By Jake Sasseville

today in Chicago
a city i’m growing to love
more and more by the second

i walked into the Children’s Hospital.

my staff booked me for a tour of the hospital
love going to meet these kids
and hang out with them.
so many people in their lives
as they are sick
tell them what not to do, or what’s wrong with them
and they love that i go in
and break rules
and say it’s OK to be different.
i usually get in trouble, they laugh and smile
and i leave before i get kicked out.

it warms my heart, and reminds me of my brother
and our time together
for three years in the hospital.

i was just between press interviews and network TV meetings
and so I was running at a frenetic pace
however, hanging out with kids
slows down time
a breath of fresh air
in a busy day in Chicago.

a young guy, 10 years old
came up to me
“mr jake”
he says
“hi buddy, what’s your name?”
i’ll say it’s juan, because we’re not aloud to say real names
“i watch your show every week with my mom” juan says

hiding my shocked’ness, i ask him
“well, juan, who’s your mom?”
he tells me she’s not here
i ask him if he’ll tell her
that she’s crazy
for letting her 10 year old
watch my TV show.
he laughs, and proceeds to play soccer on the floor of the playroom.

we talked basketball, derek fisher, kobe’s his favorite
a cool kid from southern illinois
in a children’s hospital for those long days
waiting on doctors and treatments.
same same same.

had the event in Chicago
hundreds showed up
to defend the Republic
and took part in an awe-inspiring
Cardboard Tube Battle
of semi-epic proportions.

fun for fun’s sake.
people of all ages
kids 5 years old, to people my grandma’s age
fought each other
with card board tubes.
people exclaimed
it was the most fun they had in years

i played ring leader
with my toga and megaphone.
people smiling and laughing.
pure joy.

security tried to shut us down
the movement was too ferocious
they just wouldn’t stop
it was beautiful
ANARCHY.
defend the Republic
take it back from the late night executives
was my rheotoric.

it seemed to work

newspapers, blogs, photographers
swarmed the event.
asking “Why” or “Oh, I get it, this is fun” or “Who’s in charge here”
perplexed looks on their faces
made me more and more happy.

a true movement in late night
is what this is
i’m not embarrassed admit
i’ve having a great time

i love the people i’m meeting
such a gift.

viva Milwaukee next!