Guess who I saw on the chaise after lunch this afternoon? None other than Linus, that's who!
He is still having some trouble, true, but he is getting so much more mobile lately, we have real hope for the boy.
Sigh.
On other fronts, it's soon to be a holiday weekend, and I for one think it can't come fast enough.
Big Company has been a bit more vexing than usual lately.
Working there has helped me feel a lot better about myself in some ways (they need a little levity and clarity in their lives, and that's something I can certainly deliver), but worse in others (why am I walking around in these marble-lined halls wearing these ridiculous clothes? And what's with this cubicle?? Thank goddess I'm not claustrophobic!).
But I enjoy earning my keep and Linda has been talking a lot about doing a Johnny Paycheck (and soon), so that's all I'm going to say.
Memorial day weekend is upon us. Let us all take a moment to rejoice in this, and the fact that the best German Shepherd mix in the world is back up on his throne, master of all he surveys.
Happy day!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Back on track!
That Jimmy Tingle--what a nice guy! I'm not suggesting there aren't other nice guys in The Comedy, but Jimmy sets a new standard of "nice guy-ness" for the industry.
At least in my (limited, admittedly) experience.
Jennifer and I drove over there last night, with Scotchie in the back seat noodling over his cell phone (I don't pretend to understand the allure of noodling over one's cell phone--probably sour grapes because I couldn't read text small enough to fit in a phone if my life depended on it--but it kept him happy while he was along for the ride, and that's what counts). Originally, Jennifer was coming along in fine comedy buddy form, in the hopes that she'd get some future time on the Jimmy Tingle's Off Broadway (JTOB) stage.
Well, she got her wish--but the "future" was now. Jimmy needed comics, and so Jennifer got a spot on last night's stage, too. Woo!
The only downside is that the place wasn't exactly packed, shall we say. I've certainly worked smaller rooms, but then again, about 10 more people would have been helpful. The show is at the building stage, though, so eventually, there will be more people, if there's any justice in this world.
Or if the word gets around, whichever comes first.
Whatever happens, if there's a show, I'll be back to perform in it. Jimmy is a dream to work for, and the people who work there are dear as well. Methinks Jennifer is of the same opinion, too, which works out great.
Must say, after a night like this, I feel all full of hope and what-all. Might just be the weather (we have SUN!), might just be fatigue (I didn't get to bed until 2:30 a.m.), but then again, it might just be based on an inkling of what may be coming....
We shall see!
Oh, one last thing. Had a new line occur to me last night, and it's part of my burgeoning 30th high school reunion material. I talked about how I've changed since 1977--went from straight girl/wanna-be artist to art school dropout/recovering dykesaurus--and how my former classmates may react. Methinks they'll be full of gratitude, actually, leading me to conclude:
"Ann Podolske, bringing self-esteem to the people since 1959."
At least in my (limited, admittedly) experience.
Jennifer and I drove over there last night, with Scotchie in the back seat noodling over his cell phone (I don't pretend to understand the allure of noodling over one's cell phone--probably sour grapes because I couldn't read text small enough to fit in a phone if my life depended on it--but it kept him happy while he was along for the ride, and that's what counts). Originally, Jennifer was coming along in fine comedy buddy form, in the hopes that she'd get some future time on the Jimmy Tingle's Off Broadway (JTOB) stage.
Well, she got her wish--but the "future" was now. Jimmy needed comics, and so Jennifer got a spot on last night's stage, too. Woo!
The only downside is that the place wasn't exactly packed, shall we say. I've certainly worked smaller rooms, but then again, about 10 more people would have been helpful. The show is at the building stage, though, so eventually, there will be more people, if there's any justice in this world.
Or if the word gets around, whichever comes first.
Whatever happens, if there's a show, I'll be back to perform in it. Jimmy is a dream to work for, and the people who work there are dear as well. Methinks Jennifer is of the same opinion, too, which works out great.
Must say, after a night like this, I feel all full of hope and what-all. Might just be the weather (we have SUN!), might just be fatigue (I didn't get to bed until 2:30 a.m.), but then again, it might just be based on an inkling of what may be coming....
We shall see!
Oh, one last thing. Had a new line occur to me last night, and it's part of my burgeoning 30th high school reunion material. I talked about how I've changed since 1977--went from straight girl/wanna-be artist to art school dropout/recovering dykesaurus--and how my former classmates may react. Methinks they'll be full of gratitude, actually, leading me to conclude:
"Ann Podolske, bringing self-esteem to the people since 1959."
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Last-minute show!
Still not making much progress with a certain Studio in Cambridge, but I did get a wonderfully open invitation late this week from your friend and mine, Jimmy Tingle.
So, if you're casting about for something to do tonight, consider this:
Jimmy Tingle's Comedy Showcase
Saturday, May 19, 2007 @ 10 PM. Cost: $15
255 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144
Toll-Free Tickets: (866) 811-4111
Box Office: (617) 591-1616
Jimmy's doing his latest solo act beforehand, which sounds great, too (check it out!).
So, if you're casting about for something to do tonight, consider this:
Jimmy Tingle's Comedy Showcase
Saturday, May 19, 2007 @ 10 PM. Cost: $15
255 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144
Toll-Free Tickets: (866) 811-4111
Box Office: (617) 591-1616
Jimmy's doing his latest solo act beforehand, which sounds great, too (check it out!).
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Bon voyage, Jerry Falwell
From Right Wing Watch:
"[W]e must stop the homosexuals dead in their tracks -- before they get one step further towards warping the minds of our youth." Moral Majority fundraiser, 4/1/81
"In my age, we laughed at queers, fairies, and anyone who was thought to be a homosexual. It was a hideous thing, and no one talked about it, much less ever confessed to being a homosexual... I believe the United States will be destroyed if we permit homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle." "How You Can Help Clean Up America"
"Can you imagine a regiment of homosexual men and lesbian women leading an assault on the Red Army? How much respect would the Communists have for such a collection of perverts." Billings (MT) Gazette, 3/11/81
"Remember, homosexuals do not reproduce! They recruit! And many of them are out after my children and your children." Fundraising letter, 8/13/81
Falwell told the James Robison Bible Conference that candidates who seek support from homosexuals "should be disbarred from running for any office." Houston Chronicle, 2/27/82
"[T]his deadly plague [AIDS] is already spreading into the heterosexual community, because of bisexuals who are carriers -- even affecting innocent young children. This is sexual TERRORISM -- and even more deadly than a gun or bomb. Across the country the militant homosexuals -- carriers of this deadly disease -- have gained civil rights advantages which seriously compromise the health and safety of Americans everywhere. ... You and I are the innocent victims of this perverted and deadly lifestyle -- AND WE HAVE NO PLACE TO HIDE." Moral Majority fundraising letter
"Herpes is the judgment of God upon the nation." WNEW-TV, 11/22/82
"Everybody wants their rights ... Now the homosexuals -- they want to be a minority. They want gay rights referenda going on all the time. So why are you against that? Listen, if you want to live like an animal, go ahead. That's your business. If you want to live an immoral life, go ahead ... but don't expect to be rewarded for it. Don't try to be a minority -- you've chosen to be a pervert, live like one. You've chosen to live a dirty life -- and unclean life … but don't expect the public to reward you and make you a bona fide minority." Old-Time Gospel Hour, 4/21/81
"I believe the women's liberation movement is mainly staffed by a large group of frustrated failures, many of them lesbians, and all of them anti-biblical." "America Can Be Saved" (1979) p. 36
"We would not be having the present moral crisis regarding the homosexual movement if men and women accepted their proper roles as designated by God. God's plan is for men to be manly and spiritual in all areas of Christian leadership ... In the Christian home the woman is to be submissive." "Listen, America!" p. 183
And, lest we think he singled out queers and women, let us recall his infamous "thoughts" after 9/11:
"I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way - all of them who have tried to secularize America - I point the finger in their face and say "you helped this happen."
A loss for crackpot Christians everywhere, a small, short sigh of relief for the rest of us.
But you know, another Falwell will be along shortly--if she isn't already here (take Ann Coulter...please)--because nature and attention-starved nincompoops alike abhor a vacuum.
"[W]e must stop the homosexuals dead in their tracks -- before they get one step further towards warping the minds of our youth." Moral Majority fundraiser, 4/1/81
"In my age, we laughed at queers, fairies, and anyone who was thought to be a homosexual. It was a hideous thing, and no one talked about it, much less ever confessed to being a homosexual... I believe the United States will be destroyed if we permit homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle." "How You Can Help Clean Up America"
"Can you imagine a regiment of homosexual men and lesbian women leading an assault on the Red Army? How much respect would the Communists have for such a collection of perverts." Billings (MT) Gazette, 3/11/81
"Remember, homosexuals do not reproduce! They recruit! And many of them are out after my children and your children." Fundraising letter, 8/13/81
Falwell told the James Robison Bible Conference that candidates who seek support from homosexuals "should be disbarred from running for any office." Houston Chronicle, 2/27/82
"[T]his deadly plague [AIDS] is already spreading into the heterosexual community, because of bisexuals who are carriers -- even affecting innocent young children. This is sexual TERRORISM -- and even more deadly than a gun or bomb. Across the country the militant homosexuals -- carriers of this deadly disease -- have gained civil rights advantages which seriously compromise the health and safety of Americans everywhere. ... You and I are the innocent victims of this perverted and deadly lifestyle -- AND WE HAVE NO PLACE TO HIDE." Moral Majority fundraising letter
"Herpes is the judgment of God upon the nation." WNEW-TV, 11/22/82
"Everybody wants their rights ... Now the homosexuals -- they want to be a minority. They want gay rights referenda going on all the time. So why are you against that? Listen, if you want to live like an animal, go ahead. That's your business. If you want to live an immoral life, go ahead ... but don't expect to be rewarded for it. Don't try to be a minority -- you've chosen to be a pervert, live like one. You've chosen to live a dirty life -- and unclean life … but don't expect the public to reward you and make you a bona fide minority." Old-Time Gospel Hour, 4/21/81
"I believe the women's liberation movement is mainly staffed by a large group of frustrated failures, many of them lesbians, and all of them anti-biblical." "America Can Be Saved" (1979) p. 36
"We would not be having the present moral crisis regarding the homosexual movement if men and women accepted their proper roles as designated by God. God's plan is for men to be manly and spiritual in all areas of Christian leadership ... In the Christian home the woman is to be submissive." "Listen, America!" p. 183
And, lest we think he singled out queers and women, let us recall his infamous "thoughts" after 9/11:
"I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way - all of them who have tried to secularize America - I point the finger in their face and say "you helped this happen."
A loss for crackpot Christians everywhere, a small, short sigh of relief for the rest of us.
But you know, another Falwell will be along shortly--if she isn't already here (take Ann Coulter...please)--because nature and attention-starved nincompoops alike abhor a vacuum.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Linus hits another rough patch....
This aging business, I tell you.
Linus hurt his shoulder last Thursday barking at the paper boy (we still haven't figured out how), and has been having an awful time since. The biggest problem is that he doesn't recognize his limitations, so tries to do things that just aren't in the cards and ends up hurting himself even more than he's already hurt.
Yesterday, for example, he tried to jump off the back steps, and landed with a thud--not on his feet, in other words. He's still paying for that miscalculation today (so far, he's been unable to get up on his favorite perch, the chaise).
I have been fighting to keep present through all of this, for denial is the default of my people. (Wasn't "Don't ask, don't tell" a Wisconsin boy's idea? Les Aspin, to be specific?) It is silly, for there are still things we can do to make him more comfortable--The End is far from nigh.
But then, my mother could have written the "Worst Case Scenario Handbook" in her sleep, so perhaps I should not be too hard on myself, eh?
Linda, bless her heart, has been propelled into action by her worry. This morning she made ingenious use of a piece of leftover fence to make Linus a wonderful ramp to the back yard.
What a gal!
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Happy 2007 Noho Pride!
Yours truly with rainbows....
An homage to Victoria White (we both teared up over this one).
Little darlin's carrying the flag (gives one hope, doesn't it?).
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Weekend update
It's been another couple of those weeks, so I haven't been keeping up as well as I would have liked. Sorry about that...
Had two sets of The Comedy this week, and I can't complain, really. (Not jumping up and down for joy, either, but when, exactly, do I do that?)
The first was on the hallowed stage of The Comedy Studio, Wednesday night. Spring has sprung in earnest in Cambridge as well as in the Western territories of the Commonwealth, so the audience was primarily comics waiting for their turn. They were gracious, though, and my set was fairly well received. Didn't do much of anything new, for it was neither the time nor the place, and I was tired and didn't trust my memory banks to remember my new stuff. The evening was capped with a bizarre detour through Boston that is the sort of strange episode that doesn't come my way very often--since I stopped drinking, that is. It was fun, actually, in a Wow-that-was-odd-but-familiar-wasn't-it? kinda way.....
Speaking of not drinking, today, Cinco de Mayo, marks 16 years that I've been officially off the sauce. If my sobriety were a person, it would likely be a sullen teen right now. (Thankfully, my sobriety is not a person, eh?)
Thursday night was Jennifer's wonderful open mic, also thinly attended due to the gorgeous weather we're having. I tried all new material (but for my opener, but I didn't open with it), and it went over pretty well. Big Company(R) inspired a new piece based on the famous poem by Pastor Niemoller (SP?), the "First, they came for the [fill-in-the-blank], but I wasn't a [fill-in-the-blank], so I did nothing" poem.
I revised it with a Corporate slant ("First, they outsourced the Telemarketers..."), and I think it has promise. Also did a small bit on my upcoming high school reunion that will likely be enriched by my actual attendance at said reunion next month. But really--when I think about who I was in 1977 at graduation from Marinette Senior High School and who I am today, I am going to be among the most drastically different people there.
Unless there's a transman or transwoman there--that would be cool! We shall see....
Anyway, back to the open mic. The highlight of the evening was a comic piece performed by Jennifer's Scotchie, a dear man who set the stage for a strip comedy routine that defies description.
It was brilliant, funny and terrifying. All at once.
You should have been there, that's all I'm going to say.
Had two sets of The Comedy this week, and I can't complain, really. (Not jumping up and down for joy, either, but when, exactly, do I do that?)
The first was on the hallowed stage of The Comedy Studio, Wednesday night. Spring has sprung in earnest in Cambridge as well as in the Western territories of the Commonwealth, so the audience was primarily comics waiting for their turn. They were gracious, though, and my set was fairly well received. Didn't do much of anything new, for it was neither the time nor the place, and I was tired and didn't trust my memory banks to remember my new stuff. The evening was capped with a bizarre detour through Boston that is the sort of strange episode that doesn't come my way very often--since I stopped drinking, that is. It was fun, actually, in a Wow-that-was-odd-but-familiar-wasn't-it? kinda way.....
Speaking of not drinking, today, Cinco de Mayo, marks 16 years that I've been officially off the sauce. If my sobriety were a person, it would likely be a sullen teen right now. (Thankfully, my sobriety is not a person, eh?)
Thursday night was Jennifer's wonderful open mic, also thinly attended due to the gorgeous weather we're having. I tried all new material (but for my opener, but I didn't open with it), and it went over pretty well. Big Company(R) inspired a new piece based on the famous poem by Pastor Niemoller (SP?), the "First, they came for the [fill-in-the-blank], but I wasn't a [fill-in-the-blank], so I did nothing" poem.
I revised it with a Corporate slant ("First, they outsourced the Telemarketers..."), and I think it has promise. Also did a small bit on my upcoming high school reunion that will likely be enriched by my actual attendance at said reunion next month. But really--when I think about who I was in 1977 at graduation from Marinette Senior High School and who I am today, I am going to be among the most drastically different people there.
Unless there's a transman or transwoman there--that would be cool! We shall see....
Anyway, back to the open mic. The highlight of the evening was a comic piece performed by Jennifer's Scotchie, a dear man who set the stage for a strip comedy routine that defies description.
It was brilliant, funny and terrifying. All at once.
You should have been there, that's all I'm going to say.
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