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.

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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

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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.