

• Sit-ins and lie-ins
• Singing and marching
• Writing and speaking up
• Calling out our politicians 
• Running against those who don't hear justices call
• Going to jail for justice.
• Using our physical bodies to protect those in danger 
• ....

MLK Jr did all of these things and reminds us no matter who you are there is something you can do today or this week or this month for justice. Keep moving.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUZOKvYcx_o)

I believe that is the Legacy of MLK Jr, the path towards justice is long and rocky and cuts and scrapes and bruises you but we have to keep going, keep moving, otherwise we don't have a legacy at all. What will your legacy be?

Techniques for Change

New Years Resolutions: Something I enjoy and something that many others don't. This year I have found ways to modify lasts years resolutions to make them more doable. Through this process, I have learned a few techniques which are working for me.

1. Incorporate flexibility (The sweet spot):

I have found flexibility is key to creating a set of goals. This year many of my daily resolutions are set up as "Pick One" from a small list. Such as "Pick One": Complete a daily Spanish lesson or a lesson in the online class I am taking that month. I can always do both, with or without it being Christmas (Yes West Wing reference :) ) but only having to do one is more manageable and accomplishable.

2. Examing the Why behind my resolutions:

Last year I had a daily resolution to be creative because I thrive on creativity. I discovered that because it had been a daily resolution I found the quickest/easiest way to check it off each day and while I was doing creative things I was not actually being creative. This year I made being creative a weekly resolution instead and already have seen a difference. One week was a complex coloring page and this week was a watercolor project. Sometimes by examining the Why you find that your time scale was off.

3. Be fun with your organization

Fun is important. I created some worksheets for my daily/weekly/monthly resolutions and each day I use different colored pencils to color them in. (At one point I was thinking of getting tiny stickers like they use in classrooms but even the tiny ones were too big for my lines so I tried plan B) I also have a folder where I will place completed sheets etc so at the end of the year I will have an organized overview of 2019.

Going along with my goal of 2019: A year of magic I decided to buy a journal instead of just using a composition notebook because it is more durable and more fun. The one I got is a "travel" notebook so has pictures and quotes about traveling. The cover looks like an old-time map and fits with the idea of finding magic.

The more fun it is to accomplish your resolutions the more likely I am to actually do it. I am excited about my resolutions this year and I hope you find resolutions which excite you too

A Year of Magic: 2019

Everyday pockets of sunlight filled magic
Birds chirping, snow melting, Home of Wee Folk
Home of fairies, of Magical Creatures, Maybe a God?
Breath in this timeless moment, breath it in
Everyday pockets of magic can be found by us all

Happy New Year, 2019 is here. In this period of resolutions (I have a few and these will come up in future posts) and intention setting for the year; I have committed to A Year of Magic. This is what happens when I see Mary Poppins Returns in the Theater and a DVD of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in close temporal proximity.

This year will be a year of magic in order to help me become big and bold and wild like the firebird's child that I am. (Here is a video of the song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9RV-Wgottw)

Intention setting can change how you see the world. Seeing the world through magic makes it .... well more magical. Last week I was walking in my neighborhood when I was able to capture the photo which began this post and inspired the opening poem. For me taking the time to notice and savor such things is clearly magic at work.

So as we all start 2019 I hope you have a magic and meaningful year. I hope you find something to be your gentle intention ... Maybe Magic or Simplicity or Savoring or Stories or Adventure or Creativity or Travel. There are so many self-loving ways to begin the new year pick what works for you.

Happy, Happy, Happy New Year and remember to always incorporate self-love into any resolution or intention. 

DePaul's A Celebration of Slashers or the importance of study

This year was a little different for me from the past DePaul Conferences I have gone to because Slasher films are not one of my fandoms and despite some token effort I did not watch any beforehand. But if anything while I did not get most of the references I was reminded of the importance of the academic study of fandom. And the universal power of such study. We can collectively think about issues around gender, sexuality, movie production even if we don't know a particular fandom. And this critical look at what we enjoy and what we don't is vital in this world.

Side Note:

A need for these conversations has been made very clear to me watching the discussion around a friend's post not recommending seeing a certain blockbuster movie which just came out. And the "But I liked it so you can't say anything bad about it" which many individuals are expressing. Examining a work does not mean you don't like it or the work is bad it simply means there were good bits and bad bits and bits that are wibbly wobbly and need more discussion 

The first panel I went to was the Academic Keynote by Dr. Wickham Clayton which looked at how Slasher Films and Slasher Film merchandise has been marketed. There was a discussion around how spaces include both Immersion and Physical engagement. Space is both concert and abstract. The actual function of things is less important than the meanings we give them. And finally collecting is both a personal and social process

The next panel was on "Questioning the Slasher: Genre Consideration". This was an interesting panel but it felt more like a miny literature review on various works instead of a conversation around a topic. This was an issue I had with a few of the panels.

On to "Feminism and the Final Girl" which looked at the various troops around the final girl or the girl who survives until the end of the movie. There was also a discussion that more recent remakes of classic slasher films have been getting worst in terms of how women are represented.

Next was the Key Note by Rachel Talalay who happens to have Directed for SuperWhoLock among lots of others. So a much bigger name then I thought. In this talk, Talalay gave an interesting behind the sense look at making "The Nightmare on Elm Street" series which I gathered is about a villain who travels into peoples dreams and nightmares to kill them. (So instead of a Dream Lover a Dream Killer?) She discussed how video changed how horror films were made and promoted. One aspect I really found interesting was her discussion of intent

"The Issue is using hindsight to give intent, in hindsight there might be something in a film but that does not mean it was the intent"

In addition, there was interesting commentary around the problem of the studio making too many films in too short of a period of time.  In one case they did not have time to actually have a writer write a script and had to film and edit a film in 8 weeks. Suprise surprise there was not much of a story beyond the individual special effect pieces. Overall it was a very interesting talk about making movies in the 1990's.

Next panel was "Slashing Away at Values: The Ethics and Politics of the Slasher Film". This panel had many of the same challenges of the first panel I went to. Again part of this might have been this is not a fandom I am apart of so too much went over my head but the pacing was also challenging.

Next was one of the highlights of the day for me "Handicrafting Horror Workshop" where we were given materials and instructions on how to do two projects at home.

My Final Panel of the day was "Marginalized Identities in Slasher Films" which covered a few interesting topics and recovered how Final Girls show a world where saying no to sex is ok. And there was a brief mention of the idea that using a queer lens you can see the Final Girl as expressing Ace ideas. It just made me happy someone mentioned Ace/Asexual Identities :)

So while this year was not on a fandom I was really acquainted with I am still glad I went and got to spend a day exploring such topics.