TROUPE THAT! (The birth of The Beatnik Syndicate)

[BEATNIKSF]

Rain, rain go away...

It is, again, raining. Bah. I kept hoping that I'd wake up to -if not sun - cloudy skies.

It makes me reluctant to leave my house. Have I explained yet that I cannot find even one of the twelve umbrellas I bought last year?

Fucking hell.

Thankfully, I could find my ski coat shell (with hood) which is waterproof and will serve as my raincoat today. I will look dorky and unattractive - like I am ready to go slushing down a mountian - but, I WILL BE DRY!

Speaking of not knowing where things are... where the hell are my skis? Holy fuck. I think I left them at the apartment I shared w/Louisa and David... (that's two apartments ago.) Mental Note: Call David to inquire about skis.

Skis are very expensive. Even if you don't use them very often (like I should) they are far more expensive than even 100 umbrellas and would be an extreme bummer to lose -- as the person in question (me) could no more afford to replace them than she could afford to, oh, take a vacation to use them.

Double bah.

Jasen at UBI Soft told me last night that I could come in "between 9:30 and 10:00 am." The OTHER women I'm working on this project with are coming in at 9:30 am... I should be on the ball and go in then, too. But, it's raining. And, I haven't even dried my hair yet. And, I'm sitting here listening to the mix Cd I'm making people for Xmas (see poor comment)... and, I'm just a giant slacker today.

Slacker, slacker, slacker.
Besides - I'm working until 6 pm tonight - which means I won't have time to go home between that and the Lab... which I'm teaching tonight. I'll be very suprised if anyone shows up for it.

The Jam was pretty dead. Although, we did have three random audiance members wander in from Berkeley. Which was cool. They enjoyed themselves.

It was okay. The improv could have been better (as always.) But, it seemed like everyone had fun. MQ came out to support. There were only five people there... what's up with that?

We will have to push the Jam hardcore this week... big move next week.

Okay. No more slacking. There is more coffee to be drunk. Hair to be dried. Muni to be taken. Boring tasks to accomplish.
:loopy:

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Wow. Page six. Do I really write that much crap in here?
Golly.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Headache... Mysteries Of Life... Pr Insanity... Beatnik... Date

I had an audition for a voiceover this afternoon. On the way to this appointment, riding BART - there was some woman sitting close to me who was wearing so much god-awful perfume that it gave me a headache... it also made me slightly nauseous.

I got to ditch the craptastic temp job for the audition - which I think went well. We will see.

***

One of the greater mysteries of life which I would like explained for me is how it can be 10 to 20 degrees warmer outside than it is in my apartment... this would be a great feature if SF ever got *true* summer weather... but, we don't. And, outside right now it's about 60 degrees... yet, in here - despite the heat being on - it's something like 40 degrees. WTF?

Why must I freeze in my own home?

***

I have started to untangle the disaster area which is the SFIC press situation. I have spent the better part of the time I've been home over the past two days calling, emailing PR people at local publications to find out what the fuck has changed so that they are no longer publishing our listings... the information I'm getting back - a little on the disturbing side.

It would seem that some foul play is afoot. I will not comment on it more until I get to the bottom of it.

Suffice it to say - I am irratated. Because, I really don't have time to fix this shit. Everyone has been very nice about helping me. But, I fear that the damage is already done in context of publicizing the BS show this weekend and the first Jam at the new space on Monday.

Mad, mad, mad.

***

There is the final BS rehearsal tonight prior to Friday's show. I'm glad to say that every single bloody troupe member will be there. I'm so happy about this that I'm going to bake some cookies for them. (Mostly because, I - myself, want a effing cookie, dang it!)

I really need to nap or do something to make me not cranky during this rehearsal tonight -- we really need to work the Armando so that we're ready to go. I know that JD and MDP were feeling slightly out of sorts after the last rehearsal (two weeks ago) as the improv energy was weird... and, we seemed to be blocking each other a lot and forcing ideas.

I think we just all need to relax and have some fun.

I confirmed our poet last night - Sara Lihz Dobel. (According to Liz Green - she's the new hot stuff on the slam scene.) I'm pretty excited to work with her - we chatted on the phone for a bit last night and I think that she's going to be great. Also, it will be awesome for the troupe to work off of a poet who's material they've never heard.

Rock n' roll.

***

Tomorrow is the date. I feel woobly thinking about it. How girl of me.
Gak.
:loopy:

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Blah

Rain, rain... go away. Because, I have a date and want my hair to look nice today....

Tee-hee.

I'm behaving so girlie lately. I'm kind of disgusting myself that way. Yesterday I wore makeup AND made cookies. Good lord, what is going on with me?

Rehearsal was okay. Some of the beatniks are freaking out a little about Friday... I talked with MDP who said that he likes rehearsal better than performance... which I find interesting. As, I like performance better than rehearsal.

But, it's going to be good. We all just need to relax and have fun.

I'm working for Nancy Pelosi today. That should be interesting. I'm going to finally break down and buy a new umbrella. Because, I just am sick of being WET AND COLD.

Oh well. Okay - gotta run. Stuff to do today.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

My Pervasive Hangover... My New Umbrella... Beatnik Show, Yay!

I have an interfering and pervasive hangover. I am supposed to be napping right now - as that was my intent - however, someone just called my cell phone to register for the improv intensive this weekend... that woke me up to the point where I cannot go back to sleep. Yet. Bah.

Anyhow. The source of this hangover would more than likely be the gallon of wine (approximate estimate on volume) that I consumed last night in the company of J... at the Buddha Bar... somehow I thought if I drank wine that I would be inclined to drink less of it than I would of another beverage of which I enjoy more... like rum n' cokes or beer. I can slurp down rum n' cokes and beers with the best of them. Apparently, my theory was untrue. As I consumed enough wine to officially make me a 'wino.'

There you go.

But, Kate - you say - you & J were supposed to go to see the Wal-Mart documentary... how the hell did you end up, drunk on wine and pheromones, in the Buddha Bar?

When I got home from the thing with Pelosi yesterday - it was raining. So I called J to figure out where/what time to meet to go to said documentary... it turns out his office is a mere five blocks from my apartment... so I said I'd walk down there... during the course of this conversation and the length of time it took me to walk there - a torrential downpour began in San Francisco.

And, as neither one of us really wanted to slog through the wet and cold to the Balboa Theater (located several miles away from our current location)... Muni during a rainstorm being no fun... knowing that once we got to our destination we would eventually have to come back downtown... the executive decision was made to find safe, warm, dry shelter - with beverages.

Perhaps we should have chosen a coffee shop. Less likely I'd feel this crappy on a show day, then.

Anyhow - many hours of drinking and conversation occurred. Jukebox playing was involved... I know at some point we went to Clown Alley - where, believe it or not, I had never been prior. The staff of Clown Alley looked at us like we were insane... which we might have been.

It was a good night. Indeed, and how. Good night, yes.
I have taught two classes already today. My beginning movement students looked at me as if I was insane. I'm unsure how I managed to haul my sorry ass out of bed in the first place - but, I did catch a look at myself in a mirror and I look like shit.

Even after I took a shower...

No more drinking on school nights for me. No, sir.

One of my favorite moments of the evening, though - had to be when we were leaving the Buddha Bar and J stated he wanted a "shot for the road."

We were given two shots of vodka... I swear to christ it was rubbing alcohol.

Aiee-yiee.

***

I finally broke down and bought a new umbrella. It cost me $20 - but, I figured if I got a good umbrella this time it wouldn't break & I'd be less inclined to lose it.

I :love: my new umbrella - it's made from purple-red-blackish shiny material - and, as I found out last night - can withstand quite a wind storm.

***

beatnik show tonight. Everyone should come see us. I'm excited! Yay, beatniks!!

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Before I Go To The Theater...

I have to say for the record - I :love: the guys in my troupe... seriously.

So, today the following instances have occured:

1. I email everyone to confirm our call time, get comps, reiterate our agreed upon dress code (less formal than the last show)... and, I get an email back from MD:

"Kate, my laundry is all dirty right now... so I'm going to go with a pair of yellow shorts, a red feather boa and a Quiet Riot t-shirt for the show, okay?"

This made me snort coffee out my nose.

2. MDP called me three times as he was trying to hand out our 2 for 1 coupons at the Tix booth in Union Square. It turns out that MQ didn't turn the service on for the show - so we weren't allowed to do this... MDP did not panic - however, he called me to find out about my TBA status - because, TBA members are allowed to hand out flyers... And, when that didn't work he made friends with the woman who manages the Tix booth - so that next time we can use their services. He's cool, that MDP. Nicest guy - EVAH.

3. I just got a phone call from JD. He wanted to know if I'd made cookies to bring to the show tonight... because, he said that my cookies got him "really juiced up" before rehearsal & he thought he might need that again. I told him that, sadly, no I hadn't made cookies... he was all dejected like and said "I guess I'll go buy some cookies - but, they won't be the same as yours... yours are magic cookies." Hee-hee... I didn't have the heart to tell him it was a Betty Crocker mix. I make magic cookies.

I :love: ZS and JP, too... I just haven't talked to either of them yet today to discover a new and endearing reason why.

Okay - I'm OUTTA here!


EDIT: I :love: JP - she sent us all an email at 2-fucking-am to tell everyone how much they rocked the house in the show... and, I :love: ZS because he's just the most earnest person I know... but, sometimes he gets this gleam in his eye and then busts out with the craziest shit -- which makes me lose it... sometimes on stage. He is my Tim Conoway. I :love: the beatniks... all of 'em!

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Great Fucking Show.

That about sums it up. Good sized house - laughed in the right spaces - didn't in the right spaces. Sara Lihz Dobel rocked the house... the dude from KML was there for the first set... so he saw a bunch of people who are auditioning for him in a couple of weeks... SS swung by for the second set...

There was tight game and agreement... it was fun. Really fucking fun. And, everyone felt this way... that it was fun.

I'm pretty sad we didn't tape tonight. We have to start taping every show.

And, we made a little scratch to put towards production costs for January... nice. The two for one tix was the best idea evah...!

Sleep now - improv intensive, tomorrow... Yay!
:up:

 

[BEATNIKSF]

In case anyone is curious - Seth Morris is an outstanding teacher. (I knew that from the July workshop - but, it was 100% reaffirmed today.)

I'll update fully on that later...

Now, I'm off to the Wal-Mart documentary (FINALLY!) with J... *insert big sappy grin here*

 

[BEATNIKSF]

The Saga Of The Wal-mart Documentary...

So, I go over to J's this evening... I called him on my way home from the improv intensive - as I'd freed up the evening & wanted to do something with him. We decide to go to see the movie we missed on Thursday.

I run home, throw down my stuff from the class, check email quickly and head back out again. Struggle through the massive Xmas shopping crowds in Union Square and onto a bus headed towards the Haight (where he lives.)

Get over there in record time - we go to grab a slice of pizza before the movie.

Then - having taken longer than we thought we would - we spend twenty minutes trying to catch a cab. Finally, we do & truck out to 38th and Balboa (where the theater is.)

We jump out of the cab - all excited like - and, J goes to purchase tickets... only to be told:

"That movie only plays at 11:30 am."

WHAAT?

On the website it says there's a showing at 11:30 am, 7 pm and 9 pm... WTF?

We were foiled again.
No movie for me tonight.
Bah-humbug.

Spent the rest of the evening walking around SF with J -- it was a lot of fun... we walked all the way back from 38th and Balboa... down Clement St.... popped into Green Apple Books... walked up Arguello - through GG park... into the Haight... where we caught Muni... went down to Fillmore & walked into the Castro. Sat and had coffee at Muddy Waters on Church... then home I came.

Because, I have class in the morning.

I really am unsure where this is going. Thursday was confusing. Today was slightly strange at first... but, then smoothed out. I am having trouble reading him. However, I will reiterate, I like him a lot.

A lot.

And, I think it's mutual.
Hm.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

My computer has been out for a while now... just got it fixed. And, we got DSL at the apartment (finally - no more crappy dial-up... !) I have much to say, but, little energy to say it.

Later, IRC Blog.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Ha, Ha.

CH calls Seth Morris the "Sting of Improv." Meaning, men want to be like him... women just want him. I find this really, really amusing. Mostly, because from my observation, it seems to be true.

He's a great teacher. The intensive last week was well worth any and all stress incurred while planning it. It just really nailed home a lot of the concepts which I see the players from UCB employ that make their improv so appealing for me to watch. Maybe I'm just an improv geek that way... but, I would surmise their success would have something to do with this.

It was fun. And, we've gotten a SHITLOAD of positive feedback from the students. I thought it was amazing that 50% of our students had never even HEARD of the SFIC, longform improv or the UCB prior to signing up for the intensive.

Building, building... it's all good.

The Jam moved to the new space on Monday. The turnout was a little smaller than we had hoped - however, we still made $$. Which is good. Very, very good.

Though, what is bad is this: SS got to the Climate on Tuesday to teach the Lab to discover that our bank had been stolen.

That's twice.

Bummer.

I think poor SS is burnt out - I know I was after Sunday - we all need a little Xmas break.

Though, I have to say - 2006 is shaping up to look as if it's going to be a great year for our little improv co-op. This past year was so rough for us... but, on the horizon we have some really amazing opportunities for the SFIC Core Company and for our performance troupes. It's cool. Very, very cool.

I'm happy with the relationships we're building with the SF theater community, the SF improvisers and the national improv community... we just really need to keep focused on what we're doing and not let ourselves get sucked into the shit again.

You know?

And, there are two events we are planning which - if we pull them off - will make me feel like a fucking rock star. Since they are just in planning stages - I don't feel good about talking about them. But, suffice it to say, I'm uber psyched!

Woo!

***

I have been working crazy ass hours for the past week. It all started with the stupid UBI soft thing last week... though, I did have a little down time during that. Then over at Pelosi's office... then Beatnik show... Seth's intensive... three movement classes I taught on Monday, Jam... working for my friend Ann.

My friend Ann owns a retail boutique on Union Street (very poshy)... and, four times a year she and three of her friends have a designer sample sale... where they get in a shitload of really expensive clothes, etc. and sell them for el cheapo. Last time she had this sale I was trying to earn some extra cash to buy a wedding present for my brother. She asked me if I'd like to work some hours for her - paid in schwag and cash under the table.

Of course, I jumped on the opportunity to get schwag and cash... it was a very successful endeavor for me. So, they are having another sale for Xmas... and, every night for the past week I've been hauling ass over there as soon as I'm done teaching to work for her. Well, except Monday. Tuesday I worked for her all day - and, damn was I tired.

I told myself that I'd only buy Xmas presents for other people with my schwag credit...

Ha, ha.

Right.

Thus far I've spent about $300 on shit for myself. I have picked out some stuff for Carly, my aunt and Mom... but, have I bought it yet? Oh, no.

Instead - I got myself a pair of $100 jeans (normally, $250) which make my ass look like white gold... I got myself a clingy top, a scented candle and a KILLER pair of black motorcycle boots ($98 - normally $350)... AND, I've set more stuff aside for myself.

It's a good thing that this sale is going on for the next week and a half. Ann estimated my hours and I should make a grand. After shopping? More than likely I'll make $200. Which is still good. But, it's the holiday season & I'm slightly disgusted with myself for buying shit for me first and my family second.

Whatever. I did pick it out. I just haven't paid for it yet.

My whole point is that I'm slowly killing myself by working a zillion crazy hours. Not that I should bitch. Because, at least I have stuff to do.

My workshop is going very well. My students are slightly less advanced than I had hoped - but, they're catching on pretty well. Bread & butter, baby. Gah. Over privileged teenagers are the bain of my existence.

It's been nice to be able to hang with K, though... she lives right by me - so she's been picking me up in the morning to drive out to the school. We have gotten coffee on the way and had a few extra minutes to chat. We've had a lot of catching up. She is one of my favorite peeps, ever.

I am hoping to have a double date with her and her beaux and me and J in the near future.

Who knows?

Things with J are going well - I think. I have a hard time reading the situation. I'm more than likely just being neurotic about that. Given that we've been out six times or something in the past two weeks... that's good... right? You don't go out with the same person six times if you're not interested in them. On Tuesday evening we went to see the Sarah Silverman movie ("Jesus is Magic")... so NOT worth the money - save yourself from it... and, then had a drink together. We were both exhausted - so I ended up just going home. But, J waited for 45 minutes with me until my Muni came. We have plans for this Sunday after I'm done with my auditions... dinner and a DVD. Mellow, as I have a class to teach Monday AM. And, are most likely going to Dickens Fair to see AE perform on Sunday, 12/18.

Here's a funny snippet of conversation regarding my going out with J from Tuesday evening:

K: Sam, I have to go... I have a date.
SS: Okay... go... just be cool.
K: I know, I know... I'm trying to be cool.
SS: I know you are... but, you're dying, aren't you? You just want to scream out, "I have a boyfriend!"
K: I don't know about 'boyfriend,' we've only been out a couple of times.
SS: You want to tell everyone, "I've taken a lov-aher."
K: (Laughing) Oh, Sam. I have to go.
SS: Just be cool.

Did I ever mention that when I was in college my friends Tony and Andy had a t-shirt made for me with the word "neurotic" on the front?

It's so true. I talk a good game at not caring - but, I'm an insecure dork on the inside.

Ah, well.

***
bs is on holiday break, it seems. We've scheduled the show for the first weekend of February. We got ganked out of our booking for the last week of January - as the whole group couldn't agree on it. Oh well. That will teach us to wait around for consensus. Next time I'm just booking the damn space first and asking later.

You know?

Friday's show was a great energizer for us. I also think it pulled us closer together as a troupe. I told JD on the phone on Monday that it was really refreshing for me to be involved in a project where I really, really love and appreciate each of the individuals involved in it with me...

Not that I don't love the SFIC crew - I do. A bunch. But, this is different.

And, a lot of opportunities are opening up for bs based on our show.
It's so cool I can hardly stand it.

Yay, beatnik!

Okay - off to work.
More shit to buy.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

THE SHINING is still one of the scariest movies I've ever seen, ever.
Yet, I'm inexplicably drawn to it - I am like Joey Tribiani - I have to put the movie in the freezer

And, why are guys so... obtuse?
Seriously.
Someone clue me in here, please.

I'm tired.
Day o' auditions tomorrow.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

So... I call home yesterday for the weekly chat with da Mommaship and Sparkster... and, I am told that my brother and his wife have "big news."

Of course - my first reaction is: I'M GOING TO BE AN AUNT!

No such luck.

The big news is they are moving to Pittsburgh after the first of the year.

Apparently - my brother who is 25 years old & a well renowned marketing genius - has recieved an "offer he can't refuse" from American Eagle Outfitters.

So, they're selling the house in Columbus, packing up the dog and heading to Penna.

The interesting part of this all is that when my brother called to tell my parents of this news (they told our parents first - as Carly's Mom is what we might call "a little attached" to her daughter & they were worried she'd get all weepy about the move - whereas, my parents, who have been dealing with my cross country moves for a decade, are less inclined to get emotional over something like a kid moving out of state... besides, Pittsburgh is actually closer to Kent than Columbus is - so my Mom is quite happy) it is reported that he said to my Dad, "I don't know - I just don't think I want to be in business for the rest of my life."

This is the 25 yo. kid who makes a six figure salary... this is the cheeky ass kid who two years ago at Xmas asked me how much I thought I earned per year and when I told him he said, "Katie, you're too smart to make so little money - you need to do something different with your life." This is the kid who for his 16th birthday we bought him an E-Trade account... this is Alex P. Keaton in a Democrat's clothing... this is Matthew. King of all capitalism.

What? You spent 60K on a marketing degree & now you don't want to be in business? WTF?

Interesting. So, what does golden boy want to do? I dunno - but, I will be sure to pump him for info when we hang at Xmas time... I adore my baby brother. He is my favorite. He continues to suprise me, though, I'll say that.

Very, very interesting.

I know he and Carly wanted to move to Manhattan - they are getting closer step by step.

I hope they eventually get there - as I would love to have a free place to crash on visits.

Ah, well... my family. Gotta love 'em.
Off to auditions.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

I may delete this journal.
I haven't decided yet.
Stay tuned.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Suckage.

I had a pretty crappy day on Sunday... which is interesting because I was pretty sure I was going to have a good day.

I had auditions all day... which I thought went reasonably well. The guys at KML laughed at my monologue about puking on my Dad's ass... the cold-read was shakey... but, what are you going to do?

Then I was off to Shotgun - which was fine. For some reason I was very, very nervous... so, I felt that throughout my audition. I tried to just channel it through my monologues. Which failed... as it just made me feel truly scattered during my "Did You Go to PS. 43?" piece... making the transition into "No Exit" difficult.

Oh, well.

Then - as I was leaving to go back to the city - I realized I didn't have my wallet. I spent an hour trying to retrace my steps frantically... everything important to my life was in that wallet. CC'ds, DL... BART card... bank info... my ER med card (I have some severe allergies)... $$... everything.

Thankfully, I found it. I had left it at a vendor's table at the Berkeley Flea Market (at the Ashby Station) where I had bought a binder of 1989 baseball cards for my brother for Xmas... I was extremely lucky that the guy had not left, etc... and, that he'd held onto my wallet w/out taking anything out of it.

I got back to the city & went home.

Got an email from KML - thanking me for my audition & letting me know they wouldn't be calling me back.

Then the capper of a frustrating day: I got blown off for a date.

This may seem stupid - but, it's never, ever, ever happened to me in fifteen-some-odd years of going out with the opposite sex.

Never.

Which - of course - after a day of what I considered shakey auditions - launched me into several hours of neurosis and self-deprecation. I feel bad for the Sparkster - as I spent about an hour and a half on the phone with him (trying to sort through the baseball cards for my brother)... every other question was:

"Dad? I'm a good person, right? I work hard, am honest & reasonably attractive... ? And, I'm not expecting too much, right? If you don't want to go out with me - all you have to do is say that... why would some guy blow me off like that? Dad, why do guys do that? Why would a thirty-something year old man think that was okay to do?"

This is not a good conversation to have with your fifty-something year old father. I will give him a hell of a lot of credit - he said all the right things - and, though I could tell he really, really wanted to hand the phone off to my Mom at several points... he didn't.

SIDE TANGENT:
Ah, Sparkster...

This makes me remember the first time I ever got my heart broken. I was in 8th grade... I had a huge crush on Brad Hensley. At the fall dance I worked up enough nerve to ask him if he wanted to dance with me. And, he said, "No." Then laughed in my face.

This destroyed me. Though, even then - I acted like I didn't care and said something smart-ass to him... (never let them see how much you're affected, right?)

Anyhow - Spark picked me up from said dance... and, as soon as I got into the car I lost my shit. It took him the entire ride home from Davey Jr. High to extract the reason for my hysterics out of me... but, once he did he said this:

"Katie, any guy who cannot see how amazing you are is a dumb-shit and I won't allow you to have any association with them. You are not ALLOWED to talk to, hang out with or dance with that dumb-shit Brad Hensley."

Then he let me stay up to watch "Miami Vice" and went out to the all night gas station to get soda and chips...

My pop is a good guy.
END SIDE TANGENT.

Anyhow. I went to bed feeling like shit. Woke up feeling like shit. Went to work feeling like shit.

Shit, shit, shit.
Exhausted shit.

J did email me, eventually - to tell me what happened. And, I am trying to be reasonable... not to get to worked up about it. It's not like dude is my boyfriend or anything - just a guy I've spent some time with. So, he will get another chance...

But, flakiness is a serious offense in my world. I'm not sure how to let him know that w/out sounding like a bitch.

1, 2, 3 strikes and you're out...

That's basically how it works with me.
We'll consider Sunday a foul-ball tipped off the bat into the stands... a soft strike.

Whatever.
***

ABOUT THIS BLOG:
I've been getting really frustrated lately regarding my blog. I started this as a means of documenting my life in the SF improv scene... and, I'll admit that much of the time I don't write about improv... or, when I do it's random ramblings - nothing really profound or funny.

Okay. Perhaps some of it is funny. But, in that "isn't Kate a dork" kind of way.

In recent weeks I've gotten a lot of responses from people who are reading my blog... people who are using what I write here as means to stir up shit in the SF improv community. Or, as a news source to start drama from.

And, it's pissing me off. I feel like I cannot write anything about anything w/out getting an email or phone call about it. No matter how innocent... I could just write "I took a shit today in the Off Market Theater & the bathroom was out of toilet paper." And, I would get some sort of response...

Designed to wear me out? Frustrate me to the point where I delete this blog?

I don't know.

When I started this blog I made the statement that I would not write in cloaked terms about people I don't like or that I'm pissed at... that I would not indulge in publishing nasty, embarrassing things about my friends... and, that if I have something to say about someone that I'm going to say it to them -- instead of on my blog.

That I was not going to publish the dirty laundry of the SF Improv Community onto a fucking blog for everyone involved in improv in the US (amongst whom are some people whom I have professional relationships with... not to mention people whom I respect immensely) to read about.

Pretty much, I've held true to this.

One thing I hate - more than anything - is reading a blog entry on another blog which is in response to an entry on my blog.

I think it's passive aggressive and shitty.

If you have something to say about what I've written - say it to me... because, god knows - I'd say it to you if the situation were reversed.

If I thought someone was writing shit about me that I didn't want published... I would talk to them directly. And, have.

I had a long conversation regarding this blog with SS - who is amongst my closest friends in SF, someone who's opinion I respect & value... and, someone who is VERY sensitive to not impugning my "freedom of speech."

He thinks that there is an art to writing a blog... and, that there are some things which shouldn't be mentioned in the context of a public blog... that it's not a diary... etc...

I agree with this - to some extent.

He noted my general frustration with some of the responses that I get to my writings...

He asked me how the other members of BS felt about me writing about our stuff on this blog... (they don't care. Besides - I have nothing but glowing things to say about them. And, the constructive or critical things I've written about BS have been things I've discussed with the individuals involved first & asked if they would be upset if it were included in a blog entry... there are also tons of other things I don't write about BS... bullshit, little annoyances that don't mean shit in terms of the larger concept of the troupe... things which make me go 'grr' at the moment and ten minutes later are forgotten as I gush to my troupe how much I adore them...)

He brought up a lot of really good points about what I had been feeling about this lately. And, I appreciated the conversation. I know he doesn't like to bring up things which are considered unpleasant sometimes... and, that he did actually made me think about the situation more.

Which was good.

The thing is - I censor myself a lot on this blog. I don't say things I want to say because I don't want to start drama or improv wars... after this summer I have a huge aversion to personal drama in all forms - I run like hell at the first sign of it...

I'm really, really sensitive to writing things about my friends... or, about people I know. Because, I care about how people are feeling... and, there are some things you just shouldn't say in public... truly.

So, there are things I want to say that I don't... I end up posting about the jeans I bought, a book I read or a date I went on instead... which are all valid things to blog about.

This isn't just a blog -though- it's an improv blog.
Supposedly about the beginnings of the beatnik syndicate...
And, it's beginning to feel very diary-esque to me lately...

I don't know what to do about it. Well - I do know what to do about it. Stop writing it. Do something else.

This is all just brain vomit to me... ramblings.

What is it for?

I am still contemplating deleting (or, letting die) this blog. I don't know if I will - or, if I won't. I haven't decided that yet. But, the posts might be scarce until I do.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Oh, Ms. Molly...

My friend Molly R. pm'ed me yesterday to tell me that if I delete this blog that I will have to email her every day to keep her up to date on what's going on in my life... she also had some other nice things to say... thanks, Molly - you made my day.

Not to mention - I'm very much looking forward to hanging with her when she returns to SF in FOUR DAYS! Woo!

***

So, on Sunday, between my audition for KML and Shotgun - I stopped to get a bite to eat in the Mission... and, being without company and unable to continue my phone conversation w/JD with a mouth full of burrito - I picked up the only publication in the joint which was in English -- a class catalogue for the Learning Annex.

I'm flipping through the thing - distracting myself from my lunch and impending doom - and, I come to this class:

HOW TO BREAK INTO THE ADULT ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

!
!!!!!

This is a serious class offering. It costs $49.99... and, is being taught by "adult film legands" Diana DeVoe, Julia Ann and Jonathan Morgan...

!
!!!!!!!!

I don't know what else to say about this. Other than - WHO WOULD SIGN UP FOR THIS CLASS?

It says "new" next to the class offering. I wonder if they will get enrollment?

Holy fuck - that's fucked up.
Very funny - but, fucked up.

:loopy:

I should try to convince some of my friends to take it with me... ha!

 

[BEATNIKSF]

The Dangers of Working Retail...

I've been working for my friends Ann, Kim & Lisa at their designer sample sale... so, I've bought Xmas presents for everyone I know - and, a shitload of stuff for myself.

It's a fucking sample sale - how the hell am I supposed to resist a pair of leather motorcycle boots which retail for $500, on sale for $100... when I get a 30% discount AND have credit?

Seriously.

Anyhow. For shits and giggles I totaled up how much I've spent since the sale started... not counting the things I bought today... $389.95

Not bad for all my Xmas presents plus shit for myself.
And, I only bought a $27 sweater for myself today... progress.

I'm a shopping whore. :tsk:

SO NOT IMPROV RELATED

Oh well.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

BAD INDIAN FOOD = uke:

Food Posioning = Unhappy Girl.

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Santa Kate

I just got done doing a stocking for my roommate, Martin... you see, he's not going home for Xmas this year... and, it's his first year in SF - so it's not like he knows a lot of people... I fear that he'll be here all by himself (which might be exactly what he wants, anyhow) on Christmas...

So, I stopped at Walgreens on my way home from teaching today - bought a cheap stocking and a bunch of silly stuff to put in it... I printed out this note:

MERRY CHRISTMAS, MARTIN...

I know this is a little early... but, you seriously didn't think that I delivered EVERYTHING on Christmas Eve, did you? That's a fucking lot of stuff to do in one night, dude. Be realistic for a second, would ya?

Love,
Santa

Ps: Rudolph says "Yo, wuzzup?!?"

I figure that I'll just sneak it out as I leave for the airport at THREE-FUCKING- FORTY-FIVE-A-FUCKING-M on Wednesday...

I think I have all my Xmas shopping done - excepting my Dad and brother, Mike.

But, I will take advantage of the fact that I'm going to be home well in advance of the holiday to complete that... two less gifts to carry on the fucking plane.

My flight is at 6:15 am on Wednesday... I should mention at this point that this is the last time I let my Mother book my travel arrangements.

Had I my druthers I would have done this three months ago & gotten the cheap seat on the red-eye into Cleveland.

Instead I'm flying on "Frontier Airlines" into Akron-Canton Airport (death place of Thurmon Munson.)

Yipes.

Anyhow - must get ready - improv tonight.
Fa, la, la...

 

[BEATNIKSF]

Happy Holidays...

Festivus, Christmaukah, Christmakwanzukah, whatever...

Merry, Merry to the IRC.

The last Jam o' 2005 was last night... it was fun.
Sam was funny (said just for you, Sammy.)
So was everyone else.

The most fun was playing with my camera phone in the Chieftan.
Funny pictures to come.

I'm out, peeps - see everyone on the 30th!