WINDY CITY SPOILS
Posted by terrance | Filed under Happenings, Repo Shadow Casts
I’m a pretty simple guy. With most things, at least. I’m not too picky about what I eat. I’ve worn the same three pairs of pants and handful of T-shirts for years. I haven’t possessed a fully functioning TV set for over a decade. The only things that I’m really choosy about our relationships and art, so, on those rare occasions when individuals have showered me with material gifts, I’ve usually been at a loss as to how to receive them.
This past year has been a training ground for me in this regard: I’ve received more presents in these past twelve months than during my first thirty-two years combined…and I love it. Most of this gratuity has come from total strangers, folks I’ve encountered traveling across the globe in promotion of REPO! The Genetic Opera and now The Molting. A good majority of these bestowments are handcrafted gems, tokens demonstrating the giver’s appreciation of my works as an artist. These boons have ranged from the beautiful to the profane to the barely legal. It’s fucking rad.
I’m so touched by these gifts that I often end up incurring postage fees to have items shipped home following an event because I don’t want to leave anything behind. I’ve purchased a filing cabinet just to store these road goodies and even have some of my fave’s on regular display within my apartment. Hell, the bizarre boons given to me by REPO! and Molting fans seem to have inspired some of my closest friends to up their gifting weirdness when it comes to me, like the twenty-four inch flexible rubber cockroach, William Peter Blattaria, a 2009 Xmas present from my longtime bud/Molting letterer, Oceano Ransford.
Indeed, if you scroll through the numerous entries in this blog, you’ll find that a large portion of this online journal acts as a gallery, a gallery to showoff cool crap that I’ve collected during my travels. This entry will focus on a recent trip to Chicago, which set a new record in terms of generosity by way of gifts.
January 23-24, 2010.
I was a weekend guest of the “90 Day Delinquents” (90DD), Chicago’s REPO! The Genetic Opera shadowcast. They invited me to attend their one-year anniversary performance at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre. The event took place Saturday at midnight. While in town, I also did a The Molting book signing at Chicago Comics.
“Blood and gore all over the floor and me without a spoon…”
The gift-giving began the moment I checked into my hotel room for the weekend. Spilling across the counter was a plethora of welcome-to-the-Windy-City endowments, most of which were edible: a plate of cookies, several bars of chocolate, a gigantic gummy bear, and a bag of hot-chocolate-on-a-spoon spoons (plastic utensils dipped in hardened chocolate that, when dissolved into steaming milk, become the drink). I’m not really into sweets, but man, I had to try that shit out. This, and the other gifts given to me in Chicago, resulted in boarding the flight home quite a few pounds heavier.
Cocoa was not the only liquid offering on stock in the hotel: the fridge was favored with beer and wine, and a bottle of Irish whiskey beckoned from a shelf.
The biggest surprise, however, waited for me in the hotel’s restroom: a tawdry porno rag called “Booty Call” was splayed atop the toilet seat. Thank you, 90DD, you classy bitches!
The gifts continued throughout the remainder of my stay. I was honored with an assortment of fan-made bounty: comics art, paintings, props and writings. A sister shadowcast, “The Repo! Treatment”, carpooled all the way from Kentucky to give me a signed and framed recreation of Edvard Munch’s painting, “The Scream”. In this version, cockroaches consumed the screaming figure’s face.
I was also given an unexpected surprise by way of a folded scrap of paper slipped into my pocket by a young lady dressed as Shilo. I assumed the paper to be a phone number, but when unfolded it revealed a written request to scream “GRAAAAAAAVES!” inside the Music Box’s lobby. I glanced over at the unassuming popcorn vendor across from me and decided it would be a bad idea to honor this request.
There was also plenty of artwork on display that I couldn’t take home with me, like the scores of impressive fan-made costumes. One young woman with remarkable penmanship had even etched a series of REPO! song titles and lyrics into the legs of her jeans, saving space on her right upper thigh for a large Sharpied cockroach.
I was also treated to a game of bowling with 90DD where I had the opportunity to right a previous wrong: I had bowled with REPO! fans once before, on Repo Road Tour 3, where I failed miserably; I rolled two consecutive gutter balls before throwing in the towel. This time, I made the lanes my bitch. “Mark it eight, dude.”
The best gift of all, however, was the privilege of getting to travel to Chicago and witness performers reenact—and often irreverently re-imagine—a film I helped to create. 90 Day Delinquents put on a wonderful show that included a Paul Sorvino Ragù raffle, an air-marionette dance between Dead Marni and Shilo, a sassy be-Mohawked GENtern, and a lightsaber duel to the death between Rotti Largo and Blind Mag (yes, the fight included choreographed use of The Force). Judging from the sea of waving Zydrate vials and copious audience screen callbacks, I’d say those in attendance at the theatre that night had a pretty good time too.
Thank you Chicago fans for coming out, making me feel welcomed in your city, and for all of your wonderful gifts. Thank you Chicago Comics for letting me appear in your store. And a big thanks to Miranda Baldwin and 90 Day Delinquents for having me as a guest.
ShareThis
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:35 pm
There are surely no greater gifts than booze and ass porn-mags.
The weekend was amazing and we had such a great time! Again, we thank you, sir! My only hope is that you’ll be able to make it out again someday. Please (dramatic pause for effect)
Would you??
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:42 pm
Sounds like a great time. You got loads of sweet goods. Can’t go wrong with that. But a little eerie when the porn is supplied for you. Hope you enjoyed your visit. Of course, You were missed here in Cali
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Oh Miranda! (Best part of Sunday night, btw!)
We’re glad you had such a great time, Terrance. We’d love to have you back someday! Thanks for everything!!
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:46 pm
It’s a tasty cockroach, I’ve got nothing against it.
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Awh, and no nod to the wonders of the stageplay-inspired preshow? I’m saddened.
Still, sounds like a great time.
I’m a little surprised the repo gang didn’t get kicked out of the bowling alley with your *ahem* prowess.
And that is a truly impressive photo you took of the sea of Z. Peaches approves!
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:13 pm
I had a blast.
Everyone was very nice.
The giant ass painting was amazing, glad you got a photo of it.
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:23 pm
I’m so glad you enjoyed your trip out to see us, Terrance! Hopefully the next time you’re out here, I’ll be able to hang out a bit more–I had to work 2-10 on Sunday, so I wasn’t able to join you guys at the comic shop.
I hope you enjoy the cocoa–those were my addition to the gift-giving. Also, glad to see that my Zaddict persona is just BARELY visible in your sea-of-Z photo! ;D
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Awesome shadowcast and epic bowling! Good times
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:38 pm
So glad you had fun!
Please feel free to stop by anytime!!
Wow… you have now given me two of the greatest compliments I have ever received… >_<
IRT Miranda: <3 for saying it!!
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Oh, the wonders of tandum bowling!
That weekend was too awesome. You know we’d have you back in a heartbeat. (a low, dull, quick sound — much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton) Don’t worry if you get stranded here. Of COURSE it can use the phone.
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:16 am
Oh right, would you like those bowling photos?
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:45 am
Well thank you sir! We’re all extremely ecstatic that you enjoyed your time here in our freezing metropolis. And I think we have enough in-jokes to last us an eternity now.
(fyi, my “anti-spam word” was van)
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:49 am
that was so cool , you must have had a great time. please come to new mexico soon . that giant cockroach was so cool, it is the perfect thing for you. i loved that mug too
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:20 am
I’m glad you had an awesome time, and it’s great to see you continue to enjoy your fans and their acclamation
We all love you and your work, and you definitely deserve every bit of awesome you receive. Now come back to Sacramento, I’ve got a new camera for Amber’s Sweets and you to sanctify!
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:05 am
Sounds like you had a great time. We are still waiting to hear back on our rights to perform. (we resubmitted) As soon as we hear back we will be making a date to bring the show up on its feet. Hopefully we can have you come out to see us some time.
Now we are going to have to one up the “90 day delinquents” some how. They have set the bar high! Great job and my hat’s off to the Windy City cast!
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Wow you scored on goodies.
Well thank you sir for mentioning us. Hopefully we can have you come see us in Kentucky once we get the rights and all. Sadly we’re also still waiting. And good luck Alexie, I think 90DD just made a fun little competition for the Repo! shadow casts. They are geniuses by the way lol.
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:42 pm
I agree with Shilofer. You made out pretty good sir! That giant rubber roach is pretty badass by the way
It’s so wonderful to see pictures of my cast members on here! I’m sure they feel flattered to be featured on your blog. =) And a big thank you for mentioning our gift. That made me feel quite special. You should have seen us all crammed in a hotel room with bits of paper and sharpies everywhere trying to decide how to sign it!
It was so amazing being able to meet you, and I am glad that you had a good time. Especially since it is an experience that I am sure my cast and me will never forget! I hope that when we finally get things straightened out with our cast/theater that you might be able to make it out for a show.
And I second what Shilofer said. Good luck Alexie!!!! I hope you hear something back soon!
On the topic of 90DD: they are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met! And this show was their best yet. I can only imagine what the April 10th show is going to be like!
Oh and Terrance, I now know exactly what I can direct you to do…
Laura- Director of The Repo! Treatment
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Once again, it was an honor to meet you. I’m glad you had fun. I really hope you come to Chicago again!
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:12 pm
90DD’s show was quite amazing! I’m glad that my Crown Point cast (You Know You Want It) and I could make it and support both 90DD and The Big Z himself. The cast and I and thank you for signing ever item we pushed at you, including, but not limited to, a Hot Topic discount card and a charcoal gray Chuck Taylor. The shoe has been dubbed the Official GraveRobber Chuck Taylor, and has been voted as the mascot for our show.
We thank you again for coming out, supporting all of our casts (90DD, YKYWI, and REPO! Treatment), and sharing your time and friendship with us. You truly are an amazing person and we’ll always be here supporting you!
-Dante V S-
You Know You Want It Co-Founder
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 4th, 2010 at 5:52 am
Haha! “what I assumed was a phone number…” one word T… PLAYA!!! Haha gold… Anyhoo awesome comeback with the bowling (closest I come to bowling is on my Wii console
which I rock at!!!) great presents and really cool to see how you’ve documented your goodies. Bootycall on the toilet… Classy! That really go all out in the Windy City! Toodles!!
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 4th, 2010 at 9:23 am
It was awesome to meet you Terrance. Like Laura said, I am flattered that you put the Scream picture I drew, my GeneCo tattoo, my Repo! Man drawing, and a cast photo of us on your blog. Thank you very much. 90DD put on a totally awesome show. I am very glad I am apart of the KY Repo! Treatment shadowcast, as Nathan. It would be an honor if you would come and see us perform Terrance. Nothing would thrill our cast more.
^_^
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 4th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Heh, It was so cool to meet you. And by meet you, I mean bouncing to your table, throwing a classy “Bonjour!” and dropping practically everything I was holding around you.
(Might I also mention that I’m almost ashamed that I wasn’t the ‘Segway Love’ creeper fan you were talking about?)
I forgot you took a picture of my comic- so I was pleasantly surprised to see it up there, along with my picture (God, I’m not photogenic, and dammit, my hair straightened out. It was this perfect slick-back and swoosh sort of ‘do…)
But enough fussing, the shadowcast was great, the people were great, the costumes were great, the energy was great, screaming, “PAVI, SHUT THE FUCK UP!” and “DOUBTFUL!” was great, the callbacks were great… I could go on!
I’m a lil’ sad you didn’t mention my favorite little twist 90DD did- Where Shilo was suffocating Nathan. Oh god, I’d never laughed so hard.
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 4th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
I love reading all the comments on the show– thank you guys!! We’re really proud of our ideas and our performances. Just remember, none of this is a competition! We love every cast and cannot wait to see what ideas everyone else comes up with
Oh, and who is the girl pictured in the photo block of nine (third column, middle picture). The girl in the front with glasses, long hair.. my hair was that color last year and for a second my mind thought that was me. She could be my doppelganger!
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 4th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
I was only playing my dear.
I must thank the 90DD though, cause you helped me decide what I’m going to do for infected in our performance. I wasn’t joking about how you guys are geniuses though.
I truly hope, along with the rest of The Repo! Treatment, that we can bring you out here to see us Terrance and so we can see you again. Once we have every thing in order of course.
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 19th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
Glad to see you keep loving cockroaches. I should take more pictures of them (great giant cockroach sculpture, by the way).
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 19th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
BTW2: do you have the UK or Spain in your schedule?
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 20th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Hi,
Well, lots of love from RI
I just watched Repo and LOVED it. My brother just bought the dvd for me so i would shut up about it lol. I wanted to send you a bracelet as a token. I design charms and have a whole line of human organs so i thought it would be cool to put a barcode on them and send them to you. I just wanted to say that i have not seen a movie that i could not guess the ending in years and i enjoyed the movie from begining to end(which i did not guess) I would love to seen a part 2. Maybe a graverobber and shi love story?
----------------------------------------------------------------
February 24th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
-sigh-
I think I’m going to start a Graverobber Deluxe fund in the form of a ceramic piggy bank. God knows how long it’ll take, but I’ll save up to get you at MEW, I really will!
----------------------------------------------------------------
March 31st, 2010 at 11:35 am
Sounds like Chicago was a motherfucking BLAST!! Of course, it’s Chicago, how could it not be? Must make mental note to get in touch w/ the 90DD….
----------------------------------------------------------------