Laughs On Fox

    Tonight at the comedy club I saw plenty of talent in the lineup. It sounded like an audition for a show called 'Laughs' on Fox. I laughed a lot more than typical because it was such a good lineup, to some it may have sounded insane. One comic I didn't know well, she walked in with two I did know- red-faced comic and self-checkout. Her set included 'Am I lonely? I'm in heaven' which I liked. Others were about a Shazam phone app, still paying Verizon for her 2 sons, as well as vodka and cable. It was nice to see one comic again, it had been a while. Don't know if he had a nickname yet, but I knew him for wearing a Black Flag (music group) hat though it was a different hat tonight. He recently announced on Facebook  his plans to quit comedy, but I would like to think he has reconsidered after hearing from so many. I think I helped out in this area, by saying he helped me with my attitude about comedy, where I don't want to be 'On' all the time. And I don't- because I want to be serious at times as well. There is a time and place for everything. We spoke at length after the show about various issues, including relationships. And I like being able to discuss serious issues at times. I saw the bossman from another club there, and said I was looking forward to seeing some good shows at an upcoming festival he is managing. I am not one of the performers though I did apply this time and I am still learning some things about the comedy business. I gave out my business card to more comics who had heard about my blog so I trust they will like reading it and it does appear to be a popular read in the comedy scene. I heard the big dog do the joke about being a heroin addict and I am finally laughing at it, proof I can evolve. Though I am afraid I am putting my foot in my mouth trying to explain why I wouldn't for a while.
  A shout-out to the server who found me a note pad so I wouldn't need to use napkins for note-taking. And it is also for offering a drink that I was told was an extra. At first I turned it down, but then I saw another comic be offered and accept. There were three on the serving plate. Don't know what happened to the last one.
     School bouncer was MC. He did ones about the 100-year-old woman, check the fridge, a Packer player, I don't need you, and I hate paperwork. Neck tattoo did one about being poor his whole life. Others were about a Wendy's chili spoon, homeless people clothes, almost hit by a car, and sheets for curtains. Self checkout did ones about watches costing more than a car, shopping at Walmart, it's all bananas, tally man, snap or button, and CSI Little Rock. Dictionary did ones about drunk jobs including news anchor and hockey player besides comedian. the good diction joke included curtsy first. Others were about his lady's alarm clock, as well as Busch Light and NASCAR. Grizzly Adams did one about walking cats, and getting a cat harness. Others were about a porn barn, college commercials, the price of Pabst beer or huffing, and a dollar of gas. Mason City did one about Zoloft, related to 'fight or flight'. Others were about Ace of Base, his 98-year-old grandma at Visiting Angels, roll credits, old lady fight, half day kindergarten, and the city is run by pigs. Extra murder did ones about taxes, Verizon birth control, man cave, you've got SAD, Nike jump rope, first world problems, an I-pad, and the second world is Canada. Red-faced comic did one about DUIs and birthday wishes. Others were about a pizza job at Little Caesar's, get out!, 3 of us, stuck on an island, and borp not a lisp. Big dog did one about a Bruno Mars die for you song. Others were about suicide by cop, Dahmer has furniture, and the Menendez brothers. Black Flag did one about it makes me Batman. Others were about 50 cigarettes or toothpicks, crack or pot, and Coolio and Weird Al. Show closer was from the Laughs show, he did ones about a plane exit row, and wake up to die. Another was about a mixed breed dog.            

Life Cereal Box

     I got on the wrong bus after work and decided not to go home like I usually do. It was more important to get over to the comedy club for the show. It meant stopping at the CVS pharmacy for a quick dinner, the one near University and Snelling in St. Paul. I didn't drive to the club, and took the light rail home. On the train home I saw trash that I threw out at my stop. All of it was empty food and drink containers. This included Miller beer, Dairy Queen, Diet A and W, and Life cereal. It is once again a sad commentary about litter.
    At the comedy club tonight, the opera singer was show closer. He did ones about Cap'n Crunch, and his brother working at Ft. Snelling. I liked hearing about the business of comedy from a comic who has a CD out. Not sure if he has a nickname, but I recall he had a gig at the Sturgis bike rally before. I did some more searching online and was amazed at how many comics I recognized on the list of available recordings at the three record labels I know of currently.
    One comic spoke of being a 'ginger', meaning he was red-haired. Neck tattoo did one about a Wendy's chili spoon. Louisiana did ones about Willie Nelson, and baggage claim. Tetris did one about scientology hoodies, and a wolf den. School bouncer did one about MLK. Wisconsin girl performed, cant read my notes. Sturgis did one about a lady cop. Bathtub comic did ones about a unicycle and a helium death. University accountant did ones about Michael Moore, and Olive Garden. Extra murder did ones about how it's not his real name, and his birthday, a food truck, and a donut burger. Fantasia did one about 8/9 days. Maryland did ones about Urkel, and an orgy. Perkins did one about 'porn hub, and Dahmer'. Another was about Harry Potter.

Silver Fox Booya

   I liked how it was a fairly leisurely day, as Sundays usually are. I did have some Booya soup at Highland Park, an event done by Silver Fox, an athletic club. I watched some pro football today, Packers beat the Bears. It was hard to find a parking spot near the park, so I went to a side street. I just discovered this soup servings last year after a colleague got media attention as he was going to so many of them. So I am still amazed to see people standing in a separate line with plastic ice cream containers as they want this much of the soup. I had a single serving cup, and this was a shorter line. I also had some popcorn and Reese's peanut butter cups.
   I got the wedding pictures and some other photos- like 'Ring of Honor'- added to Facebook as I went there to get prints and a CD. It was the most I had added in one day- 62. When I did the photo order at Walgreen I decided to walk around the store while waiting for it to be processed. I got the 'welcome' greeting from another employee, I asked if I looked lost. I am still asking people if they have heard of street photographer Vivian Maier, even this photo guy, and most say they have not. I did say that he may one day be asked for an interview about me for a documentary, as I feel like I found a kindred spirit after seeing a documentary about Vivian in April.
    I did watch the Simpsons-Family Guy crossover episode tonight. It had some charm to it, though I was a little surprised it was done when there has been a Simpsons joke before about crossover episodes. This was no doubt promoted a lot.

Celebrity Skin, Hole

    I started the day at Mille Lacs Casino, and ended it at the comedy club. While driving back from the comedy club after the show I liked hearing 'Celebrity Skin' by Hole on my car radio. I have the album of the same name, and I like two other songs on it- 'Awful' and 'Malibu'. My college roommate said the songs were better on this Hole album as Smashing Pumpkins front-man Billy Corgan helped write some of the songs on it. I really enjoyed the show, the Milwaukeean was MC and the laundry comic was the feature. The headliner was a New Yorker, from Brooklyn to be more specific. I liked his joke about using bath mats a lot.
   At the casino/hotel this morning I got my breakfast at the gift shop, a Rice Krispies bar and a bottle of orange juice. I am not much of a gambler, so I didn't do the slot machines. I found an arcade with a Simpsons game as well as Skee-ball. I ended up winning 85 tickets and it was enough for a pliable 'Jokester' keychain and two Tootsie Rolls. I did stop briefly along the way at a few places to take pictures, at one place I didn't leave my car. I made it back to the Twin Cities just in time to see a high school football game. St. Paul Highland Park was playing a Wisconsin school for homecoming, I could hear player introductions while I was walking to the stadium after parking my car. At first I felt bad about not bringing pen and paper from the bag in my car, but didn't need it. The home team played poorly in this one, trailing 28-0 at the end of the first quarter and the final was 42-0. They couldn't stop the end runs, and when they got close to the goal line they got intercepted twice.
   After the football game I finally made it home and went through email, not much postal mail. Then it was on to the grocery store for my weekly order. After getting back from returning the rental car I fell asleep in my easy chair while trying to watch the 6pm news, was woke up by a 'Please stand by' message. Then I went out to eat my evening meal, a sandwich at Subway. I was pleased with what I got accomplished before attending the show tonight.  

The Merger, AKA A Wedding

    I am attending a 'Merger', as the happy couple is calling it, or just a 'Wedding'. I have my rental car for the drive up north by Mille Lacs Casino. I have CDs ready for the drive as well, a little cheesy and appropriate at the same time since some of them are comedy CDs. It is a comedian friend getting married. On Facebook I was told that weddings are good for taking bathroom selfies. International Falls suggested this. Haven't tried one yet but I will have to see how it works. Before I made it to the rental car place this morning I liked going to McDonald's for a breakfast sandwich. I saw a man with his young son, age 4 I would guess. The kid kept saying 'I want this one'- a toy in a display case- and I said 'I don't think he heard you'. I also liked seeing a shipment arrive at a liquor store, plenty of cases of beer out front. So I got a photo of it before they started carting it inside the store.
   I really had a great time at this wedding. I think I attended my first wedding at age 9, my mom's cousin, in southern Iowa. I have 40 photos from the ceremony or from where it was held. I saw 13 of my comedian friends there. This includes Mason City, Oklahoma, Bathtub, Kentucky, Roller Grill, Knowledge, Grizzly Adams, (actually both members of Valley Meadows, not sure what name I have given the other member), IED/IUD, Louisiana, Bossman (from a basement venue), Tetris, and a member of The Turkeys that doesn't have a name yet. Unless it's 'Pizza topping', from the diner skits (or sketches) I was in. A few others didn't make it, had gigs or in the case of the Alabama photographer she said she was ill and so was her son. We are not sure why the big dog didn't make it, but I would have liked seeing him of course. I liked hearing perspectives from others about my blog, Tetris said to his lady, who does comedy (but as far as I know I haven't seen her perform yet) that he no longer does the joke. He said it was a 'Comedy newscast'. Since I just report what jokes I hear. The bride, who I had called the lone female member of The Turkeys, said I was 'Meticulous' with it and I like hearing this as I care about getting things right. This after all does seem to be what the word means. She asked me about the writings, when I was finally first in line after a long wait, but this is her day. She said I like to do day trips to Iowa, I said I do more of this travel during the summer months, as I call it 'Baseball and museum season' since that is the peak time for both, and I enjoy both of these things a lot. I got some joke material from it, without a doubt. I got to my hotel an hour before the shuttle left for the wedding. I drove straight through to Onamia, and took pictures in that town like the welcome sign and Smokey The Bear and an old tow truck, then found out at a little grocery store that I had 10 more miles to reach the casino. So I had to stop with the pictures. In my rush to get ready for the ceremony, I still had my glasses on when I started to shower, but when I realized this I quickly took them off and placed them on top of the toilet tank. The other was being so excited about seeing more meatballs being brought out to the appetizer table, and I slid down a little hill trying to get there, though I didn't fall and didn't drop or spill anything which was nice. Reminds me of a 'Peach cobbler' story when I was in college.
   I met some new people while there, like the wives and lady friends of my fellow comics. But also family members of the happy couple. When I arrived I was sent to the bride with the question about where to leave gifts, didn't seem clear cut to me. I said 'I know you're busy, but they sent me to you'. The bride sent me with who I found out was her matron of honor, who has the same name as my sister's middle name. the program has her listed below maid of honor, not sure what a 'matron of honor' is but I know 'matron' is a British term for a somebody's mother. I kept my program though the request during the ceremony was to make them into paper airplanes. I did make one, but it was a page from my note pad from the hotel.
    I was busy taking pictures after the ceremony. Then dinner was served, and I didn't know for sure what seats were left. The groom's dad said there was a seat left at his table, so a shout out of thank you is in order to him. I also liked hearing stories about living in Colorado from the groom's uncle. The pictures were of the nearby petting zoo, and I thought of my dad when getting one of them, it was an old Allis-Chalmers tractor. A raccoon was in this petting zoo, in a cage. Others were just fenced in. The couple chose well on the singer, and this was one of my photos, a woman wearing black, including her hat. I liked hearing 'Moon River', and 'Sea of Love'. I know the former as being in the movie 'Breakfast at Tiffany's', a movie I saw after there was a hit song of the same name. The latter was in a 'Simpsons' episode. Really good sound bites were from the happy couple, in the vows if I am not mistaken. The bride spoke of a 'Dime store mouse' and the groom, who doesn't have a name but can easily be given one like LaCrosse native, speaking of a 'Cynical commitment-phobe idiot'. Among the notables I met was a man in a top hat, he said he was a musician with Phantom Tales. I gave out my business card to some at this event, after they heard about how I write a blog. One of these was the bride's mom's cousin, who said she is a literature instructor at Sarah Lawrence college. I said I knew it as the school where actress Julianna Margulies, from 'ER' and 'Good Wife', attended. I spoke of my inspiration as a writer, Emerson Hough, who I said was friends with Teddy Roosevelt. I was asked if I had seen the Roosevelt documentary by Ken Burns on public TV. I have not, but I hope to eventually. It is probably bold of me to admit it, but I am hopeful for her approval of my writings in the worst way. Writing is her line of work, and this is somebody I can learn from. I know I am good at writing and take a lot of pride in what I write, but pointers from a professional is great to have when available. To the literature instructor: if you are reading, I will say that I made a note of your name but I usually don't use names in my blog as it gives my writings a more universal appeal. This was a lesson learned from a writing instructor in high school, who said 'Nobody cares who your friends are, what if somebody in San Francisco is reading it?' I am still thankful for these lessons, this was somebody who pushed me, saying I can do better, and she was right. I got some pictures with comedian friends, Oklahoma and Pizza Topping, they will be numbers 39 and 40 in my 'Ring of honor'. I did a selfie as well, but it took me 4 tries, 5 if you count the first try being inside a porta-pottie.  I liked seeing chalk boards with messages saying 'Turn off your cell phones'. I needed to look at all 40 pictures to try to remember as much as possible to write about. I haven't seen what I filmed on video camera, the first 20 minutes then the card was full, but I am still a newbie with video cameras. We sat on hay bales covered up by bed sheets, I was next to the bathtub comic and his wife. They are good people. When we did the photo booth pictures, she invited me to be in theirs but I turned her down, saying not enough space. I wanted them to have a serious, formal photo of their own. So I did one by myself. But she invited me again later, a comical theme, and I accepted. I put on these big green sunglasses and a cowboy hat for it and just was behind them. A third was with the maid of honor, who I liked meeting at the going-away party for the couple when they moved to California 3 years ago. She is now in Montana, and spoke of a Youtube site- 'Don't hug me I'm scared'. She liked hearing how I got pictures of the chalkboards, she said she did those. Two men walked down the aisle together, one was a 'Bridesman', Roller Grill. The other was Knowledge. I liked speaking to the help, the bartenders, as a working class kid I understand this is a part of formal events- those working it. One of them asked me to tell a joke, after hearing I knew the couple from the comedy circuit, and I did two about internet dating, including the one I call 'Cajun Cougar'. They loved it. There was a piñata at the taco table, I had the tacos as well as the rice, there were separate tables but long lines for a while. Cake was served, cupcakes. CDs were next to it, of the songs played at the ceremony. And I liked all of the signs in the bridal suite, like one that started off with 'If I live to be 100'. I liked hearing Roller Grill philosophize about stars and galaxies, since it was easier to see the stars outside of the metro area. I said it was probably the most fun I ever had at a wedding. I am pleased that I was able to get so many notes down on a note pad from the hotel/casino I am staying at. When I got back to the hotel after midnight, I started to think of my former boss and mentor from work in suburban Chicago. It is because I was wearing one item that is brought out for special occasions like these, and she gave it to me. I felt so much emotion that I felt the tears in my eyes. My notes said 'Tears for mentor', not to be confused with an Eric Clapton song, 'Tears in Heaven'. Along with the pictures I will be posting on Facebook, I am hopeful that the happy couple is pleased with my extensive- or should I say meticulous?- documenting of the event.            

Don't Go Back To Rockville, REM

    Tonight was about getting ready for attending a wedding. I bought gifts at two different stores. I got another loyalty card at one, and ate there as well. I have decided to be cagey about what the two stores were, as I know the bride-to-be likes to read my blog and I want it to be a surprise if at all possible as to what the gifts are.
     I liked hearing some music at the first store. The lid-lifter was 'Don't go back to Rockville' by REM. Some of the lyrics are truly melancholy, but it is well-written. 'Cause it's so much easier to handle all my problems if I'm too far out to sea. But something better happen soon or it's gonna be too late to bring me back'. Then even better later on in the song is 'It's not as though I really need you, if you were here I'd only bleed you'. I may have said it before how I like hearing of towns called 'Something-ville'. This likely goes back to what I knew in my native Iowa. Though I have found with my travels this kind of town name is everywhere. So it is comfortable. And of course it suggests a small town, in most cases, like where I grew up. At first I had hoped the song was another one by REM, 'Driver 8', with a railroad theme. I like that one a lot. And of course I needed to listen to it a little, especially in a store where it can be hard to hear, to know which one it was. The closer song was 'Vacation' by the Go-Go's. It also speaks of a relationship, but has a decidedly different theme. Where a vacation was needed to get over somebody. I still think of it as being in a Michael Moore documentary, 'Fahrenheit 9/11'. This was where Moore makes fun of President Bush being on vacation often.
   I think about music a lot. Those who know me best know this about me. Thanks to Wikipedia I found out the song 'Tide is high' was also covered by Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall. It is lively, but hard to top Blondie's version. Actually, his version is known as 'Numba 1'. I know some of his other songs better, like a remix of Lady Gaga's 'Just dance'. Or his own song, 'Dangerous'. Because I like some clever lyrics such as 'Everything locked like a 2-3 zone'. Also recently, I found some more Eminem songs on Youtube, that were suggested to me based on previous searches. This included '3 am', and 'Just lose it'. The former I didn't like that much, but I really like the latter. He is peerless as a wordsmith. With lyrics like 'That's just a metaphor, I'm just psycho'. His mentor, Dr. Dre, and actor Erik Estrada are also in the video. Of course Estrada is playing a cop, as he is best known from the TV show 'Chips'.
   After I got back from the stores, I decided to try on my formal outfit. It is mostly just brought out for events like weddings. I like knowing it fits fine, it helps that I lost some weight since May. Really not much else left to do on preparing. I have a digital camera and a video camera I plan on taking there. At work I may have annoyed some of my office colleagues by saying more than once how I have the next day off for a wedding, but weddings are fun. Also notable from the office was when I went for my weekly weigh-in I decided to look down inside a hole in the desk where the scale reader is kept. I noticed a nickel, and the stick of lip balm that I lost there months ago. Thanks to the coin, I decided to go find a way to fish both items out. I was able to, but a drawer now will not slide back in like it had before. The nickel was from the Lewis and Clark series of a decade ago, and was placed in my change bank. The political science guy amused himself by shooting rubber bands.

Bank Of America Commercial

    I was watching TV tonight and saw a Bank of America commercial. It included part of the song 'Tide is high', the version by Blondie if I am not mistaken. It made me think of the Mason City native as we had discussed this song before. I may have written about it before, and had it as the blog entry title. I did speak of how this song helped me find courage to talk to somebody. I heard it inside a Walgreen store and was starting to lose the nerve, but after hearing the song I said I don't want to end up hating it for being timid. I am careful with music, as I know it helps me remember the good as well as the bad. And with my mind, I don't want any help with remembering the bad. It did prompt me to find earlier versions of the song on Youtube, by The Paragons, as well as John Holt.
   I turned down an event invite from the Maryland native, it was for auditions for Last Comic Standing. I did the right thing, as I got stage time at another club. I like to support my friends at their shows, but stage time for me comes first. I had said it before when I am inundated with Facebook invites- I am more likely to show up if I, um, am offered stage time. Considering another posting mentioned all of the comics there, it is no surprise how I was able to get stage time. I had way less competition! The new jokes are working well, it was a shorter set by one minute compared to the night before. I did one joke that I didn't do earlier, and it was the leadoff and worked well. It was about having to talk to a cop over the weekend. I also did two inspired by interactions with the big dog- 'Ear wax' and 'Indentured servant'. The former got laughs early on, right after announcing having such a procedure. Broken watch and 4-hour coffee date were the others I did.
   I got some pictures before leaving the club, as outside there was two cars available to win in a drawing at a benefit event this weekend for a police officer killed in the line of duty. The bartender did a Facebook posting about my interaction with the bronze comic after the show, and made a reference to a unicorn and leprechaun. I responded by saying it was perfect joke material. I added how others seem to have been entertained with my interactions like with an office colleague I called 'Filibuster'. 
   At work I got a laugh from the political science guy near the end of the day when I spoke of how he should fax the form to a different name- it happened to be the Romanian leader who was murdered in the 1980s. I recalled a Saturday Night Live skit where people at the funeral home shot up his corpse in the casket to make sure he was dead. This guy does like this kind of humor. Also notable was a colleague, who said she grew up with comedian Louie Anderson, telling me stories about arranged marriages in the Italian communities in the Twin Cities. Apparently suitors would be brought over from Italy and the marriages would happen even though one of them didn't speak English. When I had previously spoke of how the new Saints baseball stadium will be in Lower-town, she said she worked at the shampoo factory that was on the site.
    Tonight's MC did jokes about working at Blockbuster Video, and about his lady's stuff in the apartment. A comic I haven't written about much before did one about saying 'no you won't' to his wife, in response to having magazines to read. International Falls did ones about a 3-4 birth control pill night, a street harasser, a dog rescue, and her IUD. The Fancy comic did ones about being the 'best looking man in comedy', baseball hot dogs apple pie, wow that's fancy, and being your closest star. Software developer did one about 'tequila and a compliment'. Laundry did ones about his kids telling street jokes, and lawn mowing. The crow did ones about using a gun to back up saying 'do it', and Alanis song, another song about 'you're mine', and not going anywhere. The Wisconsin girl did one about it being an 'ageist economy'. Michigan did ones about a 2-dude wedding, Elton John and Liberace, and his stolen wallet having just $3 in it.

Hines Ward

    I was onstage at the comedy club tonight. The MC was the Milwaukeean, and he is a Steeler fan. He was wearing a Hines Ward jersey, number 86. I read through the Wikipedia page and it spoke of his appearances on 'Dancing with the stars'. I said I still have a Steeler trash can. I had liked the team after reading about their Super Bowl wins in the 1970s, with the 'Steel curtain' defense and the likes of Franco Harris and Terry Bradshaw on offense.
    It went really well performing tonight, I did all new material which was bold. Two of the jokes were inspired by interactions with the big dog, who also performed tonight. These jokes were what I call 'Indentured servant' and 'Ear wax removal'. I also did ones about my watch, the 4-hour coffee date, and a coworker who would like to see me perform when her schedule allows. I found out Mason City is attending the same wedding as I am this weekend. This shouldn't surprise me much when it is a comedian friend getting married, but I hadn't spoken with many so far about if they would be there. I still need to find a gift but the registry said I can look at Target and IKEA, and the latter is one I haven't seen for a while so it may be the perfect excuse for a return visit.
   A boss in another department said in the afternoon he would be doing the letters, I was about to start them when I was notified. I didn't have much heartburn about this, especially when I had an earlier message asking us to help out the political science guy with things like the special requests I have done before. Two of the three were on the payoff report, I had crossed them out expecting someone else to do them. At midday I went to a nearby Walgreen and used a postcard for points on the loyalty program for the month. I got a bag of Old Dutch 'Puffcorn'- like popcorn- and a bottle of flavored water. I needed the card as it had a barcode to be scanned. I had meant to use it Sunday when I was doing the photo order. I would like to think I will make another visit this month to get more points. It seems to be hard to figure out how to get points when it is on select items or if one spends over a certain amount.
     I liked how I found enough time to go to a community center a few miles away for a spaghetti dinner this evening before I had to head to the comedy club. This is an annual event, I had attended it before. I got plenty of pictures, including ones of what I found nearby like a tennis court, a football practice, and railroad crossing.
     Besides me, there was a good lineup all around. Mason City did ones about Zoloft, 'fight or flight', Ace of Base, visiting angels, half day kindergarten, and Paul Bunyan. Resistable did ones about seeing a psychic, a hipster roommate, air mattress, and drum kit. Others were about talking about Nicki Minaj at Applebee's, adopt a highway, a waterbed, carpet matching drapes, and colorblind. Auto correct did ones about scrap booking, babies have good credit, and you're so brave. Big dog did ones about bad porn, where's your furniture?, suicide by cop, and Bruno Mars. Laundry comic did ones about a polar bear plunge, a funeral procession, mowing the lawn, and having 4 kids. The red faced comic did ones about DUIs, birthday wishes, and working at a pizza place. A comic who hs performed at Sturgis did ones about 'pizza in oven', door to door alarms, and a tortilla maker. Fantasia did ones about role playing, a Batman shirt, his mom's CIA mind control, chain smoking and Rockford Files, and the Illuminati. International Falls did ones about a 2-3 birth control pill night, a street harasser, dog rescue/police dog, and an IUD. The Milwaukeean did ones about the Dukes of Hazzard, she is affordable, redneck woman, and Lazyboy furniture. Others were about not being Calvin, as DNA makes it impossible. Even others were about Halle Berry, a Midwest physique, and parents who mis-pronounce words.

Revlon Emery Board

    I see all kinds of things on the public buses I use. Recently one of these items was a Revlon emery board. It is mostly green, a partial flower in red is on it as well. It is near the middle, Revlon is spelled in black letters to the left of it. This was found in a plastic sleeve with a barcode on it, so it can be sold as an individual unit. Sometimes items will say 'Unit not labeled for individual sale'.
    It was a good night as usual at the comedy club. I saw the big dog at the bar when I came out to write down notes about the show, and check in on the football game, Bears-Jets. I said I had an idea about a joke on being overly gracious, inspired by our interaction over the weekend. I realized this is a pattern for me. What prompted me to become aware of the pattern was mention of my former boss and mentor. The difference now is being able to work through things I struggle with through my comedy, and of course writing about it is available much like before.
    I recognized many of the comics tonight. The rapper comic did the recipe joke. The jersey video comic did one about Packer QB Aaron Rodgers. Turtle check did one about hunting, and St. Cloud as well. Fantasia did ones about weed and reruns, as well as a bedpan. The 'Resistable comic' did ones about a hipster roommate, her dad, and talking about Nicki Minaj at Applebee's. The Yemen native did ones about learning English, teaching Arabic, volunteer work, and shoplifting. Louisiana did one about Neosporin. Fever did ones about wanting to be a stepdad, cake with birth control, deer suicide, and the gold rush. Postage stamp did one about 'Let's call the whole thing off'. School bouncer did ones about a 100-year-old at his show, and Ice Cube. Maryland did ones about dating as a non profit, a girl at a gas station, yoga pants, and his condo. Conga line did ones about getting a garage, Kenny G, and a dog clown car. Mason City did ones about Zoloft, fight or flight, his grandma at Visiting Angels retirement home, and pin-balling. Extra murder did ones about Verizon birth control, man cave, I can drive, food trucks, and a donut burger. Three by three, who had been called 'founding father' before, did one about battle scars from being in band. Bathtub comic was show closer, he did this joke as well as ones about mopeds, role playing, proposing to his lady, and stolen babies.   

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.

Kikagaku Moyo

     I am thankful for the 'Music education' from the Mason City native. He still surprises me on his knowledge of music. Today he tagged me on a Facebook posting, that I saw after a date, so I took it as he wanted me to listen to the song. It was a Japanese band, called 'Kikagaku Moyo'. I don't know Japanese but I trust his recommendations. I was given the link from Youtube if I am not mistaken. I said it was a little long, over 7 minutes, but it was all right. The instrumental parts were quite good, a comparison was made to Neil Young. This works for me as I like some Neil Young songs, especially 'Rocking in the free world' and 'Searching for a heart of gold'. In addition, he 'Sponsored' a band I really like, Pearl Jam. I said I took off points as the lyrics were unintelligible. I wondered if it was a case of what I have seen before, where musicians sometimes turn up their amplifier so high that it is hard to hear the lyrics. But he said it was in Japanese so it would be hard to understand no matter what the volume is. I have a college roommate that knows the language, been there twice. First was as an English teacher, the other in the Navy. But I am not sure if he knows Japanese music. I like the mention of 'Forest of lost children', since I like 'Lost soul' themes, feeling like one myself.
    I did have a date in the afternoon, at a Caribou coffee shop. We talked for 4 hours, NO JOKE. So I take it as it was going well, especially when I didn't look at my watch for a while. I finally did, but more than 3 hours in. I like finding somebody who seems to understand me, and accept me. And my date liked hearing about me doing comedy. I will admit that I am a little jaded from all of the quick rejections, but I trust the good feeling is warranted. And it will be if/when there is a second date. I made it a Facebook posting and got plenty of likes from friends, some comedians and some former classmates. I said the Ally Sheedy line from the movie 'Only the lonely' fits my mood: 'Don't screw this one up'. Will I get some joke material from it? Probably.
     I watched the Bears-49ers game in the evening on NBC tonight. Bears won 28-20, aided by 49ers turnovers, now the Bears are 1-1. After the game ended there was a GEICO commercial, Kenny Rogers was signing some of 'The Gambler' and it made me think of the DC native's 'Stolen penguin' joke. I let him know in a Facebook posting.

Guys And Dolls Play

    This afternoon I went to see a play, 'Guys and Dolls', at the Arts Center in Bloomington. I guessed correctly on one thing, when they spoke of a 'Crap game' I figured they meant dice, since it sounded like saying 'Shooting craps'. Besides the main character, Nathan Detroit, I also liked the 'General' of the Salvation Army- type organization, she was lively. Like many plays, the second act was shorter than the first. Since Cuba went communist in the 1950s the scenes in Havana were lost on me in many ways, as I haven't read much yet about Cuba being a rich person's playground when it was an American territory. The song in it I was familiar with, from an NFL commercial, was in the second act- 'Sit down, you're rocking the boat'. I got a good look around at this city government complex, there were ballerinas in one room and I got a photo from the doorway. Outside there was a sundial. On the upper level I discovered another art display, smaller than the one on the main floor. I found the upper level at intermission, I liked knowing there was a bathroom on that floor as well.
   The first event of the day was a brunch in Minneapolis, at a place called The Local in Nicollet Mall. The preschool teacher sent a Facebook invite, it was an early birthday celebration. I liked the food there, especially the scrambled eggs and bacon. I learned what a mimosa was, orange juice and champagne, as a drink was included in the buffet. It tasted fine. I got photos there and so did she. Another attendee was the roller grill comic's friend, who is not a comic but I have seen two of the plays he did with his friend at the Fringe Festival. When I went to the bathroom there I saw a 'Kissing room' with saloon-type doors on it. I took a quick look inside, it was vacant but I was told it can get 'Crazy' in there in the evening. I rode the light rail there and saw an IT guy from my workplace. He and his wife had bicycles on the train and were going to ride then back home.
   After the play I came home and rested and did chores like get groceries and do the dishes. So I have them all done, and Sunday is fairly open aside from a date already scheduled. I also listened to the sub teacher's radio show. One of his guests was the big dog, who 'Joined in progress'. Subjects covered included the deaths of Robin Williams and Joan Rivers. Others were leaked photos, and an upcoming Nicolas Cage movie that a member of Duck Dynasty likes.
   The third and final event of the day was a comedy show. The Worthington native was performing and postage stamp was the MC. There was two guest sets, one was Mr. Pibb and the other was a
comic I haven't written about much yet. I think I will call him 'Jersey video' as he was in Mason City's Youtube video about the Kevin Love trade. On Youtube he is what you see on the 'Cover' of the video, suggesting to 'Pretend' burn the jersey. I had heard most of Worthington's jokes before, but I still liked them. The Greyhound bus story is a good one. Others were about being a cyber bully to his dad, and the 'Tough dad' speech. One of them I hadn't heard before, about slam dunking on the basketball court where he now lives in California. The headliner was from New York, and I liked a joke about being a hypochondriac. After the show 'W' played a Taylor Swift song, he knew it would annoy some. I liked hearing music on my car radio when driving home from the club- 'Lose Yourself' by Eminem, and 'Boulevard of broken dreams' by Green Day.

Coat At The Cleaners

     I had the day off from work, and one thing I told myself I needed to do was check on my coat at the cleaners. It has been there for a while, but as a winter coat I didn't mind as it was out of season. I called in advance, just before midday, and the owner said it was ready. When I arrived she was not there, the sign was up saying 'Back in 2 shakes of a lambs tail'. I got some photos while waiting, and an episode of 'That 70's Show' was on. This is my Iowa Hawkeye coat, and this is why the owner calls me 'Iowa'. I had seen it earlier, after it was dry cleaned, it looked like a tye-dye shirt but I didn't mind. She also did some sewing on it, as it was ripped especially around the zipper. Some of the sewing was done right in front of me as I noticed one hole was not completely closed. I also gave her a postcard I found at Cheapo Records, it was a Laundromat scene with a man in a cowboy hat next to the dryers. She was arguing with an employee on the phone when I was there.
   After this I went to a Little Caesar's and got a large pepperoni pizza, so more airline miles. Then it was on to Midway Stadium as I wanted more photos there. There was a crew setting up for The Replacements concert scheduled for the next day, already saw the stage up, in the outfield near the scoreboard. I mostly got my pictures outside the stadium, especially of the murals. But I also got one inside as there was an open gate. This was how I got one of the stage. I even climbed the steps to some seating just beyond an outfield fence. I figured it was fine as long as no one said anything, and nobody did. I saw a few people there, but they seemed too preoccupied with their work to care about me taking some pictures.
   I chose this as a day off so it was easier to attend the homecoming football game at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, and the game started at 5pm. I did walk around the neighborhood a little before the game, after stepping off the light rail. Found a comic book shop, but it was closed and not sure when it would be open again, some mention of a recorded message to find out. Another thing was a model railroad museum. Roosevelt won their game, 42-8 over crosstown rival Edison. So it was the Teddies playing the Tommies. Roosevelt led at the half, 21-0, after the first quarter ended in a scoreless tie. Roosevelt was helped by a fumble, as well as some bad snaps on punts, to get good field position which led to the first-half TDs. Edison finally scored near the end of the game. Edison was flagged for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, I always say this kind of penalty doesn't have to happen. Cooler heads should prevail. After a short time home, just over an hour, I was out again, this time the comedy club.
   At the comedy show, the sub teacher did ones about spaghetti and gas station pizza. Others were about the missionary position, and mom comparisons in his relationship. Worthington did one about taking a bus to Dallas. It would be like if the South fought itself, and his dad taking him off of speaker phone. Perkins did one about a family cruise, and trench foot. Others were about his mom's eye surgery, 'porn hub and Dahmer', and his dad who sweats after showers. Mr. Pibb did one about a book that led to a cop tied up in the trunk. Others were about clowns and commitment, Legos, and elephant condoms. Tortoise and Hare did one about the cemetery as a hoarder. Others were about shark week, and shopping at the same Gap. International Falls did one about looking somebody's friend's mom, by a street harasser. Others were about 'upset about ignorance', dream catchers, dog rescue and a police dog poem, and ripping out an IUD. Oklahoma did one about liking to leave 30 minutes earlier. Others were about local politics, waiting tables/tartar sauce, and cigarette lighters. Mason City did one about somebody passing gas in an elevator. Others were about Facebook likes, like a family reunion, and a bread raper. IED/IUD did ones about Jane Goodall, as well as sweatpants and crocs. I got a shout-out. Fantasia did ones about 'do they just want Taco John's', and how the Illuminati get pushed around on Youtube. Grizzly Adams did one about a bird feeder. Others were about a high school wrestler, walking his cats, college commercials, and a bald drug. Ragu did one about Comcast. Red-faced comic did one about 12/13 CDs. Others were about a pizza place, and a desert island. The bartender did ones about North Minneapolis, 'taco-cat', and an animal shelter.

City Pages, Stadium Concerts

    I do the routine thing of going through emails after work. Today there was actually two that caught my eye, about the same subject as they were both from City Pages. I read through the online version of the story and then went to the neighborhood grocery store to get the print version. The cover story is 'Midway Stadium's greatest hits'. It shows an LP record inside a baseball glove, in reference to this being a baseball venue primarily. It covers many of the concerts held there since the St. Paul Saints baseball team started playing there in 1993. Some of the acts I just have their CDs, like Soul Asylum. I am pleased to say I have performed comedy at one place this band was at, the 400 bar. I also have a Counting Crows CD, an act that performed there more recently. Two others sounded familiar, in terms of seeing them on the same tour but at different venues. I did see the B-52's/Pretenders show in 1998, and REM in 1999, at a suburban Chicago venue as I lived there at the time. The Pretenders show was memorable as it was postponed a few days due to a death in the family of one of the artists. This was my first year in the area. I went to Tinley Park, in the south suburbs, for both of these shows. It was called the New World Music Theater, and later on the Tweeter Center (not Twitter). This was the name of a chain of electronics stores, and was before the creation of the social media site. I have seen one show at the Saints stadium, and it is mentioned in the article. This was Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson in July 2005. I mainly went to see Willie Nelson as I am not too familiar with Bob Dylan's music. When I told my dad about my plans to attend the show he said 'They are two old hippies'. It was the same year Willie played Uncle Jesse in the 'Dukes of Hazzard' movie, and it was mentioned at the show. Naturally the article was inspired by the last scheduled event at Midway Stadium, The Replacements concert this weekend. I have one of their CDs.
   Like many Thursdays, this was a good 'Catch-up' night. I am thankful I got one thing in particular crossed off my list, listening to Bob Newhart on the Marc Maron podcast. It was from a month ago, another comic- University Accountant- informed me about it. The podcast was nearly 2 hours, but I liked listening to it. Plenty of stories were told about comedians he has worked with over the years.
   At work our department meeting has been rescheduled more than once, in hopes of finding a day where all of us can attend. My 'Work spouse' has been ill for the past two days, and I am out of the office on Friday, so it has been pushed back to Monday. The political science guy said 'Call me a field marshal'. He also asked me about internet dating sites I am on.

Circus World, Dirty Dozen

    I just waded through IMDB listings for John Philip Sousa, 'The march king', after seeing a response to my comment on Youtube after listening to 'The Thunderer' 2 months ago. I said it was in the movie 'Bronco Billy', where Clint Eastwood ran a circus, and 'Teddy and Alice', a play about President Theodore Roosevelt and his daughter. The response said it was in a movie called 'Houdini', the search result said it was from 1953. Most of the Sousa listings were for 'Stars and stripes forever', no surprise there. But there was listings for about a dozen other movies using 'Thunderer', including 'Dirty Dozen', and 'Circus World'. I found out 'Circus World' is a John Wayne movie. So this may explain why it was used in 'Bronco Billy' as well, keeping with what is appropriate on a circus theme. I like building my knowledge wherever and whenever I can. I find out sites like IMDB, Youtube, and Wikipedia are wonderful sources of information.
   At the comedy club tonight, the preschool teacher was MC. She did ones about singing 'down by the bay', ate a baby?, image search after getting dumped, a Huck Finn outfit, and OK Cupid. Mr. Pibb did ones about a cop in the trunk, along with 'clowns and commitment'. Perkins did ones about a family cruise, his mom's eye surgery, 'porn hub and Dahmer', and his dad who sweats after showers. The red-faced comic did one about 12/13 CDs. Others were about Little Caesar's pizzas, stuck on a desert island, and karate. Self-checkout did ones about fat or fatter, it did happen, talk to the dog, and his son's DARE seminar. Bathtub comic did ones about an escaped zoo animal, and polar bears sent to Detroit. Others were about stolen babies, and photo albums lost in a flood. The Wisconsin man did ones about the NFL's Packers doing yoga, ED commercials, Taco Bell/Liberty Bell, and a personal fat roll. Hillary Clinton look-alike did one about 'you get me'. Others were about a web cam channel, 'get you wet with tears', and a Brazilian wax. Oklahoma did ones about leaving 30 minutes early, tartar sauce, cigarette lighters, and college sports being like local politicians. The Bartender did ones about 'taco-cat', living in North Minneapolis, and an animal shelter. Kentucky did ones about dic-pics, a hernia test, and 'fish and dam'. The bankrupt guy from two days ago was also there. A comic I have seen before was there, he has two first names since his given surname is too long. He did one about smoking and working out. Others were about pushups leading to AIDS, and hearing 'you're handsome'.
I recognized many of the other comics. I write down notes on the comment cards at the table. I noticed one of them already had markings on it, appears to be a kid's drawing of a dog. it said 'Love Sadie'.
    I got a look at the sketch I was in, the trailer that is. I wanted to after I got a facebook message from the big dog asking why I had made no comments yet. because I hadn't seen it yet. so I did the first viewing overnight, liked what I saw. but I wanted to watch it again later on before I gave my full review. I viewed it two more times in the evening after work. then I left my comments on a different thread, saying I like the soap opera theme.

Converter Box, Best Buy

    I got a converter box at Best Buy tonight as I kept trying to use the one I had but it looks like it had crapped out on me. My dad gave me that one when he decided to get satellite TV. It was hard to find a St. Paul paper, but I finally found one after seeing it sold out in five different places. I wanted to read the article about the naming rights for the Saints baseball stadium.
   A good night as usual at the comedy club, Capital City was the show closer. She did one about being called a MILF, but she isn't one. This was in the viral video that Mason City did. Others were about a 'jannie', and being called 'Auntie' by her friends. Blind Side did one about a creepy office colleague. others were about 'The Simpsons' and 'Cops', and lions and jet-skis. Bartender did ones about 'taco-cat', and pets at the shelter. Self-checkout did one about 'fat or fatter'. Others were about  ugly people, or 'uggos' doing candid photos, and his son's DARE seminar. Mason City did one about Zoloft, and 'fight or flight'. Others were about half-day kindergarten, 'visiting angels' retirement home, an elevator ride, and 'Bilbo and bread'. Perkins did one about construction workers and tennis. Others were about a family cruise, his mom's eye surgery, 'porn hub and Dahmer', and his dad who sweats after showers.   

Chinese Sex Robots

    Tonight at the comedy club the Worthington native was show closer, and he did a joke about Chinese sex robots. I also liked how he brought back the OCD/El Camino therapist joke. And of course it was nice to get a shout-out. Others were about his dad's retirement hobbies, being a cyber-bully to his dad, and the bad boy of bass fishing. Before the show it was nice to see the godmother and the Mason City native, though neither were picked to go onstage tonight. As usual, Mason City was helpful on music. I spoke of finding out how 'Blinded by the Light' was a Bruce Springsteen song. I knew it as a number one hit, by Manfred Mann's earth band. He said there was another song Springsteen wrote that was a hit for another artist. It was 'Because the Night', I knew the 10,000 Maniacs version. Springsteen is a co-writer along with Patti Smith. It was also nice to see the big dog, since we shared a few laughs.
    Turtle Check did jokes about his parents arguing and how he 'changed shapes'. Laundry did ones about his kid doing a street jokes, and about mowing the lawn. Maryland did ones about Mr. Clean, hockey, his condo, yoga pants, and O'Doul's. Baby puppet did this joke. Others were about being a whiskey drinker, you're still here?, and a family reunion. The 'Extra murder' comic did ones about a new kitten, and the inspector related to it. Louisiana did ones about baggage claim, and serial killers. The Wisconsin man did ones about his butt being like Cuba, Taco Bell, and a personal fat roll. Perkins did ones about a family cruise and his mom's eye surgery. The big dog did ones about bad porn, practicing piano, chivalry is dead, and Christian mingle. Red-faced comic did one about karate. Fever comic did ones about airport sandwiches and deer suicide. A comic I see every so often was there. He now lives in Florida and was married to a Puerto Rican. He did ones about filing bankruptcy and waffle makers. Postage stamp did one about his niece trying to tell jokes. School bouncer did ones about Fox News, hoodies, and 'don't need you'. Bathtub comic did ones about a squirrel at a donut shop, living in a former doll factory, and a swing set. Opera singer did ones about his brother working as a re-enactor at Ft. Snelling, and the Mall of America.

Octopus Garden

    I went to the Jesse James festival in Northfield, MN, today. One of the things I saw there was some artwork called 'Octopus Garden'. According to the plate next to it, this was just put on public display back in May. I try to see some different things each year, so it meant walking Division Street more than I had in previous years. This also led to finding the Archer House, west of the museum/site of the bank robbery. I liked finding the Archer House as it had a restaurant inside it called 'The Tavern' in the basement. I know this as an old-school term for a bar, my dad liked using this term, or even 'Beer Joint'. It had something on the wall saying 'Edison diamond disc phonograph, a musical masterpiece'. There was also some sidewalk art in town that said 'Life is short, have sex'. I really liked one photo I got of a young woman in a long dress and wearing sunglasses, she was smoking. As far as I know she was unaware I was taking the picture, I prefer it that way. Another was of a dentist-turned-writer. He had a Western outfits on, all black including the hat, with an American flag in the background. I got two of a man in a duck costume, reminding me of a rubber duck. I thought of my 'Ohio friend' when I was in a book shop, where I got a book about the St. Paul Saints baseball team, it was called 'Slouching toward Fargo'. Somebody was asking about the book called 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho, and I recall getting a copy after my 'Ohio friend' recommended it to me. I let this friend know on Twitter.
    Once I left town, I went back up north and stopped at the Cracker Barrel in Lakeville. First time I had been there in over a year, when I was still in a relationship. I got a photo of a plush dancing dog.
   I fell asleep after getting back from Northfield, and in the evening I called my dad. I figured he would like to hear about the festival, and I spoke of seeing an IH Metro vehicle there. It was a mobile food unit, selling Dipping Dots ice cream. He was telling me about an escaped inmate from the county jail. The man was wearing only flip-flops and boxer shorts when he escaped, and at one point was hiding out in an abandoned camper or travel trailer. He wasn't a fugitive for long.  

Grand Budapest Hotel Movie

    I rented a Redbox movie, 'Grand Budapest Hotel', at McDonald's this morning where I was having an Egg McMuffin. It was campy but I liked it. Seemed a little silly where the uniform hat said 'Lobby Boy' on it, but after all this is a comedy. It was not entirely based on fact related to wars as it seemed to have the war starting in 1932, but one can write the story they want when it is fictionalized. Same is true with the apparent names of the locations in Europe. It was told in flashback, seen this before and this works fine. I recognized many of the cast members when they appeared, like Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, and Ed Norton. I knew it had an all-star cast. It was funny when in one scene how different people kept asking if he was the guy from the hotel. Also funny how he had plenty of people in his 'Network' helping him, the concierge that is, though the story in many ways still centers around the 'lobby boy'.
   When I was at McDonald's I liked hearing the story of a security guard at concerts, he said many of them had been at the Xcel Center in St. Paul. I spoke of seeing Lady Gaga there, and said he worked the one where she had the meat dress and didn't want to work her concerts again.
   Tonight a comic asked me to review a Youtube video of his comedy set, 18 minutes. I said 'Forgive me if I sound like a stodgy academic'. But I wanted to be thorough since I was asked for my opinion. He does not have a nickname yet. I said I liked the voice impressions he did, especially of family.  One was about advice on haircuts from his dad.

Three Sisters Art Gallery

    Tonight I went to an event at Three Sisters Art Gallery in Lower-town St. Paul. I liked seeing some Charlie Brown and Snoopy figurines on display there. I know it is the first time I had been there. Good food as usual, as I like the sliced cheese available. I claimed a bottle of water and took it with me. I didn't stay for long, about 30 minutes. I wanted to get to a high school football game.
   The game I went to see was North St. Paul hosting Hill-Murray. North St. Paul trailed 14-0 at the half and lost 36-18, and did not convert an extra point or two-point play. When Hill-Murray converted a two-pointer to put them up 29-12, I said 'Why?' Normally I go to see homecoming there, but a scheduling conflict exists for that game later this month so I moved up my visit.
    After the game I went back to my car and saw something under the wiper. The note said 'Next time I visit someone, park here (or is it there?) instead of blocks away. Signed, concerned resident'. Well, all I can say to 'Concerned resident' is that I don't visit your town much, just annually for a football game. While I am thankful it wasn't a parking ticket, I have no idea what to do with this information.
  At work, the political science guy was joking about what his weekend plans were- to dig graves and then put bodies in them. I asked him who he was going to whack, people that owe him money?
    I just finished watching ABC's 'Nightline' show. There were features about the recent death of entertainer Joan Rivers, as well as an 'On assignment' piece about snake charming in India.

L.A. Colors Flashpop

    After watching 'Big Bang Theory' and 'The Millers' tonight on CBS, I took a walk around the neighborhood. I am now starting off with a shopping bag, expecting to see plenty of trash along the way. This night was no different. There was plenty of the typical things- namely, the food and drink containers. But I also saw some cardboard, and one of them said 'L.A. Colors Flashpop'. It said it was flashy dual ended polish for endless color options. One image had a caption saying 'Reverse French Mani'. Online searches it led to results saying Cover Girl and Maybelline, which must be the maker of this product. I am still very much interested in what I see as litter. I did one thing that was like before, getting a photo of it like I did with a Minnesota Twins poster. Then it was tossed in the trash.
   The prime time episode of 'Big Bang Theory' was one I hadn't seen yet. It was where Sheldon considered moving to geology. I had seen the syndicated rerun before, I liked it. Sheldon's mom showed up after he started getting cats to fill the void after the relationship with Amy Farrah Fowler ended. Much like many previous Thursdays, I liked being able to get caught up on paperwork. This included getting an application in for a comedy festival. Another thing was to make a reservation for
a hotel later this month, when I will be attending a wedding near a casino. It looks like the logistics should be no problem with making it to all of the events I want to attend, such as some of the plays in the area. It just means my weekends for this month and the next will be busy. I am used to this how even after Labor Day I am busy with events for a while. There are various annual events I like to see such as festivals. I had to write it out on a printed online page in terms of what event tickets have already been ordered.

Body Moving, Beastie Boys

     We did Wii dancing again at the workplace in the afternoon, since it was raining. One of the songs we danced to was 'Body Moving', the Fatboy Slim remix of the Beastie Boys song. It seemed appropriate for exercising, since it is about bodies moving. Another was 'That's not my name' which reminded me of 'Nasty' by Janet Jackson. Since Janet would say 'No my first name ain't Baby'. Early on it was 'Rasputin', a familiar one but I haven't looked up his story on Wikipedia yet.
   After being at the comedy club, eventually I was on Youtube wanting to listen to more Eminem songs. These were ones I was less familiar with, but I liked hearing them. It was 'The way I am', 'Sing for the moment' (which sampled from 'Dream on' by Aerosmith), and 'Till I collapse'. What I liked is that these three have just as much passion as the others.
   At the comedy club tonight, I was informed last week's show was canceled, I wasn't there as I was at the State Fair and the Saints baseball game. This is a rare occurrence. The 'Baby puppet' from last night's show performed again, originally she was to be the show closer but was moved up. She did one about whiskey being like an abusive boyfriend, and liking Crown Royal. According to notes, another was about a vitamin packet. The godmother did one about a bucket list. Others were about clown school, bumper cars, and yoga at church. The ex-cop did ones about weight loss, divorce, and sleep apnea. Software developer did ones  about 'Tequila and a compliment', and adopting from China. Kentucky native did one about pull-ups at the state fair. Others were about changing German names, a clean romance novel, and finding a bar. Self-checkout was the show closer. He did one about 80's night. Others were about trying to lose weight, his son's DARE seminar, finally 'cough and giggle'. There was also a woman holding a balloon, she said it was for a 'Meet Up' event. I got a photo of the balloon woman at the end of the show. We have had a 'Meet Up' group before. Ding Dong was MC. She did ones about day drinking, Court TV, and her daughter's college fund. Laundry did one about how he loves mowing the lawn more than his kids, and another was 'knock knock' jokes. Locks of love said Minneapolis didn't invent hipsters. Others were about her dad returning a greeting card, self-driving cars, and Wisconsin road names. Capital City did ones about not being a MILF, and friends making her a 'pretend relative'.

Shiny New Baby Puppet

    I got a real treat tonight at the comedy club. A comic from Chicago if I am not mistaken was part of the lineup. I recognized her as the one that the DC native called a 'Mouthy broad' on a Facebook posting. I was laughing a lot, including one bit about a 'Shiny new baby puppet'. I did introduce myself after the show. We are not Facebook friends yet but I sent a friend request. I also let the DC native know and he said she has a new fan. Other jokes of hers were about drinking Crown Royal, pro-twerk, losing 48 pounds, hit on my married dudes, and her dad. Magic Man did ones about a stolen laptop, shovel your walk, the drive through, and tennis camp.
   There were plenty of other good comics besides this one that is new to me. Turtle check did ones about Vanilla Ice, and throwing up. Ding Dong did ones about judge TV shows and her daughter's college fund. Hipster plantation did ones about working at Goodwill, and LeBron Gretzky. Self checkout did ones about trying to lose weight, cough and giggle, finally 'one of the uggos'. Based on my notes, another was 'wasted effort to impress'. Rut-roh did ones about no consolation, talking in code at a party, a co-exist bumper sticker, finally Smash Mouth and Shrek.
   I did a posting about favorite Eminem songs, prompted by the question of which ones I sang into a microphone over the weekend. My 5 favorites: 'Lose yourself', 'Need a doctor', 'Beautiful', 'Without Me', 'Real Slim Shady'. I like 'Beautiful' as he speaks of comedy, 'Hiding behind the tears of a clown'. I like baseball a lot, so it also scores points for the video including footage of the demolition of Tiger Stadium. I made it there for a game in its final season in 1999.
   It was my first day back at work after having 4 days off. It was a little easier than expected on the payoff report, but I wasn't complaining at all.

Dill Pickle Button

     I went to the Renaissance Festival today. One of the souvenirs I picked up was a dill pickle button. It has the cast of 'Big Bang Theory' on it but says 'Big dill theory' instead. I liked getting it for just a dollar. When it was sold to me I said it reminded me of how there was an episode of this show where the gang went to a renaissance festival. I also got two postcards for a dollar. One appears to be a Merlin type holding a staff with a bird of prey on it, and Merlin is riding a dog. There is a castle in the background. The other has a nude woman with butterfly wings (a nymph?) and there is a frog in the corner. I did see the last Robin Hood show of the day, I know two of the guys in it. Looks like the show has been modified some since last year, nothing wrong with that. The actor playing Robin Hood put his hat on top of mine at the start of the show, wasn't sure what was happening at first.
   In the evening after getting back I went to Walgreen to get photos onto a disc so I could post them to Facebook. This included four photos for my 'Ring of honor', six comics in all, now up to 32. This included the Hillary Clinton look-alike, sub teacher, Perkins employee, Louisiana native, school bouncer, and the barber. A total of 12 were posted, two were in the news feed and not in the album. This included a pig statue from Mason City, and seeing hot dish at a pizza buffet. The pig statue got plenty of likes. The Mason City native asked where it was found, I said it was near the middle of town and many of them are for sale at high prices. The 'Ring of honor' photos got plenty of likes, as expected. I even posted a selfie from my hotel room. The photographer from Alabama liked many of the photos, including the selfie. I said I am thankful somebody likes it, as usually it takes me 3-4 tries before I find one I like as they are hard to do. According to her updates she is out of town now, in her native South. I didn't think I would get into doing 'Selfies' but I have 4 posted now, all of them since early June.