"Let's go Fly a Kite" and three humans while we are at it.

So in the picture above, Bert, aka, Marc Wilson has his life in my hands.  He is suspended from the rafters by wires and I'm holding the ropes at the other end.  I had to participate in 12 hours of training, lifting up Marc and others over 200 times before our trainer felt comfortable leaving us alone to run the show.  I was in pain, especially my hands and fingers which felt like I had them pulled apart like an ancient English torture chamber.  

Well my hands are slowly recovering.  Oh my, was I over my head when I agreed to serve as a master flyman for CUTC's performance of Mary Poppins.   4 hours a day, 3 days straight of pulling ropes with lives at the other end wore me out!  Finally last night I had a night off and today my hands aren’t in pain.  It’s a great upper body workout, but painful on the hands.  Of course our grip weakens as we age J

The show is going well.  Despite the potential for a total train wreck, we managed to pull it together and put on a great show.  And truthfully the play is better than the movie so the story is more enjoyable to watch. 

I get to the theater at 5:45 and rehearse all 8 of our flys, then I don’t have to be back on stage until 9 PM.  That’s the end of Act 1 when Mary flies away.  The second act I have 6 flys and they happen about 10 minutes apart.  Two hard ones, one with Miss Andrews who is a large woman and has to be pulled straight up into the lights.  The other with Bert during Step in Time when he swings from side to side (about 30 ft) and does front and back flips in the air (see above photo).   The hard part about Bert’s fly is that I have to land him 3 times on stair cases and I have a split second each swing to decide if he is safe and has his feet under him.  Guess wrong, and he breaks a leg.  So far, my guesses have been good J

In the end, this is just another chapter in my book of life experiences.  Nothing dramatic to share except, I know I'm not as young as I think I am!!

Hanging up the stripes

So I think today is a milestone for me.  Way back in 1976 I became a licensed official in the state of Illinois.  Today is the first day I have not been officially registered as an official in the State.  I counted once, I think I was at over 4500 games officiated.  Most of those were intramural, park district or summer camp games.  But over 2000 of those were high school games of some sort.  It's been fun, it's been a great challenge, it has been rewarding, both spiritually and financially, but I think you have to know when it's time to quit, and I know it is now.

I'll be forever thankful to the men and women who mentored me along the way.  I have been fortunate to work the state finals, major tournament championships and exciting regular season games.  I have refereed for men and women who have gone on to successful college and professional careers.  And I have had the pleasure to work for some of the finest men and women coaching on the sidelines as well. I'm thankful I have had these opportunities.  

Best memories, no question, refereeing for Candice Parker was a highlight.  She was certainly the best female athlete to ever play the game in Illinois.  No one could play with her.  I'll never forget the rivalry games either.  St. Joseph and Unity, Central and Centennial, Chrisman and Paris.  All were special games where the fans, players and coaches were involved in every play.

I'll be forever thankful to the men and women I partnered with on court as well.  Referees are a special breed.  Thankless jobs for sure, and the people who don the stripes deserve the respect of all involved in the game.

We are not supposed to play "favorites" however truth be told my favorite place to work has been Uni High in Urbana.  My first varsity game was at Uni.  I was a college senior and Uni played at Huff Gym in those days.  I was as excited as I could be.  For me, this was the state championship.   I couldn't tell you who won, I can't tell you anything about the game, I can just say it was a game I will never forget.  Over the years I've continued to referee at Uni as many times as they have asked me.  For me at least, they represent high school athletics at it's best.  Very few of the kids went on to play in college, although almost every kid went on to successful careers in life.  They always played hard.  The played fair, and they had fun.   They epitomize what sports are about.  So as I look back on my career I'll hold my "favorites" in a special place in my heart.  The coaches, the players and especially the administration, Sally Walker in particular, have always made refereeing at Uni High special.  

Have I missed calls?  Absolutely.  Have I made calls that impacted the outcome of the games?  Hopefully not.  Have I had fun?  No question.  Would I do it again?  In a heartbeat.  

So I'll move to the sideline and become a fan.  And as a fan, I'll have respect for the men and women officiating the games.  I know they work hard to be the best they can.  I know they try to make the right calls.  I know they don't care who wins, but really care about making sure both teams have a chance to win.  I know they love the games.  And hopefully, I know that like me, they are just happy to be involved in the game they love.

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?