Rich Conversations: 004. John Kammer

Show notes from episode 004 of Rich Conversations with John Kammer. Answers are cut down to fit into writing format.

How long have you lived in Chicago?

I’ve been in the city just over six years. Lived all on the northside. I signed a sublet on Diversey and Pine Grove when I first got here. I paid a little too much since I had heard horror stories about landlords. I was willing to overpay to avoid that. Then I moved into another sublet at Broadway and Briar. I moved into the place I’m at now for the last five years. It’s got way too much room for what we pay and where we’re at. There’s that old rule, if you have a tenant who pays on time and doesn’t mess with ya, you just let them stay. It’s definitely a lot calmer than it had been five years ago.

If you have an open Saturday, how would you choose to spend it?

Well hopefully I didn’t go out and drink the night before so I can wake up and enjoy myself. I’d wake up early and go get a workout in. If it’s nice out I’ll probably run by the lake. I hate running but I’d much rather do that than lift weights inside. I find that very boring. Come home. Eat breakfast and do some reading. Then probably take a nap. I sound like a fossil, but each day I find the simple things in life nicer and nicer. Probably finish that day off with some nice cocktails and good company.

When you think of Chicago, what colors do imagine first?

This might seem weird since I’m color blind, but green. Even though I can’t see color, I can see that it’s bright and vibrant and healthy and that sticks out to me. Coming from Colorado, it’s a high desert and I don’t see that color.

What’s your proudest moment as a Chicagoan?

That happened recently. A couple weeks ago I landed a TV pilot. There’s been some cool stuff that’s happened to me since I moved here, but this an opportunity to make a create mark. I don’t know how it’s going to go, but there’s an opportunity that a lot of people will see it. It’s about a guy who’s a drag queen and him and his friends run a bakery. They’re always coming up with ideas to keep it running. It’s called Fantasy Foods. The motto of the bakery is “We cater to your every desire.” The point is to piss everyone off. I love that premise because I think the world is ready—we’re in this overly politically correct world. No one is safe. I play a character similar to Steve Stifler. The frat star who thinks he’s God’s gift to the world.

If a friend visits you from out of town, what restaurant would you take them to?

Crisp. It’s just phenomenal. If it’s one meal, that’s where we’re going. I get the Foodie’s Choice sandwich. I don’t know what’s on it but it’s fantastic.

What’s your hidden gem in the city?

There’s this little park. It was right around the corner from my old office. Van Buren and Franklin, I believe. I go there every morning and do my ten minutes of mindfulness and meditate. Before I get into the sales calls and all that. Align myself and figure out my priorities for the day. Achieve a level of focus that will allow me to do what I need to. That helps me get through the day and keeps me happy—all that good stuff.

What sound do you most affiliate with the city?

It has to be the L. That roar of the train going by. Always when you’re in the middle of an important conversation. Usually when I’m talking to my mom or something. You have to wait 30 seconds to come back, then another train will pass again.

What music has influenced you the most since living in Chicago?

Music hasn’t had the same influence on me as it had when I was younger. My worldview now comes from reading and interacting with people. But living right down the street from Kingston Mines and B.L.U.E.S. I love the blues. That’s another place in the city where if you’re visiting, you have to go.

What’s a common scene you see in your daily interaction with the city?

I’m the guy on the L staring at people looking at their phones. Nowdays, as soon as someone is uncomfortable, they take out their phones. It’s sort of a social experiment of mine to see what they do.

If you were given secret information that Chicago would be destroyed in one week, what’s one quality you’d choose to keep to rebuild it?

I think it has to be the attitude and edge. An example of that is the winter. If you can’t handle it, just go home. I think it’s hilarious and like the pride of the city. The bad weather does a certain thing to unite us all.

What’s one thing you’d do to improve your neighborhood?

I think in order to improve this neighborhood, you’d need to improve the other ones around it first. It’s a bubble here. Crime happens everywhere and that’s the reality. The city shouldn’t focus on this neighborhood. Fixing the sidewalk here could pay for a school somewhere else. But people putting money in want something back. That’s just the way it is. It’s tough.

When people learn you’re from Chicago, how do they respond?

It’s usually the weather. The winter. Coming from Colorado you don’t get single digits. You get snow but not this bitter cold. That’s when that proud Chicago comes out. No! You couldn’t handle it.

When you feel overwhelmed or need a mental escape but can’t leave the city, where do you go to clear your mind?

I’m getting on my bike, putting my headphones in, and going somewhere on the lake. Meditate and clear my head. Getting comfortable.  The park system here is great. Just being somewhere outside to get more connected to nature.

Within the past five years of living here, what personal realization has improved your outlook on life the most?

More than we tend to realize, we’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to our happiness and our attitude. How you frame something is important. When you’re in control of that—and you are—it can change things. You have to face it too when you don’t like how you responded. Some days are easier than others.

What’s something you dream of accomplishing over the next five years?

That has to be making that mark creatively. I’ve put myself in a position to have a stable career that will allow me to flex that creative muscle a bit more. Recently I was part of the 48 hour film festival. That was an enlightening nightmare. It’s designed to make it difficult. You have to write, film, and edit a short film in 48 hours. You have to be on task and hit your marks as you go. As frustrated as I was, it was a great learning experience and now I know more for next time. There’s a positive there.