Weezer Song, Snapchat

   I went to a comedy show tonight and found out one of the servers got me on her camera phone singing along to a Weezer song, 'Say it ain't so'. So I spoke of how it more than one meaning to me, as I like baseball a lot and I know this refers to the 1919 Black Sox scandal. I also said even though I liked the song, I like another Weezer song more, 'Island in the sun'. Sub teacher was MC and I got a business card from the feature act, a Chicago native now in Los Angeles, when I spoke of doing comedy myself. I liked his joke about taking a homophobic friend to a gay bar. He also did jokes about being divorced and what his marriage was like. The headliner was from a New Orleans suburb but also spoke of living in New York City and California. She had some good jokes about stay at home moms and going to a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese's. Another was not used to seeing a fully clothed woman onstage, as well as marriage like the movie Groundhog Day.
    Sub teacher did ones about fell down on its own, a brides-man, sex press conference, the third person, crushing lack of freedom, litter-box as plan C, my reasons are my own (where I got a shout out), birth control differences, square dance caller, punch what's different, tinder in Williston, ND, nothing with rape in it, make friendships awkward, and rough abstinence.
   In the afternoon I went to the library to print some things and then went to a Target store to get a pair of winter shoes, mine were in need of replacement. It was one of four items, also got some baseball cards, a small can of Pringles, and a Charlie Brown and Snoopy DVD. I listened to sub teacher's radio show in the evening before heading to the show. He had one guest on, Grizzly Adams. Subjects covered included the Oscars, as well as Jeb Bush as a presidential candidate.  

Fish Fry And Breadsticks

   I went to an all you can eat fish fry at a German restaurant tonight. There was also fries, and breadsticks. I liked hearing live music, a tuba and an accordion. It was more my speed than the first place I went to, a bar that was crowded and a long wait for a table. Also went to the comedy club. It was nice to be part of a talk about movies after the show.
   International Falls did ones about no HR, her Mom's obit, and a Mom's Day poem. Tortoise did ones about Domino's ordering, and fedoras. Ragu did one about the Wonder-wall song by Oasis. Fantasia did ones about girls like jerks, Domino's delivery and no pants on, and job interviews. A comic was wearing a Tonka basketball shirt, and did ones about Prairie Home Companion, and a Ray Romano impression. Poster artist did ones about a first basement orgy, catsup ketchup, Davenport, and snakes hatch from eggs. Fish noodle did ones about born in wrong decade, EDM, and reality TV. Software did ones about bought a pickup truck, vanity plates, adopting from China, tequila and a compliment, and 2 monsters. Whopper did ones about heroin chic, and no kids like stock market. Nebraska did ones about amateur porn, Craigslist jobs, rock climb, skydive, dic-pic, and dog food commercials. A newer comic did ones about Good Charlotte, and can't drive. Extra murder did ones about back from suburbs, stop in middle of road, somebody's lawn, I have the poem, and sorry about mess. Happy Meal did ones about shank them for me, one finger, Cutlery Corner, Frosty's, and arsenal. After the show a song called 'Cowboy bebop' was played.

Main Breakroom Unavailable

   In the afternoon I went to have lunch and noticed most things has been moved out of the main break room. I knew it would be unavailable soon, but figured it would not be until Friday. Somebody joked about how I should sit at the same table as a colleague in protest, she didn't want to leave just yet. I went to a smaller one to eat up my soup and ate it in the HR conference room. An interview was happening near the end so I finished in the smaller break room. They are laying some tile.
   Tonight I went to the Gopher hockey game, the Minnesota Gophers were playing the Michigan State Spartans. I had a really good seat, row seven behind the benches, so center ice. Minnesota trailed for a while. Spartans got the first goal about a minute and a half in on a power play, and two more near the midway point of the first period. Gophers got their first goal near the end of the period, 3-1 Spartans. Gophers tied it and went ahead by the end of the second period, with the first goal at about three minutes in, then the tying one about four minutes later. The go-ahead was near the end of the period, 4-3 Gophers. The final goal of the night was an empty- netter in the final minute, Gophers won 5-3. Gophers outshot the Spartans practically all night, even when they were trailing. The best thing they could do was keep shooting the puck, and eventually it paid off.
   I liked seeing the team pictures on the wall, especially the ones with Herb Brooks as a player or coach. He was smiling in some, still surprises me as he was portrayed as usually being dour. After the game I rode the train back to my car and noticed one man was asleep. He was an older man with a white beard, and had a container full of what looked like children's toys. One was Big Bird playing an instrument, possibly a trumpet. Another was a phone on wheels. These were hard plastic toys. The container looked like one of those sold to restaurants that would have held tartar sauce or something similar. I picked up a little trash and threw it out when I got off the train.

Fancy, Iggy Azalea

    Tonight after the comedy show I drove home and heard two Iggy Azalea songs. First was Fancy, the second was Black Widow Baby. The former was her breakthrough hit, and I had to say it was catchy. It has the hook where she is saying 'Who Dat', and then spells out Iggy. I still like the word-smithing that rappers do. And it helps this song starts out with 'First things first', a saying I have used before. The swagger that rappers have also helps in my book. The latter song was on another radio station. I think I have written about it before, since I like hearing 'Right' in the song. I understand there is no real middle ground with Iggy- one either really likes her or really hates her. I try to separate the art from the artist. It is still helpful to listen to 'I don't care' music (rap, punk, heavy metal) as it is a  healthy outlet.
   First day back at work after the day off to go to the Capitol. As expected, nobody did letters when I was out. And I did the payoff report by myself as my colleague was ill. I still did plenty of letters but we aren't caught up just yet. In the afternoon we did Wii dancing. The event coordinator was stuck at another meeting at first, but took over upon arrival. Somebody from training turned it all on, and I decided to play two rounds of 'Bar basketball' while I was waiting. We danced to 'Venus' by Bananarama, 'Everybody dance now' by C and C Music Factory, 'Party rock anthem', and 'Go my way' by Lenny Kravitz.
   It went well getting stage time at the comedy venue, though the stage was missing tonight. And the microphone was weird, I left it in the stand and had to do my set without holding it. Fish noodle did ones about born in wrong decade, test tube baby, EDM, and woman running in heels. The brothers were there. First one did ones about baby pictures, new lady and wishing well, kid and monsters, Mariachi band, and shaved while cutting myself. The second did ones about already look homeless, studio apartment, it's your bathtub, and bike on train. A newer comic did ones about water in apartment being clouded. An MC I don't know well did one about a small cheese pizza. Nebraska did ones about rock climbing, sky diving, dic-pics, amateur porn, job hunt on Craigslist, first threesome, and ghost or Cyclops. Apron did ones about a recent birthday, drives a mini-van, time travel, and a kitty litter commercial. Magic man did ones about annual Target visit, no piñata for mom, synergy energy, and HR at Minnesota Daily. No-mic did ones about make love to what we despise, it's called marriage, it will become Darth Vader, and park upside down on freeway. Long straw did ones about take a break from porn, cultivate a foot fetish, Blockbuster Video manager, and Skinny Cow ice cream.   

Minnesota Capitol Construction

   I went to the Minnesota state capitol today to meet my representatives. The building is under construction, but I liked the tunnels connecting buildings. I got two pictures, one was of a wooden barber pole pointing people towards the barber shop in the state office building. The other was a welcome sign to the capitol, in the tunnel. I had the day off from work to get there. Now it means finding out when I might make it to this barber shop, since I am told it is closed on weekends.
   I made some more E-bay orders this afternoon. All five were first day cover stamps. Three are from foreign countries- Canada, France, and Hungary. I liked finding stamps honoring comedians. This included ones about Charlie Chaplin, and Jim Carrey. I searched for others about Charles Lindbergh and his famous flight, and I found the one from France. I ordered a commemorative sheet of the American series honoring comedians- didn't recognize the name of the lady comic but I had heard of the others.
   I went to the comedy club tonight, and spoke of being at the capitol. Notable was seeing Magic Man. I let Fish Noodle know what his nickname is in this forum. International Falls did ones about bag of ground coffee, bathtub of blood, and mom a hypochondriac. Fish Noodle did ones about woman running in heels, pet elimination, and cancer and Alzheimer's. Mr. Pibb did ones about last meal, Pop Tarts, Dad tries to kiss, dated an identical twin, parent trap, and want a hot towel? Magic Man did ones about no piñata for mom, Minnesota Daily it counts, take kids to lake, and plans for Lent. Tortoise did ones about a new roommate, I love chips, fedoras, Grand Theft Auto, and Lady Pac-Man. A newer comic did ones about pimping, you all live in condos, tats you can cover up, and I've been tall skinny. Apron did one about round of drinks. A Cheapo Records girl did ones about being adopted at age 9, Rumpelstiltskin, Sex World and Denny's, suicide hotline, not in high school, looks little, and a shopping cart. The Crow did ones about a button, server in Hopkins, and his dad and knuckle sandwiches. A comic who spoke of being native did ones about loving comic books, Home Improvement kids, young Rosie O'Donnell, renters insurance, how much I don't own, and wants to be a hipster.
   After the show I liked hearing the song called 'Love of Mine'. There was a commercial on the TV monitors about events in Asia 1192, England 1459, and England 1680. I think it was a Flo Progressive insurance commercial.

Lost Driver License

    I had stage time at the comedy club tonight. I did new jokes from over the weekend, like using Tilex to clean the shower area. I recognized the laugh of Belarus while performing. Also notable was Extra murder having some fun with a crowd member he claims was disrespectful to comics. He left behind his driver license and the comic read his name and address off of it.
   Rut-roh did ones about bosses aren't cool, a tinder date, and a mulligan on a handshake. An MC from last year's comedy marathon did one about 50 Shades of Grey. Tortoise did ones about a fedora, and Grand Theft Auto. International Falls did ones about street harasser, dog rescue, and a police dog poem. Bus fare did ones about an angry kid, and McRib left the menu. Mr. Pibb did ones about Fuddruckers, an IUD poking, a last meal, Hooters trivia, and Princess Diana. Laundry did ones about a Mall of America visit, bumper cars, and a slap fight. Fancy comic did ones about wow that's fancy, chocolate orchid, and Serena Williams. Opera singer did ones about opera as a pickup line, flax seeds, and Phil Collins. Red-faced comic did ones about a fake ten dollar bill, and 12/13 CDs. School bouncer did ones about kid in field, Redbox, donating laundry, he is next, and throwback Thursday. Oklahoma did ones about leaving 30 minutes early, and tartar sauce. Sub teacher did ones about Presidents Day and Labor Day in China. Fever comic did ones about get in the car, birth control in cake, and a Civil War general. Maryland did ones about a condo, high horse, femi-ninja, gas station, and yoga pants. Postage stamp did ones about 2 cigarettes, and bike friendly. Bathtub did ones about a fresh dog, dog boots and goggles, dad's Cub Foods urn, bought old rat, wearing a cat hoodie, and kale chips.     

Minees Sandwich Cookies

    I did laundry at midday, and when I arrived there I saw a package of cookies, banana crème. It was called Minees, hadn't heard of this kind before. It tasted good, there were six. The wrapper says it is a product of India, and imported through Scottsdale, AZ, a Phoenix suburb. After I was done with doing laundry I went to a nearby grocery store and got toilet paper, bananas, Lunchables, a bottle of flavored water, and two small packs of Kellogg's Corn Pops. The final item was on the discount table, I like trying these out. For some reason the bananas I bought the previous day weren't in the bag when I unloaded my order, the only item that was missing. Thankfully bananas don't cost much, I get four a week and I think the sign said 69 cents a pound. I think the four bananas are usually around a dollar.
   I liked how I got most things for today crossed off my list, as there were chores to do including cleaning the bathroom, which probably isn't done often enough. Tonight I went through and used Tilex on the shower area. I didn't get to the library to print things, but it was lowest priority. One of the things to print was a comedy show ticket for April, so of course I don't need it just yet.
   I went to the comedy club tonight, sounds like it is the final show at Hexagon in Minneapolis according to International Falls, the show runner. I liked doing some jokes inspired by what I dealt with today, like a call from Andersen Windows after signing up in a drawing at Twins fan-fest. I told them I didn't need windows. The other was about an E-bay order, I left feedback and said I was neutral as it was a canceled order. The seller said I would be 'Blocked for life'. I am thankful they didn't want to send me damaged goods, but I was bummed that nothing arrived nonetheless. This is the definition of 'Neutral' or 'Ambivalent'. In their response they sounded overwhelmed by doing business on this site, which is not my problem. I thought it was odd the site asked for feedback on a canceled order, and how I get a popup asking me to pay for the order after it was canceled and refunded. So the annoyance I have dealt with is hard to ignore.           
   Also at the comedy club, I liked many of the songs I heard in the bar area. This included Just Dance, Perfect by Pink, Love you like a love song, Your love is my drug, and Timber (by Pitbull and Kesha). International Falls did ones about a snow plow poem, dog rescue, or a squirrel, thrift store dress for Oscars, too loud, raccoons at day care, mom a hypochondriac, eat placenta, and coffee by the pound. Ragu did ones about an Olive Garden server, X-box and Golden Girls reruns, drunk at a brunch, growing up in Bloomington, Tom Hanks is cool, as well as how can you live like that? Tupperware did ones about gin and tonic, the signature joke, a mouse problem, and Good Charlotte. Long straw did ones about step away and find the magic again, as well as Sesame Street. Blind Side did one about don't bring your loser family. Talking Heads fan did ones about water in apartment, eating peanut butter out of the jar, pimping, and get your stuff, get off the stage. Nebraska did ones about e-Harmony commercials, nephew's Lego set, gold teeth, sweet and sour sauce, Lund's grocery store, and robbing billionaires. Fish noodle did ones about dog is funnier, born in wrong decade, and a woman running in heels. Bus fare did ones about existential dread, and sunny D is for winners. The crow did ones about she's a mapmaker, job and not living with parents, 16 year old love songs, You oughta know, as well as his dad and a knuckle sandwich. Mr. Pibb did ones about Fuddruckers, generic soda pop, and his dad is affectionate.

Pitbull Concert, Red Army Movie

   This evening I went to the Pitbull concert at the Target Center in Minneapolis. He was in the middle of the lineup tonight, after J. Balvin (who I didn't watch at all). I was mainly there to see Pitbull, since I know his music way better than show closer Enrique Iglesias. During the opening act I was trying to find a concession stand selling pizza, eventually I came across somebody in a suit wearing a nametag saying 'Concessions manager' and figured this was a good bet. I said 'Good sir' as my greeting, and was told it was on the lower level. Found out I still had plenty of time before Pitbull took the stage as the opener wasn't done yet and was informed there would a 15-minute break between acts. I had a Freschetta pepperoni pizza. I also went to the bathroom and on a lark decided to get a 'Wild card' item from a vending machine on the wall, costing just 2 quarters, and I had this as change from the pizza. I got a small pliable outline of a dinosaur, for some reason I expected a card since it said 'Wild card'. I will likely find some use for this item, even if it means moving it to the office where it is more likely to be displayed. I get to my seat, somebody is in it, found out they were in the wrong section and they moved right away.
   Pitbull performed for about 90 minutes, I was pleased with this long of a set. I was doing my best to write down key words to recall them and look them up online later, since I know some of his songs but not all. I have 2 of his CDs, 'Planet pit' and 'Global warming', and he played some from both. At first I was not aware of a pattern on having drum solos to introduce songs, but I liked the ones I heard as they were familiar songs and I do like hearing drummers a lot. First was an Ozzy Osbourne or Black Sabbath song. Then it was 'Don't stop the party', I liked the lyric asking who has the key to the world now. Drum solo from Nirvana's 'Teen spirit', then it was the song 'International love'. It was followed by 'Dance again', which mentions Hugh Hefner, the Playboy founder. He spoke of wanting to be a musician and be surrounded by pretty girls due to hearing 'Push it' by Salt and Pepa when he was a kid. Then it was 'Hey baby'. Drum solo, 'Go my way', Lenny Kravitz. Then 'Get it started', I liked picking up the reference to a famous boxing match, known as 'The Thrilla in Manila', Frazier-Ali.  Drum solo, 'Sweet child of mine', Guns and Roses. Then 'Rain over me'. Around this time I think he played 2 songs in Spanish that I wouldn't know. Then it was 'Throw your hands up'. Drum solo, 'Love is strange'. There was 'Men in black' clips, I guess the third one in the series. 'Back in time' was the song. 'The roof is on fire' intro, then 'Fireball'. I think the next one was 'Shake' as the lyrics I recalled were girl get down get low. It was followed by 'I know you want me'. There was a Jenny Lopez shout-out, as it was a song he recorded with her, 'On the floor'. I like the 'Tivoed' lyric in the next one, 'DJ got us falling in love'. Next was 'Hotel room service', then 'Timber' (recorded with Kesha). Drum solo, 'Eye of tiger', known for being in some of the 'Rocky' movies. Then it was 'Feel this moment', recorded with Christina Aguilera. I liked the reference to a famous pro football team, the 1972 Dolphins, as he speaks of how he 'Lost a lot, learned a lot, but still undefeated like Shula'. Don Shula was the head coach. Closing song was 'Give me everything', I liked mention of Kodak and Times Square, also the double entendre on a negative since it refers to camera film as well as turning one's life around. Like Eminem he is a talented rapper, both are real good at word-smithing. And of course he has a swagger, besides just the outfit it is shown in his stage presence. Best example of the swagger was a lyric in 'Feel this moment', where he states 'I own it'. It is likely my favorite song of his. The dancing girls complemented his act well. Much like Rihanna, I think what helps on liking Pitbull is his range as a musician, recording songs with many others. This is evident on both of the CDs I have.
    There was a more than 30-minute wait to see Enrique Iglesias perform after Pitbull was done. I don't know his songs well but I knew some, including the leadoff which was 'Tonight I'm loving you'. A fan was invited onstage for a drink, and he played 'Stand by me', and spoke of how this song helped him through his parents splitting up when he was young. Another one I recognized was 'Got a good feeling', but it was by Flo Rida. I heard a young lady scream with delight in my section when 'Hero' was played. Pitbull returned for the final song, 'I like it', a song he recorded with Enrique.
   There is not many trains on the light rail system after 10pm, but I liked how I didn't have to wait long for one after the show. One fan had walked off with a big balloon from the show, released during Enrique's set. It said 'Sex and love'. A young man was standing near me after I got a seat on the train and I said the seat is available, I don't bite. So he sat down, next to the young lady he was with.
   In the afternoon I went to see a movie at the Uptown Theater in Minneapolis, called 'Red Army'. It was about the hockey team in the former USSR, and there was footage from the 'Miracle on Ice' at Lake Placid in 1980. It was mainly interviewing 'Slava' Fetisov, who was captain for a while and later played in the NHL. I enjoyed this documentary, and after it I got a picture of the theater outside. I recognized the message with the movie title as a Yakov Smirnoff joke, 'In Soviet Russia movie watches you'.
   When I was across the street taking this picture I saw two friends I know from the comedy circuit, Dictionary and the Hillary Clinton look-alike. I think it was the former that called my name. They were on their way to Ragstock, and I accepted their invitation to join them. I said there was a Ragstock in Iowa City, where I went to college, but I didn't go there much. I enjoyed my time with them, as we spoke at length and this opportunity doesn't present itself much at the clubs. I did hear about another Valley Meadows show and I hope to attend it. Then after Ragstock we went our separate ways, I looked around at Cheapo Records and got another Rihanna CD, 'Loud', the one I didn't get on my most recent visit earlier this month. And after getting a sandwich at the Super-America I drove back home where I got a look at the mail I had picked up at my post office box. Three were E-bay orders, two were Charlie Brown and Snoopy items (a comic book and a set of trading cards, showing the characters as a baseball team). The third was a farm implement ad that mentions the Emerson Hough book, 'Covered Wagon'. The one package that wasn't an E-bay order was from my dad, I knew he was sending two of the books but not the third. One was by actor Gene Hackman, a thriller called 'Pursuit'. The other was 'Home front', 'Now a major motion picture' is on the cover but I didn't see this movie. The third brought back a childhood memory as it was a Jimmy Hatlo book, 'Office hijinks'. I recall seeing one of these books when we were cleaning out my grandma's house in 1985. She had a stroke and went to a nursing home, where she died less than four months later.    

Copper Dollar Ranch

    According to what I found online, the trial in the Copper Dollar Ranch murders of 1983 near my hometown of Newton, Iowa ended this afternoon. The defendant, Terri Supino, was acquitted. It appears that the jury delivered this verdict due to lack of evidence. Some may have been surprised about it, since she had a public defender and had way fewer witnesses to testify on her behalf. But the burden of proof in a court of law is on the prosecution. There will likely be some fallout from it. There was mention of possibly a lawsuit against the cable TV show that investigated this cold case.
    I went to two comedy shows tonight, at the same venue. The first was one where school bouncer performed as headliner. I liked being with the performers in the Green Room before the show, since I was out of the way of crowd-members arriving. So I said very little while there, not wanting to throw them off their game. Turtle check was MC, a replacement for someone else. Had to ask since he was not on the poster. He did ones about Clint Eastwood, changed shapes, Xanax and box pinot, a pharmacist, kitchen sponge, a cheap car, a swear word with an 'H', bow hunter, deer will scream, and throwing up. A dental assistant was next. He did ones about washing hands, Uncle Ben, vasectomy surgery on TV, spider in toilet, and unrequited love. Others are about friends remind you about dumb things, pushups and Gatorade, now none of us are happy, and waxing lip. School bouncer did ones about a 100-year-old woman, Rodney King, Blind Side, grew up in church, what if Christ was alive today?, purple at funeral, hip-hop tattoo, MC Hammer as a killer, pups and kittens in coat, an Ice Cube song, driving without insurance, keep little Reese, hot football game in Florida, Packer player chant, Fox sports and news, baby hand on flight, donate laundry, get Velcro, kid in field, and get his god-kid a bike.
   At the open-mic show, bus fare did ones about grab and go yogurt, ice and bees, put sandwich back together, McRib left menu, waiting for bus, and thrown out of horse show. School bouncer did ones about Cool Runnings, bobsled flips over, an appointment, and side effects. Mr. Pibb did ones about dating an identical twin, parent-trap, Fuddruckers, generic soda, and packing a toothbrush. Ragu did ones about an Olive Garden server, seeing a marriage proposal, growing up in Bloomington, and a Springsteen concert. Bathtub did ones about Dad wants cremation but no fancy urn, and a petting zoo at a wedding. Mason City did ones about a dirty text message, John Lennon tooth, Jurassic Park, Johnny Cash bio, rainbow dream, and an affirmation button. Others were about food at in-laws, and attacked by a cat. The fancy comic did ones about chocolate orchid, favorite person, wow that's fancy, wedding officiant, Serena Williams, and ham and cheese. Rut-roh did ones about bosses aren't cool, Apollo 13, rhetorical questions, spoiler alert, Smash Mouth on Twitter, and Charles dickens. Tortoise did ones about Matt McConaughey, George Washington, fedoras, 9 by myself, and pups and light-bulbs. Tupperware did the signature joke as well as gin and tonic in bathroom, life insurance, as well as residual guilt from church. International Falls did ones about dog rescue, the police dog poem, ground coffee, mom a hypochondriac, and eat placenta. A newer comic was wearing a Talking Heads shirt. He did ones about Social Security numbers, getting ice cream, pimping, and tattoos. 
   At work the political science guy had some weird ideas for mascots, since he has a warped sense of humor.   

Howard's Mom

    I watched two 'Big Bang Theory' episodes tonight. The prime time episode covered the death of Howard's mom. I recall a dental appointment in December where the dental assistant said this actress had died. This was mentioned near the end of the episode. The other storyline was about 'Letting it go'. This was two different stories- one was about Amy helping Sheldon's rival, the other was Penny unknowingly being used for experiments by Amy. Even on a favorite show like this one, I do get annoyed with it at times- and the 'Experiment' part annoyed me. But I also understand shows at times try to educate people- and say 'Don't do that'.Sso I would like to think it was meant to educate. The
syndicated rerun was an early one where Leonard covered the story of moving in with Sheldon. This is where he is depicted with the North Korean spy and they show what led to the broken elevator.
   This was a night of getting caught up on a few things, including an activation of a credit card. I sent a text message to a friend in St. Louis that I haven't heard from in months, but I got a 'Who is this?' response so I guess my number was not recognized. At work I liked seeing some bagels and scones available in one department where I have friends- underwriting.

Here Comes The Hotstepper

   At Wii dancing in the afternoon we danced to various songs, one of them was 'Here comes the hot-stepper'. I like the line about a 'Lyrical gangster', as it reminds me of 'Gangster of love' in a song by the Steve Miller band. Others were song 2 by Blur, Funky-town, Crying blood, and Chicken payback. We had more than typical, I was one of four, often it is just two.
   The company calendar arrived, I am one of ten photos for the month of April. As expected it is a thumbnail, head shot, and I am sharing the month mostly with those from foreign countries like India or the Philippines. There is somebody from Canton, OH, and I have been there so I could see the Pro Football Hall of Fame on a 2009 visit where I also went to Columbus. I have two copies as I got one from my 'Work spouse' as well. Hopefully there will be more, as I would like to give them to friends in the comedy circuit.
   For some reason I thought of the song 'Judas' by Lady Gaga, maybe since it is Ash Wednesday. I have a religious coworker who doesn't like it. I recall saying one lyric sums it up in my book: in the most Biblical sense I am beyond repentance. The video I found on Youtube depicts Christ and the disciples as a motorcycle gang. I recognize some things in it like the betrayal and the foot-washing, I called it 'Monday Thursday' though it is actually 'Maundy'. A generation earlier some were bothered by what was depicted in the video for Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' since it referred to Biblical stories as well.
    I did perform at the comedy club tonight, mostly the same jokes as the night before. There was a problem with a group of hecklers early on but they left before I took the stage. It went well on doing these jokes again. I added one since I followed Mason City, and thought of one where I was in his hometown and being at continental breakfast at the hotel. I got to everything on my list except one. After the show I did greet some well-wishers. With one I spoke of family history and their arrival in Iowa before the Civil War to be close to the Braille school near Cedar Rapids, the same school where a sister of Laura Ingalls attended.
    Also at the comedy club, Ding-dong did ones about short sheet beds, can't trust them, storage wars, puberty and menopause, and Japanese cartoons. Bathtub did ones about where's the candy?, shop-
lifting at Barnes and Noble, sell the e-readers, a Cub Foods urn, and acid reflux. Software developer did ones about blocked on Twitter, 50 Shades of Grey, vanity plates, and we will have 2 monsters. No-mic did ones about a car upside down, living in Australia, a warm Canada, dreaming about BBQ chicken, and fake bacon. Mason City did ones about a cat show, a you are awesome button, Ace of Base, shaving naked at YMCA, Cheap Trick is from here, say Mama, follow rainbow, Johnny Cash bio, and a dirty text message. Blind side did ones about parents split up as an adult, women complete with each other, and TGI Fridays. Radio personality did ones about having a sword, zombie apocalypse, and Mom said wear cargo pants.

Historic Preservation Trust

    I get junk mail all the time from non-profits that want my money. Today there was something from a historic preservation trust. Most of it will go to the shredder, and then put in the trash, but I am sending back the three bookmarks since they sent me a postage- paid envelope.
   I did perform tonight at the comedy club, all new jokes but there was plenty I wanted to try out like the one about the 'Valley girl' on the bus. Others were about filming for the front-woman at a burlesque show, drown bad raccoons, text message to an online match, troll and diplomat, and a recent call to my dad.
   Also at the comedy club, International Falls did ones about a snow plow poem, on obituary for Mom who is a hypochondriac, ground coffee, and a police dog poem. An airport bartender did ones about Clint Eastwood wrote the script, hair lice, and they are bolts. University accountant did ones about fat free half and half, clotted cream, curly fries, and gluten free singles. Brew did ones about breakfast at McDonald's, parents are disappointed, never graduated, not a stripper, and what's in it for you? Sub teacher did ones about President's Day, pro-life, a traffic jam, NRA and abortion, Taiwan hand jobs, bring back polio, and oil changes. Apron did ones about in his dreams, illuminati, and undefeated football teams. A comic who speaks of being native did ones about Dad has dementia, a towel turban, his sister fights, as well as a teen niece and a kids movie. Blind side did ones about Kevin Hart, women always in competition, gazelles in animal kingdom, and Black History Month.  

Colleague Brought Skittles

   An office colleague brought Skittles, I had just one as I am trying to cut back on sugary snack items. They are in a bowl labeled 'Bowl', and I said 'Well it is described correctly'.
    At the comedy club tonight, a newer comic did ones about being a bar bouncer and a pizza restaurant manager. Fish noodle did ones about a plunger, tongues in notebook, and the signature joke. Laundry did ones about movie night with his kids, seeing 'It', 'Deliverance', and 'Philadelphia'. Others were about used hot dogs, dog whistles, and sex over consequences. Radio personality did ones about shower and toothbrush, apple orchard, mom's garage sale, and cargo pants. A former MC did ones about a sausage fest, dic-pic, trash can baby, as well as show up late and frustrated. Postage stamp did ones about a moped and Star Wars, Toy Story, picking up rocks, bar trivia, and Jeopardy. University accountant did ones about Match dot-com, clown dating, Heather Locklear, and the red hat society. Maryland did ones about high horse, Urkel, golf, side chick, flip phone, Disney movies, and mold in the apartment. Sub teacher did ones about oil changes, George Washington as a reptile,Robert Downey, Taiwan, Sean Penn, polio, and brought by science. Perkins did ones about Mormons and rumba, wolf of Wall Street, a roommate, an auctioneer, Dad likes flowers, as well as sober and angry driving. Fever comic did ones about depression, bored on flashlight, cake and birth control, Eyes Wide Shut, Netflix, and a dental appointment. Extra murder did ones about check engine lights, wrong horse, Texas and GI Joe, food trucks, and a donut burger. Oklahoma did ones about a one way street, bumper stickers, Bachmann, a negative lady friend, and a free pizza. A comic back from Florida did ones about Olive Garden by mistake, gas prices, CNN, bankruptcy, and hotel waffles.

Watch Said Goodbye

    In the past year I saw a quick decline in the condition of my wristwatch. First the band came off, then it went to showing 'Armed forces time'. Well today I heard the hourly chimes while getting baseball cards into binders. So eventually I went to shut it off, I heard the chime once more and then the digits froze. Game over. Not sure if I will replace it when I have an alarm clock and a cell phone that shows me the time. I am trying to recall how long I had this one, it was something like ten years. I went with saying 'Watch said goodbye' as I think one of my friends from the comedy circuit has a joke about a machine shutting off which sounded like a sad goodbye, for some reason I am thinking it is Tetris.
   I was pleased with doing the baseball cards this time, just got another pack of 100 at Target and it seemed to be a lower duplicate rate than before, just 10. I also completed the state income tax forms, just need to make my own copies and mail them which I can do on Monday.
   In the evening I went to a comedy show at the Turf Club in St. Paul. International falls was hosting, and bathtub was show closer. The front-woman of a local band also performed, didn't recognize her at first since she was wearing glasses. With her costume changes I may have to call her chameleon. She made me laugh when she tried doing a comedy bit between songs and then said 'Maybe I should do another song'. Fantasia also performed. It was in the clown lounge, the basement part of the venue. I got photos of it from the Gus Lynch memorial and two of the paintings are on my Facebook page. I arrived early, an hour before show-time, and decided to look around at the nearby Rainbow Foods where I found some Valentines Day candy. One had a plush Snoopy attached to some canfies, he is wearing heart-shaped sunglasses so I like having it. 

Le Cirque Rouge Burlesque

    I went to see the Le Cirque Rouge burlesque show at the Amsterdam Bar in downtown St. Paul tonight. I got a free beer from the front-woman of a local band as I was asked to record their time onstage. This segment lasted over 30 minutes, and the camera shut off during the final song so I still got most of it. She predicted this might happen. Many of the songs I recognized from their CD. And as usual, she makes me laugh. I got two photos after the show ended, one was of the hostess and the other of a poster advertising the show. I was impressed with many of the things I saw, like a 'Rubber ducky' routine. I recall this was a Bert and Ernie song, the 'Sesame Street' characters. Another was somebody playing a ukulele tied around their neck. The hostess had a 'trilogy', it included a song, 'Is that all there is?' and I recognized a Muppets routine, 'Buhdudududuh'. I liked getting a shout-out when I was recording, as I was near the stage and she heard me laughing.
   It was a day of errand running. One of those things was going to the library to E-file my federal income tax return through H and R block. I haven't done the state tax return just yet, but I want to have it done soon so I will try to find the time to do it this weekend.

Leprechaun Movies

    Since it was Friday the 13th the political science guy spoke of horror movies, eventually how leprechaun was a series and not just one movie.
    I also made it to the comedy club. Bus fare did ones about kid is angry about everything, you hate math?, McRib left menu, waiting for bus, Whitney Houston and coke, and she only spoke Cantonese. Fantasia did ones about working at Domino's, answering without pants, a butter knife, and stop writing home. Tortoise did ones about roommates, I love chips, cemetery hoarder, moral of story, DUI at 21, chicken Kiev, rapping at bus stop, inferiority complex, and Dad a congressman. Poster artist did ones about a Pontiac Fiero and snakes hatch from eggs. Big dog did ones about a relapse,
drinks a little, Christian Mingle, teacher became student, and flame skull on shirt. International Falls did ones about birth control pills, casual sex, caress hair in a porta-pottie, 2pm booty call, snowplow poem, and mom a hypochondriac. Ragu did ones about Insane Clown Posse, jobs for rappers, Olive Garden server, and company shirts. Fish noodle did ones about flock of ostriches, went downhill when you got old, and tongues are different. Extra murder did ones about when your dreams are stupid, chemo for a turtle, Jimmy Fallon clone, Manchurian Candidate, Kit Kat bar, and Texas GI Joe. Rut-roh did ones about Apollo 13, friends with benefits, sports bar in Roseville as a Tinder date, relevant anecdote, mulligan on handshake, and vegan crack. Perkins did ones about Obama-care, letting her babysit, Dad loves flowers, and Mom- use your blinker. Apron did ones about a coffee shop bathroom key, uncomfortable on plane, drive for Uber, and a lost phone. No-mic did ones about meat is just too good, cardboard lettuce tomato, and bed and smoking jacket. Mr. Pibb did ones about culture is dead, Hooters trivia, who's Princess Diana?, is this your cat?, meow mix-up, dating an identical twin, and IUD poking. Happy meal did ones about are you adopted?, cheating by eating at Wendy's, drive through windows, coupon book for adoptions, just wanted a chicken sandwich, and then went over to Taco Bell.

Flashdance Movie

    I have been experiencing flashbacks to 1983, and one of these reasons is the movie 'Flashdance'. I was at a secondhand store over the weekend and saw the movie soundtrack on LP record but didn't buy it. Then I danced to the song 'Maniac' during the weekly Wii dancing session. I do recall some things about the movie but haven't seen it in a while. The main character, played by Jennifer Beals, I knew was a welder in Pittsburgh and dated her boss, and many scenes were at a bar. One of her friends was trying to make it as a figure skater but fell. And according to Wikipedia, when I recall the 'Immaculate Reception' being mentioned, it was likely her friend who was trying to make it as a stand-up comic. This of course was a famous play in the history of the city's NFL team, the Steelers. I also recall how it influenced a Charlie Brown special, called 'Flash-beagle'. This movie is a vivid memory of my family first renting movies, of course this was the days of the VCR and having to rent the video player with the movies. It was one of the earlier ones, but not the first. Dad claims we first rented 'Woman in Red', starring Gene Wilder and Kelly LeBrock. Eventually my parents decided to buy a VCR so we wouldn't need to rent it.
   The other reason for the 1983 flashback? Not as positive as this movie. A cold case from my hometown of Newton, Iowa finally went to trial last week, it was a double murder from that year. A classmate did a Facebook posting and asked people to be respectful about it. I said my family moved to Newton that year, and I was very young then, so I don't recall it at all. I have a greater memory of the police officer who was murdered at a Hy-Vee grocery store in 1985, two years later. I had to look at the timeline and said my family moved on January 29 and the murders happened just over a month later, on March 2/3. It is known as the 'Copper Dollar Ranch' murders, and the defendant is a woman named Terri Supino. The owner of the ranch was Hal Snedeker. One of the victims is named Steven Fisher, and some of the relatives being mentioned are named Illingworth. I did go to school with people that had these same family names. In a small town they were likely relatives. What is odd to me is how I grew up in that town and didn't hear about it at all. But all I can think of is that I may have just been too young when it happened. In addition, it was sad and nobody wanted to talk about it because it was unsolved murders in a small town where this kind of crime hardly ever happens. I now recall one time where I was on my bike and trying to find a classmate who I understood lived at this ranch, but I was in town and was unable to understand at the time how the ranch was outside the city limits.
   I had to go online and find out what was going on in the world at this time. A notable thing was the final episode of 'MASH', just days earlier on February 28. This led to my family's story I may have told before, at least at the comedy club. My dad was upset about having to miss watching the final episode as my sister's chorus concert was the same night, and most didn't have video players then. He did later get to watch it, as it was on video, and I saw it on its 10th anniversary as it was re-aired in prime time. A popular song at the time was 'Down Under' by Men at Work, and early in the year the number one movie was 'Tootsie'. 'Flashdance' premiered later in the year, in April. My family's summer vacation that year was in St. Louis, we saw some Cardinals baseball games. We left during a rain delay against the Pirates and came back a day later for a doubleheader against the Mets. The Cardinals had just won the World Series the previous season. We were on the field for a stadium tour, and I recall highlights from the series being played along with the song 'Magic' by America. On the brick I bought at the current stadium, which opened in 2006, it says I have been 'Visiting Busch since 1983'. But it didn't become an annual visit until 1999.
   I did call my dad tonight, while 'Sherlock Holmes' (aka 'Elementary') was on. The call was still happening when the 10pm news started and he said there was something on it about the murder trial. He spoke of sending me some books on loan, one of them he tells me was written by actor Gene Hackman. I said send it to my P.O. box.
   This was a day off for me since I was at the concert the night before, so I made the most of it in terms of errand running. The first stop was to the P.O. box, and picked up 3 E-bay orders. So there is  nothing currently outstanding there. Then it was on to the library to print things, and JC Penney to use an e-gift card, a reward from their loyalty program. I got two items- a shirt for the office, and a pair of socks. I started with $25 and there is $5 left. After getting home to unload things I was back on the road, to Mall of America, but couldn't find a specific postcard or 8 x 10 print I was looking for. I came back to watch 'Jeopardy' and liked how I got one correct answer that a contestant couldn't, the name origin of a school in a suburb of New York City- Sarah Lawrence College. When it was done I dialed into a conference call with my writer's union, about a proposed dues increase. The discussion lasted just over an hour, for some reason I lost the call and had to dial in again. But we were about 50 minutes in by then, and there wasn't much left to discuss. I asked about when the convention will be, and found out no date has been set. I understand it will be in July or August, since this is 'Baseball and museum season' I am hopeful to avoid any scheduling conflicts.
   In the evening I watched 3 'Big Bang Theory' episodes. Syndicated rerun was about the buddies fighting over a ring, it was a parody of the 'Lord of the Rings' story. One prime time episode was
about when Sheldon was promoted to professor, and only Howard signed up for his class. The other was about Leonard getting surgery to combat snoring and Sheldon was paranoid about the possibility of the procedure being fatal. Actually I turned on the syndicated rerun before the conference call was over, but I kept the volume on low.

Circle Of Heat Concert

    Tonight I went to the Circle of Heat concert at the Cabooze in Minneapolis. This is the band that opera singer is in. Before departing I went to a gas station as I had a craving for some chips, got a little bag of Doritos Cool Ranch. Odd that it said two for a dollar, they tried to charge me 69 cents for one- the nearby grocery store would have done just 50. I threatened to leave without buying anything, so they sold it for 50 cents. Wow, the things people do to make a sale.
   I liked getting some pictures while there of the venue, one was of the sign outside that shows who is playing tonight. I had been there once before, to see Social Distortion. I was carded and stamped, then was told the entry-way was a railroad caboose. I hadn't really noticed this before, but on my previous visit the concert was outdoors. I also got some photos of the tin railroad signs used as decoration. Many of them were railroads from the Midwest region we are in like the Burlington Northern and the Chicago North-Western. Another was the band's toy wooden soldier, next to the merchandise table. opera singer appeared to be front-man, he is a keyboardist. There were some life-sized portraits on the walls of notable musicians, in my photo of the CNW railroad sign there is one of Elvis Presley in the background.
  I recognized some of the songs the band played, since they were covers. This included 'Same as it ever was' by the Talking Heads, and 'Let's Get it On' by Marvin Gaye. He said he was playing this one as it was in honor of Valentines Day, which is in a few days. Another one I liked hearing must have been one of their original songs, which said 'settle down and do it'. There was cheap keg beer available, two dollars a cup. The opening act played all instrumental songs, this was fine with me buit I am used to hearing mostly songs with lyrics to them. The guitarist from this band later played in opera singer's band, and between acts I liked saying to him how I liked his intense guitar playing. it reminded me of Big Head Todd playing all the way down where the neck meets the body of the guitar, he said he likes playing the entire neck. Opera singer also did a song with the opening act. I did get a copy of the band's CD from opera singer, and will listen to it when I have the time. I could tell he really liked seeing me there, must be a case of some others not making it. I also liked how he helped me a little with my entertainment knowledge. I have noticed the similarities between stand-up comedy and music, as they are often performed at the same venues and one is expected to write your own material and interact with the crowd in both. But he reminded me what some of the notable differences were- in music, one must lug around equipment, and split profits with others.

Saints Stadium Construction

    During my lunch I gave myself enough time to walk over to the St. Paul Saints stadium still under construction. It is scheduled to be ready by May, the start of the season. First time I had seen it in a while, but there is way more to see than earlier including a scoreboard off on the distance. I got two photos of it, one of them would be the seating area and upper deck behind the plate. I also saw city snowplows going through at that time as there still was some light snow falling.
    I make it to the comedy club tonight, a mix of new jokes and ones I had done before, it went fine. Still thankful for the stage time. This included ones about the political science guy and his hearing about Dairy Queen, words that sound funny to me, and bringing cookies for my service anniversary this week. I said to the chatty woman 'we are sworn enemies 2 days a year' as she is wearing a Vikings coat.
   International Falls did ones about birth control pills, casual sex, caress hair in port-pottie, internt dating, 2pm booty calls, mom a hypochondriac, and a snow plow poem. Morton salt did ones about late to dates, 50 shades of grey, spelling bee, more foreigner (the music group) jokes, and a love chip. Brew did ones about doesn't trust free stuff, smells like sweat and shame, not the fun kind of crazy, cheap and easy like McDonald's, letter from 12-year-old self, and shower to hide tears. Fish noodle did ones about we invented stand-up tonight, plunger next to toilet, gladiator in battle, seniors and bird watching, gang secret handshake, fingerprints and tongues in 4th grade, and serial killer human trophy. Nurses aide did ones about pretend you didn't eat mushrooms, leash on as a child, watering garden, and mental breakdown. Blind Side did ones about his biggest fan, probably the chatty woman. His lady sent a text about Black History Month, and we've got Wikpedia. Others were about 2:30am at a gas station, a glass slipper, and Looney Tunes. A comic that I think was in charge of an open-mic at a marathon last year did one about switching to a new notebook, National Lampoon, and parents don't understand. Long straw did ones about insult from childhood, the band Mighty Mighty Bosstones, wearing a fedora, grading on a curve, mom engaged after joining Catholic Singles, and Mad About Yogurt at Target.  

Broken Shoelaces

   I am trying to get this pair of winter shoes through another season. One of the things I am doing is trying to use box tape on a broken shoelace as I dread having to try to find a store with the proper laces for this kind of shoe. It of course may become a case of having no choice, but I'm not there just yet. I find the shoes are easier to tie and stay tied when I have the 'stripped' laces, it is maddening to have the rounded ones. And both are partially stripped.
   Good show at the comedy club tonight, I let bathtub know right away how I liked the laundry basket joke. He was show closer. He also did ones about activating rivers, summoning buffalo at Yellowstone, a penguin, a $41k couch, and the Playboy mansion as an American secret. I said to school bouncer how my hat is off to him since he does the work at the school. I spoke of how it is hard to do the mentoring program at a high school. He did not do school jokes tonight but the new material went well- the movie 'Cool runnings' was mentioned.
   There of course were other performers. One of the brothers did ones about never change, looking homeless, and a side car. Ragu did ones about Comcast, and drinking on the bus. Mr. Pibb did ones about dating an identical twin, and is this your cat? Resistable comic did ones about what cats eat, and red hair at Target. A comic back from New York did ones about Cub Foods, and Rotary. Fever comic did one about flossing before a dental appointment. Turtle check did one about Buffalo Wild Wings. Laundry did ones about leftover hot dogs, a TV/VCR, and CDs. A comic back from florida did one about Olive Garden. A former MC did one about a studio apartment. University accountant did one about clotted cream. Three by three did one about McDonald's. Postage stamp did one about Spotify, as well as 12-ton taxi, and bar trivia. Extra murder did ones about a food truck, and Verizon. Perkins did ones about cranberry soda water, and 'Wolf of Wall Street'. Maryland did ones about a cat burglar, 'Friends' on Netflix, Disney movies, a marketing degree, and a condo. Tetris did ones about Colonel Sanders, a Best Buy ad, and reading a Nicki Minaj song as a gold prospector.

Good 2 Grow Juice

    Tonight I stopped at a Super-America in Uptown Minneapolis for a quick roller grill dinner before a comedy show. I wanted a drink, but something smaller than typical. So I chose the Good 2 Grow juice. These have what is not your typical caps on them. It is called a 'Spill-proof cap'. I recognize them as characters from children's stories. I chose the one with Thomas the Tank Engine, as I know this story a little. I dated somebody who introduced me to this story, and the writer was known as the 'Puff-puff parson' since he was a preacher. This was apple juice, 6 ounces, so it fit what I was looking for. I ate just outside the comedy venue, I know this is not the first time I have done this since I live what I call 'The manic life of a comedian'. I arrived just after the show started, while Michigan was performing. Of course this show is run by Mr. Pibb, and Tortoise. Other performers included Extra murder, somebody who played a guitar and sang about wearing the same outfit on consecutive days, and a comic I saw last month in Rochester. He was show closer, much like last night, and is based in Fargo.
   I stayed in for a while today, wanted to get caught up on various little things like getting stamps placed on a page. I looked at a book of stamps I have bought from E-Bay, mostly baseball stamps, and decided to order some more. It is a set of 6 stamps from Ajman- in the Middle East- from 1969, which includes Stan Musial. I already had Musial stamps from St. Vincent, Grenada, and Ras Al Khaima. I also read the Minneapolis paper from Friday, and there was an article about a comedy venue I frequent having an anniversary show, 10 years. I recognized many of those in the photos- International Falls, opera singer, postage stamp, Michigan, and Mr. Pibb. I also listened to 2 comedy CDs. This would be number 20 and 21 done by friends. The first I re-listened to, from Michigan. I couldn't read my notes from over a week ago. The other was from Happy Meal, the one I had just acquired last night. When I did Facebook postings about both I did get some likes and comments about it. Neck tattoo said he really wanted the latter CD after I wrote about it.

Greenfield Village, Dearborn

    I uploaded four photos from a Michigan visit in 1999 for the comic known as Michigan earlier today, since I had recently spoken of visits to that state. I liked how it wasn't too hard to find them, but I do keep them in photo albums so of course this makes it much easier. There was about 24 to choose from but this was pre-digital cameras so the quality isn't all that great on some of them, and not all were close-ups. I went to the state capitol in Lansing, then the nearby state university. Some were from the places of interest near my hotel room, as I was just a mile or so from the two big
sports arenas in Oakland County, the Silver-dome and Palace. Still not sure which town I was actually in at the hotel, a Motel 6, it was either Pontiac or Auburn Hills as I was close to the city borders there.
    One of these uploaded was from Greenfield Village in Dearborn, a clock tower. Another was Spartan Stadium, the football venue at Michigan State University in East Lansing. The final two were of Tiger Stadium in Detroit, its final season. This was at the end of the visit and the main reason why I traveled there. I saw a pitching duel, Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox 1-0.
    I went to a comedy show tonight, it was an anniversary event, and many of my friends were performing. I also got a comedy CD from Happy Meal, it had just arrived. It is number 21 done by friends. Before this I went to the Soap Factory for an exhibit opening, I was on duty near the end as a volunteer to see that the bartender had enough drinks to sell. Some of the art was video. I liked the one of a tandem bicycle.

Fill Seat Up Front

    Tonight at the comedy club the Wisconsin girl said she wanted somebody to fill the seat up front, so I decided to sit there as I was in the ticket booth. It was hard to see anything there though I could hear just fine. I at first was offered five dollars for it but said I was fine with being in the next show she did. I spoke with Nebraska for a while after the show.
   At the office the political science guy said he was bored hearing me talk about Dairy Queen ice cream with a colleague, since he wanted to hear more about people getting shot. The other colleague
made mention of musician Bob Dylan getting an award. I looked it up and found out it wasn't the President's Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, as he already got it in 2012. Then he spoke of how it would be great to give people awards and then shoot them. He does like to talk about weapons at times.
     At the comedy club, Fish Noodle did this joke as well as one about changing shirts. Laundry did ones about CDs with movies on them, help with Craigslist, and dog whistles. Postage stamp did ones about riding the bus as a big taxi, a membership drive at The Current, and a Star Tribune article. Wisconsin also did ones about ways to improve the county fair, acreage and mule to sit here, and a jello salad. Oklahoma did ones about dictate into text, gyro and either, tartar sauce guy, and ordering pants online. Mason City did ones about AM/ PM kindergarten, Ace of Base, Bohemian Rhapsody,
cat show in Coon Rapids, and Zoloft/fight or flight. Bartender did ones about tater tots, is it a gay bar?, is there a phone booth?, and a check with a tip. Software developer did ones about vanity plates, it's Power Point, and there will be two monsters. Tetris did ones about Nicki Minaj singing like a
gold prospector, and 50 shades of grey. Fantasia did ones about a pizza delivery, and will you just take it and leave. Morton Salt did one about order of words is important. Extra murder did ones about a Kit Kat bar, food trucks, donut burgers, pride parade and road rage, and Heimlich maneuver in a sauna. Nebraska did ones about a yeast roll at Golden Corral, broken leg and scooter, deer hunting, and Facebook photos in jail. School bouncer did ones about Ricky Rubio is back, Jordan flu game and Magic Johnson, and kid in field. Tortoise did ones about George Washington, effective smear campaign, Grand Theft Auto, Transformers, and chicken pun. University accountant did ones about chicken dance naked, eat Skittles, live like you're dying, Tony Danza, streaking, and walk with a purpose. A newer comic did ones about kinds of mice, cat triples problems, and has 2 girls. Rut-roh did ones about cough syrup and blink 182, bosses aren't cool, Tinder and sports bar in Roseville, and relevant anecdote. Grizzly Adams did ones about go to Super Target, Taylor Swift and sick beat, Ariana Grande look, and one dollar pre-paid for gas. Next comic did ones about Keith Urban, and a virgin birth. A former MC did ones about a studio apartment, go in garage and wait, and working construction.

Delegate Vote, Dues Increase

    When I got home tonight I noticed I was inundated with emails from the writer's union. It was about a planned vote by delegates on a dues increase. There is a conference call scheduled next week in advance of the vote. I had to ask how long this call would be, since it is at the end of my workday so I wouldn't be home just yet. If it means taking the call at the office I will, provided that my boss allows it of course. Naturally I was inundated since most were the responses as each one hit 'Reply to all' and it takes time to wade through them to the original one. 
   I had to listen to some more Neil Young songs after speaking of it last night. so I did find 'Heart of Gold' and 'Rocking in the free world' on Youtube. Even though the styles are different I like both since I like a wide variety of music. Heart of gold I think I wrote about before, after hearing it at a Dairy Queen. I still like the harmonica in it. Rocking in the free world is a direct contrast, fast-paced with plenty of drums in it. Also memorable as it was at the ending of a Michael Moore documentary Fahrenheit 9/11.
    I also watched 3 'Big Bang Theory' episodes tonight. Syndicated rerun was when Leonard said he couldn't accept Penny believing in a psychic. First prime time episode was when Leonard had an a-ha moment while having dinner with Penny. Amy Farrah fowler writes a romance novel inspired by her relationship with Sheldon. A later episode, just before Sherlock Holmes (aka Elementary) was about a fake prom that went bad. I think I had seen it before.
   It took a while to get through emails as I was answering surveys, including E-Rewards. But I like how I finally had enough for 1,000 airline miles so I did dump these into my American Airlines account after I was finished. I also had ones from Enterprise rent a car, and JC Penney. I looked at my JC Penney account, and it said somebody liked a posting. It was about having to work the day after Thanksgiving. So I had no Black Friday shopping plans.

Down By The River, Neil Young

    Mason City continues to be helpful with music education. In the same Facebook posting where it led to me listening to an anti-Led Zeppelin song, he spoke of why he likes Neil Young, and it was the song 'Down by the river'. I did choose a version of it on Youtube, a shorter one of under 5 minutes, as many others were way longer. I listened to a version with Crosby Stills and Nash. It is all right, but I like other Neil Young songs more like 'Heart of gold' or 'Rocking in the free world'.
   Tonight I performed at the comedy club, first after the MC. It was many of the same jokes as the night before. Maryland showed up after I had performed, but he said he didn't want to go onstage tonight. We did speak a little after the show.
   I learned something again due to Wii dancing at the office in the afternoon. It was from the song 'Price tag', since the lyrics include mention of a 'Half stack', found out it is a kind of amplifier. We also danced to 'Pump it', but not the version in the movie 'Pulp fiction', it was by the Black eyed peas. 'Don't feel like dancing' and 'Forget you' were others, along with 'California Gurls' by Katy Perry, in honor of her recent performance at the Super Bowl.
   At the comedy club tonight, Mr. Pibb did ones about an identical twin, parent trap, only generic sodas, dug wine key into hand, and people dare to ask why. The brothers also performed. First was studio apartment, bathtub, skinny dipping, an kazoo player in a band. The other did ones about Chuck
E Cheese tickets, hit-man suicide, sperm bank robbing, banned from Goodwill, and adopted himself. Tortoise did ones about a George Washington impression, Grand Theft Auto, Cleopatra Genghis Khan and Jeeves, and his dad the congressman. There was a sassy barmaid, but she has to be. A newer comic did ones about a long term financial burden, working at a natural foods grocery store, and Dairy Queen after the game. Next comic did ones about cookies and juice for blood, and bunions. Nebraska did ones about yeast rolls at Golden Corral, alcoholics on the bus, deer hunting, Facebook pictures in jail, and why in a wheelchair. No- mic did ones about moving back from San Antonio, the river-walk and Alamo, body wash bottle, and living in Australia. An electrical engineering student did one about 'Courting'.    

Screeching Weasel

    Tonight I saw a Facebook posting from Mason City where he had plenty of books answering FAQs about popular music acts like Elvis Presley and the Beatles. I asked where Led Zeppelin was, he said he wasn't a fan and then shared a link to a song called 'I hate Led Zeppelin' by Screeching Weasel. It is a quick song, just over a minute, but I did grin a little after listening to it. Hard to say what genre,
probably heavy metal or punk. I caught mention of them being greedy, and something about drugs as well, and band members Robert Plant and Jimmy Page are mentioned. So I was thankful again for the music education.
   Tonight at the comedy club I mostly did new jokes aside from my 'Yo Adrian' joke. I thought of one of them just a little earlier, after seeing mention of a quiz on Facebook from a classmate. It asked me 10 questions, based on this it says I will get married twice. Currently I have never been married. So I had to laugh for a while about it.
   At work I was shown how to do letters from the Sears portfolio in the afternoon. It does remind me of my family going there to shop for school clothes annually, especially at Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines, Iowa. I recalled how dad would say 'Sears!' and then say one can get seared there.   
   At the comedy club tonight, International Falls did ones about a Valentines Day surprise, eulogies for exes, exes have kids, Mom wants grandkids/IUD, and bathrooms of the world. Long straw did ones about Star Trek, and Revenge of the Nerds. A newer comic did ones about gambling, and a Mountain Dew bottle. Brew did ones about joining YWCA, yoga class, a cheap pun, and quacks at duck blind. Apron did ones about a treadmill, Chipotle, lost parking spots, and landlord like Dennis Rodman. Bathtub did ones about world's strongest man, new job ripping paper, model T's all the same, cheap movie theater and bathrooms, criminals tried up by superheroes, Playboy Mansion on American Secrets, an Harper Lee sequel. The next comic did ones about Dr. Doom needs help, a Zumba, and regular and diet Dr. Pepper. A comic who moved here recently did ones about the river-walk in San Antonio, meat is just too good, a dream about BBQ chicken, and fake bacon. Bronze did ones about Super bowl commercials, and Rick-rolled. A comic who had lived in Arizona did one about a long-term relationship, due to signing the lease.

Summer Songs In Winter

   While driving to and from the comedy club tonight I thought it was odd to hear some summer songs this time of year. It was 'Boys of summer' by Don Henley, and 'Magic' by The Cars. Or was it? Since it is Groundhog Day? As expected, there were a few jokes about the movie 'Groundhog Day'.
  I got back to the office and found out no one did letters for me when I was out on Friday. Sadly this didn't surprise me, so I was crazy-busy in the afternoon and I did get them caught up by the end of the day. I let an event coordinator know we didn't have it on the online calendar yet about the next mentoring event in March. I wanted to be able to plan out when I need to schedule vacation days. I will also hopefully hear more about my student, who has sent just one email so far. He also wasn't at Friday's event.
    At the comedy club tonight, Louisiana did ones about Neosporin, before cell phones, how fast the earth moves. I got a shout-out from one comic who did ones about a BBQ chicken dream, and late to the liquor store. Apron did one about a nacho theft. Long straw did ones about married at age 24, and Sudafed, bullets and moonshine at Casey's. A comic from out of town who knows school bouncer did ones about airport charges, security, and her hair. Locks of love did ones about Betty Ford, self-driving cars, and mental illness. Bus fare did ones about Whitney Houston, state fair horse show, a horse died, and most pets don't love you. Mr. Pibb did ones about Mountain Dew, Hooters trivia, and who's Princess Diana? Resistable comic did ones about a hipster roommate, what cats eat, too red for Target, donate plasma, and carpet/drapes. Maryland did ones about an orgy, condo, golf, and Nike. Extra murder did ones about Sex World, Nike jump rope, Kit Kat bar, and going to a strip club. A
comic back from New York did ones about pray gay away, a dog building, and neighbors. The former MC did ones about a studio apartment and working construction. Laundry did ones about squat it out, roundabouts, polar bear plunge,  and sex over consequences. School bouncer did ones about Redbox, donate laundry, Fox sports or Fox news, Clinton and Obama, kid in field, and Packer player chant. Bathtub did ones about Teen Wolf, petting zoo at a wedding, Far and Away, and a
hipster. Tetris did ones about reboot system, Best Buy ad, Scientology brochures, fake taxis, Windows 95, and a jar at Target.     

Still Alice Movie

      At midday I went to see the movie 'Still Alice' at the Uptown theater in Minneapolis. I started this a while back, seeing an early showing of a movie on Super Bowl Sunday as a way of staying busy  before the game began. This is currently the only theater in the metro area showing it, even though it has been nominated for Oscars. I will admit at times it was hard to watch, since it is about the main character dealing with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. I was interested in watching it because this character was played by Julianne Moore. I have liked many of the movie roles she has done, dating back to ones like in 'The Fugitive', where she had a small role. What I do like about drama movies is the passion in them, and there is enough passion in this one. As a Charlie Brown and Snoopy fan I liked seeing one of her daughters wearing a Snoopy shirt, this is the one pursuing an acting career. I needed multiple looks at it, but it appears the shirt said 'Sometimes the donut dunks the bird' as it was Snoopy commenting about Woodstock being in the coffee mug. Aside from Alec Baldwin, who played her husband, I really didn't know the other actors all that well. One thing I hated having to do was get up during the movie and go to the bathroom, but I waited as long as I could. I know I didn't miss much as I made sure to be quick about it and got back before the scene had ended, where Alice was talking to a daughter on Skype. The closing credits said it was a work of fiction, another credit said it was based on a novel. I also noticed Maria Shriver in the closing credits, as a producer if I am not mistaken. This of course means the story is much different from the documentary I saw late last year about musician Glen Campbell having the disease. But that doesn't mean it was any easier to watch. Both were worth seeing, because they are compelling stories. I agreed with Alice when she said people are more accepting of cancer as a disease.
   After the movie I got a lunch at Super-America, roller grill items and some Pringles chips. Then it was on to Cheapo Records, reminding myself of wanting to go there to check what CDs they had for the band Babes In Toyland. They did have the one I wanted, called 'Fontanelle', their best seller. I also picked up a Rihanna CD, but it was hard to decide after getting it down to two. I went with 'Good girl gone bad', as it has 'Umbrella' on it. I do recognize some other titles on this one, and I am interested in the last title, 'If I never see your face again', with Maroon 5. She is known for doing plenty of collaboration songs. This was why it was hard to decide which one, as the other CD had songs she did with Eminem, and Nicki Minaj. On my next visit to Uptown to see a movie, more likely to be the Lagoon, I can see about getting the other one. Especially when I don't think I have anything yet by Nicki Minaj. There were some of her CDs there but I think about volume, and I don't pay more than $10 for a CD at Cheapo that often. I did today for the Babes In Toyland CD, but I really wanted it and I knew they didn't have that one at the St. Paul location.
   When I got home I unloaded some things and was on the road again, this time to do laundry as I wanted to finish it before the Super Bowl started- and I did. I got home with my finished laundry just before 5pm and had most of it put away before kickoff at 5:30. I liked how it was a close game, as I know this is not the case all the time. It had been dubbed 'The super bore' or 'Subpar bowl' by some for this reason. New England beat Seattle 28-24, after trailing by 10 at one point in the second half. It was tied at 14 at the half, there was no scoring in the first quarter. So there still hasn't been a shutout or overtime game in the Super Bowl's history, although they've come close a few times on both. I did like some of the commercials, usually known as the best ones all year. It was many of the typical categories- cars, beer, and snack foods.