Bill Murray Shirt At Saints Game

   Tonight I went to the St. Paul Saints game, it was a giveaway event. I showed up much earlier than typical for this reason, as I wanted the Bill Murray shirt. He is shown wearing a Saints hat on it. The sponsors on the back are Walser Automotive Group and 45-TV. Since I arrived before the gates opened I was there fairly early, and walked around a lot before the game. I did get food and drink, a jumbo hot dog and some bottled water. I also got an ice cream sandwich after I was done with the hot dog. Midway through the game I got a bag of peanuts, and I finished half of them at the game. The Saints beat the Sioux City Explorers 4-3. The Saints scored single runs in innings 1,4,5, and 7. Sioux City tied it in the 3rd on a solo home run, and got two more in the 9th. They loaded the bases but a strikeout ended it. I got 19 pictures today, and most were at the Saints stadium. Two were at the Roseville library, a kickoff of their summer reading program. I got one of a guitar player at the library. Later on there were two in pirate costumes, I joked about Pittsburgh Pirates but knew full well it was Pirates of the Caribbean. While waiting in line there was plenty about the movie 'Ghostbusters', as the shirt giveaway was about celebrating the 30th anniversary of this movie. I saw a blowup doll of the Marshmallow Man, and there were three cars. Two of them were station wagons, but the third did look like a Cadillac hearse like in the movie. Some were dressed in Ghostbuster costumes. A lady World War Two veteran was honored, she was on the field during the singing of the national anthem.
   I got plenty of errand running done before the game. It started with taking change to the bank, and the total, just over seven dollars, was deposited in savings. On to the Goodwill in Roseville, where I found some photo frames and some good used books. There was five books, and one of them was Fast Food Nation, which later became a movie. After the library I went to the Twins pro shop, and got a small all-star game pennant. I found one of the employees there to be annoying. I got home and rested, then got groceries. I knew some of the errand running could wait until Sunday. There is not much left aside from doing laundry and going to Walgreen to get pictures on a CD. I should be able to find the time to watch a movie on loan from the library as well.

Snoopy Figurine At Twins Game

   I went to the Twins game right after work, getting off an hour early, to increase the odds of getting the Snoopy figurine that was being given away. I arrived before the gates opened and milled around a little, seeing promoters for South Dakota tourism. It was 4 people in Mount Rushmore costumes, but at first they didn't have their heads on. I was pleased to make a find in the souvenir shop, as they did have the Charlie Brown and Snoopy pennant again. I also got a pin that had the characters on it. There were some mini-statues available but they were picked over, not too many left. Somebody decided they wanted the remaining Linus, I said I didn't want it at the given price on the box, which was $29. I know it is best to spread out the cost on these things, so on my next visit I can consider getting it. Naturally, those are similar to the exclusive one being given out tonight. I walked a lot before the game as I had 2 hours before game time. I made 4 laps around the main concourse. It was long enough to see how they needed just over an hour to give away the 10,000 figurines. I would have guessed less time, but it was a Friday evening so people probably don't show up as early as they would on say a Saturday or Sunday. After 6pm I finally decided to find my way up to my seat in the upper deck. This was where I got my food and drink for the night, a bratwurst and a bottle of water. I also took a 'Selfie' on this level, it took me 4 tries before I found one I liked. I wanted one of me wearing The Turkeys shirt since I had been to 2 of their shows recently and the Stillwater show was tonight. I had to exchange the water as I couldn't get it open. I worked on it for a wile, and an older couple in my row tried as well, to no avail. I was told they had to toss it and thankfully I was given a bottle that did open. I checked it right at the counter. I did this shortly after Snoopy threw out the first pitch. Just before the players were to take the field, the game was put in rain delay and the tarp was brought out. This was due to a threat of rain and lightning, but no lightning was ever sighted. It did rain a little, but it seemed needless to do this before any rain. The delay was for over an hour. Once the game started the Twins had trouble fairly early, falling behind 2-0 in the fourth after the Houston Astros hit two solo home runs in consecutive innings. Houston added 3 more in the 6th, and this proved to be enough as Houston went on to win 5-4. The Twins got 3 in the 7th and 1 in the 8th. I liked discussing baseball with the older couple that tried to help me with the water bottle, at least the husband anyway. The wife said 'Don't you know, country music is most popular' late in the game. This was in response to what song won the fan poll at the stadium, a Best Buy- sponsored event. It was 'Fishing in the dark' by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Though the other two were also country- 'Thank God I am a country boy' by John Denver and 'Cheap Seats' by Alabama. I figured Alabama would win since theirs was a baseball song. After the game I liked chatting a little on the light rail with a young couple from Waterville, they informed me it is near Faribault. There was a stadium employee on the same train, but I found her to be annoying. She seemed to be a lot like somebody I used to know, wanting to talk to me when I didn't. She claims she got the Snoopy figurine from somebody as a tip, and her Delaware North uniform suggested she was a food or drink vendor at the game. I liked how I didn't have to wait long at the airport for the bus home. It was just a few minutes. At that time of night the buses are just twice an hour.

Sam Kinison

   Tonight I dealt with a computer not working, and I called for customer support at Century Link. I think my ranting near the end would have made Sam Kinison blush, and he was known for howling. I have a new modem now, and after the start up took a while it looks like all is well again. As most would expect to hear, I would have preferred a different way to spend the evening besides driving to a mall kiosk to get the modem. I made it a Facebook posting and got some likes from it already, saying I likely got some comedy material from it. Sam Kinison was known for is rant about Ethiopia- 'You live in a desert! We got deserts but we don't live in them'. I also saw him in the movie 'Back to School'.
    I did see Last Comic Standing tonight on NBC. The bathtub comic advanced, doing a joke about rescue dogs. A segment was done about the Wisconsin couple as well. I did see 2 episodes of 'Big Bang Theory', but the syndicated rerun was on when I called customer service so I didn't pay much attention to it. This was the one were Sheldon and Leonard go see Penny's ex and lose their pants. The prime time episode was the Christmas edition, a takeoff of It's A Wonderful Life and Sheldon helps deliver his sister's baby in Texas.  

Shooting Squirrels

   At the comedy club tonight, the show closer was the one I saw perform at the Wits show less than a week ago. She did do the Wisconsin cabin bit, but I also liked a newer joke about her sister shooting squirrels to save her flowers. The Texas native and barber left shortly after he performed, but I let him know he helped me with one joke I could do. This was my first joke when I performed, how Sportclips has cable TV. I also did ones about my dental appointment after work, my dad's take on lead in paint, seeing my ex again, and a recent Internet date.
   The school bouncer did one about black Jesus. Texas barber did one about candy crush, and why he doesn't have cable. Pottery barn did one about being engaged, like starting a battle. There was also last supper, elephant teeth, and flying a kite. University accountant did ones about an Audi, Pringles, liquor laws, and Coca Cola hilltop singers. The godmother did one about a bucket list, binge eating, 2 soccer teams, yoga at church, and JV landscape. Laundry comic did one about a TV/VCR combo, then bakery prison hooker. A comic I haven't written about yet, who had been introduced as a second favorite son, did one about Terminator 2. The bartender did one about guns and drugs, and growing up in rural Wisconsin. Others were about being one of the girls, and taco cat. A comic I haven't written about yet, but I think has done a bit about locks of love, did one about self-driving cars. There was also something about poison ivy at camp, done by the comic who likes his Black Flag and Twins hats. From what I can tell from sketchy notes. It can be hard to read when written in a dark room.
          

Origins Of Ska Music

    At the comedy club tonight, I liked seeing the Mason City native before the show as we did a follow up to last week's reference to the song 'Get up Edina'. I said I had listened to it on Youtube. He said the origins of ska go back to Jamaica gaining independence from Great Britain, in 1962. So it would be considered celebratory music. I did read further on the Wikipedia page and saw how it did cover the part about independence, along with 3 waves in the history of this genre. It was described as upbeat, and I agree with this. It was influenced by calypso along with rhythm and blues. When I saw mention of Rock-steady along with Reggae as related genres, it was more familiar to me. I knew the band No Doubt was considered to be ska, and one of their albums is called Rock Steady.
   I did listen to the song again on Youtube. Like most things, it can get better the second time I hear it or experience it. The lasting impression was hearing the horns, and how it is definitely lively and I am often in the mood for lively music. Earlier I mainly paid attention to the lyrics, about being sent back to Mama and Papa, along with being sent to school and church. He is known for exposing me to music I hadn't heard before, and I like to write about this subject. I am hopeful to get some more recommendations of course.
    It was another edition of the contest, the second semifinal. Three advanced, and I knew all of them. The Belarus native did plenty of jokes about his tiger shirt he bought at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley. But he also did the one about the Rolling Stones. The International Falls native did ones about the 10,000 word argument and about her IUD. A comic I will call Pizza Philosopher did these jokes, about delivering pizza as well as majoring in philosophy. The preschool teacher did not advance but I liked her jokes about obesity being more common than hunger, along with singing lines from a song. The lyrics were: kind of funny, kind of sad. Found out it was 'Mad World'. I found it on Youtube, under Gary Jules. It is a cover, the original was by Tears for Fears.
   I also had to look up definitions of some words, after using them when responding to a Facebook posting from the big dog. He has called me a blackguard and dirty land pirate, I know that coming from a friend it is meant in good fun. But this time I was the one who used these terms. Blackguard is better known, unprincipled and a scoundrel. The other I found on Urban Dictionary. Someone who is rarely on the Internet and doesn't understand most Internet terms, and takes something offensive too seriously. This was one of them anyway, the last of the six definitions. The others were more closely what pirate means, a modern day gypsy.
   I called my dad after the show as I noticed on my voicemail tonight that he had called on Sunday, apparently when I was on the light rail on the way to the comedy show. I said I couldn't chat for long, as I needed to get home.  He had moved into town recently and gave me his new address, and said there were tornado warnings in southern Iowa tonight. I lost the call as I was about to reach my car in the ramp, as he said something about primary elections in Iowa. I know he likes this subject.       

Living In A Doll Factory

    Tonight at the comedy club, the bathtub comic did one about living in what was a doll factory. The show closer was the 'Extra murder' comic. He did jokes about attending a wedding in Kentucky, bullfighting, watching 'Labyrinth', an antique car horn, and North Dakota tourism. Before the show I was filmed by the Belarus native who was doing a video in support of the 'roller grill' comic. Or was it his birthday? I shared two stories, how we both acted in a skit and I wore a wig. The other was how I like getting roller grill items like he does, as I want the points for my loyalty program.
   The Maryland native did one about how everything is broke, and he is broke. There was also the one about reality shows. A comic I probably haven't written about yet did one about being the king of Minnesota. He has done a joke about who he would go gay for. Another one I haven't written about did one about being stuck in the snow in the Michigan UP. He has done one about famous people names, since he was once teased in school about his, same name as a founding father. The university accountant did one about the hilltop singers in a Coca-Cola ad. The Tetris comic did is set with an I-pad around his neck, it was the set from Last Comic Standing. A newer comic did ones about majoring in philosophy and delivering pizza. Turtle check did one about a swear word, Discover Card, changing shapes, and pickup lines in Oklahoma. The Worthington native did one about a Brock Lesnar match, and a tough dad speech he witnessed. The opera singer did one about mushrooms and acid, as I recall somebody he knew who did it.
   No new titles at work today, lower volume on payoff report, so it was easier to finish all of the letters that were waiting, 11 in all.     

Nathan's Hot Dogs

    It was a full day for me. One of the events I went to was Grand Old Day in St. Paul, I walked the entire route. I was pleased to get free photos at Nathan's hot dogs, they are known for their hot dog eating contest. Notable was stopping at the roller girls tent and they misheard a word about how I have comedian friends. One photo I got was of two young men in Batman shirts and pig masks. I liked hearing 'Edge of Glory' by Lady Gaga on one stage. There was mechanical bull rides as well. The first event of the day was the Children's Festival, also in St. Paul. I parked my car downtown and walked to the festival, then to Grand Old Day, and yes my feet hurt by the time I got back to my car. At the Children's Festival I got a photo of a stilt walker. I also spotted an usher-tainer from the St. Paul Saints baseball games, found out he is a magician. We exchanged business cards.
   I wasn't home for long after these two events, long enough to check email and eat dinner. Then it was on the road again, to The Turkeys comedy show in Minneapolis at a gentlemen's club. They did have their regular show after the comedy show, and I didn't stay around for long but I saw a few of the dancers on stage. I laughed a lot much like at the Friday shows. The voice impressions really work for me, especially the Ricky and Joe show. The diner skits were shown, I am in the last of the 3. It was fun to see the dancers introduce the comics. The big dog got a lap dance at the end of the show, and his bride-to-be got to watch it on stage. It sounded like it was unexpected that she would be a part of it. It was my first time at this kind of establishment in years. But I found out the term does apply, as I was treated with respect. This started with the bouncer being courteous with me when asking for my ID and this continued into the regular show when I was asked if I needed a drink more than once. Even a manager or maybe owner said he wanted to make sure I wasn't being ignored.
   I will do my best to cover as much of the show as possible. Self checkout did stand-up after the Gorilla Finger skit. There was Macy's and Walmart, all bananas, wrong clan, then saying something was like 3 sports movies- Hoosiers, Miracle, and Rudy. The final one was how his wife needs to drink. Grizzly Adams was introduced as the 'Little hairy man'. He did ones about walking cats, stay in for the ending, thumbs up at car wreck, and the ultra-sound clinic. There was the one about the Mike Jackson hologram, which led to Metallica, U2, and Dave Matthews. He called it 'And Justice for all, beautiful day, and crash into me'. After the diner skits was the 'Ball Rock' skit, or 'Ballads'. The erotic novelist bit was next, but it was not the video. The Oklahoma native was next, saying it was the nicest place where I could make his mom cry. He has a Craigslist car, did the wearing a hat bit, and the 'boobless' joke. There was also 'after party/adversary', then the 'Ranch' diner skit, followed by the third jewelry skit, and log busting. Then the red-faced comic went on. Have you been running? Can you not tell? There was the fake $10 bill bit, and seeing someone at a metal show, the shirt said 'Not dead yet'. There was more skits, the conference call, followed by doing lines, and the bathroom buddy. The big dog said the dancers introducing the comics were Peyton, Rachel, and Lexi. He did jokes about bad porn, seven years with the same woman, a Bruno Mars song, and suicide by cop. The final segment before the lap dance was the red-faced comic in gold pants, as Dick Guy. Grizzly was doing the drumming.     
    The final event was unexpected. I was planning on taking the light rail home, and I did. But there was a 20 minute delay as I saw a drunk driver get arrested. His car was blocking the track. I pulled out my camera and got 7 pictures, it looks like others had the same idea. And to think it was going to be a big deal to have found the source of a searchlight while waiting for the train! I know this day, especially the comedy show, made me think a lot about my life. I have accomplished some heady things considering I was just an 'Aw-shucks' shy, scared kid from little Newton, Iowa. Somehow I have found a way in the big city. Eventually I thought of a song lyric that summed it up, it was by Pitbull. I've lost a lot, learned a lot, but still undefeated like Shula. The song was 'Feel this moment', and Christina Aguilera sings part of it.