Chaos Under The Big Top: The College Years
-Sex, Drugs, and Midterms-
Exclusive Interview with
Creator / Writer / Protagonist
Mr. JiMBO Esquire
SEASON FIVE
With every season of Chaos Under The Big Top, I try to put a spotlight on certain themes and issues. In one respect, I am most proud of Season Five, because of its socially responsible tone. During this season, I opened up more than I ever have, talking frankly about sensitive issues that have plagued me for most of my life, namely body image and sexual identity. Despite being chock-full of hot button issues, this somewhat controversial season has resulted in little to no backlash. It makes me happy to know that by sharing these experiences I've actually helped and/or comforted people who are dealing with similar problems. Unlike previous seasons, this installment of CUTBT is slightly toned down, partially because at the time, I was adjusting to my new roles as uncle and godfather.SEASON FIVE THEME SONG: Piece Of Me - Britney Spears
ALTERNATE THEME SONG: Ay Mariposa - Pedro Luis Ferrer
AWARDS: Honored as "The Best Of LiveJournal" by LJ Top (2007)
FAVORITE EPISODES: An Offer I Cannot Refuse, The Coming Out Trilogy, Don't You Live Here?!, Frienaissance, Night Of The Dancing Flamer, Arri-Arrigato, Mr. Roboto, Another Pack Of SMARTiES, The Blonde Bombshell Returns
Episode 5.01 - "Always A Bridesmaid, Never A Bride" (Season Premiere) (08.12.2007)Q: So, has this marriage epidemic affected any more of your friends since the episode's airing?
A: You know what, I hope I didn't jinx my friends by writing this one, because practically none of my other friends have gotten engaged since. However, Adrienne, my bestest best friend since age 4, gave birth to beautiful baby girl last month.
Q: Awesome!! What's her name?
A: Cadence Dorothy... don't know if she's married her longtime boyfriend yet, so the last name might still be Drisgill. As strange as it is to hear about weddings, it's FUCKING unbelievable to hear about your girl friends creating new life. It's a hard concept to grasp; it feels like just the other day we were entering the 5th Grade Science Fair together.
Q: Still think you'll wait until you're 35 to get married?
A: I don't know. I was single when that episode aired, so my thoughts on monogamy have changed quite a bit. I still wouldn't rush into marriage, but if I found the right guy, I would wanna hold onto him.
Episode 5.02 - "I Totally PAUSED!" (07.16.2007)
Q: And what inspired this title?
A: Well, it's from a scene in the 1996 Amy Heckerling film, Clueless. On their ride to school, Dee (Stacey Dash) says, "Hel-lo!! That was a stop sign!" and Cher (Alicia Silverstone) responds, "I totally PAUSED!" I hate to say it, but when I started driving, I had some of her bad habits.
Q: Like "driving in platforms?"A: Noooo. I struggled a bit with lane positioning and such but luckily, I've managed to not to get into accidents.
Q: So, did you ever see BJ again?
A: *smiles* As a matter of fact, I got some one-on-one training from BJ over the Winter Break. And I've gotta tell ya, I was in Heaven being able to just talk to him about EVERYTHING for 2 hours a day in a car.
Q: Still have a crush on him?
A: Nah... not really. Even though he's sensitive and artistic (despite actually being colorblind), it turns out, he's got a girlfriend and a baby stroller in the backseat. Oh well, it was fun to think about.
Q: Any idea what your ideal automobile would be?
A: Other than a hovercraft...? Well, I've been looking into a Frogger green Hybrid, as opposed to the invisible JiMBOMobile.
Episode 5.03 - "Rock Show" (07.11.2007)Q: So, this was your very first rock concert?
A: Sure was! Not only did I get to see Nickelback, but two awesome big-name acts, Staind & Daughtry.
Q: Any other acts you'd like to see live?
A: Like I've said before, if I ever had the chance to see anyone live, my Top 5 choices would be:
1) Britney Spears
2) The Spice Girls
3) Shakira
4) Daft Punk
5) Jason Mraz
Episode 5.04 - "An Offer I Cannot Refuse" (10.09.2007)Q: So, does it feel any different being an uncle?
A: Absolutely! In addition to being baby Ava's biological uncle, I've also inherited two step-nephews, John (age 5) & Joey (age 4). I find that I'm constantly censoring myself and trying to be a good role model to them in their formative years.
Q: Do you see any of yourself in them?
A: *laughs* Yep, Joey and John are known as "the twin terrors," and although I have to discipline them for certain things, I remember how much I enjoyed those same things as a child.
Q: What kind of games do you play with them?
A: Well, whenever I come over to see them, they always want me to spin them around on my back. Other than that, we play basic games like Hide & Go Seek and Tag, with some gymnastics thrown in from time to time. Their latest fascination has been with standing on my abs while I do backbends... all fun and games 'til they step right on my crotch, (at least it's toned).
Q: LOL, sounds fun. What do you do with Ava?
A: She's still a baby, so mainly we just play Peek-A-Boo, watch Mean Girls, and play with educational animal toys.
The Coming Out Trilogy
Q: How have things been at home since you came out?
A: Things have actually been much better than before. Now that my father no longer has that leverage over me, he doesn't tease me about being effeminate or anything, and I don't try to hide it. Unfortunately, while everyone else is happy about it, he wants nothing to do with my lifestyle, which for now, is OK b/c I've never shared the details of my sex life with my family anyway.
Q: How'd your friends take it?A: They already knew. When the episode aired, I had already been out to ALL of my friends since my freshman year of college. The vast majorty of 'em have taken it extremely well.
Q: Will you be going to any Pride parades this season?
A: I'd like to, but unfortunately, I'm swamped with work! Otherwise, I'd love to shake my thang on a float someday... in my cowboy costume, of course. :-D I get a lot of mileage outta that outfit.
Q: Have you seen any good GLBTQ films lately?
A: Actually, I've been obsessed with the Big Gay Sketch Show lately. It turns out that Craig Chester (star of Adam & Steve, Swoon), the guy that I've been dying to bring to Gettysburg for the ALLiES Film Festival (came sooo close but the budget wouldn't allow), is the head writer on the hit sketch comedy show. Other than that, I've totally fallen in love with Beautiful Boxer--it's like the gay Rocky, I FUCKIN' LOVE IT!
Episode 5.06 - "Harry Potter Is Dead... TO ME!!" (07.21.2007)Q: Any chance Harry Potter is no longer dead to you?
A: Pffft, HAH! I still have nothing but disdain for the HP series; my boyfriend, on the other hand, absolutely LOVES it. Why? I have no fuckin' clue.
Episode 5.07 - "Rush Hour 4" (11.02.2007)
Q: So, how's the roommate situation going?
A: IT'S FINALLY OVER!! Things went from bad to worse after airing this episode. As much as I tried to teach my roomie about basic courtesy and hygiene, towards the end of the year, I totally stopped giving a shit what he did or how anything I did might've offended him.
Q: Was the language barrier a big factor?
A: Oh, HELL YEAH! Not as big of a deal as the uncleanliness (CONSTANTLY violating and breaking my toilet), but his poor English skills really made me frustrated b/c it made me want to be sympathetic when he's much older than I am and should have home training. It's unfortunate but he's one of those guys that give International students a bad name; really, most of them speak proper English better than the American students.
Episode 5.08 - "Don't You Live Here?!" (09.28.2007)Q: Have you visited the battlefields lately?
A: Now that I know where they ARE, LOL, Yeah, I swing by every now and then, when I feel like walking around aimlessly, being photographed by tourists passing by.
Q: Found any other hot spots in Gettysburg?
A: Well, the Pagan Posse has turned me on to both Chrome Gardens and The Cat's Meow. The Cat's Meow is a small Pagan/New Age shop, and Chrome Gardens is the parlor where Kyle and I got matching piercings.
Episode 5.09 - "King Of The Damned" (11.04.2007)
Q: And what inspired this title?
A: As you might guess, it's just a play on the title of an Anne Rice novel (and motion picture starring Stuart Townshend & Aaliyah), Queen Of The Damned.
Q: Were you pleased with your Devil costume?
A: Of course! I was shocked b/c the only size they had available was a Men's Large, so I was soooo scared it wouldn't fit. Turns out, it does, and I wear it every chance I get... as I do with every costume I buy.
Q: Seen any good horror flicks lately?
A: As a matter of fact, I have! I Know Who Killed Me (starring Lindsay Lohan) was surprisingly good story-wise but visually STUNNING... kind of like a horror version of Across The Universe. The other one I really liked was Hard Candy, which is TOTALLY a "Sara movie," about a teenage girl who lures in an online predator and tortures him.
Episode 5.10 - "Frienaissance" (12.02.2007)Q: Speaking of "Sara movies," how is she doing?
A: It seems like every season, we end up getting into some argument, and lately, it's been simultaneously good but also, tense.
I'm still trying to make sure that she, at least, respects (if liking's not possible) my boyfriend, because I enjoy spending as much time as possible with him, and if she can't be around him, then she'll barely be around me.
Q: Are things really that bad?
A: Not lately. It's become more of a joke since April, when she wasn't even on speaking terms with him and only referred to Kyle as "the other woman." Since then, she's actually been nice to him, and I'm relieved that there is peace... for now.
Episode 5.11 - "Night Of The Dancing Flamer" (11.15.2007)
Q: What's taking so damn long for your dance solo?
A: I don't knowww! I was actually ready to go this semester but I couldn't attend either of the choreographers' meetings. I planned on dancing to a '90s rock song, "Baby Now I" by the Dan Reed Network (from The Cutting Edge).
Q: Still plan on dancing to that one?A: Don't know. I want something fresh, but lately, I've drawn inspiration from '80s films like Flashdance, Breakin', and Bloodsport.
Episode 5.13 - "Arri-Arrigato, Mr. Roboto (aka '32-25-34')" (01.05.2008)
Q: How did it feel writing about such a personal issue?
A: Similar to the Coming Out Trilogy, it actually felt really good to finally share all these bottled up thoughts and emotions.
Q: Has it helped you in any way?
A: Yes, after reading it, the vast majority of my friends have realized how much those Stick Figure comments hurt me, and they've become sensitive to the fact that I don't find them remotely funny.
Episode 5.14 - "Another Pack Of SMARTiES" (12.13.2007)
Q: So, how'd your final exams go this time?
A: Surprisingly well, all A's and B's. Ironically, I did the best in the course I was most worried about all semester, referring to my 300-level Latin American Studies course (A-).
Q: Have you become any more comfortable with your professors?
A: Yeah... now that I don't have them anymore, I've had no problem just dropping by Breidenbaugh and McKnight to just chat with my favorite professors. Professor Robinson and I got together for brunch at the Ragged Edge a few Sundays ago. And it was hilarious to hear how Ethan, Lidia, and Professor Duquette all talk about me (all good things) outside of class. That's just odd but flattering.
Episode 5.15 - "The Blonde Bombshell Returns" (01.06.2008)
Q: Are you pleased with Miss Spears' return?
A: Even after her horrible performance at the MTV Video Music Awards and a lackluster video for "Gimme More," I think Britney's finally starting to turn it around. It's no secret that her RECURRING role as Abby saved How I Met Your Mother from cancellation, and "Piece Of Me" was a refreshingly wonderful addition to the Spears music video collection. I can't wait for her new album this December, AHHH!!!
Q: You must hate that bitch, Hannah Montana, right?
A: Hahaha, not at all. She's a good kid, and I can't believe they're making such a huge deal about the so-called provocative internet photos (which I have seen and can say they aren't remotely scandalous). I just think it's sad how female celebrities are held to such unrealistic standards... let them be normal, horny teenagers for crying out loud! However, Jesse McCartney needs to stop singing about sex right NOW!! XD Ewwww.
Episode 5.17 - "Take Her Home, She's WASTED, YAAAAAAAY!" (Season Finale) (12.14.2007)
Q: Seen any other Broadway musicals since then?
A: YE-AH! Wonda' Woman and I actually went on a Dance Ensemble trip to see John Waters' Crybaby on Broadway.
Q: And how was it?
A: It was PHENOMENAL! The sets were very retro and stylized, the songs were raunchy, and the running time was under two hours. SwEEt.
Q: Any others on your To-Do List?
A: Even though I don't think we should be making every damn movie out there into a Broadway show, I really do wanna see Young Frankenstein. I'm just curious to see what the director would do with it.
Got questions? Send 'em in and as always, I'll give you an honest answer. :-D
I'd prefer postings directly on the blog--that way if someone else has the same question, I can get a 2-for-1 deal. PeaceOut, JiMBOEsq!
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