My Chin Is Not Pronounced

Tell me something I don't know.

A while ago I got manscaped, and now the article has come out. Once you are there you can go and read about some of the other "men" that went and had this done.

When I look at the before and after...



I think I look better in the first picture. Maybe that's just me. Maybe that's just the "style" that I am comfortable with. Anyway, about three days later I started resembling the before pic again.

Overall, it was fun. It was free. I got in the paper.

I could have done without them making me a foot shorter. That was not part of the deal.

Enjoy It With Me Now

The first teaser trailer for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

July Improv Blog-off.

Welcome to the July improv blog topic for the Kansas City improv community. This month's topic:  Is there such a thing about being too nice? Too blunt?

This topic deals with giving feedback of another's show and/or performance.  I am a firm believer that someone should never open their mouth about a show/performance to that individual unless it is asked for.  If they don't ask for it, then and only then is a "good show" a worthy comment. 

Now, as far as giving feedback goes, I don't necessary believe that giving too nice or too blunt of advice hurts the performer.  Yes, there are some very fragile people out there who could get hurt if they ever knew the truth, but most of us are smart enough to know whether or not we gave a bad performance.  We are our toughest critic and we know when we've done shitty work. Yes, there are people out there who are clueless to their own performances.  They are the ones that are extra happy, all shiny and smiley at the bar afterwards. Why crush this poor sap's spirit?  If they need to get better, then it should be their troupe that does the teaching.

What is it about feedback that gets people all riled up?  I think it says a lot about the person who feels the need to give people their opinion.  To tell someone that what they did is either good or bad gives a person a sense of importance, like they need to prove to others that they know their shit.  Yes, we are a community and a small one at that, but if we need to go around telling everyone either how good or how bad they are, then we should all join forces and be one gigantic troupe.  Because within the troupe/team/group should be where any of the constructive criticism comes from.  It shouldn't come from anywhere else unless it's asked for.  And then and only then can and should a person be honest.

The same goes for telling people whether or not they need to take workshops. If someone outside of your own personal troupe is shoving classes down your throat, who are they to tell you what you need? Listen to your troupe.  

Like always, this is just my opinion.  I've been known to be wrong on more occasions than one.

This Week In Improv

The week is over, and it was a busy one. Recap.

Wednesday was the beginning of the Kansas City Improv Showcase at the Kansas City Fringe Festival.  Mr. Guy Maggio had organized a Wednesday through Sunday improv extravaganza, and got it all under one roof.  He acted as director, producer, technical supervisor, host, talent scout, stage hand, and a plethora of other title during this stretch.  The Fringe was a blast to be a part of and Guy deserves all the credit coming his way.

As for me, I had put together a mini Improv Thunderdome to participate in the festivities.  Wednesday started the exciting week that was.  Round 1 was between Trivial Prov-suit (John Robison of the Roving Imp Theater and James Nelson with the Makeshift Militia) and Loaded Dice (Improv Thunderdome's season one champions). Both sets were great, and in the end Trivial Prov-suit won the match by a vote of 12 to 11.  The one vote difference was a Thunderdome first.

Friday, round 2 pitted Improv-Abilties (Organizers of the up coming Kansas City Improv Festival) against Spite (or "the lady parts of Tantrum", Trish Berrong, Nikki DuPont & Megan Mercer).  Again, two great sets were presented, and once again one vote determined the outcome.  Spite was victorious 16 to 15.  An hour and a half later, Jen Roser, Megan Mercer and myself performed in the KC Improv Showcase as three fifths of the Trip Fives.  We had a lot of fun.  The set went by so fast.  I had had one beer before the show (which I NEVER do) and felt as if it went right to my head.  I personally felt "off" but nonetheless had a great time performing with Jen and Megan.

Saturday came the original Improv Thunderdome at the Westport Coffeehouse, round two of season two.  Scriptease vs. Death Rattle vs. CCC.  I thought all teams gave great performances, but to be honest, none of them seemed to have brought their A game.  Each set included many great highs and great laughs, but each set also included a few down moment.  Nothing down-right horrible, just some lulls that I think each and every performer would agree with, that is the only reason why I feel comfortable mentioning it.  In the end, Scriptease received the most votes, and became the first 2-time finalists in Thunderdome's short history.  I was very proud of everyone and am so happy that each person was involved.  Also, big props to Loaded Dice who performed their first true show before Thunderdome.  They all did great.

Sunday was the last day of improv at the Fringe, and the last show was the mini-championship of the mini-thunderdome.  Trivial Prov-suit vs. Spite.  The crowd, I believe, was the biggest of the week (Not of the whole Fringe Fest, I'm sure, but for the improv portion of it). 50 people came and voted Spite as the mini champs.  And once again, for the third straight show in a row, one vote decided the winner.  23 to 22.  Awesome, and completely unheard of.

Now that it is Monday, I am looking back on my busiest week of improv since 1998 or '99, or  whenever the last Lighten Up/Funny Outfit sponsored improv festival was.  This past week was a blast. After talking with Guy after show, we discussed the excitement of next year's Fringe Fest and ways of expanding the talent as well as the audiences.  To be honest, the audiences were quite a surprise. Not to mention some of the press we got with the KC Star, the Pitch (both mini-dome & regular-dome), and even the KC Stage.  What a week.  The improv community should be very proud.  And a big thank you should go out to all of those involved.

Thanks.

9-6-5 is a Joke

This morning I was listening to the radio during 96.5 the Buzz's "My List" mornings.  For those that don't know what that is, it's where listeners can submit their own "top ten" lists and possibly have them played on the air.  A chance for the listeners to take over the airwaves. They've been doing this off and on for almost three years now.  Sometimes the person who created the list can actually get on the air.  Usually they don't. This morning was no exception.  

As the morning DJ was playing a song list created by Joe Listener, he was having a contest, sort of, throughout the duration of the list.  He wanted listeners to call and guess what the "theme" of Joe's list was. Whoever had the best answer would win tickets to some concert this weekend.  I only heard one caller, but my guess is that he was right on the money.  Not only with Joe Listener's list, but every "My List" that has ever been played on the station.

DJ:  "What do you think Joe's theme is?"

Caller:  "Songs that would be played on this station anyway."

The caller hit the nail on the head.  The DJ tried to play it off like it was funny, saying something like, "Oh, so you think Joe is just being lazy?"  HA.  I bet not.  I submitted a list back when they first started doing this.  Did it get played?  Of course not.  Was I upset?  Not really, but then I started hearing everyone else's playlist.  It was a Joke.  Are you telling me that everyone and their mother has at least one Red Hot Chili Peppers song in their list?  I seriously doubt it. Even if they did, would all the songs be off of their last two albums. Hell NO!  Every list was the Killers, Coldplay, Death Cab For Cutie, My Chemical Romance, 311, Sublime, Blink 182, and every other band that is in the Buzz's regular rotation.  

A lot of lists had bands that I actually like, but come on, if any die hard Weezer fan is going to put one of their songs in their top ten list, it wouldn't by Buddy Holly.  And do that many people out there like the Offspring that much?  It's a Joke.

Anyway, I've though this way for a while, but hear the station today made we want to rant about it.

Dark Indeed

We went and saw The Dark Knight this morning, and it was everything I wished it would have been and more.  Those are my thoughts and opinions at this very moment.  Usually I don't like to start dissecting a movie until I have stewed over it for a couple of days, thinking about every little bit that I liked and disliked. This film was different.  I wasn't watching this movie as an adult. I watched it as a kid. 

Lisa already wants to go see it again.  She was blow away.  I think she expected it to be entertaining, but I don't think she expected it be that good as a whole. The acting was probably one of the best things about it, which usually is absent from most comic book films. Rumors are already starting to pop up about oscar nominations for the late Heath Ledger.  He was, dare I say it, a brilliant Joker.  Sick, twisted, and definitely different from Jack Nicholson's take on the murderous psychopath. (There were moments that were hard to watch because I'd be enjoying his performance so much, then realize that he is dead. It was sad.)  But to me, Ledger's performance wasn't even the best part.  Aaron Eckhart blew me away.  

Aaron Eckhart

I was more enthralled with his Harvey Dent than anything else. Maybe that's just because I knew of his character's fate.  But still, his performance should not be overlooked.  And all the rest of the actors that rounded out the cast; Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, they all gave great performances.  Even Maggie Gyllenhaal wasn't too shabby. 

The kid in me loved it.  The adult in me loved it.  They both can't wait to see it again.

Best. Speech. Ever.

I Love a Good Story

Especially if it involves baseball, drugs, and life-changing comebacks.

This is Josh Hamilton, of the Texas Rangers, in last night's home run derby.

Hamilton ended up finishing second to Minnesota's Justin Morneau, but not until he pounded a derby record 28 bombs in the first round. 13 of them were hit consecutively. 3 of them were longer then 500 ft, putting them in the top ten list of longest shots in the history of the derby. His 518 footer is now third longest overall.

But that wasn't the real story.

Each member of the HR derby gets to choose who they would like to pitch to them for the contest. Hamilton picked a 71-year-old volunteer coach who often threw batting practice to Hamilton when he was a teenager in North Carolina.

But that wasn't the real story.

They say that Josh Hamilton had a dream two years ago that he was being interviewed at Yankee Stadium after competing in the Home Run Derby. Last night that dream came true.

But that doesn't even begin to be the real story.

Josh Hamliton was drafted in 1999, out of high school, by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He was the #1 overall pick. Veteran scouts had said that he was one of the greatest talents that they have ever seen. Then heroin, cocaine, and alcohol addiction took over his life. He was banned from baseball and was slowly becoming a story of a "never will be" player. His "HR derby" dream came two years ago while he was still banned. After awaking from that dream, he started taking the steps to self-recovery.

Last year with Cincinnati was his first year in the majors. He was then traded to Texas, where this year he is on pace to be the first triple crown winner (Leader in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in) since Carl Yastrzemski did it in 1967. The home run derby/All-star game signifies the halfway point in baseball. Josh Hamilton is by far the greatest story in baseball this season.

As a fan, what made last night so special to watch, besides the bombs the Hamilton hit, was the crowd at Yankee Stadium. Arguably the toughest and most passionate fans in any sport, they new his story. The cheered for him. Everyone there wanted to see him win. They were chanting his name before the first round was even over. Even though I hate the Yankees, last night I loved their fans. Not to mention all the other players there, veterans and rookies alike, all stood in awe with every swing. You could see some mouth the word 'Wow" every now and then. It was amazing.

I can not even begin to imagine what it must be like to not only suffer with an addiction, but to be haunted by several. Heroin AND cocaine AND alcohol. Forget it. This guy beat them all, and is now in the spotlight where he so rightfully deserves. This is a guy that everyone should root for. This is a guy that you want to watch succeed. With so many scandals in today's sports, fans all over are being feed reasons to stop caring.

Then came Josh Hamilton and his story.

I love it.

New Additions.

Lisa and Collin went to Animal Haven on Friday to look at some puppies.  Just look. That was their sole intention. They came back, however, with the two newest additions to our family.

Jasmine Raja the Second & Raja Miss Love the First

They are three month old Maine Coon sisters, and they are my little girls. It did not take them very long to adjust to their new surroundings. Within a day they were out and about, exploring each corner and step of their new home.  Even this morning, they were both sitting on Collin's lap as he sat on the couch, waiting for the bus to arrive.  I think the two of them being siblings may have factored in to their quick adjustment. If I remember correctly, Dobby (R.I.P.) spent a lot of time out our bed. yes, he was a sickly cat, but even on his good days he still stayed hidden.  Having two gives them a little company and maybe even a little confidence. 

Their adopted names were Jasmine and Raja.  That stuck for about an hour.  Collin decided that he wanted to rename Raja, Miss Love (Don't ask).  Lisa, liking the name Raja, thought to just rename Jasmine.  So now Raja is Miss Love and Jasmine is Raja.  I thought it would be neat to stick with the Harry Potter theme and name them Padma & Parvati.  Or perhaps something obscure like Chickenhead.  

I was out voted.  Raja and Miss Love fit their personalities nicely though.

Lawn Jockey III

Okay, two weeks ago yesterday I planted the seeds for new grass, and I haven't mowed my lawn since. The new grass is growing in nicely, but not everywhere. Sure, the great big patch of dirt surrounding the tree is covered, but there are still some areas that I clearly missed with the seeds. I can not allow myself to focus of that though. We have new grass!!

Because of my lack of knowledge or knowhow about new grass, I have refrained from mowing it just yet. It's very easy to pick out the new grass from the old. Besides the bright green color, the new grass looks about three inches shorter than the old. Probably not that noticeable to someone driving by, but I notice it while I'm sitting there staring at it, wondering when I should start mowing. I'm also putting it off because I think I've been cutting it too short. When I worked at the L'Arche house with "the boys" I always had to mow the yard, which was on a corner street so it had much more yard than most houses. I cut that sucker as low as I possibly could just to give myself time in between mows. That must have stuck in my mindset.

Anywho, I can't wait to start mowing again.

I Have Seen the Face of the Enemy

And it belongs to the Cricket Spider.
Or, as I just now found out as I searched for a picture, the "Cave Cricket".

I Hate these things. Hate!

When Lisa and I first got married and lived with her aunt, these hideous creatures lurked the inside of our house at night. Often times I would be playing the Playstation at wee hours of the night with nothing but the glow of the television as my source of light. These things would freak-me-out as I seem the scurry across the floor in front of the t.v. Then I get up and turn on the light to kill them and they just hop away. Awful things!!! We had no idea where they were coming from. They liked hanging out in the bathroom, so my best guess is that they come from the sewer.

Anyway, when we moved I was hoping that our mutated spider problem was in our past.

I was hoping.

One greeted me at the bottom of the stairs on my way to do laundry. I greeted him with my foot, fast.

I'm thinking about heading up to Lowe's tomorrow and stock up on some ammo. If and when I see them again, I'll be ready.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeere Comes Whiskey!

My brother and his wife came down from Minnesota this weekend. It was nice for me, Lisa and Collin to spend some time with them. My brother's wife is a nurse like Lisa, so they got to discuss the likenesses and differences of their jobs. My brother is just a bigger, smarter, funnier version of me. The only proof of the "smarter" aspect of that was the Big Brain Academy game on the Wii. He outscored everybody.

Along with my mom and her husband, we all went and watched fireworks Friday night out at Shawnee Mission Park. It was very nice and surprisingly not a lot of bug casualties. Today we went to Jack Stack for lunch and then headed out to the Woodlands for some evening entertainment and gambling. Even if you don't care for dog racing at all, it's easy to get caught up in the action after your first bet. The greatest, and possibly most famous, thing about this event is the announcer yelling "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere Comes Woody!" at the start of each race. Tonight, the guy sounded extra drunk. He talks about each dog before the enter the starting gate, but it doesn't matter. You can't understand him and nobody is really listening anyway. They are all waiting for the "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere Comes Woody!" to set the tone. This "Woody" is a little stuffed animal bone that the dogs chase around the track. The dogs never catch it. If one every does, I think it's shot on the spot. (j/k)

My grandfather used to take us grandkids out to the Woodlands all the time when we were young. Both he and my brother have the "luck" gene. They hit trifectas left and right. What always made it worse was that they never even seemed to care about winning. Some people go to the track to bet it all on the long shot, hoping to walk away with a fortune. Both my grandfather and brother would go for the fun of it, and always walk away with more money than they came with.

Tonight wasn't too bad though. Lisa and I took turns better on each race. She got hooked right away. I told ya, it's easy to get hooked. Everyone had their system, whether it was sharing a birthday with a dog, or a funny name, or even a favorite number. My mom waits to see which dog pees before they enter the gate. She didn't do so hot tonight. In the end, I think my brother was the only one that came out on top, even if it was only a couple of bucks.

It was a good time. I think we'll go again some other time.

Happy 4th!

Have a safe one, everybody!

Manscaped!

Well, it's over and done with. Now I am smooth like a baby seal.

The magic all took place at a men's salon called Sole Patch in Prairie Village. It is owned by this guy here, Ron.


Turns out Ron was on this season's Bachelorette. He didn't make it to the final two, but he did cut my hair. Nice guy.

I received a hair cut, side burn, goatee & eye brow trim, a hot towel shave, moisturizer and style!!! When I first sat down in Ron's chair, he told me that my current "style" makes my face round, which is good on woman, not on men. He also said something about my cheekbones, but at that moment I blushed and stopped paying attention to him.

Before and after pictures were taken. I was told that me and this other guy were considered the "tamest" of the bunch as far as grooming goes. They said they needed a nice variety. Perhaps I had the wildest goatee, but everyone else looked like wookies.

This story will be in the Ink sometime in August.

Now it's time for my manicure.

Manscaping

This face here...


is going to get a makeover.

A local magazine asked if I wouldn't mind participating in something they are calling "manscaping." They were looking for a couple of local guys that look like they could use a good cleaning up. So on Thursday I get to go to a salon and let them have at it. I'm not really sure what all they are going to do. I know I'll get a shave. Possibly a shampoo and a haircut. But other than that, what else could there be? Waxing? Facial? Manicure? I doubt it.

This should be pretty fun. I change my appearance at least once a month, so this won't be too drastic. Unless I come out looking like this...


Yowzer!