Sorry Ladies, He's Taken.

Happy April Fools Day!!!

What Are The Best And Worst Things Happening In KC Improv?

Okay, so a bunch of Kansas City improvisers with blogs have been challenged with a little experiment.  The topic is the title:  "What are the best and worst things happening in KC improv?"  I wasn't going to participate because I am a true believer in "Who really cares what I have to say?"  But there is at least an hour before the KU/Davidson game tips-off so...

THE BEST:  Experimentation. 

Maybe four to five years ago there were only a handful of troupes here, all presenting pretty much the same thing:  A different interpretation on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"  Which is fine.  I see no problem in that.  It's one of the best ways of comparison to get people to come see you.  Everybody loves the "Whose Line" but what's the point if that's all that everyone is doing?  Some people like a little Kahlua in their coffee.

At some point, my guess would be the last KC improv festival, troupes started branching out and trying new things.  Some performers stepped away from familiar territory and are not only trying for forms, but even trying new venues. Eyes are opening to the limitless power that is improvisation.

THE WORST:  People are too nice. 

Even though the KC improv community is growing, it is still for the most part a small community.  The majority seems, SEEMS to be made of people with less than three years experience. That is a lot, but not enough time for some people to truly take honest criticism without the feeling of it being personal. The last thing anybody wants to do is be completely honest with some performers in fear that they'll crawl under a rock and never perform again.  So we tell those people "Great Job!"  I am not trying to pigeonhole anyone. Experience or lack there of is not the only factor.  There are some people that simply know whether or not a show was a good one or a bad one.  On the other hand, some people don't.  That knowledge isn't something that can be learned right away, but performing more over time does help.

In the end, there is nothing like drinking beers with improvisers after a show and discussing improv, whether or not it was good or bad.

We're all in this for the same reason, except for the ones that are in it for the money.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk Go KU!!!

Bubbleboy

We had to take Collin into Urgent Care at Children's Mercy South last night. What was the reason you ask?  How about the fact that he looked fives months pregnant.  Well, not really, but it was close. Lisa had noticed it after Collin had taken his shirt off on the couch.  Once we were admitted he was diagnosed with paralytic ileus which is common when just getting over a stomach virus, which Collin somewhat has shortly after Easter.  So he got a little fluid, some zantac and an observed overnight stay.  We came home this afternoon.  

Other than the placement of an i.v. in the left hand (known as the robot hand), the trip was quite pleasant for the boy.  He received some playing cards with trains on them, a new hot wheels car, a disposable camera to capture the memories from his point of view, a new teddy bear named "Kenny Hugyou", lots of Thomas the Train dvds (which stayed there), and all the Sprite a little boy could take.  Lisa and I were quite surprised that Collin didn't want to leave once he was discharged.  A wagon trip to the car was a good negotiation tactic though.

p.s.  I was going to include a picture of one of those poor, unfortunate, for-just-fifty-cents-a-day, Indonesian kids to give people the idea of what Collin sort of looked like, but then I thought twice about it.  

Now That's More Like It.

The Trip Fives had their first rehearsal in what seems like a long time.  Actually not since late February, but still, it seems like forever.  The best thing about tonight was that we got to do something that we haven't done since early 2007:  Rehearse Improv.

That's a long time to not actually focus on any aspects of improv whatsoever. Sure, we would warm up at the beginning and whatnot, but lately all of our focus have been on perfecting formats.  When Trish Berrong was directing us, we had a nice blend of warm-ups and exercises before focusing on whatever particular piece we would be presenting at the next show.  Once Trish moved on, we lost track of that direction.  Exercises became obsolete.  The Format!!! The FORMAT!!!  GOOD GOD, THE FORMAT!!! WE'VE GOT TO GET IT RIGHT!!!!  

Tonight however was different.  We've got around 6-7 different formats that we are comfortable with that could throw into the next show if we wanted. Plus we are splitting the stage with another group, Babel Fish.  So tonight, just the four of us, just Ed, Tim, Megan and myself, got to just play.  It was the most fun I have had at rehearsal in a long time.  AND we did something that I have always felt that we could do: Direct Ourselves.  We took turns on stage, two and a time, engaging in exercises that we have learned from past classes.  We shared what we knew and gave each other notes.  When one scene was over, we talked about it and then moved on.  

We all laughed.  We all learned, well, I'd like to think we all learned. And most importantly, we all had fun.  I missed that.

25.8

So, I'm taking this online health class. Chapter 10 is all about managing your weight and finding a healthy balance. I finished it last night and did all the requirements before the Wednesday deadline. Yay. One of the things I had to submit was my personal BMI (Body Mass Index). To find this, you are suppose to multiply your weight in pounds by the number 704.5 (where they get this number I have no idea). Then you divide the result by your height in inches, then divide that result by your height in inches again. The answer will be your own personal BMI.

According to the crazy math and the book...

• BMI of 25 defines the upper boundary of heathy weight
• BMI of higher than 25 to 30 defines overweight
• BMI of higher than 30 defines obese

So, I'm overweight by 0.8 of something.  The whole thing seems ridiculous. What is this 704.5 number?  What does it signify?  Why divide by your height 2 separate times?  And according to this book, there are more ways of assessing fat levels of your body, but THIS one is the most accurate.  It just doesn't seem logical.  I think I scratched my head more times during this chapter than any of the previous ones.

After I finished the test, I went to Taco Bell and go a nachos bell grande.  It hit the spot.

The Final Chapter of Dobby the House Cat

Back in September we adopted a kitten, Dobby. It was a struggle to keep him, and upon returning him to the place of adoption, we made it clear that we would like to be updated of his progress.

Farewell Friends

They didn't call me, nor did they get his name right.

Logo? Check.

Isn't it purdy?? Tim's friend Carlos put it together. I don't know Carlos' last name, but if I had to guess, I'd say it was Awesome.

Next up, a professional group photo shoot. After that, you may soon see a Trip Fives website out there somewhere. An actual website. One that doesn't involve the words "my" or "space" or even "face" and "book". A real website.