Gigging all over myself

So, we possibly having 3 gigs coming up in the next week and a half. I'm excited!

-We have a full electric gig this weekend at Lilly's.

-We just booked an opening gig (that could become an ordinary thing) at Red Line Tap right near where I live opening up for a bluegrass band. Yes, that's right- a bluegrass band. Check them out at www.sexfist.net. They are very cool.

-AND, we have to get this one finalized- playing on my birthday (Sept 8) at a block party- 2 different sets for $500. But we just have to put the finishing touches on this one. We pretty much have it booked.

Yay!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Congratulations on all that you've accomplished on 60 years!

A few more

Okay, this is the last of the headshot session pictures until the guy gets us back the ones that we chose. Very exciting.

These are a few that Mark picked out and touched up himself. We didn't even choose these, but they are good!

I'M 60 !!!!!!

The Gig

It went great. Lilly, the owner, asked us to come back and play next Saturday because she had a cancellation. We won't be the opener though- we'll actually be the second act and we get to play for longer. It was very cool last night, but not many people there. Hopefully we can build a little following the more we play. My friend Tanya shot video of one song. Here it is:

Headshots and Promo pics

Well, the photographer that worked with us the other night sent me some thumbnails of a couple of pics. He took about a million pictures and we will get to pick and choose what we like and he will touch them up. But we won't get them all until Monday. So, for now, he sent me a few to browse through and see what I thought. Here are some of them- headshots, band shots, promo shots, etc. Need to mention this- photos by Mark Hartman.

The "Windy" City...

...should be renamed the "Really Erratic Weather Pattern City".

Right now there is a tornado in Southern Chicago. It has been storming for days, with brief intervals of overcast skies. I mean, come on...this is EXACTLY like Kansas weather except it's only in the 80s.

It looks like the apocalypse outside right now. The power went out a few minutes ago. What the heck is going on?


Lins

Cam and I have taken the plunge...

...We joined Bally Total Fitness yesterday. It's not too expensive and it's only 3 blocks (5 min walk at most) from our apartment so we are optimistic that we will get our money's worth.

Our (my) logic was this- it's too cold to go outside from the months of October-April. I will not be exercising outside as I am used to in the lovely Texas weather. I love to run and do pilates and yoga, and when I am not active I feel pretty crappy.

So my options are-

A) No exercise whatsoever for 7 months

OR

B) Have the opportunity to exercise in the next 7 months



I figure by joining the gym at least the option to exercise is there. And Cam and I (mostly me) are determined to get our money's worth. I've always been an avid exerciser so I'm pretty excited. You get all the classes that they offer free with your membership, and the schedules are very good for us as well. There is no commitment with the classes either- come when you feel like it or don't. They offer spin class, boot camp, pilates, yoga, latin dance, step class, Kwando, and other special ones. I'm excited.

Today, our first day as members, I worked out. It was great. Tomorrow I have my complimentary session (for joining up) with a personal trainer. He told me today that he's going to "kick my ass" in the session. I'm not sure if that means the lesson is going to be him actually kicking my ass and I get a workout by defending myself or if it's just going to be really difficult. Guess I'll find out tomorrow. Either way, I'm kinda nervous...I've never worked out with a personal trainer before.

Anywho, Cam and I are committed to a healthier lifestyle, and we're very happy about the new gym membership. I'll keep you posted on how ripped we get. But I'm guessing that I'm pretty much going to be a beefcake when I come home for Christmas. I'm going to make myself a bet that I'll be able to bench-press Greg when i come home.

Lins

Making Music

Okay guys- a little band update.

Wanted to let everyone know that they can refer people to both

www.lindsayoylerband.com

AND

www.myspace.com/lindsayoylerband


to hear music and see promo pics and stuff. The sites should be well-equipped with music and pics by the end of the month.

Lins

True?

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

Life in the City- Jackie's viewpoint

Jackie loves it in Chicago.


She loves to relax with Cam...

She loves to turn upside down and glare at me...

She loves to sit in the window sill and watch the Mexicans next door...


And she just loves having her picture taken...

Ask for some Marley and Ye Shall Receive some Marley

I was feigning for some Marles, so I requested some new pictures from Amy. I thought I would pass them on. She's getting cuter! I can't wait to see her on the 2nd.

Lins


Marley "smiling" for the camera...


Just Marley being a cutey-patootey...


Marley shipping out...


Marley and Daddy chilling out...


Marley got attacked...

Headshot Dilemma

So, since Cam and I have our Second City auditions in 3 weeks, we have to have headshots to take along with our resumes. So, we ran into a bit of a jam because A) Mine is way outdated and doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to me anymore and B) Cam never had one and C) We only have 3 weeks to get one which doesn't give us enough time to book an awesome photographer.

So, I went to old trust Craigs List, which has been great to me since I've been here (it's how I found the band), and I posted an add calling for a photog that is either university student or an amateur.

Within a day, I was contacted by someone who is willing to take both of our headshots for $85 total, plus some full body shots of me for band promo next week and have them to us immediately. Well, of course I had to ask for some samples of his work (it sounded too good to be true), and when I did was very happy. Here is a link to his work. Just click on the different categories to see examples. They're really great-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marks_pictures/sets/


So- dilemma solved. We are getting new headshots next week for a great price and hopefully they will turn out great. We are also going to have him snap some shots of us together in hopes that we can get a great engagement photo. Bonus!

Craigs List rules.


Lins

Money Matters

I know that money matters are supposed to be kept private...but I just have to share this with all of you (and if you have ever been in debt you will understand the huge burden being lifted from me)-

This month I am completely paying off one credit card that I ran up while I was in college. And it feels terrific. I'm getting very close to being debt free. (Just in time to add more debt with surgery and marriage).


Just thought I would share that.


Lins

The Second City

Sooo......Cam and I just made our appointments to audition for the Improv Conservatory at The Second City on September 7...and I already feel so nervous that I might throw up on myself.


The deal with the Conservatory is- the talent level is a little higher because you actually have to audition to be a part of the program- unlike other programs at iO and Annoyance where you just have to sign up and pay the money. You have to show them that you have experience and are worthy of the program basically.

So, you audition to get into the program and you audition in Level 2 as well. But a great benefit of that is you get to perform in the Second City Skybox theatre when you are in Levels 2-5. So, you are guaranteed performance time for a while...even if you never perform again after you leave. So that is good.

I know that we planned on training at iO, but we basically want to audition and see what happens. I don't audition very well- I get nervous and suck. Hopefully that won't happen. But at least I will know that bad auditioning is a factor if I don't get in.

But we know what a mess it's going to be if Cam gets in and I don't. Boo hoo.

Lins

NEWS SO BIG IT DESERVES ALL CAPS!

I HAVE A GIG!



Jim, my guitar player, and I are playing August 25 at Lilly's in Lincoln Park. We are doing a 45 minute set opening up for another band. I'm excited! If you know anyone living here make them come and check me out!


Lins

All Fancy-Schmancy

So, my friend Tanya missed her birthday this year because she was deathly ill, so she made us get all dressed up and celebrate her "Half Birthday" a couple of weeks ago. Here are some pics:


Group shot with R.Kevink, Dan, Cam, me, and Tanya

Me and Cam doing something???


Me and Tanya


Just me playing it cool- as usual.

Sunset at the Beach

Today around sunset we walked Jackie down to the lake at Loyola Park and Beach. It's her new favorite place because she loves to take a dip in the cool water. It was beautiful. Here are some pics.

Lins

Update and Good News

Well, I am happy to say two things:


My interview for the position of Assistant Program Director for the After School program at Howard Area Community Center went well. I really liked the director and enjoyed meeting her and I think that she liked me. The job is basically helping to run an afterschool program for children ages 12-14 (she asked what I preferred and I said anything but little kids) at Gale Elementary, which is 2 blocks away from my apartment. The job is 20 hours a week 1:30-5:30 M-F and it pays very well, and she said the pay may go up because she was not aware that I was a certified teacher. Gale Elementary has zero white kids- and I'm happy with that. The job is a perfect mix for my mental health experience and teaching experience and I REALLY hope that I get it.

Also, I was offered a job at Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret. It's a very cool place that has regular performers and is very popular. My job would be as a performing waitress. I would serve cocktails and sing songs with the piano. I am just going to be sort-of filling in and working one or two nights a week- not a regular server as they don't need one right now. I would work at night, which stinks because I wouldn't see Cameron- but I also would make A LOT of money in tips in just one or two nights a week and I would be singing for the tips...so I am going to do it for a while and see what opportunity opens up for me. Who knows- maybe people will like me and they'll ask me to actually be a regular performer. Either way- I'm kindof excited about it just because I think it will be fun and different. You can google the name of the place to see what it's about and even do a virtual tour. It's very cool.

So that's my job update!

Lins

The Beach

Today I went and laid on the beach for a couple of hours. It's really great and actually kindof beautiful. I got a little tan and relaxed.

Tomorrow I have an interview with the Howard Area Community Center running an after-school mentoring/tutoring/social program from 1:30-5:30 M-F.

Tomorrow night, Jim (from the band) and I are going to do another acoustic open mic set....just getting used to playing together so we can do the real thing next month.

Things are pretty normal here.

Lins

Wedding Dress News

Well, it may seem like a long time away, but I BOUGHT A WEDDING DRESS!!!



I have been searching everywhere and looked at tons of dresses, and I knew when I saw this one that it was "the one." So, Cameron and I went to David's Bridal today and I tried a few on. This was the one that I had in mind the whole time. I absolutely love it.

PS- I can't gain a pound before my wedding. It's going to be a long year.


Lins

Just another Friday night

We are drinking lemonade and watching Total Recall right now...

you'll be happy to know that it's STILL an awesome movie.



Lins

Politicking

I have been using this site for a while. Yesterday, I took a quiz that basically makes me outline my political beliefs and uses them to align me with a candidate for the U.S. 2008 Presidential Race. I found out that I am a...

Populist Leaning Liberal

and that my views most align with those of...

Hilliary Clinton


Surprising...especially considering I wasn't planning on voting for her.




Anyway- you can take this very thorough quiz here:

http://www.speakout.com/VoteMatch/Senate2006.asp#sec0


or just browse the website at:

www.ontheissues.org





Lins

Some thoughts on race

I was thinking today about racism and race in general...as I was walking from the Howard train-stop to my apartment, an area which houses a huge population of people from the Caribbean Islands (and also where you can get the best Jamaican Jerk chicken in the city).

I was thinking about racism and how it is to me just a complete cop out as a human being. People who say that people of other races are "no different than us" or "just like us" are completely wrong and teaching tolerance incorrectly. Advertising someone as being "just like us" doesn't teach us to love human beings who are different from us. It really, to me, is a complete waste...because eventually the learner is going to find out that that indeed IS NOT true- we are not "all the same" and the learner will have to start from scratch.

Instead, what should be focused on is that we are all completely different. Because we are- races and cultures exist because those races or cultures have been rooted in not only different colors, religions, and ethics, but in simple things like food, vocabulary, wardrobe, financial habits, priorities, etc. And what a racist does is look at all of these things and say "Well, they're not the same as me so I don't like 'em!" And that, to me, means that they are not taking the time to even look at the core concepts of that culture. And if you're not taking the time to do that- you're just wasting your time here. There are some many great things to be learn and understood from other cultures.

Only AFTER you have been exposed to a culture and all of its parts (not to mention the sub-cultures within..that's endless) can you truly say that you like or dislike a culture. Just as I couldn't really give a non-biased opinion on the black race until I left Coffeyville and was exposed to another side of African American culture. In Coffeyville I had only one side of the story, just as if you went to small-town Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, or Louisiana you would only get one side of the white race (the side I am most embarrassed about).

I guess I don't assume that most racists (especially the ones I've known in small-town Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas) have EVER ventured beyond the walls of what they know and truly gotten to know a culture. I know that is the truth for me- when I went to college and saw a part of African American culture that I had never seen before I just woke up. It became clear to me that this race that I had thought I had figured out in Coffeyville- was only a PART of the culture. And I almost feel sorry for people who aren't given the opportunity to see that particular race from that particular point of view. The African American race can't be judged by its bottom tier- just as the White American race cannot be judged by IT'S bottom tier.

To put it in perspective- what if the only white people you ever knew were just ONE sub-culture- IE: KKK members, people from the hill country of Appalachia, the plastic surgery Barbies of California, the wealthy over-indulgent families that exist on the reality show Sweet Sixteen....there's bad everywhere and in every culture. You just have to be willing to look PAST the bad in every culture and find the good in it. Are there things about black culture that disgust me? Yes. Are there parts of my own White American culture that disgust me? Very much so.

You know what- let's focus on the African American population since they are the group I see most bigoted (Though, I might add that people of Middle Eastern descent are really gaining on them). As I was walking today I was thinking about the BIRTH of that culture. Let's compare and contrast IT'S birth to the birth of the White American culture- I'm not talking White culture, but the beginning of true White American culture in the 1400-1700s...

Alright, so our ancestors came over on the boat...they were farmers, tradesman, entrepreneurs- they were given supplies and support in order to cultivate new communities and build something....what- they weren't quite sure yet. That became clear when wars began to be fought over leadership. But what I want to focus on is that very beginning- the support, the supplies, the spirit, the opportunity for something new, the camaraderie....it was, I'm sure, very scary to venture to a new land...but it also held the promise for something better. And look what we've made of it- some good and some bad. We as a White American culture are doing pretty well...depending on how you look at it. On one hand we have built big business, religion, a democracy, and a sense of patriotism. On the other hand, 50% of us are so obese that it affects our health, 50% of us can't keep a marriage together, something like 20% of girls under the age of 18 are having cosmetic surgery, we have a terrible education system considering what an International powerhouse we are, we emit 25% of the Earth's pollution and we don't seem to give one shit about it, and we are known as a country that is over-indulgent, self-serving, smug, unhealthy, and most of all: stupid. I'd say we're less than perfect. And look what we had to work with in the beginning- we had copious land and supplies at our disposal.

Now let's look at how the African American culture began- not the African culture...but the African American culture. Okay, so in the 15/1600s they are STOLEN (some by whites and some by other Africans) and sent on slave ships to America. Have you read my favorite book, Roots? The ride over hear REALLY SUCKED to say the least. Then, when they arrive- they don't know the language or the culture. They are enslaved and abused. Their women are generally raped and have no way to defend themselves. The laws of the country that enslaves them do not even acknowledge them as people. They are 1/3 of a person.

However, through years of slavery and this way of life, they are still able to develop a sense of culture- they are the beginning of bluegrass music, spiritual hymns, soul food, and many rich traditions- despite the fact that they came here not speaking the same language, against their will, tortured, and overworked. I'd say that's quite an accomplishment. If I were an over-worked slave who did not speak the native language and constantly had an old, fat, drunk white man coming into my room and raping me- I'd have a hard time finding a sense of worth...much less a sense of culture.

Then, they get a small victory- slavery is abolished. Alright- so it SEEMS like a victory. But truth be told, most of them (because they were forbidden by former owners) had no idea how to read and/or write, and therefore had no ability to get a job. So they resorted to just staying at their former "slave" jobs and begin earning a VERY MODEST wage for the work. And this is how it goes for many years- although slavery doesn't exist- they are pretty much still enslaved by the precedents that have been set for them and enforced on them by white slave-owners. It's a vicious cycle. How are they supposed to grow when their growth has been suppressed as long as they have lived? How do you know the value of reading or writing when you're not allowed to look at a book?

Anyway- I don't even have to mention what goes on from the 1860s-1960s...the KKK, church bombings, segregation, lynchings, and overall repression. They aren't treated like second-class citizens for these 100 years- by most accounts they aren't treated like human beings.

Did you know that black people were used as an excuse to make nearly ever drug illegal in this country? Yeah- it's true. White journalists and lawmakers claimed that blacks were "getting high on marijuana" and "going crazy" in the South. Really???? Because I have a lot of pothead friends and none of them will even get off the couch- let alone "go crazy." Anyway-I digress...drugs are a whole 'nother topic for me to tackle another night.

Anyway- when you look at the birth of this African American culture and the constant years of repression and abuse- it is any wonder that they struggle as a culture? The funny thing is, you can't even compare the births of White American and Black American culture because they haven't yet gotten the support and equality that White American's did even in the late 1700s. A black man starting his career in the 1960s did not have the same opportunity and support that a white man had in 1800. Because a white man in the 1960s STILL had to deal with most white people hating him and trying to prevent him from accomplishing anything.

Hell- now that I've spent a few years in the South I'm convinced that the black man in the year 2007 in the small-town South is starting his life/career in the same boat as a man in the 1960s. They're way of thinking is about 30 years behind the rest of the country. Well, I shouldn't pigeon-hole them ALL. But...many. I don't know it all- but I know that in Farmersville, TX it was perfectly acceptable to say the n-word as much as you wanted without offending anyone and that I had 1 student use the word "Rag-Head" to my entire class without blinking an eye...and lastly- that one of my girls came into my classroom saying that her new haircut made her look like a "Chink." She was quickly scolded/corrected by me, and she just let me know that she didn't know that was a bad thing to say. Neither is the n-word apparently. I digress again.

Let me clarify that this doesn't make me feel sorry for the black race as a whole or make me an advocate for affirmative action or anything. If you know me than you know I'm very far from a "bleeding heart" liberal...just a liberal.

It just makes me think- Man, they started out in a really shitty situation and they've had it bad for a long time because of white people- so I understand that it's been a long road and they've got a ways to go. After all- as a culture they've only really be able to celebrate for about 30 years (and in some areas- zero years). We built a "successful" (by most accounts) White American culture in 225 years (with still a lot of work to do)...do we really expect them to build one in only 30? Give them a freaking break. I think as a culture they have done great things in that amount of time and I'm excited to see what they will do in the next 195.

So, racism pisses me off. Racist people just don't see the big picture and they're taking the easy way out of being a human being by not even trying to understand and appreciate culture as a whole. It's about the appreciate of what is good about the culture- not focusing on what is bad and how different it is from your way of life.

That's it for now. Maybe I'll tackle drugs before the week is over. Who knows.j


Lins

News on the Job Front

Yesterday I finally got ahold of someone who works for Parents as Teachers in my area...she runs the program for the Evanston-Skokie district which is just a few blocks away. I was referred to her from the state director.

She (as most of the PAT people have) has been out of the office for the summer and I called her as soon as I knew that she would be in.

She let me know that the government has put a hold on all of the funds for family service programs. She said that they are basically telling them "come to work- we don't know how we are going to pay you- but come to work." She said that she is waiting on grants from the state government to see how many people she can hire for the school year (her PAT program is school-based). I told her that I have been a teacher and I know what it's like to wait for money...


Anyway- she said that she foresees having one to two openings for Family Advocates (you go into houses of in-need families and make sure things are running smoothly) and that I will be the first person she calls when the money comes through.

So that's awesome.

Lins

Just another day on the subway...

I'll open this entry with a quote from David Cross's stand-up routine:

"When I'm on the subway in New York City I am faced with one of the most difficult decisions- to stare at the hottest girl I have ever seen...or the craziest person I have ever seen."


Today, I rode the train to Evanston to get a new phone (mine is messing up and I'm due for a free one- which I got today). On the way back I saw one of the craziest people I have ever seen in my life. Trust me- you'll want to hear this.


I was sitting on the train when in walked a man who looked like a doppleganger for Flavor Flav, a 90s rapper. If you don't know who that is, or can't remember, here's a reminder:



The guy had on starched jeans, fresh white Nike's, and a gold chain (all normal) but topped off his ensemble with some bright red sunglasses and a Dr. Seuss hat that was about 3 feet high (making him even more Flavor Flav-esque). Now let's talk about his best accessory...

He walked in carrying something that looked like a one of those little leather bags that businesses use to make a bank deposit. It was filled with what looked like what a crazy person might call their "business papers" ---some old receipts, random slips of paper, and a few gum wrappers. But the most glorious thing that he held in his bank deposit bag was a Walkman that was blaring Journey at full volume.

He entered the train dancing some strange dance which sort of paid homage to Journey I think. I was pleased when he chose to sit next to me, as he was so crazy that he wasn't even scary. That's how you know someone is really crazy- they really don't even seem to threaten your safety. I mean- I don't want to encourage them to talk to me or follow me...but they don't really scare me...especially with a full train of people in the middle of the day.

So, when he sat down he sang along with "Don't Stop Believin'" and sort-of waved his arms as if he was at the concert. Then he noticed the tattoo on my foot. He said that it was "cool" and I said "thank you" and smiled. He mentioned something about how I should keep smiling just like the "smiling face" on my foot (referring to the comedy mask rather than the tragedy mask). Then he told me that he "did not like" the frowning face on my foot. I said, "Well, I'm sorry buddy." He told me the tattoo was cool again and realized that I wasn't going to talk much more so he moved on to someone else.

There was a man sitting about 4 seats away wearing a hat that said Jim Beam. Flava Flav yelled loudly "Hey old timer- I like your hat! There's an old song about that: Jim Beam!" The man didn't say anything and just ignored Flav, but I knew what Flav was talking about. I even knew the lyric he was talking about from "Family Tradition" by Hank Williams Jr.:

Lordy I have loved some ladies and I have loved Jim Beam
and they both tried to kill me in 1973

The man didn't answer. He just ignored Flav as if he didn't hear him. I wanted so desperately to tell Flav that I knew what he was talking about and tell him the lyric...just to make him feel like someone had entered his bubble I guess. Of course, a guy like him has no idea that he is crazy...but I wanted him to feel like someone had entered his little world of crazy. But I didn't. I just stifled my laughter at how ridiculous the entire situation was- that I was relating to the craziest person I have ever seen. I didn't want to encourage him to follow me off the train or anything.

Then Flav went back to business and decided to take off his shoes. Then, when he thought I wasn't looking out of my peripheral vision, he took his finger, pressed it on his sock, and then returned it to his nose and sniffed it just to make sure that he was fresh. The funny thing about it was that the train didn't go past Howard street...so he was only going one stop. Why did he take his shoes off and get so relaxed for a minute-long train ride?

Then Flav did something that made me have to turn away so he didn't see me laughing. He put on his headphones (still blaring Journey) and he said really loudly:

"This is the remix! This goes out to all my n**gas dat passed away in...."

The rest was inaudible. I will never know who he dedicated that song too. But I did hear what the song was:


Faithfully by Journey


I started laugh as he swayed and held peace signs in the air. Then, as the train got to the stop he did something that resembled a genuflection and he got off the train.

THE END.




As I got off the train and walked about a block, I faced the normal beggars that I usually do...but one that was more sassy than usual, and she didn't look like most beggars- CRAZY. She just looked like a normal lady who didn't want to work for her train fare. The lady asked me if I had any money, I said no (as usual). But after I got about 20 feet away she yelled after me "Ya BITCH!"

I thought to myself- I maybe be a bitch, but at least I have my decency




Lins