The Addammmmmsss Family

kind of sucks.  I mean, the performances are GREAT!  The set is wonderfully beautiful!

The dancing and singing are GREAT!  The songs are terribly acceptable.  They are not bad but they are certainly not good.  And isn't that kind of the nightmare scenario?  That you are mamby-pamby?

I went with Amy and Andy---it was our xmas gift to each other.  First, we had sushi. Then, we had theatre.  How sophisticated, no?

But man, we tried to laugh along with the rest of America...but just could not do it.

I think 4 LOVE stories is too much.

I think this prop they use for 20 seconds costs twice the expense of any of our musicals.

And, I think if you have the innocent character coming from Ohio, you are reaching.  I mean, for real?  We get it---America believes that Ohio is the quintessential state to set movies, sitcoms and if you need a real innocent, make them from the Buckeye State.  

I would LOVE to re-write this show.  To take out the gigantic plot device at the end of Act one.  

To let the characters be instead of having Nathan Lane humping a newel post (spoiler!).

Instead, we have this show.

This reviewer does not recommend this show.

Off to make Buckeyes!  Because I'm from OHIO!

Happy Happy Happy

oh my toes are cold, my coffee is in my pooh mug and I am freshly showered.  I am sitting in my little sun room, and Andy is reading off all the travel deals he is finding ($799 for London for 6 nights!  $549 for Florence) and I am happy in my little house.

It's Thursday, I'm not working, and prospects look as dim as the 4:30 darkness in December.

But I am happy.

Today I go to have  lunch with ladies that were my first friends in Chicago.  One I even knew when I was an intern here in 1993.  1993!  So, we'll have lunch and then I think I'm off to the movies.

Or maybe writing.

Or reading my book.

Or working on my brain puzzles.

Who knows?

Tonight is a party of sorts and then another one, too.

Saturday my brother Paul and two of the little ladies come to pick me up for Christmas in Ohio. One of the gals already has her bag packed.  I can't wait to go downtown or walk around Andersonville with them and then watch a holiday movie on my couch.

I am happy happy happy.

Next up: Find a job!  Get an agent!  Write some more! Produce a show!  Purge my books!  Find true love!  Exercise more!  Move to London!

But mostly, go get my toes warm...and with that I say goodbye.

I know you've all been dying to know what I am doing on my first day off.

Well, people, it's been exciting.

Last night I came home and Andy and I did one of our favorite dinners---where we combine any leftovers we have and make it a big giant dish.  He had roast pork cooked in weird spices and pasta with black beans and tomatoes (not tomato sauce, just tomatoes from a can).  I had marinated  Mozzarella and proscuitto.  So, we combined it and it was DELISH!  

I grabbed a cab over to the old Martyrs for The Moth Story Slam competition, hosted by our new friend, Brian Babylon.  I met him last week at the Freople's Flexiest Man Alive Party, along with the BBC host who was following him around for a piece on BBC.  Hi-larious.  Anyway, my new work friends and I loved hanging out with him, and even more, loved seeing him on stage. 

I was in a heckling mood I guess--or at least really vocal---and the Story Slam certainly heard my opinion.  Here's what happens---Brian hosts, and 10 people's name are drawn from a hat and they have 5 minutes to tell a story on a topic (this month, it was themed around "Blunders").  They tell, three sets of audience judges judge, and we listen and then boo and hiss at the judge's score.  Most were really great---some stories had a lot of affectation, even for this nerdy NPR crowd.  I have to say, can't we all get over the fact that we were the smart nerdy kids who got shit on in high school?  Big deal---at least we got to go to high school.  Whatevs lady who told your story about living in West Africa and surprising all the locals by speaking their language.  That's your story?  It ended up being a story about using a phrase and gesture that were inadvertendly dirty---I mean, we all learn about that in Spanish or French 101---but you're just excited and proud because your story takes place in darkest AFRICA.  Wow---aren't you a treat?  Gross.

Anyhow, she was scored very lowly, and we didn't boo the judges for that.

At one point, Brian Babylon pulled a name and called for a contestant who didn't come---and I yelled "Move On.Org".  That nerdy NPR crowd loved it.  Or, that's what I perceived.  I think I'll TM that usage.  Or copyright it. Or, at least shop it around at Thanksgiving.

Afterwards, over to Brownstone for some work gossip and then over to the old Wilde Pug for something---I'm pretty blurry on this part and then back home.  

And today, I FORCED myself to sleep in (I woke up in the 7am hour, per the usual) but then went back to sleep.  I finally arose at 10:20 (REBEL) and watched some Top Chef (I'm so BAD) and then got restless and will now go workout, do some laundry and clean up a bit.

Tonight=GLOGG at Simons.

Happy day before Thanksgiving--I love this day so much.

Last Day

Faithful readers may know that I am currently working at Scheople Magazine (I've changed the name to protect the innocent people at Scheople) and am wrapping up, well, today.

Yes, today is my last official day.  I will roll in on Monday for about two hours in the afternoon, but that's it.

Here's the funny thing at Keople---I've actually made some work friends!  I know, I know...as a freelancer, I've always just kept my head down and thought "I just need to get my work done--there's no time for me to dilly dally and go to lunch with work people" but at Teople, it's been different.

One day, I had a hankering for Pompeii (Herb Chicken Ravioli, please) and forced the other girls to go with me (I like to make decisions, and make them quickly and then move on).  We got there, sat down, and just started a funny, personal, open chat about life, love and Summer's Eve Feminine Spray (How do you know when you need it?  You just KNOW).

Since then, the gals and I have been palling around, dancing in the halls and yukking it up there at work.

What a delight!

So, I will miss them a lot.

I'm taking a poll, dear readers---what should I do on my first day free?  Keep in mind, it is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving:

1) House chores!  Cleaning, laundry, cooking, eating at home (BORING)

2) House entertainment!  Watch DVRed TV (hello, Glee!), go online and daydream about trip to London/Paris/Tuscany/Rome

3) Look for new job!  Send out resume, apply for internship (secret place), work on getting headshots out to agents, etc

4) Outside entertainment!  Go to gym, go see movie, go for walk, eat outside of home 

5) None of the above---go day drinking!  (Pro---it numbs and makes you forget!  Con---I really do like to get things done with my day, and drinking gets in the way of that.)

Respond in the comments with your thoughts!

And, I FINALLY got a new camera---check out the pic...

Darn it!

I'm plagued with injuries this week...all of a minor and completely inconsequential sort.

My heel has been bothering me---my workout friends tell me it's Plantar Fusticial Booby boo boo---basically, my heel hurts.

So, if I run/walk/etc I end up in ouchy town.

And just now, I was chopping onions for a multi-meal cooking project (turkey chili, salad and marinade for the steak) and I cut my middle finger.

I think it's time for me to hop on my bike and get out for a little non-heel pressure, much-needed air.

But first, I must recommend to you a lovely sporting event---my town's little sports team is known as the Chicago Bulls.  I attended a game last night, against another town's sports team, the Philadelphia 76ers---and our team won!  

There were many people out in droves, the weather was a balmy 62 degrees (in November! November!) and a lovely evening was had by all.

Those sporting events are DELIGHTFUL!  I cheered for the donut in the dunkin' donuts race! (Donut won, in a come-from-behind victory against the bagel with schmear and the coffee cup, who amazingly never sloshed his contents even as he chugged around the dunkin' donuts track)

I watched amazing MAGIC at Halftime which culminated in "Metamorphosis".  Friends, I've seen a lot of MAGIC in the last few years on cruise ships, and let me tell you, nothing gives a magician a bigger boner then METAMORPHOSIS---they LOVE it!  They love to present it at the end of their act, and introduce it as though it's the one thing we've all been waiting for all this time...and then they perform it!  And the man gets tied up in a velveteen or satin bag, goes down into the box and a curtain is pulled and the woman/helper hops out and then man comes out and has on a new outfit!  METAMORPHOSIS!  I'd be much more impressed if he came out a like a giant bug ala Kafka....but he came out wearing a BULLS jersey!  See---he customized his act to the BULLS game!

There was also a circus dog that I found to be very cute but mostly desperately clinging to his master's back as opposed to impressing us with his dog tricks.  I mean, all dogs can jump and give high paws, right?  Why isn't he jumping through hoops of FIRE???

The T-shirt cannons were great!  I just missed winning one.  And, the italian sausage was De-lish and De-lightful!

A party after at a friends' new place (nice carriage house, Chad) and a quick pop in for some late night dancing at that bar on Belmont that has a liquor store and sells shots at the front door and a lady bathroom attendant who hands you paper towels and offers you selections of Ban Deodorant, Tampons and condoms?  Big City?  Anyway, we danced to three songs and then there were no more so we left and tried Berlin but the cover was too high so we hopped on the el and went home.

And now, I'm injured and contemplating getting out of my jammies and putting on a bra and hanging out on the roof deck for a bit.

It is Sunday, yes?

Getting Laid (off)

I am not...not yet. But there are a bunch of layoffs in my industry (doesn't that sound so official!  Almost like how sometimes people call their neighborhood their "community" like "we should all be more involved in our community". )  Anyway, I'm trying to stay positive...but since I work in my industry as a highly-specialized temp---doing contract maternity leaves for ladies who have babies...when they start laying people off, it means less jobs, less (and possibly no) maternity leaves, and people looking for jobs...any jobs.

It just happened a few weeks ago...I was the finalist for a job and then another person who had been laid off in my "industry" was hired instead of me, because she was available sooner.

Or, that's what they told me to make me feel better:)

Anyway, that's totally fine and fair...but I'm worried because I've carved out this little niche that allows me to work 3 days or so/week for 14 weeks and it's slipping away.

And I know I could get a job job but I'd like to get one I like.  A lot.

So, I'm dreaming and scheming and trying not to be too down on it all...

If anyone knows anyone in these areas...here is how I am thinking of spending my winter:

--Interning somewhere super-cool:  Sundance, WBEZ, theatre producer's office

--Working abroad doing something:  Preferably, somewhere warm

--Living in LA doing something for money, and maybe "checking" it out

All advice gladly accepted!

Yours sincerely...

Becky

Musings---for my own amusement

Wednesday October 7, 2009

Coffee Studio

Andersonville, a neat-o neighborhood in Chicago

Wednesday, almost noon

An exercise in observation

 

Me: Laptop, big latte, foam topped with heart shape (I prefer the fan-shaped leaves)

 

Soundtrack: One of those mixes, that range from 90s lady alternative-crooners with haunting background that sound like a twin peaks song to a new hipster quiet song of sadness and sorrow.  I like it.

 

In front of me:  My friend who I come write with.  We’ve dropped our weekly meeting habit of the spring/early summer, but have recommitted to it. I like it.

 

A women who just tromped in here with her wheeled briefcase, is suspiciously eyeing the occupants of the surrounding tables, and sniffing her tea like it’s also suspicious.  Now, she looks over to her immediate right, and takes in the tattooed, blond-streaked women to her right, who is bent over her papers and documents with intensity like a teen taking the ACT.  Now she is fumbling for her cell phone (flip phone, not a razor, probably mid-range, free when she renewed her contract).  Her HP laptop is open and she looks up and catches me catching her.  Moving on!

 

I love the artwork here—I feel like I’ve wondered into a coffee shop in a Scandinavian capital---Helsinki?  Oslo?  Stockholm?  What are the capitals of Scandinavian nations?  It’s brick walls on the outside, and the space is dominated by the counter and coffee, the sitting down bar is made of plain black counter, trimmed in frosted glass, spa-colored wood and silver accents.  A mirror on the back wall, 5 hanging pendant lights, 4 have working bulbs.

 

A man in front of me listens to his portable audio device and cross-stitches and I think, “I should take up my cross-stitching or knitting or some kind of handicraft again.”  I have been influenced by the abundance of Ready Made magazines, which read to me like “YOU SHOULD BE MORE CREATIVE! YOU SHOULD MAKE CRAFTS!  YOU ARE A LAXY, UNCREATIVE, NON-HIPSTER!”

 

Now the soundtrack has shifted..I think its Rufus Wainwright.  Of course.

 

At least I wore my new cap…it’s jaunty and plaid.  And I have on clogs…so I am approaching something that is what the judgey me wants me to be.  Cool.  Inspired.  Constantly creating.  Finding love.  Balancing said love with happiness, joy, self-direction and trips to cool places and towns and travel.  That cooks and is known for a certain recipe, which people beg her to bring.  That heats her home with a wood-burning stove, and cools it by building windows that perfectly circulate the air in the summer.

 

Instead, I am here.  I live in a vintage condo with mostly blank walls in my bedroom, and all the other walls are covered in my roommate’s mother’s art.  I squeeze in a few of my own things, and see that the frames are cheap and from the 90s. I go on adventures in Michigan, not Minsk (the first M I could think of!), and I try to go to yoga, to class and work.

 

I am ready for change.  And I like it.

It's all over

The big late summer/early fall push of 09 seems to be winding up.

I have started my job and am settling into life at People magazine.   It's wonderful to be there and I'm learning so much.

Montgomery and Cooke wrapped up our first run ever--and we had a really successful time working through the bits, tweaking parts, etc.  We want to keep performing together, so we are putting together a video and looking at venues in Chicago.

So, that meant that I was free to let life be lived for a bit.

I went to Michigan with my best lady friends from Ohio--and it was delightful! I ran on the beach, I read my book, I watched the sunset, I read more of my book (what was I reading then?  oh!  The Laws of Harmony) and then the ladies came, and we had snacks and caught up.  The next day we went and ate lunch outside on a harbor that reminded me of Vermilion, where my grandparents lived and my dad grew up. It's the sweetest, cutest, loveliest little Harbour Town in Lake Erie.  But I think it's very racist there, so I don't like that part of it.

Then we went to the winery, drank wine on the beach, dinner and then back home.

These girls are so much fun---I loved hanging out with them.

This week, we got the car fixxed (BRAKES!  TIRES!  $700!) . 

Yesterday we taped some footage for Montgomery and Cooke and then last night, I enjoyed a glorious night in, on the couch.

Hello couch.  It's nice to see you again.  You look great. 

And now, a beautiful sunny fall morning---off to the gym, then writing and then perhaps a little bitty walk along Lake Michigan.

What a wonderful morning.

Show! Cantaloupe! Sunshine!

We had our second show!  We had to cancel last week because of low numbers...but this week happenned.

Lillie and Gillian and Fuzzy and Shaun were our delightful special guests with Lillie and Gill doing a wonderful Lucy and Ethel...and F&S doing an awesome who's on first sort of thing.

I think both Jamie and I felt "bumpy" but loyal fans (Jamie's mom) said it was great.  I finally played my trombone so it sounded like something and it turns out that competency is more fun then just blatting!  Plus, we discovered a really great new trombone moment on accident.

Overall, very fun, and huge thanks to those who made it out!!!

Onto cantaloupe...we got the biggest one I've ever received from the share...and it's the perfect, almost melting it's so good flavor.  The texture is mushy.  I feel like I want to tell you it's fine..to defend the cantaloupe that I am currently eating---but it is mushy.   I just told it as much too and feel better because I am being honest with the cantaloupe, since it is my favorite fruit.

It is SUNNY today!  I am going to go hang out with Wee, a baby I know, and I hope he wants to go for a walk.

Because I do.

That is all.

Back to School

So, I'm back from the lovely land of Maine---blueberries, lobsters, healthier brothers, adorable nieces who raise their hands to give suggestions in an improv show, and the awesome Improv Acadia--and I am also back to reality.  Maine was a bit frustrating--I had some NASTY blisters that prevented me from hiking or running--and man, I felt the difference.  Apparently, exercise is good for your mental health.  Nice, exercise, very nice.

I've had a summer of here and there work, a little teaching, some directing and lots of bike riding---and I'm really thrilled to be back to work.

And, I open a brand new show in less then a week!

I couldn't be happier about it--it's called "That's showbiz, kid!" and features showbiz legends, Montgomery and Cooke!  I play Lorraine Montgomery---and Jamie Buell plays my husband/comedy partner, Paddie Cooke.

We have been working really hard and I hope it turns out ok.  It's a bit olde-tyme, which I LOVE, plus, I think my friend Beka is going to try to do an old-fashioned hair style for me. FUN!

We have dances, guest stars, comedy, silliness and more.

This post is turning into a show plug--whoops!  www.montgomeryandcooke.com, at LOL theatre on Thursday nights.

Anyway, that's been keeping me very busy, along with work training (did I mention I'm working at PEOPLE?) and you know, life.

Hope everyone enjoys the last bits of summer and comes out to see the show!

I loved you, but I didn't really like you when you were 13.

Oh my goodness!

It's been busy over here at Eldridge HQ.

I've taught in boot camps for the past three weeks at SC.  Boy, those challenged me.  First, a week of adults who were delightful but plentiful.  It's hard to get through all their scenes.

And then, a bunch of 13-year olds.  Man, those kids have some great ideas but I felt like all I did was try to corral them.  It's like herding cats.  I really would like to think it was them, their age, their attitude but I know part of it was me.  I just couldn't get the lesson across, no matter what the tactics.  

Thankfully, I talked to my mom, wise mother of 5, and she said "I loved you, but I didn't really like you when you were 13." I don't think I liked me back then, either.  But then I turned 14 and got a job and things turned around.

Every day, I'd just try to find the great work they were creating and work towards that.  And try not to constantly discipline, yell and ignore the chaos as much as possible.

Next year, no 13-year olds for me!  

Other then that, it's been a lot of Maddie loves Mongo (A second city training center Level 6 writing show)-- we opened last night and it was so great!

And a lot of getting ready to go back to work and a lot of Montgomery and Cooke.

I feel like I've been working all summer towards these shows...and at last, they all go up in August!

And I'm going to Bar Harbor tomorrow.  Yes, the heart of Maine in the summer---ocean, mountains, lobster, etc.  I can't WAIT to get there!

My brother Paul, who's got the prostate cancer, is coming up with his family!  It'll be great--they are staying at a little cottage just outside of town and we are going to eat the SHIT out of some lobster!

And I'm going to hike hike hike hike hike hike hike!  hike!

For now, off to coffee land and then maybe kayaking and then packing!

7am flight in the morning...wheee!!!

Crazy Lady Outfits

If you're a lady, like me, who's been trying to mix up life, food and her wardrobe a bit (and thus, avoiding shopping and spending non-existent money), Grey Gardens can be a real inspiration.

Check out my scarf attire today--I rode down lakeshore drive with my friend Ross, and used this to protect my hair.  And then I went on a preview of a walking tour of Second City and wore it in every way I could imagine---as a bracelet, as a cape, as a toothache curer---and amused myself to no end.

Now, it's back in Andersonville, and I'm supposed to revising scenes for the upcoming show I'm working on.  But instead, I'm thinking about style and life and ways to live it and couldn't help but put the scarf on again, ala Little Edie Beale.  It's a scarf from a large collection of scarves and gloves my aunt has given me over the years, and I truly wish I knew how to wear them in a way that didn't make it seem so dowdy.  I'm going for more a french girl then Queen Elizabeth...and haven't quite figured it out.

Now, the other two pics are my new headshot and a picture of my maternal grandmother, when she was a young lady.

As you can see, Mimi wasn't tramping around the East Hamptons in her day--she was leaning against a tree at the family farm, living off what they grew.  She taught in a one-room school house and lived in a teeny tiny house that didn't have a name like "Grey Gardens".  But she certainly had her own sense of style!  

And, the other pic is from a recent set of headshots.  I submitted to a legit agency in town, and after much correspondence that consisted of them saying they were considering me, but were very busy--could we set up a time to chat?  Sure, I'd say, sending my availability.  No response, and then a response saying they were busy, but they'd reach out to me asap.  Again and again, until today, it finally came down to it---they didn't like my pics, and they could either reject me or recommend a photographer--which did I prefer?  I said I'd love to hear their recco, and that I have a relationship with a headshot photographer---so what's their opinion of those guys?

I don't think this agency is doing anything outright shady, but something stinks in the correspondence and I'm not sure I like it.  If they really did like me, wouldn't they have the capacity and bandwidth to bring me in for a meeting--even if only 10 minutes? If this is what things are like at the beginning of our working relationship, what's going to happen down the road?

And I've got another actor friend who was treated the same by this agency, with the correspondence eventually coming down to "Either you are rejected OR might we recommend our on-camera class?"

So anywho, world, here's my headshot---for now.  

Agents, comrades, friends--any feedback is welcome!  As is reccos on headshot photographers, etc.

But please don't threaten to not consider me based on this pic.

Yours,

A frustrated actor

Oh my--

At last, a lovely summer day and I woke up early!  I've been having the darnedest time waking up and, you know, engaging in life.

But today, with Mr. Sun knocking on my windows and pulling down the covers, I was up and eating blueberries, brewing coffee and heading out!

At last, I caught the bug for non-nocturnal sleep patterns.

Here's hoping it lasts a bit!

Tuesday, June 23

I am writing!  I am writing!  I am writing!  I’ve been out of work for a while now, and am just starting to feel like it’s summer, and I’m in a groove.  Sort of. 

In an IDEAL world, each day, I do the following:

• I work on my acting career (get headshots touched up, send them out, get an agent)
• I engage in local cultural activities (go see shows, read a bit about Chicago, go for a run in the local park)
• I work out everyday
• I take a shower
• I write
• I cook at home.

 

In my REAL world, I do the following:

• I wake up late,
• I start laundry
• I print out some scripts I need to memorize and set them aside
• I meet with Andy about how to make deposits for the condo board, taking copius notes.
• I call the mortgage company and they say they still don’t have our application for loan modification
• I try control my temper and gain control over something so I look online to see if my half-credit from renting a Dollar rental car has been credited to my Southwest account.  Now that’s important to my financial future!
• I ignore my $700 dollar mammogram bill
• I defrost some pork chops and make a tuna salad and cut up some cantaloupe and celery. 
• I answer some emails and send some more. But then I get overwhelmed.
• I make a list of things to do but halfway through, I call the cable company about a discrepant bill.
• I put on my running clothes.
• I get hungry, so I make tuna salad and eat it.  I cut up celery sticks and cantaloupe and pull out some frozen pork chops I grilled a few weeks ago for dinner.
• I get cabin fever, so pack my bag for a major errand run and job. 
• I realize my credit card receipts are a MESS and need to be organized RIGHT now!
• I scold myself for getting distracted, and re-pack my bag.
• I forgot about the laundry!  I move the wet clothes into the dryer and fold the dry sheets.
• I finally leave the house, and I drop off my dry cleaning, I get my flat tire fixed, I buy a propane canister for my grill, go for a walk and run into Salvi and Paul and Auggie, I keep walking, I browse in Borders instead of going for a run (it is HOT out), I pick up my bike and return home.
• I go home and read the scripts, I make some blocking notes
• I eat the pork chops, taking huge bites as I pull the dry clothes out of the dryer and since I don’t have time to fold my laundry,  I lay it out so at least it doesn’t wrinkle
• I do not shower so I liberally spray myself with perfume
• I pack another bag for teaching, I grab some water and caramel treats for later.
• I bike down to teach and it is glorious, the best part of the entire day.
• I teach (I love that) and then I ride home. 
• I talk to Andy about life and plans and housing and cruise ship jobs and writing and teaching.
• I move my ac unit from in front of the closet to my window and Andy helps to install it.
• I read my book and drink some beers and decide it’s ok to sleep in and skip my morning weight lifting class tomorrow at the gym and go to the night class.
• I go to bed. 
• I love my bed.
• I love my summer of not working.
• I need to focus more.

Friday June 19

Hello world! I am home in Ohio, in the land of family who is entirely, 100% Pro-Obama. People always look at me like I am the source of EVIL when I say I am from Ohio. I think they expect hayseeds and hicks with John Deere hats on in a stereotypical pose..Instead, I find a land of pro-Obama sentiment and feeling, even as they find their state crumbling around them. It’s like this thing…we’re not as BAD off as Michigan, we’ll be fine.  Any who, the Ohio I know is very different then the one portrayed in the National Media.

 

Any who, tonight was typical of a visit in Ohio. Summer is pretty great here, and I’ve been here for a weeklong visit. The only thing marring this reunion is the fact that my brother is facing prostate caner. He is young and healthy dudes, so get your psa and prostate screening, dudes, ladies, get your mammograms. In his case, he’s going to be fine fine fine and we’re  very grateful and lucky that it didn’t spread and that it’s a curable cancer.  Anyway, other then crying a lot around him, it’s been a really nice visit! 

 

So, here’s tonight…I came home packed for my trip home tomorrow, sipping jug wine with my mom and dad and there’s any variety of kids here…first, it’s cancer brother and his three little girls. Of course I’ll play kickball!  Cancer brother fixes my car (as he always does) while I kick some kickball ass! Then, girls and brother leave, going home to get swimsuits (mom and dad have an above ground pool…FANCY!) and then sister Kitty and three of the boys come over. We drink more wine, the kids swim. Other sister comes over with the true ROCK STAR of the family, baby Allison.  Then, a summer storm comes..and it’s a good one---walls are shaking, rain puddles, dark dark skies---just like a summer storm should be.  We all hang on the sun porch during the storm and my Dad goes to get 4 large pizzas. We see lots of deer, including a baby one that looks like Bambi.  Mr. Sun begins to shine...time to swim!  The kids all swim…us siblings talk about the Dead shows we attended in the 80s/90s (three for me, 10-15 for Kit, 40 or so for Cancer Brother). Since our parents are there, we speak in code about what we did at those shows. I confess that I felt as though I just never fit in and they all look at each other like, Duh, you were a giant dork. Which I am quite aware of.  I tried to be a deadhead but I just never wanted cheese sandwiches and thought someone ought to look after the babies and the dogs. Any who, we all break for Pizza.

 

And then, my favorite part happens…the negotiation of who sleeps where. In the summer, the kids and their parents are inner-changeable.  “I’ll take two (tad and ben) if you take Simon.” Simon asks Aunt Kitty if he can stay at Uncle Paul’s house, and they all say yes, and then the kids scream and dive into the pool again. It is the most exciting thing in the world that Simon, age 5, can stay at a house full of girls. He flashes his signature Simon “SUNSHINE” Dover France grin, and dives in.

 

Other kids stay at my parents and cars shift and other kids walk around in the neighborhood and see if any fish came alive at the pond next door (the house is foreclosed and empty…it is Ohio after all) and we still drink wine and eat chips and hummus (Becky like) and chat and then other kids call and arrive.

 

At the end of the night, all the Ford cars pull away, and I’m there with my mom and dad and we are trying to remember what language is the primary language of India (Hindi) and sort out the economy (why does my mortgage company not have an answer about loan modification when I call?) and it’s not a bunch of dumb Midwesterners who are rednecks…these are people who read the paper and go to church and, gasp, vote democratic and republican and have reasoned points of view on the world and I am embarrassed once again by what I see in the comedy world and hope that there is a place for a world of subtlety and grey areas because that is what I know and what I am.

 

The world is not black and white, and sometimes, you vote base on the union that gives your family a job and a home and health insurance and education.

 

That’s my soapbox here in Ohio.

 

See you soon Illinois…even though I’ve lived there since I was 21, my heart is still in the Buckeye state.

Car Spa!

Wednesday, June 17

My little baby car got some loving this week.  Andy said it’s like the car went to the spa..it was cleaned, had a bit of plastic surgery and got to go for long runs in the country.

Here are some fun facts I learned about cars while in Ohio:

1)    Apparently, in order to be “legal” you need to have a “functioning” taillight on BOTH sides of the car.  Who knew?

2)    Also, if you are missing a mirror on your passenger side, you should get it replaced to be “legal”.  To help you see behind you!

3)    Most people who own cars know how many miles per galloon their cars use, and the difference between highway miles and city driving.  It helps you estimate gas costs!

4)    If your car is shaking above 65 MPH, you probably are out of alignment and need to get your car balanced.  Makes sense now!

5)    If you pay your 13-year old nephews to “detail” your car, they will do it, but constantly stop to ask you questions, and to talk to each other and get a snack and don’t see that they’ve left behind a bunch of grubby brown gunk in the cup holder.  But they are also proud to do it for you and love your car, even if it is a bit beat up.

6)    If you have a major gash on one side of you car, and a missing handle and major dent on the other side, and some damage to the taillights, everyone thinks your car was in a an accident.  When you say “Its just city living, normal wear and tear” they look at you like you must live in the CITY.  Even if you live in a quiet, residential area of town.

7)    If you park your car in the garage, and open the hood, your dad and brother will start to fill it with “fluids” that it needs, change the air filter and give you a lesson on how to maintain your car.  Sweet!  It’s like going to Vocational school without all the stoners!

 

Ohioans are really into cars!  And my car LOVES getting away to Ohio!

Thursday, June 18

“Man Aunt Becky, you got some D” 

My nephew Ben, when I was guarding him in a pick-up game of three on three basketball.

Imagine the Kennedy compound, except this compound isn’t in Hyannisport and there aren’t private planes and fancy cars.  And this compound has a lot of kids running around, playing volleyball or basketball or bouche ball or kickball instead of football. And played out on this landscape is the competitive nature of three sports-playing sisters…who had all the same coaches, played all the same sports and all the same training.  And now, we get to teach it to the next generation…and see if we still have it.

 

Kitty, my bad-ass sister, is a year and a half older then me, so we are pretty competitive.  We get into each other’s face when we play basketball, we rib each other when we miss a serve in volleyball and there is no mercy when we get each other out in kickball.  It’s so fun! 

 

And then Beth, our older sister, displays her trademark “O”-mouth shape when she’s hustling/shooting/spiking. 

 

And little Jayna, wore kneepads practically the whole week there…and said at one point “Don’t mind my grunting” as she served the volleyball. 

 

I just wonder what they will all be like when they grow up.  I hope they don’t die playing football on the slopes of the Rockies or have affairs with their nannies or get addicted to drugs like the Kennedy Klan…but I do hope we keep kicking each others’ ass in basketball.

Wouldn't wood blinds be beautiful in this room?

Apparently, 10 am is when Andy wants to begin our massive day of house cleaning.

I'd like to start AFTER I finish my first cup of coffee.  I hear him whistling in the kitchen and opening things up...he woke up at 6am this morning!

Time to get going...he just asked if I want some eggs.

"We should do some cleaning in this room, too"

His hints are very subtle....

Mornings are rough

I am always so so so tired.  I am writing this blog to see what I write first thing in the morning.  I even went to bed at a decent time last night but I am just so darn tired.  UGH!  This is boring.  I need to get going to rehearsal and I am finding it hard to type.  I am not a morning person.

Soon I go to Seattle!  For fun and spa and hiking and such!

Montgomery and Cooke

Me and Jamie have been working on a new show and we tried out some material last night at the Schadenfreude rent party.  It went really really well and I'm so excited and proud.

I think I should write more but I need to do my homework and keep writing instead of reading dumb blogs and stuff.  

Should the above be Jamie and I?  I know it should be...but I like the flow of Me and Jamie.

I've been cultivating a new look...

And I think it's called crazy lady.

Last week, I went to rehearsal and class in an all-purple outfit.  Think about that for a minute--purple tank, purple sweater coat, purple cords.  Now, add on top of it, purple tweed bucket hat and purple scarf.  Wow.  And then add in a purple water bottle and a purple pen.

And you know what? I felt really happy.  I love purple, and it's mom and dad colors---red and blue.  I barely like green (only when it's teal or mint), and really have no need for yellow.  I've grown to like orange recently.

Anyway, I'm excited about this new notion...especially as I am not spending any money on clothes.

So, tonight, I'm going to see This American Life, and I'm wearing 5 accessories, and three layers. It's my ironic fussy grandma look.

I'm turning into a crazy lady (or my minor, minute, barely even approaching) version of a crazy lady....and i'm loving it!

Beheaded Roosters

Dogs in the water

Sand on the trail

Small children learning soccer, parents hover and sip coffee

Cool bay breezes

I was out running this morning and it was a true Chicago song...Saturday, in the park, i think it was the 18th of April....I have been so happy to be here in Chicago these past 10 weeks.

I love this town--and today it was in full glory.

Except the rooster (or large hen) that was laying behind the Foster Avenue bath houses.  But even that was FULL--of rotting smell---but it was certainly ripe.

Off to write with Amy!

While the cat's away

This little mouse-y likes to play!  And by play, I mean watch tv during the middle of the day.  My roommate "A" can't stomach much tv, much less tv during the day.  So, he's on a gig, and I get to watch it!!!

The reality is that I haven't even turned it on and have been doing my putzing and household puttering--and am getting ready to go to the grocery store and should be doing my writing homework and such.

But still, just because of all of that, it doesn't mean I can enjoy the idea of being able to watch tv if I WANTED to!

Ha ha ha ha ha

Oxford, sweet Oxford

Hello! I went to Miami U for college in lovely Oxford, Ohio.  So, this past weekend, my roommate "A" (and fellow Miami Alum..he huh hee hee-- words that colleges like to use) drove back.

Our first night, we talked to college kids about improv, sketch comedy and theatre in Chicago.   Our story is mostly this "Um, it's really wonderful. You may get paid some money.  Mostly, you have to do what you love and that will be it's own rewards.  At least in Chicago."  There was one who must have had a friend who got an ass-ton of $ in a commercial and had a dad who was putting a lot of pressure on her, because she kept asking us about auditioning for commercials. How many can we book in a week?  How long until we get a national?  How many hours will we work once on set? I mean, come on!  Girlfriend doesn't have an agent--I think I did at one point, in a loose association after I got pulled in to audition for "Blue Collar TV" but that was like 5 years ago and I thought the agent was weird and name-droppy.  I have some new headshots that I haven't even looked at because I am PMSy and I don't want to get upset by my own image.  Geez girl, take a chill pill!

Anyway, some of the college theatre kids had a sketch show immediately following soooo...we went. It was good/bad/long/wonderful/immature/creative and I really enjoyed it. I did have some issues with it:

1) I hate balloons and they had a LOT of balloons.  I also hate birds (they can defy gravity and I am NOT down with that) and loud noises.  So, one time, my friend "MK" said "Your worst nightmare would be if you were holding this balloon and there was a bird in it, right?"  She enjoys triggering conversations about personal matters and this made my head almost explode though at the time, I think I nodded and laughed.  Anyway, there were many balloons in the first sketch-play (they were all 30 minutes long, and there were three of them).

2) There was ONE girl in the show and she had the boring girlfriend part who was a bitch and couldn't possibly have a funny line.  Nothing slammed me further back into college like that---seeing that girl be stuck with those dumb parts and thinking---did she even try to write anything?  Or, do the boys write anything funny for her?  UGH!  Thank goodness for the Tower Players...which brings me to point 3

3) The dear Tower Players, my college improv group,  has apparently gone away. Sigh.  I was looking for evidence---but no one seemed to know anything at all.  I finally got an email from a current TP, and she was very cryptic and said "I don't know what happened" which makes me think she totally does. Which is fine. And, I can't re-start the TPs if they just died on their own---but it's so very sad.  I just literally sighed because I don't know what to make of it.  Tower Players---what should we do?  Please leave any thoughts in the comments.

Anywho, we then headed to a late dinner and drinks ($3.50 for a gin and tonic?  What?)  and then bed.  

More to come...have to go to work now....

Out like a lamb?

I'm not sure how I feel about March today...is it a lion or a lamb?

I'm having an exciting day of doing taxxes, doing laundry, running errands and writing blogs to avoid doing taxxes.

ARGH!  Taxxes really aren't that bad--but for some reason, this deadline has alluded me and it's today or nothing.

I want to play the game where I only eat food in my house or where I go running and then get iced coffee after or the game where I go and hang out with Andy and Daphne..but mostly, I just need to play the game where I do taxxes.

UGH!

Argh!!!

I have many brilliant rambling insightful kitchy quirky intelligent posts in a word document....but I can not figure out how to paste it here!

I blame it once again on my white machine of horror--my little MacBook.  Sometimes it's Mackey, other times it's my own ignorance and sometimes it's something else---but I don't love my Mac.   I wish I did for I sure paid enough for the damn thing.  Right after I bought it, it fell on the dock in Nassau (oh--so international Becky!) and I think it never recovered.

Anywho, what my blogs essentially say is that life is pretty great right now.

I continued to jog--up to 25 minutes straight!  My job job is fun fun and I have some other prospects that I'm excited about.

Home life is lovely--I heart my pad.

Food stuff is going well--I'm eating a lot of things I enjoy and trying new things (special shout-out to forgotten favorite Uncommon Ground!  But those prices---I mean, I could get a steak for that price!)

And creative life is just dandy--writing with "AP", "A Mac", "JB" and teaching at "SC" is a delight.  Aren't I good at disguising identities?

Starting a new class next week that will be hard to find time for but a good challenge, too.

Boy, this is post is full of sunshine and roses!  

Just like my private parts!

Bye!

When you need it bad

People, get yourself down to Florida!  I was in the Tampa/Clearwater area, and I could not have loved it anymore.   My parents (aka Mom and Dad) go down there in Feb and March to get away from the snow (they actually left the day after the inauguration, so they didn't miss it.)

And I invited myself down for a 5-day visit!  Now, 5 days in a little one-bedroom trailer at th Countryside trailer park in Clearwater with a bunch of their Canadian friends may sound very boring to all of you...but it was actually quite exciting.

Here's a list of what I did, including some delightful and informative car ride conversations:

1) My mom picked me up from the Tampa airport, on time.  She doesn't like to arrive on time at the Cleveland Airport, because she's always sure the flight will be delayed.  I've been flying into the Cleveland Airport for almost 15 years, and have been delayed perhaps 2 out of 30 or more flights.  But this is what she believes!  Anyway, she was more then on-time in Tampa, and was thrilled by the ingenuity of the cell phone lot.  

2) Upon arrival, we went to Safety Harbor, and got an iced Starbucks for me!  In the middle of February, I got to drink a Starbucks on ice!  Truthfully, I don't even like Starbucks that much, but for the purpose of sipping, and walking and dreaming in the sun, Starbucks will do.

3) In the delightful Safety Harbor, my mom and I strolled out to the pier and there were signs about protecting the manatees everywhere "Keep boats at idle, so as to not hurt the endangered Florida manatees."  I had the highest of hopes and sure enough--we saw one of those gentle giants!  He was right by the wood pier, and showing off for me and the rest of the active seniors on this beautiful Wednesday morning.  Bonus--they have a wheelchair station on the pier to allow wheelchair bound folks to fish!  Nicely done, Safety Harbor.

4) At lunch, with Carol, Thel, someone else and my mom, I split a half-pitcher of Sangria with my mom. She likes it too!  We ate in a converted bungalow, which a lot of places in Safety Harbor have as their business.   I love bungalows!

5) Back at the trailer, I learned that my dad refers to it as their little honeymoon cottage.  I loved it instantly, especially the car port where you sit outside and read your book and drink jug wine.

6) Thursday was driving range day.  My dad was very patient with me, and helped me a tiny bit.  He's a great teacher, as it turns out, at golf.  For other things, he'll talk talk talk (sound familiar?) but with swing, he just said "Slow, slow slow."  And it was good advice for me.

7) Thursday night was Clearwater Beach night.  We drove all around---and it's a delightful little place.  Then, we parked and I walked into the water!  In February! It was cold, but wonderful to be in flip flops.  Next, we went to a little beachside pavillion for dinner (hello Coconut Shrimp!) and ate.  It was completely foggy and we couldn't see the sunset, but I loved being there with my mom and dad.  A true pleasure.

8) Friday was the big golf day!  I woke up and thought..."Vacation has only just begun!"  We arrived and I shared a cart with my dad.  He let me drive it, too!  Golf courses in Florida are filled with active seniors, birds of an exotic ilk, and are surrounded by houses with pools covered by screens.  I highly recommend them.

9) I won an award for being the most honest golfer! That means that I did the worse of everyone, but I didn't lie about it, so they gave me $2!  Sweet!  Plus, my mom and dad like the margaritas at the golf course, so for the second 9 holes, we split a margarita up three ways and sucked that down. And, since my pale Chicago skin was burning (loyal readers will remember that I call that "pre-tanning"), that frozen margarita, slushing around in a styrofoam cup, tasted de-lish!

10) After golf, I ate some of my mom's corned beef, cabbage and potatoes, and then had too much wine with Ralph and Carol while my dad went to the urgent care clinic to get antibiotics (he had a nasty cold that turned into bronchiotis).  Ralph kept pouring me wine, and I stumbled across the carport and home.  I truly passed out.  Yikes.  Need to take it easy in the sun next time.

11) Saturday morning was garage sale shopping!  We went to a few places, including the very fruitful larger trailer park "Sunset Acres" or something like that.  I got so much, including a tent for $3, the first prop I've bought for the new musical that Amy and I are writing, and 8 books!  One is entitled "How to direct a musical: Broadway Your Way".  I bought it as a joke book for Andy, our director. But it's actually really helpful!  Also on the book table were a bunch of Ibsen plays and Charna Halpern's "Truth in Comedy".  Weird. Did some well-meaning Chicago improviser give that book to his Grandmother?  Or, did Grandma take classes and buy that book online?  Not sure, but I was DELIGHTED!  

12) Saturday night was the big dinner dance for Valentine's Day!  There were many highlights that evening, but my absolute favorite was the lady who told jokes, because the prime rib was not quite done, and they were still making the gravy.  My mom and dad both said "Oh, she's funny" and she was.  Her closer was an incense joke, but then it was revealed that the bride-to-be's mother was a slut!  You have to look this one up on you tube.

13) Sunday was chill out day--I finished my book, hung out, ran my little program and said goodbye to all my friends.  My flight ended up needing a bumper, so I took it and stayed an extra night in the Tampa Bay Airport Mariott and jogged at that airport's few and far between green medians.  Oh, what a delight!

Other random highlights:

--I jogged my program "Couch to 5k" in the outside. 

--Wednesday night cocktails with the ladies

--My mom met the Trailer Park prostitute at the laundromat

--My dad and mom gave me a valentine's day card on Saturday morning. So sweet

--I read outside every night and wasn't cold

--I wore flip flops, a lot.

--I got really pre-tanned on my arms and chest

I'm thinking of trying to get to Florida again in March!

For now, Chicago will do just fine.

Sentimentalist

I am definitely a sentimentalist.  And a chronic repeater.  Currently on my bedside reading table is Little Town on the Prairie, the Muppets make Puppets, the Best-loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy, an old issue of Variety, 100 years of Solitude, the NFT guide to Chicago (2008), The Fourth Hand, a Billy Collins book of Poetry, a Woody Allen humor book entitled something Feathers and a really boring book that I'm not into, but feel obligated to read.

In another little nook, lay books that I intend to read, or have recently read, that have yet to be fed into my three main bookshelves, where I hold MAJOR books of significance, with one shelf dedicated to all things Little House on the Prairie (momma knows where to find inspiration when needed), another shelf reserved for favorite books since I last arranged this bookshelf, and another shelf for pictures that I intend to hang, somewhere.

Currently in my DVD player is Melrose Place, Season 1, disc 6.  Yes dear reader, disc 6.  And no, I haven't skipped any of the episodes so far.

It's funny to read a book or watch a TV show from a specific time in your life.  It's a bit like tapping into the memory bank of who you were at the time.  Melrose Place was required viewing back in my college days, and then casual viewing thereafter.  I (and many others) can vividly recall when Kimberly Shaw whipped off the red wig to reveal some big crazy surgical scar that proved she was evil, the scheming Sidney, the crazy Amanda Woodward and the black and white themes of the MP gang.

But these early episodes are really touching to me...you can barely detect Billy's lisp, Allison is not drinking, Jake and Daphne Zuniga are just dating, Jayne Mancini is pregnant, that girl from the south is still on, they haven't given Matt a storyline yet other then the fact that he's GAY, etc.

But it's so BORING! All they talk about is their relationships and what happenned and what's going to happen, blah blah blah.

And the issues they try to tackle! It's worse then 90210---Matt's GAY and works at a halfway house for homeless teen boys! Really MP?  Rhonda's BLACK and teaches hip-hop aerobics! Michael's an INTERN at a hospital and working really hard and is hot-headed!  Jayne's an aspiring FASHION DESIGNER and torn between her career goals and desire to start a family.   Allison works in ADVERTISING!  Billy wants to be a writer and has a LISP!  Jake is a MOTORCYCLE MECHANIC and just finished his GED!  Daphne Zuniga is a tough-talking new yorker PHOTOGRAPHER who can't commit, even to the true hotty of the show.  Sidney is the kid sister of Jayne, and causes TROUBLE at the CLUBS of LA!

Watching these now, I was studying advertising/communications/blah blah blah in college, and at the time even, I thought, that's definitely not realistic.  How could these writers churn out this crap? But I also thought, what cute clothes! Am I more like Allison?  Or Jayne?  I knew I wouldn't be teaching hip-hop aerobics, a decision I still feel was the right one based on my recent performance as Dance Jam.

But it's an idealized world that was only a year or two away from where I was at, and I kind of mocked/kind of loved it.

So, I've been sick this week, and Andy gave this to me for Xmas, so I've been watching one after another.  I don't think I'll invest in any further seasons, and this may be my last viewing.  But I am thrilled that Amy is coming over, and we're going to watch a few episodes together and dream about the past when we were dreaming about our futures.

And then SUPER BOWL!

Oh!  Andy gave this to me because he had berated me for watching 90210 Season 3 saying things like "It melts my brain."  or "We don't watch TV during the day at our house".  But it's been great for this illness, which had my head throbbing too much to read the boring book or watch TV that requires thought (Lost?  What happened this week?  I have no idea).

He also gave me This American Life, which I've carefully protected and not opened yet for it's own protection.

Baselining and Tailor's Buttons

I'm sitting in the third waiting room of the day at Illinois Masonic Medical Center.  I just had my baseline mammogram (fellows, line up, wanna hit this?)

I opted (and my doctor agreed) to have this a bit on the early side of 40 (the normal recco age) because of family history.

But I think, even more so I was motivated by a friend who was diagnosed and is now going through Chemo.  Said friend, let's call her "J", is recovering well and started Chemo today.  But man, she was YOUNGER then me, so it got my ass off the proverbial couch.

Also in exciting medical news, I am getting a foot ex-ray so a podiatrist can look and see if I have a bunion!  I wiki-pedied bunions, and my self-diagnosis makes me believe I have one on my big toe and one on the outside of the foot, otherwise known as a Tailor's Button.  Could that name be any more whimsical?  Like an old-fashioned tailor put a little button on the outside edge of my left foot---for fun!

Fellows, I know you are lining up now...for this gal with her mammogram and bunion---quite a cougar!

Oh well....I got a good luck at Uma Thurman's foot last night in the movie Kill Bill, and it looks like she's got a bunion AND hammer toes!  Take that sexy ladies!

I'm not so good at the medical stuff (i almost passed out when my sister Kitty, I mean "K" got her sonogram), so I often try to build in rewards for the after-care.

Today, as my reward, I get to eat a banana and go see an Oscar movie of my choice at Century City and maybe do Yoga at the Gym tonight.

Take that White-coat syndrome!

In the non-medical area of life--all is well...tomorrow I'm heading out to lovely Greyslake to see my old buddy Lori "L" and I've been babysitting a lot.  

Second City teaching is going well and I'm looking forward to vacation in Florida in a few weeks. Does this part of the post sound like the response at a cocktail party to the question of "And how are you?"

In all honesty, lately when people have asked me that, I've responded, in the most chipper, interesting and energetic way that I can..."Nothing is going on. Absolutely nothing.  I'm totally bored, and I've been going to the gym a ton, and watching tv, and reading and sleeping. So I can talk about that to the nth degree, but right now, my life is really really boring."

The fun ones let me talk about nothing and the ones who are thrown off by that response walk away.

Oh! They just handed me my "charts" so I'm free to go.

Which is good, because there's a lady crying in a wheelchair here, and another guy wearing only a White Sox tee (in this weather?) and a big giant face mask.  I don't need to catch what he's trying to stop spreading.

Woo hoo!

1/16/WHAT???

How can it be 1/16/09?

Yikes!

Today, thus far, has been lovely.  In fact, the past few days have been really nice.

I've managed to avoid going outside for almost two full days.  Yesterday was the super-cold coldest in years and years you may die if you go outside day.  So, I decided to follow that advice and did not venture out!

Yay for me!

Last night, Amy S and Lis came over and we ate pizza, drank wine and beer and huddled together against the cold.

This morning, I had my friend Erica over, and we feasted on breakfast food, visited, overdrank coffee and she just left.

Now, it's pretend to do stuff time by going on facebook, googling people in the name of research for a private matter, and sort piles on my desk.

Then, I go to the gym.

Tonight, show at LOL in Schaumburg (it's really good to actually get out of the house) and tomorrow is writing date with Amy.

I've started WORKING again, people!  And, I have this secret private matter that is occupying my brain, and taking up time.

Life is normalizing.

And you?

Working together, making it happen

Hello 2009!!! Bring yourself on!

I am finally, finally, getting stuff done.

I think my body was afraid of getting bedsores, so it's kicked into gear.

Here's what's happened in formerly LAZY land....

1) I made an appointment to go get legal aid for our top-secret production company legal issue

2) The play I'm in opens tonight!  It's a little 20-minute play, but has been real fun to rehearse for.

3) I went to get my lady parts checked out! I know have more referrals for other pieces parts that are not working so well.

4) I took down xmas decorations.

5) I planned my trip to Florida

6) I booked my classes for this term at Second City

7) I made up with my dad!  Well, we had made up, but I reconnected with him after the make up after the big holiday 08 fight.

8) I journalled!  Two days in a row!

9) I made Polska Kiebalsa...and ate it!  It's so darn good.

10) I did Laundry like a mo-fo.

11) I read a few books

There's no stopping me world!!!!

Pre Party Party

I hosted a pre party party at my house on Saturday and it was a ball!!!  A friend of mine lives in my condo building and has a big bash every year.  Last year I started this pre-party and we continued on this year.

My god, it was so fun.  

As Andy later said, the thing about a pre-party is that you know everyone's going to leave and not be there all night.  

So true!

And, the actual party was a ball, too.  A bit of a blowout for old Beck, even more so then my purposely tame NYE.

Today is back to life, which, for me, at the moment, means cleaning up my desk, doing laundry, hitting the gym, trying not to spend any money until the work comes in later in the week.

Apparently, tonight, Ohio State plays in the Tostito bowl!  I may just have to make a steak and potatoes and watch the game for my entertainment.

I've watched so many movies over the past month, including this weekend's movie festival of my own making..here are my thoughts:

1) Batman The Dark Knight--Boring and so so

Why?  These kind of movies are far too noisy for my taste, I don't care about advances in blowing things up, there are an awful lot of guns and killing and why can't the whole movie just be the butler and Morgan Freeman?  Why do I always think Gordon is William H. Macy instead of Gary Oldman?  Where did he go when he fake-died?  And the joker!  Man, I guess the way we portray "crazy" is by licking our lips and inventing knife scar stories?  UGH!)  When I told friends I saw it, they look at me with glee, and then I tell them my opinion and they seem disappointed in me. I think if I saw it in a movie theatre I would like it more.

2) 27 Dresses---fine.  Nothing big.

The leads didn't have a whole lot of chemistry together, as much as Heigl was trying to light up the screen with her giant display of teeth smile, he just didn't seem that into her.  And, when a movie is about 27 bridesmaid's dresses, you know it's already a farce.  But if she was such a good friend to all those gals who's wedding she was in, why on earth weren't they part of her life during the movie?  I get why people have beefs with romantic comedies--they are basically poorly written, love to have women engage in a cat fight (in this case, two sisters!  Two sisters with a dead mom!  I mean, come on!  Really?) and love to have women wearing crazy clothes.  These 27 dresses were so god-damn awful.  And I don't mean awful, like, oh that crazy bride picked something that doesn't flatter me.  I mean, awful, in that costumer went crazy and won't it be hilarious to have these super-over-the-top dresses?  Right? We all think tacky clothes are hilarious?  Because we are all smarter then that?

Anyway, with no chemistry, a wanky premise and even with the lovely Heigl slugging her way through, this movie just didn't do it for me. Uh, fine to watch, but nothing great.

3) La Dolce Vita--I didn't read a thing about this movie before watching it, nor had I ever seen any Fellini, so I found myself looking for the narrative to follow.  But once I just chilled out and watched, it was really cool visually. I've been to Rome for a few days of my life, but this movie just made me want to learn Italian immediately and move there.  Nicely done old Fellini.  Some bonus material on the DVD included Fellini TV with some fucked-up cool commercials.  And then an interview with the lady who played the blond Swedish-American actress, Sylvia.  She was washed up in every sense of the word---bloated, a dress that tried to hide her body that was not the same as the one she had in the movie, and so much war paint.  Oh lady! It's ok, you don't have to look that way anymore.  We'll still be interested in you.  Sad. I couldn't really watch it.

4) Into the Wild--By far, my favorite movie of the whole fest.  Man, it was so so great.  So beautifully shot, and such a great adaptation of a wonderful wonderful book.  This is a sad story about a young man who is kind of a dick, but is so recognizable and just seemed to make a few mistakes that cost him his life.  Or made one big huge mistake.  Not sure which, but I loved it.

5) Read after Burning---Those Cohen brothers make some good movies. This one was interesting, but not great.  I mean, the actors are wonderful, the story is kind of, eh.  I don't know what they wanted it to be--a caper? A crime story?  I wasn't satisfied, though I was impressed by the performances.  Don't hurry out for this one.

Now, onto laundry!

Here are some things I have opinions on

These are things I like:

--Facebook--I now can find out that a friend's sister from elementary school has either birthed, adopted or fostered a new baby and that it's "A christmas miracle" that the baby came.

--My cleaning lady. She has opinions and gossips with me.

--My roommate Andy. He reminds me every day how to live a creative life that is not caught up in chaos, how to be kind and that crumbs on the counter are ok.

--My friend Amy. She makes me laugh and laugh and tells me "You don't want to mess around with that business" about something that one should feel kind and generous about, but you don't feel that way.  Plus, she doesn't get judgey when I tell her she should start reading my blog, because she's missed out on a lot and that some of it, sometimes, is funny.  

--The feeling of getting something done that I get after my cleaning lady cleans my apartment. I didn't do it, but I wrote the check, so that's the reward for money well spent.

--Walking in brisk, cold, wintery nights.

--Working out, and then taking a shower at the gym, then sitting in the sauna or steam room and combing out my hair.

--These little fish guys from mexico. They are brightly colored, have stripes and their tails are in constant motion

--My Mac.  It's cute and makes me feel hipper then I am.

Things I don't like:

--Drunk men threatening bullet activity on the el

--When you buy something, like a new clock radio alarm, and that's supposed to fit and charge your Ipod, and it doesn't.  The Ipod jack refuses to quickly or consistently recognize my ipod. So I am constantly shoving the thing in there, flopping it back and forth and trying to get it to read the ipod. Frustrating!  I need to call the manufacturer.

--When the UPS man comes after 5, and you really really wanted to get your camera back and you waited around all day and missed him.  Shady business UPS.

--Putting away Christmas Decorations

--Breast Cancer

--My Mac--it hates my hotmail, every day there is some issue with my email and I can't figure out how to do everything I want to do on it and it makes me angry.

What about you?

Wow

I just saw the movie of the Into the Wild.  I loved loved loved it.  Man, it's so great.  I'm listening to the "actors" talking about the movie, and Sean Penn, etc.  It's pretty awesome, as I sit here, that Sean Penn is being interviewed about the movie, and he's smoking.  You know, he's Sean Penn, he can't be bothered by convention and as he's being interviewed, he just HAS to smoke.

Hilarious.

It does make me want to move out west to live in the desert. And, to go to Slab City.  I really dug the California desert when I was out there in May.  Oh my god, I totally just wrote Dug, and it's clear that I'm being influenced by the cool, crunchy, uber non-traditional hikey sort of thing that this movie is talking about.

Next up on special movie night is The Dark Knight.

Christmas was good.  New Years was great.  I'm taking off a night from drinking and excess to be in my house alone alone alone.

Everyone, be cool.  Don't be cynical.  Embrace it all.  

Toodles.