I am riding the bus for the first time in close to 15 years. I am not bragging. I say it rather shamefully. I don’t even know what the fare is, but at $2.25 it is indeed a bargain. Y’all know about my taxi thing. I love taking taxis and it allows me to dawdle and depart 15 minutes before any appointment and get there on time. Thank you Lake Shore Drive. But taking the bus seems so proletariat and so fiscally responsible.

Yes, my dears, these economic times call for drastic measures! I say this tongue in cheek. But it is time for me to de-princess my life and enjoy it. I realize that it’s a bit ridiculous to consider taking public transportation as an adventure but I take such pride in loving all of the experiences I taste in this life of mine. And today was one of the yummy times for me. I had a meeting with the folks from the Lookingglass Theater. We are doing their gala early next year and so I got to experience the romanticism that is the ballrooms at the Hotel Intercontinental: suits of armor, painted ceilings, wood paneled walls and rooms named King Arthur’s Court and Camelot in gold lettering above the doorways.

I exit the hotel and there it is: the bus stop and a street full of buses. Perhaps the notion would not feel so romantic if I had to wait 30 minutes in the cold. But that is not my fate today. And the driver is handsome and amused at the obvious deliberation and pride I take as I place my fare in the box. He probably thinks I have “special needs” and this is my first outing on my own! No matter. I am delighted as he nods his approval as the fare registers… “There you go!”

The bus is fairly empty and I choose my seat from an array of blue cloth covered seats. It’s a nice bus, clean and multi-leveled as it starts rolling down Michigan Avenue before hopping on the Drive and traveling (express) directly to my neighborhood before dropping me off three blocks from my home. The ride provides a lovely block of time to read my current favorite: “Just Kids” by Patti Smith. And the walk home in the brisk winter air is invigorating. I feel active, I am breathless but happy as I make my way home in the remaining daylight. It gets dark so early these days but at this moment it is bright and sunny. It is a good day. Next up: The EL!

Tonight I am going to see John Waters perform his new one man show: A John Waters Christmas followed by a VIP post show reception on stage (thanks to a wonderful client who also happens to be the Chairman of the Harris Theater Board of Trustees) I will meet him and I hope I will get to talk to him. I was told that he isn’t posing for photos but I will bring my camera nonetheless.

Tags: A John Waters Christmas, chicago, CTA, Hotel Intercontinental, John Waters, Just Kids, Lookingglass Theater, Lynne Jordan, lynne jordan & the shivers, lynne jordan and the shivers, Patty Smith, public transportation, The Harris Theater Chicago
Filed under: In the Life of a Diva