Tyler Gillespie embraces his awkwardness, but it wasn’t always that way.

“In my Florida middle school, the tanner you were, the more popular,” he says. “I’m the palest Floridian you will ever meet, so I got this great idea to use self-tanner, except, I did it in shameful secrecy and no one told me I needed to use gloves. Later that week, the most popular guy in middle school told me that it looked like I had “crapped on my hands.” I remember caring so much I was basically speechless.”

Inspired to help people feel connected rather than isolated by their awkwardness, Gillespie and Claire Meyer created "That Awkward Phase," a Tumblr and stage show. They spoke with Our Town about their project.

Our Town What was the inspiration behind "That Awkward Phase?"
Tyler Gillespie We started the Tumblr as an entry for Chronicle Books “Great Tumblr Book Search.”
Claire Meyer Tyler and I knew that we wanted to do something positive. It’s too easy for comedy to turn cynical—we weren’t going to let that happen with this project. Tyler and I are both wonderfully weird and awkward in our own right. Neither one of us hide from it though—we celebrate it. So why not create a project around that idea?

OT How did TAP move from tumbler to stage event?
TG When we were having our consultation with Tumblr (part of the prize for being runner-up) they suggested we do a story-telling night to generate more submissions. Being performers, Claire and I had already played around with the idea, but having Tumblr’s support really made us go full force.
CM I have a photo of Tyler and I right after we hung up the phone with Rachel. It’s pure shock and emotion.

OT What’s the next step with Chronicle Books?
TG The press was super cool and told us they were interested in possibly developing our Tumblr into a book, if we were able to get more submissions like Claire’s post. We’ve received a ton of great submissions and hopefully we will be able to continue developing the project. A few weeks ago, I scanned someone’s high school journal entries. She just gave me her whole journal and said “scan whatever you want, it’s all basically Pretty Ricky fanfiction, but I just want to be a part of it.” We had a moment and it wasn’t awkward at all. 

OT You’ve already produced one TAP event. What was that experience like?
CM It felt like a welcome home party for everyone there. Within two hours there was really a sense of community in that room. People were being so open and real on stage that it allowed the audience to do that as well. I had friends and strangers tell me that during the show they had memories spark that they hadn’t thought of in years—even decades. I couldn’t be more proud of that.

June's Honest Parents: Rachel A. Walsh and Joshua G. Urquhart

My great parenting strength:
Rachel: I’m not afraid of making the difficult decisions no matter how unpopular/unpleasant.
Josh: Empathy. There’s this idea that kids are completely illogical or irrational. They’re not. They act perfectly logical or rational given their worldview – it’s just that this worldview is often skewed by their developing brains and their general life inexperience. So when one kid has a meltdown because his brother is taking too long with a shared toy, he really is experiencing a traumatic event (to him). I try to parent with this in mind. It’s not to say that you should ignore that behavior or shouldn’t correct it. But you need to do so with the understanding that your kid really is feeling what he’s feeling.



My greatest parenting weakness:

Rachel: Impatience.
Josh: My freakish ability to zone out and to ignore my kids. When I’m immersed in a book or surfing the web or a game on TV, I just don’t hear them. Literally. I could be wearing noise-canceling headphones.

What have you learned about yourself specifically because you became a parent?

Rachel: After we discovered that our hoped-for-baby #2 was actually babies #2 & 3, our lives drastically changed. We’ve never been able to rely on family assistance since our families live in various parts of the country. I realized that I had a wealth of untapped strength that I needed to use in order to continue to juggle my career with my role as a wife and mother. I discovered that I was really physically tough and tackled the insanely difficult task of growing multiple children – who had a combined birth weight of 13lbs, 6oz. – while caring for an active 3 year old, maintaining a career and a marriage. I also became smarter – not more intelligent – but craftier. To manage this kind of lifestyle requires a resourcefulness and street-smart attitude that I thought I had, but never really had to use it until I became this parent.
Josh: How much I hate poop.


What do you wish someone had told you before you became a parent?

Rachel: How wonderful silence is and to cherish it, because once the kiddos arrive, it disappears…for good.
Josh: How much poop you have to deal with.


How often do you compare yourself to what you think other parents are doing--or what you "should" be doing?

Rachel: I often question what I “should” be doing. As a pre-tenure woman in academia, the question becomes one of why do I have children at all, let alone three? And how in the world could I imagine researching abroad, publishing, dedicating the requisite time to my research, teaching and service needed to further my career? Well, the facts are that I am a working woman in academia who happens to have three small children. I can’t change these. What I can do is work with my particular situation and do the best I can. True balance is rarely attainable. And I’m o.k. with that. Sometimes you need to prioritize and to let one particular aspect of your life take a back-seat to another. So, while I may compare myself with others, I always remember that parenting is not one-size-fits-all. Our style works for us. I doubt it would work for others. Yes, it is hectic, messy and exhausting. But it is also fulfilling, enriching and stimulating.
Josh: Rarely if ever. I guess I leave that to Rachel. Sorry.



Comedian, improv pro and storyteller Deanna Moffitt is undoubtedly funny, so The Chicago Funny Women Festival is a logical fit. This Thursday she and Chicago favorite Robyn Okrant will join forces to tell titillating tales and shameful stories. Our Town spoke with Moffitt about comedy secrets and how to turn humiliation into humor.

Our Town How did you first get interested in improvising?
Deanna Moffitt In 1999 I was living in Portland working as an IT Project Manager and doing some community theater. I didn't even know improv existed; one of my co-workers who had seen a couple of my plays and found me funny in the workplace kept telling me about this show called ComedySportz and that I should go see it. Finally, after months of his encouragement I saw a show and immediately fell in love. They were just big kids, playing on stage. I convinced a friend to take classes with me and on the way home from our first class I told her that I would be playing in their ensemble in six months. She laughed and and said, "maybe you should get through your first level of classes.” But sure enough, almost six months to the day I was called to join the ensemble. The choice to take that first class completely changed the trajectory of my life. I met [my husband] in that class and a few years later, I quit my well paying, insurance providing, secure job, as an IT Project Manager, sold my home and moved to Chicago. So, Tom Hassell, if you're out there thanks for encouraging me to go see that show.

OT Any comedy secrets to share?
DM When I first moved to Chicago nine years ago from Portland, I had a fantastic improv instructor named Liz Allen. She explained that the inverse of laughter was tension and the more tension you create the bigger, richer laughter you'll get from a release the audience needs to have. That just clicked for me, so I enjoy playing the silent tension of comedic situations.

OT You co-founded This Much is True. Why do you think Live Lit is so hot right now?
DM It's been fun to see the change happen and be involved. When we first started This Much is True the only other story show we knew about was 2nd Story which was a long running well-oiled machine. There are probably several reasons for the popularity.  There's a great book "The Storytelling Animal - How Stories Make us Human" by Jonathan Gottshall that asserts we are creatures of story. That from the beginning, stories were how we learned and how we were entertained. I think the key element of a Live Lit show has to do with the connectedness we feel in the room with a person willing to share their vulnerabilities and failures. We're learning from them what we would or wouldn't do if were put in that same situation. With a good story our minds are totally connected. It's not a passive act to be in the audience; our minds are visualizing and connecting dots in a stimulating way. It's a different experience than seeing something for pure comedy or entertainment.

OT As a storyteller, when something happens to you, are you thinking, this will make a good story?
DM It's not like I'm searching out bad things to happen but now in the moment I tell myself this will be a good story one day. A couple of weeks ago my car died in the middle of an intersection on Kimball. I wanted to cry for about 30 seconds and then I pulled myself together, saw the comedy around me and called a tow truck. It will probably be part of a story one day about my love/hate relationship with automobiles and how a good tow truck driver can feel like a white knight with more body odor.

Photo by Patty Michels

I should probably stop telling people when I have sex dreams about them. This has nothing to do with Chicago, except that I live here, and often the people I dream about live here and then I tell them I dreamed about them and they get all uncomfortable and sometimes they’re uncomfortable in front of the Bean or while eating deep dish pizza or on the way to a Cubs game.

I'm sure I should pick up a copy of Chicago Poet Kathleen Rooney's richly imagined Robinson Alone. Even if I don't read it, I'll feel smart.

I should start constructing an altar in my bathroom to Chiropractic for Life, because they changed my life, or at least my tensor fasciæ latæ, which is pretty much the same thing.

This photo represents positive results of chiropractic work. Because I say so.

Definitely, I should stop picking the carmel corn out of the Garrett’s Popcorn my Significant Other buys. If I were a better person, I’d have more self-control or at least I’d take a bus downtown and replace what I’ve stolen but sometimes downtown seems like a whole other city.

I should stop confining myself to my neighborhood. Did you know that 115 Bourbon Street is an awesome Chicago party destination? A New Orleans themed entertainment complex, it offers live music, restaurants, and nightclubs. So the internet tell me, anyway. I wouldn’t know.

Photo by Patty Michels

I should hire Sit and Stay LLC to walk my dog. Well, I shouldn’t, because I don’t have a dog, well, I sort of do, but she really belongs to my Significant Other so I never have to worry about walking her. But you should. Especially if you live in Rivernorth, Lakeview or The Gold Coast.

Photo by Patty Michels

I’m starting to think I should stop drinking the tap water but only because my mother told me I drink too much water which is funny because whose mother worries she drinks too much WATER?

Certainly, I should start honking my horn all the time and talking really loud. It doesn’t matter that I don’t have a car. I can affix the horn to my purse strap.

Chicagoans are loud.

I should totally take a Tango class. I've been wanting to since I was ten and the school music teacher assigned us to watch Carmen on PBS and all I wanted in the world was to grow up and be as intense and sexy and free-spirited as Carmen. I fell asleep before the part where she dies. Anyway, I can live the dream now by taking lessons at Artango Center in Ravenswood. Here's hoping no one kills me in a jealous rage.

Obviously, I should join Friends of the Chicago River in their efforts to clean up the Chicago River. I live here don’t I?

Photo by Patty Michels

I should enroll my kid in Story Studio’s Creative Writing Summer Camp, July 22-26. Except I’m not even pregnant so I certainly won’t have a kid old enough to attend by next month. But hey, I’ll be teaching the class so if you want your kid in the same room with me, feel free to enroll him or her.

Believe it or not, I've actually been to Kings Mines Blues Club, but I should go back. The Blues Club's website says "Kingston Mines is about one thing and one thing only: Having a Great Time! We create a party for you seven nights a week, with great food, drinks, entertainment and dancing." So basically everything I'm known to avoid. But I went and it was fantastic. I'm going back this summer.

This blurry photo was taken at Kings Mines.

Probably I should stop judging Chicagoans for ending sentences with prepositions. No I shouldn’t.

This photo has nothing to do with anything except cute gay boys (Photo by Sarah Terez Rosenblum.

I should go to Kopi more often. Their nachos come to me in dreams, nonsexual ones. Or so I've learned to pretend.

A writer with an MFA in Creative Writing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sarah Terez Rosenblum freelances for sites like Pop Matters and
afterellen.com Her debut novel, “Herself When She’s Missing," was called “poetic and heartrending” by ALA Booklist. Sarah is also a figure model, Spinning instructor and teacher at Chicago’s StoryStudio. Inevitably one day she will find herself lecturing naked on a spinning bike. She's kind of looking forward to it actually.
IMPORTANT: the official Our Town site doesn't support comments. Join in the conversation by following facebook.com/OurTownBlog.ChicagoSunTimes and Sarah on Twitter: @SarahTerez and Facebook.

On the outside, Rebecca Cutler, a Chicago Magazine writer seemed engaged and happy. And sometimes she was. But alongside her zest for life and pull to help others, existed another, less obvious side to Rebecca: her struggle with bipolar and depression. Sadly, Rebecca ultimately chose to commit suicide. In took a year for her mother, Gail Cutler, to “surface from a deep depression,” but once she did, she was determined to honor Rebecca’s goals and spirit by founding Rebecca’s Dream. Dedicated to dispelling myths and educating the public about bipolar and depression, the organization is still going strong. Our Town spoke with Gail Cutler about her daughter’s legacy.

Our Town What enabled you to channel your grief into creating Rebecca’s Dream?
Gail Cutler [Before her death] Becky was planning a fund raiser for DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) in honor of her 30th birthday.  The theme was education and compassionate understanding of these diseases. She had it all worked out: venue, DJ, food, fun and the all-important educational components. She died before the event could happen. After her death, I woke up one morning with the idea to carry forward with Rebecca’s dream, expand on it and bring it to the public, to honor her wishes and desires.To this very day, this is what keeps me going: honoring Rebecca’s life and dream by helping others through promoting awareness and compassionate understanding of depression and bipolar disorder as real diseases.
 
OT What’s the biggest misconception people have about bipolar disorder?
GC It is very difficult for the general public to truly believe these are REAL diseases based in  scientific and medical facts. They are no different than cancer, diabetes, MS, etc. It makes my blood boil when I hear comments made by educated people who should know better. Things like:
What do you have to be depressed about?
Pull yourself up by your boot straps.
You are just spoiled.
Look at you…you have everything.
It’s just an act.
The biggest misconception may be: you can control this…just snap out of it!!!
WRONG!
 
OT Why do you think people don’t believe depression and bipolar disorder are ‘real’ diseases?
GC Had you known my daughter you would have never guessed she lived with such demons. She was beautiful, bright, funny, creative, warm, loving, giving, and sick with a terrible illness.
Most people do not ‘look” different or behave that differently from the general public. Sure, there may be some acting out and some depression but most folks with depression and bipolar have learned to hide it. Only when a tragedy happens will people sit up and take notice…for a brief time. Oh. Maybe he/she really was suffering with a real illness. Maybe. Most societies have been unkind to those with mental illness. Folks have been locked away, burned at the stake, banished from their homes and community, treated with no respect or regard as human beings.
I believe we are creatures of habit, of unfounded beliefs and unwilling to learn the truth even when it is right in front of us. Those living with depression and bipolar disorder need qualified medical care and support just like other people with other diseases.

Atlanta singer/songwriter Hannah Thomas began performing at age sixteen. Since then she’s made a name for herself, opening for Zac Brown, winning The GA Lottery All Access Music Search, opening for acts like Zac Brown and performing with musician like Shawn Mullins. Before Thomas heads to Chicago play Uncommon Ground, she spoke with Our Town about her influences and inspirations.

Our Town You started playing young. To what do you credit your early drive?   
Hannah Thomas I've always known I wanted to do this for a living. My parents were very supportive. My dad taught me that if I wanted something I'd have to work for it.

OT Where do you find inspiration?
HT Early on I wrote a lot about the world around me. Over time I've started to find inspiration in my own life experiences. The more life I live, the more I have to write about.

OT Do you write towards a specific album or at a certain point do you just realize you have enough songs for an album and go from there? 
HT A mixture. As I am writing songs I usually realize there's some kind of theme and so far each album has had a song that describes that theme. It's usually by accident. This album was originally going to be titled "22 Page Story" and then I wrote "Goodbye On Wasted Time."

OT Who are your influences?
HT I'm a big fan of many genres and my influences reflect that. Just some of them are Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, Indigo Girls, Tori Amos, Terri Clark, Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt.  In my early teens I was very fortunate to find a friend in JR Cobb (Atlanta Rhythm Section). He taught me a lot about music and how to develop my craft. The things I've learned from him over the years continues to influence me every day.

OT Why do you think so much interesting music comes out of Atlanta?
HT It's great melting pot of cultures, from the gospel music of the old south, to the overflow of underground rock in Athens, to Southern Rock and Soul in Macon. [Plus] the New Country sound that rose from the strong singer/songwriter scene with the inclusion of folks like The Indigo Girls and Shawn Mullins the was due to believers like Eddie Owen, founder of Eddie's Attic in Decatur, now at Eddie Owen Presents in Duluth, GA.

Photo by Clayton Hauck

Second City director Matt Hovde really likes sandwiches, but we didn’t talk much about that. Instead he spoke with Our Town about Let Them Eat Chaos, the open run Second City Revue he helped create. A longstanding tradition, the revue depends on both improv and scripted scenes, harnessing the collective creative energy of a cast of talented performers.

Our Town You deviate from tradition a bit with the show, for example, no musical number opens it. Why?
Matt Hovde From the very first rehearsal, the ensemble and I wanted to free ourselves from recent Second City trends. This is a veteran cast, and we felt ready to break free from old habits, no matter how successful. It came from a place of feeling like comedy can get stagnant when it gets too predictable, and we wanted to make sure we weren't putting up a show by some formula or set of rules. In a weird way, we developed the material by saying, "well normally we might push things in this direction, so...let's go the opposite way." 

OT How did you come up with the title?
MH As usual, it was the result of several days of brainstorming terrible ones to try to find a good one! We had been playing around with a theme of Chaos early on, in the sense that it represents unpredictability, or maybe even an attitude of rebellion. Plus, it's a great way of describing improvisation, which is a huge part of our process. Once the show started to take shape, it felt right to connect the title to those ideas. Luckily, someone in the cast thought of a nice turn of phrase which captured those themes in an intriguing way.

OT You use a very spare set. Why that choice?
MH It really started on day one, when I asked Alison Riley, our Producer, to tear out the old set and leave us with an empty, raw stage upon which to play. I just felt that if we were going to embrace the idea of creating something that might be a little different, the best way to do that would be to start boldly and maybe a little recklessly; to demonstrate to ourselves and the audience that we weren't going to rely on old tricks. I think sticking with a sparse, empty look put the emphasis on the actors in a refreshing way, and reinforced the idea that improvisation is the art of creating something from nothing. 

OT Describe your directing style.
MH Oh, that's hard. I have a strange fascination with the maniacal, mad genius kind of directors, because I don't think I am those things. I hear stories of Del Close throwing chairs, and other directors yelling through megaphones or conjuring up trippy metaphors for art and I think "I wonder how that works?" I guess my style is "not that."

OT Can comedic timing be taught?
MH I think that timing can be improved. Most comedians kind of have it already, and with training (and trial and error) they can refine it. Improvisation is great training for timing. 

OT back to the show. What aspects of Let Them Eat Chaos have audiences responded to?
MH A lot of people seem to be intrigued by the particular way we blend improvisation into the show this time around - it's kind of hard to tell at times where the improvisation has ended and a scripted scene begins, which was something we thought was fun to play around with. And I think a lot of folks like the emotional, thoughtful parts of the show - it's not as raucous or overtly political as some previous shows. It's definitely a relationship driven show, and people seem to be responding very well to that. 

OT What are you working on next?
MH I've returned to my role as Artistic Director in our Training Center, which I'm always thrilled to do after directing a show. I get so enthusiastic about this art form it's ridiculous.

Purchase tickets to "Let Them Eat Chaos" here.

A writer with an MFA in Creative Writing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sarah Terez Rosenblum freelances for sites like Pop Matters and
afterellen.com Her debut novel, “Herself When She’s Missing," was called “poetic and heartrending” by ALA Booklist. Sarah is also a figure model, Spinning instructor and teacher at Chicago’s StoryStudio. Inevitably one day she will find herself lecturing naked on a spinning bike. She's kind of looking forward to it actually.
IMPORTANT: the official Our Town site doesn't support comments. Join in the conversation by following facebook.com/OurTownBlog.ChicagoSunTimes and Sarah on Twitter: @SarahTerez and Facebook.

Cari Meyers is committed to putting an end to puppy mills. As the founder of The Puppy Mill Project she’s worked tirelessly to meet this goal. Most recently, TPMP convinced Collar and Leash, Chicago’s oldest pet store to stop working with puppy mills. Our Town spoke with Meyers about peaceful protest, the foundation’s youth outreach efforts and her future goals.

Our Town What inspired you to found The Puppy Mill Project?
Cari Meyers My inspiration for founding TPMP was learning about the mills and realizing no one in Illinois was even talking about them. None of the shelters or rescues were even concerning themselves with the core problem of overpopulation of dogs, it all starts with the mills. Also the fact that every state bordering ours was a puppy mill state and thousands of dogs were passing through, and being delivered here, every week. As I dug further I found about the magnitude of this animal cruelty problem and knew this was what I had to do.

OT What sort of assistance does TPMP provide?
CM We provide education to the uninformed consumer as well as to the schools and communities that are becoming more involved. We also direct people to shelters and rescues instead of stores and try to help them find the particular dog they want if there is one.

OT Most pet stores still use puppy mill puppies.Why?
CM Stores HAVE to use puppy mills for several reasons. First of all no responsible breeder would EVER sell to a pet store. Secondly the stores need a variety of dogs and too many dogs for a breeder to provide so they have to go to the mills.

OT Is this changing at all?
CM In so far as consumers are becoming educated and not buying as many dogs, so stores are closing. However, the pet stores will never change where they source their dogs no matter what they tell you.

OT You recently convinced Collar and Leash to stop working with puppy mills. How did that happen?
CM Collar and Leash was a store we protested on and off for several years. We received many complaints about them and so I made them my primary target in terms of transitioning to a humane model. We called the owners to set up a meeting and they said yes. A half hour after we met they agreed to go forward with this with our support. A big, bold move for them and we will do everything to make sure everyone knows about it and that they succeed.

OT TPMP can be seen protesting outside of pets store sin the Chicago area. Do you think peaceful protest has an effect?
CM I believe peaceful protesting has had a huge impact. About 78% of the population does not even now what a puppy mill is so this is a great way to tell them. We have made some huge changes by protesting and will continue to do so.

When Mark Valente first saw Beaver Island, Michigan he was instantly compelled. Taken with the island’s untouched wilderness and the close-to-the-earth lifestyle its inhabitants enjoyed, he moved there permanently in 1975 and made his living trapping animals, raising foxes and doing auto-body work. Years later, his girlfriend and now business partner, Chicagoan Laura Green joined him. In the intervening years, Mark’s business had changed. He’d begun to sell furs at auction and had purchased a 1940‘s fur sewing machine on ebay. The machine arrived without instructions, so he tinkered with it, then started designing his own patterns for mittens, hats and scarves. Eventually Valente began selling his pieces at a local artesian market, but when Green arrived, the two took Valente’s wares to a national market, creating FlattailFurs on Etsy. Now the couple sell not only winter gear, but jewelry and accessories made from feathers collected from the guinea fowl, pea fowl, and chickens they raise. Our Town spoke with Valente and Green about the whole endeavor.

Our Town You either trap or raise the animals used in your products as well as create and sell your products. What’s it like to take part in all aspects of the process?
Mark Valente Very satisfying.  I started out trapping because I enjoyed being in the woods and working with the animals.  When I starting creating and sewing, I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it.  The more I created, the more ideas came to me for creating new and different items.  With the beaver we use practically every part of the animal for something.  We use the teeth for jewelry, the feet for jewelry and backscratchers, the tails are used to embellish other products and used for coin purses, the bones are used in jewelry, the meat is nutritious and what's not eaten by humans is processed into food for the fox that we raise.  It's just a really good feeling to be able to take something from the land and create.

OT What would you say to someone who objects to fur on ethical grounds?
Laura Green I guess we would say that thankfully we are living in the United States of America and thankfully they aren't being forced to purchase something that goes against their morals. Animal husbandry, trapping in particular, is one of the cornerstones of this nation.  It was the early fur trappers who discovered new territory.  Both of us feel this way of life has an authenticity that neither of us could find in the city.  On the island, you can't just go out and set traps and expect success.  You have to learn about the animal, its habits, its life, how the overall population is faring.  It not only takes skill to trap an animal successfully and humanely, but wisdom to know when to trap and when not to.  When you are successful trapping, the job doesn't end there.  You now are on a time table to process the animal properly so that every part you intend to use does not go to waste.  In terms of the animals we raise, again you need to learn about the animal, it's needs, nutrition, even behavior.  If you do not properly care for an animal then that neglect will show up physically. We love what we do and we bend over backwards to make sure all of our "critters," as we call them, have the best care.

OT Winters are long where you live. How do you get through?
MV The same as in the summer only we wear more clothes. There is always something to fix, feed, take care of, or walk.  Not to mention winter is trapping season and the time of year to practice product development.  We get to mess around with new ideas and get everything stocked up for the store to sell in the summer months.

Photo by Paul Kolnik

Tony-nominated actress Kate Baldwin has no idea who I am. Not surprising; we’ve never officially met. Yet at Broadway-bound Big Fish’s Chicago opening, watching her command the hushed theater, I awakened to a sense of deja vu. Baldwin’s easy power was no surprise given her talent, but a feat given her role. A musical adaptation of the 2003 film, Big Fish is a play about men: boyhood dreams, adult male disappointments and triumphs, but mostly father/son dynamics. Through exuberant dance and about ten too many go-nowhere songs, the show explores the life of enigmatic Edward Bloom (Norbert Leo Butz). A traveling salesman whose tall tales sometimes obscure his actual achievements, Edward has a strained relationship with his son, Will (Bobby Steggert). Years after a falling out, the two must come to terms with each other as Edward struggles with cancer.

But back to my deja vu. There's a perfectly logical explanation for it. I spent my formative years watching Kate Baldwin. We both attended the same small, Wisconsin high school--a phrase evoking wandering cows and football heroes, but Shorewood High School was known for its drama department which functioned like a professional repertory. Each season Shorewood put up 3-4 shows culminating in a much anticipated musical. And we aren’t talking a sloppy line of off-key Von Trapps done up in gingham with a math teacher recruited to play Mother Superior. Perhaps because our football team was on a ten year losing streak (sorry to bring it up, Brian Wallace), or maybe because the drama teacher put the fear of God into anyone within a ten mile radius, SHS drama had both the funds and the determination to pull off Broadway caliber shows. Or at least touring production caliber. Or at least in my eyes.

Kate was about five grades ahead of me, so while I dutifully memorized lines for a Dr Seuss Sneetch skit or auditioned to play a cheerleader who learns smart kids are cool, over at the high school, the lucky, older kids tap danced down 42nd Street or sang about greased lightning or smacked down a Sondheim interval. Right at the center of all that jazz was Kate Baldwin.

Lindsay Ribar

With Buffy the Vampire Slayer long off the air, feminist fans of paranormal romance have had it rough. Enter novelist and agent Lindsay Ribar. Her debut young adult novel, The Art of Wishing, introduces Margo, an ambitious, down-to-earth heroine and Oliver, her gender-bending genie love interest. Ribar’s conceit may be fantastical, but her execution is both realistic and utterly engaging. She spoke with Our Town about the popularity of paranormal romance, offered tips for writers and kept it classy on the subject of Twilight.

Our Town What makes a book YA?
Lindsay Ribar The answer seems to change on a daily basis, especially since it's still considered an up-and-coming genre.  A few years ago, I might have said that YA novels have more simplistic story lines than adult ones, or that they involve a coming-of-age element, or that the voice seems younger and/or tamer.  But none of those things is universally true. Not even close.  So I'll say that YA novels need to have a teenaged protagonist. 


OT To what do you attribute our current cultural interest in paranormal romance?
LR If we're talking specifically about YA paranormal romance, I think it has a lot to do with magnifying (and entertainmentifying) the feelings of otherness that a lot of people have in their teen years.  You know: in reality, we think things like "I'm fatter than everyone else" or "I'm nerdier than everyone else" or "I don't like the music that everyone else wants me to like," but in PNR stories, those things become "I have magical powers that I must keep secret" or, well, "My genie boyfriend is being hunted by his evil genie ex-boyfriend and nobody understands how I feel."  Everything is bigger; everything is life-or-death.  But that's on a metaphorical level.  On a literal level, I think it's just really fun to read about magic.


OT I loved that you commented on the popularity of paranormal romance in your book. Why did you make that choice?
LR Mostly because I wanted to ground The Art of Wishing in the real world-- and if you're a teenager (or anyone else, for that matter) in the real world today, you're going to have an awareness of all those stories.  Margo, my narrator, has probably seen at least one Twilight movie (likely against her will), and she's probably read Cassandra Clare and seen True Blood on TV.  So she has that context-- and the fact that she comments on being "one of those girls" is just taking that context one step further, into the land of self-awareness.


OT How did define the rules of the world you created--in terms of how magic works, etc?
LR My version of genie mythology grew around the first draft of The Art of Wishing, mostly because there were certain things I wanted to do with Oliver, my genie character, and I could only do them if the rules of his magic meshed with the rules of his personality in a certain way.  (For example, genies must truthfully answer all questions posed by their masters, and there are painful consequences if they don't.  It takes a very specific sort of personality not to resent a rule like that.  And Oliver doesn't resent it.  He doesn't even mind, and even likes it sometimes. What does that say about him?) Once I had the groundwork of the mythology, I used a little method called Taking Advantage Of My Friends. I'd literally sit people down, lay out the rules of the magic I was writing about, and ask them to poke logic-holes in it, whereupon I would fill said logic-holes with more rules.  It was really fun -- or, I should say, it is really fun, since I'm still doing it with books two and three. 


OT Writing The Art of Wishing, did you outline? How much did you know about your plot when you began?
LR Before I started writing, I mapped out the first few chapters of the book in my head -- right up to the point where Margo and Oliver, my narrator and my genie, meet for the first time.  The story was going to be about their relationship, so I figured as long as I could get them into the same room, I'd be golden from that point on, right?  Yeah, not so much.  I'm definitely one of those "characters first, plot later" writers, so I pretty much made up the story as I went along.  I knew certain midpoints that I wanted to hit, and I knew how I wanted it to end, but I didn't know how I'd get there.  There's definitely something exciting about not knowing what's happening until your characters know -- but it also means there are a lot of wrong turns along the way.



April's Honest Parent: Carrie Kaufman

My great parenting strength: Listening. I treat my kids like people who have a lot to learn, not children who should not be heard.
   
My greatest parenting weakness: I give in too much. I wish I was a little more strict and disciplined.

When it comes to parenting, I would rather not admit: I do tell them to shut up sometimes.

What have you learned about yourself specifically because you became a parent?
Oddly, being a mom made me feel more feminine.

How often do you compare yourself to what you think other parents are doing--or what you "should" be doing?
Never.

Describe your worst moment as a parent.
After the split, I was heartbroken and couldn't stop crying. I cried in front of the girls. They were only four and they didn't understand.

Is there one thing you give yourself a pass on?
Cleaning my house. I'm a single mom.

How has having kid/s affected your sex life?
That's a complicated one, since for me sex involves dating and dating involves time coordination. I don't bring someone home unless I'm serious, so that involves even more coordination. Would I have a girlfriend if I didn't have kids? Perhaps. But I wouldn't be happy with a woman who doesn't like kids, whether I had them or not.

How have you grown as a person since becoming a parent? 
I've become more patient and a better planner.

If someone gave you a letter grade for your current parenting, what would it be? 
I just asked my mother and she said A+.

What quality in yourself do you fear is most likely to lead to failure as a parent?
My lack of regularity and discipline. I'm very loosey-goosey. I've been trying to teach one of my daughters to play guitar off and on for over a year, and we can't seem to get a regular time. Unless I have a deadline, I'm toast. (By the way, I don't think this will lead to failure. That's pretty drastic. I just fear it will lead to my kids not having the discipline when they grow up.)

Enough with the snow! Only dogs like it. And not even all dogs. (Photo by Patty Michels)

It’s the second weekend in April and snow is in the forecast. I don’t know about you, but after a winter spent looking at pictures of Jon Hamm’s penis and somehow ruining my Iphone by sweating on it--the two are unrelated-- I’m ready to leave the house. Here are my six suggestions for things to do this weekend that will make you forget global warming.

1. Get free cookies
This week, Insomnia Cookies opened its first Chicago location in Lincoln Park. In honor of this, they are offering a free cookie to all customers who present their free cookie coupons, valid through April 15. For more information and to receive your free cookie coupon, visit the Insomnia Cookies Facebook page.

2. See Fleetwood Mac
The legendary British/American rock band plays Sat. Apr. 13, 8 p.m. at The United Center. Call 455-4500 for tickets.

3. Celebrate National Tom Hanks Day
This event benefits the actor’s favorite charity, Lifeline Energy. Admission to Headquarters on Saturday April 13 at noon is free, but a five dollar donation gets you a raffle ticket. And maybe the chance to kiss a mermaid.

4.Boobs!
Temple of Boobs: An Indiana Jones Burlesque offers up an all female burlesque parody of the "Indiana Jones" adventure flicks in which a sacred statue -- and the reputation of a dishonored village goddess -- are at stake. Fri., Apr. 12 at 10:30 p.m. Gorilla Tango Theatre

5. Attend an Art Opening
Chicago artist Chai Wolfman’s Meditation Lights opens at Bloom Yoga Studio. The event begins at 8 p.m Friday April 12. The artist says she’s inspired by “the architecture and noise of an urban environment and the comforting aspects of domestic life.”

When I googled 'Wrigleyville Cubs,' this came up, so this is what you get.
6. See the Cubs play the Giants at 1:20 p.m. April 14th. Just leave me out of it.

A writer with an MFA in Creative Writing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sarah Terez Rosenblum freelances for sites like Pop Matters and
afterellen.com Her debut novel, “Herself When She’s Missing," was called “poetic and heartrending” by ALA Booklist. Sarah is also a figure model, Spinning instructor and teacher at Chicago’s StoryStudio. Inevitably one day she will find herself lecturing naked on a spinning bike. She's kind of looking forward to it actually.
IMPORTANT: the official Our Town site doesn't support comments. Join in the conversation by following facebook.com/OurTownBlog.ChicagoSunTimes and Sarah on Twitter: @SarahTerez and Facebook.

Whether working as a trader or a reporter for the FOX Business Network, Chicago born Sandra Smith has always known how to set a goal and achieve it. For years, she split her time reporting from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and the New York Stock Exchange. However in a few weeks she’ll be living full time in Chicago. She spoke with Our Town about her experiences as a woman in the financial industry, her leap to reporting and how running track and trading aren’t as different as one might think.

Our Town What led you to become a trader?
Sandra Smith Early exposure to the financial industry and an aptitude for math. I worked for my father, then a floor trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange when I was in high school and college and got a head start understanding the ins and outs of trading. While studying at LSU, I excelled in mathematics and found I had a true calling for working in finance. After graduating, I worked to become officially licensed as a professional trader. The transition was a natural and smooth one. 
 
OT As a woman, what's your experience as a trader been like?
SS In what has traditionally been a very male dominated environment, I have always felt very comfortable sitting on a trade desk or walking on a trading floor. When my dad introduced me to the financial markets at an early age, he never made a distinction between male or female, it was always about knowing your stuff. Math, charts, history of the markets, etc. For the same reason I loved running track at LSU, I love trading: nothing is subjective. In track there is a start line and a finish line. Whoever gets there first, wins. In trading, whoever buys and sells at the best price wins. Male or female. 

OT Speaking of running, what role have sports played in your career?
SS Running track at LSU was instrumental in pushing me to test my limits. As an athlete one must set goals, work toward them, and when reached, strive to push past them. There were races in college when I shocked myself at what my body was capable of doing, the speed at which I was able to run. Because of that, I never rule anything out in my career. You never know how far you can go until you push yourself.  

OT Any advice for other women interested in going into trading?
SS The industry has changed significantly in recent years, but the basics are still the same.  Do your homework, know your goals, and find an edge. But edges don't last very long. Be willing to adapt to the environment. 
 
OT What was it like to make the leap from trading to reporting?
SS It was a huge decision and not an easy one. I was experiencing a lot of success. But the opportunity to become a television business journalist [allowed me] to leverage everything I had learned and the contacts I had developed for the benefit of a larger audience. I was able to bring something very different to the table: real world experience.

OT What's the biggest misconception people have about reporting?
SS That we are reading a teleprompter. Like trading, I am required to use my expertise to analyze and react to quick moving markets and news in real-time. 
 

OT What's next for you?
SS I dream big. Stay tuned. 

A writer with an MFA in Creative Writing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sarah Terez Rosenblum freelances for sites like Pop Matters and
afterellen.com Her debut novel, “Herself When She’s Missing," was called “poetic and heartrending” by ALA Booklist. Sarah is also a figure model, Spinning instructor and teacher at Chicago’s StoryStudio. Inevitably one day she will find herself lecturing naked on a spinning bike. She's kind of looking forward to it actually.
IMPORTANT: the official Our Town site doesn't support comments. Join in the conversation by following facebook.com/OurTownBlog.ChicagoSunTimes and Sarah on Twitter: @SarahTerez and Facebook.

Photo by Keith Griffith

April's Hot Writer: Alicia Eler

My genre: I am a writer, art critic and curator, focusing on visual art.

My literary influences: Federico García Lorca, Joan Didion, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Andy Warhol, Valerie Solanas (who shot Warhol, naturally), Ariel Levy, Susan Sontag, José Esteban Muñoz

My favorite art critics: Lori Waxman, Jerry Saltz, Kyle Chayka, Jason Foumberg, Jillian Steinhauer, Hrag Vartanian, Daniel Quiles

My favorite artists: Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Peregrine Honig, Maurizio Cattelan, Paul Chan, Rochelle Feinstein, David Ford, Cory Arcangel, Luana Perilli, Martha Rosler, Will Cotton

My favorite literary quote: "Words are loaded pistols." —Jean-Paul Sartre.

My favorite books of all time: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Wayside School Is Falling Down by Louis Sachar, Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman, Being and Nothingness by Jean-Paul Sartre, Female Chauvanist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture by Ariel Levy, On Photography by Susan Sontag, Cruising Utopia: The Then and There of Queer Futurity by José Esteban Muñoz

I’m currently reading: Slouching Towards Bethlehem, by Joan Didion. I’m re-reading the titular essay, which provides an honest, if rather depressing, look at the drugged out hippie movement in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district of the late 1960s.

My guilty pleasure book: I enjoy reading books about astrology and psychic abilities. Most recently, I read The Only Astrology Book You Will Ever Need and The Idiot's Guide to Being Psychic.

I can’t write without: Coffee, preferably in the form of a soy latte.

Worst line I ever wrote: “How many times do I have to tell you that I am a twin?”

Brief Bio: Alicia Eler is a writer, art critic and curator whose projects focus on American pop and consumer culture, social networked identities, and the history of queer aesthetics. Her recent reviews examine our modern perception of the natural world. Alicia is currently the Chicago correspondent for Hyperallergic and Artforum.com, visual art researcher for the Chicago Artists’ Resource, and writer and editor for the OtherPeoplesPixels.com blog. In Spring 2013, she will curate four shows with ACRE Exhibitions & Residency. Her writing has been published in Art21, Art Papers, RAW Vision Magazine (UK), Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Flavorpill, ReadWriteWeb and Time Out Chicago. She holds a BA in Art History from Oberlin College.