TROUPE THAT! (The birth of The Beatnik Syndicate)

[BEATNIKSF]

I am so sick I think I'm going to die.

The problem is - if I know my diagnosis issues as I think I do - I am transitioning from "the flu" to "bronchitis" - being a severe asthmatic, bronchitis is deadly for me. I have a fever & chills & a cough which makes my entire body spasm... Not even Kraft dinner and Gatoraide can make me feel better.

If anyone out there knows of a good SF doctor who can see me *today* (unlike the five or so plus doctors who I've called thus far) - please call me at home. I will be lying on my couch moaning pittifully. My next step is to go to the emergency room.

I *hate* the emergency room.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

I am not dead:

I'm sure that some people out there will be glad about that... (I'm sure that some will be disappointed, too... ha, ha.) I am actually much better than I was even twelve hours ago... I'm well enough that I'm sitting upright, drinking a cup of coffee and listening to Liz Phair's "Exile in Guyville" on my computer...

Here's the drama which lead from my last post to this moment:
After my pitiful post one of my Dearest Friends in the entire world showed up unannounced at my apartment and whisked me away in her car to a doctor in Berkeley. Said doctor listened to my chest for about two seconds and then sent me to the hospital for a chest X-Ray. (Being asthmatic as I am, bronchitis can be a bit of a concern.)

At the hospital I had to wait around for an hour and a half to get said X-Ray... but, everyone was really nice to me & a nurse brought me some apple juice... and, Dearest Friend entertained me with stories of classes she is teaching and idiots she met on her most recent trip abroad, stories of her boyfriend (who is quite a character) and other such trivial matters... and, sang me songs from Hedwig & the Angry Inch... and, talked like she was her dog... it was great. Like my own personal comedy show. Except that her making me laugh too hard caused me to cough a lot - which hurt.

They took said X-Ray and confirmed that I had *very bad* bronchitis - possibly transitional into pneumonia. The doctor wanted to keep me in the hospital -- however, I protested (as my medical insurance hasn't kicked in & I could visualize being thousands of dollars further in debt due to this decision) and we came up with a compromise:

I would stay in the hospital long enough to have him administer two asthma treatments (with the cool doo-higgy machine thingie which makes you sound like Darth Vader) and one course of IV anti-biotics. I would *NOT* to return to work until Monday (at the very soonest) and that for the next four days I would stay home and rest. Also, I agreed that I would return on Monday to have another chest X-Ray to see if the infection has cleared up like the doctor wanted. If it was - he would issue me a 10 day course of oral anti-biotics and be done with it... if not, then more IV anti-biotics and "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." And, that if I started to feel worse than I was feeling at that moment (fever up, unable to breath, etc...) that I would page said doctor and go to the closest emergency room. And, that I would check in with his office today to let him know if I was feeling better.

IF I agreed to all these things - then the kind doctor would let me go home so that I could accrue my obscene medical bills for this illness piece by piece instead of on an overnight stay in a hospital.

I, of course, agreed to this. He gave me a free asthma inhaler & some really good cough meds which knocked me out for the majority of Wednesday afternoon/evening and Thursday... and, sent me on my merry way.

Dearest friend (who hates having her name in blogs, so I'll humor her) transported me back home, stopping to get me some low-fat vanilla ice cream and a Lucky Magazine. (She really is da bomb - saving my life & all.)

By the time which Liz stopped by that evening to check on me - I was feeling well enough to sit on the couch for an hour and a half and debate feminist perspective with her - though, the IV anti-biotics left this totally gross taste in my mouth and made me really nauseous for most of the day/evening.

And, I felt a little better yesterday -- no fever, chest much clearer, not nauseous. By 3pm I was feeling well enough & restless enough to take a short walk up to the Walgreens near my house to get more Kleenex... I have to say that I caught sight of myself in a shop window on this short walk and my reflection scared the shit out of me -- so I also bought some hair dye at Walgreens & a home facial kit... which I will use today - as I'm feeling well enough to be out of bed for more than twenty minutes.

I think that I am on the mend. I can breath much easier than I have been able to... I talked with my Mommaship via phone yesterday & she said that I sounded much, much better than I did on Wednesday. (She then made me give up the address of Dearest Friend so that she could send her some flowers... she - the Mommaship - was much more concerned than she let on when I talked to her on Wednesday morning.)

Today I feel almost normal -- well enough to walk to my bank so I can deposit my paycheck and then take a cab to the grocery store & get some food in my apartment. T wants me to wait on this until he gets here tonight -- but, I'm feeling really restless & my back hurts from sitting/lying around so much. I need to get out and walk a little bit. My Mommaship stated that she thinks that I need to be really careful about where I go this weekend - as my resistance & immunities are more than likely at an all time record low.

One thing which may not have been taken into account by people reading this who think that perhaps I'm just over-reacting to bronchitis is that I actually have a medical disorder (I.D.D./NS) which makes everyday colds, etc. more serious for me than the average Joe... it is an immune deficiency disorder which is common amongst women born between 1965 and 1975 in which your blood is low on or missing all together the antibodies which most people have present that fight off common infections. The lesser of these disorders is simply called "Immune Deficiency Disorder" and the more serious (which is actually categorized as a birth defect, is much more rare and causes cases like "Bubble Boy") is called Nezloff's Syndrome.

I, of course, am not a bubble girl. I have the lesser of the two -- what that means is that I get sick quicker, easier and more seriously from common illnesses. I am much healthier now than I was ten-years ago or even twenty years ago when this disorder was first diagnosed by a doctor (before that my parents just thought I was the biggest hypochondriac in the entire world.) And, due to my self-modification of my own diet, quitting smoking, taking shitloads of supplements & vitamins, exercising regularly & the fact that I get acupuncture on a regular basis -- I don't get sick as much as I used to. And, when I do get sick it's not as bad. But, in the history of me, I have been hospitalized from a common cold.

This indicates that I should go to the doctor immediately when I get sick. However, not having medical insurance (mine goes into effect on May 1st) I tend to wait until the last minute. I have only been as sick as this *one* other time since I moved to San Francisco... and, thankfully that was when I was living with Dearest Friend and Thomas -- and, Thomas insisted the moment that I spiked a fever that we go to the emergency room. Dearest Friend basically slept by my bed for two nights and nursed me back to health.

This time I was foolish -- I should have gone to the doctor much sooner. But, thankfully I have good friends (Dearest Friend, T, Liz & Martin) who took such good care of me...

T is a champ -- who else would ditch work to come and make a sick girl soup & bring her season three of "The Dukes of Hazzard" on DVD? (Plus, he keeps sending me amusing links via email... and, he stated that if I weren't better by this weekend that he was going to transport me to his dungeon of an apartment so I could watch cable television while convalescing. Not to mention that he thought I looked cute while I was sick... perhaps he's not just a champ, but insane, too.)

My boss was a little overwhelmed by me being out sick all week. But, I spoke with her yesterday and she was no longer irate -- especially after I told her that I almost ended up in the hospital. I'm not looking forward to the crazy week I'm going to have next week due to this illness... but, at least she's not pissed at me anymore.

***
...I just realized that this has nothing at all to do w/improv... and, that it's actually been a while since I wrote about anything "improv" in my "improv blog" so here's something that does:

the beatnik syndicate will premier a new, ongoing-monthly show on April 21st (in two weeks! Yikes,) at the Off Market Gallery... 8pm... we are paired with the SFIC's "Night of 1,000 Games" (short-form improv jam, tons o' fun - check it out)... bs will play from 8 to 9:30 pm... we've (the troupe) agreed that we will not settle on one format - but, use this as our opportunity to mess about with formats we already know & new ones we're working on... like, for instance, having a freestyle rapper be our monologist for our Armando structure... and, doing the poem montage which we played with in rehearsal... it's all very exciting for us.

Anyhow - $10 for both shows. A cheaper Friday night of improv entertainment cannot be found. I'm super psyched!

Monthly show, yay!

Hopefully, I'll be fully recovered before then.

Alright - off to shower now - I'm just grody. Blargh.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Saturdays In The Park...

Felt well enough to venture out of Chinatown, in general, today... T & I took the bus up to the Richmond where we visited the good Goodwill (I bought a skirt for work, the 'All that Jazz' soundtrack & Men at Work albums on vinyl) and Green Apple Books -- where I bought a novel about the Chelsea Hotel written by Dee Dee Ramone (PUNK RAWK!), "Wicked" and my fourth copy of "Memoirs of a Beatnik" by Diane diPrima... I'm going to see Diane diPrima (whom I frequently refer to as my hero) read from her "Revolutionary Letters" at Diva Fest on the 22nd -- I'm pretty excited -- two years in the same city with her (my hero/favorite writer) and I have yet to see her read... I will more than likely stick around Diva Fest to see the Lun Fan show & give props to Liebe... being an Object Manipulator as I am, you know - true dat.

Also bought a postcard to send to Carly (the brother's wife) w/Audrey Hepburn on the front.

Had too spicy Thai soup & a fairly languid nap avec reading of new books w/the aforementioned T.

Now we're going to go for a brief walk to procure eggs & milk so that we can have breakfast in the morning.

Still not 100% -- but, somewhere near 75%.
Life is pretty good.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Monday

I am so put off by the events which have transpired in my office in the past week, I can't even tell you.

I fucking hate having to feel like I need to be wary and defend my job from every person who filters in and out of this office.

I fucking hate the fact that I'm inclined to work myself to death - working 70, 80 hours a week - to protect a fucking mid-level job which isn't supposed to be this stressful. I mean, the whole purpose of me taking this job in the first place was to make life easier and less stressful.

And, it ain't working out like that.

Here's what's happened that has made me so upset:
1. I was out for five days sick. Despite the fact that I was quite obviously not faking this illness, she decided to give me a hard time about this fact. Granted, I know she was counting on me to do a bunch of stuff - but, people get sick & being an employer, she should be able to deal w/out making a huge issue out of it. She is refusing to let me use my comp days - which I suspect is illegal in some way - however, at this point I do not have the energy to fight with her about it. Meaning, that I've lost an entire week's pay - so, I have exactly $31 to support myself with until next Thursday - in effect causing me to need to call my parents and ask them to loan me money against my tax return so I can pay the multitude of bills I have piling up and you know, buy food, so I don't starve. I am in my 30's and theoretically work at a job where I should be able to comfortably support myself... nothing pisses me off more & makes me feel like a bigger loser than having to call my Mommy and Daddy to ask for cash. Part of the reason I took this job in the first place was so that I wouldn't have to do this.

2. Despite the fact that I am not a secretary (although my job does entail some clerical functions such as transcription - though, transcription is a higher level skill as far as that goes & not every random person who decides they're qualified to do clerical work knows how to or can do transcription well) my boss continues to treat me like I am one. The craziest thing about this is that she ACTUALLY HAS A SECRETARY. However, this is about more than just giving me random secretarial tasks to do. This is mostly about her devaluing the actual need for higher skill and function in the work that I do for her firm. Not everyone can do what or all that I do and in one position I encompass a lot of different job titles - graphics designer, copywriter, editor, research assistant, qualitative analyst... these are just the job titles which I can name as positions I would be qualified to perform with other companies based on what it is that I do for my firm. There's stuff I do that I cannot even really describe as it defies job description. And, I do it all. Not just one aspect - all of it. However, she seems to think that anyone can do all that I do and treats me as such... with very little value of appreciation for the long hours, low pay (considering) and diverse thought and practical skills which are part of this position. This leads me to...

3. She freaks out about stupid stuff. For example, she needed me to transcribe a tape of an interview she did last week. This is a clerical task which can be done by anyone with transcription experiance. So, I asked her, while she was freaking out on the phone to me on Wednesday if it would be worth her time to hire a temp to come in and transcribe the tape -- or, if it could wait until today I told her I'd do it when I came back to work. She didn't think it could wait - so I called the temp service (the same one which I was actually hired through) and they sent over a temp to transcribe the tape. That's all the temp was supposed to do. Transcribe the tape. Leading me to...

4. The temp didn't transcribe the tape. Not only did this not happen -- but, my boss has given the temp job assignments which fall outside what a temp on a short term assignment should be expected to do. Like talking with clients. About projects this temp has no knowledge of or basis for commenting on. NOT ONLY THIS - but, when I talked with my boss on Friday concerning coming in this morning she stated to me that the temp would be in the office on Monday (today) finishing an assignment which she'd started on Thursday to design a logo for one of our clients - a client who I work with directly. A logo which I am supposed to be designing. She (my boss) whispered to me over the phone that she "hoped I wouldn't be territorial" but, could I please use the computer in the conference room to work from today so that the temp (who obviously has aspirations to do my job) could use MY OFFICE and MY COMPUTER to finish this task... as my computer is the only one which has the design software on it.

Now. I've been out sick for a week. And, while the temp has not been doing the clerical things which she was brought in to do and has been messing about with other aspects of my job which I have no idea if she is or is not qualified to perform -- my actual work load has been piling up.

I have shit to do.

Which requires use of my office.

And, not only does it piss me off to be kicked out of my office so that a college student temp can dork around on my computer -- not only does it piss me off to have to come into the office two hours early so as to organize my day so that I can work from the FUCKING CONFERENCE ROOM (so as to accomidate "Jen's schedule") -- but, it INFURIATES me beyond reason to discover - after coming in two hours early - that this temporary employee of my office has a.) rearranged my office and desk to suit her desires, b.) fucked with my personal effects in my office and, c.) INSTALLED AND DELETED SOFTWARE AND FILES ON MY COMPUTER. Meaning, meaning that I CANNOT ORGANIZE MY FUCKING WORKDAY UNTIL SHE GETS HERE BECAUSE I CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE FUCK SHE DID WITH MY CLIENT FILES!

She deleted contacts in my Outlook. She's imported my entire client list into Filemaker Pro (a program I refuse to use because it's so insanely stupid & incomatible to *anything else I do* as opposed to Microsoft Access or Excel) and has edited graphics work I was working on using Photoshop. PHOTOSHOP!

And, the thing which is pushing me to the edge and making me about ready to go into my boss's office and quit are these two things:

1. I asked my boss *why* she thought it was okay for Jen (the temp) to import our client files into Filemaker -- and, she said, "Well, I needed her to do some work w/the list and she said that she knows how to use Filemaker better than Access."

WHAT THE FUCK? Who CARES what she knows how to use better?!? We've been using Access since before I WORKED at this firm. And, just because a $10/hour temp does't know how to use the program you're going to change it? Well, lady - I've been begging you to stop using AOL for six months now - and, you've been hanging on to that fucked up program with both hands and feet like you wouldn't believe. But, a temp tells you she doesn't know how to use a program WHICH IS ACTUALLY USEFUL AND APPLICABLE TO THE WORK WE DO and you change it w/out even consulting the people who use it?

I repeat: WHAT THE FUCK?

If she doesn't know how to use the program OUR OFFICE USES - FUCKING CALL THE TEMP SERVICE AND GET A TEMP WHO DOES KNOW HOW TO MANIPULATE THE PROGRAM.

2. There was a note on my desk today asking me to "please remember to sign Jen's timecard."

This is really just all too fucking much.
Seriously.

NOT TO MENTION: My boss has been ultra slow in approving my health insurance. Meaning, that I have not been covered for this illness. So, in addition to being out a week's pay and having to deal with this hassel of the cheeky temp who wants my fucking job (which I may be inclined to give her by the end of this day) I have about a grand in medical bills which SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IF MY BOSS HAD JUST BEEN THOUGHTFUL ENOUGH TO SIGN MY FUCKING INSURANCE FORM BEFORE NOW.

ARRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!
My head is going to implode.
Fuck.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Oh Yeah:

And, I told Tyler that I was going to put up a sign on the door to the conference room which said:

"Kate Kotler's Workspace"

And, take a picture of it to email to him.

Any of you who don't get that reference obviously don't watch The Office.

This is the only amusement I fear I'm going to have all day.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Pony up with the good karma!

I tipped a cab driver $7 because it was his birthday (though, I suspect that he may tell everyone who rides in his cab that) -- mostly, because I had an extra $20 I found in my coat pocket & felt that I should do something kind to offset all the negative energy I have been exuding to anyone who passed me by all day today.

So - I fully expect that something great and wonderful should happen to me in the next day.

Otherwise the universe just isn't fair.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!

My boyfriend (it feels weird to say that, but it's true, we agreed last night at dinner that we are "officially a couple" - and, it makes me a little on the giddy side thinking about it) who is a lawyer at a fancy-pants firm downtown scored us some free Giants tickets for tonight...

The Giants are not playing the Cubs -- which would have made me scream with joy and rapture -- but, it's still live baseball. I have not been to a baseball game in SF since I moved here. Yay!

Now everyone just say a little karma prayer that the game doesn't get rained out.

Thank you.

***
I find it odd and funny (funny 'ha-ha', not funny 'strange') that in less than 24 hours since making mutual declarations of coupledom that the following things have happened:

1. A certian aforementioned boyfriend magically started cuddling in the middle of the night where there has been no cuddling before...

2. That same boyfriend lost his socks this morning and, of course, having the girlfriend powers turned back on - I knew right where they were.

3. That having my girlfriend powers turned back on has allowed me to co-opt articles of boy-clothing to sleep in w/out getting complaints from said boy (who happens to be my boyfriend.)

This is pretty happy.

That is all.
Now I must drink my coffee and go to work.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Bah, Rain!

The game was rained out. Called by 4pm... and, of course, as soon as I leave work at 5:30 pm it's pleasant and sunny. Fucking SF weather! The good news is that we do get rain tickets to the rescheduled game, whenever that happens to be -- I'm hoping it will be on a day/time which is more conveniant than 7pm on a random Wednesday -- or, at least far enough in advance that we can plan for it.

Instead we continued the "great 2006 sheet hunt" -- I've been looking for new sheets for my bed for something like two weeks now. Been to every Ross, Marshalls and Mervyns in the city, haven't been able to find what I want (either flannel or 500+ thread count Egyptian Cotton.) I actually found some Egyptian Cotton sheets last night which were pretty nice -- but, they were pale pink. (My entire room is red, black and tan in decor... plus, I don't like light colored sheets.)

My next try is either Target, Macy's or Overstock.com... perhaps I'll look on Overstock right now... I want NEW SHEETS! (Wang-fang it!)

Anyhow... we also ate dinner at the Lucky Penny & went to T's apartment to check for flooding (he lives in a basement apartment & sometimes it floods when it rains a lot...) Thankfully, it was not flooded.

Then we got back to my place (just in time for the Simpsons) and I answered some email. I'm somewhat annoyed about a variety of things (work related) -- our network & phone lines have been corupted due to excessive rain & a big power outage which occured on Tuesday... so, I'm getting even more behind than I was at the beginning of the week. I haven't been able to do any e-commerce (which is part of our business - dealing w/clients online, etc.) since Tuesday at noon... and, we have no idea when it's going to get fixed. So, on one hand - this is good - as it's giving me plenty of time to work on projects offline (graphics, q.r. analysis, etc.) -- on the other hand, it's bad because I cannot contact clients except via my cell phone (which gets crappy reception in my building) and, I can't access any of my online work.

Plus, I've been unable to progress in getting the ad approved for the "Big Project" (because it requires uploading it to the SFIC message board for a vote - I may have to save it to CDR and try to do it from my home PC - which doesn't have design software on it & may not let me... plus I'd be going Mac to PC which is always a pain in the ass...) nor, have I been able to ship the graphic to PS Print for postcard production. NOT TO MENTION I haven't been able to return a couple of phone calls... I've been keeping everyone up to date & will deal with them tomorrow from home when I work out of my apartment until noon --- but, it's put me behind. Not to mention - I got yelled at for doing SFIC business in my office (which has never been a problem before - I do my SFIC business on my lunch) at length.

All of which has made me grumpy.
I'm ready for the weekend.

Okay - now I have to get ready for work. I'm late (again.)

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Sexy.

:inlove:
Having a new boyfriend entitles one to go into credit card debt again purchasing lingere...

That is all.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Tired: Tired Of Being Admired, Tired Of Love Uninspired, I'm Pooped.

I worked yesterday. And, then Tyler and I stayed up drinking PBR & watching the Ramones documentary (End of the Century - I'd seen it, he hadn't) until midnight... I just got home. I took some allergy medicine earlier & it's made me tres groggy.

Tired.

Tired.

Have I mentioned that my current job is beginning to make me feel like Frank Whaley in "Swimming with Sharks"? Well, it is.

But, I have to stick it out - as I need the stable income.
Bah. Job kicking ass, unpredictable, tempermental boss... yucky.

I'm reading a book written by the late Dee-Dee Ramone right now. It's pretty okay. I'm most interested in finding his memoir, "Lobotomy". I think that would be very cool to read.

the beatnik syndicate has a show this weekend. Friday, 4/21 -- w/the SFIC's N1KG. I'm pretty stoked about just getting out on the stage & having fun. It's going to be me, MDP, JD, DA and Danzansky. AE is going to play with us, as JFP is in Amsterdam. This excites me, as I :love: sharing the stage w/my "sister from another mother"...

Tyler is coming to the show - which means he'll be meeting most of my very closest friends - SS, AE, CH (who he's met already, I think)... the boys from bs - plus, TE (AE's sister) and Thomas (the ex/current friend) are coming to the show. I hope Tyler knows what he's in for. My friends are... well... you know. Unique.

Okay.
Off to lounge, read, shower and have Easter dinner.
Yum, Easter dinner!

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Nothing is finer...

Than snuggling down under the covers, grabbing the hand of that person you're oh-so-shockingly-close to and drifting off to sleep while "Danger Mouse" is playing softly in the background... then waking up to discover that you're being held tightly while sunlight streams through your windows... and, you start to get up to get ready for work/the day only to be told, "Shh, you don't need to get up for another two hours."

Nothing is finer.

I will forgive my boss for calling me at 8pm (on Easter Sunday) while I was in the middle of a private moment with my boyfriend, because she called me to tell me not to come into the office until 10:30 am.

All day long it was sunny. I wore an outfit that felt like spring. I actually was in a good mood when I got to the office this morning & despite how hectic everything was, I remained in said good mood for the entire day.

I almost ditched the Jam in favor of going to a SJ Sharks hockey game w/Tyler -- but, it didn't work out so the game was possiable -- and, now I'm glad I didn't miss the Jam.

DW was there. It's always such a treat to see him. We chatted for a bit about a scene we did a year ago which has stuck with us both and another scene that we did a month ago w/CDJ which was truly sublime. It's funny how with some people you can remember every scene you ever do with them with such clarity... I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing (I think good -because, both scenes in question were good scenes.) I miss DW - he's always so positive towards me & I think that we have this nice, quiet, understated friendship which doesn't need bells & whistles, it can just be enjoyed. I like hanging out with him & always have stuff to talk about with him... I wish he were around more.

And, DB showed up. The guy I love to hate. CB was there... DA, CH, PW, little J, DF and a bunch of other familiar faces... it was a weird, fun, crazy jam.

Tomorrow we have the first beatnik rehearsal in a month. I'm anxious to get back into the groove w/them. I'm stoked about AE playing with us. And, I may ask JQ to sit in, too - as we are down two troupe members for this show.

Then Wednesday I can spend time w/Tyler.
That is important.
He is important.

I talked with my Aunt tonight & she grilled me about him - and, I told her of how content I am and how he makes me just feel at ease - not anxious or like I need to prove myself - just comfortable.

It's really good.

I'm not making any premature predictions or anything (because, that would jinx it) -- but, I will say that it's really good.

Nothing is finer than waking up warm and comfortable and loved.

Completely languid.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Riddle Me This:

Why on earth does allergy/cold medication which is advertised as "non-drowsy" still make me so spacey?

Seriously, folks - I feel higher than a kite.
This is not conducive to my productivity today.

(Again, neither is updating your blog while your boss is at the bank... but, c'est la vie.)

Swimmy head.

Rehearsal in a couple of hours -- should be interesting.
:loopy:

 

[BEATNIKSF]

My Day, My Day...

Has been spent, thus far, catching up on even more stuff I missed while I was out sick...

Including finishing up the design of the postcard for the "Big Project" -- as my work computer is the one with all the nifty graphics programs on it. I think it looks super good... and, I will be pleased when it goes out the door to the printer. This hasn't been a "half-assed" job like the past couple of things I've designed for the SFIC or beatnik on the fly... oh, no - I broke out my marketing design manual and the color wheel for this one, even. And, the results are great. It's the best thing I've designed (I think) aside from the "sexy" beatnik postcard and the two-toned ad that just ran for UCSF - MC.

Even my boss was impressed with it.

Granted, it's not like it's orginal logo work or anything - I did start with standard fonts, prewritten copy and a source photo from the artist... but, it's the packaging of it which is an artform more than even the design of a orginal logo.

Anyhow - once it's done w/copywriting, I may post it here. It's about improv, after all...

The rest of my afternoon means shifting gears to work on a few more presentation slides for that software company & then go back to the q.r. I'm doing for UCSF... which I'm really enjoying. It's very interesting stuff.

Did some stuff for Dr. R & it turned out okay.
Good.

It's rather calm (in context of the past few days) around here right now... I'm just finishing up lunch & then back to work. Don't think I'm going to have to work on Friday - which is good because I have a show.

Later, IRC...

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Happy 4/20

Last year at this time I was going w/AE to Berkeley to see the UCB Tour Co. w/Besser, Walsh & Roberts at the invitation of EN & SM...

We had dinner (AE & I) at some really great Italian resturant in Berkeley - I can't remember the name of it now...

I was getting ready to move into the Pac Heights apartment & the Festival hadn't opened yet...

Things are much better now.

I have to say that one of the greatest pleasures in the world is waking up to sunshine in SF... especially, if that sunshine pleasure includes being cuddled awake by a warm, snuggly boyfriend.

We watched the Kids in the Hall doc last night - which I've seen eight-gazillion times - but, he'd never seen. Tonight we're going to some social thing for the SF Onion. I'm making Martin go with us. He (Martin - the roommate) needs to meet a woman.

I talked to my cousin last night (the one who's closest in age to me - still 6 years younger than I am - but, we've always been really close)... and, we are trying to plan a way for her and her kids to come visit me over the summer... I hope it works out. One of the regretable things about not living in Chicago anymore is that I don't get to spend time with my family.

Ah... I'm late as usual. Gotta fly.
Later, IRC...

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Ah, Friday...

I'm working from home today... this is lovely. What that meant is that I was able to stay at Tyler's apartment (the Jason Lee/Mallrats apartment, that is) after going to the Onion social thing last night.

Which meant - that I was able to watch The Office (it was the one where Michael kicks Dwight's ass) & 'Adult Swim' (I don't have cable, Tyler does...) which is always awesome.

Apparently - Adult Swim is also airing reruns of "Saved by the Bell" at midnight... I fell asleep before I was able to see what the deal was, but that's hella funny.

I came home and slept for a bit this morning & have been working on media stuff for the SFIC ever since -- I'm feeling pretty positive, as the feedback I got from the three editors I actually was able to *speak* with is that they're positive that they want a writer to cover the "Big Project" & they're going to call me after May 1st when they start planning for that time frame... I'm pretty psyched!

I also sent the "BP" postcard to print - it looks awesome. As soon as we announce it, formally, I'm going to start posting that graphic all over the friggin' web.

The Onion thing was alright - JQ showed up to chat up people w/me... Tyler enjoyed the free pizza & beer... I had two beers, which made me loopy, as I'd rushed to get there right from work & hadn't stopped to eat dinner.

Not to mention I had the WORST cab driver in the history of cab drivers.... Bah.

Passed out some postcards, etc. It was good fun.

Tonight, the beatnik syndicate has the show over at the Off Market Gallery... SS & I decided to give away some comps to the show (as it's the first & it's always better to do a first show to a packed house than to make beaucoup cash... though, to have both is very nice, too.) I hope people take us up on it, you know?

Come to think of it - if anyone comes in and says that they read that we have a show on my IRC blog - I'll comp them, too... so, 25.7 people who read my blog... get moving!



Confirmed w/Blue Blanket Improv... beatnik will be guesting at their May 4th show at 50 Mason. Should be great fun.

I'm looking forward to having fun tonight.

Doing laundry (clean panties, yay!) and finishing up the design of the Fiberlink logo redraft. I've come to the conclusion that I REALLY need a new computer at home... I need a Mac. Oh, yes, I do.

Er... um...

Tomorrow Tyler and I are going to the "Friends of the Library" book sale at Fort Mason... then to hear Diane diPrima read at Diva Fest.

Fun stuff.

Better check laundry process.
Later, IRC...

 

[BEATNIKSF]

My Weekend, Thus Far:

Friday's show was alright - we had a very small audiance, which I expected - as we had done veritably no PR for the dang thing prior... I think the sense was that we (meaning SS and myself) wanted to suss out how it all worked together before committing to a full scale marketing campaign which we might have to then go back and alter/change.

The improv was pretty good considering most of us hadn't been in the same room together for a month. BB was there and he said that our first set was really, really good. Which is crazy - as I thought that our first set was not so great... but, it just goes to show that the perspective of people watching you improvise is often different than your perspective from within the improv.

Tyler really liked it, too.

I was really thrilled to have AE play with us - she's so sharp & funny. Plus, it meant that TE & her man came to watch... and, as I hadn't seen her since maybe January, it was a real treat.

We (Tyler & I) stayed for about 2/3 of N1KG... before he faded out. AE, JQ & I played a really great round of "Day in the Life" about this guy Leonardo... (who apparently goes to the library looking for a wife... ) AE & I played sex kitten inanimate objects (a book & a computer)... it was great fun.

I asked JQ to play w/beatnik on May 4th when we guest w/Blue Blanket. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be short one player (I think MDP has a work conflict)... and, I think he's just the guy to cover.

Tyler and I doged out about 10:30 to walk back to my place... where we promptly fell asleep. (Unlike the perception which most of my friends had, which was that we were doging out to shag... ha, ha.)

Yesterday we spent a languid morning around my apartment... made coffee & breakfast... Tyler surfed the net and put a bid in on eBay on some vintage hockey jersey he was lusting after... found me Dee Dee Ramone's rap cd - which we bid on, even though I want it on vinyl. I set up a Myspace account for beatnik (http://www.myspace.com/beatniksyndicate) and we got ready to face the day.

And, a really beautiful day it was - about 65 degrees and sunny (mostly)... went out to Ft. Mason to peruse the Friends of the Library book sale... picked up a bunch of books... it was a score in my opinion. I'm now stocked up on reading material through next year this time, I think. (Not true - I'll burn through those books pretty fast when I take my vacation in July.)

Came back here & chilled for a little bit w/Martin - who had been out to Target. Decided to grab books, walk into North Beach to get lunch & then head over to Washington Square Park to read in the sunlight for a bit... went to Mo's on Grant St. (best hamburgers & fries, ever... seriously, EVER) and then discovered that it was nearly 5pm... (how shocking!) So, we walked over to the hip video store on Stockton to rent a couple of movies for the evening... got "The Year My Voice Broke" and "Everything is Illuminated."

Came back to the apartment to take a "nap" and ended up laying around talking for several hours (amongst other things) about having our hearts broken & past loves. It was one of those crazy, close talks you only have with someone you're really into. It was wonderful.

Got up and got beers & popcorn - watched "The Year My Voice Broke" and fell asleep half-way through "Everything is Illuminated." (I'm hoping we'll finish those tonight... before they're due back at the video store.)

This morning I was supposed to go have coffee w/Thomas - but, he never called me... so instead I went for a run. (2.5 miles - not bad, regaining some of that endurance.)

And, a little later this afternoon I'm going to go coach AE's troupe for a little bit. I'm very excited to see them improvise - I haven't seen them work together since AE's auditions this past summer. Pocket full of Awesome Sauce (tm).

Then I'm going to head over to GG Park to watch my man play some hockey... I don't know what's up for the rest of the day... probably will stop at Whole Foods on the way back to my place & grab dinner stuff. We're staying over here tonight, as we both have to work early tomorrow & my place is so much closer to work for both of us.

I am really content. It's been such a long time since I felt this... happy.

It's so nice.

Okay... shower is required.
Later, IRC...

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Coaching & Hockey

I had fun coaching Y Que?! yesterday... we worked on LRR (listen, react, respond) through a series of games (most of which I ganked from various UCB workshops I've taken over the past two years.)

DW stayed to play with us. I talked to him a bit about the idea of the theater complex of my very own (like a real theater, theater) and asked him about potentially doing some work with bs this summer.

I'm going to design a postcard for Y Que?! as a thank you to AE for unspecified kindnesses she's shown me in our two & 1/2 years of friendship. This is not all philanthropic, as my boss wants me to build my graphics & media design portfolio so she has more to show clients when she pitches me as a "necessary service" to their accounts.

(Which makes me say - if there's anyone out there who needs a business card, postcard, poster, logo or whatever designed - as long as you don't need it rushed, I'm willing to do a couple of jobs for credit only... or, maybe in exchange for classes/coaching for beatnik. This is a limited time offer.)

Stayed a little later at the OMG than I desired - chatting w/DW & PW... PW commented on how everyone had remarked on Friday how happy I seem with Tyler.

It's true, I am happy.

Left the theater and went over to GG Park to watch my baby play hockey. He is such a studly-boy-man-guy... so gnarly it's maddening!

Anyhow - the game ended early - which I was disappointed with, as I had brought a book & my iPod and was grooving on just hanging out, being supportive and enjoying the fresh air. Of course, I was invited back for a "real game" at another time.

Went back to T's place, where I watched "Top Chef" (oh, cable, you're so addicting!) while he showered up...

Went to Whole Foods for dinner fixings, etc. Made really good Coconut Curry Chicken & saffron rice... yummers! Had three glasses of wine (which made my cheeks flushed.) We finished watching "Everything is Illuminated" (all I have to say is that it's a really sad, poignent movie.) Walked the videos back to the store & were home in time for Family Guy and American Dad.

It was good.

There must be something *really* wrong with me - as I WILLINGLY got up at 6:30 am this morning to cook breakfast. (Seriously, someone must have slipped crack into my wine or something... 6:30 am for a guy? Really!) And, I've been dorking around on the 'net just long enough that I know I'll be late for work, yet again...

The more some things change, the more they stay the same.

MNJ tonight. I'm wiped out, so I more than likely won't stay for all three sets... but, I'm going to go to at least work for part of it.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Scales:

I find more and more at this job that I cannot predict from one day to the next if I'm going to be either the "hero of the office" or "the person who cannot do anything right."

Thursday?

Hero of the Office

Today?

Person Who Cannot Do Anything Right

...and, the crazy part is I'm not doing anything differently than I normally do.

This is exhausting. And, my day isn't even half over.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Fucked Up

I had a dream that I was doing improv in a haunted house with my niece (who's 14), CH, SM, SS and my boss... there was PowerPoint, lucite bowling balls w/skulls in them 'ala Mystery Men and nakedness* involved at various points.

I cannot go into it further - as I'm late for work.

Let's suffice it to say that it was strange.

And, I totally blame eating leftover Coconut Chicken Curry as a late dinner for this dream. :loopy:

That is all.
Later, IRC...


*Not my nakedness... let's say that lucite bowling balls don't do some men justice, eh?

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Fucked Up, Part 2:

The ignoble manner in which some people achieve their underhanded success w/in the San Francisco improv "community" is really disheartening.

I am throughly disgusted this morning.

I will not publicly embarrass the individuals involved in leading me to this conclusion, however, you know who you are & you should shut the hell up before you dig a deeper hole for yourself.

That is all.