I've been somewhat of a downer lately...so I'm turning things around today. A ray of sunshine has punched me in the face! I looked ahead at my summer and realized it's nothing but awesome from here on out. So why not be psyched? Why not indeed.
I love lists, so here it is. Reasons to be delighted:
1. My show!! It closes tonight, which is a blessing and a curse. I will certainly miss it, but I will not miss the Schaumburg commute. Vinnie, Anthony, Joel and Katy are the best "co-workers" in the world and I can't wait to move forward with a new incarnation of this show.
2. Maine. Just had some friends return and I can't wait to get out there. Supes and I road tripping? Come on. Lobster? Blueberries? Hiking? Improv? Yes, please.
3. Lollapalooza. So I had hoped to attend for free, but I know it will still be worth it. It'll be my last big Chicago summer thing before Maine. Added bonus: Rob and Ali will be here. Staying in my studio...oh boy...and oh boy!
4. The 4th and the Taste. Once again, summer in Chicago...
5. GreenCo, July 5th. I get to play with 5 of the best improvisors around. Can't. Wait.
6. I slept last night. Really well. That almost never happens. Maybe that's why I'm awake and focused and happy today. Is this what it's like to be normal?
7. Although I'm not a real Hot Karl member, I'm still very proud that they were voted "People's Choice for Best Improv Group" by the Chicago Reader. I've had a lot of fun playing with them.
There's got to be more things. But I'll leave it at 7. Lucky number. More on that to come later...
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Look, I'm sorry...
Death Cab, Bright Eyes, Postal Service, Dashboard, Elliott Smith, Decemberists, Shins, Iron and Wine, Sufjan Stevens, for the love of God even Chicago, Boston and Hall & Oates....
FUCK YOU.
I'm listening to fucking Rihanna until further notice.
#*$&*^%@&@*($&@%^*(&#(*&@*(Y(@*^(*$^!()$&!()*)^%
FUCK YOU.
I'm listening to fucking Rihanna until further notice.
#*$&*^%@&@*($&@%^*(&#(*&@*(Y(@*^(*$^!()$&!()*)^%
Monday, June 23, 2008
Hope
I saw this yesterday afternoon and at the same time, Hopelessly Devoted came on the radio. Thanks, Universe*.
*God
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Dueling Ballads
So I'm listening to my Pandora radio at work this morning and I make the discovery that there are TWO songs in this world entitled "Glory of Love." One, of course, is Chicago's classic theme to Karate Kid II. The other (playing on my Sinatra station) is by Vic Damone, who has a surprisingly committed fan base. I wanted to take a closer look at these doppelgangers....
"The Glory Of Love"
Tonight its very clear
As we're both lying here
There's so many things I wanna say
I will always love you
I will never leave you alone
Sometimes I just forget,
Say things I might regret
It breaks my heart to see you crying
I don't want to lose you
I could never make it alone
[Chorus:]
Cause I am the man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero
That you're dreaming of
Gonna live forever knowing together
That we did it all for the glory of love
You keep me standing tall
You help me through it all
I'm always strong when you're beside me
I have always needed you
I could never make it alone...
[Chorus]
It's like a knight in shining armor from a long time ago
Just in time I'll save the day
Take you to my castle far away...
[Chorus x3]
"The Glory Of Love"
You've got to give a little, take a little,
and let your poor heart break a little.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
You've got to laugh a little, cry a little,
until the clouds roll by a little.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
As long as there's the two of us,
we've got the world and all it's charms.
And when the world is through with us,
we've got each other's arms.
You've got to win a little, lose a little,
yes, and always have the blues a little.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
Who's the winner? Well...
Cramming every trite generalization of love into one song
-Chicago
Internal, rather than end-of-phrase, rhyming
-Damone
Assertion that knights in shining armor lived "a long time ago"
-Chicago
Learning a life lesson
-dead heat photo finish
KNIGHT REFERENCE!!!
-Chicago
There you have it. Cetera wins this round.
"The Glory Of Love"
Tonight its very clear
As we're both lying here
There's so many things I wanna say
I will always love you
I will never leave you alone
Sometimes I just forget,
Say things I might regret
It breaks my heart to see you crying
I don't want to lose you
I could never make it alone
[Chorus:]
Cause I am the man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero
That you're dreaming of
Gonna live forever knowing together
That we did it all for the glory of love
You keep me standing tall
You help me through it all
I'm always strong when you're beside me
I have always needed you
I could never make it alone...
[Chorus]
It's like a knight in shining armor from a long time ago
Just in time I'll save the day
Take you to my castle far away...
[Chorus x3]
"The Glory Of Love"
You've got to give a little, take a little,
and let your poor heart break a little.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
You've got to laugh a little, cry a little,
until the clouds roll by a little.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
As long as there's the two of us,
we've got the world and all it's charms.
And when the world is through with us,
we've got each other's arms.
You've got to win a little, lose a little,
yes, and always have the blues a little.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
Who's the winner? Well...
Cramming every trite generalization of love into one song
-Chicago
Internal, rather than end-of-phrase, rhyming
-Damone
Assertion that knights in shining armor lived "a long time ago"
-Chicago
Learning a life lesson
-dead heat photo finish
KNIGHT REFERENCE!!!
-Chicago
There you have it. Cetera wins this round.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Extremely Neutral
If there's anything that makes me uncomfortable, it's inertia. Non-movement. Holding pattern.
I'm uncomfortable.
On the upside, nothing is predictable. So that's mildly exciting. It's odd to have several different things going on at once and still feel kind of stuck or bored. Sheesh, what does it take to entertain me??
Zzzzzzzz....
I'm uncomfortable.
On the upside, nothing is predictable. So that's mildly exciting. It's odd to have several different things going on at once and still feel kind of stuck or bored. Sheesh, what does it take to entertain me??
Zzzzzzzz....
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Goodbye for now.
I bid farewell last night to the ship "Be Frie" to my "St Nds," James. He sat in with Skinprov at the Annoyance, which ended 3 hours before the car came to pick them up for the airport. Sidenote: Skinprov is the hottest/most uncomfortable thing I've ever witnessed. I don't think I looked at anyone's faces more than once. Nice work, guys. I digress. James, enjoy your new ship and new cast. But never forget the Spirit!!
I also celebrated Tracey's birthday at Sheffield's. with the exception of one weird drunk dude who tried to talk to Meredith, the place was relatively low on douche. Nice surprise. Happy Birthday, Tracey!!
After leaving the Annoyance and saying a brief but solid goodbye to James on the corner of Addison and Sheffield, I wandered a bit, trying to decide if I still needed to hang out or go home. This is a new theme in my solo life...making the call on what to do next. For example, I'm sitting in a cafe right now (enjoying some free wi-fi) passing the time with my beloved blog and knowing there are things I need to get done today. But where I would normally look at someone else to motivate me to do them, I now have to say, alright, Natalie, let's get up and go buy groceries, k? And to that I say, ok...but who is going to be affected if I don't? Well...you are, sweetheart. Oh. Right. Doing things to hold myself accountable. New territory. And back to last night...I ended up running into Sarah and Arnie while contemplating my fate in front of CSz and after recapping our respective nights I was content to go home. Good work, Sullivan. You're really doing it.
Here's what a jerk I am...my aunt and uncle from Colorado came to my sketch show this week (thanks, Jerry and Jill!!) and James was here for 10 days, and I didn't take a single picture! BOO. So instead, I'll post a random pic, since I promised more visuals on this stupid thing.
I never posted anything from Meredith's graduation, so here it is...Meredith and Abby, moments after she became a lawyer. And before she started Bar review class. G-d bless you, friend...
I also celebrated Tracey's birthday at Sheffield's. with the exception of one weird drunk dude who tried to talk to Meredith, the place was relatively low on douche. Nice surprise. Happy Birthday, Tracey!!
After leaving the Annoyance and saying a brief but solid goodbye to James on the corner of Addison and Sheffield, I wandered a bit, trying to decide if I still needed to hang out or go home. This is a new theme in my solo life...making the call on what to do next. For example, I'm sitting in a cafe right now (enjoying some free wi-fi) passing the time with my beloved blog and knowing there are things I need to get done today. But where I would normally look at someone else to motivate me to do them, I now have to say, alright, Natalie, let's get up and go buy groceries, k? And to that I say, ok...but who is going to be affected if I don't? Well...you are, sweetheart. Oh. Right. Doing things to hold myself accountable. New territory. And back to last night...I ended up running into Sarah and Arnie while contemplating my fate in front of CSz and after recapping our respective nights I was content to go home. Good work, Sullivan. You're really doing it.
Here's what a jerk I am...my aunt and uncle from Colorado came to my sketch show this week (thanks, Jerry and Jill!!) and James was here for 10 days, and I didn't take a single picture! BOO. So instead, I'll post a random pic, since I promised more visuals on this stupid thing.
I never posted anything from Meredith's graduation, so here it is...Meredith and Abby, moments after she became a lawyer. And before she started Bar review class. G-d bless you, friend...
Thursday, June 12, 2008
In the midst...
There's a lot going on. Too many things to be like, "Hey, I need to report on this thing," but not legitimately enough to say, "I'm too busy to write!" Which I guess technically I have been. And honestly, how can I let down my 6(ish) faithful readers??
My show is running. I love it. Schaumburg is a challenge, but as Vinnie and I have said, if God is for us, who can be against us? Also, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I've been waiting my whole life to relate Bible verses to a sketch show run. So happy.
James is in town rehearsing for his upcoming residence on the Dawn. We had fun together over CIF and now he's ship-town USA. I'll be sad to see him go, but very happy for him to be embarking on a new adventure. Hooray, SBJ!
Speaking of rehearsals, I spent some time at the ol' SC yesterday visiting GreenCo rehearsal, as I will be stepping in with them on July 5. If you want to come see a matinee show at Second City that day, I'd be delighted to see you! (odds are...I'm not sure who exactly "you" are)
And speaking of seeing, I've been seeing a very nice boy lately. I can't say I've ever really "dated" anyone before in a traditional sense. Turns out it's kind of nice.
In the next week I will see two uncles who are visiting whom I have not seen in years...weird timing.
I miss Tamara. And Josh. And Brooke.
Alright. Enough with this wordiness. More pictures next time!
My show is running. I love it. Schaumburg is a challenge, but as Vinnie and I have said, if God is for us, who can be against us? Also, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I've been waiting my whole life to relate Bible verses to a sketch show run. So happy.
James is in town rehearsing for his upcoming residence on the Dawn. We had fun together over CIF and now he's ship-town USA. I'll be sad to see him go, but very happy for him to be embarking on a new adventure. Hooray, SBJ!
Speaking of rehearsals, I spent some time at the ol' SC yesterday visiting GreenCo rehearsal, as I will be stepping in with them on July 5. If you want to come see a matinee show at Second City that day, I'd be delighted to see you! (odds are...I'm not sure who exactly "you" are)
And speaking of seeing, I've been seeing a very nice boy lately. I can't say I've ever really "dated" anyone before in a traditional sense. Turns out it's kind of nice.
In the next week I will see two uncles who are visiting whom I have not seen in years...weird timing.
I miss Tamara. And Josh. And Brooke.
Alright. Enough with this wordiness. More pictures next time!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Jaaaaames!
James, formerly of the Spirit and soon to be of the Dawn, is here this week. Hooray! He's staying with me until he moves on to the benevolent accomodation of the Second City. Saw his CIF show last night, and I have to say, improvised Chekov is everything I imagined it could be...and hilarious. Really impressive and entertaining show. From LA improvisors...who knew? (BURN)
This morning Meredith and I walked/jogged (but mostly walked) a 5K that Tracey's school was involved in. It was really fun to a) feel so accomplished by 10:30am on a Saturday and b) do a "real person" activity. It's nice to put my free time towards something non-improv related. You know, sometimes. Sssshhh. Don't tell anyone I said that.
Tonight, CSz show, then CIF randomness. I'll likely just stay around CSz, but I'd like to think I'll go nuts and actually leave the building. Who knows.
And I must make note: summer has arrived in Chicago. And it's hot as...something super hot. Anyone have good advice on how to install a giant AC window unit?
This morning Meredith and I walked/jogged (but mostly walked) a 5K that Tracey's school was involved in. It was really fun to a) feel so accomplished by 10:30am on a Saturday and b) do a "real person" activity. It's nice to put my free time towards something non-improv related. You know, sometimes. Sssshhh. Don't tell anyone I said that.
Tonight, CSz show, then CIF randomness. I'll likely just stay around CSz, but I'd like to think I'll go nuts and actually leave the building. Who knows.
And I must make note: summer has arrived in Chicago. And it's hot as...something super hot. Anyone have good advice on how to install a giant AC window unit?
Monday, June 2, 2008
OMG SATC
Saw the obligatory chick-flick of the century today. It was really, really good. To paraphrase Wolfson, it was absolutely everything I wanted it to be. So...much...crying. Within the group I attended with, each of us "fell" at a different point in the movie. "Oh my god, you guys, that has totally happened to me!! Just like that!!" Yep. Women across America are commiserating over Cosmos (Cosmiserating?) as we speak. My official rundown of the movie: They effectively maintained the punny airiness of the series while adding the weight of the big-screen story lines for each character. The reality of some of the situations was unsettling. And despite the standard pithiness of the dialogue, there were some genuinely funny and smart moments that really surprised me (for those who have seen it, the Valentine balloons KILLED me).
All in all, I loved the movie and will see it again one day when I am prepared to once again cry my eyes out and question my every life choice.
QOTD: "It's like the Color Purple up in here."
-Tara D.
All in all, I loved the movie and will see it again one day when I am prepared to once again cry my eyes out and question my every life choice.
QOTD: "It's like the Color Purple up in here."
-Tara D.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
ComedyProoooom
Oh boy you guys. What a weird night. It was kind of like my real prom.
The Bosses were the Prom Queens tonight. I think Wolfson was in the bathroom for this one.
Hey, there's that lady!
Tamara, are you happy? For once, I'm the monster.
The CSz illustrious barstaff. The only thing they like more than tips is blog exposure. Joe is a delight and Duke has a great story about me calling him a name one night and challenging me to a drink-off that I could not contend with. Or at least I have that story.
I wish I had more pictures of the actual dancing. Oh well...I'll always have the pic of Tamara's show-shorts...that doesn't belong here.
The Bosses were the Prom Queens tonight. I think Wolfson was in the bathroom for this one.
Hey, there's that lady!
Tamara, are you happy? For once, I'm the monster.
The CSz illustrious barstaff. The only thing they like more than tips is blog exposure. Joe is a delight and Duke has a great story about me calling him a name one night and challenging me to a drink-off that I could not contend with. Or at least I have that story.
I wish I had more pictures of the actual dancing. Oh well...I'll always have the pic of Tamara's show-shorts...that doesn't belong here.
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