Just one of those moments... (and mucus!)

This is the most satisfyingly gross picture of laryngitis I could find. Not that I like gross, but this picture shows it pretty well.

I'm now into the coughy-gross-y late end of laryngitis. Yea for the end! Boo for coughy-gross-y. Stuff I learned:

- Laryngitis can be caused by bacteria, acid reflux and whatnot. (Thanks, internet!) It can also be caused by overuse of your voice. (stoopid Jen). Basically, something hurts your vocal chords, and then super sticky mucus lodges itself onto them. The drier your environment, the harder it is to get that sexy mucus off of your poor drying vocal cords. Suck! I get it about every other year, unless I keep myself healthy. I'm pretty good about the healthy part, until last week found me and trounced me.

- As far as I can tell and read, it's not contagious. It's something that happens, and gets to be your own personal deal.

- Tried a number of different methods of bring back the voice this time - - it was exploratory! Honey/lemon/red pepper/hot water still feels good, as does Throat Coat Tea (though my favorite is Yogi Tea's Throat Comfort And it's delish!) Gargling salt-laden hot water feels healthy and horrible, all at the same time. Lozenges/Singer's Saving Grace/Thayer's Slippery Elm all feel good, at least temporarily. (Why look, what a convenient website! I love "Entertainer's Secret Throat Relief"! They don't sell that at the Wedge.. It's wearing a little tux.. awesome!)

- Gargling half vinegar/half hot water seemed to make the most immediate and long term difference. And it's gross. It totally tastes like barfies. (Drinking 8 oz water to 2 tsp vinegar tasted fine, but didn't seem to do much.) So, that's my recommendation: gargle about 1/4 cup of half vinegar/half hot water regularly, try to stay hydrated, and wonder what became of your youth.

- Also, wear lots of scarves, as you'll feel all European and awesome. (they really do feel nice on the throat).

Had dinner last night. Have been nervous about this dinner for.. weeks? Almost two months? But.. it went well. Feeling very grateful and very lucky. Also felt something shift over. Just a moment of "poom" - - like a long term cycle kind of came to a close. Maybe I'm all hopped up on products from the Wedge, but it felt good. Something's different. More.

Need to figure out if my voice is decent enough to teach today. Mer. Mostly looking forward to hanging out. Also need to GET SOME STUFF DONE. CRAP!!! You know, like administrative stuff I've been putting off as this week was super busy, my throat stopped working, and my mind has been happily elsewhere. lalalalalaa...

Lesson #998: To enjoy the non-responsible moments, please take care of the responsible ones too. Or else you're just a slacker goon. (which is Australian for a box of cheap wine. Really?)

Onward.

Man, I like Eagle's clubs...

Wood paneling, cheap Premium, and f'd up Christmas lights? I love you, Eagles Clubs. You are where I would like my hipster whitetrash salvation army wedding of love. It'd be hip and fun and we'd donate to whatever charity you like.. (within reason.. You know)

After my last show at the museum, my voice decided to leave. Take a vacation. It hasn't come back yet. Dammit. It leaves me sad and frustrated. And hampered, handicapped.

- Got some pity Grand Ole Creamery for self, and high fived some little kids. W00t!

- Fell asleep on couch, almost missed show call. Fell on sidewalk ice, spilling recouperative beverage on pants and splitting open finger. Arrrrrgh.

- The wonderful thing about people, especially improvisers, is that, if you start whispering or gesticulating, people will yes, and that and start whispering and gesticulating too. I didn't mean for that to happen, but we're built that way. :)

- Thank you for all the generosity and putting-up-with-ness, you wonderful peeps. I put the Awkward back into Socially Awkward, and the audience did not know what to do with me (as I, truly, did not know what to do with myself.. Hour 4 of having my voice taken away from me). Again, thank you, improvisers of Mixed Tape for your awesomeness and help!

- Someone I like spending time with totally rocked St. Paul's east side. I missed the set, which sucks, but how awesome.

- Filling body with herbs n' crap. I'm about to try the "drink 1-2 oz. vinegar" cure.. I have two shows left today... I'll try to make those happen, but I'm honestly not sure.

I have 5 or so minutes to make a decision re: next show. Argh.

Despite all my crab and crank, it's been a wonderful weekend so far. I should not complain, but I wish I could vocalize how lovely it's been, rather than fertively typed blog missives.

Onward.

Weeoooo weeeeoooooo

I have no brains but happy thoughts.. lalalala...

Wednesday and Thursday were just plain chock a'block with good people and good stuff. Granted, I'm a little sleep deprived, so they're mostly a happy glowy blur. Yea!

- Socially Awkward reunited over beer and apps. We'll be at MIXED TAPE, this Friday (tonight!) at 10:30 p.m. at ComedySportz! Come see the fun!

- I received a soviet russia bang trim. It's more severe than I expected. In soviet russia, indeed, bangs trim you.

- Dinner with dear friend Sarah and her sweetie Matt. Fulfilling in so many ways, and ended laughing over youtube videos on the couch. Plus, amazing beet soup!

- I brought wine and girl scout cookies. There were girl scouts camped outside of Walgreens, crying "Girl Scout Cookies!!!!". I purchased two boxes. As a former girl scout, we never sold in front of stores. Somehow, it just feels weird. But, alas, it's 2009. It guess door to door sales are passe', peeps.

- Thursday was an extended cut. After work, an amazing and lovely dinner, followed by hangin' out, followed by KA-BAAM!!, followed by Watchmen!? Good god. It was absolutely lovely though.

- Ka-Baam!! was an utter blast. Thank you all that came! Worlds happily collided for me, as jazz friends saw improv friends and other friends - - yea! :)

- Caught Watchmen at the Lagoon.. errrrrrrm. Granted, I acknowledge the geniusness of the original work, and visually, the movie was damned impressive. Urrrrmmm... P-Bau put it best: "I think I just figured it out. Summing up this movie in two words: Blue junk." Heh.

- I guess I didn't quite 'get' what Mr. Snyder was trying to do. And the music choices were either atrocious or even more I-don't-get-what-he's-trying-to-do. Jesus. "The Sound of Silence" for a burial? Seriously? Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower" as we fly to the 'secret lair' - - Jesus. F@#* YOUU, Mr. Snyder. (unless, I just didn't get it. Were those seriously your choices? really?? What?) Gross.

- That being said, the opening credits were really pretty. "Times, They are a'Changin'" by Dylan. That worked for me. All the rest: non.

- However, the friends in the audience of Watchmen made it much much nicer. :)

I'm curious to hear/see the backlash or the love.

Tonight! More stuff! Looking forward to fun, mostly. :)

Onward.

Oh man, Step 4 got skipped..

Curses! Basically, step 4 is "suit up" and it looks like this (but with a red beret.. not raspberry red.. che guevera red.)

My Six Ring team did a beautiful job last night. I was giddy, tho I had very little to do with it, really. They looked all professional n' shit. Here's to the amazing, funny and loving Dr. Rocket.

Got to hang out a little, which left me all thrilled and happy. Food du jour? Braunschweiger, triscuits, cheddar, tapenade and wine. And Quentin Taranatino trailers. Does it get more awesome? No, indeedy do, it does not. Very lucky.

Woke up before 7 a.m. to be in Roseville around 8:30 a.m.. The Ala Carte gig went fabulously. The melodica performed, for the most part, like a champ. Where the accordion leaves me sore and frustrated, the melodica leaves me only light headed. Whew! I'm going to learn how to circular breathe and it's going to be awesome.

I met a number of pretty dang cool 2nd graders, including one that was 7 going on mom-hood. Everything she proclaimed sounded like a Minnesota mom from Roseville. There was also an awesome and geeky 2nd grader named Greta, who's uncle drew this on her.

Yeah, that's Darth Vader with a lightsaber. Yeah, Greta's uncle has gotta be pretty awesome. Greta told me about her and her friend's love of Star Wars (she's Anakin-generation, not us-generation), and then brought her friend over to discuss clone troopers.

I'm a broken record, but.. I'm really tired. Keep taking catnaps between shows. The next three days promises some serious sleepin' in. Despite my wimpiness, it's been a pretty wonderful couple of days. Yea! Very grateful. Can't wait for more.

Onward.

P.S. Wha-hey!! Ka-Baam!! returns to the Bryant Lake Bowl this Thursday at 10 p.m.! That's right! Tomorrow! Your favorite improvised comic books, complete with drawn on the spot art! Come check us out, we'd be giddy to see you. :)

Step 5

Execute!!!

Step 3

Mentally prep.

Step 2

Reconnaisance.

(sp?)

Step 1

Infiltration.

Eating my tool lunch..

So, Starbucks makes a "Protein Pack" for too much money. Basically, Starbucks asked my subconscious, "What favorite things would you like in cute chopped up form? A tiny bagel? Some peanut butter? A hard boiled egg?" My subconscious totally agreed, and hence, my love of the "Protein Pack" was born. Yesh, I am a tool. But a tool with a tummy full of happy. (and a world full of waste.. I need to start making my own Protein Packs..)

Sunday finally came, and I am happy. The youth were good for their performance (and dark.. jesus. Grandpa got killed with an AIDS shot. Yep. That happened.) Oooh! It was so awesome to see some grown ups there! Thank you, kick ass grown ups with no relation to the kids! All this, followed by Ka-Baam!! rehearsal, followed by some BSG, followed by some hangin' out. Yeaaaa, hangin' out! Happy Jen. :)

Monday blurred by, but full of happy. (Errand running! Cheese buying! Vacuuming! Yoga! Music playing! Gin drinkin'! More hangin' out! ..happy jen. :) )

I woke up way too early this morning, still in a haze of happy, if not sleep deprived.

MELODICA! It arrived. I am finding that it takes even more breath to end a note gracefully - - you crazy wind instruments. I look ridiculous playing it (but very few people look cool playing a wind instrument. You generally need a pair of RayBans to pull off either Cool or Pep Band.. or Bill Clinton).

In the process of playing catch up/pulling head from butt. I had to bury myself and hide for a little bit. I don't know if I like the drama associated with becoming very hard to reach (I hope not.. drama can be dumb when self created), but.. it felt kind of necessary. Catch up underway, keeping head from a$$ also..

One of the gentlemen that I've been practicing the Jazz with, just edited together the story of how he and his wife became he and his wife. It's full of humor, even as worlds came crashing down because of it. Got to hear it yesterday. Just lovely. (in two years, it will be an animated short! I shall keep you updated!) :)

The next two days are going to be crazy busy. Lesson #466: No matter how prepared you are for something, it don't mean s#!t if you grab the wrong bag. Pay attention, chickadee.

Onward.

Things I like...

I doff my hat to yesterday, as yesterday unexpectedly rocked socks.

Things that are awesome:

- Having really great and adorable audiences at the Museum.

- Having a grown-up get the Mamet joke I threw in after "The Adventures of Splish & Splash" - - Thanks, grown-up!

- Last weekend, a six year old tipped me a penny for a job well done. Thanks, awesome six year old. :)

- Having english muffins and eggs! You are living in the high life if you have English muffins and eggs. Aric had been mentioning eggs benedict through the twitterverse a fair amount: I am too chicken to make an actual hollandaise sauce (it's like soupy mayonnaise.. delicious soupy mayonnaise). So, instead, a white sauce was made, and eggs were cooked, and everything was poured together. Mwah! A cavalcade of beigey, sodium'd goodness.

- Unexpected dinner with Jim! oh man. Nothing makes things more right. Jim is working on a new photo series entitled "Looking For Beauty in Unlikely Places". It causes much giggling. We ate chicken salad, he took photos of the pie case.

- Kevin M's 40th birthday party! It was a Perfect Party - - in a theater, lovely conversation, fancy non-diva folks all cleaned up, dance music, wine and shrimp. The birthday boy wore a paper party crown. We hung out in the lobby of the theater (which ended up working like "the kitchen" in a regular party... everyone tends to the kitchen). Got to catch up with dear old friends: happily blissed.

- I think we're becoming the mid-guard. The majority of the folks at the party were in their 30s. We're not the 20somethings, just out of college, we're not the old guard, happily swimming away at the Guthrie. We're the mid-guard: those who have done chunky amounts of bad theater, and some amounts of good theater and.. haven't had kids yet, I guess. We will continue to do some good theater, shrug shoulders when it's bad, and someday actually do more life stuff - - like children. I love these peeps. :)

- Serendipity also popped its head up at the party, unexpectedly, and I wish to give serendipity a hug. Very lucky. I am very excited and grateful and it got me thinking about Nassim Nicolas Taleb and his black swans again (blog post here) We SHOULD go to more parties.

- It's was also boss-Steph's birthday! I excused myself and drove to St. Paul, to find myself staring at two copper covered grand pianos. It's dueling pianos! What!?

- What a weird gig. Part stand up (you don't have to be very good at the stand up - - the words hole, poop, and shave got substituted into a number of songs), mostly really good musician (luckily most songs have four chords, and I can't imagine that people get too creative with their requests, but.. holy crap. Pretty impressive). Sometimes you could see the hate in their eyes. But other times, the two piano dudes actually seemed to have a good time. Like a sad, AdventureLand version of Ben Folds.

- I slept in! Success!

- Green eggs! Leftover white sauce + frozen spinach + eggs + English muffins = happy morning Jen.

- I've been looking forward to today, Sunday, for a number of days. However, Saturday was such a gift. I cannot complain.

The only thing I am fussy about is the inability to move my body in an active fashion. I have gear for jogging when it's cold: however, I'm also a wimp and this is a bit too cold. So, I feel all kind of slovenly and gross. I think I'll try and continue to catch up on BSG and get out the yoga mat. Nothing says inner peace like HORRIBLE STRESSFUL THINGS HAPPENINGS! Or, I guess, nothing says inner peace like being a cylon.

Onward.

Really, TRULY, not much to report..

Which I said that yesterday, and turned it into a rant against Steely Dan. (which.. Steely Dan.. they are fine musicians. They just give me the cringeys.)

(I tried to find an image which I love, which is of the comic book character Bone, covered in snow. It's awesome. However, the internet gave me this instead. I approve!)

- There was snow! Which fell amazingly fast. My commute was about two hours, BUT - I was warm. For the most part, I was safe. I had gas. I was lucky enough to hobble my way home.

- There was decompression! I made bread and veggie soup. I ate wayyyy too much bread and veggie soup. Nom nom nom.

- There was.. laundry. (you see where this is going)

- There was watching "Dollhouse" on hulu.com (which was, through a mix of conflicting expectations, pretty okay!)

- There was staying in, and I kept myself moderately busy. Doing... stuff that wasn't that important.

>- I am finding more music by watcing the videos online first. Neat! I feel all Friday Night Videos again.

- Oh! I bought a cheapie melodica off of the interwebs. I hope it's cool. A melodica is a piano that you blow through. It's a ridiculous looking instrument. But one that is stupidly fun to play. It's like panpipes for.. umm.. stupid people. Me. If Liberache had a video filled with spritely underclad male nymphs, they wouldn't be playing pan pipes - they'd be playing melodicas. I'm going to purchase myself a keyboard tie to wear whist I play this thing.

- If there's anyway that Bret and Jemaine are going to realize that they need a female bass & melodica player... this could be my ticket in.


For, for a Thursday night, given the fact that going anywhere sounded and looked heinous, it was a pretty nice(melodica-anticpatory) night.

Will there be joy in Mudville tonight? What adventures will be had? (um, exercise, and then maybe go see some friends do a funny show.) Time to shovel the driveway and play with snakes. (no guns, this time)

Onward.

It's Opinionated Blog Day!!

Did you know that there's a Too Much Coffee Man opera!? Nope, neither did I..

Anywhoo's... I have nothing very exciting to blog about, but will anyway as my friend Christopher G. has found me! Yea!! Hi! :)

- The goat cheese slice and pint at the Mill may have been a poor idea. Sign #45 of aging.

- I sat between two pairs of ladies at the bar, who spent the entire night kvetching. And I realized, that this is EXACTLY how I sound when I'm with my lady friends one on one. We kvetch. Good lord. We ladies complain a lot. However, it was also kind of awesome. There is support given in the mutual kvetch. There is loving s#!t given in the mutual kvetch. Kvetch away, ladies!

- Les Claypool* is playing the Myth (this I believe). Devotchka, writers of one of the most romantic songs in existence, is opening?! And Saul Williams too (his Reparations song rocks my socks)?! Crap!! Weird!!! This show should be awesome. And.. weird!!!

It's almost spring. Can you feel it? Despite the pounding we're going to get today, it's getting closer. That stupid springy fresh air heroine rush that makes us justify the deadliest of winters over and over. Curses!

Quiet Thursday of work, teaching and wondering if I'm brave enough to infiltrate 7th Street to check out The Battle Royale tonight.

I bought my first Timbaland mp3 last night. It's the song that everyone knows. It's really good. I am that 7th grade teacher, tryin' to be cool. About a year and a half too late.

Onward.

*As a bass player, I should lovelovelove Les Claypool. Just as a comic book reader, I should love.. Batman (or the Hulk). I can't deny the innate awesome of either. But I never got into either. Ehhh.. I know he's a musical genius (which he is). But, what I've heard of Claypool has always left me cold. His stuff is very boy-centric weird-boy masculine, just as Batman (or the Hulk) is boy-centric weird-boy masculine. *grin* In this weird-boy incredibly-talented fast-note-playing way, I equate Claypool with Rush. No matter the time signature.

** Watch, if I actually make it to the show, I'll be gaga for Claypool and will deny up and down that I wrote this.

*** As a person of my GenX specific generation, both Rush and Steely Dan should cease to exist. Except for maybe some small sections of "Tom Sawyer". This may make me a horrible person. Sorry.

Forcing teens out of the comfort zone...

... with screamy-screamy techniques.

Dear Middle Schoolers of a certain well-to-do suburb,

You both rock my socks, and depress me.

We may have too much in common. Your class looks about exactly what my class looked like (except that it was 1987. And we didn't have a Gap. We had a Half-Price Store.) You can be so awesome, and yet so knowledgeable about how life can suck. Giving off super love, or super worried about looking cool, and generally, super done with the crazed, fuzzy-haired improv teacher. And then you're super dumb. Or, then you super dig me and the workshop.

I do like that I can use giving them hugs as a threat. Especially if you're being hyper emo.

Love,
Jen

It may not be a correct or wise thing to try and cajole young teens out of their comfort zone, but that's what I'm supposed to do. At 8:30 a.m. in the morning. (Blarghh! Feel my caffeiney wrath!!) Again, we may have too much in common.

Last night was Operation Spoon Burger. (Operation Loose Meat admittedly sounds a bit squishy.) 'Had my first rehearsal at my house, followed by a lovely smorgasborg of tastiness. I made loosemeat sandwiches (technically, sloppy joes or spoon burgers, honestly). Team members brought delicious treats. We swapped stories, drank carrot juice and beer, my dog loved the attention.

Afterwards, after the couch had been moved back and decided to have a smoke on the porch, I felt at peace. And that's a freaky and kind of silly thing to say. But, I did. Or, the most at peace in the moment as I've been in a long time. And this was a little freaky to me. I didn't feel like having a bit of wine before going to bed, which I usually do. I just felt like going to bed, and sleeping the sleep of the sleepy. And this was.. sorta new.

I think I've lived kinda nervously, or in a state of continual judgement for a long time. We all do, but for the first time, I felt really aware the worry not being there. I couldn't have wanted anything more from the night. My roommie was super awesome for letting us do this. It was so nice to have the tv room fill with laughter. It was so nice to.. not worry.

I think things are changing and moving. I hope for the better. w00t. Back at you too.

Tomorrow, I sleep in! YESH. Today, I try and attempt to jog around a lake, before the multiple feets of snow descend upon the metro area. And we'll try some more stuff too.

I'll have a much whinier blog tomorrow, promise. ;) ... maybe.

Onward.

I'm just on that edge of really really tired..

.. It's been really really lovely though..

Ka-Baam!! rehearsal and hangin' out and Venture Bros. (my god, the show will never grow tired for me) thus begins the week of early teaching. I can start to feel it when I've woken up one too many times before 8 a.m.. It's totally wimpy of me, but I'm in slow decline. Must make it to Thursday!! Coffee, bakery items, and eating unhealthily sound really good right now.

I also need a bang trim.

Things that may be dumb, but are also awesome:

- Calling a sheet of jazz music a chart. But, that's what we call it. Makes me feel all lingo-fied and possibly legitimate - - and, it's just damned fun to say.

- Cat stories. Cat stories are generally awesome by themselves. But hearing them from Tom and Hilde takes them wayyyy over to the awesome side. (Plus, Hilde made Pear Ginger pie! Very lucky.. :) )

- Herkimer's Zola Mac. Actually, there may be nothing dumb about this excepting it's lack of nutrition and abundance of awesome. Met dear friend Harry at Herkimer's, and gorgonzola, noodles, ham, conversation and beer were devoured. Awesome.

- More Venture Bros. and hanging out. Actually, this was all awesome too.

- Sunshine-driven happy mood. Sorry, perhaps it's time to fully admit that I am often solar powered. Man, it helps.

- Attempting to inject middle schools students from Edina with energy before 9 a.m.. This may fall more to the dumb side. Bed was hard to leave. Teenagers were all cross armed. Woof.

- Having Six Ring rehearsal at my house tonight.. I don't actually know where will fall yet, but hopefully it will land square in the middle, and just be fun.

I'm happy. I'm just so.. tired. Poor me.

Onward.

Eggs, toasts, and one teaspoon of headache smashing awesomeness

My sister stands stubbornly by the notion that Sambal Oelek (who knew that it was actually called that) kicks the pants off of Sriracha (or cock sauce). This morning, I tip my hat to sambal oelek. My nose is running, endorphins are battling dehydration, and toxins fear me. As should everyone else. Chili sauce power battle go!!

The snow looked so pretty yesterday. And I'm a hater. I shoveled my driveway and felt super proud. It's perfect snowman snow!

I worked the 'late night' shift at the Science Museum yesterday, which was unexpectedly great.

a) Two 10 year old girls became my friends: Julia and Briana. Best audience members in the world, and their dad let them stay a hour later just to see my last show. It was wonderful.

b) Grown ups asking questions! Oh my goodness! Honest, thought provoking questions! Holy hannah!

b.2) What happens if you drink Liquid Nitrogen? I can't say this in front of kids, but chemistry majors/lab dudes have told me stories. Nitrogen becomes a liquid at -320 degrees Fahrenheit. That's cold enough to cause instant frostbite: however, you are about 400 degrees warmer than that Nitrogen. So, if you were dunked into a vat supervillian vat of N, that would suck. But, if a little of it comes into contact with you, it just boils away.

SO - - I've been told if you drink just a little of it (say, half a dixie cup) - - the water vapor and water in your mouth begin to instantly condense as it comes into contact with the boiling, evaporating, super cold Nitrogen. Freaky looking clouds begin to pour out of your mouth and nose. If enough of the N makes it to your tummy and boils away there, you're stuck burping for about a half hour. The more you know..

And, it may be all lies. This is only what I've been told. I should have just youtube'd it: there's gotta be clips of bored chemistry majors.

Onward to the Red Dragon.. ohhh, damn you Red Dragon. But! It was wonderful!!! Reconnected with the best of friends, three of which I haven't seen since 2008. YES YES YES! Aces. Awesome. Hugs galore. Trouble. :)

Onward to karaoke at the VFW. I've never been to karaoke at the VFW in Uptown...
a) It was packed! We knew that going in.

b) We were worried about the douchebag quotient. It, and they, were fine.

c) The two gentlemen who performed the duet of "Electric Avenue" need to be held up in the highest of highest regard. IT WAS HILARIOUS. I cannot express the awesome power of these two gentlemen's fuckin'-around-ness. Whoever you lovely boys are... Thank you.

d) The karaoke maven, a grandma in her 70s probably, let me sing "Proud to be an American" with her, unexpectedly. W00t! I grew up in Iowa in the eighties, I know the words. And then, her husband shocked us all with his absolutely beautiful voice. I thanked her, and mentioned that voice - - and that's how they met. His voice! She heard him doing karaoke, they got together, and have been married for nine years.

Sad part: they're getting divorced. :( But they'll still do the karaoke business together (that's $35,000 worth of equipment, people.. or at least that's what she told me, twice.)

Crashed at Partner In Crime's to a submarine movie on Turner Classic Movies. EVERYTHING IS TENSE ON A SUBMARINE!!!! Dinner! Coffee! TENSE!!

I would have slept more this morning if it wasn't for the 30 collective pounds of whiny scratchy vocal neediness. Now, of course, they're angels. But from 10 a.m. until about 12:18 p.m., they were horrible. arrrrrrgh. My hat tips to all the parents in the world, who's 30 pounds of neediness are another human being. I can put the cat on the front porch - - an infant, I'm assuming, it'd be harder to do that.

Workin' today, but get to have dinner and Ka-Baam!! rehearsal! That's right! Ka-Baam!!'s coming back to the BLB! YEAAA!!! Let's see if we remember how to do this.

Onward.

The world went poof! (but i got to see some music)

yesh. Met up with dear friends Sue and Josh to visit the Kitty Cat Klub (where all the decorations from the original Loring went to roost) to watch some music. Lovely!

- The Painted Saints (pictured): Morphine + Andrew Bird + Spaghetti Western String Company ='s Painted Saints. Awesome.

- Abbey Wolf: Whales having sex. Somehow, whales sound like a thin 20something brunette when they have sex. It nearly put Sue and Josh to sleep, but for some reason, she has quite a following (i.e. thin 20something brunette making musical sex sounds). We sneaked away...

So much snow..! I feel I, and the rest of the Twin Cities, will have to shovel tomorrow.

Onward.

The older I get, the more I love Morrissey...

If I was a prepostnewwavepunkrock crooner, this is how I would sing (like an unapologetic diva). And what I would want for my videos (bored musician boys and puppy dogs). Wonderfuls.

Did I expect to grow up and become a Morrissey-loving fool? No. The better question may be why did it take so long.

It's been a lovely couple days of beers with friends. Yea, beers with friends!

a) Namaste Cafe's food is brilliant. However, if you order bread/roti, you don't get much. Word to the wise.

b) Friend Jen says many many many smart things about many many many different subjects. I am lucky to have friend Jen.

c) Went out last night, and had a wonderful time. 'Had a very 'Minneapolis' evening, as dinner was at the Red Dragon and movie was at St. Anthony Main. Happy. :)

c.2) St. Anthony Main is probably my favorite movie theater, as it still feels like a movie theater to me. There are no cupholders, the seats do not recline, the screen is small, and we were 2 of 3 people in the room. No one farted popcorn farts on me. It's quiet, and I love it.

d) Shrimp toast, actually very tasty, not very shrimpy.

e) Grand Torino!! oh goodness. I can see where people could pick this movie apart (the supporting actors are either working American character actors - - yea! - - or complete unknowns - - also yea! And, with the exception of one guy I couldn't quite get into, they're fine, good, yes.), but - - Eastwood is so damned terribly smart. It's a very simple story in some ways, but a terribly complicated one to make actually work, I think. And he did. He made this the way he wanted to make this, and he plays his character the way he wants to play it. Not always that subtly. And it's actually great. Plus, one of his character choices is a growl. I love it.

f) It makes you ache, pine, wish, whatever that this movie was made in St. Paul. We know this story, we know these characters - - arrghhh!

g) I spent the last eighth of the movie tearing up. This made me look very tired. I am not a pretty, one tear down the face crier. I am a red eyed, snotty nosed, watery-eyed mess, generally.

h) There is nothing better than someone plugging your meter.. in a non-euphemistic way.

Really wonderful happy evening, after a semi-stressful up-in-the-air sort of day.

Yesterday, I also performed for the first time using the live snakes. The snakes were incredibly chill, and stole the show.

I love the little corn snake called Bubba. (Secretly wondering if Bubba may need a home after the Goosebumps exhibit is done. I don't need another animal, I'd have to find a way to place the cage in un-kitty-cat-able regions, and it would mean microwaving little dead baby mice for him biweekly, but.. he's the bees knees, as far as legless reptiles go.)

Onward.

Another reason why the Muff Monday girls rock...

I've been telling everyone about the sketch/gameshow of "Guess What My Ex-Boyfriend's Penis Size Is" (which consisted of semi-naked picture of boyfriend, HORRIBLE story of what said ex did, then giving choices of his penis size - - my favorite being "Acockalypse Now".. because if his penis touched you, it'd be the end of the world.

They snuck a thrift store saucer into my bag (I had no clue), along with these directions:

"Mosaics Therapy"
1. Say fuck it and smash the plate.

2. Pick up the pieces.

3. Make something beautiful with whats left over.

Muff Mondays

Onward.

What I learned..

- Phoenix is bizarro Minneapolis. They come out in the winter, we come out in the summer. We dress in a lot of clothes, they are more comfortable dressing in none..ish.

- Improv ='s funny. Storytelling/standup ='s funny. An unprepared half way in between attempt ='s not so funny. Glad I tried, but feel bad that I sucked. So so generous of the Muffs!!

Alys picked me up, after hapy hour with my sister and three art openings on campus! (one of the openings was a Ball Pit!! A grown up size, 4 feet of plastic balls, ball pit. This was f-ing delightful. Period. Yea, Art!!! Photos to follow...)

- Yeaaaaaa, Alys!!! The beautiful Alys picked me up and drove me around and chatted and hugged and oh, for happy!!!! :)

- Yeaaaaa, Jose!!! Got to see and hugs and chat with Jose!!!! Jose gives off love like the sun gives off rainbows. Yeaaaa!!!!

- Met amazing lovely new ladies, including the lovely funny ladies of Muff Mondays at the Ruby Room. Smart & funny & dirty & cute -- Jose bought me a $4 muffdiver, and I laughed and laughed.

- Well-done burlesque still makes me do happy dances.

- Back to Tempe, for disturbed sleep on my sister loveseat. A friend of my sister's drove me to the airport. Again, very generous.

Back to Minneapolis...I have no idea how I feel about this except that it's fine. Mom was right: it's the hangin' out that's fun. Whether with old friends, new friends, friend friends or family - it's an important part of life, and should be done often. (so.. Um... looking forward to happy hour tonight.)

Happy Hour accomplished. It was an amazing group of people. Bittersweet and strange and wonderful. Josh said it felt like an Irish funeral, and having only pretended to be at one before, it was better than pretend. It felt right. Thank you all for a lovely night. :)

Onward.

Welcome to Scottsdale... (and Tempe, thank god)

- Hi Scottsdale. Gucci bags! Prada bags! I'm starting to loathe the sight of a designer bag. A PINK outfit with a sparkly earth and silkscreened 'recycling' symbology on it, worn with a Chanel something, done hair, and painted toes. Boobs. So much boobs. So many 50 somethings in Beemers, so many penis-related cars. Conspicuous consumption... Really really shiny & coiffed conspicuous consumption.

- As far as I'm concerned, the AllStar game can kiss my a$$. From people waking up my mom after AllStar partying, from AllStar drama at the airport, I hold the NBA in the same regard as.. I dunno. As a super rich strip club owner. One that is mean to his employees and has a greasy belly. Smokes a cigar. Looks like Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Possibly Jabba the Hutt. Relishes in other's misfortune. Sweats when he thinks. Ewwww.

- Welcome to Tempe! Tempe is full of urban hipsters and skateboards, tattews and 80s sunglasses. Tempe felt like a breath of fresh air. It's still conspicuous consumption, but it's stuff I can relate to. And I don't think hipster eat babies, or dress said babies in scratchy diamonds.

- Watched a hummingbird! Saw a tortoise! Plus a hipster on a trampoline, pulling up her skinny jeans and holding onto her hipster hat.

- Now on a light rail train, to visit a building dedicated to science. It is the future (which looks like it was built by jawas.)

- Who will tell Nick & Clarence that I did not spend the $11 to see the Star Trek exhibit?

Onward.

What I think what happened..

I think a Party Promoter/Producer rented out a block of rooms at this hotel, and filled them with Party People, to make sure the NBA Players were not bored by Phoenix's possible lack of hoochie. Or loud dudes.

We've seen all variation of necklines and vagina-skimming skirts.

I've tried to remember everytime I was the shitty yelling hotel guest.

I've tried to remember everytime I was chatting from 1 a.m. - 6 a.m..

I know I've been that. But I also know that I haven't.

Scottsdale Hilton: awesome beds, no pop machine, no continental breakfast for mom. And one weekend this year, full of loud hoochies.

Onward.

Welcome to AZ, where sales go to die...

Welcome to AZ!

- Kay and I spend Friday wandering about her campus, getting coffee (after a lovely Frenchified breakfast), and watching her work work work. She's busy.

- Welcome to AZ, Mom! We got a priceline deal on a Hilton (wha?) in Scottsdale. It appears that we are sharing the hotel with entourages -- possibly of basketball players, possibly of their girlfriends. They shop at Louis Vitton and get fussy when the concierge won't switch their rooms to poolside. They also wear really really really tight pants.. perhaps leggings... pants. Fancy, and Hoochie!

- We eat pizza, and then dessert at the Sugar Bowl! Holy crap, the Sugar Bowl!! The Sugar Bowl is owned by relations of the guy who drew Family Circle. Delicious ice cream, plus you can order "Jello, Potato Chips & Tea Sandwiches" as an entree (alas, we just had ice cream) Pictures to follow!

- To an outdoor mall, complete with fires, couches, and cover bands.

- Saturday involved Frenchified breakfast, wandering around campus, and taking a packed light rail to the Phoenix Art Museum. Mom did great. The Museum was friendly, open, inviting and Quality! Just loved their collections, neat-o.

- Packed Light Rail, it's the NBA All Star Game in downtown Phoenix. These are some of the happiest, most pleasant public transit riders ever. Gracious.

- Frank & Lupe's for dinner (awesome texmex), drop mom off at hotel, go get beers with sister. Very happy Valentine's day, honestly.

- Harlowe's Diner for breakfast, Kay to campus for work, and Mom and I explore. We drive by Taliesin West, we drive by a mountain, we get In-N-Out burger!!! Mom-approved!

- We go looking at antique stores, which was overwhelming. Phoenix means Sun City, Sun City means senior citizens, senior citizens mean that sometimes they pass away and their families don't know what to do with their stuff. Sad, a little macabre, but also astonishing. So..much..stuff. We buy $5 worth of stuff.

- We drive by an indoor outlet store, where the majority of the population of the Phoenix area seems to be hiding.

It's been lovely. Today's the first grey day, but still warm. Tempe is filled with midwesterners. Phoenix is filled with toddlers (A LOT of young families). We've eaten super well. AZ is like southern California, but without that pesky (beautiful) ocean.

Mom goes back tomorrow (argh). Kay and I have had only one blow out (what my mom refers to as a pissing match.. We're dumb.) I get one more day, but my last night here in a super comfy bed. Tha's okay... just very lucky to be here.

Onward.

Welcome to AZ...

I'm sitting in my sister's studio (or, at least, the place she works on campus), typing on her computer while grad student buzzy like bees and discuss things that seem REALLY IMPORTANT TO THEM! Alas, I'm blogging right now about THINGS THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME. (Or, at least, important enough to blather on a blog about.) Glass houses..

A print professor just let me peruse a bunch of expensive pop up books! I just had a coffee! This is idyllic!

Welcome to Tempe!

- Tempe has not only palm trees and olive trees and pomegranate trees, but many many citrus trees which drop many many oranges. It looks like everyone's grocery bags keep coming undone.

- If you put an orange tree to close to another citrus tree, it will have little mixed citrus babies. Fascinating!

- It's sunny and 70. I'm spoiled silly right now, I realize. This is ridiculous.

- While AZ fills you with sun-issued Vitamin D, it secretly takes all the water from you. sllluuurrrrp! Because of this, my sister's bathroom is filled with moisturizer.

- I spent the day cleaning her kitchen. If I'm related to you, and you leave the house, chances are that I'll clean your kitchen. (I have kitchen issues. Every thing must be contained! Every surface must be wiped! Arrrghhh! It may stem from a fear of finding little bugs in grains, but mostly, it just probably me exerting control through sanitizing spray.)

- Restaurants are bistro sized here. We went out for thai (at Thai Basil, although I hear there's a Thai Elephant, which sounds ever more exciting..) :)

- AZ is the land of the one beer drunk. I was three quarters through my beer, and my sister goes "Can you feel it?". And yes! AZ leaves you dehydrated, and makes you a very cheap date.

- I go to pick my mom up at the airport pretty soon.

We have no real plans.. just hanging around, looking at stuff, and fussing in general. Wish us luck! :)

Onward.

Ohhh.. it one of THOSE mornings..

Man, as much as I like mornings, I forget to like mornings. And so, I wake up tired and, for whatever reason, disgruntled and angry. Is there any rational explanation for this? No. Mornings are lovely. Time to start reminding oneself of that. Instead of thinking thoughts like "mrmrmmmmmrmm" or "I have no nostalgia".

I am growing into a crank. Plain and simple.

Tuesday involved Six Ringing, and D'amico's with Beth. yeaa!! Hello, sanity - - it's nice to see you. It also involved a trip to the Happy Gnome with Josh and Sue and Mary! YEAAA! Josh wanted coffee & beer, so we sampled our way through every stout which mentioned coffee on the menu. (nom nom nom)

Wednesday involved some serious Science Museum-ing, followed by packing and class. Wonderful class. Thank you, class! And then to the Mill with Nels, to do some brain picking and chat. All wonderful stuff, and no reason to become Lady Angry.

Lesson 1: Chill the f out.

Lesson 16: Don't try to live in your head. It's messy. Try living outside of your head. Remind yourself this whenever you set up shop in your brain.

Today, involves bussing! Which is always a little stressful. It doesn't have to be, but sometimes, that's just what my brain says. Part of that bussing is taking it from the Museum and hopping upon a plane. Sister visit away! It's funny that the whole reason for a visit (family) can also be one of the reasons for feeling apprehensive (family). Ah well.

Onward.

Take it...

Yesterday was a grand day for stuff, as it was warm enough to be wet outside. (It felt vaguely Portland-esque, except for a lot less green)

- Home Depot. I did it! I bought some flooring. Mr. NiceGuyTouchyPants helped me. I have never been manhandled more at a Home Depot. He was a close-stander, touch ya on the shoulder, grab your arm to stop you from loading stuff. He also wasn't from Minnesota. I think he was well meaning and unaware that I jumped at least twice, or that these un-Midwestern actions could be conceived of as possibly creepy. Human contact, especially from a 60 year old in an orange apron, and a southern accent.. I think he was harmless, but I was still jumpy and watching my a$$.

- I unloaded said flooring onto porch. Shit. It was heavy. Thanks for loading, touchytouchyLeonard!

- I put drywall up! Home Depot sells cute 2x2 sections of drywall!! Workable by me! Yeaa!!

- I hope I did not put a drywall screw through an electrical wire. This remains to be seen.

- Yoga took my already shaky self, and twisted and turned me. Awesome. ARRR!!

- Went to replace released toxins with bread and cheese from Trader Joe's. Got carded by younger guy who said "I always check when I know someone's younger than me." It was probably the wavy gravy yoga vibe or perhaps I need to dress more grown-upper, but.. oh. You made my day, cute Trader Joe's boy.

- Got to play music with jazz buddies. Our drummer is in the hospital, and it makes everyone slow down a little (and rightfully worry..). But two guitars and a bass was wonderful. As was the company and generosity after.

- 12 year old scotch, floor pillows, funny stories, and a fire. I am in wonderment of these folks. Generosity is nothing to them - - they share as easily as they breathe. Smart and funny and I've got 12 years to become like them. :)

- Dreamt about people I'm learning to live without. Dammit. Ah well.

Today equals work, dinner with Beth, and Six Ring workshop. :)
Wednesday equals work and teaching.
Thursday equals work and Arizona!! And sister! And mom! And sister's cats! And palmetto bugs. um. And.. stuff to blather about.

Onward.

Destroyed by beef.

Otherwise known as, You're killin' me, Smalls...

A fairly lax Sunday. Yea for fun!

- Walked on Lake of the Isles, just like everyone else in Kenwood. (I don't live in Kenwood, but I can pretend)

- Youth rehearsal! W00t!

- Extra Six Ring rehearsal! W00t again!

- Three members of my team wanted to go to Matt's (they'd never been! excitement!). And so, four jucy lucy's and three premiums were ordered. We watched the Grammy's and made smarta$$ comments. It was absolutely lovely.

My tummy is still trying to figure out what to do with this large mound of beef, dairy and starch I have stuffed into it. Combine that with watching a Bonnie Tyler video on the youtube and starting Fables: my dreams were dark last night.

Lesson 329: Be careful what you mix.

Onward.

P.S. God, the 80s were weird. I listened to an interview with James Bobin of Flight of the Conchords, and he mentioned how he and the boys were watching terrible wonderful videos. Hence the Bonnie Tyler research. What else...

"Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora - One of my favorite songs of the decade. And the video is this. I had no idea.

"Head Over Heels", the Go Gos - Dear lord, they were adorable. I love the drummers outfit. (This explains a great deal of how I am dressed for certain school pictures.)

What next? Tears for Fears? Men Without Hats? What completely unnecessary things might be posted? I need some sort of 2009 chaser.

Dear Matt and Kim, thank you for being adorable.



Truly onward.

A reminder of what to do..

What to do:
- When part of your Game Show set falls onto two small children. You lunge towards it, and then call security. Thank god, these children have an awesome mom who took it all much better than I did. Thank god, the six year old was like "eh" and the four year old was like "I'm hungry". My hand has the tiniest, owiest bit of Wheel of Nano burn (but looks kind of bad ass).

- When you don't think and just do. You can end up running around a lake between Saturday works. W00t!

- When you get to see someone you haven't for the longest time. Get up, smile and hug like crazy. And compare notes. Yea!

- When friends offer to meet you for drinks. No matter how beat you are, do it.

- When guys at the next table start playing with you. If they're funny and nice, play back. They were!

- When you wonder if you should have hung around, after your friends left, to play some more. Count on future serendipity and grudgingly acknowledge the wiseness of home and bed. Thank you for a lovely night!

It's beautiful out! I'm trying to figure out what to do before heading to Sunday work..

I'm working on my big trashed room upstairs. (I could go to Home Depot and purchase the flooring I've been eying. The price is awesome. It's just.. wuf. Work and money. :( But necessary. And good!) What I hope this big room will have when finished:

- Lots of light.

- Lots of plants (which somehow, magically, I will keep alive)
















- Floors.

















- A work station for my never-used sewing machine and over-used laptop...

- A place for guests to sleep, complete with my futon couch. My first piece of furniture, purchased for $200 almost 10 years ago. You go with your bad self, futon couch.

Moving the futon couch upstairs will enable me to purchase a beautiful midcentury couch for downstairs. (Which will magically waiting for me, and be affordable. right?)




















Perhaps I will get all of this done before TCIF. That way more improvisers from around the nation can experience Minneapolis' north side. Hrm.

And I will paint the kitchen green.














And cover it's tiny walls in vintage-y plates.
















There. All of this will magically happen. And my refrigerator will be stainless steel, and my gutters will be fixed, and my exterior trim will be repainted and my multiple landscaped yet scrappy gardens will be weeded constantly. I will know exactly what seeds to plant for Zone 4. And I will add that cement patio. And my garage will be repainted. My dog will be well behaved and my cat's poo will smell like lavender. ALL THE TIME. RIGHT? Right.

It'll be okay. Time for some sunshine.

But you know what's awesome? These. (I need to finish and paint my stairs too)


















(psst.. I will also have red hair cut into a cute boy cut, all the while graying gracefully. I will draw often and hang out with skater boys, and wear just enough make up when I feel like it, and will own an awesome bike, and graduate to Yoga 2. And I will also know how to change a tire too.)

Onward.

Sloppy makes me mad..

I have two of the neediest animals in existence. I think they plan ahead, deciding which should be the needy one that morning. Sneaky.

Last night, 'was lucky enough to hang out with five amazing ladies I've never, really hung out with before. It sounds dumb, but it was akin to a revelation (and truly, the only reason it sounds dumb is because it shouldn't be a revelation. It should be obvious that five urban, professional, unwed, killer-smart ladies in their 30s might share similar experiences. But.. every once in a while, I'd slip from the conversation, and my insides would do a happy dance.)

Themes of the night:
- Men. (the original plan was to go to "He's Just Not That Into You".. heh. But we were sidetracked by chatting and pizza) Menmenbreakupsengagementsonlinedatingmen..

- Baby want. (it's not only okay to want babies, but.. um. It's definitely okay to want babies. Cool. There's always a caveat or a joke in my mind about the subject, like I'm not grown up enough or it's immature or maybe uterus jokes are just too much damn fun to make.)

- Death.

- STUPID IGNORANT A$$HOLES.. (a couple of the ladies teach for local colleges)

- Families. Dads. Moms.

Looking at a friend's wedding pictures via one of their iPhones. The friend is getting married in Algeria (most of these ladies' are either from, or still have family back in, far away places. Where weddings look very very different. But there's still comparisons of the groom, admiring how beautiful the bride looks, which traditions were followed...) In other words, Girl's Night!

Which, in looking back, is half-support group, half-advice swap, and 3/4s mutual admiration society. Good stuff. :)

Then, 'was late to Mixed Tape. And was not happy with how I performed. Should have warmed myself up more. Should have gotten head into the game. I was sloppy and dumb. And that makes me mad (at self. The boys were awesome.). I love this stuff, I love who I'm playing with - - there is no reason to get slop-stink all over this. Errgh.

I know it's only transitory. That one improv set is a tiny little drop in a big improv set bucket. But... still. I want to do my best.

I think one gets used to feeling bad. (It happens after life changes, like break ups or job crap. It happened after my dad died.) That we get used to feeling a way, a certain baseline. And if that baseline is sad, we get used to it, and will fill in the bad-blank with whatever we can. Sometimes creating unnecessary drama, just to make sure that bad-blank has something to suck on. And I definitely come from a long line of worriers. It's genetic.

Goal 342: Figure out when that is happening.

Goal 321: Do what you said you would do (i.e. stop creating unnecessary drama to worry about.)

What's today? Museum, Mystery Cafe, hopefully seeing good people, hopefully more sleep.

Onward.

A nervous tic motion...

I have a Tiger Beat crush on Andrew Bird. *sigh* Whistle...whistle...

Yesterday was chock full of nuts. Looking back, it's funny to me that some of my favorite memories are make 'em ups, and, in some ways, didn't exist at all.

- Teaching! Teaching! It was nice to have Tuesday off, as Mon/Wed/Thurs have been spent telling people to do stuff.

- Museum ... We now all crave snake time. We want to hang out and pick up with Bubba and Sweetie. They are smooth and calming, and, when handling them, you have to take on some snake-induced chill.

- Sweetie got pissed after so much handling yesterday. Fussy large corn snake.

- Ka-Baam!! was so much fun... Aghhh!! Thank you all who came!!

- I may not have a smart maltipoo, but he is a wise maltipoo. The look he gave me at 7 am this morning spoke what we both knew to be true. That waking up before 8 am is b+!!s#!t.

- 2 outreach shows, followed by 3 museum shows today? Arrrgh? (yea! It's actually just two museum shows today. Cool! That's plenty.)

- But tonight!!! Fun with Girls (which is not the name of a show, but should be.. make that, will be.), followed by Mixed Tape at ComedySportz!! 10:30 pm!! Come and watch!!

- Tomorrow, I'm gonna try to sleep in. And maybe eat an egg. This sounds awesome. Tomorrow also involves more museum and more show stuff, so this "sleeping in" possibility holds great appeal. Hoping it's possible.

Onward.

Something stinky, state of Denmark...

Well.. that's ridiculous. And.. ADORABLE. (I love the end so much)

And this is inspirational

Anything I post here, I've probably already posted to Facebook or whatnot, as my life is small and boring. And driven by certain social networking sites.

Had a beautiful time last night with dear friend, who listened to my current situation, and thought about it, and said how it sounded to him, in honest and clear ways that felt right. *sigh* Thank you, dear friend!!! Granted, everything's still the same, but very very lucky for good friends who'll put up with my whining.

Something's amiss. Something's stinky. Something's not right.. It's probably just me just trying to assign the world with my own kerfuffle.

Things I'm looking into:
- Flooring. Isn't that exciting?
- Teach for America. Let's have the government assign me a purpose!
- Hey, did you know that you can get to Ireland and back for under $500 in March via Aer Lingus. Do I have $500? No. Does this make me want to continue to charge crap on my card? Of course. $500 for twice across the Atlantic is staggering. Dangit.

Things I'm looking forward to:
- Ka-Baam!!! TOMORROW!! 10 p.m., BLB!
- Mixed Tape!!! Friday!! 10:30 p.m., ComedySportz!
- Weathermen sexily whispering temperatures in.. the 30s!
- Meeting my mom in AZ to go see my sister in AZ.

Time to go do um... a puppet show about infectuous diseases. Yep.

Onward.

The scratchiest dog in existence...

Welcome to boring blog #345: It's Monday and sunny.

How to dope a puppy dog's ears:
a) Don't call him to you before you do it, if you ever want your dog to come to you again! Dog's remember that s#!t. Keep the sound of your voice happily calling their name equated to happy thoughts.

b) Make sure he's under 12 pounds, so you can pick him up when he realizes what's going on. If he over 12 pounds, you may have to take to simply laying on him when attempting to dope his ears. Poor doggie.

c) Give him a delicious treat afterwards.

d) Give the cat a kitty treat, just for being chill.

Sunday was lovely. I feel much much better, thank you.
a) Attempted a walk/run around Lake of the Isles. Watched all of the Loppet-ers, loppet-ing.

b) Made my way to BNI youth, and found that my natural emotional pH had suddenly skyrocketed. Whoa! Thank you exercise, thank you massive intake of Vitamin D & sunshine.

c) I watched the Superbowl. I don't usually do this.

c.1) HALF TIME WAS AWESOME!! Bruce Springsteen was goofy and awesome (as was his crotch.. de-friggin'-lightful.) As the Boss told me, I stepped back from the guacamole dip, and I put those chicken fingers down. *sigh* The whole thing was terribly satisfactory.

c.2) Puppybowl was also satisfactory. (Please see above beagle) Despite the ref. And the tired-sounding color commentary. Did not the directors nor the actors realize how much fun they could be having? Alas..

c.3) It was a crazy end to the game. (err... Superbowl. Not Puppybowl) I have no emotional ties to either of the teams, but was kind of rooting for the Cardinals. (I agree with Jill - - didn't they used to be a baseball team??) If only 'cuz the Steelers started doing .. um.. mean things.. like punch another player. Seriously, Harrison. I don't care how amazing of a play you made. Your other behavior was gross. Should have been booted from the game. J-a$$.

c.4) And THAT is how a girl (with limited football watching experience) watches the Superbowl. (mean equals bad!)

c.3) Any Star Trek trailer without Simon Pegg (Scottie!), Karl Urban (McCoy!), or John Cho (Sulu!) may be of no worth to me.

Today, I run some errands, buy some milk, and start working on the big room. That's my plan for February. Work on the big room.

Onward.

Little dog, big scratchies...

The newly groomed animal is sitting on me, scratching his newly groomed ears. *sigh*

Yesterday was a bust. A damned stupid bust. I was sick as a dog for the whole stupid day for pretty stupid reasons. Dammit. However, four shows at the Science Museum and a (really good) Mystery Cafe were completed.

And around 10 p.m., I ate a piece of toast and some oatmeal. Yea!!!

However, pre-suffering, I got to sit and chat with a speaker originally from the Moline/Davenport area. 30-something, fit, young, travels like mad, gets paid good money to travel like mad and talk. Talk talk talk.

a) Where'd you go to School? East Moline Community College. Did speech in high school, and continued doing it in college because he was good at it, and knew he could get a good grade.

b) Say that again? I own a tug boat. Dude owns a tug boat! Loves the river. Had an artist paint said tug boat. Goes from Canada to NOLA in the summer, docks it somewhere in Kentucky where the river doesn't freeze. Cool!

c) You know where's "hip as shit"? Louisville, KY. "They've got shit figured out" He says Louisville, I go look into Louisville. The weather is temperate (cold is in the 30s, really warm is 87), there's mountains and bike trails, it's the "confluence of Southern and Midwestern attitudes and cultures", and instead of "real" sports, they race things like steamboats and hot air balloons. What?! Delightful!! (oh.. I guess they really like college basketball too. Cool.)

Hrm. It sounds like another Austin or Minneapolis, where the rest of the state is nothing like this sweet spot of a city. Go, Louisville!!! :)

Very well. I have looked into another fine place. It is Sunday and it's sunny and almost vaguely temperate! yeaa!! I might try and run today, which might end up being a bit of a bust. Happy superbowl, I guess.

Onward.

Big bag of Random.. the week.

Things to make things better:

- Sweetened condensed milk! It sounds almost creepy, but truly, my coffee and (now) my oatmeal are the better for it. My procrastination of buying regular milk has created a flavor sensation!

- Starting yoga again, via Mpls Community Ed. My body says hurrah!!

- Tuesday had an amazingly fun Mystery Cafe, where I finally met Mr. Larche (who was stunning. And sweet. And you just sit back and go.. wow. It was fun. :) Who told me about the time that Mr. Larche met Mr. Knudson? IT ALL MAKES SENSE.) Then ran like a bunny to Six Ring, where I got to be with Nels as he said wonderful things and got all proud and stuff of my team. Yea!

- Museum adorableness: A little girl pronouncing, as I wheel out the "Riddles of Disease" set at the museum, "Oh! It's a Jesus show!"

- Museum adorableness 2: Another little girl, when asked "What's another use for water?", announces "Tea parties!!!"

- Ka-Baam!!!!!! Whewwwww... And the unexpected friends there (Thank you!!) Went out afterwards, both Herkimer fun, followed by crashing Michael Ritchie's birthday party at Figlio's. Yea!!

- My mom and I get to go visit my sister in February. That's nice, isn't it? (Also, Mom admitted to wanting to go on a cruise, and needing to get her passport. Mom's daughters rejoice!)

Things I didn't need:
- That dream last night, that had so many wonderful moments in it (hey look, turtles! hey look, drinkin' at work! hey look, Ahna!! yeaa!!) and then decided to f my brain with images of large planes dropping on or sliding into large groups of people. My brain decided to fart out details that I (Jen) didn't need to see, topping it off with circa-1880s black and white film/pictures of the survivors taking their pictures next to the piles of dead. In that circa-1880s-taking-pictures-of-dead-people-to-commemorate-the-occasion sort of say. Blurgh. Thanks, brain.

And the neutral...
- Another weird thing my cat will eat: unflavored firm tofu. Really, animal? I support this, along with the avocados, oatmeal and peanut butter he continues to enjoy.

- Heyyyy, I need to memorize a sketch. Hi, sketch. hrmmmm...

- Heyyyy, I gotta take the dog to the dog groomer. Like right now. Literally. After that, it's to the museum to don raindrop helmets. (We've only made one child cry so far)

Onward.

Neil Gaiman won a Newbery!!! And the talktalktalk continues..

Really. I couldn't be happier, in this one little moment.

a) I like Neil Gaiman. The man makes me do happy dances, and has for over 15 years.

b) I have childhood love of the Newbery Medal. You get a Newbery; your book is damned good. (Julie of the Wolves. Bridge to Terabithia. The Hero and the Crown. Holy CRAP, these books were good! A Wrinkle in Time. The King of the Wind. The Island of the Blue Dolphins. More!!)

c) I used to read a lot more as a kid. Argh.

Anywhoo, I am pleased that someone I loved as a teen and continue to love as a grown up, has won something that I loved as a kid.

I am counting blessings and thinking about things that make me happy. These things aren't necessary, but they will probably continue to keep February bearable: crackers, coffee, and gallons of red wine. The red wine is, in a slightly emo-y way, for my heart. And for my cholesterol!

Recent events have brought a continuing theme back to the forefront, and the awesome Nels brought it up again yesterday. Moving sucks, and it's not the answer to everything (I will remain basically the same person anywhere I go, my flaws will be the same, my inability to caulk a tub will be the same).

But I also don't have to stay here. And this is the time of year when Minneapolis and I love and diss on each other. Just like all the other transplants, honestly. I ignore her, she passive-agressively tries to break my car. I become white and blubby, she becomes grey and mean. Where else could a person go (possibly with a small animal or two?)

I don't have a "good" reason to move. Except for that stupid theme that keeps popping up.

My dad told me that problems will be the same anywhere you go, weather or location don't really matter. *sigh* But it's fun to dream..

- Chicago! yes, my Vaudeville is already there. What do I like? I like improv. Chicago, I would be another tiny swimmy fish in a gigantimous ocean of improv. But, I would learn lots lots. It would be hard and cold, but I would probably meet people to hang out with. hrm.

- Portland! Goddamn, Portland is the prettiest of pretty. Right now, it's mired in public official sex scandals. Could a person find a life in Portland? My friends Steph and Dave moved out there about a year ago, and if Facebook picts are any barometer of how happy people are.. I think I could afford Portland.

- People keep bringing up Seattle. Holy crap, I could afford Seattle! And Seattle seems to be an unknown underdognick according to a.. website! It must be true. Huh. According to another website, it rains a REALLY REALLY REALLY lot in Seattle. Again, must be true. But there's coffee and beer to stave off the suicide.

- NYC. Ohhhh, this is Nels'. If I lived in maybe Brooklyn, Queens or the Bronx, I could maybe afford NYC. I get speechless when thinking about NYC. It's what you don't know that you don't know.

- L.A. It's warm there. I have a tiny number of connections there. I could find a job and get to know my air conditioner and swim suit. But.. I like southern California. I honestly do.

- Somewhere as of yet unknown!! wwooooOOOOOooooooo

- Minneapolis. Stay here, quit my bitchin', and figure shit out.

I wish I had a trade. Right now, my trade is the ability to talk to strangers in character. And teach 1-2 hour workshops. And who knows what might change. But, again, it's nice to blather.

I'm gonna get off my computer and do stuff. ha! Take that, stuff!

Onward.

I erm back-ish...

No, I really really back. However, I'm experiencing Morning Crappiness, something that hasn't been popping up too much of late.. *sigh*

The traveling was beautiful. Amazing. Astounding. Very much unexpected and ka-pow. Back to the rest of life, get on with it.

While a'traveling, I've been working on "The Black Swan" by Nassim Nicolas Taleb. Even if, yes, some of the reviews say that he's redundant, I say nay. He just approaches the subject from a couple of different views to wallop you with the point. Plus, he's beautifully cranky. A joy to read. Crank crank crank.

Basically, he says that:
a) bell curves are crap
b) people who make predictions are liars
c) you CANNOT predict, but you can generally prepare
d) go to parties. Serendipity happens when you engage with people. If you can't go to parties or don't want to, send a representative that does.
e) live in big cities. This increases you serendipity-through-people quotient.

Neat. Plus, he's super cranky.

Ka-Baamm!! has been a hoot! Yeaa!!! Only two more to go! (b00000!!) Here's hoping for more superhero-y fun. :)

Things are sort of on-hold at the Museum, and in general, for a lot of other things. I'm grumpy today, but it's the morning and I'm still a little jetlagged and a little sad. Things to be focused on for happy:

a) Spring. Only two more months of possible crap. That's not bad. (My sister just says to just "move someplace warm". My sister is very wise.)
b) Cinnamon rolls. I am an emotional eater. Cinnamon rolls and pastries and tea sound wonderful right now.
c) I hope Adorable gets into CIF. It's cool if we don't. But it'd be exciting if we did.
d) Finishing stuff on my house and being excited about it.
e) Figuring what comes next.

I'm achin' to get out of here. But, there's things to be taken care of first. Like a house and kitty cats and dogs and the like. Not that I'm goin' anywhere soon. But it's very satisfying and rash-feeling to be all "f this s#!t". But again, we'll see.

I really want to be somewhere, where it rains. Remember rain? Remember a dew point? I know I'm solar powered, and this sun is nice, but man... moisture sounds awesome. And maybe a tiny little deck off of a brownstone.

Two jobs today, but brunch tomorrow!

Onward.

Good things...

A (poorly written) treatise -

- Martini's with Butch. I always thought it would be Guinness with Butch, but nope! Martini's with Butch is just as good, if not better.

- Mixed Tape! Indeed! These magical audience keep appearing. Justin Pierre of MCST asked the crowd, "Who here was born before 1980?" and maybe 4 people out of 80 raised their hands. Needless to say: a) I am technically fully a person who is technically fully an adult in the eyes of everyone, b) the kids are alright. Thank you, awesome mysterious teens & early 20s who have come to Mixed Tape! :)

- Mystery Cafe cast is the best in the world. Straight on.

- The MC stage manager added some of his own mix to the soundtrack, and not only do we now hear Fleetwood Mac circa 1987 BUT Bruce Springsteen circa 1987. Seriously. "Tunnel of Love" is one of my favorite Springsteen songs. (And "Learning to Fly" one of my favorite Pink Floyd's. It's wrong, yes. But so GOOD!!!) He also played "Losing My Religion" by R.E.M. (from Out of Time, an album of much perfection in tiny-me's eyes), which made me laugh as we were in the middle of a big, loud, audience-interactive murder mystery. Can I deeply express how I feel about sexual identity issues while solving pretend crime with sleuth sheets and cheesecake? I say, resoundingly, yes.

- I'm honing my age guessing skills. I've got kids down to about 80% accuracy. People my age - - doin' pretty well. For better or worse, human live about 10 decades, so I have only 10 or so decades to get a handle on, which seems doable. And kind of sad and strange and sweet too. (or.. um, creepy)

- Podcasts. That took long enough. I am a podcast downloading fool.

- I'll be traveling the next couple of days. I am very lucky: it should be amazing, but also bittersweet. It's still not real to me.. at all. But I'm packed, for this very unreal place. More to come! I feel a tad crazy, packing for what I do not know. (it's like creating my own personal bomb shelter, but in carry-on luggage.)

Bisous!

And onward.

These are good ones...

(those aren't my hands, but that does look like Bubba)

Stolen from a stranger...

20. What is the best piece of advice you've ever heard?

You cannot change someone, it is how you react to that person that matters.

21. what is your favorite quote and why?

"nothing can bring you peace but yourself." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Those are pretty good ones..

- We're in "Animal Training" here at the Museum. There nothing that calms you (YOU MUST BE CALM), puts you-in-the-moment or forces you to focus than having a corn snake wrap itself around your fingers and forearms.

- Corn snakes like warmth and dark. Hence, corn snakes like pockets and arm pits.

- I have leftovers! Leftovers galore!

- Life is forcing changes which is sad in ways, but important in others. :(

- Some of these changes will be preceded by unexpected travel! Goodness! More to come!!

Onward.

Pants check! Yes, they're there.

Whoawwwww... It's been a roller coaster of a week, and it's not stopping anytime soon. Thrilling and bumpy and one must check their pants, just to make sure that they're still there. *whimper* I'm just kind of ..tiiiired...

- Twin Cities Live came and videotaped the Everyday Improv I class I'm teaching. John Haynes was there and did AWESOME. And the peeps in the class itself. AWESOME.

- I've taken a break from "Smilla's Sense of Snow", as I fear the way it's possibly messing with my dreams. Maybe it's not the book, just the roller coaster week, but again, my dreams were super vivid last night. Like "here is all you want plus a Hardee's Ham & Cheese" vivid.

- There's a sex act on page 193 (or so, depending on your edition) in "Smilla's Sense of Snow" that I've so far checked with THREE people to see if that's possible. Honestly. Have I not been 'in the know'? Is this act part of what everyone does during, um, stuff? As Steph said, "it sounds like a bladder infection for both people". I agree. But seriously. I will continue asking people and get back to you. Plus, there's no better conversation starter... Or ender.

- Watch "Matchpoint" on Saturday. We thought it was going to be a comedy - - Woody Allen, you know. We guessed wrong. Lovely casting, lovely dialogue - - and much like Smilla's Sense of Snow, you know that after investing in these lovely chatty people, that HORRIBLE THINGS WILL HAPPEN. YEEEARRRGH. Did I like it? I don't know. (Hey look! Brian Cox! Being not scary!) Does Scarlett Johnannsen have really sensual lips? Um. Yes. Woody Allen might really really like Miss Scarlett's lips.

- "Mixed Tape" at ComedySportz on Friday was a hoot! YEAA! Jill & I went to Mortimer's afterwards. I haven't been to Mortimer's in.. um.. years. But we were served possibly the nicest cocktail waittress in Uptown. We visited a friend who was having a birthday, and who was, subsequently, taken town by a train of shots around 1:00 a.m.. NOOOOOOOOOoooo!! (I'm so sorry to have added to the shottrain, and hope that he's okay.)

- Four hours of teaching improv on Sunday was actually great. What a great class. I am stunned. (Four hours of anything usually has me running for the hills.)

- Adorable was up for Improv a Go Go, and I'm still in blurry tears from it. We were super lucky, and had super fun. Thank you all!

Um. Umumum. There's some people I gotta call. And face back up to reality. Not "crazy hot ham & cheese hiding from actual reality" reality. Just gettin' stuff done reality. And the roller coaster of anticipation DOES NOT END. IT WILL NOT END FOR OVER A WEEK. More stuff to come.

Onward.

Aeehhhhhhh!!!

Happy Friday. I guess, Happy Belated Thursday too.

- I'm reading "Smilla's Sense of Snow". My literary selection have at least a decade lag time. It's fabulous. It feels like it should be written in italics, as the writing is always pulling towards the future. It's also playing with my dreams. Yeeearrghh!

- Don't watch the review for the movie. It's shockingly poopy.

- Missed Ka-Baam!!'s opening night. mer. :( However, I did get a natty picture drawn of me, as a superhero! w00t!

- Had a Mystery Cafe show instead, which was nice. But a table of (very cute very cool) kids 12 and under put a damper on our adult-style fun. Once we reached the end of the show however... *whew* Happy relaxed people. Yea!

- I just found that my inner dialogue has a b/p switcheroo problem (is that a stop? the two sounds are made in the same place... I loved my linguistic anthropology class! Why can't I remember what that place is called?!) I'm typing b's when I mean to type p's... *sigh*

- Mystery Cafe folks rock. And they let me horde leftover catered food like a homeless squirrel. I will eat like a king!!!... for at least three days.

- If things can be swung, unthought of things might be possible. These unthought of things could be stunning and very cool.

- Feel very unsettled. Unhinged. Strapped. Stressed. All of temporary, but.. can I repeat mer? It's been kind of an unhappy couple of days. But things are okay. But.. repeat above bullet point. Breathe. Everything's gonna be okay. Right? Right.

Onward.

I will post now!! And then meet the auditor..

Just a quick post, as the world is whispering that it's time to go..

A very full, very lovely weekend! yea!!

Friday - PG wanted to relax, so I bundled myself up and hauled my butt to the BNW's Xmas Show, assuming that all the world would be done with holiday shows. Alas, no. It was sold out, and runs through the end of January. Tricky!

The show was friggin' delightful. Nice work all! They were nice enough to let me play set with them afterwards. Thank you! :)

Miss Crystal was in town!! For this, Lauren then created a caravan to the Front. Ahh, the Front. You make me giggle. It was a good night for dancing, I met two new friends, and DJ Dirty Duke limited his Jackson Five output - - the man believes that, whatever party you're creating, all you need is some Jackson Five. This is a lie, Mr. Duke, despite what you and many many people seem to think. My love for the Jackson Five is tarnished due to over-playing. Yes. Little kids should dance to Jackson Five and be adorable. Embittered drunken 30somethings however... I guess should dance to J5 also... *sigh*

Saturday: Museum was again filled with nice people (yea!), and then PG and I watched.. Dirty Dancing. Oh my god.

- It's been 20 years. Literally.

- Every line in that movie ends with an exclamation point.

- It's SO dramatic!!!

- It actually kept my attention. That Swayze fellow can dance. ...And so can his mullet.

- Why didn't this become a musical? Did it become a musical? Probably. Was it horrible??? Possibly.

- Dirty Dancing is basically grinding and making "sex" faces at each other. And sometimes you wiggle. Got it.

- It was also fun to see 1980s fashion takes on 1960s styles. High waisted jeans, as far as the eye can see.

Sunday - We went cross-country skiing! Oh my goodness! I've been downhill skiing, but the last time was about a decade ago.

- It was fun!

- Another example of how man has strapped himself to simple machines (wheels, elephants) for fun and mobility.

- Lean forward, bend at the knees. Something us humans generally aren't too good at. World peace might be possible, if we all could lean forward and bend at the knees.

- Much like hiking in the Grand Canyon, it's an activity done in beautiful setting, but you have to continually stare at your feet. At least, I do. Arghh!

- I fell down, a lot. I kind of enjoy falling down in moments (i.e. non-cement) like this.

KA-BAAM!! previewed at Improv A Go Go last night!! OHHHHH!!! Huzzah! Good times, true believers.. We open at the Bryant Lake Bowl this Thursday, and run through February 5th! Please come see!

Okay. Time to go, lest my auditor is early.

Onward.

Roman Holiday...

...IS a lovely movie.



Just lovely. Gregory Peck.. *sigh* And a young Eddie Albert with a beard..! I'm gonna say it! Whatta looker!

Before watching Roman Holiday, there was much feasting and laughing at Taste of India. Oh, lovely fun. *grin* We shut that lunch buffet down!! (actually, we did. We were asked to leave.) 10 people, one completely unexpected (happy!), and tons and tons of yummy food.

Before that, there was much lazing about. Delightful lazing about.

Before that, well.. (this blog is a lame version of Momento, ain't it?)

Friend of PG's opened up his house for NYE Celebrations. Huzzah! However, we went totally expecting to be not only wined, but dined. Foolish us. There was pita bread. And lovely dips. Beggars cannot be choosers. We have learned our lesson. Eat before going to the party. Duh.

We also played the game Dictionary, which is secretly the low-rent version of Balderdash (much easier.. all you need is a dictionary, pens and papers.)

And that was the end of 2008. Hoping your NYE's was not only safe, but very very very fun. Here is 2009. So far, pretty lovely.

My goodness, it gets a little busy this weekend. (but not bad, truly)

Onward.