Things that rock..

A random assortment..

But before all that: what doesn't rock is trying to paint with a brush paint that is made to spray. I bought a can (not a spray can, however) of RustOleum gloss black. It happily covered wood, metal, and ceramic. So easy when sprayed to a saturation point. So lame when brushed on. I've taken to brushing it against the grain, in globs and globs. My yellow kitchen thinks I'm nuts, but I swear it will look sweet. SWEET! If I don't cover my yellow kitchen in gobs of gloss black. Agh.

Things about Minneapolis that are good. Purely purely good. I complain about this place on a regular basis (grumblesnarlgross), but.. there is another side, of course..

a) These lake-thingies. I didn't really get them until about 2 years ago. Lake thingies tend to also inspire things like parks and civic pride. You can also live a metaphor by walking around the same lake daily.

b) All the construction trucks around my neighborhood. Crews, working on houses. *fingers crossed*

c) Our Improv scene. Goddamn. We are some of the luckiest people in the world.

d) Our Theater/re scene. Our improv scene probably wouldn't have it's rabble-nest of a home without the regular, old theater that's been here for so long.

Which brings us to last night..

e) Chicago Avenue Project at the Pillsbury House Theater. There are few things I get behind with full belief and full heart, unironic and true. This is one of them. This project is pure good. It has it's hiccups and sometimes people made it hard or complicated, but - - the cool thing is: everyone believes in it. We have fun. It's all about the kids. And the fact that some of the most talented performers in the city can come and support kids by doing what they do best... Yeah. It rules.

The kids also get to see a bunch of grown ups working together, men and ladies, being silly and smart. And the grown ups get to hang out with a bunch of kids, who are silly to begin with and too smart by half. This is good.

Plus, CAP has a habit of collecting good, fun, unselfish people. And truly funny people. I laughed a lot. Thank you!

(Note: When a first grader tells you she's in 3rd grade, and then confirms that she indeed learn to "do everything" in school today, don't be surprised if she spend the next 3 minutes fake-burping in your face. Angel-looking 7 year old, in mismatched neon plaids and a flower hijab, fake burping over and over. Gross, rude and really really funny. Curses!)

I'm considering making marmalade it's own food group. Our lives would be even more delicious with just a bit more marmalade involved. Really, well done, marmalade workers of the world!

It's back to the Museum today, and then tomorrow begins the Spiked rehearsals. Look at this line up, people!

Corey Anderson Jody Briskey Molly Cox Dennis Curley Rachael Brogan Flanery Madde Gibba Andrea Guilford

Katy Hays Jay Melchior Tina North Tod Petersen Jim Robinson Jen Scott Joshua Will

With special guest appearances by:

• Regina Zona — Opera Program Director, University of Minnesota-Duluth
• James Rocco — Producing Artistic Director, Ordway Center
• Ferrari McSpeedy — Twin Cities' top improv comedy duo
• Drew Jansen & Jimmy Martin — composers, pianists, singers extraordinaire
• Matt Peiken — 3-Minute Egg journalist and comedian
• Melissa O'Neill & Tim Witry — popular husband-and-wife singing duo


• PLUS:

Madison Olimb Mark Bergren Jim Detmar Greta Grosch Katy McEwen Beth Gilleland Michelle Cassioppi Jeffrey Cloninger

James DeVoll Erika Sjogren Michael Frear Ahna Brandvik Josh Carson Tom Bengston Raquel Swanson Angela Walberg

Good gracious! that's the first time I've seen that whole list - - I'm freaking out. Yea!! Some old familiars (we have generations of BNW alum appearing), and some peeps you may not have seen in a while. Swoonerific. It should be lovely. :)

Onward.