Boyhood Movie, Ethan Hawke

    I had a date this afternoon, we went to see 'Boyhood' starring Ethan Hawke at the Lagoon theater in uptown Minneapolis. I recalled an earlier movie where the setting was Houston, also a 'Coming of age' movie starring Ethan Hawke- 'Reality Bites'. It brought out some emotions in me, based on what was being depicted in it. This started with the boy seeing his parents arguing. And it made me think of how I have been a baseball game at Minute Maid Park, as they depicted an Astros baseball game in this movie. I liked seeing bowling in it, as I like to bowl. It was also nice to see the boy being interested in photography, as I am as well.
    It started off as a hectic day for me. I did the dishes, then it was on to doing laundry. After completing my laundry I noticed I had no razors left so I went to a Target store to find a shaving kit. Then I shaved in the bathroom as I wanted to shave before the date. People came in and out while I was there, but I stayed focused on what I was doing. I was largely oblivious to them, and them to me. After the movie, we went to eat at a Jimmy John's sandwich shop. I showed pictures on my camera from the events I had attended recently. I knew my comedian friends would like to see a photo of us, so we got one done. My date did it as a 'Selfie', it looked better than mine as I tend to look a little angry when trying to do 'Selfies' since I am the one pressing the button. But it got less busy when I was home again. I watched some of the Denver-Seattle pro football game, Seattle won in overtime. In the evening I went to Walgreen and got some more 'Ring of honor' photos printed. I am now up to 35 comedian friends in it.

We Are The World, Bob Dylan

    Oh what a day. It included doing a Bob Dylan impression at the 'Prairie Home Companion' block party. I chose 'We are the world'. It was nice to meet Garrison Keillor and get some stage time. I signed up for this one as 'over-actor' was full. I was number 5 of 6, and when I was done I said it was the biggest crowd I ever performed in front of as there had to be hundreds there. I liked the meatloaf meal I ate there, it was five dollars. I got a photo of it before eating it all.
     The first event of the day was a festival in Lilydale. It was at the town hall, but I don't know this town well aside from a Holiday gas station which has a US Bank ATM. As I was pulling into the lot for the festival I was followed by a cop, and we spoke briefly. He said I looked lost while driving, as I went one way from the gas station, then the other. I was following house numbers, so that is why I reversed direction, knowing it was the wrong way. I ate bratwurst there and it was nice to hear a Dixieland band perform songs I had heard before. I knew I couldn't stay long, about an hour, as I wanted to get to the next event, the Gopher football game. I ordered a 2-game package and this is the first game, a non-conference contest against San Jose State. I took a bus and light rail to get to the university. The Gophers did well running the ball, didn't attempt many passes and no completions. Their tailbacks were getting plenty of 12-yard runs, or more, for first down. Even the QB ran well, I said 'he sold the fake well'. San Jose State stayed in the game for a while because they were converting on third down often. But it was too hard to overcome turnovers, and these were turned into 10 Gopher points. One was on the 2nd play from scrimmage, an interception, it led to a field goal. I left when the game was put into weather delay, lightning was in the area. It was early in the 4th quarter, Gophers were up 17-7 by then. I was confident the score would hold up that late in the game, and it did. The Gophers added a TD to make it 24-7. I wanted to get to the block party in downtown St. Paul, so I may have left around then anyway. The Belarus native was outside the stadium with a friend I didn't know, holding up a 'Free Hugs' sign. I did oblige.    

Burger King Remodel

    Tonight after work I finally got one important thing crossed off my list. There is a Burger King on my bus route that has been closed for remodeling. I told myself I wanted to get pictures of it, and I saw I was running out of time as they will re-open soon. It is much easier to get pictures of things like the drive-thru menu when there is no competition from cars. I am thinking this is another case of how Vivian Maier and other street photographers would be proud. Then it was on to another place on my bus route I had noticed, some signs up advertising a spaghetti supper and some Booya soup servings. Sometimes this is what I do- get a picture of something so I can look it up later, often easier than finding pen and paper to write it all down. Finally I made it to Chris and Rob's, a Chicago hot dog place, where I had dinner. Even after I was done eating there I got more pictures of the neighborhood, including two inside the Cooper's grocery store. I looked at the displays on the wall at the hot dog place as usual, seeing the differences on the three pennants from the Museum of Science and Industry. One was small, fairly plain. Another had the captured U-505 submarine on it. The third had the building on it, one of the few remaining from the 1893 World's Fair. My first stop after getting off the bus from work was to get some batteries for my camera, and I liked hearing 'Like the weather' by 10,000 Maniacs inside the store.
   I did go to the comedy club tonight. It was nice to see the big dog, he had some more ideas for my roles in his sketches. Also met someone from Sioux Falls, he liked my patriotic shirt. We spoke at length about various subjects, but he did not attend the show. He was up in the bar area. As I recall he said he was in town to see the Gopher football game the next day, and his sister attends the school and may be one of the cheerleaders. International Falls did ones about being street harassed, a rescue dog, and sleeping deaths. Tortoise and hare did ones about everybody has streets, U2 on I-phone, Fonzie's B game, a magic school bus, and shopping at the Gap. Big Dog did ones about his room back home, are you happy?, garbage bag window, Dahmer comparison as a heroin addict, and the Menendez brothers. Fantasia was wearing a Joker shirt. He did ones about smart people don't watch TV, weed and a Becker rerun, and a spaghetti strand. Red-faced comic did ones about a DUI, a pizza job, and 'suck it'. Poster artist did one about why are they called T-shirts. Mr. Pibb did ones about doing something new everyday, marry the clown, and sound effects at rap concerts. Ragu did ones about Comcast customer service, notes about the therapist, now I'm on Prozac, and the song 'Wonder-wall' by Oasis. Rut-roh did ones about cough syrup, and crack being vegan. The Hillary Clinton look-alike did ones about crazy girls in bed, a yeast infection, hangover, call Jimmy John's, and a Brazilian wax. 'Extra murder' did ones about doing taxes, Verizon birth control, first world problem, sad petting zoo, I can drive, and man cave. Happy meal was show closer, and spoke of being drunk.            

Sexy Laundry Play

     This evening, I went to a play at Park Square Theater in downtown St. Paul. It was called 'Sexy Laundry'. It was about a middle-aged couple trying to re-connect at a fancy hotel after 25 years of marriage. I laughed a lot, the funniest to me was the scene where the husband was trying to use the remote controls. There was some swearing in it, but no worse than what I hear at the comedy clubs I frequent. After being in a relationship I understand better what was being covered in this play.
   I was on my phone more often than typical tonight. First was to schedule a date for the weekend, dinner and a movie. Yay, I have made it to date number 2! First time in a while. The other was after the play, when I called my college roommate who lives in Farmington. I said 'The life of a comedian' as I was in a rush to get to the play after the call. I made it to the venue with a few minutes to spare, finding a parking ramp across the street. I climbed over a railing to get out of the ramp quickly, and I ended up with dirty hands. I went to the bathroom before the play and washed them but I got no food or drink before going in.
   After the play, I liked seeing Candy-land still open at that hour, so I got a small box of popcorn and 'Checked in' with my loyalty program there. There are three 'Charlie Brown and Snoopy' statues there, I danced a little in front of the Snoopy. Next to a nearby soda pop machine I saw a grocery cart, and eventually more than that. I said to myself: 'Makes sense, there is a vagrant that goes with the cart'. 
     I liked finding more songs on Youtube, 2 of them were by Eminem. This was 'Guilty Conscience' and 'White America'. The former had actor Robert Culp as the narrator, there was 3 segments to it. A convenience store robbery, a date rape, and a man finding his wife with another man. Both of these songs and videos are memorable, to say the least. Em was the villain in 'Conscience', his mentor Dr. Dre was the good guy in terms of how to advise the main character with their raps. 'America' reminds me in many ways of 'Without Me', which I like a lot. Both mention then-Vice President Dick Cheney, and are not the typical social commentary songs since they are more political. As usual, Em makes some accurate observations in this song- like selling way more music because of his race.

This Lonely Morning, Best Coast

     I drove to work this morning, since I had a dental appointment in the evening after work. As usual I had my car radio on, eventually over to 89.3 the current. I was really impressed with one song in particular, 'This lonely morning' by Best Coast. Seemed an appropriate time to hear the song. I am thankful I recalled the band name as I didn't write down the song title. I went to Youtube after being at the comedy club tonight and searched song titles and was confident this was the one I had heard. I liked finding a few different versions on Youtube. One of them had a tennis theme and had the lyrics spelled out on the tennis balls. I left a comment on one of these videos, saying I liked the drumming in it. I liked reading some of the other comments. One said the song speaks of normal everyday emotions. Another said it was upbeat and depressing. I liked how yet another spoke of where they heard it, in their case it was at an Old Navy clothing store, 'Now I'm here'. Sounds like my story. The lyric I like the most is 'Running from myself this time'. Some other lyrics were also quite good, like 'Wait for you to call', 'Can't walk in a straight line', 'You're always on my mind', and 'Those feelings never change'. As usual, there is nothing like music to get people talking. I already posted a comment on my Twitter account and got a response from the Resistable comic, who said it was a favorite of hers as well.
       At the comedy club tonight, I didn't know the show closer. The MC is a native of Pakistan if I am not mistaken. I once saw him look like a Larry the Cable Guy imitator. He has a joke about an apron, so I think this will be the 'Apron comic'. Another was about Dennis Rodman. 'Extra murder' did ones about taxes, Verizon birth control, man cave, sad petting zoo, I can drive, and a Humane Society cat. University accountant did ones about 99 problems/beer on the wall, Monster Mash, and Michael Moore. Self checkout did ones about 'fat or fatter', his son's DARE seminar, and 'cough and giggle'. Locks of love did ones about a self-driving car, and Minneapolis didn't invent hipsters. Godmother did ones about the Miss America pageant, and dog park fees. Grizzly Adams did ones about walking his cats, throwing away popcorn, the cost of Pabst beer, and college commercials. Fitness guru did one about his weight loss. Kentucky native did ones about finding a bar, and Taco Bell. Resistable did ones about the cost of being single, a hipster roommate, and being at Applebee's. Bartender did one about talking to a cop, and living in North Minneapolis. Blind Side did ones about the Simpsons, Cops, and being adopted.
   Regarding the coffee date from the weekend, looks like we are playing phone tag but there is some interest in meeting again for dinner and a movie. I didn't speak much about recent dates when I was at the dental appointment. The hygienist surprised me, didn't ask me if I had seen any concerts lately. (I haven't, last one was Lady Gaga in may) It was a little entertaining to hear a contrary kid in a nearby room, was told it wasn't an elaborate procedure being done. So it was just a whiney kid. I was asked if I went to the state fair, and go to the Renaissance Festival. The answer to both his yes. The next appointment will be in three months, just before Christmas. I was asked if I go to my native Iowa for the holidays, but I haven't done this in a while. It is a hard sell when the weather can be rough that time of year.  

Never Say Never, The Fray

     I was at the comedy club tonight and heard a snippet of one song I liked, the lyric was 'Far as the eye can see'. It sounded like a song by The Fray to me, and in online searches when I narrowed it to The Fray I found 'Never say never'. There were plenty of things in the video, including a cow. I do like some songs by this band.
   My 'Work spouse' has not been in the office for a week now. So I decided to call the number I was given, and got voicemail. I don't call the number much. We had been postponing a department 'Convention' as I call them so we could have full attendance, but before long we will just have to meet anyway.
   There were some comics I recognized in the lineup tonight, I said there are 3 in my 'Ring of honor'. The IED/IUD comic was show closer, and did do this joke. A newer one is about Jane Goodall, I also liked the voice impression used in the 'Dogs in space' bit. Another was about buying a KIA car, hamsters in hoodies are in the ads. Others were about a weird dad being like a Liam Neeson movie, sweat pants and crocs, and Wall Drug/Walgreen. Louisiana native did the one about the baggage claim at the airport metaphor. I was laughing a lot as relationship jokes are ones I understand better now after being in one for a while. Others were about Neosporin, the Earth roller coaster, saying Hi to a friend, Walmart shotgun, and the toaster. Maryland native is bringing back the Mr. Clean bit. He did others about near beer, dog on patio/hockey, condo, gas station, and yoga pants. Auto correct did ones about an acting class, life coach, Linked-In, married friends/buffet line, ladies nights, and why
she doesn't like babies. Grizzly Adams did one about the cost of a Pabst beer. It is $2 or huffing. Others were about bus stops- mentally ill or a rapper?, college commercials, a new dad, and going bald. Yemen native did one about rap being the poetry of the street. Morton Salt did one about his brother, understood to be 'sibling rivalry'. 

Larry The Liquidator

    The political science guy had another good joke for me in the afternoon. It was how some people need to be liquidated. Eventually I thought of a movie called 'Other people's money' where Danny DeVito played a character known as 'Larry the liquidator'. I even wondered to my colleague if it was a better idea to dehydrate, thinking of this happening on a episode of the 'Batman' TV show from the 1960s.
     It was a good show as usual at the comedy club, got a shout-out from the sub teacher when he did jokes about his relationship. He did ones about global warming, commitment, his lady working at MNDOT, and spaghetti. Also saw the godmother before the show, we are able to speak at length there unlike other clubs since I show up much earlier. The pizza philosopher had a set, but I stepped out and was away for a little too long and missed it. He said there were a few new jokes, but many of them would be familiar from the contest. He was wearing a 'Back to the Future' shirt. This was the 6-year anniversary of doing stand-up comedy, though I wasn't picked tonight. The shout-out seems to be the next best thing. The 'Resistable' comic did one about having a car wreck on the way to the show. The crow did ones about a nice coat, weed, alcohol free, and 16-year-old songs. Bus fare did ones about being uncomfortable with his hands, and a state fair horse show. The red-faced comic did ones about DUIs, and a pizza job. Perkins did ones about a family cruise, his mom's eye surgery, his dad's showers, and it looks like his birthday, hard to read some notes. The 'bathtub comic' did ones about a lost baby, starting rivers, and sex files. Maryland did ones about Mr. Clean, O'Doul's, 1st and 3rd degree, and his condo. Louisiana did ones about Neosporin, baggage claim, and bed wetting. University accountant did ones about 99 problems/bottles of beer, and the song 'Monster Mash'. School bouncer did ones about Redbox, check the refrigerator, and still needing his parents. The Wisconsin girl did a set, but hard to read all of my notes, appears some were about retainers, and eggs. The 'extra murder comic did ones about cell phones, and a sad petting zoo. he followed me my first night onstage 6 years ago. Three times three, who I had called 'founding father' before, was show closer. He did one about living like a king.
   I found another Eminem song on Youtube I hadn't heard before, it is called 'Role Model'. It caught my eye as Em is wearing a Catholic priest uniform at times. It has many themes, early on like a silent movie and Em as an escape artist. Others were in black and white, or even animated. I also liked a more recent one, 'Guts over fear'. The lyrics are brilliant, and relatable. He speaks of putting the pain into song, and this is what comedians do as well. What do I do when the rage is gone? Valid question.