bear hugs book

I was out for a walk after work and saw a bear hugs book for kids near a dumpster. it made me feel kind of sad, so I did what I often do when I see something similar. I got a photo of it. I think I have a book in my collection with a similar title and theme.
   at work I closed 12 more loans, and 2 rejected loans were handled as well. it was nice to get the one cleared that wanted the property description. but I also checked what was in imaging, and there was one version that was easier to copy. I have typed these out before myself, when they are short enough. but I read this one and it could be repetitive, so I said it was too long for that. sometimes it means coming back to something when one ha more patience with it. I don't like having to skip over loans but I did it today. and for whatever reason, it has been working to have this game plan. but I also recall a lesson from school, about doing the easiest ones first as it takes up less time. I also let my boss know about an I.T. issue on drafting assignment pages, and found out there was a simple solution for it. I think it was odd that there was no prompt about required information before I was allowed to move to the next screen, as there usually is. but you live, you learn. so I do like how there is no 'unfinished business' left in my queue at the end of the work day, probably the first time this has happened. there are some loans in it, but no rejected ones. I like how not too many have been rejected. each one I see it as a 'teachable moment'.
   I went to perform tonight, the show the spoken words performer does. he was wearing a Chicago bears football jersey, he is from that city. I liked seeing airway there, somebody I know from another mic. the 'techie' from last night wasn't there, so I did the bit about him, easier to do when this is the case. I also did the one given to me by laundry, a perspective about me that made me laugh even though it wasn't true.

cleaning glasses

when I was at the performance venue tonight the 'techie' asked me if I would take off my glasses so he could clean them. I said I could clean them myself. he is often trying to have fun with me. I liked how I was able to be on the lineup fairly early despite being in the bar area eating popcorn and enjoying a beer while the signup was starting. I considered doing this bit tonight but did not, probably will still do it sometime soon.
   at work I felt good about closing 12 loans, but it was all about the numbers. I spent time on loans I couldn't close today, such as one that needed a new 'bene'. hard for me but it means it will be easier to close when I have what I need. and I had to go to more than colleague to find out how to over-ride an auto-correct issue. but one must live for those who want to help you. there is also the reject where I need to create a new page with the property description on it, saying 'exhibit A'. but I also know my boss hasn't said anything about it, and hopefully I can find the time to work it soon.

i've gotta be me movie

I went to see a movie at a film festival this afternoon, at the sabes community center in st. louis park. it was 'I've gotta be me', about Sammy Davis, Jr. when I was looking at what was in the lineup for this year's twin cities film fest, I figured it was best to try to pick only one movie to see. and since I like biographies and documentaries, this one worked for me, along with the schedule of being on a day when no other events were planned, including my performing schedule. it doesn't cover everything about his performing career, such as the 'cannonball run' movies, but it does cover being a guest star on 'all in the family'. as usual, I learned some things from it. there was mention of a big deal surrounding supporting president Nixon in 1972. and plenty was covered from his early life as well. I liked seeing interviews with entertainer colleagues such as jerry lewis, and billy crystal. I was a little worried about being there on time, as the traffic wasn't moving well on one road I was taking to get there. but no big deal, as they had their preliminary speeches and announcements first. so I still arrived before the movie started. there was a Q and A session after it, and then some footage from his own show as well. I do recall the day he died, it was in 1990, same day as 'muppets' creator jim Henson. and there was a cartoon in the paper shortly after it, saying 'what, never seen anyone dance on a cloud before?' I even recall a quote of his was used in a 'simpsons' episode, when krusty the clown's estranged dad was in it. lisa used it as a longshot for them to get over their rift.
   I watched some of the world series tonight, the red sox beat the dodgers 5-1 to win the series 4-1. the red sox were ahead 2-1 early on when I woke up, as I had turned it over to fox while a football game was still on, rams beat the packers. I watched much of the bears-jets game in the afternoon, but knew I would have to leave before it ended to get to the movie. I saw through the end of the 3rd quarter, and the bears were ahead then and went on to win. so I liked how I didn't miss all that much. I am still deciding to free up more sheet protectors, some of them were from my stamp or first day cover collection. I decided that postcards belonged in photo albums with other postcards. some others were freed up as I didn't want to remember failed auditions or interviews. when space is a premium, one must make the use of that space count. so there is nothing wrong with going through every so often to evaluate what should be kept.

something to be, rob thomas

I went to a goodwill store as I figured they still had a vince guaraldi  CD with charlie brown songs on it. there was two, so I bought them and the third was 'something to be' by rob Thomas. I got it because 'lonely no more' is on it. this serves as reminder of my new York visit in 2005, hearing it at that time. I spoke of 'putting myself in a safe deposit box for the night' when I was in Albany, on the way to seeing the baseball hall of fame in cooperstown. it appears to be a double-sided disc. I have listened to the CD and there is a DVD on the other side. 

   a big part of the day was acting at a haunted house in the evening. I know I have done my job well when people end up swearing at me. I was told my a colleague, at the end of the night, that I made a woman cry in the corner. after that I went to sing some karaoke, I got one song in. I chose 'edge of glory' by lady gaga as I had seen 'star is born' recently and I was in the mood to do another gaga song. 

wilma costume, trump nametag

i went to perform karaoke tonight. at first I was about to leave as it wasn't in the typical room, which was being used for some other event like a private party. it is Halloween season after all. but I didn't want to go to Maplewood to sing so I took another look around and saw it was moved into an adjacent area. the tip-off was seeing the screen, hard to do at first when there was a big crowd. I like seeing the popcorn machine in the corner, so I had some much like before. notable was seeing some of the costumes of course. I saw a man dressed like fred flintstone. the lady with him seem to have the Wilma costume, but she had a 'trump' nametag on as well. odd, since I didn't think Wilma looked like any of the trumps. I sang 'just like fire' by pink. I was inspired to find a pink song since I was going through printed online articles and had multiple ones about seeing her show at the xcel center in 2013. and I finally decided to get one of them in a sheet protector, along with mention of getting a code for ticket ordering priority if doing an advance purchase of her CD, 'truth about love'. since I haven't wanted to buy more sheet protectors for now, it means looking through binders to see if I can double up on any, or taking some out that aren't high-quality. this has yielded quite a few. more evidence of this was deciding to go from six to four on the meetup event confirmations I printed. the main opportunity is from taking out to free up space, as there aren't many left that are singles.
   at work I am still growing by leaps and bounds, and this is a good thing. I found out that the stamp from the county isn't always at the top of the page, or on the first page. so once I found this out I could close more loans. I was bogged down on this for a while, and skipping over them. but I still got 12 loans closed, due to this discovery in the afternoon. so it was just slightly lower from the previous day. it was a weird night for watching the world series, red sox-dodgers, game 3. I said I need to get up now and go to the grocery store after one inning, and I bought 7 items there. I watched some more and it was tied 1-1 after 9, so I went to sing. and the game kept going. I sang and of course had to wait a little while for my turn. but I drove home and the game was still on. I knew how it was going as there was TVs in the bar I was singing in. I watched some more at home, trying to think of how long, then fell asleep. I think I saw through at least the 14th inning, but it went until the 18th, dodgers hit a home run to win 3-2 and the red sox lead the series 2-1. I know this happens all the time, where I fall asleep in my chair. much like in recent years, I haven't watched much of the world series as I want to go out and perform. I watch as much as I can, and it is nice that some places have it on where I am performing.

welcome in italian

I made my annual visit to the community center for their spaghetti dinner tonight. there was something by the front door, and a kid said he didn't know what it said. my guess is it was 'welcome' in Italian. it is a reminder of how I am still not used to people waiting on me, as I gave my ticket to somebody with a basket near the entrance of the basketball gym and then somebody got me spaghetti. I was used to going to the serving window for that. I sat at a table by myself, and had the bread and the cole slaw as well. I still wanted to serve myself for the dessert, so I got up and went to the table where it was, near the back. was it blueberry cobbler? whatever it was it tasted good. I was served water then got myself a carton of milk when I was getting some photos of the venue. I made mention of Vivian maier when somebody spoke of me doing photography. I picked up a newsletter but it is still hard to tell if there are any other events that would be of interest to me at this community center. I didn't get around to it all that early, wanting to watch the 6pm news first, and then go to the ATM. so I ended up missing 'big bang theory' but still saw most of 'young sheldon'. funny how part of the storyline was how the plan that Sheldon's mom had about saving people backfired.
   I am really in my rhythm now at work, closing 14 loans today. I worked a reject as well, hopefully the rejects end up dwindling soon. another notable thing was how a tire on my car finally got replaced, after seeing how it just wasn't holding air on Saturday morning. I also cut back some more on my facebook friend list, by two. I added somebody last week, but have also cut 5 people so the net loss is 4. I prefer having relevance in my friend list, no big deal how it is now under 240. it could probably go even lower, especially when three of them are no longer alive, and I think a fourth is actually duplicating another account. I am still asking 'when was the last time I interacted with these people?' and if it has been too long, or they make their profile inactive for a while, I cut them. my page has evolved a lot in the 9-plus years since I joined.

spelling bee diva

near the end of my set tonight I was asked to spell a word by the show runner, I said I didn't think it was a spelling bee. then I had to go get my coat, I said I was a diva due to bringing it onstage. I watched some of the world series at the performance venue, and at home as well, red sox beat the dodgers 4-2 to go up 2-0. there were some weird people there, which is kind of typical for this venue. I asked one of them if he could clap or laugh whenever he heard something he liked. it was distracting to see him talk a lot during my set but I knew well enough to plow through it. another one was a lady that asked me to buy her a beer and I turned her down. I should have known that something was up as I rarely have unfamiliar people talk to me. I don't want to be cynical and think that some will only talk to me 'when they want something' but sometimes this is true.
   at work I closed 11 loans, felt good about that. there was another one that had to be sent to exceptions, so I worked 12 loans today. and no rejected loans to re-work! so in many ways I am moving right along.

bohemian rhapsody movie

tonight I went to an advance screening of the movie 'bohemian rhapsody' in Edina. I arrived early and sat in the front row as most of the seats were reserved. I have enjoyed musician bio-pics ever since I saw 'la bamba' many years ago. it made me laugh at times, but there was plenty of drama in it as well. and it covered not only the highlights, but also the lowlights. one part of the story was about performing at live aid in 1985. I was very young then so I had heard of it but was more familiar with farm aid, what was later, and closer to home. it does serve as a reminder of how music changed during the band's timeline. eventually MTV was mentioned, and of course they were around before it. I knew that mike myers was in it, but didn't know what role until the closing credits. I understand the meaning in myers having a role, as he was in  'Wayne's world' and that movie made the song popular again. I do recall that movie well. the movie covered just about every queen song that I knew. I also noticed how the closing credits had that typical disclaimer seen in bio-pics. 'some scenes and characters were invented for dramatic effect'. at first this bothered me, but I am used to it now, as it is all about selling a movie.
    I had hoped to get more loans closed today, but some of them were messy and it meant spending more time on them to see that it is done right. and this is also true for needing to wait to close the loan when something important is needed. the proverbial 'circumstances beyond my control'. you do what you can. no big deal on giving up a night or performing to see the movie, but this is a rare thing as I know full well one gets better when performing on a regular basis. I had plenty of popcorn without buying any, as some was left behind on tables where one could squirt butter into their tub.

ararat movie

recently I watched the movie 'ararat' on DVD, directed by atom egoyan. it was a story within a story, about the filming of a movie about the Armenian genocide during world war one. what got the biggest reaction out of me was the celia character. she wouldn't leave an art history instructor alone, and at one point I said 'just leave!' it also means looking up more about gorky, a painter that is covered in this movie. some of it was subtitled, I know some of it was in French. when the story mostly takes place in Canada, this makes sense as of course there is Quebec. I looked through the closing credits, and noticed some of the music was done in Armenia, by a choir.
   at work there was another meeting, I am not a big fan of meetings. I had some rejected loans to handle, and got through all of the new ones by the end of the day. then I asked for more new loans in the final hour of my work day.
   I performed tonight, I was the first one on after the MC. it was either that or go on late. I spoke some of the candy brought by the show runner, as one bag was m and m's. there was a facebook photo of me 'holding court' earlier in the evening at another venue. it already has more likes than most of my own postings do, over 20. sub teacher and whopper are also in the photo. I paid for an online order this morning, an auction won, and the seller said there is a postal strike in Canada. so it might be a wait for the order to arrive.

star is born movie

saw the movie 'star is born' tonight in Eagan. I knew I would see it at some point since I am a lady gaga fan. evidence of it is what is in my wallet- a photo from her 2010 concert at the xcel center. during this movie, I laughed at times, was caught off-guard at times. if there were any hang-ups I had with it, well that would be a lot of swearing. with anything, the impact is lost when it is overdone. but it is the sum total, so I liked it. I had read how this is the 4th version of the story. I do just barely recall hearing about the one from the 1970s, in the early days of movies on video. 

   I stayed in for a while today, as I checked the paper and saw that the Chicago bears football game would be on local TV at 12noon on CBS. but the bears lost to new England 38-31, despite leading for a whole due to points off turnovers. I also spent some time goijg through binders and freeing up some sheet protectors. it meant taking out some pages, or having them share a page. I was able to add quite a few, such as things from festivals I have attended in the past month or so including Oktoberfest in new ulm. some went into the comedy souvenir binder. 

corporation games, names

i sang karaoke tonight. I did 'we built this city' by starship as I recall the line about 'playing corporation games, changing corporation names' since I have seen two super-America gas stations change to speedway this weekend. according to one that hasn't changed yet, all are expected to within one year. so now we know.
    it was a fairly busy day for events, starting off with going to the library and printing my pass for the movie screening that will be held in a few days. then I went to a bowling alley for an event with an organization I had joined. I bowled two games, a 63 and an 81, as usual I started off flat and then warmed up. plenty of pizza there, and I had some as I like most pizza. then after a short break at home- getting postcards ordered from e-bay (and picked up at the post office this morning) I was out again, this time to a comedy show in the 10k laughs festival. the button was performing there, it was at the VFW in uptown Minneapolis. this was a venue I saw last year as well. I was expecting Arizona Chicago to be there as well, but she was not. I didn't inquire with anyone as to why. there were various things to do during each comic's set, for the button it was karaoke-themed.
   on my way back home I stopped at the aldi for my weekly grocery order, then I was home again. I checked email mostly. I didn't have enough time for watching a movie before the 10pm news began. 

rocky movies

i found two rocky movies on a local movie channel this week. on Wednesday it was 'rocky 3' and tonight it was 'rocky 5'. I recall seeing some of them at the theater, definitely these two, and the one between them. it had been a while since I had seen them, which is typical of many movies. with this one I recall an early scene well. it was when his brother-in-law, paulie, signed over power-of-attorney to an accountant and it bankrupted them. I recall my stepfather laughing when he saw this, and I don't know why. because this is a serious thing, but he also doesn't know the law that well either. what I have noticed is these movies became predictable after a while, where rocky often says 'he is retired' then he is coaxed out of retirement to defend somebody's honor.
   I closed more loans at work today than the previous day. there was a potluck for a colleague who was working his last day, a temp and his contract was up. I had a banana, there was no donuts. also had some of the reese's peanut butter chips. I had to ask what one item was, found it was an apple peeler. I still would like to go quicker, but when I am ready I will.
   I went to sing karaoke tonight, I did one song. it was 'there's something going on' by Frida. it was a little annoying when some (probably) drunk young men were getting a little too close to me while I was singing. and trying to help me sing it as well. but they didn't lay a hand on me, and I know full well I have dealt with worse while performing. on the way to the venue, I tried to stop at a super-America for potato chips. but the first one  went to was closed, switching over to a speedway. this means the recent billboards I am seeing make more sense now. I spoke with a man at the edge of the parking lot and he said not all of them were closed tonight, so I decided to go to another one that was closer to the karaoke venue. I am wondering what this will do to my loyalty card, if it means having to get a new one and moving the points over. I have had to do this before.

sing for tickets

I went to the karaoke bar tonight and was surprised to see movie promoters there. it was for an advance screening of the movie 'bohemian rhapsody'. I did 2 songs, and found out those who sang a queen song would get the tickets and a shirt. so my second song was by queen, 'another one bites the dust'. the first one was 'burning down the house' by talking heads, inspired by hearing another one of their songs on an episode of 'young sheldon' tonight. I was told there was a quick turnaround from song one to two since the promoters would be leaving soon. then when I was leaving I gave a ride to the button's friend since she needed one. her nephew was there, but when I was talking to him I didn't know it was her nephew.
   I was slower on work today, but I was fine with talking to somebody from my agency when she arrived just before midday. I started off by saying I was a little worried as to why they were there, but they wanted to know how I was doing so this is a good thing. in many ways I was more willing to talk to them than the people I am working with on a daily basis. I was given some candy and there was a business card tied to it. I said I would slowly eat the candy as there already is plenty of it on the floor right now. the card went into my wallet in case I need to call, but I haven't needed to yet.
   one thing I checked tonight before I ventured out to perform was the lineup for a film festival in the west metro. plenty of movies listed, no problem eliminating some of them for multiple reasons. no interest in the movie, or the time doesn't work in my schedule. but I found one that would work, on a sunday. the festival just started in earnest today, but there was special screenings on Wednesday according to the master list I saw online. so know that I know what works, it is a good idea to get the ticket ordered soon so then I know I am in.

basket of gourds

i get to the performance venue tonight and I see a basket of gourds on a table in the showroom. guess this is the time of year for it. I would have preferred more of a crowd there, but it is stage time. there was a man at the bar showing me videos from his phone of when he was a boxer. he was wearing a Roberto duran shirt. I watched most of the movie 'rocky 3' before going to perform but I fell asleep and missed some of it.
   at work I closed 8 loans, would have liked doing more but there are often things that prevent us from doing so such as asking for a new legal name in the system that matches the mortgage. but I feel like I am asking fewer questions than I was. one contact said she is auditing loans in order to stay busy while she does not have access.

i know there's something going on, frida

I went to use a dairy queen 2-for-1 blizzard coupon that would be expiring in a few days. I am getting mini sized blizzards now, cheaper and then I don't have to take any home. when I was driving back home I really liked a song I heard on my car radio. I found out it was 'i know there's something going on' by Frida. she was in the Swedish music group known as ABBA. this was a hit song back in 1982. I liked reading about it on Wikipedia, as it said phil Collins was the drummer for this song. the video shows a photo shoot, and a darkroom with photos in it. this explains well what the song is about- as she sings about her man being with another woman. the drumming is what hooked me here, and I usually take notice of it when I hear it on the radio.
  at work things are still going slow, but I also want to get it done right. I pride myself in avoiding asking the same question twice, so this should help with being quicker with the work. I am doing well on learning counties, such as when they happen to be in high population centers.  I noticed how my neighbor assigned me loans from Douglas county, but there are multiple states that have a county by this name- Colorado, Wisconsin, Minnesota. I am calling it 'Doug County', makes it easier to remember. I did the same with a road in des moines, calling it 'Doug Avenue'. thankfully no meeting today, but this was likely since my boss was there for just a half day.
     tonight I went to a new open-mic, the show runner is somebody that I knew from another show. it made a difference that he invited me in person, as sometimes a facebook invite is not enough. especially when I am performing most nights of the week now. I had a craft beer, this was all they had on their beer list, no big deal. plenty of musicians and poets there, of course he himself is a poet. I wasn't sure how much stage time I would be getting, but I figured when I saw him in the back moving forearms one over the over that I was being 'lighted'. so I figured it was time to finish up. an older man gave me a fist bump on the way out, he said he liked my set. it was just as much story telling as it was jokes. I briefly stepped out to go feed the meter on my car, and got beer after I was onstage. since it was a new mic, I wanted to find it first and find out about stage time. and I wanted an alternate plan available, such as the normal venue I perform at. so when I first parked my car, I paid for less than an hour. I said I would make it as often as I can, as I like how the show finishes earlier. and I know downtown st. paul well, since I once worked there and perform at other mics near there. I decided the wait out the after game traffic before going back to my car, the Minnesota wild hockey game was going on nearby.

the first rejects

at work I saw the first rejects arrive. there were two. it was no big deal getting them corrected, hopefully there will not be too many more. it slowed me down some having to take care of them, along with another meeting. I hate attending meetings, and was thankful how my former job didn't have them that much. I will try to learn from these of course.
   a comedy friend said she is moving to seattle soon, I think this is the one I call clean closet. she got a very good job offer. thankful I added her to the ring of honor when I did, as one never knows how long one might have before something changes such as moving away. she might have a going-away party, and I would like to attend if there is one. it was nice to see brawler of course, he was absent last week. he spoke of having a show in Pennsylvania, as well as going to see family. he wanted to thank me again for my attendance at his book signing. I spoke of how I feel ambivalent about seeing friends at the comedy club. sure I like seeing them, but last week some of them weren't there and it must have made it easier for me to get stage time there.
   I performed at another venue tonight, and there was a fill-in show runner. I was on early, as I was able to sign up for an early slot. the lady that likes to bring her Kermit doll, but didn't bring it tonight, did one thing that was a nice touch. she brought candy so it felt like the main show runner was there. we had to wait to start our show for two reasons. one, the back room was being used by another group. two, the packers-49ers game was on, and the bar caters to packers fans. but the back room became available near the end of the game, but I stayed out there to watch the end of it. the packers found a way to tie it and then win on a last-second field goal, despite trailing at the half.

sisters brothers movie

I went to see the movie 'sisters brothers' in uptown Minneapolis this afternoon. I had to re-route due to construction but I made it while the previews were still happening. this movie was all right, but hard to describe aside from that. the end was anticlimactic. I had to laugh a little when I saw them depict using a toothbrush and toothpaste, which must have been a new thing in the 1850s. all I recall was mention in school of how the toothbrush was invented by William addis, according to Wikipedia it was decades before the year being covered in this movie. I understand better why this is getting a limited release, as there was an early scene showing a horse on fire. when movies filmed in America say 'no animal was harmed' I also understood why it was produced by the French and filmed in various nations, including Romania I recall, as I like watching the closing credits. it also made me laugh when one of them dared the other to punch him and he did. this is definitely not a typical western. from what I recall, westerns usually do not cover the gold rush and this one does.
  I tried watching a DVD movie in the evening, after 'the simpsons', but I fell asleep and not sure how much I missed. so I will have to try again soon. it was one I picked up from the post office this weekend, ordered from amazon. I placed some more postcard orders from e-bay today, and got some more ideas for others to order. I liked how 'the simpsons' referenced an edith piaf song in tonight's episode. I had seen 'la vie en rose' so I am familiar with her music, even sang it on karaoke night before. seeing the movie meant doing dishes and recycle after it, so it meant some of it was done while watching the news.

taxi dancing

I went to new ulm this afternoon and evening for Oktoberfest, my annual visit. I went to many of the places I normally visit, such as german park and turner hall and the glockenspiel. even a side trip to sleepy eye to see the linus statue. I had the lunch buffet at godfather's pizza in st. peter on the way there. and of course I like going to the evening festival events at the hotel at the edge of town. although this is where it gets weird. I was thrilled to find a dance partner, until that partner spoke of wanting to 'dance with everybody there'. hmm. even after I saw them get turned down several times, still wanted to have this game plan. don't know what to call it aside from 'taxi dancing'. also found a karaoke venue. I sang 'walking after midnight' by patsy cline. when I got back to the twin cities I found a new venue for it, and sang 'in the air tonight' by phil Collins. a man took off his shirt while at the bar and started waving it around.

smile and save

i went to a Walgreen after attending a high school football game tonight. I got some cookies, pack of 8 for a dollar. it said 'smile and save' on the package. don't know how much I smile, but I like to save, who doesn't? this was the 5th game I had seen this season, cretin-derham hall beat white bear lake 36-28. cretin led 21-0 at one point, and their lead was 28-13 at halftime. WBL tied it at 28, midway through the 4th quarter, and cretin went ahead for good shortly thereafter. cretin intercepted a pass deep in WBL territory for the winning TD.
  at work I felt good about getting 8 loans done. after the game I went home for only a short time. I went out again to do karaoke, and sang 'the impression that I get' by mighty mighty bosstones.

power outage, sent home

I felt good about how I was doing at work, in the afternoon. I had completed 4 loans before taking lunch. then there was a power outage and we were sent home at 2pm. we weren't waiting that long after it happened. we were told they didn't want us waiting around for the power to return as it might be a while. I noticed the traffic lights near the facility were out. I found things to do, even if it meant falling asleep for a while. I stopped at a movie theater and got photos outside since it is closed for renovation. it said from august 1 to mid-October, no specific re-opening date was given.
   tonight I went to sing karaoke. I did 2 songs, 'dreams' by Fleetwood mac, and 'roam' by the b-52's. somebody sounded like Chewbacca there, so I said 'what is it, chewy?' like in star wars. another patron said I should sing some tom petty, but it was getting late by then and I was getting ready to leave. there still is some construction near this venue but there is a simple detour.

cut around it

I was at the performance venue tonight and somebody that knows me was at the bar, after I had performed. I said 'it looks like I have been summoned' and he was working on a laptop. then I was asked some hypothetical question about cheese and said 'i would cut around it'. it looked like he was working on a script, but he said it wasn't. did he think I was born yesterday? then after this he still asked for help, and I said he was on his own. I would have preferred honesty about why the question was being asked. sometimes he performs at this mic, but not too often. actually I went up twice, the show runner played some more guitar for a while. I saw a spoken word artist and he spoke of a mic nearby, so I will have to see if the logistics work.
   at work I am getting better on speed with learning a new role, four loans completed today, up from two. it would have been more, but the fourth was completed with about 20 minutes left in the day and I didn't feel like starting anything at that time. I had to go back and change something on one of them, finding out the cover sheet was missing a zero at the start of the account number as it got dropped by the spreadsheet. so I was fine wither-ordering what I needed instead of trying to figure out ho to merge things I had already saved. I am taking good notes so I know right away what pages I need from the imaging system, as well as the screen prints. so I like how I have completed the five loans I was originally assigned. at midday the TV was on in the breakroom while I was having lunch, there was a special report about hurricane Michael reaching the florida panhandle.

i made it farther

i went back to work today after a 3-day weekend. I completed two loans, would have liked doing more. but I was trying to figure things out on my own. after a while, I knew I had no choice as I wanted to finish something before going to lunch. and then finish something before leaving for the day. so I said 'i made it farther this time' before saying 'help, I am stuck!' but I think I am learning enough by trial and error to help me save some time when I try again the next day. I also completed an online class, there is just one left to do out of 14. and there was a meeting about using a system that tracks our production. so I entered the data for what I did last week and submitted it. of course it was easier to figure out than my normal duties, 'add' and 'save' was the main things.
   it was raining when I was leaving work, so I just wanted to get home and go inside. and I saw light rain when I ventured out to perform in the evening. it was harder rain when I was driving home. as usual, since there are plenty of TV monitors outside of the showroom I spent some time watching the baseball playoff game, red sox-Yankees. it was game five, and red sox up 2-1 in the series. red sox won 4-3 to take the series, though the yankees scored 2 in the 9th. it was great to see the button there, she was the featured comic of the night. I spoke about being back at work. it was nice to hear her talk about some of the same type of issues of being new at a job. and I joked around some with magic man. and happy meal called on me when he wanted to do crowd work. I like the shout-outs, and I have said it before how it is the circle of friends that I have gained from performing that make it more fun to be performing as often as I do.

miracle season movie

saw a redbox rental today, 'miracle season'. I knew it as the 'iowa city volleyball movie' when I couldn't recall the title. I saw a preview at theaters. as an iowa native, I knew I would want to see it. I was unfamiliar with the true story that served as the basis, but going to college in iowa city I was familiar with how this was one of two public high schools in the town. according to the closing credits, it was filmed in Canada. hard to tell how much, if any of it, was actually filmed in iowa. and I could tell how some of the names of the schools were changed in it. this reminded me of another iowa movie about high school sports, 'final season'. the movie was all right, but nothing special to me. it was nice to have some actors with name recognition, such as helen hunt as the coach.
   I took advantage of the day off due to the bank holiday, and got some things done. this included an oil change on my car, and then doing laundry. I know full well it had been a while since I had done laundry, as I change clothes less often when I am 'on vacation'.
   tonight was a nice night for performing, as I was on at the comedy club. I mostly did new jokes, but ended with an older one that people really liked as it caught them off-guard. I liked seeing somebody I knew from another venue, as I recall his name is cartier. hadn't seem him in a while, it was nice to get caught up on things. it was great to have approval from some of my fellow performers, and when I left the show room to reflect on my set I said 'it is still fun'. I had said before I would continue as long as it is fun.

fahrenheit 11/9 movie

saw mike moore's movie, 'Fahrenheit 11/9', this afternoon in Eagan. I knew I was running out of time to see it at theaters as it was down to one screening a day at this and other area theaters. there wasn't even a poster out front. it left a lot to be desired, as it lacked focus. was it supposed to be about the president? the water crisis in flint, Michigan? school shootings? it was hard to tell, since it was a hodgepodge. I will also think of it as a rare movie for me, in terms of having to go pee during it. I hate having to do that. thankfully the bathroom was nearby. it didn't take long as I try to be quick about it, and as usual I wait as long as I could. the movie was just over 2 hours, some of his movies are this long, but some are shorter. I was also getting bored with how long the previews were taking. but it did yield one of interest to me, 'front runner', about presidential candidate gary hart. it is a Jason Reitman- directed movie, and I like his movies. looks like it is due out next month.
   I was on my way to the grocery store before the movie, but decided to call an audible due to a road closure. so I turned around and decided to get groceries after the movie, as I knew the road would be open again by then. I know the marathon was this weekend. after having the evening meal, and watching the ending of a football game, I fell asleep for a while. I went out again to get a redbox rental, using a discount code. then I did dishes while watching the 10pm news.

loser takes all

i did some errand running before attending  an event today, and one stop was to a goodwill store. I bought a simpsons-themed board game called 'loser takes all'. I have a few other simpsons-themed games before this one, such as their version of 'operation' and 'clue'. the four other items bought there were CDs and DVDs. the movie was 'Friday night lights'. the CDs were switchfoot, REM, and a movie soundtrack- 'city of angels', since an alanis morissette song is on it. also got a newsweek special edition about their 30th anniversary, but at a barnes and noble book shop. I made it to the library to print some things, some of which was recent facebook invites where I got stage time.
   the event I attended was a 'booya' soup feed in Hudson, Wisconsin. I was invited by the crow, who was MC of the event. he was the only one- that I am aware of- that I knew there. I was introduced to his dad, guess he was celebrating a birthday. first booya I had attended in a while, as I don't think I went to one last year. it was a nice drive out there, about 30 miles. I was listening to the iowa- Minnesota football game on the way there, and on the way back. iowa won 48-31. I also had some beer at the booya, I was told it was 'spotted cow'. I saw the kids whacking a Halloween pumpkin-themed piñata. and the roast of his dad was happening when I arrived, and when I was walking around I wasn't paying attention. unaware that there was a tarp, and it was covered a swimming pool with water still in it! so my feet got wet. and it was high priority to get out of those socks and shoes when I got home. in spite of that, it was a good time there. I had two bowls of booya soup. and it was nice to meet a few people there. one of them called herself Susie, and said she was the youngest sibling. she said her family started the booya events at the st. paul fire department in the 1940s. I liked having some of the goodies inside as well, some rolls as well as dessert items.
   I was wiped out by the time I drove back home, explaining why I fell asleep for a while in my easy chair. by then it was close to 8pm, so it means waiting another day to go grocery shopping. after the 10pm news, I ventured out again and sang some karaoke, two songs. it was 'over my head' by the fray, and 'come away with me' by norah jones.

pocket schedule and sticker

I went to an iowa hawkeye alumni event tonight in downtown Minneapolis, but I was bored while I was there as it was too crowded and hard to find a place to sit for a while. there were some free items on a table there- sometimes known as 'swag'- so I got the pocket schedule for hawkeye football, and a round sticker. I saw somebody with a nametag on, I said he must be an event coordinator. I asked what my $10 got me besides three raffle tickets, and was told 'being able to hang out with the coolest people in town'. I said I couldn't even get the attention of a server. so I left after an hour, and headed to the bobby and steve's as I hadn't eaten yet. so I got a little godfather's pizza there. on the way there I stopped at the loft literary center, they had just wrapped up a poetry reading. I looked around for a few minutes, since I am not there too often. then I went home, taking the light rail.
    at work I knocked out five more of the online classes, so it is down to two. and I did get one loan assignment package completed, staying a few minutes past my normal leave time. but I wanted a sense of accomplishment, though I still have a ways to go on feeling comfortable with the work.
    I went out again after watching the 10pm news. seeing 'high school sports wrap' was a reminder of how I would have been happier watching a high school football game tonight. but you live, you learn. I went to a karaoke venue and sang 'i love a rainy night' by eddie rabbitt. seemed like a good one since there was light rain on the way to the venue, and as I was driving home as well.

a list saves time

I went to the cheapo records store in st. paul in the early evening, after work, and brought a list with me. I said I was thankful I brought a list as it saves time. I looked at what was there for my 8 favorite music acts, those are the ones with the list so I could avoid buying what I already have. I got a pearl jam double CD, the greatest hits. newer ones by pink, and Eminem, were there, but of course more expensive. so those can wait. I looked at the movie soundtracks as well, but nothing really appealed to me. I found a postcard I liked, it was times square in new York city in the 1930s. what caught my eye was seeing 'arrowsmith', the movie version of the book by Sinclair lewis.
   I must have been wiped out after this and work, as I fell asleep and missed the prime time episode of 'big bang theory'. but I got my wish, as I finally did a loan after some job shadowing and knocking out some of the online classes assigned to us. I did 6 of the 14 before lunchtime, and did one more after the job shadowing was done. I essentially skipped both 15-minute breaks today, but it didn't bother me much. it was nerve-racking doing the first loan, but I have done one. I can watch others as much as I want, but it doesn't mean much until I actually do the work.
   I made it out to the karaoke bar in the evening, and did 'new kid in town' by the eagles. I told myself I had to be fine with just one song as it seemed like a long wait for the first one. the fill-in KJ was there, then I saw the main one as I was leaving. I played the bar game in back, although it was less fun when it is wet. and I had to go back and get my rain jacket as it was raining as I was leaving for the venue.
   I let mason city know I am looking forward to the 2 upcoming 'music movies' I am aware of, but don't plan on seeing either on premiere weekend. I prefer the second weekend, thinner crowds. first one would be 'a star is born', as lady gaga is in it. and the other is 'bohemian rhapsody', the bio-pic about the band queen. saw my first ad for the latter tonight. another one that caught my eye was 'sisters brothers', saw an ad for it tonight as well. it was a western, john c reilly is in it. sometimes I like a good western. so it might be busy for a little while on movies. but I also know it ebbs and flows as to how often I get to the theater, as I tend to be picky on seeing movies. I am picky as I prefer to avoid wasted time and money.

he really played freebird

i went to perform tonight and somebody yelled 'freebird' and the show runner actually played it! this surprised me since it is usually just a joke. I had people tell me they liked my set, but I was getting bored with one of them as he brought up some red herrings. then I was thankfully distracted by hearing a recorded version of 'hallelujah', the leonard cohen song, I asked the show runner and he said he thinks it was the jeff buckley version. he liked playing 'folsom prison' as usual. I also helped a blind man get popcorn after he asked me what I had with me.
   I panicked a little going through training, not sure if I have been learning enough. but I would like to think I will learn more when I am out on the floor soon. we have had three days so far, mostly in the training room.

key to cubicle

I was given a key to a cubicle at work this afternoon. it is a big deal to me as this is the first time in almost a year. it is still meeting in the training room, but it sounds like we will be doing some job shadowing by the end of the week.
   I finally used the other 'wedding camera' I was given a while back. the first one was used in 2015, when I was headed to new York city for a writer's convention. this was at my then-employer. I think I was inspired to find it since I was going through photo albums recently and reminded myself which ones were from it. now we will find out if it yields any photos, as it said 'develop before 2012'. but as the saying goes, nothing ventured nothing gained.
   I performed this evening, important to do so when I had two off-nights. I get to the venue, and much like before the lot was full. so I park on the street for a little while and wait for a space to open up. when I arrived there was a VW beetle that had its lights on. When I left it was still there, lights still on. odd.

a thousand mergers

this was the first full day at work in the mortgage business. one of the things we are learning in the two weeks of training is all of the mergers this bank has had over the years, just over a thousand. it figures into our normal duties. I saw some artwork in the training room, both new York city buildings. I had to check when I got home, but I was correct on one of them- the flatiron building. hard to miss when it has a weird look to it, a wedge. the other was the Chrysler building, even though somebody claimed it was the empire state building. nope, the tops of those buildings are different, and this one has the 'pyramid top', empire doesn't have that. I know it will mean more when we are finished with training, where I am doing the work myself. but I know I can still learn plenty during this time.
   I will admit I was tired throughout the day, and it explains why I eventually fell asleep in my easy chair in the evening. it was one big reason why I didn't go perform anywhere tonight, as it was nearly 10pm by then. no big deal, I have taken nights off from performing before. I responded to an email from  my job coach about the job, but had to say it was just the first full day, instead of a full week. also fielded a call from the agency, I had no real concerns for them. I like the fairly short drive, as it is 5 miles there. this makes it easier to turn down things still being offered to me. one of them was this afternoon, after the day was over. the pay was just too low. I didn't tell them I had already accepted an offer, seemed unimportant when I know many of these offers are not even close.
  I left my lunch bag in the training room, when I went back it was locked. so hopefully it is there when I return on Tuesday morning. I was in a rush to get to the breakroom as I wanted to see the ending of a baseball game. the first of two tiebreakers today was cubs-brewers. it was 3-1 brewers entering the bottom of the 9th at the time, and it was a fairly quick half inning, with just one hit and no runs. dodgers beat the rockies in the second game, which I didn't see any of. so now the payoff matchups are set.