Ruiter's Block

Girls vs. Boys- Northwestern

Sunday July 26-  I went to see Girls vs. Boys at Northwestern with Kat today.  What a great time.  Had a little trouble getting there since google maps doesn’t do the best when it comes to campus’s.  Michelle Bombe and Kurt were there as well- what an awesome thing that was.  It was a great added bonus to see Michelle.  Kurt is a very wise man as well.  Following the show Michelle invited Kat and I to join Sarah Watkins and them for a drink. It was great to have some serious professorial role models to talk to again.  At Hope, if I ever had a concern I could always go and talk with them… and I guess I still can.  I have everyone at the House and Daina, Michelle etc. at my disposal- all i have to do is e-mail.  Kurt gave some wise advice about not worrying about things- three to four years out of undergraduate is when he suggested people go to Graduate school- that lowers the pressure a bit.  He also said not to worry about it and just keep on auditioning at every audition possible.  Even if I suck it.  Also- find a job that doesn’t drain you so that you can be sharp and ready for the things you want.  As of now I haven’t decided if Stratex is doing that to me.  Back and forth I guess- but there is no harm in looking.

Girls vs. Boys was not as Loud of a musical as I hoped it would be- in fact it was pretty much a pretty normal musical- though there was some great diversity in the music throughout.  The girls were sexy.  It did the trick- lots of sex and love and the show got me into it.  I will be very interested to see what Nate, Jake and Chris think about this product.  They made it very clear in the curtain speech that this was a work in progress and the debut would be at the House.  The story was not very flushed out, hard to grasp and more abstract than I’m sure they’re going to allow it to be at the Chopin, however, it was entertaining, and the end product was quite a gift.  It was fun to see the direct influence of Tommy and the whole House crew.  The dancing was intense throughout and the story was told through movement very well. This makes me get more excited for possibly working in Lofty Deeds… but we’ll see.

Food Inc.

I went to see the documentary Food Inc. last night and it was incredible.  First off, there is something grand about going to see a documentary film on your lonesome.  I just feel smarter.  I felt like I was doing what was good, what was totally right to be doing- nothing else was more important.

The movie itself was amazing. It showed me I really do have an interest in this stuff.  It was just three days ago that I ordered the Omnivore’s Dilemna.  Michael Pollan plays a major role in this film.  It was so extremely informative and motivating.  It really motivated me not only to eat better personally, but to support local farmers and that shopping organic is actually good.  I thought for a while that it was just a money making hoax, but shopping organic is a vote for local, organically grown things.  Its amazing how our world’s nutrition has changed so dramatically in the last eighty years!! Our bodies, and the bodies of our livestock was not ready for this and its nuts!  I loved the film and really think that everyone should see this. Everyone- especially my father, I’d be interested to hear what his take on the whole situation is being a large component in the Incorporation that is food.

RING of HONOR!!!!

Last Saturday, June 27th- Jeremiah, Mike Kaffka and I went to see a ring of Honor show in Chicago Ridge- it was amazing.  One of the best nights of theatre I have been to in a while.  Ring of Honor is a low level wrestling federation staged in gymnasiums all over the country…. or midwest, I’m not sure.

This was an amazing night. I have a  brand new respect for wrestling as a live theatrical event- which to me, the only way it should be experienced.  It was sooo much fun- My voice was hoarse by the end of the night from all the extreme screaming I was doing at the wrestlers.  The show is meant for interaction from the audience and in fact its nothing without it.  The wrestlers are not only athletes but actors- very dedicated actors. At intermission we walked outside into the rain to find Jimmy Jacobs on his knees crying into his hands for being humiliated in front of everyone.  From there he walked slowly into the neighborhood while being ridiculed by patrons- real patrons in his face.

Awesome time- I can’t wait for another chance to go. Really had the funnest night of theatre that I have experienced in a long time.