I was very surprised to wake up Saturday morning to find a goat in my neighbor's backyard. Turns out that this goat is going to Wrigley Field in order to break the curse on the Cubs.
Godspeed good Goat.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Busy Busy Busy
The Chicago Improv Festival starts this weekend. Many of my old Second City playmates are back in town to kick it up with the comedy.
I went to an audition today that was populated by improvisors. Really good people too. None of us knew what we were auditioning for but we all did our best schtick. We'll see.
I went to an audition today that was populated by improvisors. Really good people too. None of us knew what we were auditioning for but we all did our best schtick. We'll see.
Monday, April 24, 2006
City of Big Pork Shoulders
Any Chicagoan worth his hot dog has heard of Moo & Oink. Even if you have never visited one of their south or west side stores, you might be familiar with their distinct jingle, "Moo & Oink, Moo-Moo-Moo and Oink." And their commercial tag, "Moooo-ooo-ooo & Oink!" Well, times are changing and the nearly 150 year old supplier of pork chops and heart disease is holding a contest for a new jingle. It seems like everyone wants in the game. This weekend I even heard an exclusive original commercial by fun pop cover band Detholz. Well good luck to all jinglists.
Speaking of the weekend, I had a great one. It all started around 11:30ish am on Friday. Neda and I arrived back in the city from our performance of the rock. We knew we would not see each other for another week because of our kooky performance schedule so we decided to continue our two week tradition of Friday lunch in Lakeview. Last week was all-you-can-eat fish and chips at Duke of Perth. This week was Thai at Joy's Noodles. When we arrived at Joy's I by chance ended up sitting about twelve inches to the right of very familiar face. Before I continue I want you to stop making 12 inch dick jokes. Trust me, I can't work with anything that big unless it is a ruler or garden tile to place near my tomato plants. Moving on. It seems this familiar face has been spotted a few times around Chi-town recently. I asked him if was working on a project and he reponded that he was just visiting a friend. That's actor talk for, "I'm trying to have a real life now, stay out of my shit." He, his lunch companion, Neda and I exchanged niceties and after they realized that we were actors too things were cool. Neda, a straight black woman, had never heard of Noah's Arc or the Logo network which airs the show. We all loved that. It was a great equalizer.
The rest of the weekend was Steve and I gardening; Steve and I going to the hardware store; followed by Steve and I partying .
We also had company on Saturday night/Sunday morn. Steve's best friend was in from NYC. He crashed at ours and Steve made us breakfast. We were joined by another friend Norton and fun was had by all. David told me about all the great New York shows he and his partner have recently seen. And the four of us browsed myspace profiles while laughing our asses off.
Sunday afternoon we went to a performance of 17th century music played on a trio of Viola Da Gambas. Thats right Bitches...I'm cultured like a motherfucker. This was a not a typical Sunday afternoon activity for me. We attended because one of the musicians is Iron Chef Gary's boyfriend, Craig.
Sunday night was quiet. We watched The Simpsons (yeah!) followed by the Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy clip shows (boo!).
Steve and I will get some more live music tonight when we attend the CD release party at Gunther Murphy's for my friends Quinn's Uncles. Quinn's Uncles is a duo of brothers. They sound "like the Foo Fighters and the Allman Brothers had a baby, and then forced said baby to listen to a lot of Bon Jovi..." I know them both from the rock. One is currently performing the show with us and the other has performed my role in the national tour. I've never heard them perform as Quinn's Uncle but I like both of them immensely. I'm sure it will be great. Maybe they should write a jingle for Moo & Oink.
Any Chicagoan worth his hot dog has heard of Moo & Oink. Even if you have never visited one of their south or west side stores, you might be familiar with their distinct jingle, "Moo & Oink, Moo-Moo-Moo and Oink." And their commercial tag, "Moooo-ooo-ooo & Oink!" Well, times are changing and the nearly 150 year old supplier of pork chops and heart disease is holding a contest for a new jingle. It seems like everyone wants in the game. This weekend I even heard an exclusive original commercial by fun pop cover band Detholz. Well good luck to all jinglists.
Speaking of the weekend, I had a great one. It all started around 11:30ish am on Friday. Neda and I arrived back in the city from our performance of the rock. We knew we would not see each other for another week because of our kooky performance schedule so we decided to continue our two week tradition of Friday lunch in Lakeview. Last week was all-you-can-eat fish and chips at Duke of Perth. This week was Thai at Joy's Noodles. When we arrived at Joy's I by chance ended up sitting about twelve inches to the right of very familiar face. Before I continue I want you to stop making 12 inch dick jokes. Trust me, I can't work with anything that big unless it is a ruler or garden tile to place near my tomato plants. Moving on. It seems this familiar face has been spotted a few times around Chi-town recently. I asked him if was working on a project and he reponded that he was just visiting a friend. That's actor talk for, "I'm trying to have a real life now, stay out of my shit." He, his lunch companion, Neda and I exchanged niceties and after they realized that we were actors too things were cool. Neda, a straight black woman, had never heard of Noah's Arc or the Logo network which airs the show. We all loved that. It was a great equalizer.
The rest of the weekend was Steve and I gardening; Steve and I going to the hardware store; followed by Steve and I partying .
We also had company on Saturday night/Sunday morn. Steve's best friend was in from NYC. He crashed at ours and Steve made us breakfast. We were joined by another friend Norton and fun was had by all. David told me about all the great New York shows he and his partner have recently seen. And the four of us browsed myspace profiles while laughing our asses off.
Sunday afternoon we went to a performance of 17th century music played on a trio of Viola Da Gambas. Thats right Bitches...I'm cultured like a motherfucker. This was a not a typical Sunday afternoon activity for me. We attended because one of the musicians is Iron Chef Gary's boyfriend, Craig.
Sunday night was quiet. We watched The Simpsons (yeah!) followed by the Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy clip shows (boo!).
Steve and I will get some more live music tonight when we attend the CD release party at Gunther Murphy's for my friends Quinn's Uncles. Quinn's Uncles is a duo of brothers. They sound "like the Foo Fighters and the Allman Brothers had a baby, and then forced said baby to listen to a lot of Bon Jovi..." I know them both from the rock. One is currently performing the show with us and the other has performed my role in the national tour. I've never heard them perform as Quinn's Uncle but I like both of them immensely. I'm sure it will be great. Maybe they should write a jingle for Moo & Oink.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Getting Nailed
Nude Oakland Carpenter Vows To Wear Clothes After Arrest. Isn't there something inherently funny about a nude guy working with his wood?
Nude Oakland Carpenter Vows To Wear Clothes After Arrest. Isn't there something inherently funny about a nude guy working with his wood?
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Cheese
Last year I got new headshots. I liked the photographer and the pics were good but I didn't love my pics. Plus, I haven't had a haircut in 11 monthes so I really needed new shots with my new look. I had a photoshoot today and I loved it. The photographer was brilliant and made me feel relaxed the moment I arrived. She took some great exterior shots with my new hair. And she took some snaps of Steve and I. I'm going to pick up my proofs from her when I'm in LA in a couple of weeks. I'll post them at the end of May/Early June.
Last year I got new headshots. I liked the photographer and the pics were good but I didn't love my pics. Plus, I haven't had a haircut in 11 monthes so I really needed new shots with my new look. I had a photoshoot today and I loved it. The photographer was brilliant and made me feel relaxed the moment I arrived. She took some great exterior shots with my new hair. And she took some snaps of Steve and I. I'm going to pick up my proofs from her when I'm in LA in a couple of weeks. I'll post them at the end of May/Early June.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Idol Chatter
Honest and truly I can't say if I enjoyed last night's American Idol. It seems I had one too many vodka shots with my friend Iron Chef Gary yesterday evening. And the rest is a blur. Still that won't stop me from making my predictions. Actually I watched again this morning. Ace and Chris looked hot.
Favorite performance: Katherine
Worst performance: Kelli
My pick to leave: Kelli
America will pick: Ace
Dial Idol.com prediction: Ace
I wish I was more excited about this season of AI but I'm just not. I am way more interested in the release of American Dreamz. Go to their vote website and tell me you don't love Sholem Glickstein aka "Kosher Killa."
Honest and truly I can't say if I enjoyed last night's American Idol. It seems I had one too many vodka shots with my friend Iron Chef Gary yesterday evening. And the rest is a blur. Still that won't stop me from making my predictions. Actually I watched again this morning. Ace and Chris looked hot.
Favorite performance: Katherine
Worst performance: Kelli
My pick to leave: Kelli
America will pick: Ace
Dial Idol.com prediction: Ace
I wish I was more excited about this season of AI but I'm just not. I am way more interested in the release of American Dreamz. Go to their vote website and tell me you don't love Sholem Glickstein aka "Kosher Killa."
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Monday, April 17, 2006
Mark Sinclair
Mark Sinclair, comedy editor for Time Out Chicago magazine passed away over the weekend from a brain aneurism. I will always be grateful to Mark for the love and respect he showed to Straight & Nappy.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Idol Chatter
Last night's show was miles ahead of the country fiasco last week. That is not to say that the program was great. It just didn't blow. This season has yet to have a great show. Being an old school Queen fan and an Anglophile, I enjoyed the theme. I grew up with Freddy Mercury killer vocals and always find it amazing that anyone would attempt the songs of Queen. Tonight the remaining eight American Idolites will do a Queen medley.
My favorite performance: Katherine and Elliot (tie)
Least favorite performance: Bucky
Who I think should go home: Bucky or Ace (tie)
Who I think America will pick: Ace
Dial Idol.com prediction: Ace or Bucky
Looks like one of the blunder twins (Ace and Bucky) is turning in his mike tonight.
Last night's show was miles ahead of the country fiasco last week. That is not to say that the program was great. It just didn't blow. This season has yet to have a great show. Being an old school Queen fan and an Anglophile, I enjoyed the theme. I grew up with Freddy Mercury killer vocals and always find it amazing that anyone would attempt the songs of Queen. Tonight the remaining eight American Idolites will do a Queen medley.
My favorite performance: Katherine and Elliot (tie)
Least favorite performance: Bucky
Who I think should go home: Bucky or Ace (tie)
Who I think America will pick: Ace
Dial Idol.com prediction: Ace or Bucky
Looks like one of the blunder twins (Ace and Bucky) is turning in his mike tonight.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Smoking Bomb
My friend Soybomb and I often celebrate our birthdays together. We are both Scorps born in November. My day is the 8th. Soybomb's is the 13th. Sometimes we try to celebrate our birthdays together. We don't always exchange gifts but this past year I gave her a giant ceramic pig I found in Chinatown. It was similar to these. She gave me some great albums (yes, LPs) they were similar to these.
We had a great dinner with our friends that night. And I gave myself a gift too. On November 13, 2005, I quit smoking. I haven't talked about it much because I didn't want to jinx myself. I figured I would covertly enter my new life as a non-smoker. My life as a non-smoker (or former smoker if it makes a difference to you) has been relatively stress free but lately I have been jonesin' for some nicotine. I don't know why but I want some cigarettes...NOW.
Don't worry friends, I don't plan on giving in to the temptation. This is one of the longest periods that I have gone smoke-free. My eyes are clearer. My breathing is easier. And my singing hasn't been this strong in ten years.
Other advantages to quitting: Cigarettes are expensive, yellow teeth and fingers are gross, and smoking causes wrinkles.
Nicotine is not my friend and these days I only want to be with friends.
I will smoke today. Don't worry, I'm smoking ribs and a couple of lamb shoulder chops.
I'm also enjoying my first weekday off in over a month. This past Saturday I enjoyed my first day off in over three weeks. I'm going to smoke my meats, paint a chair and do laundry. At the end of the day. I may order a limo jet and see the town.
P.S. the Limo Jet link is also a gift from Soybomb.
My friend Soybomb and I often celebrate our birthdays together. We are both Scorps born in November. My day is the 8th. Soybomb's is the 13th. Sometimes we try to celebrate our birthdays together. We don't always exchange gifts but this past year I gave her a giant ceramic pig I found in Chinatown. It was similar to these. She gave me some great albums (yes, LPs) they were similar to these.
We had a great dinner with our friends that night. And I gave myself a gift too. On November 13, 2005, I quit smoking. I haven't talked about it much because I didn't want to jinx myself. I figured I would covertly enter my new life as a non-smoker. My life as a non-smoker (or former smoker if it makes a difference to you) has been relatively stress free but lately I have been jonesin' for some nicotine. I don't know why but I want some cigarettes...NOW.
Don't worry friends, I don't plan on giving in to the temptation. This is one of the longest periods that I have gone smoke-free. My eyes are clearer. My breathing is easier. And my singing hasn't been this strong in ten years.
Other advantages to quitting: Cigarettes are expensive, yellow teeth and fingers are gross, and smoking causes wrinkles.
Nicotine is not my friend and these days I only want to be with friends.
I will smoke today. Don't worry, I'm smoking ribs and a couple of lamb shoulder chops.
I'm also enjoying my first weekday off in over a month. This past Saturday I enjoyed my first day off in over three weeks. I'm going to smoke my meats, paint a chair and do laundry. At the end of the day. I may order a limo jet and see the town.
P.S. the Limo Jet link is also a gift from Soybomb.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Thanks Rod
Rod scooped me on a very interesting article in Chicago Free Press regarding James Meeks independant run for Illinois Governer. I knew that Black America was turning more and more conservative but now I am embarassed for us.
Rod scooped me on a very interesting article in Chicago Free Press regarding James Meeks independant run for Illinois Governer. I knew that Black America was turning more and more conservative but now I am embarassed for us.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Idol Chatter
Season 5 is turning out to be the most uninspired season to date. Each week the contestants are more boring than the last. I almost hate using my blog space to report on the show. Usually country music just makes me cringe...Last night's country theme just made me sleepy. Proving that this year's idol contestants can make any music lifeless and boring.
I didn't like any of them. NONE.
My choice to go home: Bucky
Who America may pick: Elliott
Who Dial Idol predicted: Mandisa
Season 5 is turning out to be the most uninspired season to date. Each week the contestants are more boring than the last. I almost hate using my blog space to report on the show. Usually country music just makes me cringe...Last night's country theme just made me sleepy. Proving that this year's idol contestants can make any music lifeless and boring.
I didn't like any of them. NONE.
My choice to go home: Bucky
Who America may pick: Elliott
Who Dial Idol predicted: Mandisa
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