Yes, I blog after not blogging for ages, and I'm talking teeth. TEETH!
At 10:30 this morning my implant landed, and I can now plan on chewing on both sides of my mouth. I say "plan" for one must gently introduce said implant to the idea, over the next two weeks. (It's been over a year since that space had to do anything, after all.)
Isn't that fabulous?
(If that sounds pathetic, you must be under 40. File this away for later reference. Trust me, it won't sound quite so pathetic later on.)
We also have a bright yellow living room, for my Linda is following the suggestions of our feng shui consultant, and so our subtle green living room had to go. The problem? Green = growth, which is not a good idea when cancer is around, naturally.
Otherwise, there's not much new to report, but this [fill-in-your-favorite-expletive] implant has been vexing me for over a year (maybe two!), so this qualifies as good news.
And in case you missed it, we've been needing some good news around here.
Which reminds me: My bum knee also got the green light. I can exercise now. Woop-dee-do!
(That was a little bit of overkill, because while I appreciate being able to exercise, I really love the idea of being able to chew. It's all about priorities, people.)
One last exciting bit: Our friend Jennifer was on the cover of today's Daily Hampshire Gazette! Above the fold!!
Congratulations, Jennifer!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
The Studio on a Saturday rarely disappoints....
And Saturday's show was no exception. My set went well, even though I had the ignoble task of being the first comic on the roster (after Rick opened, Jennifer was quick to point out). I took a bullet for the team, but it didn't hurt--the set worked, and that's all that matters. The best part of being first is that once my work was done, I was able to relax and enjoy the rest of the show--for before I got up on stage, I was a wreck nervosa. But according to at least one comic, it didn't show (thanks, Sandy).
As for highlights, Jennifer unleashed a callback that was just perfection.
On the other side of the spectrum, there was a comic who appeared to want to make a mockery of right-wing bigoted nut jobs, but instead just said a lot of things that were too mean-spirited to be funny. People were uncomfortable, yet the comic soldiered on--or was that what he wanted? (Me, I need a little warmer response than that to keep going.) It was an attempt at parody that failed, and only made me appreciate how difficult this comedy business can be. (It also made me grateful that I don't go in for characters and the like--my innate character will have to do.)
Well, that's it for shows for the foreseeable. I'll let you know when and if something else comes up, but I have a feeling it won't be until the fall. Stay tuned....
As for highlights, Jennifer unleashed a callback that was just perfection.
On the other side of the spectrum, there was a comic who appeared to want to make a mockery of right-wing bigoted nut jobs, but instead just said a lot of things that were too mean-spirited to be funny. People were uncomfortable, yet the comic soldiered on--or was that what he wanted? (Me, I need a little warmer response than that to keep going.) It was an attempt at parody that failed, and only made me appreciate how difficult this comedy business can be. (It also made me grateful that I don't go in for characters and the like--my innate character will have to do.)
Well, that's it for shows for the foreseeable. I'll let you know when and if something else comes up, but I have a feeling it won't be until the fall. Stay tuned....
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Girls! Girls! Girls! review
This was a very happy-making show for yours truly, in part because a great deal of people came out to see The Comedy on my behalf (21 peeps, per one friend) and in part because some new, Linda- and illness-related material worked (whew!). Was also very happy to perform with a very talented group of women--including Andrea Henry, who gave me an update on her baby Eve.
As performance nights go, they don't get much better than this. Good to know I can make the people laugh despite all the very un-funny business swirling around me.
My one remaining show for the foreseeable is on May 31 in Cambridge, and I likely won't be trying to get anything new going until the fall, when my gal is out of the woods.
As performance nights go, they don't get much better than this. Good to know I can make the people laugh despite all the very un-funny business swirling around me.
My one remaining show for the foreseeable is on May 31 in Cambridge, and I likely won't be trying to get anything new going until the fall, when my gal is out of the woods.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Friendship redefined
I'm sorry if you've already seen this, but I had to share it here (it's also on the CaringBridge site--pardon any repeats). A friend of Linda's sent her a framed version of the following:
Friendship
Friendship is like pissing in your pants,
Everyone can see it,
But only you can feel its true warmth.
Thank you for being the piss in my pants.
Of course, "You are the wind beneath my wings" comes instantly to mind....
Friendship
Friendship is like pissing in your pants,
Everyone can see it,
But only you can feel its true warmth.
Thank you for being the piss in my pants.
Of course, "You are the wind beneath my wings" comes instantly to mind....
Friday, April 25, 2008
Pardon my vanishing act
This blog has been getting the fuzzy end of the lollipop, for I have been devoting my spare time to updating another blog--a CaringBridge site I developed for my gal Linda's large and far-flung group of friends and coworkers.
As you may have guessed, Linda's surgery on April 1 didn't go quite as well as we had hoped. She's starting chemotherapy next week, and until we get through to the other side of this particular journey, I probably won't be blogging much.
Well, except to vent about things that have no business on Linda's site. (Like my wish for a particularly hot place in Hades for those who design trojan viruses--not very nice of me, but really not very nice of them, either. So there.)
As you may have guessed, Linda's surgery on April 1 didn't go quite as well as we had hoped. She's starting chemotherapy next week, and until we get through to the other side of this particular journey, I probably won't be blogging much.
Well, except to vent about things that have no business on Linda's site. (Like my wish for a particularly hot place in Hades for those who design trojan viruses--not very nice of me, but really not very nice of them, either. So there.)
Friday, March 28, 2008
The benefit of benefits....
Had a good show at the Bluebonnet Diner last night, even if I didn't manage to have any pie. (I keep forgetting that one of the Bluebonnet's major claims to fame is pie. How can one forget such an important fact? HOW?)
Anyway, the show featured students of our own professor of comedy, Jerry Caruso, including yours truly and a fellow alumna, Holly Givens (she has some wonderful new material on her wedding, which is great, since I missed it--and now feel a little caught up).
Anyway, two students of a very recent class performed and did well for their first time in front of a "real" audience--I mean they spoke, formed sentences, and had punchlines. That impresses the heck outta me. And one gal who had dropped from the scene for a while came back--and I was very glad to see and hear her material. She's got the quirky market cornered, indeed.
One newbie even interacted with the audience. I haven't had the nerve to do that yet (five years since graduation--or is it four?).
Best of all, around $750 was raised for the Cancer Connection, which is a very good cause. If one if going to have a bizarre avocation, it's great to have a bizarre avocation that can occasionally make money for good causes, no?
Was quite surprised and charmed to see some friends show up--and they offered some tremendous support re my gal Linda and her upcoming surgery. Well, offered up may not be the correct term--I asked them outright to think about Linda on the 1st, and they kindly complied.
In fact, I have been asking people all over to support her in any way they can, and have been offered thoughts, prayers, meditations and well wishes.
Hey--if it's positive, we'll take it. Anything and everything, cheerfully accepted! If it all helps Linda's surgery and recovery go well, then it's all been worth overriding my natural Midwestern inclination to not ask for help. (As it's not help for me, personally, it's a little easier--a flimsy loophole, but a loophole nonetheless.)
We're even dragging a Higher Authority into the mix, when this Sunday we become members of the Haydenville Congregational Church. Considering the prevailing views toward the likes of me and Linda in places of worship, joining a church was something I never thought I'd do. I thought I'd be spending the rest of my life in church basements, thank you, only darkening the door of sanctuaries for weddings and funerals.
So much for that.
Of course, I could just be becoming my mother, as women are wont to do. (She was an industrial-strength church lady, to put it mildly.)
If I find myself wanting to play bridge or join a Great Books club or even The Women's International League of Peace and Freedom, then I'll know I'm really on the road to Becoming Elaine....
Hey, if I've learned anything so far, it's this: You never know.
Anyway, the show featured students of our own professor of comedy, Jerry Caruso, including yours truly and a fellow alumna, Holly Givens (she has some wonderful new material on her wedding, which is great, since I missed it--and now feel a little caught up).
Anyway, two students of a very recent class performed and did well for their first time in front of a "real" audience--I mean they spoke, formed sentences, and had punchlines. That impresses the heck outta me. And one gal who had dropped from the scene for a while came back--and I was very glad to see and hear her material. She's got the quirky market cornered, indeed.
One newbie even interacted with the audience. I haven't had the nerve to do that yet (five years since graduation--or is it four?).
Best of all, around $750 was raised for the Cancer Connection, which is a very good cause. If one if going to have a bizarre avocation, it's great to have a bizarre avocation that can occasionally make money for good causes, no?
Was quite surprised and charmed to see some friends show up--and they offered some tremendous support re my gal Linda and her upcoming surgery. Well, offered up may not be the correct term--I asked them outright to think about Linda on the 1st, and they kindly complied.
In fact, I have been asking people all over to support her in any way they can, and have been offered thoughts, prayers, meditations and well wishes.
Hey--if it's positive, we'll take it. Anything and everything, cheerfully accepted! If it all helps Linda's surgery and recovery go well, then it's all been worth overriding my natural Midwestern inclination to not ask for help. (As it's not help for me, personally, it's a little easier--a flimsy loophole, but a loophole nonetheless.)
We're even dragging a Higher Authority into the mix, when this Sunday we become members of the Haydenville Congregational Church. Considering the prevailing views toward the likes of me and Linda in places of worship, joining a church was something I never thought I'd do. I thought I'd be spending the rest of my life in church basements, thank you, only darkening the door of sanctuaries for weddings and funerals.
So much for that.
Of course, I could just be becoming my mother, as women are wont to do. (She was an industrial-strength church lady, to put it mildly.)
If I find myself wanting to play bridge or join a Great Books club or even The Women's International League of Peace and Freedom, then I'll know I'm really on the road to Becoming Elaine....
Hey, if I've learned anything so far, it's this: You never know.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Update
Well, the delivery guy just called. From Westfield.
At 6:05 p.m.. The delivery window was 9 a.m to 1 p.m.
Nice.
(Sole, not soul.)
At 6:05 p.m.. The delivery window was 9 a.m to 1 p.m.
Nice.
(Sole, not soul.)
Well, so much for that
Today, a brand-new elliptical machine was supposed to be delivered to my door--well, down into my basement, actually (I paid $100 for that privilege--those suckers are heavy).
I had the basement all cleared out, my rowing machine and TONY LITTLE GAZELLE (snigger) well out of the way, the mat down for the machine to rest upon and so forth, but the delivery folks never showed.
Called the number for the delivery service, and got an answering machine. So, I'm wondering, did they have Good Friday off, too, but neglected to tell me?
Since I had wasted four hours of my holiday waiting for this thing, I decided I didn't want it after all. Doesn't seem right to reward that sort of behavior, in my book. Especially for a (for me) big-ticket item. I can take--no, expect--a lot of crap service when I'm buying stuff at the 7-11 or the like, but when the price is on the other side of $1K, my expectations go up, if only a little.
And boy, did they not deliver--literally or figuratively.
So, I will not be getting an elliptical any time soon. Even though that means I still have to use my GAZELLE (snort!) for the foreseeable.
So I cancelled the order. And get this--I get to pay a restocking fee, even though it was never delivered.
Isn't that something?
The company, in case you're wondering, is Sole. (Not to be confused with soul, naturally.)
On other fronts, I've had to cancel my appearances (such as they are) at the Studio next week and in April. My gal is having surgery on April 1, and so close to home I will stay.
And really--with times like these, I think The Comedy and I are barely speaking to each other.
But this will all blow over....eventually.
And until it does, I'm guessing my funniest joke is in the basement. On the mat that was to support my fancy new machine.
Oh well.....
I had the basement all cleared out, my rowing machine and TONY LITTLE GAZELLE (snigger) well out of the way, the mat down for the machine to rest upon and so forth, but the delivery folks never showed.
Called the number for the delivery service, and got an answering machine. So, I'm wondering, did they have Good Friday off, too, but neglected to tell me?
Since I had wasted four hours of my holiday waiting for this thing, I decided I didn't want it after all. Doesn't seem right to reward that sort of behavior, in my book. Especially for a (for me) big-ticket item. I can take--no, expect--a lot of crap service when I'm buying stuff at the 7-11 or the like, but when the price is on the other side of $1K, my expectations go up, if only a little.
And boy, did they not deliver--literally or figuratively.
So, I will not be getting an elliptical any time soon. Even though that means I still have to use my GAZELLE (snort!) for the foreseeable.
So I cancelled the order. And get this--I get to pay a restocking fee, even though it was never delivered.
Isn't that something?
The company, in case you're wondering, is Sole. (Not to be confused with soul, naturally.)
On other fronts, I've had to cancel my appearances (such as they are) at the Studio next week and in April. My gal is having surgery on April 1, and so close to home I will stay.
And really--with times like these, I think The Comedy and I are barely speaking to each other.
But this will all blow over....eventually.
And until it does, I'm guessing my funniest joke is in the basement. On the mat that was to support my fancy new machine.
Oh well.....
Saturday, March 15, 2008
True confessions
While I am still perplexed by the hubbub over my ownership of a Tony Little Gazelle, there has been an upside to this misadventure in home gym equipment.
True confessions of an exercise sort.
Two people who felt the need to tease me ever so gently about owning a Gazelle have also told me about every embarrassing exercise video/DVD they have in their possession (or even once owned).
It is reminiscent of my early sobriety, when hearing a particularly gruesome tale of debauchery and destruction from another recovering drunk would somehow free me to share a smaller tale of my own variety of in-the-bag misbehavior. Not as bad as what I've just heard, of course--but to me, every bit as mortifying to admit.
Which, apparently, is how a lot of women feel about owning Richard Simmons' exercise videos.
True confessions of an exercise sort.
Two people who felt the need to tease me ever so gently about owning a Gazelle have also told me about every embarrassing exercise video/DVD they have in their possession (or even once owned).
It is reminiscent of my early sobriety, when hearing a particularly gruesome tale of debauchery and destruction from another recovering drunk would somehow free me to share a smaller tale of my own variety of in-the-bag misbehavior. Not as bad as what I've just heard, of course--but to me, every bit as mortifying to admit.
Which, apparently, is how a lot of women feel about owning Richard Simmons' exercise videos.
Resignation with a dash of hope
My friend Ed and I were discussing one of the latest dust-ups in the Democratic contest (Sen. Obama's former preacher ripping Hillary for not being a black man) and we both found Obama's response to same calculating in the extreme.
Yet if that's what it comes down to, we'll both vote for the man, for he offers a least the potential for change (while we both also harbor hopes that our gal Hillary will somehow win the day). I think my dear friend sums it up best:
I really do believe that this was (is) Hillary's time. It's easy for me to imagine 8 years of Hillary and then 8 years of Obama. I can't see the reverse happening. And now we might get a President McCain instead. Goddess save us!
A girl can indeed dream and so can a big homo from Palm Springs.
Yet if that's what it comes down to, we'll both vote for the man, for he offers a least the potential for change (while we both also harbor hopes that our gal Hillary will somehow win the day). I think my dear friend sums it up best:
I really do believe that this was (is) Hillary's time. It's easy for me to imagine 8 years of Hillary and then 8 years of Obama. I can't see the reverse happening. And now we might get a President McCain instead. Goddess save us!
A girl can indeed dream and so can a big homo from Palm Springs.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Bellows Falls--who knew?
Performed in a very small comedy benefit in Bellows Falls, VT Saturday night--the weather was less than ideal, and apparently all the local papers dropped the ball where listings were concerned--but still, enough people came to make a show.
The show? Just okay--the audience was small, and likely stupefied by the incredible Italian meals they just ate at the venue, Boccelli's on the Canal. Those gals do not fool around--every serving I saw was enough for three people, and it all looked beautifully prepared, too. I just had a cannoli, and it was better than any cannoli I've ever had (and hey, not for nothin', I was in NYC's Little Italy not that long ago).
They also have a nice little gourmet foods section, and the location--near a canal, naturally--is very picturesque. Once all is well on the home front, Linda and I have to make the drive up there and give Bellows Falls--and Boccelli's--a thorough look-see. The town has a tremendous case of the quaints, let me tell you!
This was supposed to be a show review, but has devolved into a restaurant review. Guess that says more about the show than anything I could have written, eh?
On other fronts, allow me to tell the world that doesn't already know this (thanks, Jennifer): I own a Tony Little Gazelle. This, apparently, is a hilarity-inducing statement, and one I hope brings you moments of glee (or smug superiority or whatever it is one gets from this knowledge).
I doubt it makes a whit of difference, but I have ordered a proper elliptical machine to replace said Gazelle, for, as you can imagine, I needed something more substantial for my aging carcass.
But please--do let the merriment continue!
The show? Just okay--the audience was small, and likely stupefied by the incredible Italian meals they just ate at the venue, Boccelli's on the Canal. Those gals do not fool around--every serving I saw was enough for three people, and it all looked beautifully prepared, too. I just had a cannoli, and it was better than any cannoli I've ever had (and hey, not for nothin', I was in NYC's Little Italy not that long ago).
They also have a nice little gourmet foods section, and the location--near a canal, naturally--is very picturesque. Once all is well on the home front, Linda and I have to make the drive up there and give Bellows Falls--and Boccelli's--a thorough look-see. The town has a tremendous case of the quaints, let me tell you!
This was supposed to be a show review, but has devolved into a restaurant review. Guess that says more about the show than anything I could have written, eh?
On other fronts, allow me to tell the world that doesn't already know this (thanks, Jennifer): I own a Tony Little Gazelle. This, apparently, is a hilarity-inducing statement, and one I hope brings you moments of glee (or smug superiority or whatever it is one gets from this knowledge).
I doubt it makes a whit of difference, but I have ordered a proper elliptical machine to replace said Gazelle, for, as you can imagine, I needed something more substantial for my aging carcass.
But please--do let the merriment continue!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Memories--still got 'em, thank Whomever!
Reading Jennifer's posts about her Alzheimer's-ridden grandmother recalls many occasions with my dementia-ridden father almost 10 years ago.
Dad was always "losing" his car, for one thing--lucky for him, he never carried a purse like Jennifer's grandma. One time when we were all visiting my brother and sister-in-law in D.C., Dad got up more than once to go outside--to look for his car. My dear brother brought him in each time, and each time he explained that he and mom didn't have their car because they flew in from Wisconsin. Dad looked at him like he was full of the bunk, but sat down.
Until some time passed. Then, he'd get back up and head outside to look for his car again.
He also had dementia where food was concerned. When he was still living at home, I remember coming in one afternoon to find him sitting with a pile--no, make that a mountain--of empty ice cream sandwich wrappers in front of him. When I asked him about the summit, he denied eating the sandwiches in all those wrappers--but did admit that ice cream sounded good, so he got up and got another sandwich to add to the pile.
These are the times that make me hope that his dementia was caused by chemical exposures and not--you got it--genetics. Just in case, I've been waging a small-scale campaign to get Linda to agree to put me in a Lavender Ladies Home if I start going off the same deep end as Dear Old Dad.
She's having none of it. So far. But I bet if I asked her where my purse is 3,000 times, she might reconsider.
Especially as I haven't carried a purse since 1990.
Dad was always "losing" his car, for one thing--lucky for him, he never carried a purse like Jennifer's grandma. One time when we were all visiting my brother and sister-in-law in D.C., Dad got up more than once to go outside--to look for his car. My dear brother brought him in each time, and each time he explained that he and mom didn't have their car because they flew in from Wisconsin. Dad looked at him like he was full of the bunk, but sat down.
Until some time passed. Then, he'd get back up and head outside to look for his car again.
He also had dementia where food was concerned. When he was still living at home, I remember coming in one afternoon to find him sitting with a pile--no, make that a mountain--of empty ice cream sandwich wrappers in front of him. When I asked him about the summit, he denied eating the sandwiches in all those wrappers--but did admit that ice cream sounded good, so he got up and got another sandwich to add to the pile.
These are the times that make me hope that his dementia was caused by chemical exposures and not--you got it--genetics. Just in case, I've been waging a small-scale campaign to get Linda to agree to put me in a Lavender Ladies Home if I start going off the same deep end as Dear Old Dad.
She's having none of it. So far. But I bet if I asked her where my purse is 3,000 times, she might reconsider.
Especially as I haven't carried a purse since 1990.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
File that under, "Okay"
Last night's set at The Studio was an odd affair, but okay. At first, I thought the audience was tentative; later, after I watched a few comics of the comics who followed me, it became clear: The crowd was drunk. In a near-stupor, actually.
Also noticed before the show that Zoe's diner was chock-a-block with students eating and drinking with relish. I only noticed because I'm a booth kinda gal, and there were none to be had--they were all packed with people in the college-age range.
Methinks some sort of hideous, gut-wrenching exam period must have taken place this week, and the surviving scholars were out celebrating.
That celebrating in college = destroying as many braincells as possible (after you've so carefully cultivated same) is one of life's little ironies.
Suffice to say, "celebrating" students are not exactly prime comedy audiences, but they weren't terrible. Just okay.
Let's leave it at that.
Speaking of leaving, I forgot my comedy notebook on the T. Jennifer assigned great comic significance to same, saying it indicated it was time for me to just put away my old material and start concentrating on the new.
Well, it could also indicate that I'm one preoccupied dykesaurus these days, and am lucky that my head is attached.
I would heartily enjoy focusing on the creation and refinement of new material, but I just don't think I have it in me these days. Jennifer thinks that being worried out of one's mind sets the stage for great comic creativity.
We shall see, eh?
Also noticed before the show that Zoe's diner was chock-a-block with students eating and drinking with relish. I only noticed because I'm a booth kinda gal, and there were none to be had--they were all packed with people in the college-age range.
Methinks some sort of hideous, gut-wrenching exam period must have taken place this week, and the surviving scholars were out celebrating.
That celebrating in college = destroying as many braincells as possible (after you've so carefully cultivated same) is one of life's little ironies.
Suffice to say, "celebrating" students are not exactly prime comedy audiences, but they weren't terrible. Just okay.
Let's leave it at that.
Speaking of leaving, I forgot my comedy notebook on the T. Jennifer assigned great comic significance to same, saying it indicated it was time for me to just put away my old material and start concentrating on the new.
Well, it could also indicate that I'm one preoccupied dykesaurus these days, and am lucky that my head is attached.
I would heartily enjoy focusing on the creation and refinement of new material, but I just don't think I have it in me these days. Jennifer thinks that being worried out of one's mind sets the stage for great comic creativity.
We shall see, eh?
Thursday, March 06, 2008
In a spin....
We've had some rather challenging health news to contend with lately, so I've been a little behind in blogging, especially the "Show Reports" I promised to post here, if nothing else. Sorry about that!
As for the news, it's not really my news to share--particularly in such a public forum. Suffice to say The Comedy has not been in the forefront on my little, round noggin' these days.
But I'm still performing, not to worry (or do, as the case may be 8-). Have some time at The Studio tomorrow night, and a lovely little fundraiser in Vermont on Saturday.
As for my last show, the Saturday night edition of the "Taste of PACE," it went very well, if memory serves. Memory also tells me that my set paled in comparison to that of my dear Comedy Buddy, colleague, and friend, Jennifer Myszkowski, she who can turn weeping into hilarity. That is an art , people, and I am very, very grateful I was there to witness it. She practically did knock the people off their seats, indeed. A joy to behold, but to tell you the truth, it was a heck of an act to follow--happily there were quite a few acts between us.....
As for the news, it's not really my news to share--particularly in such a public forum. Suffice to say The Comedy has not been in the forefront on my little, round noggin' these days.
But I'm still performing, not to worry (or do, as the case may be 8-). Have some time at The Studio tomorrow night, and a lovely little fundraiser in Vermont on Saturday.
As for my last show, the Saturday night edition of the "Taste of PACE," it went very well, if memory serves. Memory also tells me that my set paled in comparison to that of my dear Comedy Buddy, colleague, and friend, Jennifer Myszkowski, she who can turn weeping into hilarity. That is an art , people, and I am very, very grateful I was there to witness it. She practically did knock the people off their seats, indeed. A joy to behold, but to tell you the truth, it was a heck of an act to follow--happily there were quite a few acts between us.....
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Taste of PACE: Aptly named!
I approached last night's show with some trepidation, for it had all the markings of a disaster: A very long and varied series of music and musical acts with one standup comic, yours truly, in the mix. Well, happily, my trepidation was for naught. I didn't exactly cause anyone to fall out of his/her chair (as promised by le roi de hyperbole over at PACE), but I didn't hear crickets the whole time, either. The audience was there for music, but they were open to some comedy, too, bless them.
Methinks the Spaulding Grey monologue may have helped, as did the fact that I followed a very funny rendition of "Suppertime!" by a dear woman in a Snoopy suit.
Hard to lose under these conditions, let me tell you.
Anyway, the rest of the night was very entertaining, and if you somehow read this in time, I would strongly suggest you consider making a trip over to PACE for tonight's show. I can't imagine a more varied and entertaining combination of acts are going on anywhere else in the Happy Valley this evening, and I'm not just saying this because I'm on the docket tonight (as is my dear comedy buddy, Jennifer Myszkowski).
One thing I'm looking forward to: Hearing "One hand, one heart" from West Side Story again. I am a sucker for that musical!
Methinks the Spaulding Grey monologue may have helped, as did the fact that I followed a very funny rendition of "Suppertime!" by a dear woman in a Snoopy suit.
Hard to lose under these conditions, let me tell you.
Anyway, the rest of the night was very entertaining, and if you somehow read this in time, I would strongly suggest you consider making a trip over to PACE for tonight's show. I can't imagine a more varied and entertaining combination of acts are going on anywhere else in the Happy Valley this evening, and I'm not just saying this because I'm on the docket tonight (as is my dear comedy buddy, Jennifer Myszkowski).
One thing I'm looking forward to: Hearing "One hand, one heart" from West Side Story again. I am a sucker for that musical!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Somewhere in the middle....
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?
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?
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......
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Now what?
So, Dennis K. has dropped out of the race, Ted and Caroline K. are backing Barak O. (who I think has more potential to become another Jimmy C. than another Jack K.), and Hilary C. is not exactly inspiring confidence, so what's a liberal democrat to do?
Put her head on her desk, that's what......
What are you doing?
Congressman update: Learned that my cousin also inspired a 0% rating from the AFL-CIO. (No wonder mother spoke of him but little!)
Put her head on her desk, that's what......
What are you doing?
Congressman update: Learned that my cousin also inspired a 0% rating from the AFL-CIO. (No wonder mother spoke of him but little!)
Goodbye, Uncle Rich!
Last Wednesday, my Uncle Richard breathed his last. We couldn't imagine Rich without Barb, and apparently, neither could he. I miss him, and his stack of yet-to-be-read magazines, very much. He was a fabulous uncle, and won me over when I was just a wee one (he did a great duck imitation, let me tell you). He was of the co-conspirator school, and would wink and call you over to discuss "secrets" that were just hilarious nonsense.
Wonderful, delirious nonsense.
He and Barb shared wonderful senses of humor and tremendous style--two things our family did not exactly have in abundance, shall we say.
We'll muddle on somehow, but life is a little less absurd and a lot less tasteful, now that they're gone.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Ah, the shame continues
One of my compatriots suggests that my cousin the Congressman isn't as bad as he could be. Reviewing his record, one wonders what, exactly, that could mean. Perhaps my source is mistooken, but according to this site, the Congressman is a Moderate Republican of the rightward leaning variety, which means he is:
PRO
Death penalty
Gun ownership
Patriot Act
Privatization of Social Security
School prayer
School vouchers
Tax cuts for the wealthy
AGAINST
Abortion
Gay adoption
Gay marriage
Public health initiatives
Of course, he could be for public stonings of gays who have had abortions--that would be worse (certainly for me, his cousin), but good golly, he doesn't look so good from here!
But one site should not be my sole source--I will investigate further, and report back.
PRO
Death penalty
Gun ownership
Patriot Act
Privatization of Social Security
School prayer
School vouchers
Tax cuts for the wealthy
AGAINST
Abortion
Gay adoption
Gay marriage
Public health initiatives
Of course, he could be for public stonings of gays who have had abortions--that would be worse (certainly for me, his cousin), but good golly, he doesn't look so good from here!
But one site should not be my sole source--I will investigate further, and report back.
Ennis, we miss you!
I strive to keep clear of celebrity gossip (unless I'm in a doctor's office and there are People magazines around; then, I'm powerless), but I can't get enough info about what happened to Heath Ledger.
Linda and I are so sad he's gone--we thought he should have received the Oscar for his nuanced performance in "Brokeback Mountain," but figured an actor of his talent would have other chances.
So much for that, eh?
Linda and I are so sad he's gone--we thought he should have received the Oscar for his nuanced performance in "Brokeback Mountain," but figured an actor of his talent would have other chances.
So much for that, eh?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
How liberal am I?
I've taken three "Who should you vote for (for president)?" tests and Dennis K. was "my" candidate each and every time.
I think that qualifies me as a liberal.
Or hopeless.
Hopeless liberal?
I think that qualifies me as a liberal.
Or hopeless.
Hopeless liberal?
Family secret NO MORE!
In the church basement set, a favorite expression is, "You're as sick as your secrets." Well, apparently I have been keeping an aspect of my background on the down-low, and it has been suggested to me that I may be keeping this information in the family closet, as it were.
As a person with a comprehensive website, blog and MySpace page, I'm not exactly a closed book. However, there is a part of my family history that I haven't addressed, and well, I guess it's time to address it. My quiet on this issue hasn't been part of some elaborate cover-up--I am not mentally equipped for covert operations, as anyone who knows me can verify--but rather, a family/Midwestern/Catholic tendency to just leave things (particularly unpleasant things) be.
You see, back in Wisconsin, I have a cousin who is--well, there's just no way to sugar-coat this, so I'll just get it out--a Republican. Not only that, he's a member of Congress.
Yes, I, Ann Podolske, life-long liberal and mid-life lesbian, have a card-carrying and vote-making member of the GOP in my family tree.
How did this happen? Well, no one can really say how such things happen, but I do have a theory. The Congressman's father, my uncle and dear mother's only brother, was lost in WWII, and as a result, the Congressman wasn't raised with any Democratic influence at all, poor dear.
I guess he's a Republican because he just doesn't know any better. And while some might think that I, as a member of his family, have the duty to try to help the Congressman see the error of his ways, I know that I am powerless over how he votes on bills (the wrong way, typically), and that all I can do is take care of myself, donate to my favorite lefty causes, vote Democratic, and pray for him.
If there were a GOP-anon, I'd belong, but alas, there is no such organization.
Yet.
As a person with a comprehensive website, blog and MySpace page, I'm not exactly a closed book. However, there is a part of my family history that I haven't addressed, and well, I guess it's time to address it. My quiet on this issue hasn't been part of some elaborate cover-up--I am not mentally equipped for covert operations, as anyone who knows me can verify--but rather, a family/Midwestern/Catholic tendency to just leave things (particularly unpleasant things) be.
You see, back in Wisconsin, I have a cousin who is--well, there's just no way to sugar-coat this, so I'll just get it out--a Republican. Not only that, he's a member of Congress.
Yes, I, Ann Podolske, life-long liberal and mid-life lesbian, have a card-carrying and vote-making member of the GOP in my family tree.
How did this happen? Well, no one can really say how such things happen, but I do have a theory. The Congressman's father, my uncle and dear mother's only brother, was lost in WWII, and as a result, the Congressman wasn't raised with any Democratic influence at all, poor dear.
I guess he's a Republican because he just doesn't know any better. And while some might think that I, as a member of his family, have the duty to try to help the Congressman see the error of his ways, I know that I am powerless over how he votes on bills (the wrong way, typically), and that all I can do is take care of myself, donate to my favorite lefty causes, vote Democratic, and pray for him.
If there were a GOP-anon, I'd belong, but alas, there is no such organization.
Yet.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Good show, great view from the pews, bad news
Last night's set at The Studio was a "keeper," indeed. Did a mix of bits on drinking, aging and gay marriage--what a combo, come to think--that appeared to keep the packed-in-like-sardines audience laughing. Of course, I failed to ask Rick for a DVD (have absolutely no sense as to when I'll do well, alas), but he graciously offered to make me one afterwards.
And there will be more Studio dates in my future, as well, which, after a show like last night's, sounds just grand. Thank you, Mr. Jenkins.....
As for today, Linda and I also had a good morning at our newly-adopted place of worship--yes, it has come to this.
Good thing, for I came home to learn that my last remaining uncle is now a candidate for hospice, poor dear. Since my aunt died, his health has deteriorated dramatically--this past week he was declared not even fit enough for the Alzheimer's ward, for pity's sake! He's also not eating, which really signals the end for our people. Most people, actually.
We're hoping for a miracle, but the thing is, I doubt that he is. Looks like he's just tired and ready to go home.
It finally dawned on me: I'm in my Loss Years. One has many years where death is but an eventuality, and then, when you're lulled into a false sense of security, the Loss-A-Thon begins.
Oh, I was going to devote this New Year to The Comedy, wasn't I? Sorry about that!
And there will be more Studio dates in my future, as well, which, after a show like last night's, sounds just grand. Thank you, Mr. Jenkins.....
As for today, Linda and I also had a good morning at our newly-adopted place of worship--yes, it has come to this.
Good thing, for I came home to learn that my last remaining uncle is now a candidate for hospice, poor dear. Since my aunt died, his health has deteriorated dramatically--this past week he was declared not even fit enough for the Alzheimer's ward, for pity's sake! He's also not eating, which really signals the end for our people. Most people, actually.
We're hoping for a miracle, but the thing is, I doubt that he is. Looks like he's just tired and ready to go home.
It finally dawned on me: I'm in my Loss Years. One has many years where death is but an eventuality, and then, when you're lulled into a false sense of security, the Loss-A-Thon begins.
Oh, I was going to devote this New Year to The Comedy, wasn't I? Sorry about that!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
For the Linda archives....
My own Ms. Malaprop now has two horse-themed misstatements to her name. To wit:
1) Don't look a gift horse in the house.
2) That was the horse that broke the camel's back.
I anxiously await the third, so I can add it to my "Linda segment" that she has been lobbying so heavily for--yes, yes, be careful what you wish for, indeed.
Now, I don't speak with the precision of a Henry Higgins, say, but Linda makes me feel positively erudite. But when I'm not sure of a quote, I do the rising inflection business--you know, the question-mark-in-the-voice trick--to show my lack of confidence in my speech. Linda, on the other hand, speaks with authority no matter what, and so one hears the mangle, but doesn't quite believe his or her ears.
A talent, that.
1) Don't look a gift horse in the house.
2) That was the horse that broke the camel's back.
I anxiously await the third, so I can add it to my "Linda segment" that she has been lobbying so heavily for--yes, yes, be careful what you wish for, indeed.
Now, I don't speak with the precision of a Henry Higgins, say, but Linda makes me feel positively erudite. But when I'm not sure of a quote, I do the rising inflection business--you know, the question-mark-in-the-voice trick--to show my lack of confidence in my speech. Linda, on the other hand, speaks with authority no matter what, and so one hears the mangle, but doesn't quite believe his or her ears.
A talent, that.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Hasta la vista, 2007!
While I thought 2005 had distinguished itself as a year for the "Into each life some rain must fall" archives--it was the year I lost 70% of my long-term job and had my first colonoscopy, after all--2007 was a doozie.
Linda and I had to say goodbye to our cat Oatmeal, my dear aunt Barb, and, as if that weren't enough for one year, our dear shepherd mix Linus, aka Lamby man. That just happened on the 28th of December, and we're still reeling. (We put together a web site in his honor--it's helped a lot, and I highly recommend putting some sort of archive on your loved one together to anybody who is grieving.)
As you might imagine, The Comedy was not a prevailing feature of 2007, which I now consider the Year of the Loss-a-Thon. However, one of the few bright spots emerging from the death of Linus is that I no longer have the responsibility of being a home health care aid for a dog, so I will have more time and freedom to pursue gigs in 2008. Linda and I will also be able to travel a bit more, and that will be good for us, too.
But who knows what this year may bring? A new dog, most likely. (Even though she's no mere slip of a girl, the house is just too darn empty with "just" Shwea in it.) Otherwise, it's anyone's guess, and I, for one, am full of hope for the New Year.
Yes, some people never learn. ;-)
Linda and I had to say goodbye to our cat Oatmeal, my dear aunt Barb, and, as if that weren't enough for one year, our dear shepherd mix Linus, aka Lamby man. That just happened on the 28th of December, and we're still reeling. (We put together a web site in his honor--it's helped a lot, and I highly recommend putting some sort of archive on your loved one together to anybody who is grieving.)
As you might imagine, The Comedy was not a prevailing feature of 2007, which I now consider the Year of the Loss-a-Thon. However, one of the few bright spots emerging from the death of Linus is that I no longer have the responsibility of being a home health care aid for a dog, so I will have more time and freedom to pursue gigs in 2008. Linda and I will also be able to travel a bit more, and that will be good for us, too.
But who knows what this year may bring? A new dog, most likely. (Even though she's no mere slip of a girl, the house is just too darn empty with "just" Shwea in it.) Otherwise, it's anyone's guess, and I, for one, am full of hope for the New Year.
Yes, some people never learn. ;-)
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Happy What-Have-You!
This logo comes from the aptly-named House of Wisconsin cheese in Madison. The place for cheesecurds and all things gloriously tacky with Wisconsin themes, such as cheesehead hats, Bucky Badger and Packer chotchkes of all description and more cow paraphenalia than you can shake an udder at (not that one should do such things). I asked the proprietor if I could place this logo on my blog, as I, too, am a "genuine article" from America's Dairyland, and feel I've earned the right to this badge of wholesome honor...of sorts. He kindly agreed.
Besides, so many people have "Holiday" themed nonsense on their blog--I thought it would be nice to have something different, don't you?
Well, there isn't much to catch up on at the moment, but once we've opened our presents, there may be. Christmas in Lesbianville--you know there's some Carhartt involved, but that's all I'm saying, for now.
Friday, December 07, 2007
MySpace isn't the only space in town....
According to my sources, many of the entries in the blog I began on MySpace won't be accessible to anyone but MySpace members, and I am never comfortable with restrictions on info, even my humble mutterings.
So I'm going to try to keep posting in both places, but for simplicity's (if not sanity's) sake, I may ditch my old, decrepit website over on Verizon.
Besides, I have been reading Dr. Wayne Dyer's book on the Tao lately, and per the dear doctor, the Tao suggests jettisoning as much "stuff" as possible.
Particularly stuff one likes.
While I am a fan of the "less is more" school, I can't say that I'm quite ready to give up a few of my favorite things quite yet. But, with Linda raising the Early Retirement spectre early and often, I have begun getting rid of things that I don't really need that cost me money. For instance, I cancelled an e-mail account I have had since the dawn of time today that I only used to gain dial-up access out at the cottage about twice this summer. Maybe once. $18/month for one dialup per year just doesn't seem worthwhile, does it?
Now, I'm going to look over the old website and see if its time is nigh. It won't save me any money to give it the heave-ho, but it may lighten my psychic load.
And if any gal needs her psychic load lightened, it is yours truly.
So I'm going to try to keep posting in both places, but for simplicity's (if not sanity's) sake, I may ditch my old, decrepit website over on Verizon.
Besides, I have been reading Dr. Wayne Dyer's book on the Tao lately, and per the dear doctor, the Tao suggests jettisoning as much "stuff" as possible.
Particularly stuff one likes.
While I am a fan of the "less is more" school, I can't say that I'm quite ready to give up a few of my favorite things quite yet. But, with Linda raising the Early Retirement spectre early and often, I have begun getting rid of things that I don't really need that cost me money. For instance, I cancelled an e-mail account I have had since the dawn of time today that I only used to gain dial-up access out at the cottage about twice this summer. Maybe once. $18/month for one dialup per year just doesn't seem worthwhile, does it?
Now, I'm going to look over the old website and see if its time is nigh. It won't save me any money to give it the heave-ho, but it may lighten my psychic load.
And if any gal needs her psychic load lightened, it is yours truly.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Bandwagon. Jumped upon.
Well, I finally got the gumption (thanks to some prodding by my Comedy Buddy and coworker, Jennifer Myszkowski) and now have a page on MySpace.
Thought it was for the young'uns, but after roaming around in the comedy section, I realize that my preconceptions were just that: Based on speculation, not fact.
Looks like this page could signal the end of this Blogger account. The MySpace comedy page not only features a blog, but it also offers a nice place to display coming shows--rather a one-stop shop for anyone interested in yours truly or The Comedy. Don't know if you've noticed, but I barely keep up with this page--to keep up this page, my web site and a MySpace page would take more time than I have.
Well, it's time for dinner. We'll see what we do.....
Thought it was for the young'uns, but after roaming around in the comedy section, I realize that my preconceptions were just that: Based on speculation, not fact.
Looks like this page could signal the end of this Blogger account. The MySpace comedy page not only features a blog, but it also offers a nice place to display coming shows--rather a one-stop shop for anyone interested in yours truly or The Comedy. Don't know if you've noticed, but I barely keep up with this page--to keep up this page, my web site and a MySpace page would take more time than I have.
Well, it's time for dinner. We'll see what we do.....
Monday, November 19, 2007
Retirement-planning on the cheap
Linda has been on sabbatical for about four weeks now, which means she has not been going to work.
Newsflash: She's enjoying being out of the Corporate realm very, very much.
Shocking, isn't it?
Since I work from home three days a week, this means we've had all sorts of time together that we didn't used to. A circumstance which, you can imagine, has its upsides as well as down. My favorite part of her sabbatical is that she is much happier, which is a very good thing. My second-favorite part has to be the opportunity it gives me to hear Linda say things, typically without any context, that just crack me up. Recent examples:
"I like cupcakes."
"I am sort of excited about the gutter guard."
"You never understand me sometimes."
That last quote suggests one of the downsides, for if there's something Linda loves, it's a project. When she was at work, she directed her project management skills on work-related issues to great effect; my concern is that now that she's at home, she may focus her formidable talents on home-related issues. In other words: Me.
I have no desire to be a homo-improvement project, mind you, and hope that the gutter guards or other exciting feature of our home grab her attention instead. Here's hoping!
One other charming (okay, and alarming) thing Linda has taken to doing is checking her retirement plans with the 8 Ball I have in our office. She's asking it, "Should I retire?" And the damn thing's been saying, "Yes."
I asked it myself, and it said the same thing. Even asked it if we'd have enough money, and it said, "Without a doubt."
It must know something I don't, but if this keeps up, I may soon be a sole breadwinner.
Yeah, I like the sound of that as much as I like the idea of being a homo-improvement project, but let's just wait and see.
Besides. I like cupcakes, too.
Newsflash: She's enjoying being out of the Corporate realm very, very much.
Shocking, isn't it?
Since I work from home three days a week, this means we've had all sorts of time together that we didn't used to. A circumstance which, you can imagine, has its upsides as well as down. My favorite part of her sabbatical is that she is much happier, which is a very good thing. My second-favorite part has to be the opportunity it gives me to hear Linda say things, typically without any context, that just crack me up. Recent examples:
"I like cupcakes."
"I am sort of excited about the gutter guard."
"You never understand me sometimes."
That last quote suggests one of the downsides, for if there's something Linda loves, it's a project. When she was at work, she directed her project management skills on work-related issues to great effect; my concern is that now that she's at home, she may focus her formidable talents on home-related issues. In other words: Me.
I have no desire to be a homo-improvement project, mind you, and hope that the gutter guards or other exciting feature of our home grab her attention instead. Here's hoping!
One other charming (okay, and alarming) thing Linda has taken to doing is checking her retirement plans with the 8 Ball I have in our office. She's asking it, "Should I retire?" And the damn thing's been saying, "Yes."
I asked it myself, and it said the same thing. Even asked it if we'd have enough money, and it said, "Without a doubt."
It must know something I don't, but if this keeps up, I may soon be a sole breadwinner.
Yeah, I like the sound of that as much as I like the idea of being a homo-improvement project, but let's just wait and see.
Besides. I like cupcakes, too.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Surprises galore
Am sooooo sorry for the gloomy turn this blog has taken, but I know from painful, firsthand experience that you can run, but you can't hide, from reality. And reality? It has its gloomy parts.
But surprises often break through the gloom, which keeps things interesting. And infinitely less depressing.
For instance, we were sure that Linus, our dear shepherd mix, was going to go to Doggie Heaven not terribly long ago. He was listless, he wasn't even sitting up to eat, and when it was meal time, he was refusing his favorite foods. He wasn't even interested in liverwurst, disgusting stuff that he used to drool a river over (which was disgusting too, but it made him oh-so-happy). In short, he was taking a "Is that all there is?" attitude to everything. In short: He was Peggy Lee with paws.
To see if there was something else afoot, in mid-October we called the house call vet in to give him a checkup and to ask her opinion of where he was on the quality of life scale. After looking him over, she told me he was a candidate for euthanasia, and she could do it right then. Immediately. Like, now. I was taken aback, shall we say, and said I would have to talk it over with Linda, so the vet gave me a number of days that she could come back and put him down, and I saw her out the door.
I then had a very painful cry (as opposed to a "good cry"--it certainly wasn't one of those), then gathered myself together and went to see how Linus was doing.
He was doing well. Really well. He was sitting up, eyes aglow and looking as perky as perky could be.I think his tail might have even been wagging. A little. He wasn't walking or anything, but he was a new dog. And I think he was trying to tell me something.
All he needed was a sign saying, "Hell no, I won't go!"
Surprising indeed. In fact, he's been doing pretty well ever since the vet came by, though he has had moments of food fussiness. He had been eating Dinty Moore beef stew--also a disgusting enterprise--like it was going outta style, then suddenly turned his considerable nose up at it. It was as though his senses came to their senses.
But no matter what, he eats baby food--yes, baby food--with abandon. As long as it's fed to him with a spoon.
Yes, I feed baby food to my dog with a spoon. You got a problem with that?
I'm not the first. This baby-food-with-a-spoon business was something my cousin in Wisconsin said she did for an ailing dog of hers, and it has been our culinary Ace in the Hole with this guy. (Thanks, Pat!)
It's genetic, I think. At my aunt's memorial, both Pat and I were there solo. Our respective spouses (she married a guy--it happens in the best of families) were both home, tending sick dogs.
This, apparently, is what my people do.
As for the memorial, it was a little bizarre, and not in a good way. The primary oddness was that it was led by a priest. My aunt was Catholic, true, but she wasn't a church-going Catholic. I think she was more than a little scarred by her religious upbringing (how unusual) and as an adult, found the whole church-centered enterprise a giant waste of time. She was a Christian in deed, not in pomp and circumstance.
At least that's my take on it--we didn't discuss such matters in my family. (We didn't discuss most matters--except politics--in my family.)
Anyway, the priest had a whole religious service put together, including a reading by yours truly--yes, the dyke in the woodpile read from the Good Book. (No, there was no thunder or lightening.)
I was annoyed at first, for had I been told I was to give a reading by the members of the family deciding such things (again, we don't discuss most matters), I would have found something appropriate. Instead, the priest had me read something that I couldn't make heads nor tails of, and when I suggested we find something more suitable, he told me he would rather we keep this piece, for it was the "crux" of his entire service. So, not having an alternative at the ready or a spine (for that matter), I read it. For him (for of course, the service was all about him).
(Any residual bitterness about the Catholic church, Ann? Oh no, not me!)
There was a surprise here, too. When I got up to do the reading, I began reading the wrong thing. Not on purpose, I promise--but my passive-aggressive subconscious (or was it Barb?) had me mess it up but good. I stopped myself after I realized my mistake and after I apologized to the peeps and Barb herself, we had a light chuckle and I finished my task and sat down.
I was a bit aflutter at first, but then my sister-in-law said something kind (she can't help herself) and my cousin Pat whispered to me, "Barb would have liked that goof most of all."
Maybe. But I think she would have been most touched by the comments made by my brother, who could have had a tremendous career as a speech maker for any occasion if he hadn't been so darned intent on a life in public service (go figure). He summed up the many literal and figurative gifts she gave us wonderfully, as well as her tremendous humor. For instance: He opened his comments by reporting what Barb would say in mock exasperation each time she opened the door to us. "What--you again? Well, I suppose you should come on in..."
Lovely, that.
Anyway, I have gone on, haven't I? Sorry, but I have been away, and felt some catching up was in order. Now, I must get to work, which is, bless me, something I get to do from home today. Ah, flexible work arrangements. (Can I hear "Amen"?)
And now that some of my gloom has lifted, I am thinking about The Comedy anew. Good thing, for there's another Girls!Girls!Girls! on the horizon (November 30, to be specific). Go to my "Comic Attempts" page for details, if this is of any interest to you.
But surprises often break through the gloom, which keeps things interesting. And infinitely less depressing.
For instance, we were sure that Linus, our dear shepherd mix, was going to go to Doggie Heaven not terribly long ago. He was listless, he wasn't even sitting up to eat, and when it was meal time, he was refusing his favorite foods. He wasn't even interested in liverwurst, disgusting stuff that he used to drool a river over (which was disgusting too, but it made him oh-so-happy). In short, he was taking a "Is that all there is?" attitude to everything. In short: He was Peggy Lee with paws.
To see if there was something else afoot, in mid-October we called the house call vet in to give him a checkup and to ask her opinion of where he was on the quality of life scale. After looking him over, she told me he was a candidate for euthanasia, and she could do it right then. Immediately. Like, now. I was taken aback, shall we say, and said I would have to talk it over with Linda, so the vet gave me a number of days that she could come back and put him down, and I saw her out the door.
I then had a very painful cry (as opposed to a "good cry"--it certainly wasn't one of those), then gathered myself together and went to see how Linus was doing.
He was doing well. Really well. He was sitting up, eyes aglow and looking as perky as perky could be.I think his tail might have even been wagging. A little. He wasn't walking or anything, but he was a new dog. And I think he was trying to tell me something.
All he needed was a sign saying, "Hell no, I won't go!"
Surprising indeed. In fact, he's been doing pretty well ever since the vet came by, though he has had moments of food fussiness. He had been eating Dinty Moore beef stew--also a disgusting enterprise--like it was going outta style, then suddenly turned his considerable nose up at it. It was as though his senses came to their senses.
But no matter what, he eats baby food--yes, baby food--with abandon. As long as it's fed to him with a spoon.
Yes, I feed baby food to my dog with a spoon. You got a problem with that?
I'm not the first. This baby-food-with-a-spoon business was something my cousin in Wisconsin said she did for an ailing dog of hers, and it has been our culinary Ace in the Hole with this guy. (Thanks, Pat!)
It's genetic, I think. At my aunt's memorial, both Pat and I were there solo. Our respective spouses (she married a guy--it happens in the best of families) were both home, tending sick dogs.
This, apparently, is what my people do.
As for the memorial, it was a little bizarre, and not in a good way. The primary oddness was that it was led by a priest. My aunt was Catholic, true, but she wasn't a church-going Catholic. I think she was more than a little scarred by her religious upbringing (how unusual) and as an adult, found the whole church-centered enterprise a giant waste of time. She was a Christian in deed, not in pomp and circumstance.
At least that's my take on it--we didn't discuss such matters in my family. (We didn't discuss most matters--except politics--in my family.)
Anyway, the priest had a whole religious service put together, including a reading by yours truly--yes, the dyke in the woodpile read from the Good Book. (No, there was no thunder or lightening.)
I was annoyed at first, for had I been told I was to give a reading by the members of the family deciding such things (again, we don't discuss most matters), I would have found something appropriate. Instead, the priest had me read something that I couldn't make heads nor tails of, and when I suggested we find something more suitable, he told me he would rather we keep this piece, for it was the "crux" of his entire service. So, not having an alternative at the ready or a spine (for that matter), I read it. For him (for of course, the service was all about him).
(Any residual bitterness about the Catholic church, Ann? Oh no, not me!)
There was a surprise here, too. When I got up to do the reading, I began reading the wrong thing. Not on purpose, I promise--but my passive-aggressive subconscious (or was it Barb?) had me mess it up but good. I stopped myself after I realized my mistake and after I apologized to the peeps and Barb herself, we had a light chuckle and I finished my task and sat down.
I was a bit aflutter at first, but then my sister-in-law said something kind (she can't help herself) and my cousin Pat whispered to me, "Barb would have liked that goof most of all."
Maybe. But I think she would have been most touched by the comments made by my brother, who could have had a tremendous career as a speech maker for any occasion if he hadn't been so darned intent on a life in public service (go figure). He summed up the many literal and figurative gifts she gave us wonderfully, as well as her tremendous humor. For instance: He opened his comments by reporting what Barb would say in mock exasperation each time she opened the door to us. "What--you again? Well, I suppose you should come on in..."
Lovely, that.
Anyway, I have gone on, haven't I? Sorry, but I have been away, and felt some catching up was in order. Now, I must get to work, which is, bless me, something I get to do from home today. Ah, flexible work arrangements. (Can I hear "Amen"?)
And now that some of my gloom has lifted, I am thinking about The Comedy anew. Good thing, for there's another Girls!Girls!Girls! on the horizon (November 30, to be specific). Go to my "Comic Attempts" page for details, if this is of any interest to you.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Trying times, these
My dear aunt is gone, one of my dear dogs is going to join her in the not-too-distant future, and my dearest has been having a challenging time.
And her challenges are my challenges, don't you know.
Sigh.
Am reminded of a lyric from a song on one of my Ella Fitzgerald CDs: "Into each life, some rain must fall, but too much too much too much is falling in mine...."
Indeed.
But this too shall pass, as they say, which is cold comfort when "this" includes one of the sweetest creatures on the planet.
And The Comedy has taken a back seat to all of this "stuff," as you can imagine. Alas, there's sad news on this front, too. Jimmy Tingle is letting the lease on his fabulous theater lapse, so there will be no more Jimmy Tingle Off-Broadway as of November 1.
The man and his staff knew how to treat comics, and his theater could be tremendously intimate with the right crowd.
It was also the site of my favorite show ever, the Laughing Liberally Tour of 2006.
Oh well.
I haven't been posting. Now you know why.
Count yer blessings, eh?
And her challenges are my challenges, don't you know.
Sigh.
Am reminded of a lyric from a song on one of my Ella Fitzgerald CDs: "Into each life, some rain must fall, but too much too much too much is falling in mine...."
Indeed.
But this too shall pass, as they say, which is cold comfort when "this" includes one of the sweetest creatures on the planet.
And The Comedy has taken a back seat to all of this "stuff," as you can imagine. Alas, there's sad news on this front, too. Jimmy Tingle is letting the lease on his fabulous theater lapse, so there will be no more Jimmy Tingle Off-Broadway as of November 1.
The man and his staff knew how to treat comics, and his theater could be tremendously intimate with the right crowd.
It was also the site of my favorite show ever, the Laughing Liberally Tour of 2006.
Oh well.
I haven't been posting. Now you know why.
Count yer blessings, eh?
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Not exactly standup fodder, but...
Spent a long weekend in Wisconsin tending to a dying aunt and dementia-ridden uncle, which will never be a lead-in to a successful joke. Thing is, despite the gravity of the situation, my aunt found humor in much of what was going on, and while she couldn't laugh (her remaining lung is what's failing her), she was causing mirth among her family, friends and health care workers while I was there. For example:
When the hospice nurse told that she was about to get a nebulizer treatment, she responded, "Oh, goody!" Her next-door neighbor (and dear friend) who was in the room said, "Really? You like these treatments?" To this, my aunt replied with an eye roll and what could only be called a growl. The neighbor laughed and said, "Oh, you're being sarcastic. You'd think after all of these years I would have known that!"
Sarcasm has long been a forte of this aunt, but her sharp wit has also long been tempered by incredible sweetness. She was always very generous to friends and family, and with all of the helpful people in her home this weekend, I have a lot more faith in the concept of karma. She also spent a lot of what little breath she had left on instructions as to the health and well-being of other people. She asked visitors more than once if they were cold--not because she was, but because she was worried that they were. She also worried about her husband, and gave me the unenviable task of asking him if he'd been tending to his business. (You haven't lived until you've approached your 80-something uncle and said, "Uncle, I hope you don't mind, but Auntie was wondering if you've been to the bathroom....")
Of course, this hasn't all been a Hallmark movie for my aunt. She went without oxygen at home for a very long time because of some ridiculous Medicare requirements that required her to go the ER on a regular basis for oxygen until she was practically blue. Where is the sense in that? It has to be cheaper to have an oxygen tank at home than to use the ER to breathe, doesn't it?
And then there was the "Angel" recommended by the hospice who was going to spend the night at their house until the end. Well, this gal not only smoked on a regular basis (great for someone working with a lung patient, don't you think?), but she didn't just smoke cigarettes and--this is the clincher--she was a born-again recovering alcoholic who cautioned my aunt of the damnation that awaits her if she doesn't [fill-in-the-blank]. Yes, the hospice hooked my aunt up with a pothead preacher.....
My aunt was never one to suffer fools or fundamentalists gladly, so this person presented a unique challenge, shall we say. I wasn't at their house during this episode, but the "Angel" only spent one night at the house, and relatives and friends have been filling in for the rest of the time.
Another funny (to me, I'm not well in the noggin', you know) episode was what she said on occasion. After a long silence, she woke up and told my cousin she had to use the commode before they came to pick her up. Who "they" were was unclear, but where she was going was fairly plain, and my cousin and I were both amused that they suggested she approach the Hereafter with an empty bladder. How very tidy of them!
She also woke with a start and started feeling her head--apparently, "they" were trying to take her hair. Why, I don't know, but "they" were much with her over the weekend, and I think she was being eased over to whatever or wherever is next by these people, even if they had a slightly bizarre set of priorities....
There's not much more to report, but I am very, very glad I made this trip. I have not spent this much time with my aunt and uncle in recent memory, and I felt honored--privileged, even--to be able to spend a portion of my aunt's last days with her. (She's still alive, but not expected to make it through the night.)
On other fronts, it dawned on me this weekend that while the Northeast has the f-bomb, the Midwest drops the "crap" bomb when circumstances warrant. Good thing for me, for "crap" is a workplace-approved term at Big Company--and at my aunt and uncle's house, it turns out.
When the hospice nurse told that she was about to get a nebulizer treatment, she responded, "Oh, goody!" Her next-door neighbor (and dear friend) who was in the room said, "Really? You like these treatments?" To this, my aunt replied with an eye roll and what could only be called a growl. The neighbor laughed and said, "Oh, you're being sarcastic. You'd think after all of these years I would have known that!"
Sarcasm has long been a forte of this aunt, but her sharp wit has also long been tempered by incredible sweetness. She was always very generous to friends and family, and with all of the helpful people in her home this weekend, I have a lot more faith in the concept of karma. She also spent a lot of what little breath she had left on instructions as to the health and well-being of other people. She asked visitors more than once if they were cold--not because she was, but because she was worried that they were. She also worried about her husband, and gave me the unenviable task of asking him if he'd been tending to his business. (You haven't lived until you've approached your 80-something uncle and said, "Uncle, I hope you don't mind, but Auntie was wondering if you've been to the bathroom....")
Of course, this hasn't all been a Hallmark movie for my aunt. She went without oxygen at home for a very long time because of some ridiculous Medicare requirements that required her to go the ER on a regular basis for oxygen until she was practically blue. Where is the sense in that? It has to be cheaper to have an oxygen tank at home than to use the ER to breathe, doesn't it?
And then there was the "Angel" recommended by the hospice who was going to spend the night at their house until the end. Well, this gal not only smoked on a regular basis (great for someone working with a lung patient, don't you think?), but she didn't just smoke cigarettes and--this is the clincher--she was a born-again recovering alcoholic who cautioned my aunt of the damnation that awaits her if she doesn't [fill-in-the-blank]. Yes, the hospice hooked my aunt up with a pothead preacher.....
My aunt was never one to suffer fools or fundamentalists gladly, so this person presented a unique challenge, shall we say. I wasn't at their house during this episode, but the "Angel" only spent one night at the house, and relatives and friends have been filling in for the rest of the time.
Another funny (to me, I'm not well in the noggin', you know) episode was what she said on occasion. After a long silence, she woke up and told my cousin she had to use the commode before they came to pick her up. Who "they" were was unclear, but where she was going was fairly plain, and my cousin and I were both amused that they suggested she approach the Hereafter with an empty bladder. How very tidy of them!
She also woke with a start and started feeling her head--apparently, "they" were trying to take her hair. Why, I don't know, but "they" were much with her over the weekend, and I think she was being eased over to whatever or wherever is next by these people, even if they had a slightly bizarre set of priorities....
There's not much more to report, but I am very, very glad I made this trip. I have not spent this much time with my aunt and uncle in recent memory, and I felt honored--privileged, even--to be able to spend a portion of my aunt's last days with her. (She's still alive, but not expected to make it through the night.)
On other fronts, it dawned on me this weekend that while the Northeast has the f-bomb, the Midwest drops the "crap" bomb when circumstances warrant. Good thing for me, for "crap" is a workplace-approved term at Big Company--and at my aunt and uncle's house, it turns out.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Good night at The Studio
Last night's show at The Comedy Studio was a success, and this gal needed that. During the day yesterday I was the source of frequent irritation for my significant other, which, shall we say, did not exactly put a spring in my step.
True, I know the source of most of this irritation is not me but stress, which we have had by the truckload for months now. Though we love him dearly, the care and feeding of our increasingly decrepit Linus is wearing. Plus, we've both been just knocking ourselves out at work on a regular basis, and there's no end in sight.
Sigh.
Anyway, heading off to a comedy show under the emotional weather, I was understandably ambivalent about how it was all going to work. I wanted to try some new material, but didn't really have the time to test it out beforehand, thanks to my boycott of a certain convenient open mic that got my knickers in a serious knot.
What got my knickers knotted? They had begun charging comics for performing, for pity's sake--I know every performance space is short of money, but charging your performers is a mercenary bit of business, IMHO, and on par with bringer shows (in some clubs, you can perform at an open mic only if you "bring" six paying customers along), which are popularity contests, not comedy showcases. Good news: Rumor has it they have stopped hitting up the talent--I would be very happy if that was the case, for there are precious few places to test material in this neck of the woods, and eventually my coworkers will tire of being comic guinea pigs.
That said, I went up and did my usual material to great result, and even snuck in a little new stuff that didn't exactly wow, but showed promise. Happily, I had a DVD made, and now have a set that I can and will use to try to get more work, once I am free to pursue comedy work with abandon. (As long as Linus needs round-the-clock care, however, I will be only doing the minimum to keep my comic fires burning.)
And not only did I have a good set, but both Jennifer and I got a bunch of new dates from our friend Rick Jenkins. (Jennifer had an incredible set, too--that gal is comic force to contend with, let me tell you!)
So, even though I left home feeling a bit of a zero, I left The Studio feeling rather okay about it all.
And that, my friends, qualifies as progress in these parts.
True, I know the source of most of this irritation is not me but stress, which we have had by the truckload for months now. Though we love him dearly, the care and feeding of our increasingly decrepit Linus is wearing. Plus, we've both been just knocking ourselves out at work on a regular basis, and there's no end in sight.
Sigh.
Anyway, heading off to a comedy show under the emotional weather, I was understandably ambivalent about how it was all going to work. I wanted to try some new material, but didn't really have the time to test it out beforehand, thanks to my boycott of a certain convenient open mic that got my knickers in a serious knot.
What got my knickers knotted? They had begun charging comics for performing, for pity's sake--I know every performance space is short of money, but charging your performers is a mercenary bit of business, IMHO, and on par with bringer shows (in some clubs, you can perform at an open mic only if you "bring" six paying customers along), which are popularity contests, not comedy showcases. Good news: Rumor has it they have stopped hitting up the talent--I would be very happy if that was the case, for there are precious few places to test material in this neck of the woods, and eventually my coworkers will tire of being comic guinea pigs.
That said, I went up and did my usual material to great result, and even snuck in a little new stuff that didn't exactly wow, but showed promise. Happily, I had a DVD made, and now have a set that I can and will use to try to get more work, once I am free to pursue comedy work with abandon. (As long as Linus needs round-the-clock care, however, I will be only doing the minimum to keep my comic fires burning.)
And not only did I have a good set, but both Jennifer and I got a bunch of new dates from our friend Rick Jenkins. (Jennifer had an incredible set, too--that gal is comic force to contend with, let me tell you!)
So, even though I left home feeling a bit of a zero, I left The Studio feeling rather okay about it all.
And that, my friends, qualifies as progress in these parts.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Good advice
Was looking up a Latin phrase on Wikipedia, and came across the following:
Cave ab homine unius libri
Translation: "Beware the man of one book."
Don't know why, but that tickles me to bits.....
Cave ab homine unius libri
Translation: "Beware the man of one book."
Don't know why, but that tickles me to bits.....
How did it go?
The Girls! Girls! Girls! show Saturday night was a Success! Success! Success!, if an occasionally fraught one. A number of people from my place of employment stopped by (bless their hearts), and as some of my material is what one could call personal, and some of it is also less than complimentary toward the Corporate Sector, I had a moment or two of The Nerves.
Not that it stopped me, but I'm just saying, I had the phrase "What the heck are you doing?!!" pop into my head once or twice. I overrode it, as is my custom. (When you're Midwestern-born and trying to do The Comedy, you become very good at the "override" business.)
All went well, though--and who knew Nikki Carr could sing like that?! A fabulous comic with pipes, she is. The rest of the "Girls!"--Jennifer Myszkowski, Eve Olitski, Linda Morgan, Kim "Boney" DeShields, and yours truly--were "on" that night, too, which is a marvelous thing.
If you weren't there, you missed something. Let that be a lesson to you!
On other fronts, my dear Linda commented that Nikki killed in part because she always has different/new material. Well, that got my knickers in a knot, so that means there is likely more than a little truth in that statement (of course, Nikki also had really good new/different material, difference alone does not a successful set make). However, I think my knickers got knotted because I wish I had new/different material, too, but it has not been forthcoming.
It's a source of worry, for I used to be writing things down all the time--now, if I have a comic thought, it's often gone before I get to write it down. Sigh.
Methinks it's the grief over the state and fate of our dear Linus. Grief and The Comedy do not mix, do they? I find I have a little rock of ready-to-cry in my heart a lot of the time, and I think that rock may be impeding my sense of the absurd a bit.
Of course, this could all be a rationalization, and as a gal who was raised Catholic in the Midwest, rationalizationsRMe.....
We shall see, eh?
Not that it stopped me, but I'm just saying, I had the phrase "What the heck are you doing?!!" pop into my head once or twice. I overrode it, as is my custom. (When you're Midwestern-born and trying to do The Comedy, you become very good at the "override" business.)
All went well, though--and who knew Nikki Carr could sing like that?! A fabulous comic with pipes, she is. The rest of the "Girls!"--Jennifer Myszkowski, Eve Olitski, Linda Morgan, Kim "Boney" DeShields, and yours truly--were "on" that night, too, which is a marvelous thing.
If you weren't there, you missed something. Let that be a lesson to you!
On other fronts, my dear Linda commented that Nikki killed in part because she always has different/new material. Well, that got my knickers in a knot, so that means there is likely more than a little truth in that statement (of course, Nikki also had really good new/different material, difference alone does not a successful set make). However, I think my knickers got knotted because I wish I had new/different material, too, but it has not been forthcoming.
It's a source of worry, for I used to be writing things down all the time--now, if I have a comic thought, it's often gone before I get to write it down. Sigh.
Methinks it's the grief over the state and fate of our dear Linus. Grief and The Comedy do not mix, do they? I find I have a little rock of ready-to-cry in my heart a lot of the time, and I think that rock may be impeding my sense of the absurd a bit.
Of course, this could all be a rationalization, and as a gal who was raised Catholic in the Midwest, rationalizationsRMe.....
We shall see, eh?
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Comic anniversary
This coming Saturday, September 15, it will have been four years since I began my comedy career (loosely defined). According to my calendar, that was the first day of the standup comedy course at the venerable Greenfield Community College that I took on a whim.
What a whim!
Four years later, I am still standing up and largely succeeding at making the people laugh, though I must confess the bloom has been off the comedy rose of late--though this is due more to my ailing dog more than the state of my relationship with The Comedy. (We're still quite fond of one another, it's just other things--i.e., Linus--are more important right now.)
That's not to say I'm not still performing--tonight Jennifer and I will be at The Comedy Studio, and on my comedy anniversary next Saturday, I'll be participating in another installment of the fabulous Girls! Girls! Girls! franchise at PACE.
Hope to see you there--or somewhere--soon....
What a whim!
Four years later, I am still standing up and largely succeeding at making the people laugh, though I must confess the bloom has been off the comedy rose of late--though this is due more to my ailing dog more than the state of my relationship with The Comedy. (We're still quite fond of one another, it's just other things--i.e., Linus--are more important right now.)
That's not to say I'm not still performing--tonight Jennifer and I will be at The Comedy Studio, and on my comedy anniversary next Saturday, I'll be participating in another installment of the fabulous Girls! Girls! Girls! franchise at PACE.
Hope to see you there--or somewhere--soon....
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Jumpin' Jack Flash my keister!
Oh my goddess, I thought I was going to buy the farm last night. My stomach felt as though it was going to explode--I had terrible, painful cramps and could barely stand up straight. Turns out I simply had a really bad case of The Gas.
All I needed was a little simethecone (SP?) and sleep.
What amazes me is that I never felt this bad from eating anything, except that time in the mid-1980s when my brother asked me to try a local (to NE Wisc.) delicacy, fried lake perch. So, I took a little on a fork with a dab of tartar sauce, and it almost killed me.
Turns out I'm really, really allergic to lake perch, and had such a violent reaction to a little forkful of fish I haven't been able to contemplate fish as a food since.
Yes, since the mid-1980s. (What have I missed? Mercury poisoning, that's what.)
Anyway, I'm still puzzling over what it was that gave me The Gas That Almost Killed Me, but am drawing blanks. I had the same vegetables and ground beef for supper that Linda did, and she was fine. We had the same WW ice cream treats for dessert. The only thing I had that she didn't was one of those "Honest" teas--Moroccan Mint green tea with a hint of sugar.
But I've had that in the past and lived--good grief, I used to drink real Moroccan mint tea with scoops of sugar by the gallon when I lived there 20 years ago--so what, exactly, was the culprit?
We may never know....
So, besides this brush with death by internal combustion, what else is new? Linda and I have been on a TV strike this week, and it appears to be agreeing with us. I do find myself actually missing the company the Tube provides when I work at home and have my lunch in relative silence (but for my Shwea licking her chops in anticipation of what may fall off my plate), but otherwise, I haven't missed much. Okay, except for the premiere of "Weeds" this Monday night. I do adore Mary Louise Parker, yes I do....
Otherwise, I was turned down by the Red Cross again for having a slightly low iron count. I guess that makes three times I've been turned back by these folks this year, so perhaps I need to ask my doctor about it. Am seeing him next week for my finger that has started to lock on me--yes, aging is a bizarre bit of business--so perhaps I can sneak this into my five-minute appointment.
Lastly, I have a new picture of yours truly at her high school reunion, which raises the question, "Ann Podolske, when did you become the Amazon of your class?"
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Balderdash benchmarks
I was telling a coworker about my first job out of college today, for it prepared me beautifully for a career in communications. I mean, after you have edited engineers--nuclear engineers, no less--editing everyone else is a piece o' cake. For engineers, in my experience, love words for their length, and the more syllables, the merrier.
For one very mild and perhaps not terrible illustrative example (but it's the only one I can remember), the word "interface" began to take off from its technical moorings while I was in this job (it was the early '80s). Before I even knew what was happening, engineers all over the company were writing of the need to interface with potential clients, when a simple meeting would do.
A small erosion of the language I attempted to stem, but the engineers wouldn't have it. They felt that interfacing was far more powerful than meeting, and besides--I didn't have a Ph.D., so who the hell was I to offer suggestions on their sterling prose?
(If I had a Ph.D., would I have been trying to make a living making engineers intelligible to mere mortals? But I digress....)
Anyway, when I was telling this coworker today about this experience (via e-mail, for I worked from home today), I found myself telling her that the engineers set balderdash benchmarks that few people have been able to beat. I find myself smitten with the phrase, but I think it has potential.
Balderdash benchmarks, anyone?
On the BB front, I'm thinking of something that my coworker and Comedy Buddy Jennifer told me about, a communication that appeared while I was on vacation (it was lovely, thanks). I am not sure I remember this correctly, but I think the offending phrase was something along the lines of, "We need to leverage our synergies."
Good golly, Miss Molly. Isn't that something?
Elsewise, I enjoyed the YouTube-enlivened debate last night, even if the balderdash quotient was still painfully high. Nothing very surprising was uttered by the field, but I must admit I was surprised to find myself in agreement with Joe Biden last night. Once, but it was powerful.
When he voiced concern about the man who referred to his automatic rifle as his baby.
That guy freaked me out, too, but Biden was the only one who picked up on the nut-job tenor of his video.
Oh well, that's all I have time for now.....
For one very mild and perhaps not terrible illustrative example (but it's the only one I can remember), the word "interface" began to take off from its technical moorings while I was in this job (it was the early '80s). Before I even knew what was happening, engineers all over the company were writing of the need to interface with potential clients, when a simple meeting would do.
A small erosion of the language I attempted to stem, but the engineers wouldn't have it. They felt that interfacing was far more powerful than meeting, and besides--I didn't have a Ph.D., so who the hell was I to offer suggestions on their sterling prose?
(If I had a Ph.D., would I have been trying to make a living making engineers intelligible to mere mortals? But I digress....)
Anyway, when I was telling this coworker today about this experience (via e-mail, for I worked from home today), I found myself telling her that the engineers set balderdash benchmarks that few people have been able to beat. I find myself smitten with the phrase, but I think it has potential.
Balderdash benchmarks, anyone?
On the BB front, I'm thinking of something that my coworker and Comedy Buddy Jennifer told me about, a communication that appeared while I was on vacation (it was lovely, thanks). I am not sure I remember this correctly, but I think the offending phrase was something along the lines of, "We need to leverage our synergies."
Good golly, Miss Molly. Isn't that something?
Elsewise, I enjoyed the YouTube-enlivened debate last night, even if the balderdash quotient was still painfully high. Nothing very surprising was uttered by the field, but I must admit I was surprised to find myself in agreement with Joe Biden last night. Once, but it was powerful.
When he voiced concern about the man who referred to his automatic rifle as his baby.
That guy freaked me out, too, but Biden was the only one who picked up on the nut-job tenor of his video.
Oh well, that's all I have time for now.....
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