Applause By Lady Gaga

I found some online articles about the song 'Applause' by Lady Gaga. It helped to read an analysis of the lyrics, as it is about being famous, an artist, and dealing with critics. As expected, I needed time to get used to it. Also listened to it on Youtube. Since I do comedy I understand how one must do the art for themselves and not pay attention to any 'Haters' if at all possible. Clever lyrics in it, like 'Some of us just like to read'. I really like the hook 'Give me the thing that I love' as it is sung with real passion and speed. Hard to say how it compares to Gaga's other songs, they're all pretty good.
    I saw a video on Facebook of my performance from the night before, upside down and on a camera phone. It was called 'Me vs. the fire alarm' and I asked if it was anything like Snoopy vs. The Red Baron. Will have to find out if it will be posted on Youtube.
    It was nice to hear how a dear friend of mine now has a journalism gig in Florida, found out on Linked-In. I sent my congrats.
    I was onstage tonight at the comedy club, spoke of it being my 5-year comedy anniversary this month, and how 2 funerals and a wedding got me into comedy.               

Alarm at Hell's Kitchen

    I was in a comedy show tonight and was brought on by a fog machine. It tripped the fire alarm and I continued my set. It was my first paying gig and it will be a memorable one. Thankful I got to be a part of The Turkeys show at Hell's Kitchen in Minneapolis. There was a rehearsal earlier in the day where I heard more about my role. Went to Bobby and Steve's for dinner after rehearsal, the chicken was recommended and it was good, nearly a pound of it and I ate just half for now.
   It was a fairly full day, starting with having Booya soup at Highland Park in St. Paul, a police band was there. Then it was on to the Lagoon Theater and saw the movie 'When Comedy Went To School', about comedians in the Catskills. Interviews with Sid Caesar, Jerry Lewis, and Jackie Mason were prevalent. I was looking at the CD's before the movie at Cheapo Records and saw a fellow comic on my way out, but we didn't speak. I was in a rush to get to the movie.
    As I drove home the song I heard on the radio was 'Applause' by Lady Gaga. This will be the song that reminds me of this benchmark night in my life and in my comedy career. Much like 'I'm Yours' by Jason Mraz before it, 5 years earlier, when I first performed comedy. With the Mraz song I like the clever lyrics, 'Win some or learn some' along with 'Won't hesitate no more'. Earlier in the year,(2008 that is) due to my grandma's funeral, I know I played one song a lot: 'Ode To My Family' by The Cranberries.    

Gwyneth Paltrow As Sylvia Plath

    I saw a video this morning, 'Sylvia', a biopic about Sylvia Plath, the writer, starring Gwyneth Paltrow. I liked how James Bond actor Daniel Craig played her husband, Ted Hughes. It was a sad story, but I kind of already knew Sylvia's story was a sad one. She committed suicide shortly after the Bell Jar was published, a book I do have in my collection. Gwyneth's real-life mom, Blythe Danner, was also in it. I liked seeing a preview on this video, it was of Bill Murray in 'Lost In Translation'. Still haven't seen it yet, I know it has been out for a while.
   I went to the Iowa/Minnesota football game today, Iowa won 23-7 after leading 17-0 at the half. I took light rail into the game to avoid traffic and the parking fees. This worked really well, as I stepped off the light rail at the Metrodome and the city bus taking us the rest of the way to the university was adjacent. Didn't want to walk all the way over there in the rain. it saved me time, had more of a chance to eat before going inside the stadium, ate at Jimmy John's. After the game I did walk back over to the Dome, and on the way I stopped at Bobby and Steve's to have a little Godfather's Pizza. When waiting for a train before the game I turned a crank at the Fort Snelling stop and it had a video of a 'fancy' comic I recognized, making a joke about doing the traffic report in Fargo-Moorhead.

Chess After Comedy Show

    I went to a comedy show tonight, and the show runner was playing chess outside the venue after the show. A game had just finished, I was offered a chance to be next but turned it down. I was tired and needed to go home, and I hadn't played in a while either.
   A memorable thing about this show was the closer, who does the 'I am finally happy meal' joke. he was taking requests from crowd members, and told some of them to shut up. I requested this one, and he said it was a joke he actually does. so he did it for me and we shook hands after the show as I was leaving. I have done this with other comics. If I really like a joke I tell them, and request it. I am still aware, though, how they must try out new material fairly regularly to avoid being considered a one-trick pony.
   I am still trying to find out when the rehearsal is this weekend, and I did leave a message on Facebook saying I was going to this show in case any of them from this troupe would be there, but they weren't. I gave them my cellphone number in the message as I said I mainly check Facebook when at home. this was in response to hearing how one of them is out of town, and deferred to others. My 'Bestie', that is. Since he was doing a show in Appleton, WI, but I haven't been there yet.    

Caramel Apples In Breakroom

   At work today there were some caramel apples in the break room just before midday. I had one, they didn't last long and this is typical for free food there. I did speak to the colleague who had annoyed me, calmly and briefly, and said I preferred other subjects like the St. Paul Saints and Gopher hockey. Those are common interests. Didn't want to debate anyone.
   I watched both prime time episodes of 'Big Bang Theory' tonight. One was about Leonard still being away from home. And Raj was being foolish when speaking with somebody at the university. Bernadette and Amy were being catty about their men, then kind of admitted they envied each other- and seemed to suggest swapping guys. The second was Leonard returning a little early, and was unable to keep the secret from Sheldon. Howard and Raj were being silly with each other.     
   I went to the library to print things after this, and it included the ticket to the Iowa/Minnesota football game this weekend. I got an email from the local Iowa club that said there were discounted tickets available, so I got one. Later on I went to a copy store as just one copy- the ticket- out of ten wasn't good enough. I arrived while a man spoke of government shutdowns, back in 2005 and 2011. These of course were state government, likely in reference to a possibility of one happening soon with the federal government.

Pima Air Museum

   At the comedy club tonight, I saw a fellow comic wearing a U. of Arizona at. I said it reminded me of my first plane ride, with my dad as a teenager to Tucson, Arizona to visit is aunt who retired there. He said he attended that college. We did visit the Pima Air Museum, which has the presidential plane used by Kennedy and Johnson. We also made it to Old Tucson, where some westerns were filmed, and the border town of Nogales.
   It was a nice time at the club tonight, I was onstage and I did many of the same jokes from the previous night, but they are still fairly new ones. I even responded to somebody who said 'Boo' about my Super-America joke. I fired back by saying 'nobody said you can't go to Holiday'- their main competitor.
   I got annoyed with a colleague at the end of the day. I was dropping off trash in one breakroom, where she was cleaning up some spilled popcorn. For some reason she wanted to talk about BP, after I spoke of how I haven't been there since the 2010 spill. I don't know what spilled popcorn had to do with spilled oil.       

Sanders Motor Sales

    I bought another photo from E-bay of the 1938 Maytag strike. This one had Sanders Motor Sales in the background. I recall this car dealer in Newton even in my lifetime, a Chrysler-Plymouth dealer. So that is two photos so far. There are likely some more I want later on, if available. There are currently 20 listings. But I want to stick to a budget, and it is best to buy the others during the next billing cycle with Bill Me Later.  
   I was onstage tonight at the comedy club, and it went well with the new jokes. Two women in the front kept laughing so hard I thought they might pee their pants. I did one where I referenced a song, 'Coin operated boy' by the Dresden Dolls. Another joke was about a shirt I saw recently at old navy, it said 'your approval is not needed'. I ordered a Bob Newhart book after the show, as a fellow comic spoke of it. It should arrive soon, not sure why I didn't have it before as I am a big Newhart fan. I recall seeing it at Borders when it was open.
    I am moving right along on the E-harmony profile, answering more questions and now over half of the more than a thousand are answered. I am trying to pay more attention to those I agree with more, some are about even, some are 60 percent, some are less than 50 percent. When there are so many questions to answer I would like to think it may be a good predictor in some cases, but I still prefer to see how well it goes when meeting them in person.           

Bucktail Fly For Trout

   Two E-bay orders arrived earlier today, and one of them was the ad for Emerson Hough bucktail flies for trout. This of course is fishing equipment. It is cool to have proof how he is multi-talented, and credited with an invention. The other was a postcard of the second high school building in my hometown, they are now at the third.
    At the comedy club tonight, the comic that does the bathtub joke did one about letting the dog watch when he is in the bedroom with his wife. I think it works as it is relatable for many. There was a new comic, visiting from Michigan, who had plenty of questions and was the leadoff comic. I said the most important thing was to finish early. This is what I say to all of the new comics, but will do so only if they ask. There may be a rehearsal soon for a comedy show I am in. But I still need to hear the when and where of course.
   After the comedy show I worked some more on the E-harmony profile, and it meant answering plenty of compatibility questions. There are no responses yet from any matches though. Will have to give it some more time.  

Twenty Feet From Stardom

   I went to a movie this afternoon, saw a documentary called 'Twenty feet from stardom'. It was fine in some places, but it had some lulls as well. It was nice how it ended on a high note, with an induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I liked some of the previews as well, like another music documentary, called Muscle Shoals. And a comedy documentary, When Comedy Went To School. I saw it in Edina, and there was art nearby and I voted for the one of a jester. Also picked up some supplies at the nearby Walgreen. Then it was on to use up a 2 for 1 Dairy Queen Blizzard coupon. As usual, one of them I chose was the flavor of the month.
    Before leaving for the movie, there were some group members wearing red shirts who greeted me and said that Jesus loves me. I said I was fine with them as long as they weren't those confrontational Kirk Cameron types. I was thinking of this as I recently saw a DVD I was given at the Jesse James festival in Northfield. It was sold as a John Lennon movie, but it was eventually revealed to be from the Kirk Cameron group. They are anti-abortion, and tried to compare Roe v. Wade to the Nazi holocaust in World War 2. I ate the microwave popcorn that came with it and destroyed the DVD as I don't value it at all.
   After I got back, I watched the Bears-Steelers Sunday night football game, Bears won 40-23. I finished making a list of the books in one bookcase, no surprise what was there. I have 3 from the 'Don't know much' series: about history, anything else, and the Civil War.     

Dented Can Of Hormel Chili

    This evening I thought about going out to eat with one of my gift cards. But I reminded myself how I get cranky when I hear there is a long wait for a table. So I stayed in and had a can of chili, a dented can of Hormel. It was a nice reminder of having it often when I was young. It was also an excuse to use the stove again, heating it in a pan on the stove top. I usually fire up the microwave oven for what I am cooking. And the stove is all too often just where I place my bag after going grocery shopping. I had to check when I went grocery shopping tonight what this can of chili is at full price. Found out I got a really good deal, at a dollar. The full price is just over two dollars.
   In the afternoon I went to the library to print things. The computer was blinking out after I had been there for nearly an hour, so I left as I was basically finished anyway. There was a message attached to it when I chose it, the only one available at the time. It said 'Use at your own risk, (due to a ) loose connection'.    
   Then it was on to Old Navy to use up my gift card, which had just three dollars left on it. So I bought two pairs of socks, and the card took care of just over half of it. Now I am down to two cards, both for restaurants. The cashier was a Muslim girl who noticed my Eminem shirt and said she liked his music. I said I had seen him in concert at Madison Square Garden in 2005. I liked finding out how we had this in common, when on paper it might appear that we wouldn't have much in common. I have said this before- we should care more about what unites us, not what divides us.
   I decided to re-activate my E-harmony membership, since I was getting emails about the good deals on membership fees. It was almost like they knew that my relationship had ended last month, as it was only recently that I was getting these messages again. It also meant adding some more photos, including the one in a jester costume from last week's renaissance festival visit. But at first it wasn't approved, since it wasn't straight up and down. Eventually I went to Facebook, where it is posted, and this finally worked. Though the only way to do so was to make it my profile photo on Facebook, as E-harmony only looked at the first 25 in the album. I have already received plenty of likes for this photo, and I explained why I added it. Based on this I may want to keep it around for a while. It displaced the one from the class reunion last year.

North St. Paul vs. Richfield Football

    This evening I went to another high school football game. It was homecoming for North St. Paul, playing Richfield. I arrived midway through the first quarter, the North Polars were already ahead 14-0. But there was plenty of action after this. Richfield kicks a field goal, 14-3 at the end of the first quarter. Then North St. Paul really pours it on, and it is 40-3 at the half. They missed two extra points. The last TD of the half was set up by an interception. I liked seeing the senior girls take the field at halftime as usual. They put on gaudy outfits and let loose with some crazy dancing. I wish I was that comfortable with myself at that age, but I wasn't. Second half begins, the scoring slows down. This is likely due to the second unit playing. It was 47-3 at the end of the third quarter, and 47-9 for a final score. It seemed like a quick game, just two hours. On the drive home I stopped at a Super-America as I needed to go to the bathroom. I picked up two Kit-Kat bars as I saw it would get me 300 points on my loyalty card.
    No postal mail arrived, though there were some notable emails like forms related to an upcoming writer's event. There was also a strange one that said they needed to ask me about a relative named Hector. I said I had no relatives by that name and didn't know you either. Hopefully that is the end of it, but I wouldn't count on it.
    On E-bay I was searching for items from my hometown of Newton, Iowa and found some press photos from the 1938 Maytag strike, which lasted 3 months. They were up for auction, I made the minimum bid on one of them and was the only bidder so it's mine! I had heard about this strike before, how martial law was declared. It received national attention for this reason. A barber in my hometown showed me a card issued to a man permitting him to deliver milk- apparently during the time of martial law.

Sylvia Plath Quote

    I was going through plenty of Facebook postings and liked one I saw from Milkweed Editions, a publishing company in the same building as The Loft in Minneapolis. There was a quote by Sylvia Plath on the posting. 'Perhaps someday I will crawl back home, beaten, defeated. But not as long as I can make stories out of my heartbreak, beauty out of my sorrow'.
   I liked it as it applies to not just writing, but also comedy. I even said so when I commented about it. The quote really resonates with me due to the recent events- hearing my first date 'Wasn't ready yet'. I had said before how as long as I am alive and paying attention, I can and probably will find inspiration for my writing and comedy pursuits.
   I did do a follow-up posting, thanking my friends for their kind words. After reading some online advice articles, I had an idea of changing my approach in dating. I hate job interviews, and tend to feel how dates are much like them. I am more comfortable with comedy, so thinking of dates as a 'Comedy show for one' is a better idea.
    After watching the prime time episode of 'Big Bang Theory' tonight I did take a walk around the neighborhood. I ended up with 7 pull-tabs for Ronald McDonald house. I took a grocery cart back to the store as well.
   Also notable was in the morning, I went to have an Egg McMuffin sandwich as McDonald's and was given two hash browns. I ate one then and saved the other for the evening meal, a good supplement for the TV dinner. At midday I had lunch with a colleague, first time she heard about my relationship ending. We went to a sandwich place on the first floor of our building, I had a Rachel as I said I like Reubens and found out the main difference is the meat. The place wanted to know what would get me to eat there more often, I said I like loyalty programs and it sounds like they don't have one currently.

International Harvester

   One of my E-bay orders arrived, it was a postcard from the Chicago World's Fair of 1933-34. It was from the International Harvester exhibit, and is in black and white. I think it is a rare one as I haven't seen many listings so far. So this is why I said I was putting it on the top of the priority list. With the CBS Radio postcard arriving already this week, I now have 11 from this world's fair.
   I decided to order a few other items, after being outbid on a rare Maytag book. So I ordered a first day cover, and old full-page advertisement, and two postcards. Both of the postcards are of my hometown.
   When I think of International Harvester, or IH, I do often think of my dad. He frequently spoke of this company, must have used their tractors some when growing up on the farm in southern Iowa. He said he also likes to eat at IHOP as it serves as a reminder- just because the first word is 'International' for both.
     At work we had a quick meeting about the holiday schedule, apparently the office closes early on Christmas and New Year's Eve. I like how my 'De facto' boss does quick meetings. Just say what needs to be said.
     I did hear from my first date from this weekend. Unfortunately, not what I wanted to hear. I was told 'Doesn't want to date right now' even though this ran counter to the end of the date, where I was told 'Wanted to see me again'. Also tough to hear 'A really nice person' on some level as it does me a lot of good at this point to be 'Nice'. I do like how I received a response, and a polite one as well, as not everyone does this sadly. I made it a Facebook posting, where the content was nearly verbatim from the message, and I did get some encouragement from it. I heard from a few people I don't hear from often, like one of them is somebody I know from the writer's conventions. I did respond to the email from my date and said I liked the honesty, though it left me puzzled to hear this. And I gave some advice: don't wait too long to contact me when ready to date again. I am ready to date now and will date somebody I like if they are interested and available. And I closed it with 'I wish you only the best'.
    At first I wasn't sure if going to the comedy club was the best place for me after hearing this news. But I am a regular at the club and told myself it's still better than moping around at home. I will have to admit that it was a lackluster night for me. I wasn't laughing at that many jokes, hard to get in the mood for it. One exception was hearing the 'I'm not Neil' joke. I got a shout-out for it as I started laughing hysterically shortly after hearing the beginning of it. The MC said I was drunk, I said I wasn't, the performer said 'I'm just me'. Which works for me.  

Walking To The Popcorn Wagon

      I find out that with the Vikings fan I am able to discover more of his interests. This was true at midday, as we shared an elevator ride down to skyway level and kept walking, where the popcorn wagon is. I've been there many times before, and I noticed he gets a bigger box than I do, as I get a small one. He spoke of a class reunion coming up, Facebook, and concerts. So there is more to this man than just being a sports fan.
   A senior leader from Ohio was in the office today, I went to both of the meetings he moderated. He was introduced by our senior leader at the first, who then left right away. But I was bored with how it basically became one big gripe session, even though I learned plenty about the other functions in my department. I did contribute as well, wanting to hear more about what is being done with I.T. issues. There were more at the second one, in the afternoon, which was called a town hall meeting. The first one was called a round table. The second lasted a shorter time, very few questions. I was tired by then and I kept experiencing 'Micro sleep'.
    At the comedy club tonight, my 'Bestie' did perform. I said I liked the voice impression, where he said 'You need to be more creative on your insults'. His grandma made a comment on his Facebook thread, asking that he not swear. I said I have a hard time thinking of when he doesn't swear while  doing a comedy routine, but I don't mind as it is still funny. It was a good lineup all around, first time the Belarus native performed there. He was asking about the time light for this reason. The MC was the one with the 'Crappy parents' joke and I said I would like to hear it again. She also does one where she does hockey analogies related to her sex life.  

The Millionaire In The Crowd

   At the comedy club tonight, I said 'Yeah!' When one comic started off with mention of caviar. He referred to me as 'The millionaire in the crowd'. Unsure as to why I said it, other than I did taste some caviar in French class for extra credit. Along with snails- escargot. He had a theory about it, as to why it is popular, saying they likely started off by saying the queen of England liked it so others should have it. Thankful I made it in time to get signed up as there was a traffic snarl on the way there. I think some of it was caused by gawking at who was on the side of the road, which is annoying. 
   It was a hectic day at work, since I was one of just two in the department. One colleague had a scheduled day off, and the other wasn't in, possibly was ill. There were a few things we didn't get to, me and my 'Work spouse', but we covered the lion's share. This was hard to do when Monday has the highest volume, especially the 'Catchall' payoff report, since it piles up over the weekend. I took a much later lunch than typical, not until almost 2pm, and ate at Subway as I didn't feel like taking the time to eat the soup I had brought. So I left it at the office and will have it for lunch the next day.  

Booya At St. Jerome's Church

    This was another eventful day for me. I had another first date, at a Caribou coffee shop. I am hopeful that there will be a second date in the near future. Then at midday I went to St. Jerome's Church and School and had my first taste of 'Booya'. It tasted good, seemed to be a lot like vegetable beef soup to me. Some of the people there kept telling me it was the best booya around. I had some popcorn as well, and a peanut butter cookie.
   I had been following the Bears-Vikings game on the radio on the way to this event at St. Jerome's. It was also on TV at the event. When I got home, it was nearly halftime. I went inside my home after the first half ended, listening to the rest of the half on my car radio. The Bears scored a late TD to win, 31-30. After the game was over I had to get on the road and return the jester costume to the shop in West St. Paul. Then it was on to Walgreen, and I got 95 pictures onto a CD. I added 40 of them to my Facebook page. The ones I added went as far back as January, with the diner skits. And it did
include some from this weekend, in the jester costume and a sign from the booya event. Already got a comment about one of them, when I visited my hometown of Newton, Iowa in June. It was the 'old lonely' statue at Maytag Park.
   I added the pictures after I got back from doing laundry. It looks like they've done plenty of renovation at the Laundromat I go to. They gave up some of the real estate, and their new neighbor will be a furniture consignment shop. I know this is often the easiest way to save money when doing business- see about cutting back on real estate.

Istanbul Not Constantinople

     I made a return visit to the Renaissance Festival this afternoon. But first, I had to go to a costume shop as I wanted to rent a jester costume. I got one with no bells on it, much less noisy. It was red and black, much like my school colors. The traffic outside the venue slowed to a crawl, after going at a good clip for most of the way. When I went inside I did see another jester there, same colors as me, but with bells. I did introduce myself but he didn't say much to me. He was waiting in line to do the 'Jacob's Ladder' challenge. I did dance with a courtly dance troupe this time. It was nice to get a few comments about my outfit, including finding a jester doll/music box shop shortly after I arrived.
But it rained so I had to cover up the outfit. Near the end of my time there I heard some musicians inside a bar performing 'Istanbul' by They Might Be Giants. It reminded me of a 'Simpsons' episode, since there was one episode that ended with this song. I took the jester hat off as I didn't want it to get wet, and reached inside my coat pocket and noticed a winter hat was in there. So I put it on and was still protected well enough from the weather.
   The traffic did lead to me hearing plenty of music on my car radio. This included 'Let Her Go' by Passenger, and 'Summertime Sadness' by Lana Del Rey.  

Prime Rib Tacos At Lunchtime

   There are food events every so often at my workplace, and today it was tacos since we did well on the backpack drive. One kind offered was prime rib, another was a spicy meat with mushrooms. I heard 'Mushrooms' and figured I would like it, but think I was told it would be spicy. So I took out the peppers and this made it easier to eat.
   After watching a 'Monk' rerun in the evening I went to get an ice cream sandwich. Also bought a single slice of Spam as those are tasty. It was a good episode, where Monk has amnesia and I think is in Wyoming if I'm not mistaken. He helps solve a crime and then his colleagues from San Francisco finally find him.
   I made it to the comedy club in the evening, and heard the IED/IUD joke early on. But I was tired so I needed to get up and move around a little. Eventually I changed my seat to one in the back where it was less obvious to the performers how tired I was. Some had left before the end of the show so there were more seats to choose from by then.
   There was a firestorm of comments on Facebook where a new comic picked a fight with the show runner at one of the clubs I frequent. We were advised to read the original posting and I said I am with the show runner. Comedy isn't easy, same as any other job in entertainment. The new comic claims he was bullied, but this does not appear to be true. This new comic is not a Facebook friend, and I have no plans whatsoever of adding this whiner either. Another comic did do a posting about it, at first I didn't understand what it was referring to. But it did refer to the show runner as 'One of the 3 or 4 most respected comics in the area' which we know is true. And alienating someone with some
influence is a bad idea. I did recall how the show runner had 'outed' somebody before for not paying comics, and he was one of the few who would be listened to about it.  

Spaceship Appeared In Cornfield

    I went to the annual event at The Loft in Minneapolis tonight. I am a member there as I have taken writing classes there. We were asked to help with a writing exercise, the first sentence was given and there were five more to write. When done with one sentence, we got another form to continue with.
We were given one minute per sentence. The final one I was given was one which said 'Suddenly, a spaceship appeared in a cornfield'. I said 'And everyone got into it'.
  The food was the typical fare that one sees at these kinds of gatherings. There was plenty of cheese and crackers, vegetables, and fruit. I really like the cheese, I kept going back for more of it. The pineapple slices and grapes were good as well. I found out my literary punch card was no longer active, so I said it will be going into my binder full of business cards as these items still are nice souvenirs. I had just 4 punches on it out of 12. The final speaker was a little girl presenting her book about how to make friends. It ended with 'All I had to be was me.' The next book apparently is 'Mr. Stashe gets married'.

  In other issues, I learned tonight on Facebook how one of my comedian friends is getting divorced. Same one who did the Facebook wedding that I enjoyed so much. I was stunned to hear this. But it sounds like they are parting as friends. I said it was kind of sad how they had to remind people how it wasn't a joke. But one is a comedian, and this means they know plenty of comedians.

Cigarette And Tiara

   At the comedy club tonight, I was outside discussing various issues with my fellow comics and the one that likes Back Flag music spoke of comedian head shots are usually too plain. Apparently he smokes and this is shown in most pictures but not his head shot. He said he prefers to have some personality in head shots, but apparently not everyone feels this way. At this particular club, there are plenty of pictures on the wall that serve as a greeting to patrons. One of them is a female comic with a cigarette and tiara, and I said it was the most eye-catching. He said this is what got the conversation started, though I didn't hear the beginning of it. I do like discussing the craft of comedy with others.
  My 'Bestie' was at the club again, it surprised both of us. This is not typical, 3 straight nights. I said I was taking Thursday off to attend an event at The Loft in Minneapolis though. When I went inside I called him 'You old so and so' and he called me 'Butt Crust', something I had asked for earlier as a classmate from high school did this. Odd how I actually miss something like hearing this nickname. He did do another new joke, how people may have cronies but usually don't refer to themselves as such. After the show I said I liked this one as I have used this term before, he said it's because I'm one of his cronies. I probably am.

Enterprise Facebook Posting

    Recently I rented a car from Enterprise and didn't like the customer service I received. I made a call about how I still had no receipt yet, and I got an attitude from a rep when returning the car. It really annoyed me how they didn't want to do much for me. I posted something on their Facebook page and got a response to it. I can tell them more on their customer care website. Since I have worked in customer service before I know what it's like to be on both ends of the business transaction. Doing call center work, my first role with my current employer, led to me deciding that I would definitely no longer accept poor customer service. Somebody I didn't know already made a comment about it after the company did, saying they 'Passed the buck'. I said I was fine as long as they corrected it.
  At the comedy club tonight I liked getting a shout-out when laughing at the IED/IUD joke, apparently I was one of the few who laughed when it was first told. The same comic is known for the 'Letting him lay it in me' joke. My 'Bestie' was the show closer. I liked how he did the 'What are we going to eat?' joke and 'Porn in the hotel room'- bringing those two back as they're still good ones.

'Wake Me Up' By Avicii

   There was a song I heard again recently I really like. I found out it is called 'Wake me up' by Avicii. The Wikipedia page said it was a Swedish DJ. The lyrics really resonate, like 'Wake me up when it's over' which reminds me of Green Day's 'Wake me up when September ends'. Then there's 'I was finding myself and didn't know I was lost'. I like the contrast there. The Youtube video I found had the setting mostly as a small town or rural area, which is familiar as this is how and where I grew up. It seemed to suggest how the main characters didn't fit in there, and finally found their way to a concert where many of the concertgoers had the same tattoo. So of course they found where they did fit in. The tattoo I would like to think was the logo for the music act.
   At the comedy club tonight my 'Bestie' was there and he did expand on the 'Slowpoke' joke. It now includes what his future bride witnesses as a teacher. There was also some impromptu dancing filmed outside the venue, though no music was played while filming. We were told that it was an audition tape for the 'Ellen' show, which I haven't seen at all. There were two camera operators, I asked which one counted and was told both of them did. It looked like at least one of these camera operators ended up going onstage tonight.

Rise Above: Black Flag Songs

    It was an eventful day for me. With all of the driving I decided to bring music with me. It was the ones I had bought at Cheapo the day before: Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' and 'Rise Above' from the  West Memphis 3 benefit concert. Really liked 'TV Party' on the 'Rise Above' CD.
     First stop was the Jesse James festival in Northfield. Saw the bank robbery re-enactment twice. I made it just in time to see the first one of the day. Right before this I bought my festival button. I got some postcards, was careful not to buy duplicates, at their gift shop. I later found a secondhand store that was closing, and bought some Charlie Brown books. There were some old postcards as well, including two of artwork, apparently frescoes from a French church. At least this was what I understood when it was in French, and I did study this language in high school. I liked finding a plastic Charlie Brown Christmas ornament, and a Simpsons figurine- it appeared to be Milhouse as 'Radioactive Man'. The owner spoke of being blind in one eye. The food and drink was nice as well, got a soft serve chocolate shake and some popcorn- at different stands.
   Then it was on to the Renaissance Festival. I arrived just as the Robin Hood show was starting, so I made a beeline for it and it looks like I didn't miss much. I did plenty of walking, which is what I prefer as it is good exercise. I liked getting a pork chop there, and riding an elephant again. There was also a dance troupe dancing to bagpipe music. And a man balancing various ice sculptures on his head. Puke and Snot- the comedy duo- was a place I visited for just a few minutes. Jousting, mermaids, the torture museum- they have a wide variety of things there. Near the end of my visit I was eating the pork chop and saw a 'Courtly dance troupe'. Patrons apparently were invited to dance with them but I was tired by then, and my dance skills are a little rusty as well.

Incredible Burt Wonderstone Movie

   I rented another Redbox movie tonight, 'Incredible Burt Wonderstone', when I was at Walgreen getting a photo enlarged. It was a movie that I got a poster for at the comedy club just before its release to theaters. There were some things that I liked about it, like the cameo from magician David Copperfield. I ended up not liking Jim Carrey much in it as he played the rival to the two magicians in it. Some of the music I recognized as well, and enjoyed hearing like 'Everybody Dance Now' by C and C Music Factory. And then there was 'Cantaloop' by Us-3. Trying to think about what in particular that I didn't like about it. First thing I can think of is it doesn't seem to work that well doing a magician movie as a comedy. I know there was a 'Simpsons' episode about magic, but even though 'The Simpsons' is a comedy show they do social commentary as well. I like documentaries, so a documentary about actual magicians would work better for me.
   I went to another high school football game today, in the afternoon. St. Paul Highland Park beat St. Paul Harding 25-0, after leading 12-0 at halftime. When comparing it to the one from the previous day, it was not even close even though the admission fee was a dollar cheaper today. I think it proves the big difference between city and suburban schools, on the funding they receive. The player rosters were separate, I am used to programs not being 'build your own' and I had to go back and get the visiting team roster after noticing all I had was the home team's. Then there was the concession stand. While it was nice to have actual displays of what food and drink was available, I chose those and then was told they were just displays. Way easier to just have a list on the wall of what is available, or ask them. Then there was the wait for the hot dog. I paid and then was told it was a 10-minute wait for hot dogs, doesn't make sense as I am used to them being ready before ordering. There was just one concession stand as well, usually a stadium has more than one.
   The waffle breakfast at South St. Paul was nice this morning, but I had a hard time finishing the second waffle as I was getting full. There were graduation pictures in the cafeteria, and I did find 'The one I call Filibuster'. This was the nickname for an ex-coworker. Also liked seeing the murals inside their post office. One of them depicted a gate from the former Armour stockyard.
   In the evening I made it to Cheapo Records in St. Paul and found 2 CDs I like, but needed help finding one of them so I asked. It was 'Rise Above', 24 Black Flag songs to benefit the West Memphis Three. I was inspired to find it after seeing this story as a Redbox movie recently. The other one I got was Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way'.

South St. Paul vs. Henry Sibley Football Game

   I went to a high school football game tonight. South St. Paul was home against Henry Sibley, and South St. Paul won 28-6. The halftime score was 21-6. It proves the statistic I have seen many times before- how the team leading at halftime usually wins. The SSP Packers never trailed in this one. I arrived shortly after the game began, Sibley was on offense first and then punted. The Packers returned the punt for a touchdown and went up 7-0. Sibley narrowed it to 7-6, missing the extra point. Then it was 13-6 and 21-6. SSP missed an extra point and then made a two-point conversion. As expected, the winning team had no real problem moving the ball. I did my best to take notes while there. I wrote 'player down' 5 times, 2 of these were Sibley. Not sure why, other than it was warm and it appeared to be leg cramps on a few. South St. Paul was intercepted in the 3rd quarter, but of course they were up by 2 TDs by then.
    At halftime I bought a ticket for a breakfast the next day, supporting another athletic team at this school- girl's tennis. Because I like waffles, and then I don't have to cook for myself. It's another reason to get out in the morning.
   At work the repairman for the copier was there for a while, even when I left in the early evening but it sounded like he wasn't going to stay that long after my departure.

Grocery Cart Near McDonald's

I did another long walk around the neighborhood after watching the prime time episode of 'Big Bang Theory'. It was a rerun, the one where Bob Newhart guest stars as 'Professor Proton'. So it was one I definitely wanted to see again. One oddity I spotted on my walk was a grocery cart next to the bus stop by a McDonald's. On my way back I decided to take it over to a nearby grocery store, but the cart was from a different chain so I don't know what they will do with it. Also noticed how there was a disclaimer inside the cart saying the wheels will lock up at the yellow line. Well somebody must have found a way around it. I ended up picking up plenty of trash as usual, especially soda pop and beer cans. This led to 16 pull tabs! I have said before how collecting these for Ronald McDonald house through my workplace has been a sad commentary on litter in America as most of those I collect aren't mine.
  The syndicated rerun of 'Bang' was one I hadn't seen yet. It was the one where Sheldon's twin sister visits and all of his friends want to date her.
   Not much mail as usual today, the only item was a letter from my dad as a follow up to his recent visit. He had said when I called back two days ago how he had just sent it.

Dress Shirt Draped On Wheelchair

  And the oddities I see continue. I went to catch the bus this morning and thought it was odd to see an empty wheelchair near the bus stop. Then I saw a dress shirt in the flower bed nearby. I am the type that picks up trash so I draped the dress shirt on the wheelchair. When I got off work in the early evening both items were still there.
   We got another assignment schedule for my department at work today, even though the current one ran through the end of the month. Apparently there were some changes to it. This had happened in the summer as well.
   At midday I did do a walk around downtown, and this meant a bridge walk across the Mississippi River. I am a brisk walker, and noticed when I was finished how part of my dress shirt was soaked with sweat, at least around the cuffs.
   At the comedy club tonight, my 'bestie' did perform and he shared something about being teased due to a speech problem as a kid. I said I could relate, as my mom and brother has one. I made myself think I had one even though I really didn't. Still amazed at what one can learn about another when they share something onstage. He needed help finding his joke notebook after the show and I did help with locating it- on a chair near the front door.

The Show Ended Early

    I went to the comedy club tonight and the show ended early, shortly after I arrived. The MC did a few minutes and that was it. I hadn't seen this happen before, at least at this club, and this early as well. I had ordered a beer, I said I was going to finish it before I left and I did.
   Since it was just after a holiday, there was some mail but very little was important. It was nice to get one of my E-bay orders, the World's Fair postcard. It was in a pink envelope, I don't see those too often. This would be the 9th postcard from the Chicago 1933 World's Fair. The postcard depicts some murals from the General Electric display. It was a black and white card, but most of them, even in this era, are in color. I had passed over this one before, as there aren't as many GE postcards online from this fair. I wanted to see a bigger 'meatball' logo as well, and there wasn't, but it did say 'Steinmetz' and I knew this was a chairman of the company.
   At work I had to say something was not found as it was delivered earlier, in mid-July, but was lost. It is annoying that we are still dealing with this. I would likely lose my job if I was guilty of losing active files.

Tabloid Movie, Joyce McKinney

    I watched the second of two DVD's from the library today. It was the documentary called 'Tabloid'. It was about a woman who tried to bring her man back from a Mormon mission in Great Britain in the 1970s.  Then it covered how she cloned a dog in South Korea. I don't think I had heard of such an odd story as Joyce McKinney's. I returned both movies today, my first stop on my list for errand running.
  Then it was on to Savers in Maplewood, as there was a flyer from the St. Paul Saints game the previous day about Labor Day deals. I did find some good books, the complete set of Charlie Brown dictionaries. There were two editions, this was the red-letter, 6 books. The other was black-letter, 8 books, and I have just the 1st of 8. There are some other differences, as there is more words covered, more pictures, and state flags as well. I also got a photo album, which led to the next project I did at home.
   I noticed the slots were too small for the postcards, so I put the remaining photos in them. It tailed off after October 2011, as eventually after getting my current digital camera I felt less of a need to have each picture printed as long it was on the memory card.
   In the evening I went out to eat the Super-America special, then on to Target for another photo album. They didn't quite have the type I wanted, that is: one where it was under $10 and the postcards fit well, so I went to the Walmart nearby. It meant getting an album where it was one card per page, but I have done this before. I also spent the rest of the evening re-arranging the postcards, trying to group them more by region or state. I did fairly well, but I'm not finished yet. It may lead to destroying a few if I feel the need to, as I know space in an album is at a premium and I do prefer high quality with each slot. I am mostly caught up on getting postcards from recent travels- especially the ones from South Dakota last month- into an album. It was mainly about finding one for that trip as there was about 40. Then I reminded myself how there was five that survived my 1987 visit, so it meant moving them over with the others. It really was a 'domino effect' as I ended up looking at all of the albums, now 12.

Stacy Keach As Martin Luther

   I got two movies from the library this weekend. I watched one of them this morning. It was Stacy Keach in 'Luther', with the lead role as religious reformer Martin Luther. Judi Dench played his wife, the ex-nun, who I know of course from the James Bond movies. I watched all of the special features as well, it included a bio of playwright John Osborne. The movie was based on his play. Another play he did was called 'Look Back In Anger', which reminded me of an Oasis song called 'Don't Look Back In Anger'. There was also mention of praying to certain saints, one of these was St. Valentine, for help with epilepsy. I was just familiar with this being the patron saint of love.
   In the afternoon I did make it to Minnehaha Depot inside a Minneapolis park. I knew the season was ending since it is Labor Day weekend. There was free admission, some nice displays on the walls inside, and a toy train operating as well. I bought 5 postcards for a dollar. I got an ice cream sandwich across the street since an ice cream truck was parked there, it was Wells Blue Bunny- and Tweety bird was depicted on the side as well.
   In the evening I went to the St. Paul Saints baseball game, they lost to Sioux City 2-1. The Saints led 1-0 for a while, then there was two throwing errors on the same play after the hitter got a bunt down and it tied the score. A solo home run was added in the 9th. I spotted two comedian friends there, one was in the crowd and trying to find his seat. The other was part of the between innings entertainment.