Northwestern CRC Radiothon

Lane J. Lubell and Company performed two LIVE radio dramas on Tuesday 12/5.

 "The Judge's House" Radio play by Lane J. Lubell, Adapted from a short story by Bram Stoker published in 1891.
"Sorry, Wrong Number " by the Generic Radio Workshop for the series "Suspense." originally aired in 1943. 

Yes, these were both performed "Live," (including sound effects) just as in the days of old-time radio. Granted, I'm biased, as proof I point to the fact this site is called "Lubell Family Blog;" but I still think I showing some measure of objectivity when I say the performance is impressive. Especially when you factor in that this was accomplished with just a few hours of rehearsal.

Click Here To Listen

About Radiothon

Radiothon is an annual 50-hour charity event sponsored by Communications Residential College (CRC) of Northwestern University. All fundraising activities benefit the American Heart Association. CRC residents take pride in organizing all Radiothon events, which in the past have included auctions and games, in addition to the nonstop call-in radio shows aired from the dorm’s radio station.  Radiothon began in honor of William G. Arnold, a CRC resident and equipment chairman who died of cardiac arrhythmia.

The 27th annual Radiothon will be broadcast from 10PM Central on Monday, December 1st through midnight on Wednesday, December 3rd 2014.

If you missed the show live, all 50 hours are available

LISTEN ONLINE

Yea, Yea, I get it- Lane's getting older.

As I browse Facebook posts, it is common for parents to post pictures of their college-aged kids back when they were little. The other day was Halloween, and quite a few 12 year old pictures of kids dressed up for Trick or Treat began showing up in my "News feed." I get it, sure there is a part of me that misses pushing Lane on the swings, the birthday parties, the class field trips, and the thousand other memories still so vivid and clear. I still have some 1,000 hours of on-watched video of him, shot on different cameras,, each of which is a format no longer supported.

Three years in a row we trekked out to Rosemont Theater to see Blues Clues Live. Steve Burns was great as "Steve" on TV, but live, with a fake Steve, and 6 foot tall versions of cartoon characters, it didn't really work. Even by age six, Lane had seen enough theater to be a bit disappointed in the production value.  That said, I enjoyed any family time  I felt like a good dad for taking him.

And, based on my tendency cling on him, and demand his attention a bit more than what's healthy, people feel compelled to remind me that " Lane is getting older, you have to let him grow up." Believe me I recognize nothing but the best intentions of those friends and family making the comments. Yea, Yea, I get it- Lane's getting older, the truth is I'm really OK with that fact.

Last week Lane took the train down with a few friends and met me at the House of blues for the Pretty Reckless concert. Of course he focused most of his attention to hanging with his friends (as he should have) but the truth is the concert was way more fun then Blues Clues. The point some people miss is that I'm totally OK with the "He's getting older thing," in fact I have never enjoyed spending time with him more than now. Our conversations are deeper and more stimulating. I greatly prefer discussing cinematography than YuGiOh Cards ( A game he use to cheat when playing with me). I love our two-hour long talks about the development and growth of various characters on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It was an amazing treat to be able to watch him direct talented, passionate actors and to see the mutual respect they showed towards each other.

I don't just get that Lane's getting older, I relish the fact. My only regret is I don't get to spend as much time with him as I would like.

Northwestern University Campus 2014

When your son is a film major, and the camera in your hand shoots video, I guess it's natural to end up with a short film rather than a collection of still images as was my original intent.

Next time I should bring one of the many tripods sitting patiently at home waiting to be used.



It was easier making these when Lane was at home and I could Guilt-trip him into fixing my mistakes.

Lane Moving off to Northwestern

We knew the day was coming. We knew the day would arrive, when an ultrasound showed us a healthy looking fetus, and confirmed an estimated delivery-day.  There was never a point when we pondered the possibility that Lane would not attend college. With Northwestern on the quarter system we actually had an additional 20 plus days, just over 480 hours, hearing friends tell stories and post pictures of them packing, delivering, and then tearfully waving goodbye to their child..  

All this points to my complete lack of justification for being caught off-guard by Monday the 15th, or as I refer to it, "Black Monday." Don't get me wrong, I'm excited that at college, he is going to learn, grow and make many new friends. Lane just called me and told me about the courses he has selected, and I'm delighted by the prospect of him getting to take such an interesting collection of classes. It's just that him heading off to the dorm qualifies as a major event, and in our home, events are documented through writing but also at 24 frames per second.

In an ideal world I would have lugged around at least a tripod (a dolly and track would have been quite pretentious, particularly at a school  with a film department). I also am trying to force two short movies into one, something that is artistically flawed, but OK, since the idea was to document the first 24 hours.
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There was a robbery at the Ruzumna home.

No jewelry was missing, the Mercedes remained in the garage, but what was taken was priceless. We were all robbed of at least a decade of quality time spent with Ed. A father, a relative, or friend, each person who's life intersected his, has fond memories, and cherishes the time they were lucky enough to spend together. Throughout the 25 years I've had the pleasure of knowing Eddie, I have heard hundreds of stories told by dozens of people reminiscing over events, days, months, years, or even decades ago; while the subject matter changes, I have never heard anyone say a bad word about him. Even in these dark hours, our memories are filled with laughter - just the way Ed would have wanted it.


When Shirley, the love of his life, was taken far, far too soon, the loss hit him hard, but he remained strong for her and for Steven & Ilene. He fought through knee and hip replacements twice, being forced to go for intravenous antibiotics every morning for months. Ed saw obstacles, not barriers.
Always positive, always looking forward,  always  searching for a solution, and if one didn't exist he would invent one, literally.


Ed was quite the inventor, I was struck how he was constantly juggling multiple inventions, at various stages of development. He was not trained as a mechanical engineer, he just saw problems and figured there must be a better way, some shortcut. He figured if he was searching for an alternative there must be millions of others that could benefit from his solution, and he was off running. His enthusiasm was contagious, even to someone as naturally skeptical as my self.

Ed had setbacks, yet I find it so difficult to to call up any memory where he is not wearing a smile.
But nothing brought him greater joy then being surrounded by his family and friends. He loved a party, and Shirley made a lot of them. If twenty were invited, there would be food for forty-no one would ever be allowed leave hungry. If not at home, then Ed  "Took the show on the road," to one of his favorite restaurants. Ed had a favorite toast, "May we always be together for happy occasions."

As I see all the people gathered together by his side, it is clear the love so many feel towards him, the countless lives he has touched, how deeply he will be missed.

Ed, I wish I could clink glasses with you again. It hurts that we were robbed of years of quality time, but the memories will always remains.

Open Mic Contest, Hunter Dunn and Lane J Lubell

Open Mic at Uncommon Ground is one of the best in the city, proudly celebrating 
20 years of exclusive sponsorship from Shure Microphones 


Lane was happy to get another chance to perform; so when Hunter suggested the go to an open mic at Uncommonground, he jumped at the chance. Neither of them knew it was a competition, and they were a bit concerned that this was NOT a "Teen" event but rather that they would need to face adults. undaunted, they went up on stage and did a good enough job to take first place.
There were some very talented people that took the stage, many of these people were in their 20s and 30s, still trying to make music a career; so that they were the youngest, coupled with the fact they had one day rehearsal on their first song, made their first place showing more amazing.

I attribute their success principally to Hunter's amazing voice and poise; but I have to give Lane some credit for the song selection and having the ability to find, and attract really talented and convince them to partner with him on projects.

I'm glad my Mom and Dad could make the show, I know they felt bad about missing the last one, but Lane is fortunate to now have both side of the family watch one of the two performances.Because I insist on filming everything, anyone can watch as if they were there.
  

Graduation: Latin School Class of 2014

While birthdays are annual events, It's but once a person Graduates from high school.  This fact would logically lead to a big party surrounded by all of your friends and family; or it would if the lion's share of your friends were not also graduating the same week. This is an example of logistics trumping sentiment. Friends can't attend your party because they are having their own, and like you, they too are juggling grandparents' schedules, other family members' ceremonies, and dreading any mistake that results in hurting someone's feelings. Just imagine planning your wedding in the same week that eight of your close friends have scheduled their own "Special day."

While there is a certain safety of only having a small family dinner, the desire to have at least a few of your child's friends on-hand is natural. So when the opportunity to merge our plans with the arrangements a few of Lane's friends popped-up, it seemed like a great idea. It took a bit of work (none of which I did) to pull-it-off; but I thought it went quite well. The food was good, people all got along well, even the weather cooperated.  

Now I will shut-up and post pictures.

Lane J. Lubell Graduates

Am I proud of Lane graduating High School?

No!

 

I understand if that strikes some as an odd thing to say, it's just that I never had any reason to contemplate the possibility that he would fail to graduate. As I have explained to Lane frequently, this is perhaps the downside of possessing a record of high achievement - expectations tend to get rather lofty. Sure I get that there is something inherently unfair about me suspending the hoops so high off the ground- But damn it, you keep jumping through them.

I don't want anyone to think that I'm not extraordinary proud of Lane, that I don't get how hard he works, or that I don't appreciate his accomplishments. While I am in the habit of "reminding him" of items that he, or I, put on his "To do list," I do also write him lengthy texts filled with glowing praise. When I take issue with his overly brief responses, he will reply "Dad, you're the only one that sends an 800 word text."

OK, so getting a diploma I took as a given, but I am proud of how well he did, and how that success opened the doors to Northwestern. I'm in awe of the dedication to complete, and the caliper of writing in his 3 act play. I am genuinely impressed by the laser-like focus he direct towards his films and other writing projects. I do understand the daunting task of opening Avid Media and needing to find, match and sync several hundred audio clips to an equal number of video clips, knowing that upon completion, hundreds of hours of editing await. I was thrilled watching him and his friend Hunter perform songs at Old Town School of Folk Saturday night, great job Lane finding a woman that can really sing.

But what might impresses me most is Lane's sense of empathy and loyalty, it is sincere, and I have no question that it explains his ability to surround himself with such a great group of friends.
One more thing: I cannot adequately convey how much happiness he brings to my life each and every day. He is a best friend, an artistic collaborator, a person that never disappoints and one that I know will never stop making me proud.

Now I can go home and get upset that he didn't put back my WaWa and overdrive pedals.

 Ed and Steven drove in in order to celebrate Lane's graduation, I know Lane appreciated them being able to watch him step forward to the next stage of his life.

Lane is going to miss the comfort of having an apartment to hang-out in each day after school. 

When my and dad gone most of the winter, he had the place to himself, when they were home he had the joy of their company.  

Hunter Dunn sings at Old Town School with Lane.

Free time is not something Lane has much of, particularly during the school year. Teachers at Latin had no qualms about sending students home each night with many hours of work, his commitments to the theater department also swallowed large blocks of his time, and then there is my propensity to swoop in and lay-claim to most every remaining moment. Despite the precious few unchecked boxed on his daily schedule, he manages to find time to write a play, compose and post film reviews to his website and consistently have at least two films in some state of production. But this post was about his musical side.

Lane, finds small holes that he fills by moving from one instrument to the next, playing and writing songs for the pure enjoyment as well as for possible use in connection to some future larger project.   Of his many talents, putting things away is not on the list; so it is common to come home a see the his ukulele next to the piano with a tambourine on the floor within taping distance of the stool. Guitars left plugged into amps, a boom mic stand set by the drum kit. It is possible that Lane's greatest single gift  is the ability to find and attract talented people to work with him. He has been able to gather talented people to work of his films, and in this case, an amazing singer that makes anything he did sound great.

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Hunter, is going into her junior year at Latin, but already has a smooth sophistication to her singing often associated with someone several years older. Her personality is even sweeter than her voice.   

Mother's Day 2014

For many years we have established a Mother's Day tradition of heading over to Mom and Dad's condo for brunch, then a walk to and through the park. A rational person could question why our Mothers Day celebration centers around a plan which involves my mom doing a great deal of work, but families operate more by tradition than by logic.

I'm not sure how this got started, but the number of gift precipitants exceeds the notion that one buys a present for your mother, if fact it has expanded to purchasing gifts for every family member that carries a double X chromosome. I would love to say that I begin searching for the perfect gift in January, but the truth is I at best procrastinate, at worst totally forget. With my mind as sharp as Patrick's from Sponge Bob, the job of selecting and wrapping presents falls on my wonderful caring wife Ilene. A woman who is filled with the best of possible intentions, she is also over-whelmed with long lists of multi-part tasks piled onto her desk, and email in-box from work, while simultaneously having a husband and son, both asking her if she can find where we left our ADHD meds.

The typical level of chaos that comprises our daily lives has been sent into over-drive as Lane's last year of high school comes raining down, puddles forming at our feet. In addition to the deadlines that come free with graduation a few weeks away, Lane, true-to-form, has tacked on additional work including, rewrites, casting, rehearsals and staging of his full length play, Film Festival, completing the editing for the 12 grade film banner, editing a ruff-draft of his 30 minutes film "Coming Home" and performing a song with a friend from school. On Wednesday our dear fiend Stacy asks if we would attend a gala that her husband Scott was generous enough to purchase two tables for, but too busy at work to arrange to fill. It was so kind of them to ask, and we so enjoy spending time together, that of course we said yes. A new tux purchase later, we were ready to arrive; albeit 30 minutes late. Luckily Ilene had the good idea to shop for mother's day gifts at their silent auction.

Sunday we found our way to Mother's day brunch - late, but bearing gifts. We got to meet the Kirsch's newest addition, a fit-in-your-purse type dog as cute as can be, just like Kimberly's dog Georgia.

Here are a few pictures.

      

Chicagoland High School Film Festival 2014

05/16/2014 UPDATE
HAND SPRINGS TOOK FIRST PLACE.

I am proud to say that Lane's short film "Hand Springs" has been accepted as a finalist in the Chicagoland High School Film Festival.
Needless to say, this would not have been possible without the performances of Erika Marks, Riley Nelson and Cullen Welch. They put in a lot of time and dedication, for no compensation, even arriving on "The Set" for 7:30am shoots on some of the very last summer days before the school year started; giving up what otherwise would have been their last opportunity to sleep-in.

Thanks to the Max McMahon and family for putting up with Lane "Kicking them out of their own home"; so he can shoot a few scenes there.

The 2014 Chicagoland High School Film Festival will be held at the Latin School of Chicago’s Wrigley Theatre (59 W. North Blvd), on  Friday, May 16th, from 6:30-9:00 pm.  Created by and for Latin School students in 2002 as Zwinglifest, the event has since expanded to include students from both public and private schools, giving young filmmakers the opportunity to share their expressive voice while gaining insight from an expert panel of some of the best in the business. 

PREVIOUS WINNER INCLUDE STUDENTS FROM:
 Benito Juarez High School/ Street Level Youth Media
 Francis W. Parker School
 Glenbrook North High School
 Hinsdale Central High School
 Lake Forest High School
 Latin School of Chicago
 New Trier Township High School
 Palatine High School

In past years there have been some very talented filmmakers, each creating impressive work resulting from up to hundreds of hours of effort, making this something worth attending.

The Laramie Project,

It's had to believe, but this will be Lane's last performance in a play at Latin (Well unless you count "The Morgans," the play he wrote that will have a staged reading next month).
Because I was getting a bit sentimental, I decided to design this poster to have something to look at to remember.

• The Laramie Project, 7 p.m., Wrigley Theatre, Latin School of Chicago

..... and now the festive meal.

Passover Memories

We have a tendency to accelerate through the Seder at a speed equal to the religious level of the people attending. If I was better at math, I assume there is a simple formula for predicting the duration of the service providing you knew the variable of the expectation of the most religious
adult attending.    

The Passover holiday will never be the same.

To answer the above formula, Ed would push for "More" rather than less, but always did so
with a smile and a collections of jokes.
 

To anyone watching who are not Jewish-No a napkin is not a new item of religious significance
to Jews, it's presence is the result of discovering, a moment before sitting down, that we can't remember where we put the Yamakas.