Things that occur to me when I should be asleep...
My internet connection is only really good really late at night.
My favorite improv bit is the fake punch...the slow-motion "gooooosh" as executed by Tamara.
I felt an odd swell of pride when Hausman bought me a jag-bomb (phrase COINED) tonight...like it wasn't coming from a drunken kid, but a drunken business man. Nice work, sir.
Healthy food has calories too.
Belmont is a really entertaining street on which to live. On my walk home, I got to see a girl's butt come out from under her skirt, several ladies who weren't really ladies, and I heard two older maybe-hobos discussing the "flaws of humanity." My walk home is about 3 blocks.
Due to the lotion backstage, CSz has developed an identifying smell for me. It's comforting and makes me feel at home.
People just don't get up on improv on Fridays at 10pm.
I really need to go to sleep.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Mad-City!
Most fun girl trip ever!!
We walked along the lake to get to Brat-Fest (yep) and took awkward pictures of ourselves until a couple of college girls were nice enough to stop and help. Thanks, UW ladies!
Me, doing my favorite thing in the world.
What it looks like for four girls to squeeze into one Tilt-a-Whirl car.
What it looks like for four girls to squeeze into the same club-shirt. We really considered buying these and wearing them out that night. Oh man...where the night would've taken us...
The view from the ferris wheel...We didn't go specifically for BratFest, but what a delightful treat. Carnival rides, double brats, Boca brats for those who can't handle the meat (yeah, Green, I said it)...it was Madison-riffic. What a great town. In 48 brief hours, we:
-had our tarot cards read (I'm fulfilling my destiny!)
-had local organic brunch
-explored the streets of Madison, one clothing/jewelry store at a time
-became pool sharks
-tipped a valet with a balloon animal (God bless that kid for his patience)
-ate at Cracker Barrell!!!
-salsa danced with tiny Latino men
-had SO MUCH FUN (copyright T-No)
Happy Memorial Day, everyone.
We walked along the lake to get to Brat-Fest (yep) and took awkward pictures of ourselves until a couple of college girls were nice enough to stop and help. Thanks, UW ladies!
Me, doing my favorite thing in the world.
What it looks like for four girls to squeeze into one Tilt-a-Whirl car.
What it looks like for four girls to squeeze into the same club-shirt. We really considered buying these and wearing them out that night. Oh man...where the night would've taken us...
The view from the ferris wheel...We didn't go specifically for BratFest, but what a delightful treat. Carnival rides, double brats, Boca brats for those who can't handle the meat (yeah, Green, I said it)...it was Madison-riffic. What a great town. In 48 brief hours, we:
-had our tarot cards read (I'm fulfilling my destiny!)
-had local organic brunch
-explored the streets of Madison, one clothing/jewelry store at a time
-became pool sharks
-tipped a valet with a balloon animal (God bless that kid for his patience)
-ate at Cracker Barrell!!!
-salsa danced with tiny Latino men
-had SO MUCH FUN (copyright T-No)
Happy Memorial Day, everyone.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
On a scale of one to awesome...
Today was pretty good. Woke up with a dangerously rough voice and sore throat for the day before my BIG SHOW opens. So it was a not so good start. Took a turn for the better as the day went on though...got some show things done, had a great rehearsal and a nice dinner. So yeah. How nice to just have a good day. Doesn't take much to make me happy these days.
Here's some random things...something I've learned to really love about studio living (cue music) is the fact that I can be in the bathroom and still know everything that's going on on TV (I didn't say you necessarily needed to hear this). I also oddly love everything taking place on my bed. Until I get my tiny futon home and built, I have to sit, eat and "stage" any and all of my possessions on my bed. At first it felt sad and tiny...now it's kind of quaint. I love my little kitchen. LOVE. Now as soon as I have the place unpacked...
Tomorrow a show opens that has been in the works for over a year. It is the most important show I have ever been a part of. I cannot say enough how much I love the show and the people involved. It's trite, it's obvious...but really, I feel extremely blessed to be able to create a show about something I care about as deeply as my faith. Plus...it's f-ing hilarious. Let's be honest.
Time for bed. Things are good.
Here's some random things...something I've learned to really love about studio living (cue music) is the fact that I can be in the bathroom and still know everything that's going on on TV (I didn't say you necessarily needed to hear this). I also oddly love everything taking place on my bed. Until I get my tiny futon home and built, I have to sit, eat and "stage" any and all of my possessions on my bed. At first it felt sad and tiny...now it's kind of quaint. I love my little kitchen. LOVE. Now as soon as I have the place unpacked...
Tomorrow a show opens that has been in the works for over a year. It is the most important show I have ever been a part of. I cannot say enough how much I love the show and the people involved. It's trite, it's obvious...but really, I feel extremely blessed to be able to create a show about something I care about as deeply as my faith. Plus...it's f-ing hilarious. Let's be honest.
Time for bed. Things are good.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Things....
1. I was in Dallas for a while. It was hard work, but ridiculously fun.
2. Vinnie's and my show...is...SO...good.
3. I'm going to Madison tomorrow with a few of my best gal pals.
4.I'm very, very sleepy.
2. Vinnie's and my show...is...SO...good.
3. I'm going to Madison tomorrow with a few of my best gal pals.
4.I'm very, very sleepy.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Congratulations, Meredith!!
Someone is a law school graduate! (guess who!)
And so we celebrate. What a fun and girly night. Even more so when we joined Martin Wilson later.
And so we celebrate. What a fun and girly night. Even more so when we joined Martin Wilson later.
I'm Just Going to Say It.
After much debate and speculation, I’m finally going to make clear what people have only guessed at…I’m Catholic.
My blog has thus far documented my weekends and my shows and my office shenanigans. So let’s get serious for a moment, kids. What’s my take on religion? Well, dear reader, you’re in for an unsolicited tour through my core principles. Just as the internet intended.
I’ve been meaning for a while now to clarify my feelings on faith, but today particularly encouraged me to look more closely at my beliefs. Not to mention of course that if you know me (or my Facebook page) you know that I’ve been working on a sketch show that explores the ups and downs of growing up Catholic and choosing to keep the faith amidst a society that would suggest otherwise. Well, here I am, a firm apologist ready to do anything but apologize for my faith or my religion…which to me are two very different however interdependent entities. Disclaimer: the statements to follow are my opinions. They are not hard science, they are not meant to insult anyone else’s personal beliefs…but I do stand behind my beliefs 100% and if we can’t challenge each other, then what are we doing here? In short, this is an exhibition, not a competition…please, no wagering.
I attended a service today at a Unity church with my friend, Gillian. I’ve never been to a Unity Church before, nor do I claim to know anything about the institution aside from what I saw today. I can say it was about what I expected. There was a lot of singing, a lot of talking and lots of smiles and handshakes. The individual rooms in the church house had names like Friendship and Sunshine. The service ended with a rousing rendition of “You Love is Lifting me Higher”…yes, of Ghostbusters II fame. At this point my description may seem to you, dear reader, to be ringing with just a hint of judgment. Not the case…I have all the respect in the world for people who seek God in their own ways. As the sign outside the service hall read, “The paths to God are as numerous as a man’s breaths” (I may be paraphrasing, but this quote was attributed to Mohamed). I’ll buy it…we all come to God in our own way. Better someone find God in their personal way than not at all. Just because I find God in candles and chalices, doesn’t mean someone else can’t find Him in Jackie Wilson. But that brings me to my first point of non-contentious contention…I absolutely believe there is a God….a physical, all encompassing, loving, creating, and yes, even judgmental God. Now, belief is the key word here. I don’t know there is a God anymore than I know how the F the Oceanic 6 will get off the island. But I have all the faith possible that God exists and that the universe is the result of that. While I don’t think there is one path to Him, I also stand firmly behind my particular chosen path, Catholic Christianity. I have faith that Jesus is the human manifestation of God, that with the Holy Spirit he is part of the Trinity, that he was mothered by a Virgin, and that he rose from the dead. Again…I buy it. This is my faith. It is unwavering, and I’m the first to admit that it cannot be fully understood by any person in the context of the world.
Enter religion.
Religion is the channel by which people attempt to reach God from the confines of this world. It’s a club, a charity organization, a social network…it is not God. Religions have been formed for a million different reasons over the course of history. It’s a human tendency to seek community and to seek answers to our origins. Religion addresses both. Everyone and their mothers (Happy Mother’s Day!) are bashing religion these days, and some reasons are justified. But I won’t be doing that here. Let’s focus on the positive for a moment…As I observed today, religions can bring a wholeness to people…a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose…not to mention the tangible outcome of contributing to society by helping the poor and the sick.
So why do I choose Catholicism time and time again…well, it’s my home. Living up to its name (Catholic means universal), it’s the same no matter where you go in the world. It’s a warm reassurance when I enter a church and see the Stations and smell incense and hear the same readings for that particular Sunday on the liturgical calendar that is being read everywhere else in the world. For me, no amount of clapping and singing and Friendship Room donuts will ever replace the spot in my heart I have for traditional Vatican II ritual. That said I have been just as guilty as the next guy of being a “cafeteria Catholic.” As with any other club, there are tenets with which I just don’t comply. No need to specify. The point is when I am asked how I justify my actions that don’t match the Church’s teachings, my answer is that I don’t justify my decisions, I struggle through them. I have come to believe in the last few years of my brief adulthood that relativism is a dangerous thing. I’m married to the Church, and as such I won’t walk away from it over a couple of minor disagreements. But I will examine my actions carefully to decide where the line between religion and faith is blurred. To abbreviate…I tend to struggle with what “rules” of the Church are based legitimately in the teaching of Jesus and what parts are just plain crowd control. For me, the fulfillment the Church offers outweighs the conflict. It is my way to God.
In essence today I went on a date with another only to reaffirm my commitment to my one true love.
There is a lot more I want to say…A LOT…but there is only so much time in the day. Thanks for reading.
My blog has thus far documented my weekends and my shows and my office shenanigans. So let’s get serious for a moment, kids. What’s my take on religion? Well, dear reader, you’re in for an unsolicited tour through my core principles. Just as the internet intended.
I’ve been meaning for a while now to clarify my feelings on faith, but today particularly encouraged me to look more closely at my beliefs. Not to mention of course that if you know me (or my Facebook page) you know that I’ve been working on a sketch show that explores the ups and downs of growing up Catholic and choosing to keep the faith amidst a society that would suggest otherwise. Well, here I am, a firm apologist ready to do anything but apologize for my faith or my religion…which to me are two very different however interdependent entities. Disclaimer: the statements to follow are my opinions. They are not hard science, they are not meant to insult anyone else’s personal beliefs…but I do stand behind my beliefs 100% and if we can’t challenge each other, then what are we doing here? In short, this is an exhibition, not a competition…please, no wagering.
I attended a service today at a Unity church with my friend, Gillian. I’ve never been to a Unity Church before, nor do I claim to know anything about the institution aside from what I saw today. I can say it was about what I expected. There was a lot of singing, a lot of talking and lots of smiles and handshakes. The individual rooms in the church house had names like Friendship and Sunshine. The service ended with a rousing rendition of “You Love is Lifting me Higher”…yes, of Ghostbusters II fame. At this point my description may seem to you, dear reader, to be ringing with just a hint of judgment. Not the case…I have all the respect in the world for people who seek God in their own ways. As the sign outside the service hall read, “The paths to God are as numerous as a man’s breaths” (I may be paraphrasing, but this quote was attributed to Mohamed). I’ll buy it…we all come to God in our own way. Better someone find God in their personal way than not at all. Just because I find God in candles and chalices, doesn’t mean someone else can’t find Him in Jackie Wilson. But that brings me to my first point of non-contentious contention…I absolutely believe there is a God….a physical, all encompassing, loving, creating, and yes, even judgmental God. Now, belief is the key word here. I don’t know there is a God anymore than I know how the F the Oceanic 6 will get off the island. But I have all the faith possible that God exists and that the universe is the result of that. While I don’t think there is one path to Him, I also stand firmly behind my particular chosen path, Catholic Christianity. I have faith that Jesus is the human manifestation of God, that with the Holy Spirit he is part of the Trinity, that he was mothered by a Virgin, and that he rose from the dead. Again…I buy it. This is my faith. It is unwavering, and I’m the first to admit that it cannot be fully understood by any person in the context of the world.
Enter religion.
Religion is the channel by which people attempt to reach God from the confines of this world. It’s a club, a charity organization, a social network…it is not God. Religions have been formed for a million different reasons over the course of history. It’s a human tendency to seek community and to seek answers to our origins. Religion addresses both. Everyone and their mothers (Happy Mother’s Day!) are bashing religion these days, and some reasons are justified. But I won’t be doing that here. Let’s focus on the positive for a moment…As I observed today, religions can bring a wholeness to people…a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose…not to mention the tangible outcome of contributing to society by helping the poor and the sick.
So why do I choose Catholicism time and time again…well, it’s my home. Living up to its name (Catholic means universal), it’s the same no matter where you go in the world. It’s a warm reassurance when I enter a church and see the Stations and smell incense and hear the same readings for that particular Sunday on the liturgical calendar that is being read everywhere else in the world. For me, no amount of clapping and singing and Friendship Room donuts will ever replace the spot in my heart I have for traditional Vatican II ritual. That said I have been just as guilty as the next guy of being a “cafeteria Catholic.” As with any other club, there are tenets with which I just don’t comply. No need to specify. The point is when I am asked how I justify my actions that don’t match the Church’s teachings, my answer is that I don’t justify my decisions, I struggle through them. I have come to believe in the last few years of my brief adulthood that relativism is a dangerous thing. I’m married to the Church, and as such I won’t walk away from it over a couple of minor disagreements. But I will examine my actions carefully to decide where the line between religion and faith is blurred. To abbreviate…I tend to struggle with what “rules” of the Church are based legitimately in the teaching of Jesus and what parts are just plain crowd control. For me, the fulfillment the Church offers outweighs the conflict. It is my way to God.
In essence today I went on a date with another only to reaffirm my commitment to my one true love.
There is a lot more I want to say…A LOT…but there is only so much time in the day. Thanks for reading.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
When work is hard...
me: I got a reply to that session cancellation email from a guy in Germany. In German.
Frankie: You should look up on the internet how to say "I don't speak German" and then follow it with an emoticon that does this (smiles, rolls eyes). Germans love shit like that.
Frankie: You should look up on the internet how to say "I don't speak German" and then follow it with an emoticon that does this (smiles, rolls eyes). Germans love shit like that.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Bitfest
Friday's quote...
me: Only one song played in the last 25 minutes...and it was Phish. Jam bands, huh?
Frankie: (after a minute) Do you think guys in jam bands get stuck in long, bad relationships and just don't know how to end them?
Bits of the weekend...
Flight of the Cougar
Women can't high five
But what would Lindberg say?
Big pen
That lotion smells like hippie
Tamara licks the carpet
Fancy Dan Moran
Oh in-the-moment funny. I love it.
me: Only one song played in the last 25 minutes...and it was Phish. Jam bands, huh?
Frankie: (after a minute) Do you think guys in jam bands get stuck in long, bad relationships and just don't know how to end them?
Bits of the weekend...
Flight of the Cougar
Women can't high five
But what would Lindberg say?
Big pen
That lotion smells like hippie
Tamara licks the carpet
Fancy Dan Moran
Oh in-the-moment funny. I love it.
Studio Living
Here I am. The new place is…full. I really like it so far. I’m sitting on my bed (which is totally just the mattress and box spring on the floor because I need help getting it up onto the frame), enjoying the food network and plotting my next move. There have been many discoveries since I’ve spent two nights in my bachelorette pad….
• It is really weird to open the refrigerator and see just my stuff (ditto with the cabinets in the bathroom and the closet…I haven’t experienced this since my Freshman year single dorm room).
• Scented candles and oils act fast in a studio…I wanted my place to smell “more like me” yesterday and after about 5 minutes of warming oil it was like Perfumania* in here.
• I talk to myself. A lot. And to my belongings.
• I really enjoy doing things I would have to apologize for to a roommate…watching Oprah After the Show, blaring a music channel on my TV so I could hear it in the bathroom, leaving dishes in the tiny sink…I don’t know if the lack of accountability is necessarily a good thing.
• Speaking of accountability, I have only myself for motivation to unpack this place. I definitely want it to look awesome, so I am motivated, but I also have cable and a bed…so functionality has been achieved. It’s hard to work this way.
Packing up the old...
Unpacking (eventually) the new...
Jeopardy on my new cable!
Sink for one, please.
*I have never been to a Perfumania, I can only imagine.
• It is really weird to open the refrigerator and see just my stuff (ditto with the cabinets in the bathroom and the closet…I haven’t experienced this since my Freshman year single dorm room).
• Scented candles and oils act fast in a studio…I wanted my place to smell “more like me” yesterday and after about 5 minutes of warming oil it was like Perfumania* in here.
• I talk to myself. A lot. And to my belongings.
• I really enjoy doing things I would have to apologize for to a roommate…watching Oprah After the Show, blaring a music channel on my TV so I could hear it in the bathroom, leaving dishes in the tiny sink…I don’t know if the lack of accountability is necessarily a good thing.
• Speaking of accountability, I have only myself for motivation to unpack this place. I definitely want it to look awesome, so I am motivated, but I also have cable and a bed…so functionality has been achieved. It’s hard to work this way.
Packing up the old...
Unpacking (eventually) the new...
Jeopardy on my new cable!
Sink for one, please.
*I have never been to a Perfumania, I can only imagine.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Happiness is....
...getting your cable hooked up just in time to watch Jeopardy. Comcast finally gets it right.
New apartment pictures to come...
New apartment pictures to come...
...
I'm sitting in my packed up apartment deciding exactly how much sleep I should get. Tomorrow will be busy, but only for a few hours. Moving one floor down, but allowed less than 4 hours to complete it and return keys. So...I'm stressing and tired...but not really interested in sleep. More interested in making sure my packing is up to Ehart's standards. Nick helped me moved two years ago and has never forgiven me for not having things really packed when he came over. God bless him. Nick, Rich and Vinnie are my heroes for helping me out.
So...not to get too dramatic here, but what the H, it's past midnight and I'm cleaning my bathroom...I feel like I've aged about 10 years in the last 5 days. Ironic, since I'm also moving into the first studio apartment of my life. I'm aiming to be alone, for real, for the first time ever. I can't predict how that will pan out. All I know is that I'm new here. Zzzzz.
So...not to get too dramatic here, but what the H, it's past midnight and I'm cleaning my bathroom...I feel like I've aged about 10 years in the last 5 days. Ironic, since I'm also moving into the first studio apartment of my life. I'm aiming to be alone, for real, for the first time ever. I can't predict how that will pan out. All I know is that I'm new here. Zzzzz.
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