Denis Leary Comedy CD

    I had the day off from work, and listened to some CDs as I was a little behind. One of them was by Denis Leary, 'No cure for cancer'. After hearing it I recalled it being played by a friend when I was in college. Because of the part about going back to Vietnam but this time not filming a movie. Others were memorable because they were on MTV, like the parts about drugs. Or the one about the REM song 'Shiny happy people'. High energy, would have to grouped with Sam Kinison, also since both would be considered politically incorrect. It is nice to hear different comedy styles. This was bought last month at Cheapo in St. Paul. Not many comedy CDs there, but there may be a few others I will consider getting on my next visit. I recalled one by George Carlin being there, I know he was no doubt influential. And I listened to some music CDs, two from Everclear, 'So much for the afterglow', and 'Songs from an American movie volume one'.
   Much like two days ago, I didn't leave my home much. I went out at midday to eat a Subway sandwich. Then I went over to the Family Dollar and looked at the music and movies, but nothing interested me. It just reminded me of the ones I recently bought and haven't watched or listened to yet. I heard one patron who was getting kind of loud, swearing and spoke of how she hadn't been drunk since the Zombie Pub Crawl. This is in October if I am not mistaken. She left right after mention of the Pub Crawl, and apparently this was to the delight of the store employees. In some ways it reminds me of getting an oil change at a Jiffy Lube, where one employee said the guy lives in the neighborhood. Sadly, every place seems to have 'The town drunk'.
   Since it is still cold and snowy outside, I was fine with staying in for all of this evening. It meant preparing the Tuna Helper I bought at the Rainbow Foods liquidation sale. I think it was the last of the food items from there, still have some non-food items like trash bags and toilet paper. I hadn't eaten Tuna Helper in a while, I know I did this more before I started doing stand-up comedy 6 years ago. I like how it doesn't take all that long to prepare, and it is two servings so I can have more tomorrow.
   I saw two episodes of 'Big Bang Theory' tonight. The syndicated rerun was where Sheldon couldn't decide what kind of electronics to buy, so he and Amy Farrah Fowler were in the store at closing time. The prime time episode was about Sheldon deciding to end the Fun With Flags show, then it looks like he will continue it since somebody commented online. LeVar Burton was guest star, not the first time he had been on the show.
  I got an email about the ticket orders I placed for the Pan-Am Games in Toronto next summer, looks like I am getting all three events. This would be two baseball sessions and one boxing session. It directed me to go to my Ticketmaster account.    

Send Cheer, Holiday Stamps

    I got a mailer from the postal service, addressed to 'Postal customer', today. It said 'Don't forget your holiday stamps', which can be found at your nearest post office or at the Send Cheer website. One of them is of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. I think I would want some of these. I had previously worked for Montgomery Ward and they took pride in how Rudolph was created there.
   I got two shout outs at the comedy club tonight. One of them spoke of the balcony critics from the Muppet show, who as a kid I called Siskel and Ebert. I later found out they were Statler and Waldorf.
This was from the MC, who was Laundry. I think it was in response to a Siri phone app joke where I said I had seen Big Bang Theory, as there is an episode of 'Bang' where Raj thinks he is dating his phone. He also did ones about dog whistles and roundabouts. A comic I saw act in a Bryant Lake Bowl show did one about pointing out the empty chairs in the front row. Locks of Love did ones about Let it Snow towels, Monica Lewinsky, Dad returning a greeting card, and an 8-day marriage. Bus fare did ones about don't poop in this bar, sandwich philosophy like Forrest Gump, and music during sex. Ding Dong did ones about a girl in China at a KFC, a cheeseball tub, and her feet hurt. Magic Man did ones about 'that was not us', rainbows and puppies, stealing a sign, and the other shout-out in reference to a show called 'Dexter'. The Godmother did ones about a bucket list, Byerly's Grocery Store, Up and Up brand at Target, carnies and funnel cake, Thanksgiving at restaurants, cats in a stroller, a dog food store, and meet real men. Software developer did ones about look for the bear, and his daughter having nightmares. Long Straw did ones about Karaoke, Baja Men, the band that did the song 'who let the dogs out?', and a Cubs urn. Lunch lady did ones about living near the airport, being married to a cat guy, and state fair food.

Muddlers, Not Baseball Bats

    When I arrived at the comedy club tonight, I had to ask what was at the bar. As a big baseball fan I said they looked like sawed-off baseball bats. I was informed they were muddlers, according to a quick check online this tool helps with making mixed drinks.
   I left my home just twice today, since I had the day off from work. The first time was to eat at Taco Bell at midday, and the other was of course the comedy club. I got plenty of little things done by staying in, like ordering a ticket for the Bears-Vikings football game next month. I got an email saying no fees for 48 hours on orders. I responded to some movie theater surveys, and got started on two more loyalty programs- for JC Penney and for a movie theater chain. Also notable was calling about a medical bill, for services rendered back in March. I still don't understand why their billing department is still fumbling around with it. I had a certificate stating it was free to me, then last night I get a bill for reading the scan. Even though I sent them the certificate by fax back in July, months ago. After being on hold for a while, I was told the wrong code was used to bill my employer. I got
the certificate at work from winning a drawing, and they would try again, disregard what I was sent.
   After the comedy show, I finally got 15 photos uploaded to Dropbox for the Soap Factory volunteer banquet this weekend. I was given the login information, a fairly painless process to go there. I just needed to wait for each one to load completely.  I am also pleased with seeing the sketches from The Turkeys comedy troupe, the big dog tagged me on one this afternoon. I said I liked how he made me look even more menacing.
   At the comedy club tonight, Grizzly Adams was MC. He did ones about football player Joe Montana, adult super-stores, the cost of a PBR, huffing spray paint, $5 and chap-stick, and getting a dollar of gas. Ex-Navy did ones about Turkey Day, biting nails, birthday mop, and hoarding toenail clippings. Resistable did ones about a hipster roommate, a drum set, air mattress, Applebee's and Nicki Minaj, and he was big like a waterbed. Long straw did ones about Baja-Men songs, and a Cubs urn. The rapper did ones about the Vikings stadium windows, and playing high school football. Big dog did ones about why the staring?, Christian Mingle, and a furniture store. He also helped me with a joke about a faithful watchdog. Pottery Barn did ones about the Bible without deodorant, doesn't need more confidence, nursing a beer, and we are different, it's how people work. Hillary look-alike did ones about Subway sandwiches, Harry Potter, hey buddy, not bulimic, Jimmy John's, and a Brazil wax. Red-faced comic did ones about 'mom calls them whack-jobs', they are affirmations, a hotel room comforter, and cheeseburgers. Bathtub did ones about a lava lamp and 42 hamsters, apartment in a doll factory, dog in clothes, and goggles, a cat would murder you. Turtle check did ones about Clint Eastwood watching Batman, hemorrhoid cream, drunk changing password, work him out tonight, changed shapes, Xanax and box wine, dating himself, shooting range, a car like an ex, and the swear word.

Dumb And Dumber Coaster

     At the comedy club tonight, I let another comic know I didn't make it in time to get signed up but I still stayed for the show. I was given their contact information, written on a beer coaster advertising the movie 'Dumb and Dumber'. It took longer than expected to get my car warmed up, it was stuck in second gear at first. After stopping at a Super-America for the evening meal, I let it warm up some more before leaving again.
   At work the notable thing was getting two visitors to my cube. This is not typical. One was asking about the letters I do, and I said notes show no mention of one being sent. Later on the request was there and I completed it by the end of the day. The other was somebody wanting a lien release, I sent them to document release though it was late in the day and just one member of the department was available to help them.
   I am still trying to get photos sent for the volunteer banquet this weekend at the Soap Factory. I decided to pare it from 25 to 15, but when I tried to email them it was taking too long. I think this was due to the files being too big, and I started off with just four! I asked about sending them to their
Dropbox account, will hope to hear more soon.
    At the comedy club, I was in the bathroom and was asked if I was nervous. I said I am not on the list. I was advised to just hop on stage. I responded by saying that is now how it works. After the show I asked the school bouncer about a rap song he was reciting. He told me who the performer was, I later found out the spelling made a difference. It was Big Boi and I was trying to look up Big Boy. The Hillary Clinton look-alike did ones about Subway, Harry Potter, and a Brazil wax. Jersey video did one about a mustache, and 20 years. Tortoise and hare did one about the actor known as the Rock. Another was about the Gap clothing store. International Falls did ones about cat costumes and street harassers. Red-faced comic did ones about cheeseburgers, and a nun. The nurse's aide did ones about the wrong stage, tattoos, a chest exam, and a back rub. Laundry did ones about scones, his wife giving birth, and a roundabout. School bouncer did ones about a kid in a field with invisible friends, and the movie 'Blind Side'. Tetris did ones about a Kardashian, and Bon Jovi. Perkins did one about his lady sending a text message. University accountant did ones about hopscotch, and the fast food chain known as Wendy's. Maryland did one about ordering from Amazon. A visitor from Florida did one about filing for bankruptcy. Sub teacher did ones about Labor Day in China, and his sexual president joke. 'Extra murder' did ones about a duck gun, voting, and the 'Yule Log' show. Bathtub did ones about a lava lamp, a petting zoo, and stolen babies. Three times three did one about wedding vows.

Whiplash Movie

    Tonight I went to see the movie 'Whiplash' in Eagan. I got another loyalty card while there, so it means registering it. In one word, this movie was intense. Seeing the blood, sweat and tears (literally) is why the movie deserves this word. I felt a little stunned, and exhausted, due to the intensity. I thought I had prepared for it by reading a review in the Minneapolis paper from last month, where the conductor, played by JK Simmons, was described as a Bobby Knight type. It was worth seeing, for me at least, but not for everyone. Probably not for my dad, since he is not a Bob Knight fan at all. It held my interest, and this is one reason why I said it was a little exhausting as I have said it about watching hockey before. Since I am afraid of missing something as the action moves quickly. As a performer I understood the part about making sacrifices to be a performer. I do like Jason Reitman movies, and even though Reitman didn't direct it he is listed as an executive producer. Coupled with how I like to listen closely to the drummers in songs, I knew I would be seeing this movie soon after seeing some previews two nights ago. I wasn't caught by surprise when I saw what happened when the drummer was running late getting to a gig. I liked seeing Paul Reiser in it as I am reminded of a rap/comedy act called Valley Meadows where they have a dance called 'Do the Paul Reiser'. There are not many women in it, but since it is about how competitive music can be this didn't surprise me. 
   I watched the Bears-Vikings football game in the early afternoon, Bears won despite trailing 10-0 early on. After it was done I watched a Redbox movie I got from McDonald's just before the game began, it was 'Million ways to die in the west'. I used a code for a free day as it was expiring soon. There were a lot of jokes about the West in it, I saw it as this movie was promoted at the comedy club in May when it was about to be released to theaters. The references to 19th century historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Foster did remind me of another Western, a silent movie called 'Covered Wagon', based on a book by Emerson Hough, my inspiration as a writer. In a scene where he met up with some Indians I was wondering how much of what he spoke was gibberish since I did hear what sounded like 'Mila Kunis', the name of an actress, when the subtitles said 'Fine'. Not a big fan of Seth Macfarlane, but I do like Charlize Theron as well as Sarah Silverman, the leading ladies.

Soap Factory Anniversary

   I attended the Soap Factory 25th anniversary event tonight. Volunteers were needed, and I like getting in free to events. At first I was asked to pick up empty drink glasses and send them to the dishwasher. Eventually it meant sweeping up and collapsing folding tables as well as moving folding chairs into a corner out of the way. I picked up three coins while sweeping, a total of 12 cents. We filled three laundry bags full of the linens from the tables. There were silent auction items, but they were out of my price range or I don't have the space to display them in my home. I recognized an event coordinator from doing the haunted house two weeks ago. I said I felt bad seeing her sweep in her outfit, but I found out she was on duty as well. She had a tight-fitting dress on with sheer parts for the arms and shoulders. At first I didn't recognize what was depicted on the back of the dress, but had to look at it from a distance. It was no problem recognizing the gear from a machine, this was the 'Bottom circle'. I couldn't understand what the 'Top circle' was, then realized it all was meant to depict a skull. It was a black outfit and the circles were white. There was some food left at the end of the night, but it was snack foods. I had a little lemon bar and peanut butter bars. I am thankful I ate a burrito before departing for the event. I arrived just after 9pm and I had about an hour before I was actually on duty. So I did plenty of picture taking after placing my coat in a back office. There was live music, and I did dance a little.
    It was a busy day even before the evening. I went to a sports bar and saw the Iowa football game, they beat Illinois 30-14.  After some time at the library I tried to go see a movie but the slow traffic due to weather didn't help, coupled with a closed road. I ended up at a Cheapo Records shop, and got 3 CD's, two of them were by Lucinda Williams. I am seeing her show at First Avenue in two weeks. The other was Eminem's 'Recovery' CD, it has collaborations with Pink, and Rihanna.  

Broken Beer Bottle

    I went to the comedy club tonight, and noticed there was a broken beer bottle near my table. I ended up picking up the lion's share of the shards. It appeared to be a Corona bottle. At first I just saw the neck, and then after the show I moved the table to see if there was more, and there was. It went well performing, I tried plenty of new jokes. I had 5 on my list, and did all but one- didn't do the ones about internet dating. I did the ones about the annoying coworker, scaring people on Halloween weekend, wine and dine me, and the guy I met at a free movie.
   Tetris did ones about Kardashian jokes, and taste buds. Michigan did ones about a secret sex party, catcall video, and not living with his lady. Perkins did one about a text from his lady, Catcher in The Rye, and senior pictures on the railroad tracks. Maryland did ones about orgies, girl at the gas station, ordering on amazon, condo, and cat burglar. Fantasia did ones about you've won I'm here, and paying rent. The rapper did ones about buying a motorcycle, mad men, and poetry is rap that doesn't curse. Bus fare did ones about sandwiches, and music during sex. Grizzly Adams did ones about Batman Returns, picking up strangers, the cost of a PBR, schools with commercials, not using condoms, and Wizard of Oz. Laundry did ones about scones, comparison to giving birth, and roundabouts. Pottery barn did ones about the Bible without deodorant, nursing beer, that's how people work, he's engaged, and owns a 'loofa'. The 'Extra murder' comic did ones about voices in your head, existential crisis due to college degree, your dreams are stupid, why is Waldo, a Music Man reference, and those 'I voted' stickers. International Falls did ones about cat costumes, giving up casual sex, what waiting for the bus is like, street harasser, Long Island teas, and rip out IUD. The D.C. native did ones about being 9 months sober, his lady falling down the stairs, and her toenail at the ER. Happy meal did ones about being fired from his restaurant job, I tagged Olive Garden, rub men with Ben-Gay, fired for a dick joke, and where is the racist guy? He ripped this guy.