Spring Forward!

Don't forget. it's now 3:11 AM...but only feels like 2:11.

Congratulations to Katie and Joe Hartman. They are married now! I wish I could have been there.

I was inspired by my one and only subscriber of this blog (Look under Followers...yeah...the one person) who recently talked about her getting a library card in NYC. I have been in this city almost 7 months and this thought never occurred until she mentioned it. The brilliance of Ms. Allen! After work yesterday, I walked downtown to the library, enjoying the gorgeous weather that was somewhere in the 60s. I stopped by Jamba Juice across for the Chicago Theatre, where I noticed their marquee with the upcoming event "Bill Maher VS. Ann Coulter"! I was astonished. First of all, these two people are really gutsy for agreeing to do this show. I can't imagine either of them excited to see the other. Most of all, however, was the fact that it said "VS". Made me think this was going to be a brawl. Made me laugh on the way to the library. At the library, I filled out my application and went to the lady at the desk aka. a librarian who didn't even look up just said, "Next." Rude. I said, in a very upbeat and excited voice, that I wanted to apply for a library card. She asked for a document with my current address. Boo. I walked away with my head hanging low. On the way down, I decided to go to the lower floor to urinate (see Jamba Juice). As I left the men's bathroom, I noticed a Chicago Library Newsletter. I thought it would be fun to know what I'm about to get into, so I took one. I set my bag on a table so that I could put the newsletter in, and saw out of the corner of my eye a man approaching rather quickly and saying something to me I couldn't hear (I always have my iPod headphones in). I pulled out a bud (ear bud) and said excuse me. He said, in a sassy voice (direct quote): "And you are?" I didn't know what I had done, but I knew I had apparently upset the bald short sassy man. I said, "Uhh...I'm just putting this newsletter in my bag." He said, "Oh, we paid good money here to make that table look like that." I looked down at the table, which I originally thought was just a black painted wood table, and found I was wrong. Rather it was a table with a black table cloth on it. I apologized and put my bag on the floor and put the newsletter in. He walked away. Bad library experience.

That night I witnessed some of the most historical improvisation in the world. First I saw a show called Messing with a Dick. Susan Messing and Andy Dick. I'm sure you are thinking that I am ridiculous for being excited about watching Mr. Dick. Yes I am. But he is amazing at improv. And if you know the name Susan Messing, you know that I was not ridiculous to be excited to watch her perform. The funniest part of the night was meeting Andy's son, Lucas. I had seen him open with a stand up act the night before when I watched Andy's one man show, and then he joined a Harold team called Diplomat Motel. As I was in the bathroom after that show, he was in there urinating and messing with a flier. He looked at me guiltily and said, "caught me vandalizing" or something to that effect. I laughed, stood next to him, and did my business (I have a lot of stories with me in the bathroom in this blog, my apologies). As I stood there, I said great job for the two shows. He thanked me for coming, then talked to me about his choices he made during each show. It cracked me up that he wanted to talk about them in such detail of whether or not he made the right choices to a guy in the bathroom. After this conversation was the main event, at least for me. The reunion of the Harold team Barron's Barracudas. This was the first ever Harold team...ever! The best way to describe it: imagine your favorite playwright or composer. Think of their masterpiece. Now imagine you get to see the original cast or orchestra. Yeah...that good! I actually knew one of the performers, he was our assistant teacher in level one, so that made it all the more exciting. It was great. I don't even know how to put it into words. Just amazing. I never take pictures in shows, but I did on this one. Then after they did a Harold, they took a 10 minute break then came up with current Chicago improvisers! TJ, Mick Napier, Noah, Tim Baltz, all the people who are performing now were up onstage with the guys who were lucky enough to perform it for the first time. I was in heaven!

Today I went back to the library. Got my card! Got a book. Found a whole section on actors' biographies. I spent at least an hour there. I loved it. Can't wait to go back!



Barron's Barracudas. :D


From my cozy apartment,
CB

Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

Hey folks. Long time. I'm gonna start off this blog the way that all great hip hop albums start: a few shout outs.

First of a big shout out (and a pour of the alcoholic beverage in my hand to the ground) to the late great Vintage Chair aka Chelsea aka Mrs. Married Woman aka Girl in Coax for being the person to introduce me to the blogger stuff and peacing out before her time. RIP, girl.

Second shout out goes to the beautiful girl in NY who is now following this blog (creepy). My BF4N(ATS): ELIZA!!!

Third shout out to my beautiful girlfriend HJ who opens a show this week. Can't wait to see it! She also made me a tight ass mug for Valentine's Day!

Last shout out goes to Collin A., Meg Johns, Katie Rich, and Joceleen Ranne for giving me ideas and support in my mad teaching skillz. You guys are amazing.

Teaching?! What?!? Yes, it is true (I do that bit a lot, I apologize). My former high school flew me home to teach the wonderful and willing students a little improv. It was a two day workshop and I think quite successful. Everyone showed me respect and the atmosphere was so great. Everyone wanted to be there and so willing to learn. I realize I am very passionate about things I love and the privilege of getting to share them with others. I remember at one point jumping on a chair and cheering I was so excited as to what was going on. After the two day class, they auditioned for a team. The part that touched me the most (to get all sentimental on your asses) was after it was over, no one got up. They sat there and asked to keep playing. There was even talk about them playing in the halls just because they were having so much fun with it. Definitely one of my greatest moments in my improv life (hell, I'll say it, in life) and I can't wait to one day (in the future) explore this love of teaching further.

Speaking of improv, I start level 3 Tuesday. Super excited, but I definitely will always have a place in my heart for my level 2 class. Taught by the oh-so-talented Katie Rich, I have lived this year thus far for Sundays at 6 where I was lucky to watch and perform with some of the best improvisers in the country. Beyond best improvisers, just great people. I can't wait to see these people again and get to perform with them. This is my accidental shout out, but you all deserve it.

I think I will be having to take a forced hiatus from the Annoyance. I was planning on taking classes there on Mondays, but the class has already sold out. I will resume, but it is looking like it won't be this session. It's not because of money, I will tell you that. Not that I'm rich, but I did get my tax return two days ago! I decided to treat myself. I'm so sick of not having any groceries, so I went, and did not pay attention to how much I was buying. I had the money, I needed the groceries, so I went to town. I did not think about the weight of the groceries and the lack of a cart to push them for a few blocks. I had to carry them. After a while I had to stop every few feet and take a break. It was extremely heavy. In fact, my whole upper body is sore from them.

While at home to teach, I drove to Edmond each night to spend time with Haley. Even though it wasn't a lot of time together (she had rehearsals until 10 and I had to wake up early each day to get back to Tulsa) I am never happier than when I get to spend time with her. Getting to hold her hand while driving to Walmart or making up songs on the guitar, I feel like I am living my life fully when I am with her. She makes me laugh harder than anyone I know, and always is there for me. I hope she knows it goes both ways. I get to go back to Edmond next week to see her show, and then she is coming here for her Spring Break! I am so excited!

Short sweet updates:
I need a new book. I just finished Watchmen, my first graphic novel ever, and I really enjoyed it. Made me feel nerdy, but I enjoyed it. So if you have any recommendations, I'm all ears. Also, I listened to a lot of hip hop at home and a lot of jazz while reading. Any artists you recommend? Finally, my status=my dinner. Delicious (had to make it twice, cat walked away with the first one).

From my cozy apartment,
CB