Filed by Trevor at 12:20 am under Atheism, Religion
3 Comments

Pay attention, kiddos.

Filed by Trevor at 2:58 pm under The Arts
6 Comments

For the time being I’ve stayed out of the discussion brewing over in Bries’ corner, not because I have nothing to add, but rather I’m more interested in what others have to say on the matter first. But I will jump in soon enough. Before I do, I have something I would like each of you to consider. Below is a work I consider to be one of the most authentic and moving pieces of art created in the last few years, a sentiment compounded by the fact that it came out of pop culture and not the fringes of the artist community. And as is the case with most true works of art, it may offend you. But get over it. Consider all things, then think for yourself.

Filed by Trevor at 10:56 pm under Shameless Plugs
1 Comment

As you may or may not remember, a couple months ago I headed out to LA for the Ian Harvie Show, hosted by the brilliant transgender comic him(her?)self. I got much more out of it than I expected to (including two hot pink vibrators), as I was sitting directly across from John Amaechi and right next to Ian’s parents. Oh, and you know, I got to meet Margaret Cho. No big deal, right? Anyway, this evening I was very happy to find an edited version of the show on YouTube — posted by Ian — which I have provided below. If you’re unfamiliar with him, he’s a gifted comedian and an incredibly urbane, down-to-earth person, plus the video provides a clip from Matt Alber’s performance which is well worth noting — marvelous musician. What the video does not provide, unfortunately, is footage of me winning the aforementioned top prize for Filthiest Public Restroom Story and subsequent presentation of said prize (16 oz. bottle of lube provided by Babeland, the corporate sponsors) by a tranny in an evening gown. My disappointment is sincere; it was a proud moment in my life that I would have loved dearly to share with you.

However.

What I neglected to mention in my earlier post for some reason was that at the conclusion of the show, Ian opened up the floor for a bit of “Tranny Q & A”, which rounds out the final portion of the video. I was pleased to discover that the question you see him answering is the one I asked. It was the very last one he answered that night, regarding whether or not he planned on having a double mastectomy to complete his transition. In fact, if you listen closely at 8:49, you can hear me ask it, but even if you can’t, his response is frank and touching — I’m thrilled he deemed it important enough to include as part of the highlights.

Funny how such a small thing can make you feel connected to the outside world; I actually feel like part of the queer community now. It’s a new feeling.

Filed by Trevor at 1:07 am under The Arts
1 Comment

If any of you happen to be unacquainted with Arvo Pärt, I commend him to you. My personal belief is that anyone can write huge, brooding masses of strings and brass and what have you, but true skill lies in crafting works of barest simplicity — such are his works. So imagine my great delight to discover a tête-à-tête between he and Björk, dating from a decade ago, no less. Why am I just discovering this now?

If not for the compelling and frank discussion of music between two people I hold in the highest esteem, watch it to hear two people with nearly unintelligible accents attempt to have a deep conversation in a language native to neither one. Love.

Filed by Trevor at 11:06 pm under Religion
3 Comments

Well, what are you waiting for? Go get ordained!

Filed by Trevor at 11:45 pm under Fightin' Words, Religion, UU
2 Comments

God is not irrelevant,
only Hell;
Faith is not irrelevant,
only Fear.

There is only Joy.

Struggle is not irrelevant
(for we must reclaim that which should never need reclaiming)
only Complacency.

There is only Truth.

Pray, hide not your hate
behind holy words.
Expose it to air –
let us all bear witness,
for Morality is never irrelevant,
only Dogma.

There is only Peace –
like a river,
fed by its tributaries.

For we each owe a debt to o(urselves)ne another,
and from this there is no escape.
So spare us your lies,
for Reason is never irrelevant –
only God.

There is only Mercy.

Alleluia.

There is only Mercy;
there is always Grace.

Filed by Trevor at 10:40 pm under Fightin' Words
4 Comments

Dear President Bush,

I can only assume that the sudden revelation that bin Laden sought to turn Iraq into a base for al-Qaeda — the implication being, of course, that he is still pursuing such a goal — was intended to bolster your defense for our continued presence in the Middle East. And right as our Congress eliminated timetables from the legislation you hate so much, too! Tell me, if this is truly a viable threat, and thus meant to strike fear in the hearts of American citizens, why have you kept a lid on this information for two years? Now, some will nevertheless interpret this as proof of an Iraq - al-Qaeda link, I have no doubt. But consider the date, if you will. We were attacked in 2001 and we’ve been at war with Iraq since 2003; do you think bin Laden would have turned to Iraq as a terror cell in 2005 had you not falsely led us into this war in the first place? Besides, wasn’t this the guy you swore you’d apprehend “dead or alive?” Whatever happened to that?

Conservatives who falsely assert that it was actually Clinton’s fault for letting bin Laden get away absolutely astound me. How blithely they ignore the fact that this man led the largest terrorist attack on our soil in the history of our country and was subsequently allowed to get away with it. This means, of course, that if Iraq truly does become an al-Qaeda terror cell, you are doubly to blame for it: once for disbanding a unit of the CIA that was for an entire decade (note: since the beginning of Clinton’s second term) dedicated to the mission of capturing bin Laden, and twice for leading us into a war against a sovereign nation in no way responsible for the Trade Center attack.

And yet, somehow you’ve managed to trump yourself. Sir, kindly explain why you’ve relegated the mission of tracking down bin Laden to Pakistan — with a price tag of a billion a year with absolutely no accountability? We’re all waiting.

You are not my president.

Filed by Bil at 7:24 pm under Shameless Plugs, The Arts
5 Comments

I have two things to say about having broken my finger onstage: first, the fact that I completed the show makes me feel like I just bought a ticket into the theatre equivalent of Rock and Roll Heaven. I hope I am not overestimating myself (or the show). Second, as was proven by Vincent Van Gogh, the loss of a small and inconsequential body part cannot stop art from getting made. Vive le cinemà!

We bring the suffering upon ourselves: I, for making this stupid film, and you, for watching it.

Filed by Devon at 10:50 am under General
1 Comment

So Chicago Opera Theatre has released its season for next year… and they’ve informally asked me to dress it again. This is a year away, people. Sheesh. But what I found interesting is that along with Handel’s Orlando and Mozart’s Don Giovanni, they’re also doing John Adam’s newest opera, A Flowering Tree. Their press release is here. But the part I found particularly intriguing is this little nugget from it:

“We were delighted to present the Chicago premiere of John Adams’ Nixon in China in 2006, and A Flowering Tree will mark Chicago Opera Theater’s 32nd Chicago premiere,” said General Director Brian Dickie.

John Adams will conduct the first two performances and Joana Carneiro, Assistant Conductor at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will conduct the last three.

So, yeah, I just thought that was cool. Still don’t know if I want to work for them, but ya know…. it’s a long way off.

That is all.

Filed by Trevor at 2:16 am under Fightin' Words, The Arts
1 Comment

There is coming a time soon when I will no longer be absent from these things. I wish I could be there. Break a leg.