Good Friday, a Humbling Day

Easter weekend and Holy Week is always a humbling time.  Last night our church had our Maundy Thursday service.  For those who don't know, Maundy Thursday is a service dedicated to the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples.  Of course it precedes Good Friday, the day Christ was arrested and put on the cross.

I can't help but wake up on Good Friday and begin thinking about what kind of day it must have been for Christ and his disciples.  I have read about it of course, seen it on television and in movies, but I still can't even begin to appreciate the sacrifice he made for us on this day.  It just humbles me that he would put himself up to this kind of torture so that he could save the rest of us.

Then on the Saturday of Holy Week I often think about the mindset of his disciples and his followers.  Here they were, knowing the man they looked to for spiritual guidance, their messiah, had died and was buried in a tomb.  There must have been a true sense of hopelessness and confusion.  They go from the most life changing experience imaginable, following and listening to Christ, to total despair.

Just when they are probably the most convinced their lives have been wasted, he reappears.  This is a reminder that when life seems the worst you have to know that tomorrow may bring total change.  People were at there lowest low on Saturday, and by Sunday they were at the highest high.

Everybody loves bacon! (but me)

Ok, I'm going to reveal something that may change the way you think of me.  I don't love bacon.  I mean I don't hate it.  But given a choice between a sausage patty and a piece of bacon with my eggs I'll chose the sausage every time.  If it's on a buffet and I don't have a choice, then I'll probably take a piece of bacon or two, but.....when I order off the menu, forget it!

I'm not sure where the popularity for bacon came from in the past 10 years.  Bacon sales have risen in the past year to an all time high and this year sales are up 9.5%.  Is there a correlation between bacon and an improving economy?  I don't know, but I'm sure we could drum up an economist with an opinion.  

I know this for sure, I've seen teens and others be attracted to a plate of bacon like it was the greatest meal ever to be served.   Lobster tails don't get the attention that bacon does.  

My mother wasn't a bacon person either.  I can't remember ever waking up to the smell of sizzling bacon when I was a kid.  I mean my mom cooked with it and included it in other meals she was making, but a plate of bacon at breakfast?  Not likely.

So think what you want of me.  I have a thick skin and can take the abuse.  But for now, I want to go on record as not being included in the EVERYONE, when the commercial says, "Everyone loves bacon."

About Candlesticks, vision, incredible talent and a summer I won't soon forget.

I have spent the best part of this year and especially this summer producing the Champaign Urbana Theater production of Les Miserable's.  It's been a few weeks since we wrapped up the show and I thought I would take some time and share a few of my insights into this experience.  First let me say the primary reason I volunteer for community theater is because of Les Miserables.  About 8 years ago I was in Kathy Murphy's office in EMP insurance buying health insurance.  I had known Kathy for years as her brother Tim is a fraternity brother and when I moved to town I purchased my home and auto insurance from his firm.  

Kathy was one of the founders of the Champaign Urbana Theater Company (CUTC).  I had heard her on a local radio show, "Penny for your Thoughts", where she and the host, Jim Turpin, were discussing the upcoming production of Les Mis.  Jim by the way is one of our community's most vocal advocates of local theater and often features songs and interviews for upcoming productions on his show.  

So back to her office, I mentioned to her I had heard her on Penny, and I was eager to see the show.  One of my friends and mentors, Jill Acheson, had taken me to see Les Mis at the Assembly Hall over 15 years prior and we talked endlessly about this magical music and message.  Kathy commented, "Todd, come help us with the show.  We need people backstage, you can help us move sets."  That set in motion a new volunteer career in theater for me as I have worked on more than 25 shows since then, producing 5 for CUTC and 4 more in the community.  

Producing a show is a project.  Every show starts with a vision.  The director is hired, and then a staff is assembled around him or her.  In community theater each staff is unique.  People need to be recruitted to design and prepare costumes, make-up, props, sets, marketing, music, orchestras, and literally every element of the show itself.  And this doesn't include the need to attract quality actors to perform the shows.  The director casts his vision to the producer, and the producer's job to to make that vision come to life.  Of course the money needed and the time to put things together are two huge obstacles you have to work around.  Especially in this era when sponsorships have thinned out and volunteers are harder to attract.  But you work with a deadline, "Opening night", and everything you do centers around that date.  When it comes together, it's a beautiful piece of art, when it doesn't, well let me say you're just happy there is a "closing night."

This year I had the pleasure of working with director Stephen Fiol as Producer of CUTC's third production of Les Miserables.  Normally when I finish a show I "never want to talk to the director again", however this time I found myself wanting to work on our "next project" right away.  Steve defines brilliant.  Personable is an understatement.  A man with a vision is a good description, however the focus of his vision far exceeds most anyone I have ever worked with before.  And it truly was proven in his adaptation of this show.

We sold out every show but one, the first night.  And we oversold every night after the first.  I suppose I could say that technically we sold out the run as the oversold seats when combined with the regular seats exceeded the capacity.  That is a great problem to have.

Why was this show such a hit?  A combination of many reasons, wonderful costumes, an incredible set, beautiful music in the form of a 21 piece orchestra led by Aaron Kaplan, well chosen props, but mostly, a talented cast more talented than any group of men or women I have ever had the pleasure to work with. We had 3 doctoral students in our lead roles.  Kyle Pollio as Jean Valjean, Timothy Renner as Javert and Bethany Stiles as Fantine.  Our other leads were marvelous as well, Caitlin Dobbs as Cossette, Corbin Knight Dixon as Marius, LaDonna Wilson and Jim Dobbs as the Thenardiers,  Marah Solelo as Eponine, just a name a few.  And truly I should name each of the 53 cast members and more than 100 volunteers as everyone did incredible work on this show.

So suffice it to say this was a fun summer.  At the end of a run the cast often presents a gift to the staff in appreciation of their work.  For this show, the cast gave each of the key staff a candlestick.  These candlesticks were used as props during the show, and each bear a tag with the night the prop was used.  For me, it was the first Saturday, which was the night Jill Acheson's family came.  I had dedicated my work in this production to Jill, so it's very special to me I would have a gift from the show from that night.

And there couldn't have been a more special memento for me than the candlestick.  For those that know the story, you'll remember early in the show Valjean steals silver from the Bishop he is staying with. When the police capture Valjean and bring him back to the Bishop, this man of God not only "lies" to the police, telling them he gave Valjean the silver, but he says, "you forgot the best pieces, the candlesticks."  This act of grace plants the seeds in Valjean of forgiveness and love and serve as the foundation from which the rest of the story is based.  Everyone deserves a second chance.  And in this second life, Valjean becomes a man filled with love and compassion for all he meets.  Even Javert who's mission in life is to arrest Valjean, is forgiven.

So this chapter in my life is now closed.  I have made many new friends and in the process helped some very talented people create beautiful art.  Some local critics said this was the best community theater production in more than 30 years.  Others said it was by far the best CUTC production.  I can't speak to that, I can only speak my own conclusion, and that is this was a magical summer, one that I won't soon forget.  And each time I see my candlestick I'll fondly remember the incredible talent I was inspired by every day.

Oh my it's been a little while since I have posted so I think I need to catch up.  It has been a busy summer for sure, highlighted by the production of Les Miserables in August.  I'll write more on that later, but for now I want to ramble a bit on my latest "project."  Last month I welcomed a student from China to stay with me this year.  Guanheng Luo is a senior at Champaign Central High School.  I'm pleased to report that after 4 1/2 weeks he is still alive!  

About 8 months ago Guanheng's brother, Guanyang, contacted me about trying to get Guanheng enrolled in the Rotary exchange program.  We quickly discovered we were too late for this year and began working on option B.  While I never would have believed a year ago I would do this, I committed to hosting Guanheng and be his guardian for the year.

Did you know that "raising a child" is harder than raising a dog?  No one told me that!  However, I've come to understand that Guanheng has needs beyond filling the water and food dish and letting him outside.  I mean he doesn't even chase the tennis ball when I throw it!  It's a whole new world.  

However, having said that, I must say the experience is a bit better that I expected.  First and foremost, while his English is not perfect, he work ethic nearly is.  He is a brilliant young man having already completed all the math and science courses in his previous school.  Even the AP Calculus and Physics classes he is in are a breeze although he is learning the language of the courses rather than the concepts.  That's a good thing as I have long forgotten the concepts in any math or science course taken.  

But...he is also taking American history, economics and basic English.  I can help him there!  We talk about new words every night and occasionally discuss moments in history and economic theory.   The English is harder than you might think.  Yesterday's word was "thing".   Try explaining what a thing is without using the words "something, anything, everything or nothing."  But we got that one done and are working through a list of 2497 words his teacher has prepared for him to learn this semester.  

More than the classroom though I'm finding the chance to talk to him about the cultural differences between China and the US is fascinating.  Guanheng's school schedule for example was amazing.  He would go to school Sunday nights at 6 only to return home on Saturday night at 6.   Classes started at 6:30 AM daily and went through 10 PM.  There were breaks for dinner and studying, but clearly this helps me to understand why the Chinese are so far ahead of us.

He has been enjoying discovering American cuisine.  His first milk shake, pizza and hamburger where monumental occasions.  And so far at least, he hasn't found an ice cream he doesn't like.  Like many Asian students he looks for rice dishes and more simple fare, but loves to experiment with new foods.

Guanheng has adjusted to having a pet at home as well.  Imagine never having owned or even seen a pet dog.  At first he was a little afraid of my Kelsey.  Now they have bonded and she watches out for him as well.

As for me, no significant changes in my schedule yet.    I've had my first parent teacher meetings.  Attended a few more events at the school.  And I keep my eyes open for things a 17 year old might like to do.  He does enjoy football, and has enjoyed the side trips we have taken to Chicago and Allerton Park.  We have a few more trips in mind, NYC to visit my sister at Christmas, and maybe go to my relatives in Pennsylvania in for a large family Thanksgiving.  

It's harder for him to make friends, and certainly if I already had a child in the school it would be easier.  But he is slowly making friends and doing some outside clubs and activities.  

For now at least, everyday is a new experience for both of us.  I'm looking forward to the rest of the year and also looking forward to graduation.  In the meantime, I'll work on his English and he can teach me a little Chinese while we are at it.

A Salute to America - Red Skelton's classic rendition.

One of the greatest entertainers in my generation was Red Skelton.  I'm reminded every year at this time his speech on the Pledge of Allegiance   You know this we say it a lot, before meetings and before classes in school, but we seem to only take it seriously when our country is at war.  But let me share this for today.

When I was a small boy in Vincennes, Indiana, I heard, I think, one of the most outstanding speeches I ever heard in my life. I think it compares with the Sermon on the Mount, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and Socrates’ Speech to the Students.

We had just finished reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and he [Mr. Lasswell, the Principal of Vincennes High School] called us all together, and he says, “Uh, boys and girls, I have been listening to you recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester, and it seems that it has become monotonous to you. Or, could it be, you do not understand the meaning of each word? If I may, I would like to recite the pledge, and give you a definition for each word:

I -- Me; an individual; a committee of one.

Pledge -- Dedicate all of my worldly good to give without self-pity.

Allegiance -- My love and my devotion.

To the Flag -- Our standard. “Old Glory”; a symbol of courage. And wherever she waves, there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts “Freedom is everybody's job.”

of the United -- That means we have all come together.

States -- Individual communities that have united into 48 great states; 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided by imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common cause, and that’s love of country, of America.

And to the Republic -- A Republic: a sovereign state in which power is invested into the representatives chosen by the people to govern; and the government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands

One Nation -- Meaning "so blessed by God."

Indivisible -- Incapable of being divided.

With Liberty -- Which is freedom; the right of power for one to live his own life without fears, threats, or any sort of retaliation.

And Justice -- The principle and qualities of dealing fairly with others.

For All -- For All. That means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

Now let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance:

I pledge allegiance
to the Flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said, "That is a prayer" -- and that be eliminated from our schools, too?

Hang on!

I was reminded last week just how precious life can be.  A close friend of mine passed away suddenly after living a full and engaging life and the husband of another friend, a mentor from my high school days, also left this earth.  I'm not sure why God gives me these wake up calls periodically, and while I'm saddened by the friends I've lost the reality of just how much every day matters has been brought to the forefront again. 

And yet as tragic as the end of these two lives are, it's the life almost lost that serves as the real reminder of the glory of life.  I got a text a week ago from a young man I mentor looking for contact information for two other adults I know from a leadership center I volunteer with.  Just the simple fact he would ask me for "their" information was indicative there was a problem brewing.  Both adults are what I would call "black and white" counselors.  Their views of right and wrong are very clearly defined with little or no grey area for compromise.  I passed on the information and the young man thanked me and asked if we could meet soon as he was having issues.  

We met two days later.  I won't go into specifics but bottom line is this, this young man not only bottomed out but found himself in the deepest hole life presents.  When life seemed the most hopeless one of his friends found him and literally held him to the ground for over 90 minutes.  It's hard to imagine a young 21 year old man holding another to the ground for 90 minutes.  Our cultural norms don't allow for this degree of bonding.  Yet it's clear to me a life was saved because one man chose to hang on to another.  

Over the past week the troubled youth and I have talked through the problems that brought him to this point.  And he has a plan to try and deal with his issues.  They are deeply rooted and will require him to focus on finding better answers every day.  But I know he and I are glad his friend held on and got him to this point.

We never know when we will be called to help someone through a dark night.  We can't always tell by looking at our friends and family they are on the edge of the deep dark hole.  But occasionally, whether we know it or not we are called to hang on to them and rescue them from that hole.  My friend Mark is a hero.  I'm sure it may not have hit him yet, and like most 21 year olds he probably thinks he did what anyone else might do.   But the truth is, what he did was special.  He hung on, and as a result, a life has been saved.  And my other troubled friend also needs to always remember their are many who need him to hang on as well.  

~ Hang On~

When you feel like giving up “Hang On”

Only a little bit longer, you know you can do it

Just hang on to the end of your rope

Then tie a knot in it and chill for awhile

After you have rested and thought about your life

Regain your strength and start climbing

Little by little reaching the top again

You have to keep going no matter what

And remember to always listen to your gut

After the storm has come and gone

The sun will always shine bright 

Giving you the courage to see the light

Copyright ©2009 Chessly Nesci

Hot Dogs, Hitchcock and the Honor of Spending Time with Roger Ebert

I am pretty sure I escorted Roger Ebert out of the Virginia Theater for the very last time at the end of Ebertfest.  For those who don't know, Roger created a film festival in Champaign Urbana 15 years ago.  Originally called "The Overlooked Film Festival", the event was a celebration of the four things Roger loved the most: His wife Chaz, Movies, Champaign/Urbana/the University of Illinois and Steak and Shake.  The festival brought actors, directors, screenwriters, movie executives and thousands of other friends together to celebrate all of the things he loved the most.

I was on "Roger duty" for this last day of the 2012 Ebertfest.  That meant I needed to help him in and out of the theater, help him to and from his seat and just make sure he and his wife Chaz had what he needed.  The festival was showing "Citizen Kane" one of Roger's all time favorite movies.  And for the first time the version being screened was the "director's voice over" which in this case, was the voice of Roger Ebert himself talking through every scene of the projection.  It was a magical afternoon just to hear Roger's voice again in the theater.

For those that don't know, Ebert has battled cancer for at least the last 10 years.  Eventually he would lose his jaw and vocal chords and with that his ability to "tell us" about the movies he loved and hated so much. Even the loss of his voice couldn't quiet Roger though, adapting his computer with a "Hal like" speech adapter.

While on "Roger duty", Ebert needed to take a short break and we escorted him into the theater office to rest.  On his way back to his seat one of the patrons was complaining loudly to the staff about how he had assumed the original movie would be shown and not a voice over by Ebert.  While at his loudest, Roger walked by.  Roger displaying grace, looked into the man's eyes, nodded as a grandfather might nod trying to calm a disrespectful grandson, extended his hand and gave a look of understanding. 

I don't want to imply in anyway that Ebert and I were close friends.  Like thousands of others I had the opportunity to spend time with him and have a few brief conversations.  We both have two loves in common, movies and the UI College of Media.  And we would talk about both when we shared time.

The most notable of our encounters happened at the San Diego Airport in 2004.  Roger was in San Diego for treatments for the cancer and I was there for the national convention of my national fraternity.  Standing in  the airport security line, I noticed Roger was standing in front of me.  We shared greetings and once through the line he invited me to join him to get something to eat.  He noticed Nathan's Hot Dog's in the food court and we started our adventure.  

Now Roger loved to eat.  He is famous for taking friends to Steak and Shake in Champaign and leading debates about how the burger, bun and fixings at this fine establishment was the finest in the world.  If you didn't know any better you might think Steakburgers deserved the same notoriety as the finest of French wines.  But this was Roger, if he believed something, it was important for his friends to believe the same thing.  His long time sparring with critic Gene Siskel grew out of this stubbornness.  And of course the rest is history.

The first time I met Ebert was shortly after he had reviewed "Chinatown".  Ebert loved the movie as did I and my closest lifetime movie critic friend Brenda did.  But Siskel didn't.  I was in the CBS studio in Chicago interviewing Brent Musberger and Siskel was there doing his weekly on air review for the station.  I argued with Siskel about how wrong he was about the movie and he shot back "if I liked every movie, no one would read my columns!"  I shared this with Roger when I met him later that summer and he thought Gene's argument was just childish.   That was Roger.  Adults agreed with him, children...well they were just children.  

So I return in this story to Nathan's Hot Dogs.  We both had an hour until our flights.  Roger bought us 4 dogs and fries.  He spent the first 20 minutes admiring the hot dog.  The casing was perfection.  The bun toasted just right.  The fries while not quite Steak and Shake thin fries but were the next best thing.  And the toppings were just heavenly.  He reminded me the San Diego Nathan's was no near as good as the original at Coney Island, but still, well worth the investment!

We spent the rest of the time talking about movies and in particular Hitchcock movies.  I told him one of my favorite classes at the UI was a Hitchcock and his works class where we read the screenplay or books the movies were based on and then critiqued the movie.   We talked about my favorite Hitchcock movie, North by Northwest, and got into Psycho, Notorious, The Birds, and finally Rear Window, which he was hoping to show at the festival soon.  It was truly amazing to "pick a topic or a movie" and then let him lecture about the history of the movie.  

I mentioned before Roger has hosted a film festival in our area the past 14 years.  Roger grew up in Urbana and loved to come back.  Over the past 14 years he has shown over 100 movies and offered insights into each of them before and after the screening.  For those of us who have attended every year I think we might be eligible for a doctorate in film studies.  For me at least, I have a much better understanding of what it takes to make  and distribute a movie.  It has been fascinating for sure.  

And a huge part of the festival has been his friends who have come back to be celebrated by Roger and Chaz.  Standing on Park St you might bump into actors, directors, producers, writers, and masters of all of the elements of film making.  And most if not all would tell you a story about how Roger changed their lives with a review he wrote or a call or letter of encouragement they had received.  As I said if he liked you and liked your work, he stubbornly argued for you.

So today I remember that afternoon in San Diego I spent with Roger Ebert.  I'm taken back to the last day of Ebertfest as I escorted Roger out to his car after the lights were back on from the last movie.  As he held my arm going out of the theater I mentioned that afternoon at Nathans.  He squeezed my hand to tell me he remembered and gave a look to Chaz, they must have had same discussion before,  as if to say  "see Chaz, I told you Nathan's was the best!".  Another debate won by Ebert for sure.

My heart goes out to Chaz and all of Roger's true friends across the country but especially here in Champaign Urbana.  The 15th Annual Festival is in two weeks.  This will be the perfect memorial for all of his family and friends.  Four days of movies, of Steak and Shake, of boasting about the University of Illinois being the best university in the world, of comforting Chaz and who knows, maybe we can fly in some Nathan's Hot Dogs for the day.  We'll all miss you Roger Ebert.