.: Hedwig Sunday :.

I think my only mistake that day was to pop in the "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" DVD that morning. For one thing, the PS2 it was playing on was being a bitch. Frustrating. But the DVD ever so slightly colored a wonderful production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch playing at Chicago's American Theatre Company.

First, we had to walk into the ATC space via the alleyway. Making our way to our seats was like making our way through the maze of an underground club adorned with torn and aged concert posters. Upon closer examination these posters are from local Chicago clubs and concert venues, most importantly Martyr's, which is right next door. I was excited to read "The Cure", "The Dead Kennedys" and others lining the walls of the theater... before the show started...

I'm not even sure how to explain the plot of "Hedwig" so I'm just going to talk about it as a concert knowing full well its a play. Hedwig (Nick Garrison) stormed the stage and the back up band was solid. The video/photo media background was fantastic especially in the space. Impressive but for a while there I'd felt that it was holding itself up well to the movie.

Yet the audience interaction was exciting and a lil bit disgusting bodily fluid-wise. That's what finally pushed me to accept this production beyond what I had already seen of it as a movie or the reputation as a play. This piece made such fantastic references to Chicago and its music scene. It was all its own! That and Hedwig called my friend Laura and I (and the few other Asians in the row)out for being the soy sauce to the white rice in the audience.

The rhythm and the timing of the entire production built nicely to the wonderful and emotional ending. Just like a really really fantastic concert...

Finally, we were lucky enough to get rare encore. Hedwig, Yitzhak, and the Angry Inch busted out with Cheap Trick's "Surrender". It twas awesome!

I so want to rock out with some karaoke or Rock Band :) Hopefully, I'll see it again before their additional two weeks ends. You can check out some video and grab some tickets at the ATC site.

.: Happy Monday :.

Its a rare Happy Monday... a holiday... where I am glad to work... and I am thankful for the troops that have let me live the life I live and and : LIVE @ Fizz tonite Solomon Douglas & Quartet! http://tinyurl.com/fizvw2 Can't join us in person?check us out on the internets....

.: Creative Week :.

I can't tell you how long its been since I've felt I've been the least bit creative. I know I've been incredibly and horribly depressed in the last few months but I feel so inspired over the last few days. I feel good. I worry about that. Like its too good to be true, but I do know that I'm going to try to take what I've picked up in the last week and run with it...

btw new dance venue I'm trying to start up in a new creative space, The Solarium. I think I'm going to be a bit more involved with The Solarium in the future.

Here's your invite:

At The Solarium (1245 Jarvis Ave. Apt.3)
On Saturday, March 14th
From 8:30p-2am

Here's a link to the Facebook invite with more information!

Hope to see you there!

My 5K Playlist

Originally posted on my FB Notes and I couldn't get my pics off of there...Finally decided that I'll post this here...

Ok. My first 5K. Normally, I would post my results, etc on my personal blog. But there were so many words of encouragement these last few days so I wanted to share.

First thing you should know. Music is the biggest motivator in my life. My personal blog is basically lyrics and youtube videos as the relate to my situation at the time. So while training, I didn't measure out distance or time. It was my series of playlists that were roughly 40 min. long each

Next, I had three other motivators for this race. 1) My first real serious, training, workout physical challenge I'd ever done, 2) On my Things To Do Before I Die List so wanted to knock it off the list, 3) It was a big middle finger to anyone that's put me down or made me sad esp. Who's-His-Butt (WHB).

Finally, I was really really happy to find out that we can run with mp3 players. I chose my "Move It II" playlist. Ready? Here we go...

"Do You Hear The People Sing" - Les Mis: Original London Cast

So perfect coming out of the gate... And then to see that line of runners ahead of me along the lake. So perfect. And inspirational..

"Dirty Little Secret" - The All-American Rejects

Honestly, love the song more for its video. Look it up. The revving guitars and solid beat starts me into my run for my training. But I was paced fast at the beginning of this race. My sister was right. I was so jazzed up. And this song kinda helped... oh and the first middle finger...

"SexyBack" - Justin Timerlake

Dude. I loves me my Timberlake and then with Timbaland pipping in? Gets me going all the time. The Museum Campus was in sight. But by this time I'd figured out that I got to slow the hell down. So Timbaland set my pace..yeah!!!

"Let's Get Retarded" - Black Eyed Peas

This on everybody's workout playlist right? The bass drum starts me up again and the "runnin' runnin" part the pushes me along. However, its got this beat beat beat good way for me to get onto the slower pace I needed...

"I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" - My Chemical Romance

In training, the spite and hatred towards WHB would power me up with this song. Today, it was the point that I realized..... I'm NOT Ok.....I might have to start walking.... but my sister told me never to stop moving AT ALL. It'll be hard to start up again.. heh then the song has this very entertaining break - "I'm okay.. I'm okay now ..And you really need to listen to me..'cause I'm telling you the truth..I'm okay (trust me)" I couldn't stop. It makes me laugh...

"Message of Love" - The Pretenders (Live)

Two things, 1) Chrissy refers to Chicago b/c that's where it was taped. There I was running along the lake and the skyline..pushing along..2) Its got one of my favorite O. Wilde quotes : "We all of us are in the gutters; Some of us are looking at the stars!" I loves me some Wilde too.

"Smile" - Lily Allen (Live)

Lily Allen in this plucky girl from England. Another good video. Look it up. This version is very bouncy. And I needed it. So I start hopping more than running... it was fun!.. oh and this is another up yours towards WHB.

"The Last Song" - Foo Fighters

Oh this one got me fired up.. and I thought what a fitting way to finish up the race as I saw the event tents coming up in sight...But there is this loop that takes us WAAY past the starting point.. But a good steady beat.. I stick to it...

"Its Tearing Up My Heart" - The Backstreet Boys

I don't know. It found its way onto the playlist. I kept it. But it was a sign that my playlist was near the end. I just passed the last part of the loop and still couldn't see the finish line...

"Freedom 90" - George Michael

Dude. Dear Lord, I was soooo hurting. I was getting into the meat of the song where George Michael is bitching about his blessed life.. Completely forgetting that there is great part where he breaks into this whole, gospel, crazy-inspiring chorus. Then I hear Jim off to the side cheering me on.. I can see the finish line.. so what does Tessa do? Not cause she needs the time or anything.. Tessa SPRINTS it in... If I bother finishing anything, I finish HUGE.

35min something. Whatever I was happy I was under 40.. I just wanted to finish the race, I just wanted to tick it off my list, ...and then there's the big up yours to all those people I'd LET me feel bad. So, now I'm kinda a little more awesome than I already was..