gay band

This past weekend was my first rehearsal with Lakeside Pride Symphonic Band. I haven't played my euphonium since 1998. Needless, to say, I'm a bit rusty. Okay, at the moment I just plain suck. It's actually really embarrassing, because I don't even remember some of my fingerings. It's not all that bad though. With some stuff, I actually sound pretty damn good, but it's usually when it's not high, when there are no sharps or flats, and when it's 'rests'. (music people will find this hilarious) I'm getting better everyday. By our performance I think i'll be fine.

Now this being a "gay band" there are many directions I can take this entry in. For example, why even make a distinction and say, we're a "gay" band. IT'S A BAND....BANDS ARE ALWAYS GAY!!! But ALL i'm going to state for now is a simple observation. I noticed, that most of the trumpets, and low brass players were women and ALL the flutes, clarinets, and woodwinds were guys. That's all i'm saying.


It's been one practice and we already made band friends AND Ben and I are the new Symphonic Ban Librarians!! After practice Ben and I, or Ben and Me, whatever the fuck it is, got invited to The Spot and we hung out with our new friends and it was so much fun. They were so nice and welcoming. I felt like we had been part of the gang already. Actually, since Ben and..Yo, were band geeks before we were already part of the "gang."

So I might get in trouble by saying this, but when I really think about it, and i'm being very GENERAL here, but, I think I like band people more than theatre people. (People are "general" when they don't want to point out specific people, so by trying to be P.C. and not hurt anyone's feelings, everyone's feelings get hurt)

That being said, all my best friends now, Roman, Angie, Laura, Janet, and Adriana who didn't go to Ysleta, but was in the flags at Jefferson, were all in the band. They were Band People. I met them because we were all Band People. I was always the only Theater Person, and sometimes I had to get put into check because my ego would get to crazy or I was just too much.

SIDE BAR:
One time in middle school all my friends had a meting about me. (Oh yeah, that's right, i'm pulling this one out of the bag.) Every met to decide whether they wanted to continue being my friend or not. This was right after Laura and I won the School District Wide Best Duet Acting. (one of many which we would win in high school) I found out about this many many years later. The people who met me later are probably thinking, "How is this possible? Ernie you're just lovely." But this is a true story, and i'm glad they didn't kick me out of the circle. (even though, let's be honest, I WAS THE CIRCLE, oh, shit there I do again. I mean everyone's equally important and i'm not special in any way)

My point is, for the most part, Band People are laid back, fun, easy going, sometimes geeky, sometimes slutty, but mostly drama-free.

Theatre People by DESIGN are so dramatic. (I include myself in this category)

However, I will say I like Theatre People more than Singers, because Singers are just assholes. I do have to say that I LOVE me some Dancer People. Then you have Musical Theatre People....who are Singer, Theatre People that Dance, and, i'm just not going to go there.

Once again I have to say that I'm just being General! GENERAL!! So generally, theater people are bastard people and Band people are geeky people, Dance People are the best, Singers suck ass, and if you're a combination of any of these types you should acquire professional help and the gays are all going to hell.

PS The love of my life is a Musical Theatre person, and I myself, on occasion aven been known to be a Musical Theatre Person as well. (everyone knows that's basically all I listen too) . Oh, yeah AND all the people who I don't speak to anymore (2), are both Band People, so generally I don't know what the fuck i'm talking about.

-Ernie

A very huge part of me thinks I should go back and just end this at "I had a good time this weekend" but I think there actually may be some comedic mileage in this, so i'm leaving it up.

This past weekend I also:

If you haven't, go See El Orfenato THE ORPHANAGE. It's a fantastic movie.

Also, if you're in Chicago, this week is the last FREE Admission to The Museum Science and Industry.

random thoughts

Yesterday Ben and I got a card from the playwright of the new play we recently did at the Village Players Theatre.

On a Side note: we played a couple, how fucken cute is that. In one scene Ben was doing crunches while I held his feet down and ate Doritos (my idea, of course) and I thought to myself, "fuck this IS us!"

Back to the card, I thought, "oh, how nice." Karen is a beautiful person. Really, it's been a long time since i've met someone with so much positive energy, a true giving and gracious spirit. And she's a lesbian. I don't think i've ever said "that person has character." I've said "that person is a character," but Karen is just top notch. If there were more people like Karen and less people like George Bush and Jerry Falwell (oh wait, he's dead; one for us! AND may you burn in hell you cocksucking motherfucking ignorant bitch), where was I, oh yeah, we would have world peace.

The last people of character I met was 4 years ago when I first met my mentor Chuck Richie and his wife Deidre. But they're not lesbians.

Back to my story: Inside the card was 2 checks, one for me one for Ben. It said, "just thought I would share the 'profits' from Katy and Judy with you." We weren't suppose to get paid. I mean, who does that? I don't. We got paid for our last gig, which in Chicago none-equity, doesn't happen to often. No, i can't say, "I'm rich bitch." but it's something. This really was just a nice surprise.


I'm a bit nervous because I have gay band practice this weekend. I've been practicing, but I still can't hit an F (top line of the staff) I wouldn't even call that a high F. it's just an F. Fucking F. For a few years now i've been saying, "i miss band," so i'm excited as well. We'll see...

I miss my family. I had a dream about my brother Erick last night and all the stupid funny things he does. I woke myself up, because I was laughing so loud in my sleep. First time ever.

Last time I was in Texas, I learned a few things about myself when I was very young. My mom told me that when I wanted a slice of cheese (you know Kraft singles), if it didn't come out perfectly I wouldn't eat it. If a small corner tore off and stayed in that square plastic wrapping I would not eat it! She said, (in Spanish, so i'll translate:) "so there I was, going through a whole pack, unwrapping these fucking slices of cheese for you." Oh, and also, with eggs sunny side up, if the little yellow bubble (aka the yolk) broke I wouldn't eat it and throw a fit. Makes sense. Also I had a stutter, but I don't want to talk about that. I remember that.


My family in early December in Texas. Notice the not snow, and not freezing temps.

This morning was probably like what? 15, but felt like -4. I actually said, "oh yeah, it feels better out here," because it wasn't windchill -30. WHAT THE FUCK!

I don't know why i'm so scattered brained today. It's like I can't focus on one thing, but that's the way my writing usually is. Unfocused and confusing. I don't believe in writing in full sentences either. Who the hell made up all these rules? Some white guys no doubt. In Spanish it's written down just as it sounds. There are even extra letters in the alphabet because of this. Chingado. FUCK

Now I want to talk about Life.

If you let it, your life, and the universe always has a way of balancing things out. As one door closes 2 more open. As one good friend leaves your life another re-enters it. This all has happened to me lately. I'm starting to believe THE SECRET. Did ya'll read that book? It's great. well okay, maybe it's a bit too artsy fartsy, but it's essence is that we attract the things that happen to us in our lives. Like attracts Like.

Say that to yourself, "like attracts like" again, "Like attracts Like" now say "I am a good person and this is a good world" keep repeating "I AM A GOOD PERSON AND THIS IS A GOOD WORLD," say "I will not eat fucked up slices of cheese" "I WILL NOT EAT FUCKED UP SLICES OF CHEESE"

ahhh, I feel at one with myself and the universe.

cruserboy

Yes, it's true. I play the Euphonium, aka the baritone.

my instrument's name is Cruserboy

sup homies!

I was inspired by Alisa's silly and very funny "I'm bored so I curled my hair" pictures. The end result follows:

And there's:


This is what I call gay Mexican ghetto glam. Or a good time.

Dez Nutz

Yesterday Ben and I joined our local YMCA!!! ::cue the village people:: We got a family deal and we didn't even get charged a joining fee of any kinda.

I do; however, want to make a very clear distinction: This is not a new year resolution thing, this is, an I'm turning 29 and have high blood pressure thing. Actually, we've been pretty good at getting out and walking along the lake front every now and then. I've lost about 15 pounds since grad school, though I did gain about 25 pounds while at The Ohio Shakespeare Festival this last summer. (why does beer have so many calories? WHY GOD, WHYYYYY!!!!!!).

It's so fucken cold and snowy all the time that taking walks outside is just not possible right now. Hence the Y. After we joined we got a change to do some cardio and it was pretty fun. There are a lot more young people than I expected. a lot. Also, I have to note that within the first 5 minutes I saw way to many old-white-man-saggy-nuts in the locker room. I think I said out loud, "ay, dios mio!"

Just so you know, I do turn the gay off while I'm the guys locker room, because I don't think it's fair to all the straight guys that can't see girls changing in their respective locker room. A respect thing. Nevertheless, I think gay or straight guys would notice old-white-man-saggy-nuts. I mean, I'm tripping on them, so I'm gonna notice.

The other news this week is that my contract at The Illinois Arts Council has just been extended for the 96th time. This has been the best job I've had in Chicago thus far, so I'm extremly happy about it. I was originally only suppose to be here for 4 weeks, but then they said, "can you say another month." A month later it was,"can you stay another other month?" and after that, "do you think you would want to stay till the end of this month?" and now they said, "would you like to stay for 6 more months?" Woohoo!

-Ernie

PS Here are some pics from last week:





I had mentioned that I really like strippers right?


This is my "I like strippers" face

excuse me?

Don't have much time, but wanted to get some stuff down before I forget it. Like Ben's aunt says, " I have a serious case of C.R.S" Can't Remember Shit. Talking about shit, right now I feel like it. I'm running on fumes, 4 hour of sleep, and I'm pretty sure I'm technically still drunk. Last night for Chris' birthday we went to a show, Cesar's, Roscoes, Cocktail (strippers), and Charlie's.

Chris Casey, who has been in Chicago visiting me this whole week, is going back home today. awww, much sadness. I love when people come to visit, because it reminds me how fucken cool Chicago is. I saw 2 shows this week, went to all the gay bars, etc... I work down town and forget how awesome it is. It's like i don't look up anymore or something.

Anyway, I'm so happy he was here and it was so much fucken fun. What a great way to start the year, right? Actually my New Years lasted for seven days.

New Years is always a very emotional time for me. I think it comes from my mom who always made New Years a HUGE deal. Beside all these crazy ass things she did for New Years: red underwear (told me, not showed me), throw money out the door (which our neighbors loved), grab suitcases and run around the block (she said it would bring travel into your life for the new year). New Years was always a time for renewal. A second chance. A time to reflect, move forward, and take the path towards a better life. To change something or somethings for the better.

Much to her credit our lives did get better and better every year. I continue this tradition. So, I'm excited for what's to come this year and to figure out how I can work towards becoming a better person, boyfriend, actor, director, colleague, porn star.

This week i've been recognized twice for the last show I did, Judy and Katy. Just yesterday while watching BARE at the bailiwick; a rock musical about gay boys in catholic school. And on Saturday.

So i'm at Sidetracks on Saturday after a 2 pitchers and shots at Cesar's and shots at our apt on the way to Sidetracks. I was with Katelyn Smith, who was visiting from OH, Manille, Clerick, and Ben. Ben and I ran into people we knew and talked to them for a while, basically, the point is: good times were being had by all. So i'm coming out of the bathroom and this guy (not cute at all) bumps into me (he was wasted beyond) and says, in the gayest voice ever, "Ohh my god, you're so fat" ::walks away::

I've had a few so I follow and confront him, "Excuse me? Oh yeah, bitch, let's go outside and I'll SHOW you how fucking fat I am asshole." Mind you this has never happened to me before. So his friend whom was cute started defending him, "oh my god, i'm soooo sorry he's so drunk...I'm so so sorry, please don't hurt him, he...oh wait, were you in Katy and Judy? You were awesome..." I was just like, "ahh..yeah, umm ::tears from being called a fat ass running down my face:: I was...actually in.. ::kinda smiling because ive been recognized:: ..I was in, the....show.....um, thanks for...coming."

It was so nuts. I didn't know weather to laugh cry or shit. Eventually I just said, "just keep you friend away from me cause i'll fucken kick his ass, i was raised in the Mexican ghetto, I can fight."

The other show Chris and I went to go see was Good Boys and True, a new play at the Steppenwolf theatre about, again, gay boys in a religious private school. I don't know, it was a theme this week. I'm on the way to the bathroom and I ran into Santiago Sosa, one of my B.F.A. acting buddies from Southwest Texas State, who I hadn't seen in like 4 years. It was so fucken Krazy. we had drinks after the show and caught up, it was so great. He was a very good friend and still is. Really it was like we didn't' miss a beat. We talked and laughed like we had just hung out last week. I was truly happy to see his hot Ecuadorian ass.

K, got a lot press calls to make.

-Ernie

PS: what the fuck is it with me and Bathrooms?

PS ALSO: at Steppenwolf they have their Tony's on display. I saw 3 real life Tony's ya'll. They were...so..close..within my reach...yet so far way.

PS LAST THING: apparently i'm a fat ass