Last night's Girls! Girls! Girls! was neither the best of times nor the least--a sorta middle-of-the-road, went-okay-kinda show, I'd have to say. The audience was there for the comedy, but they were a subdued lot. Especially for bits that usually get uproarious laughter--for Jennifer as well as yours truly.
Of course, I was not on the top of my game, being on the mend from a very unfunny cold/flu/who can tell? I forgot my way twice, which I should admit is typical (who am I kidding?). Also dropped from my memory banks two new bits that I thought might work, but I did remember enough of some other new bits (that largely worked, happily), that I don't feel too bad about it.
I'm particularly grateful that I didn't have a coughing jag, which I think indicates the sort of show it was. Didn't kill, and didn't really think that was in the cards, truly. Was grateful to get through my set without the whole room wanting to hand me a Hall's mentholyptus.'
(Yes, we keep our expectations on the low side, we do.)
And the high-ranking person from Big Company didn't show, but the dear pastor did, as did a number of her flock. Couldn't ask for more there, certainly.
So, that's how the latest in the Girls! x 3 franchise went for me. Jennifer, Arielle, Bethany and Erin did wonderfully, by the way--I was very happy to see them all (as was the audience, in their low-key way.)
If you feel as though you missed out, never fear: The next all-women show is on May 17, when I hope to be hale and hearty and in full recollection of all of my new material.
It's good to have goals, eh?
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Comedy alert!
The next Girls! Girls! Girls! is tomorrow, Saturday, February 23, and you won't want to miss it.
Well, I'd rather you didn't, but if you can't make it, that's okay, too.
If what I've heard is true, the audience could have a member of the executive team from Big Company there, as well as the pastor of the church that Linda and I have been going to of late. An interesting mix, that.....
If you can't make this show, there's more on the horizon, not to worry. Go to the strange land that is MySpace for details.
Well, I'd rather you didn't, but if you can't make it, that's okay, too.
If what I've heard is true, the audience could have a member of the executive team from Big Company there, as well as the pastor of the church that Linda and I have been going to of late. An interesting mix, that.....
If you can't make this show, there's more on the horizon, not to worry. Go to the strange land that is MySpace for details.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Here's an idea!
Come to think, I did something along these lines with the last Bush "rebate"--I think I sent the ill-gotten gains to GLAD in Boston or some such GLBT-friendly cause.
If you're not feeling GLBT-friendly (what in the world are you doing here?!), there are oh-so-many other lefty causes who could use this cash.
Unless, of course, your cause could use the cash most of all (this I understand all too well).
Dear NCLR Supporter,
Want to do something really stimulating with your tax rebate check?
Want to undo the damage done by the policies of the Bush White House?
Want to do a small part to truly help make change in 2008?
Here’s a thought: sign that 2008 rebate check over to NCLR. We’ll make sure you see the real value in the stimulus package plan.
Now I know most of us actually need this money to take care of bills, debt, and daily necessities. But for those of you who might be considering putting it towards your daily latte intake or that fabulous outfit you saw in the Bloomingdale’s window, please think about fueling the fight for justice instead.
In this year of great peril and promise, your rebate check will go a long way towards further energizing NCLR’s always cutting-edge legal work. Not to mention, you get a tax deduction to boot.
As a token of our appreciation, we'll sign your name (with your approval, of course) to a card to President Bush and the House and Senate leaders, thanking them for thinking of us.
So, if this sounds like a good personal stimulus plan, just sign over your check and send to us with your name and address. You can count on us to take care of the rest—so you can rest easy.
Thank you, Kate Kendell, Esq.
Executive Director
National Center for Lesbian Rights
If you're not feeling GLBT-friendly (what in the world are you doing here?!), there are oh-so-many other lefty causes who could use this cash.
Unless, of course, your cause could use the cash most of all (this I understand all too well).
Dear NCLR Supporter,
Want to do something really stimulating with your tax rebate check?
Want to undo the damage done by the policies of the Bush White House?
Want to do a small part to truly help make change in 2008?
Here’s a thought: sign that 2008 rebate check over to NCLR. We’ll make sure you see the real value in the stimulus package plan.
Now I know most of us actually need this money to take care of bills, debt, and daily necessities. But for those of you who might be considering putting it towards your daily latte intake or that fabulous outfit you saw in the Bloomingdale’s window, please think about fueling the fight for justice instead.
In this year of great peril and promise, your rebate check will go a long way towards further energizing NCLR’s always cutting-edge legal work. Not to mention, you get a tax deduction to boot.
As a token of our appreciation, we'll sign your name (with your approval, of course) to a card to President Bush and the House and Senate leaders, thanking them for thinking of us.
So, if this sounds like a good personal stimulus plan, just sign over your check and send to us with your name and address. You can count on us to take care of the rest—so you can rest easy.
Thank you, Kate Kendell, Esq.
Executive Director
National Center for Lesbian Rights
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Silver lining of sorts
Last night's show in Chicopee was one of those stunningly bad shows that make the good shows that much sweeter. The comics performed in front of a video beanbag (I kid you not) game and an electronic trivia game. The sound system would be at home in the New York City subway.
The crowd directly in front of us was there for comedy, but the bar was to our left and full of loud people who were there to drink and what-all, and to the right was a serious poker game.
Not an ideal scenario, but I wasn't expecting anything less. (Thank you, Jennifer.)
The good news is that I saw some of my favorite comics/people, received some very encouraging feedback, and left there feeling pretty darn good about The Comedy and some people in it.
And not once did I think of drowning my sorrows in some high-octane butterfat. I didn't have sorrows to drown. Good thing--considering the strict diet* I'm on these days, that sort of thing would probably kill me.
* I'm supporting Linda in her need to avoid wheat, sugar, salt, dairy and most things that taste good. (At home, anyway.)
The crowd directly in front of us was there for comedy, but the bar was to our left and full of loud people who were there to drink and what-all, and to the right was a serious poker game.
Not an ideal scenario, but I wasn't expecting anything less. (Thank you, Jennifer.)
The good news is that I saw some of my favorite comics/people, received some very encouraging feedback, and left there feeling pretty darn good about The Comedy and some people in it.
And not once did I think of drowning my sorrows in some high-octane butterfat. I didn't have sorrows to drown. Good thing--considering the strict diet* I'm on these days, that sort of thing would probably kill me.
* I'm supporting Linda in her need to avoid wheat, sugar, salt, dairy and most things that taste good. (At home, anyway.)
Saturday, February 09, 2008
What's up with that, eh?
A dear friend of mine who lives out in California relayed a disturbing tale to me this week. Seems he was talking to an old friend of his about the Democratic candidates, and when he expressed his reservations about Sen. Obama, she became, in his word, "incensed," and refused to discuss it further.
He fears this may be a metaphor for the Democratic party.
This episode is unsettling on a number of fronts, but first and foremost is this: If you can't discuss your candidate with someone who is critical of him or her, you risk looking like someone who doesn't have much in the way of arguments as to why you support your guy or gal. Rather like the people who stick their fingers in their ears and say, "La-La-La I Can't Hear You!" when you're trying to tell them something they don't want to hear. It may spare their feelings, but it sure as heck is no way to defend a position.
If one wants to look like a thoughtful, reasonable adult, that is.
It also raises an issue I've been wondering about this week as well, about Obama's candidacy being a cult of personality and sexism. And as my friend in California's experience attests, cult members can be a twitchy lot, especially where their fearless leader is concerned.
As for sexism, I think it is far more deeply ingrained in the American psyche than even racism, especially among white liberals. But then, this also occured to me: What better way to attone for being an affluent white male than to vote for a black male candidate?
All this makes me worry as to what might happen if Clinton wins the nomination. My fear is that all the Obama fanatics will stay home on election day. Methinks anyone who could get swept up like that could just as easily become disillusioned, and say what the fook does it matter?
But then again, maybe my neighbors offer some hope. Right up to the election, they had an Obama sign in their front yard. The next day, it was gone.
Perhaps that's a better metaphor for our party? We shall see....
He fears this may be a metaphor for the Democratic party.
This episode is unsettling on a number of fronts, but first and foremost is this: If you can't discuss your candidate with someone who is critical of him or her, you risk looking like someone who doesn't have much in the way of arguments as to why you support your guy or gal. Rather like the people who stick their fingers in their ears and say, "La-La-La I Can't Hear You!" when you're trying to tell them something they don't want to hear. It may spare their feelings, but it sure as heck is no way to defend a position.
If one wants to look like a thoughtful, reasonable adult, that is.
It also raises an issue I've been wondering about this week as well, about Obama's candidacy being a cult of personality and sexism. And as my friend in California's experience attests, cult members can be a twitchy lot, especially where their fearless leader is concerned.
As for sexism, I think it is far more deeply ingrained in the American psyche than even racism, especially among white liberals. But then, this also occured to me: What better way to attone for being an affluent white male than to vote for a black male candidate?
All this makes me worry as to what might happen if Clinton wins the nomination. My fear is that all the Obama fanatics will stay home on election day. Methinks anyone who could get swept up like that could just as easily become disillusioned, and say what the fook does it matter?
But then again, maybe my neighbors offer some hope. Right up to the election, they had an Obama sign in their front yard. The next day, it was gone.
Perhaps that's a better metaphor for our party? We shall see....
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Super Tuesday: Hillary, it is!
Today, I voted for Hillary Clinton, and while I had reservations beforehand (and even during!) my vote, I have come across some commentary that makes me feel a lot better about my decision.
First, consider this stunning article by Robin Morgan. She brings up some points that I wish I had in hand months ago. I was particularly taken by her noting the fact that while the older Kennedys embrace Obama, the younger members of the clan are siding with Hillary--so much for him being the beacon for the youth vote. She also offers an intense review of the mysogyny at root of so much of the anti-Hillary sentiment (and no, men aren't the only folks spreading it around). And she offers a pretty good summation of why a vote for Hillary makes the most sense. An excerpt:
"I’d rather say a joyful Hello to all the glorious young women who do identify with Hillary, and all the brave, smart men—of all ethnicities and any age—who get that it’s in their self-interest, too. She’s better qualified. (D’uh.) She’s a high-profile candidate with an enormous grasp of foreign- and domestic-policy nuance, dedication to detail, ability to absorb staggering insult and personal pain while retaining dignity, resolve, even humor, and keep on keeping on. (Also, yes, dammit, let’s hear it for her connections and funding and party-building background, too. Obama was awfully glad about those when she raised dough and campaigned for him to get to the Senate in the first place.)"
Plus:
"Me? I support Hillary Rodham because she’s the best qualified of all candidates running in both parties. I support her because she’s refreshingly thoughtful, and I’m bloodied from eight years of a jolly 'uniter' with ejaculatory politics. I needn’t agree with her on every point. I agree with the 97 percent of her positions that are identical with Obama’s—and the few where hers are both more practical and to the left of his (like health care). I support her because she’s already smashed the first-lady stereotype and made history as a fine senator, because I believe she will continue to make history not only as the first U.S. woman president, but as a great U.S. president.
"As for the 'woman thing'?
"Me, I’m voting for Hillary not because she’s a woman—but because I am."
Secondly, somehow I missed the bit about Barack Obama campaigning with an "ex-Gay" gospel singer in South Carolina, a man who said, in short, that lesbians do not exist.
(Allow me to reply: Actually, it's ex-Gays who don't exist. Ex-straights, on the other hand? We are legion.)
If you want to learn more about this little under-reported debacle, I suggest you read the Salon.com article, "Obama: Don't pander to homophobes," by James Hannaham. (If they let you.) An excerpt:
"Obama's gay advocates obviously support him regardless of this fumble. But his gay critics are right to ask why he thinks getting homosexuals to sit at the same table with antigay and allegedly 'ex-gay' Christians represents some kind of balance. Had McClurkin been a Holocaust denier, my money says Obama would be 'embracing a change' in his tour's entertainment lineup, lickety-split.
"It shouldn't surprise anyone that Obama is playing to both sides -- that seems to be what he's best at. He means well, but you know what they say about the highways in hell. However, adding Sidden to the mix without giving McClurkin the shaft was enough of an afterthought to incense the gay community without fixing the problem. Did Obama overestimate the depth of the black community's homophobia and unintentionally solidify the stereotype about him -- that he's the white man's black candidate? Well, if Sharpton refuses to pander to the homophobic faction of the black church, why should anybody else?"
Now, pardon me, I must go make a donation to Hillary's campaign.....
First, consider this stunning article by Robin Morgan. She brings up some points that I wish I had in hand months ago. I was particularly taken by her noting the fact that while the older Kennedys embrace Obama, the younger members of the clan are siding with Hillary--so much for him being the beacon for the youth vote. She also offers an intense review of the mysogyny at root of so much of the anti-Hillary sentiment (and no, men aren't the only folks spreading it around). And she offers a pretty good summation of why a vote for Hillary makes the most sense. An excerpt:
"I’d rather say a joyful Hello to all the glorious young women who do identify with Hillary, and all the brave, smart men—of all ethnicities and any age—who get that it’s in their self-interest, too. She’s better qualified. (D’uh.) She’s a high-profile candidate with an enormous grasp of foreign- and domestic-policy nuance, dedication to detail, ability to absorb staggering insult and personal pain while retaining dignity, resolve, even humor, and keep on keeping on. (Also, yes, dammit, let’s hear it for her connections and funding and party-building background, too. Obama was awfully glad about those when she raised dough and campaigned for him to get to the Senate in the first place.)"
Plus:
"Me? I support Hillary Rodham because she’s the best qualified of all candidates running in both parties. I support her because she’s refreshingly thoughtful, and I’m bloodied from eight years of a jolly 'uniter' with ejaculatory politics. I needn’t agree with her on every point. I agree with the 97 percent of her positions that are identical with Obama’s—and the few where hers are both more practical and to the left of his (like health care). I support her because she’s already smashed the first-lady stereotype and made history as a fine senator, because I believe she will continue to make history not only as the first U.S. woman president, but as a great U.S. president.
"As for the 'woman thing'?
"Me, I’m voting for Hillary not because she’s a woman—but because I am."
Secondly, somehow I missed the bit about Barack Obama campaigning with an "ex-Gay" gospel singer in South Carolina, a man who said, in short, that lesbians do not exist.
(Allow me to reply: Actually, it's ex-Gays who don't exist. Ex-straights, on the other hand? We are legion.)
If you want to learn more about this little under-reported debacle, I suggest you read the Salon.com article, "Obama: Don't pander to homophobes," by James Hannaham. (If they let you.) An excerpt:
"Obama's gay advocates obviously support him regardless of this fumble. But his gay critics are right to ask why he thinks getting homosexuals to sit at the same table with antigay and allegedly 'ex-gay' Christians represents some kind of balance. Had McClurkin been a Holocaust denier, my money says Obama would be 'embracing a change' in his tour's entertainment lineup, lickety-split.
"It shouldn't surprise anyone that Obama is playing to both sides -- that seems to be what he's best at. He means well, but you know what they say about the highways in hell. However, adding Sidden to the mix without giving McClurkin the shaft was enough of an afterthought to incense the gay community without fixing the problem. Did Obama overestimate the depth of the black community's homophobia and unintentionally solidify the stereotype about him -- that he's the white man's black candidate? Well, if Sharpton refuses to pander to the homophobic faction of the black church, why should anybody else?"
Now, pardon me, I must go make a donation to Hillary's campaign.....
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Do I flip a coin?
I am in such a quandary over the upcoming primary, I don't know what to do. Just when I think I've "decided," some new piece of information comes up, and I'm back in voting limbo yet again.
Could I vote for "Hirack Clinbama," possibly?
My latest preference was for Hillary. GWB has left the country in such disrepair, I thought it was imperative that the next president be able to act, and act quickly, to fix our country. There's just so much "cleaning up" to do, and the Clintons have years of experience cleaning up after Republican-made messes. Barack, on the other hand, has no such experience, and I feared that charisma or no charisma, movement or no movement, he would soon find himself up against some very unpleasant characters in Washington who were immune to his charms, to put it mildly. What then? What happens when your major claim to fame doesn't play in the trenches? And you don't have the option of voting "present"?
Well, that held me for a while. Then I read the endorsements of MoveOn.org, someone in The Nation, and beyond. And one of our neighbors, who, forgive me, I would have pegged as McCain devotees, put a Obama sign up in their yard just this week. In fact, we've seen countless Obama signs in our neighborhood and one Edwards--but none, not one, for Hillary.
And we had dinner with friends last night who derided Clinton as a part of the machine. Which, compared to Obama, she certainly is.
But I don't think she's as much of a "tool" as her husband was; but then, I could be wrong. And Obama certainly offers hope to a lot of people, which is not something one hears about Hillary (except from middle-aged and older women, I should add, but our dreams should not be the basis of such a major decision).
I dunno. If I could only grasp the Obama charm, that might help. But I don't. But then, I don't really look for charm in my candidates. I voted for the "old" Al Gore and John Kerry, for pity's sake.
Ah, heck. Whatever happens, I'll be voting for the Democratic candidate come November. And whoever it is, I hope the quanitifiable, verifiable and Electoral College-agreeable majority of voting Americans follows suit.
Could I vote for "Hirack Clinbama," possibly?
My latest preference was for Hillary. GWB has left the country in such disrepair, I thought it was imperative that the next president be able to act, and act quickly, to fix our country. There's just so much "cleaning up" to do, and the Clintons have years of experience cleaning up after Republican-made messes. Barack, on the other hand, has no such experience, and I feared that charisma or no charisma, movement or no movement, he would soon find himself up against some very unpleasant characters in Washington who were immune to his charms, to put it mildly. What then? What happens when your major claim to fame doesn't play in the trenches? And you don't have the option of voting "present"?
Well, that held me for a while. Then I read the endorsements of MoveOn.org, someone in The Nation, and beyond. And one of our neighbors, who, forgive me, I would have pegged as McCain devotees, put a Obama sign up in their yard just this week. In fact, we've seen countless Obama signs in our neighborhood and one Edwards--but none, not one, for Hillary.
And we had dinner with friends last night who derided Clinton as a part of the machine. Which, compared to Obama, she certainly is.
But I don't think she's as much of a "tool" as her husband was; but then, I could be wrong. And Obama certainly offers hope to a lot of people, which is not something one hears about Hillary (except from middle-aged and older women, I should add, but our dreams should not be the basis of such a major decision).
I dunno. If I could only grasp the Obama charm, that might help. But I don't. But then, I don't really look for charm in my candidates. I voted for the "old" Al Gore and John Kerry, for pity's sake.
Ah, heck. Whatever happens, I'll be voting for the Democratic candidate come November. And whoever it is, I hope the quanitifiable, verifiable and Electoral College-agreeable majority of voting Americans follows suit.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Two much!
We heard about a couple of dachshunds who needed a home--and fast--from our petsitter, and thought we should have them over, just in case Shwea took a shine to them.
Well, they were adorable, as one would imagine, but not to Shwea. They were a hair-raising, snarl-inducing duo who left her shaken, not stirred. The older one wasn't the issue; it was the younger, un-fixed one who thought Shwea's Back 40 was fascinating--he was the problem.
Oh well, it was worth a shot.
There are other people interested in the dogs, happily, so it's not as though we were the last stop before the gallows.
Still, it would have been nice to have a little more animal life around here--but these two were too much for our reigning animal, Her Highness Shwea.
And whatever Shwea wants, Shwea gets......
Well, they were adorable, as one would imagine, but not to Shwea. They were a hair-raising, snarl-inducing duo who left her shaken, not stirred. The older one wasn't the issue; it was the younger, un-fixed one who thought Shwea's Back 40 was fascinating--he was the problem.
Oh well, it was worth a shot.
There are other people interested in the dogs, happily, so it's not as though we were the last stop before the gallows.
Still, it would have been nice to have a little more animal life around here--but these two were too much for our reigning animal, Her Highness Shwea.
And whatever Shwea wants, Shwea gets......
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