Hey Mr. DJ, Pon De Replay!

Yesterday’s post still has me thinking musically.  I can't forget the lyrical genius of the Red Line rapper I ran into on Friday (and still miffed at the audio quality of my confounded phone…).  His rhymes were, if I may temporarily resort to my native Valley-girl, hella smooth!  He was really jammin’ out and I wasn’t the only one nodding my head.  Listening to him rap about his experiences in this city, you really got a certain vibe, a certain feeling about Chicago culture through public transportation.  The things you see and hear on the L train give you a brief, yet intimate glimpse into the people and things that make up this amazing city. 

Chicago's L train is composed of eight lines, all named for a color: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Brown and Pink.  This system of elevated and underground tracks spreads out through the entire city; like arteries, it pumps people, and life, into and out of the heart of this Midwestern metropolis.  Every station has its own unique thumbprint, and the riders themselves give each line its own unique identity.  So I thought, Eureka! Why don’t I create a playlist for the L train!  Besides, there are way too many people out there that force me to listen to their music by playing their iPod at inordinately loud levels so you can hear their earphones several seats away (y’all know who you are).  Though, I do remember one such person I couldn’t get mad at because they they were actually singing along…with exuberance, and hilaaaaariously off tune.

 So, here’s my lighthearted take on songs that remind me of each line.

Of course, I’ll start with the Red Line.  This line is the one that, to me, really encapsulates Chicago’s culture.  Spanning north to south it represents all manner of Chicagoans: Red and Yellow, Black and White, Republican and Democrat, Cubs fans and White Sox fans, Gay and Straight, Rich and Poor and everything in between.  You’ll find it all and more on the Red Line.

1. Red - northbound 2. Red - southbound 3. Orange - SW to Midway 4. Yellow - northbound 5. Green - westbound 6. Green - southbound 7. Blue - NW to O'Hare 8. Blue - southwest 9. Purple - northbound 10. Purple - southbound 11. Brown - northbound 12. Brown - southbound 13. Pink - eastbound 14. Pink - westbound

Drum Roll Please - talent search on the subway

I have never watched any more than about 15 minutes of American Idol.  For starters, I don’t have the time or patience to spend on what I think is a crime against the sacred art of music.  The notion that if I have an inkling of talent I have to travel a long way at my own expense, on the hope that I can defy astronomical odds to be selected to go on the show and display my amateur-grade skills and be judged by folk not necessarily equipped to pass judgment on me (and who may or may not have true talent themselves), is maddeningly oxymoronic.

Why does talent have to go to them? If American Idol really, I mean REALLY, wanted to “discover” talent, they would actually try going out and looking!  This method would certainly weed out all those poor souls with voices only their momma’s want to hear (even you diehard Idol fans know what I'm talking about).  Personally, I’d like to see American Idol hold a face off between these Chicago bucket drummers and the street drummers of Edinburgh, Scotland.  Have a look for yourself:

  VS 

Musical talent, both vocal and instrumental, is not as hard to discover as one would think.  At the risk of sounding very cliché, music is all around us, everywhere. (Oh, how very “August Rush” of me!)  In my own experience, especially riding the subway, I’ve encountered folk from all walks of life.  Modern day Billy Holiday’s and Tito Puente’s are sharing their sacred arts with us daily on street corners and subway platforms all over the city of Chicago.  I know they’re in your cities too, just waiting for Steven Tyler or J.Lo. to stroll by and listen for a few minutes.  Yes, like Idol auditions, there are those street performers who are making more noise than music, but the majority are really gifted individuals with stories much more inspiring than The Soloist.  

I had intended on posting a clip of a subway rapper I ran into the other day who was rappin' about my lovely Red Line but found out that my cell phone's audio-video capabilities are not as "totally awesome" as the salesman claimed they were...drat...maybe next time.  Until then, here's what some folks are saying about Chicago street performers.

PSA: Public **Safety** Announcement

As I rode the train home from class tonight, this bulletin above my seat caught my eye.  PSA’s of this format are not too common and usually get lost in a sea of advertisements on your daily commute.  Nevertheless it gave me pause to reflect…

I heard somewhere (in my ripe old age the source of this information, and it’s validity, eludes me) that in Japan at some point in time it used to be common practice for everyone to carry their samurai sword with them wherever they went, even unconcealed on airplanes and trains.  Now, I don’t live in Japan (bummer) and since I can’t carry a sword, or my favorite machete (yeah that’s right, I’m Puerto Rican, and? lol), out in the open in Chicago, especially not on a crowded train(for obvious reasons) I opt for a different variety of “social security”. [Step]Momma always told me: be prepared for anything! And since momma didn’t raise no fool, I heed her wisdom and make sure I’m always as ready as possible for the “just in cases” in life.  Anyone planning on targeting me can just say hello to my little friend[s]!

I’m not a fan of mace, or rape whistles, or guns (even wooden ones, Officer Gamble…) 

And I don’t think violence in any form is the right answer to any problem. But, where do you draw the line between following the rules and protecting yourself?  What is YOUR weapon of choice – do you use your words to talk yourself outta trouble? Swing it old school and put up your dukes? Or hold your ground in Faith and simply pray? (truthfully the best first option if you’re asking me)

By carrying a pocket knife I’m certainly not advocating violence or “proactive” self defense!  All jokes aside, I truly realize the importance of being aware of your surroundings (especially in light of the recent tragic event in Arizona) and one can never be too careful out there considering it only takes the blink of an eye to become a statistic.  Chicago’s crime rates (shootings, stabbings, rapes) are testament to the need for us all to be cognizant of what’s going on around us.

What are your thoughts? Have any of you found yourself in a situation where you’ve had to defend yourself, or maybe someone else? What was the outcome? How did it affect you?

Let the Journey Begin

I’ve lived in Chicago for 13 loooong years.  Originally from the West Coast, I’ve been here long enough to now say I’m “from” here.  I honestly never imagined I’d be here this long, and even more honestly, I’m not really sure why I still stay.  Having a January birthday in this city means the closest thing you get to a pool party is participating in the Polar Plunge…though, with Lake Michigan mostly frozen at this time of year, that too would be a fantasy.  And for some reason ‘da Bears seem to have caught the “Biggest Let Down of the Year” flu bug from the Cubs (not to insinuate in any way, shape or form that I am a fan).  All’s I know is, they better start emulating the ’05 White Sox or I’ll be forced to write a personal letter…Dear Coach Lovie, where’s the love man!?  Sincerely, Disgruntled-former-Bears-fan-who-went-back-to-the-49ers…

Well, anyway, one of several great things I love about Chicago, aside from the Bears (sort of, when they play well, ok I’ll stop…), is the convenience of a mass transit, public transportation system.  Despite the on-again off-again fare hike controversy, and the arrival/departure delays, and the occasional derailments, and the ever-present peculiar odors, oh and the interesting crime rate…the “L” train is a truly convenient, cost-effective, easy-peasy way to not just get to work but explore a lively, multi-ethnic, multifaceted, world-class metropolitan city, filled to the brim with vitality, interaction, and a litany of things to do at any time of year.

Riding the “L” is, in itself, an adventure, in many ways but mostly in faith.  Faith that you’ll arrive safely at your intended destination, relatively on time, with wallet intact, no bodily harm, and no gum or mysterious wetness on the seat of your jeans [oh please Dear Jesus, let that be water].  So, ladies and gents, hang on to your children and keep your arms and legs inside this ride at all times – we’re off to explore the “L” train!  (please note that my blog posts, in retell my observations and personal experiences in public transportation, could likely contain socially or racially-charged snippets.  My intent is not to offend anyone in any way but rather, openly meditate on what I witness in order to try and understand the “how” and “why” that we are all filled with…even if we don’t admit it…So, comment at will!)