annoying, impatient caller

there was more activity on the job front. found out the offer is actually for a job that starts a month from now. so i am not willing to accept it just yet. then came the annoying, impatient caller. i said i needed to get to the library after having lunch and they didn't listen to me about wanting to view a different version of my resume there. and i don't understand why they told me i still needed to talk to the manager about the job. how many people do i need to talk to? one should be enough. it of course left me wondering: are they submitting me or not? when i get annoyed this quickly, i tend to move on to the 'path of least resistance' as this is too much for me. can't be too careful when it is more likely they are a scammer when they seem pushy. most reasonable people understand that one needs to be given some time to respond.
   i spoke about it while performing tonight. and i took a call before the show from a comic friend who has a job lead. i have to keep my options open. i was given a tip this week from happy meal about how not all comics are uber drivers, restaurant servers, or pizza delivery drivers. one of them works at a place that has office jobs. so i sent a text to see what he might know. hadn't heard from him in a while, so it served more than one purpose. when the call arrived i decided to go to the back of the club near the vending machines and the bathrooms so i could hear him better. one crowd member really liked one of my jokes about holidays that seem to be uniquely American. it was inspired by knowing that cul-de-sac wanted to hear about somebody i had been communicating with on skype.
    also this afternoon, as part of my 'errand running', i went to a jc penney to use some gift card money. since i had just received another one from answering surveys on their website. i try to use them before i forget about having them. i got some socks.

applying remotely

i followed some advice from the previous day from a senior leader and decided to call an agency again where i got their voicemail. it had been a month ago. i got through to somebody this time, and was advised to call another office. i said i was willing to fill out the necessary paperwork in person, but found out i didn't have to. in fact, i didn't leave my home at all today until i went to perform in the evening. i performed at two different venues, and i checked my email when i got back. looks like i might already have an offer from this agency! i will have to mull it over and call them in the morning of course. i really want to get back to work, and the offer is less than ideal but i also know i can't afford to be overly picky either. just barely in my requested pay range, and just barely in my range of how far i want to drive to work each day. but it sure beats hearing from agencies that call me and ask me to complete a 'right to represent' form, and i can barely understand what they are saying. i got another one of those today, lost count of how many times i have fielded that type by email or phone.
   i made a reference to an old TV show, 'amen', to the show runner at the second venue, and i said it was a good idea to put it in my set. it was in reference to shaking hands on my way in, much like the character played by Sherman hemsley would do in the opening segment of the show. i say it was proof of how i used to watch too much TV.

rusty wallace

i spoke of rusty Wallace, the race car driver, in my comedy set tonight as another comic did a joke about drivers and their product endorsements. this was cul-de-sac, and before rusty he spoke of dale Earnhardt, jr. something about his mom putting energy drinks in their lunches, since dale was sponsored by an energy drink company. it reminded me of how the racetrack in my hometown of newton, iowa, was designed by rusty Wallace and a street near it is named for him.
   i spent a lot of time on the phone today about jobs, but still no offers. plenty of waiting, and in some cases being screened out. i did talk to some that may be helpful as advisors, for the first time in a while. one of them is with an agency that had landed me 3 interviews, but i haven't met him in person just yet. now it means trying a few things that i haven't tried before, or in a while. found out i had a career builder account already, just hadn't logged in there in a while. no regular email from them about any job postings. i also contacted my alumni chapter here in the twin cities on facebook. i know they have an outing at a Minnesota twins baseball game in july, but i don't want to wait that long to get help with the job search. but i am aware how the events they have are few and far between. the one in july is the earliest, unless one counts the iowa/Minnesota basketball game next month. and i am not immediately aware of group seating for that one like we would have at the Twins game.

gift for me

i went to the library this afternoon to print some things. one of them was a gift card code from jc penney, as i have been answering their surveys. it says 'gift for you'. now it is a question of not just when i will use it, but what i will get with it. i also decided to file my income taxes electronically with h and r block as the w-2 just arrived on Saturday. this might be the earliest that i have filed, since it is usually not until February that the w-2 arrives. i like how i can file the federal and state tax returns for free, for a while it was only federal. but the printout, 10 pages in all when i wanted a copy of my tax forms, said it would be 3 weeks until the refund arrives. still less time than filing paper forms of course.
   this was a fairly leisurely day. i got out just after midday and got a can of spaghetti at the family dollar. then it was on to the library. after i got back i fell asleep in my easy chair for a while. the late local news was on late as the grammy awards ran over by a few minutes. one thing i did was go through my stamp collection, as i was thinking about it more after i added a few more postcards recently. i like merging two of my big interests, baseball and history. and i understand some of what i want to acquire is harder to find than others. there are currently 12 recipients of the president's medal of freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, that are connected to baseball. but looking through e-bay listings for postcards and first-day cover stamps i am aware of  'the path of least resistance' can be helpful. not just going for the most available, but also the cheaper ones.

item on belt

i went to cub foods to get some TV dinners for the week after doing karaoke. it was annoying how picky-picky that machines can be when doing self-checkout. it said 'item on belt' and it looked like i had to re-scan it, but i didn't have to so an employee had to take one of them off. only want to pay for what i am actually getting. also got some string cheese and a muffin. there was some super bowl merchandise but i want to wait a little longer to get some of that.
   doing karaoke was the most notable thing about the day. i did one song, 'you may be right' by billy joel. my first choice was rejected, was told it was not available. so i had to try again. sometimes i am at a loss for what songs to do, aside from ones i have heard on my car radio while out and about.
   i did the typical errand running. it started with getting a breakfast sandwich at the holiday gas station, then checking my p.o. box. all of my e-bay orders for the week were there, postcards. mostly of baseball players, but also one of snoopy statues from 2000, 'peanuts on parade'. it was a nice find, unaware that this was made as i did not live in the twin cities then. i had a booklet and map from 2004, the fifth and final year, my first year in the area. i also turned in some change at the bank, but i had to wait for them to help with the machine as the receipt didn't print. it was jammed inside. i picked up some foreign coins that weren't wanted by others, one from the cayman islands and the other three were euros. in the afternoon i slept for a while, wasn't sure what else to do. and i watched one of the two discs of the Justin timberlake concert from MSG on HBO, found at a Walgreen, in the evening.

subway before appointment

i had a sandwich at a subway shop before an appointment with a temp agency this afternoon. i haven't been eating out much lately as it is harder to justify it while unemployed. even though a sandwich isn't much, a can of soup or spaghetti is way cheaper. but due to the time of the appointment, being close to midday, I wanted to eat before it as one does think better when well-fed. there was paperwork to fill out, and some online testing as well. sounds like nothing in terms of positions will be discussed with me until they talk with professional references. i did not bring them with me but was informed I can email them once found, and was given a business card. i knew where they were in my home, and sent them shortly after i got back.
   i had another interview this morning, it was the 10th since i was laid off. sounds like it would be more waiting on if there is an offer, i was told 3 weeks. and it looks like there will be no offer on the one where i interviewed last week. i got a rejection email, and i responded and decided to ask them why. it is disappointing to say the least, especially when I interviewed twice and felt like i presented myself really well. in spite of it all, i decided to file 9 more applications with this bank, even though i have interviewed 3 times so far and no offers yet.
   i did some karaoke tonight, 5 songs. it was 'teach your children' by Crosby stills nash and young, 'loser' by beck, 'live your life' by t.i. and rihanna, 'all i really want' by Alanis morissette, and 'crimson and clover' by tommy james. naturally the first one was inspired by seeing the movie 'running with scissors' this week.

arguing at the library

i went to the library to print some things and do some typing, normally it is a mundane thing. but this afternoon i saw two people arguing. one of them was on the phone and the other objected to that and confronted her. it was getting out of hand, where the man threatened to break her phone, so i decided to do something about it. i went to the front desk and informed them about what was happening, said they were making a scene. then it seemed to be just as loud when the library employees arrived to talk to both of them. a woman next to the printer said they were acting like teenagers, i said some people never grow up. after a while neither one was any better than the other.
   i scheduled and appointment with another agency, it will be for Friday afternoon. i also watched the movie 'running with scissors', proof i have had it for a little while as it was a previously viewed copy from blockbuster video. i spoke of it this week when i was discussing music, especially when it came around to a song in it, 'blinded by the light'. when i saw it at theaters, i said that 'a lot of pain left me'. and this is still a therapeutic movie to me.
   'big bang theory' and 'young sheldon' wasn't on this evening, so i watched some reruns on me-tv and antenna tv, including 'benson'. i went to perform as well, still covering my mis-adventures while being 'on vacation'. i applied for 7 more jobs with a bank, the total applications filed of course has been over a hundred for a while. i will keep applying and interviewing until there is an offer.

another airport job fair

i went to another airport job fair, and this one was actually at the airport this time. but i found out there was nothing in my skill set, much like the previous day. but it was still something to do, and i got photos of the displays about the upcoming super bowl. it was annoying to find out the results to two interviews from more than two weeks ago through agencies. as expected, not picked for both. but why did they wait to tell me? and why do i have to call to find out? why not email me? one of them said he thought somebody else had notified me, i don't like the feeling that i am 'not important enough' in terms of somebody else was expected to tell me. he sent me on the interview! i do have an interview for later this week, and the one from last week is still in play. but i am tired of writing 'failed!' on the printed emails related to the interviews. i have now wrote this 8 times.
    in the evening i made it to the performance venue. i ranted some about the mis-adventures with the job hunt. a poet had previously said there were some homeless people at this bar, and tonight i think i saw some evidence of it. a man said 'i was good' after i was done performing, when i was in the back of the venue. or at least that is what it sounded like he said, he was hard to understand. we shook hands, and when he passed through again- possibly after going to the bathroom- he wanted to shake hands again, but i said we already had. he also wanted a camera phone selfie next to a lady who was performing music. so this would have to be considered one of the 'weirdos'. after the show i found a Canadian quarter just before i got into my car and headed home. i put it in with the others, so now i have nearly 11 dollars for when i travel to Canada again. i have been there 3 times, unsure when my next visit will be.

shoe stuck in snow

i went to a going-away party for a friend tonight at a karaoke bar, the button's friend. she is moving to Colorado soon. i got two songs in, 'don't you forget about me' by simple minds. and the other was 'the dance' by garth brooks. the latter one i had been sitting on for a while, wanting to wait until a friend could hear it. since i recall being at my cousin's wedding in 2015 and froze, couldn't dance to it. as it reminded me of the late bill young. but it was no big deal doing the song, i could feel some tingling in my body at the start of it but it went well. it was a song i sang with passion. the button said it sounded fine, so i liked hearing that. sometimes you need to hear it from others, it can mean more when we call be our own worst critic.
   naturally my first mission was trying to find people i knew. i went out to the smoking area in the back, and i found the button there. we spoke a little about the show i performed at earlier tonight. it took a little while longer to find the guest of honor, no surprise there since she would be 'in demand' with all of her friends. but we hugged and i got to see her sing, and she wanted to do a photo or video of all of us at one point in the night while she was on the stage. since i don't see the button all too often i made the most of my chance to discuss various things with her. there was an announcement about a car that needed to be moved, i said 'good, it's not mine' and i said what mine was and she said her dad had a car like that for a while. and since it is a karaoke venue it made sense that we talked about music some. when i spoke of leonard Cohen's 'hallelujah' being part of a show i did over the weekend, she said it was a song she performed at her grandma's funeral. this of course reminded me of how sharing memories of my grandma at her funeral was one of the things that gave me the confidence to try performing. when i know how others have performed at their family events, i will have to consider doing the same at my family's events. especially if it is easier for me to get through it. and a song like this one is a good idea. another song we discussed was 'blinded by the light' and i said i knew bruce springsteen wrote it but i had only heard the version by Manfred mann's earth band. so i will have to find the original version on YouTube. i said the song was in 'running with scissors' and what the movie meant to me, how a lot of pain left me after seeing it. she said others said the same after seeing the movie. so i like knowing i am not alone on that one.
  this is more evidence of how performing has changed me, for the better. it has given me a circle of friends, so it means something to me when they have going-away parties as i know i should be there and i am thankful i made it as there are so many people i like seeing there. i even said so to the guest of honor. i know it was at the earlier show where i said to Stillwater, who was filling in for the normal MC, the 'extra murder' comic, how i was stiff when i started doing stand-up. but i know i am way more loose than i was. I said i am in the wrong place if i can't take a joke. where i know the best game plan is have a snappy comeback, and i usually have one. i like how i am no longer hung up on how long it took me to be ready for all that goes with performing. my aunt, the ordained minister in Wisconsin, i know said 'when you're ready' about other things in my life. it feels good to find a place where i belong. sure i miss people when they move away, but that is fine, it is normal. i might have said some of this before, but this is still how i feel. also liked seeing the wolf's lady there, and she said 'he says hello' since i said i would make it when i can as there was a facebook invite for it. so i understood why this message was forwarded to me.
  naturally one takes the good with the bad. there was a man that i found to be annoying fairly quickly, so i just decided to stay away from him. i said i don't want to talk about comedy all the time, and his jokes weren't funny at all. i like using the 'quarter candy vending machine' there but nothing came out this time. not much left in the selection i made i guess. so i will allow for it when i try it again. but these two things were minor, all in all i loved being there. and i would like to think that others liked seeing me there just as much as i liked seeing them. so who cares if i took a night off from my normal performance venue? worth it! i say this line more often now when i know something is 'worth it'.
   after the party i drove home and in the rush to get inside i felt one of my shoes get stuck in the snow. so of course i had to go back for it. and it felt weird to have some snow in the shoe after that. so i knew i needed to shake it out, after i got inside, as i didn't want snow melting inside of my shoe. i am aware how it would have felt weirder had i been without a shoe on one of my feet though, any longer than i was anyway. i had to jump over some snow to get from the sidewalk to the street, and this is why it happened as it was piled kind of high. the snow must have been soft enough where i went through where i would go inside the snow and not stay on top of it.
   i performed at an open-mic as the 'lid-lifter' tonight, and since it is near the Vikings stadium i am seeing some of the prep work for the super bowl happening of course. once i got my car out of the ramp this afternoon, i drove to a job fair but not much available in my skill set as it was airport jobs. it was still something to do, and i wanted to get somewhere today after going nowhere the previous day. one can suffer from 'cabin fever' often in the winter.

essentially went nowhere

i had hoped to go perform tonight at two venues but it was not to be. i stayed in all day and wanted to get out and go somewhere but the weather was too much. i got my car stuck in the snow just a few blocks from my home, on a side street. i was there for at least 30 minutes, and got some help to get pushed out. then i tried getting to a venue where the show started later on in the evening, but not wanting to get stuck again i was careful about where to turn. i was going forward as much as possible. then it was hard to tell where parking was available. and i recalled a valuable lesson i learned when delivering pizza during the winter when i college: park in a spot that one knows you can get out of. so after a while i decided to write off the night and headed for home, and parked in a ramp near my home as i didn't want to park on the street as a snow emergency was declared. it might be a little expensive to park in a ramp overnight, but there is peace of mind that goes with it. this is why I said i 'essentially went nowhere' since i finally got out of my car close to home, never stopping anywhere along the way although i drove for more than an hour. you live, you learn. i posted about it on facebook, saying 'to all who wonder, i am fine. i hope to be back at the clubs soon'. i got one response to it, saying i was 'brave' as i got farther than some others did. i said 'thank you', but also how it was a little foolish since my car doesn't have much traction in the winter. sounds like i was not alone on staying away from the clubs tonight. one facebook posting listed about half the normal comics in the lineup at venue #1. and it was said the crowd was even smaller. i wanted a picture to remind me of the night, so i got one of a sign at the ramp i parked in saying there was surveillance. and one can see two blobs in it, which would be the falling snow. it was the first time in a while that i had used my shovel, in hopes of getting my car out after it was stuck. i kept it in my car during the long drive, so i was carrying it back from the ramp. then it was put in the bathtub, so the snow could melt from it in a place where being wet is no big deal. i know i have taken nights off from the clubs before, so it is no big deal. thankful i emerged unscathed, no injuries and my car was fine as well. even though i hated hearing the spinning wheels on the ice and snow.

music stand, no microphone

i performed at an open-mic in the early evening and the show runner said there was no microphone available this time. there is a music stand though, so i was fine with standing behind it instead. we were given longer sets than typical, since there weren't many performers, we got 10 minutes. it was no problem for me to figure out what subjects to do, although i stayed on some longer than typical. one of them was inspired by my walk to the venue after parking my car. i was waiting to cross the street and a man wanted to talk to me about the Vikings, since their playoff game would be starting soon. i had to point out i was wearing a twins hat, and my sport is baseball. i was asked if i write, and i said i do. but i really didn't want to talk to this man that bad, so i didn't stop at all and kept walking. i am a brisk walker so it didn't take long for me to put some distance between us.
   while still at the venue, i decided that performing at one show tonight was enough. even though i knew another show i have performed at before was happening later on. i was a little paranoid about the possibility of riots if the Vikings won, so i decided to get out of dodge and just go home. when i was walking back to my car i saw a woman in an orange Subaru SUV give the finger to some pedestrians. in addition, since i am still currently unemployed i am trying to cut back on expenses wherever possible. and as i recall there is a cover charge at the one i didn't go to. the Vikings were trailing 14-7 in the first half when i got back to my car, and it was 24-7 at the half by the time i got home. the final score was the Philadelphia eagles beat the Minnesota Vikings 38-7, although i fell asleep in my easy chair and missed the ending. i saw some of the postgame when i woke up. new England rallied to beat Jacksonville in the first game, so the matchup in the super bowl in two weeks will be the patriots vs. the eagles.
  i had dinner at home, and did the dishes after the game was done. i also devoted plenty of time today, before venturing out, on my postcard collection. it meant moving some of them between different photo albums to group them more by subject. since of course i acquire the cards at different times, i usually start off by putting them in albums where i know there is immediate available space. but of course there are times when i do these assessments where it means deciding to take out some cards i no longer want. although it is not too many cards. i will have to admit how it was inspired by going to the fan-fest this weekend, as i got two more cards. and i wanted those new ones next to the other ones of baseball players, and stadiums.

rosario and grossman

i went to the Minnesota twins fan-fest this afternoon. i really like going to this annual event. notable was seeing some of the players there when i was taking the elevator back up from the sub-basement. their uniform shirts said Rosario and grossman. i actually touched elbows with one of them. i later on spoke with somebody in season tickets and was told they weren't rookies, they were outfielders that had been playing for the twins for a few years. i had to say i have cut back on the number of games i have attended, last season it was just two. i go see the st. paul saints way more. i arrived just after midday, i was ready to have lunch by then. but first i had some free bags of potato chips. eventually i had a hot dog, the vendor was roaming with his cart and it was cheaper than at the concession stand. i also liked having some ice cream, had to have some after seeing others with it. i got some small items for souvenirs, in the 'flea market' section in the sub-basement. i got two cards the size of postcards, of twins players. one was harmon killebrew, the other Michael cuddyer. i got a grab bag of baseball cards for a dollar as well.
   before leaving for the event, i saw an email about interviews for a job next week. i said i did have an appointment for Tuesday afternoon, but otherwise next week's schedule is fairly open. it may have been in reference to the call i got at the library the previous day. i did let them know how i would be 'attending an event' when i responded to them in case i got a response right away. but i did not get one. after the fan-fest i went to the grocery store. then eventually i went to perform and did karaoke. i did two songs, 'wonderwall' by oasis, and 'blaze of glory' by bon jovi. then after karaoke i went to a different grocery store and got two TV dinners and a donut, but ate just half of the donut before i got home and i am fine with saving the rest for later.

called at the library

i was printing a few things at the library this afternoon, when i heard my cell phone ring. it was about one of the applications i had filed. i was sitting down at a computer checking email and such at this time. i said i needed to find a better place to take the call, one room was locked. so i went to the bathroom and inside a stall. although i didn't tell them that, they didn't need to know. sounds like i would be called to set up an interview next week. i was in contact with an agency by email and said i don't know if  'comedian' on my resume helps or hurts my candidacy. although i rarely talk about performing at interviews. really just at the one this week, because they wanted to hear more about it. i would just like to be back at work. in some cases it might help, i would like to think it did this week but i still don't know yet. i will know if it leads to an offer. to me it is still a 'binary' thing.
   sounds like i have stage time tonight at a show i haven't been to before. it was all due to sending a private message on facebook in reference to an event invite, saying i am more likely to show up if offered stage time. i say it all the time, although it rarely works in terms of being offered stage time. sounds like it is near a familiar venue though. i had to look at the message more clearly as i was confused at first. the event invite i responded to wasn't where i performed at. i found out the show runner has other shows available. i liked how she understood my sentiments, about it is more fun to perform than just watch others. the show with the facebook invite i guess i can still hope to be invited to perform at some other time. but i am unsure as to how far in advance it is booked, or even how often it is done. some shows are done just once a month.
    i did some karaoke tonight at the first venue i went to. i did 3 songs, 'ready to go' by republica, 'free to decide' by the cranberries, and 'gold lion' by the yeah yeah yeahs. still wanted to get there even though i knew about the comedy show i was invited to perform at. the second venue was a coffee shop, and had art on the wall for sale. this was a familiar look, seen it at some other venues i have performed at. i liked being able to do something different there. first thing i could think of was how it was annoying when some people would ask me if i try to tell jokes at karaoke venues. no i do not, but i figured this idea was worth exploring based on what the show runner said to me. the song in the background was 'hallelujah' by leonard cohen. people liked what i did during the set, and i did allude to how i had sang it before. as i have said before, something is wrong if i have run out of ideas since i have been doing stand-up for a while. also notable was how i arrived at this venue before the show runner did. but there is nothing wrong with being a little early.

jammies at jc penney

i used a gift card at jc penney around midday to get some jammies. i needed to replace a pair that had some tears in it. and i know how i am, when i see a small tear i keep working on it until it becomes a big one. and no longer usable. it took a little while before i found the right part of the store where they were kept. then finding a pair that was the right size and price as well. i don't shop for clothes much, so i like getting it right the first time. and it was nice how there is a little bit of value left on the gift card. i have two more to use there, although i am unsure of when i will return to use them. it would have been great to get even more, such as a pair of socks, but there was just enough for the jammies. i don't know much about the prices of some clothes. especially jammies, i have a limited number of pairs so i don't have to buy them that often.
  i had a second interview this afternoon, i feel good about it but no offer yet. it was one of the things i spoke of when performing tonight. the VP arrived a little late for the interview, one of three there. he said he 'had to meet me' after seeing on my resume how i am a performer. he spoke of a friend who is a comic, but i don't know his friend even though i know many performers. i was flattered by this, even if i didn't say it or show it at all. i think i was also flattered when one of the interviewers, the holdover from the earlier one a month ago, said 'she said a lot of good things about me' to the others. this must have been what led to me being invited back for the second interview. i saw to it that i arrived much earlier this time. i was about 15 minutes early, at the earlier one i cut it a little too close, i was 'on time' but i felt too rushed. it may have made a difference that it was in the afternoon this time. but i also know i prepared better this time, writing out answers to likely questions. even if i didn't have to use those answers much. one interviewer didn't ask many questions at all, but i feel like i had decent answers to all questions put in front of me. it helps that i have enough relevant work experience, in terms of what it is like to establish priority when it is busy for whatever reason.

mints at job fair

i went to a job fair at a hotel in Roseville this afternoon. there were some mints, so i decided to take a small box of them. it was for a job that i have already applied and interviewed for, so no need to do that again. i had hoped there was going to be more positions that they were actively looking for and planning to interview people onsite. i heard about it through a twitter posting. i was informed how i still have 34 active applications for this bank. it was hard to tell when looking at my own profile how many were still active. i am doing my best to keep track of it manually. i write them down on a master list when i have applied, so i can delete the email. and when i get an email saying 'not selected' or 'position canceled' i cross them off. the HR rep at this event said he would try to find who interviewed me and have them tell me why i was not selected. since i like learning what i can in order to do better at later interviews. although in some cases i figure out during the course of the interview that i wouldn't have wanted the job even if it was offered. this is why it was helpful to attend an interviewing seminar last month. as i do have the right to turn down something i won't enjoy doing. if i hear too many things that i just can't ignore.
   my second interview got rescheduled a second time, found out the time i agreed to didn't work. i said i had to pause once i found this out. one thing i did today was watch some concert tragedy videos on YouTube, i wanted to find out more about the who concert in Cincinnati in 1979. i found out there was even a WKRP episode about it. in some ways i see why this show did an episode about it. not only did this show have a Cincinnati setting, it was about a radio station. but i also understood why at first they wanted to pass on the idea. the show was a comedy, and one has to be careful when covering serious issues like a stampede where 11 people died.
  i performed at 3 venues tonight, and the final one was karaoke, where i did 'disarm' by smashing pumpkins. i had heard it on my car radio during my drive to the venue.

cranberries music

i saw an article that said the music of the cranberries, an irish band, has been selling well since the death of frontwoman Dolores o'riordan this week. it comes as no surprise as this has happened when other musicians have died. i understand some of the music by Prince did well on I-tunes shortly after he died. I recalled an article i read while at college in Iowa City that covered this subject. There was a quote saying 'death sells'. how many musicians become more popular posthumously. Even Elvis Presley music has sold better after his death. He was one of a few profiled in the article, along with those from the 'stupid club' as the mother of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain called it. This would include Morrison, Hendrix, and Joplin. It said the only number one hit by Janis Joplin was 'me and Bobby McGee', released after her death.
   this recent news reminded me of seeing the Cranberries in concert in Moline, IL, many years ago. i attended the show with my college roommate, and it was just an hour from iowa city. Cracker was the opening act, I liked hearing them play 'Low' and recall a man writing down the songs being played on a piece of cardboard. i have some of the headliner's CDs, i have 'no need to argue' and 'to the faithful departed'. the former has 'zombie' on it and the latter has 'salvation' on it. i recall playing 'ode to my family' often after my grandma died in 2008, it helped me get through that time. 'ode' is on 'argue'. i also like 'when you're gone' which is on 'departed'. it was hard to read about her troubles, battling depression and substance abuse, but i know this is common with performers.
   i performed at 2 different venues tonight. it went well. i did talk about how an interview scheduled for today was postponed, was informed that one of the interviewers was ill. so it is now two days later. i was getting ready for it when i checked my email and saw this message. i didn't know what to do to fill in the time, so i slept for a while. in the morning there was a seminar, but it didn't last long as there was less than 10 people signed up. so i asked for help on preparing for the interview. although I didn't know at the time that my interview was being postponed. but it was still helpful to have somebody listen to my strategy for it. i would like to think i am doing all of the right things, as i know i am preparing way better than i have been.

last days of billy the kid movie

i used another free night code on a redbox rental, i think this was for my anniversary with them. i saw another western from there, 'last days of billy the kid'. i knew i had seen one in the past year, it was on the 4th of july. this one was another fictionalized story, having his dad being a lawman. also getting married and his bride being killed shortly thereafter. it seemed to have some of the same actors as before, such as the one-eyed lady saloon owner. i didn't understand one scene in it, where a showdown in the street was held up by a lot of talking. in westerns i am used to seeing them shooting right away.
   I will have to admit I was a little wary of renting this movie, at first a little afraid it would be the same one as before. but i looked at the release date on the listing and it said '2018', this year, so i figured i was safe. I found out the earlier one covered a different part of the life of billy the kid, had to refresh my memory. the earlier one was about the Lincoln county war. all i recalled was that he was the focal point of the one i had seen earlier. there was actually 2 westerns to choose from, but i only needed and wanted one movie. that is what i like about Redbox, where there is usually at least one movie that appeals to me when just looking through the list, A to Z. i knew i had 60 days to use this code, but i also didn't want to forget about it and there was less than a month to use it. billy the kid was a larger part of the story this time, and this i liked.
   i performed tonight, and one of the things i spoke of was this movie. looks like a show i was going to be a part of is a no-go, pre-empted by the Vikings playoff game. but the show runner would like to get the impacted comics rescheduled. hard to say what i will end up doing this upcoming weekend. i will have to check my 'admin assistant', facebook, to see what shows are still happening.

a date or a test?

i have decided that i need to be better prepared than i normally am for the second interview that is coming soon. it meant going to the library this afternoon and find more articles about interviewing, including second interviews. one article compared it to going on a date, which is fair. although since i am studying for it, i think of it as being more like a test, an exam. whatever gets me where i want to go i guess. it also meant reading through the ten articles i printed from a few days ago. and i wrote down notes, to be reminded of what my tendencies have been. i have already referenced a movie, 'the firm', starring tom cruise. he was asked how he thought of mail fraud, and said he studied well for the bar exam.
   i wanted to be leisurely again, for multiple reasons. of course the NFL playoffs were on again. and another was seeing the weather report, knowing there would be snow. i watched some of the first game, jaguars-steelers. but the steelers were trailing by quite a bit at the half, made it easier to get going. there was some light snow by then, and in my drive to the library it picked up quickly. and it continued while i was inside the library. so i took a different way home where i could stay on roads with traffic lights. i listened to some of the second game, saints-Vikings, on the radio on the way home. it had reached halftime by then. and there was a wild ending to the game. after the game was done i got to more chores, such as doing the dishes. before i ventured out, it was using the paper shredder on my junk mail. i like doing these things weekly.

triple truffle blizzard

i went to dairy queen to use a 2 for 1 blizzard coupon this afternoon. when i do this i see that one of them is the blizzard of the month, which is the triple truffle. it tasted fine, but i think my favorite is still the pumpkin spice flavor. the other one i normally get is the banana split flavor. i get minis now, as it is cheaper, and easier to eat them in the shop and nothing to take home where it might start to melt on the way home.
    it was the typical weekend day, with some errand running. after going to get a breakfast sandwich and picking up what was at my p.o. box, i stayed in for a little while until i went to the grocery store. then it was to dairy queen, and to the library. one of the things on my 'to do' list at the library was to get registered for a comedy festival, and i did. i responded to linked-in messages about the second interview for next week, and tried to order a ticket for the Minnesota twins fan-fest next weekend. although i don't recall the password since i don't use it much, so i had to request a reset. so in the evening i finally got it ordered, and i can do the 'print at home' option the next day.
  i was kind of leisurely for a while about things as i also knew i could watch some of the NFL playoffs on TV. although the first game, falcons-eagles, was on a channel that doesn't scan here. the second game, titans-patriots, i was able to see, in the evening. of course i still had the urge to perform, and ventured out to do some karaoke. the MC said it was kind of slow, explains why i was able to get 3 songs in. i did 'amish paradise' be weird al yankovic, 'greatest love of all' by whitney Houston, and 'longview' by green day. the middle one, the whitney song, i knew i did in chorus class in junior high. i saw a man there who is now a regular that said he thinks Charlie manson is a great musician, and believing conspiracy theories about the manson murders. he also said he left his notes behind at a comedy show. i had largely forgotten about that one, but as i recall i was at the venue that night. and i was able to name some of the comics involved, since i know plenty of comics.

edge of 17, stevie nicks

i had planned on performing at 2 karaoke venues tonight, but there is now a cover charge and long line at one of them so i went home and rested for a while. when i did venture out again i decided to sing 'edge of 17' by stevie nicks. i had heard it last week at a different venue, and kind of odd hearing it on my car radio tonight as well. most memorable line from the song is how 'the music was hauntingly familiar'. also the mention of 'words of a poet' as well as a choir. As a performer I think this song speaks to me on some level, being able to understand the meaning of it. i know I say things like 'world view' and 'artistic vision' for this reason. i liked how i kept up with it as there aren't many breaks in it, but as i have said before i like how performing helps with being more focused. I hear it on the radio every so often, and I like trying to sing various songs so I said 'why not?' and i will have to admit that I found out somebody I just met likes this performer. So it was closer to the top of my 'list of ideas' for this reason.
   i saw the dude from last week, who said he knew the MC and could get me to do some stand-up but i turned it down. something about his friend was the one having the birthday tonight. i had already told the MC i was on my way, and i figured people may not look kindly on seeing stand- up when they are expecting to see singing. but i liked the offer nonetheless. I did see some birthday cake there but since I didn't really know any of those people I didn't ask to have any of it. I say this all the time, where I only do certain things of invited.
   i didn't venture out much today before performing in the evening. at midday i picked up two cans of food at a dollar store, then lunch at a holiday station shortly after that. i still got some things done, such as going through some of the bags full of tourist items. some of these items were put into sheet protectors and then into a binder. it was nice to consolidate some things of course.

oreo cookie tin

this week i decided to buy some of the holiday candies that were in the discount bin at a holiday gas station. some were individually wrapped Russell stover candies. one of the six items i bought was an oreo cookie tin. it is winter-themed, with 3 cookies displayed like it was the body and head of a snowman, with a winter hat, scarf, and gloves as well. there was some plastic wrapped around the tin, when i took it off i noticed the 10 cookies were in a plastic wrap inside the tin. of course the tin explains why it was going for two dollars, when the Russell stover candies were going for around a half-dollar. I like the looks of the tin, now i will have to figure out what to put in it.
   it was easier to figure out what activities i could do today. i looked inside a closet and noticed that even after this month's cleanup of plastic shopping bags, there still was plenty left, just no longer any of them in there loosely. so i spent plenty of time on the assessment of which ones to keep. i sent three bags full of empty bags back to the grocery store, before i sent four. one of them i kept showed cooper's grocery store with four locations, including one in Montevideo. most of the bags i had, and sent back, had three locations listed, of course this was two in st. paul and one in chaska. so now it is more orderly, there is a bag full of paper shopping bags and a bag full of plastic bags.
  in the afternoon i went to the library to print things after stopping at the grocery store. i want to be well-prepared for the second interview next week that i decided to print some articles i found about second interviews. i have to tell myself that i am not that 'dumb kid from small-town iowa' anymore so i know i have a fighting chance if i prepare well for it. that means approach it the same way i do when performing, and it means being enthusiastic. I've said 'I've got this' before. in many ways it helped to speak with a senior leader this week who had helped me with interviewing skills, reminding me of the importance of being positive. he had been called as a reference.
   there were two open-mics i could have performed at tonight, but i went to just one. the weather was one reason why, since there was snow today and then it got colder. but also how i wanted to eat dinner before i went anywhere after getting back from the library. i like watching 'big bang theory' as well. syndicated rerun was when penny helped Sheldon 'get his stuff back', prime time episode was when raj and howard started a band and performed at a bar mitzvah. 'young sheldon', a prequel, is on after it, and it is a good show as well. notable thing about performing tonight was people playing connect four near the stage, and something happened with the checkers just before i was to take the stage. so the show runner and some others spent some time picking up some of the checkers, although i still saw some on the floor as i went onstage.

moved and reborn

tonight i went to an open-mic at a new home. it had been at a nearby venue, which closed in November. i liked seeing a familiar crew there, although it was a small lineup, i was one of six. this is another venue that i finally saw since stage time is available. i liked seeing 'quarter candy vending machines' there, and a full-sized snack food vending machine, but i didn't use either one. it was nice how one of the show runners was willing to buy a round of drinks for the performers.
  it was a tough day for me, as it was harder to find a way to stay active when there was no interviews to be at. eventually i took a walk, after we reached midday. in the morning i decided to turn in some change at the bank, even though i usually wait a little longer. it had been just over a month. i also decided to use some survey money for airline miles, and i took a look at my activity. in the past year i dumped 19,000 miles into the account! helpful that most months i dumped at least a thousand miles there. i got a response to an email, and i have already called it 'good news-bad news'. good news, i am still in the running for a job i applied for. bad news, i am being asked to interview again, and i hate doing job interviews. it is next week, so this should be more than enough time to be well-prepared for the interview. i am telling myself to be hungry and enthusiastic, instead of nervous and desperate. i have already found out the results from an interview from the previous day, 'not interested'. this still leaves three of the nine 'in play'.
   i actually performed at two different venues tonight, the other was the karaoke venue. i did 'run around' by blues traveler. it was inspired by seeing somebody perform 'hook', by the same band, at the first venue. i said 'run around' reminds me of what i deal with in job searches, and dating. also liked hearing somebody perform 'say it ain't so' by weezer. i thought about different things when at the karaoke venue. one was about being 'chill' and self-medicated. another was how i am a mid-westerner, and another was how sometimes being stubborn is a good thing. it is not too often where i know i experience a good 'philosophical night' like this one. and i know how valuable it is to me.

tria rink

i had 2 job interviews today. after the second, which was in downtown st. paul, i decided to get a look at the new tria rink. it is in the former macy's department store building. there was a segment on TV recently about it. there was a sign up after i got off the elevator for that floor which said something about putting on the finishing touches. it looked great, and i saw a Zamboni clearing the ice while i was there. it was part of the photos that i decided to take. i saw the new Walgreen location in the same building as well. that store recently moved across the street.
   i am thankful i had a decent amount of time between the interviews today. it meant i was able to get to the library and print some things, as well as time to eat at home before the second one. i decided to take the bus to work, much like when i had worked downtown. i feel good about the second one, way better than the first. i was more lively, enthusiastic, at it, describing the duties i performed before that were relevant to the job i might get. so now that means i have been on 9 in-person interviews. i know the result of five of them, waiting to hear about the other four. i had 2 voicemails for me when i turned my phone on after getting home from the library. one was from an interview last month, i got voicemail when i tried to respond to it. the waiting is the hardest part.
  i performed at 2 different venues tonight, i liked how one is walking distance from the other. i found out water was available at the first one, so that became my drink there instead of beer. i was pleased to pick up some coins as well, and i used some of them right away. one place i saw during my walk i know has a 'quarter candy vending machine' and i used it twice. i like the reese's pieces they have there. i don't know what else to call it, when one puts in a quarter and gets some candy from it. what i like is how it seems to satisfy my craving well.

ringing off the hook

it might no longer be accurate to say 'ringing off the hook', since so many people have cell phones now. but my phone sure rang a lot today related to jobs. one of them i requested that they email the job description to me, and they have not. one i knew would call me, it was the first call of the day. we had been playing phone tag for a few days. another was an interview offer, i asked that they change the time to afternoon as i already had one in the morning, for the next day. it is not just an issue of the logistics, but also emotionally wanting a gap between the two so i can devote myself to both on a high level. i would like to think this means there will be offers soon, but there aren't any just yet. a senior leader at my former office accepted a linked-in contact request and sent a message right away saying he was called as a reference, so i would like to think this is a good thing. i got the voicemail for my former boss, as i wanted the test the number he gave me.
  i saw opera singer tonight at the clubs, for the first time in a while. i said i would like to see his band perform again soon. also saw the Wisconsin lady, she did a selfie with a fan that recognized her. i had hoped to perform at an open-mic tonight, but there was a schedule change. so i said i still needed to get stage time somewhere, and decided to do some karaoke. i did 3 songs. it was 'iko iko' by the belle stars, 'under the bridge' by red hot chili peppers, and 'learn to fly' by foo fighters. i had the movie 'rain man' in mind when i did the first one. the second i had wanted to do for a while, inspired by seeing others do it. and the third i recalled how i saw that band in concert with the chili peppers in 2000, in Indiana. i like how i am still finding some good ideas about what to sing.

da hip hop witch movie

i hooked up my VHS player again today, as there was more VHS tapes i wanted to watch. one of them was baseball highlights of the 1980s, from the sporting news. another was 'da hip hop witch', a spoof of 'blair witch project'. i recalled getting 'witch' at a grocery store many years ago, because Eminem is in it. but i will have to admit how the movie isn't that good, and i didn't recognize many of the other actors in it. i watched these 2 videos before deciding to watch the 2 NFL playoff games of the day. first was bills-jaguars, it was halftime by then. and around the time of the second, panthers-saints, i was ready to leave to go perform. there wasn't many at the open-mic, the MC is the resistable comic. she spoke of how there will be no show on super bowl sunday, as she will be out of town, in new Orleans.
   seeing this movie is a reminder of how my VHS collection has dwindled, but I don't want to get rid of all of them. Especially when I am not sure about being able to find the same movies on DVD. I think some have only been released on VHS because they weren't popular enough to get a DVD version as well. I think this is true of both of the ones I watched today. I recall how it was nearly a year ago when I last had my earlier DVD player hooked up, it was replaced just before or after Super Bowl Sunday. My TV was replaced on Super Sunday. It had probably been even longer in terms of having seen a movie on VHS. I had to hook up the earlier TV as I am not sure if the new one had the right connections for the VHS player. But at least everything worked after figuring out some strategy. in the evening i watched 'the simpsons', bart became interested in science. i did the dishes and recycle, and watched some shows on antenna TV. tried to watch the 10pm news but fell asleep and missed the ending of it.

drag brunch, union rooftop

I like doing things for the experience, and this was my first time at this venue and at such an event. i found a 'drag brunch' on facebook. there was two shows, i went to the first one as that one had tickets left at the time i wanted to order them. these two shows sold out weeks in advance. i chose it because i like the music of pink, and Kelly Clarkson. one of my souvenirs, besides my ticket of course, was the menu. it has a photo of the two in one corner. i ordered the French toast, called 'everybody hurts'. i had to ask why, as i knew this as an REM song. the server said the two had performed a cover of it. besides the MC there was 3 other dancers who performed for tips. there was also a celebration of those who have birthdays, or are getting married soon. i had a good time, thankful i went. i heard plenty of songs i wanted to hear. this included Kelly's 'heartbeat song' as well as pink's 'get this party started'. i wanted to make sure i would be up in time for it, so i set my alarm but i was up before it went off. i was able to get a breakfast sandwich at a holiday station, and check my PO box, before departing for the venue.
   in the afternoon i hooked up my VHS player for the first time in a while, had to hook up my old TV as well. i wanted to watch the anniversary video of the st. louis cardinals from their centennial season, 1992. i watched a little of one of the NFL playoff games of the day, titans-chiefs. eventually i went out to perform karaoke, and did 2 songs. it was 'since you been gone' by Kelly Clarkson and 'get this party started' by pink. of course these selections were inspired by going to the 'drag brunch'. i also saw a lady there that i had seen before, she was there with some office colleagues. she performed 2 songs, 'piano man' by billy joel, and 'edge of 17' by stevie nicks. at one point she got confused about the name spoken by the MC, her name is similar to the MC.

oversized novelty check

i was in the studio audience for twin cities live this afternoon, and one of the things i saw during that hour was an oversized novelty check. it was being presented to the muscular dystrophy association. they also had an elderly lady that has won state fair food contests often. i like doing this annual thing. there was a gift bag for the audience members, hard to say how much use i will have for all of the items in it. it was 'free for all' Friday, so people asked questions of the hosts, and one was about the upcoming super bowl.
   i had another interview around midday, thankful i was able to get to it and then twin cities live. i have a better feeling about this one than others from an agency. i found out i have a common interest with the interviewer- history. but i will not hear results of it just yet. he still has more interviews to do, some people were ill with the flu. i sent the phone numbers of references to the other interviewer, who i found out is out of the office today when i first called about it. will hope for the best on it. i know it wouldn't be the first time that i get offers at around the same time and have to choose. i of course will give preference to the one that isn't from an agency, since i know i would be on the payroll right away.
   i went to just one venue tonight to perform, instead of two. guess i was a little too comfortable in my easy chair, and considering it is still subzero out there who would blame me? so i waited a little longer to venture out and sang some karaoke, one song, 'love you like a love song' by selena Gomez. it was more fun than typical as there were something like 10 young ladies at the table near me and i could hear them singing the song.

professional references requested

i stayed busy today. went to meet with another temp agency, and dropped off a copy of ID at the one from the previous day. it was midday by then. i had a quick lunch from a holiday gas station, then on to a job fair. after i got back i saw an email that arrived in the morning, apparently just after i left for the first meeting, requesting professional references. so is the end in sight on the job search? i responded and said i will have to search for phone numbers if they need them. never needed phone numbers for my former managers, they are linkedin contacts now. looks like they are willing to be references for me. and i heard from a senior leader as well, i was testing the number i still had. notable about the job fair was seeing somebody in a target windbreaker jacket. they made eye contact like they had seen me perform before, found out they are a recruiter. we did speak about what target would have available. i also liked talking to somebody who was from a foodservice company for the airlines, which may have something in my field at the airport. this was unexpected, but you never know until you talk to people. i liked what she said about being marketable, and how it is a good idea to avoid getting discouraged as some temp agencies aren't worth my time. she said i should be just watching TV and waiting for the offers to roll in. well it hasn't been that easy so far.
   i performed in the evening, and got some peanut butter cookies at a nearby super-America after the show. still cold out there, zub-zero. not much fun walking in it.

text about dad

before midday i got a text from my sister, saying my dad was in the hospital for surgery. broken ankle, slipped on the ice. sounds like he will be fine. i wondered why a cast wasn't enough. i called Dad in the evening and we spoke for 15 minutes. he wanted to know how i spent the holidays. no surprise, eventually i spoke of performing. i said 'i feel so alive while performing'. i will likely get some comedy material out of hearing about Dad, but still not sure what. i know this wasn't the first time I heard about an injury though.
  this was a night where i know performing meant more to me. it is always there when i want to work through things in my life. i did 3 songs at the karaoke bar. it was 'sound of silence' by simon and Garfunkel, 'give a little bit' by supertramp, and 'head over feet' by alanis morissette.  i also was a winner of a free drink, first time that has ever happened. in many ways i think the alanis selection was a good one. she sings directly into the camera, and basically admits to being a 'hot mess'. i like the honesty in it. i have said that some people i know are, but at times i know i am a 'hot mess' too. of course the alanis song makes me think of 'nothing compares to you' by sinead O'Connor, as she sings directly into the camera as well. i also thought of 'i feel so alive' by POD, as well as 'hymn for the weekend' by coldplay. the latter was one i heard while driving home tonight. another one on my mind was 'bird set free' by sia. plenty more songs i can do on karaoke night.
  i had just left the post office, checking my box, when the text arrived. i had some errands to run, the next being the gas station. then getting photos of a billboard at the former Schmidt brewery, as there was mention of re-lighting the grain belt beer sign. then on to the library to print some things. i had an appointment with a temp agency in the afternoon, not sure when i will be placed though. i did two tests, data entry and typing, was told i did well on both. but i still need to bring forms of ID and a voided check to them, something i can do the next day.

northwestern basketball in rosemont

i performed at two different venues tonight. at the first, the 'extra murder' comic was show runner. and i saw some of a college basketball game on in the bar area of the venue. it was a northwestern game vs. Nebraska, played at allstate arena in Rosemont. the northwestern wildcats are playing there this season as welsh-ryan arena is being renovated. i know how plenty of college basketball games have been played there over the years, especially DePaul, but it sounds like DePaul has moved back to campus. i saw some basketball games there when i lived in the area from 1998-2004. seeing it reminds me how i would want to make my annual visit to the area during hockey season, and see a Chicago wolves minor-league hockey game at this arena. i checked for a final score for this game and it looks like Nebraska beat northwestern 70-55. it was nice to see brawler, and school bouncer, at the first venue. it was my second time performing there. and it was a reasonable walking distance to the second venue, and no surprise how i got some photos along the way. especially when i have some space again on the memory card for my camera, after clearing out some photos i didn't need. at times  i take multiple photos of something before i find one that is satisfying. it was one reason why i wanted to get back to this venue quickly, as i like getting a photo of the welcome sign of the places i have performed at. and it explains why i was the final comic at the second show, or close to it. as the shows started within an hour of each other.
   i found out that interview number 6, from last week, failed to yield an offer. i was notified by email, and was disappointed to hear how no reason was given. i was informed by the agency, who doesn't seem to like it when i call myself a 'longshot', that i have a choice as to what attitude i have about it. this may be true, but i have long known that my interviewing skills are weak. and when most jobs require interviews, of course i am going to struggle in my job search. i got another appointment scheduled with a different agency for this week, had to move it up to avoid conflicts with a job fair that i want to attend. it is hard for me to be patient with the process, anyone who knows me well knows that patience isn't one of my strongest traits. when i called one agency this afternoon to inquire about my candidacy, i found out my contact was out of the office. and i felt the need to say how i have done all that i was requested to do, including to be finger-printed, and this was nearly three weeks ago. i have yet to hear about the result of interview number 5, which was nearly two weeks ago.

come on ride the train, quad city dj's

i did some karaoke tonight, 3 songs. first was 'come on ride the train' by the quad city DJ's. i noticed things about it that i hadn't before, because i was finally singing it. how there is a reference to 'the little engine that could' since one line was 'i think i can'. also how there were some names in it, and one of them is 'Tamika' and this is close to the name of a former coworker in suburban Chicago. I found her in the past year on Facebook and I let her know how this song made me think of her. I like to make annual visits to that metro area and hopefully I can see her on my next visit.
    the other 2 songs were 'ruby, don't take your love to town' by Kenny rogers, and 'walking in memphis' by marc cohn. i thought of my college roommate when doing the Memphis selection, as he once lived there but is now in japan. i also made it to the comics brunch at jake's in Eagan. the outback bowl was on when i arrived, which was midday, Michigan vs. south Carolina. It reminded me of seeing this bowl game in early 2009, when my school, Iowa, played in this game against South Carolina. It was the second bowl game I had attended, and more fun than the first one, the Holiday Bowl 2 years earlier, since Iowa didn't play in that first bowl game I saw. great to see the wolf at the brunch, as well as the resistable comic, the latter being the event coordinator. i liked having some of the scrambled eggs and bacon and hash browns. There was so many people there that it was hard to get around to saying hi to all of them.