Strip Generator

I've been playing with Strip Generator a bit lately. I've had the site book markets for some time now. I love the Eastern European styling and the simplicity of it. Last night I went a bit crazy at it. None of these will make any sense to anyone besides the tiny audience they where designed for: My Halo 2 / Bungie.net Trolls. But I just feel like sharing anyway.
Enter the Weggie, Yes or No, In a Corner, Split, Deer Watchin', Art for the Heart, Split Again, Assault Blues, Stand in Line.

And some that were whipped up by my fellow Trolls.
Dual Mags, Get the Net, Me and My Shadow, Mothership.

This Weekend

Things I'm doing this weekend:

FRIDAY, JUNE 16th @ 6:16pm
BUBBLE BATTLE! NYC
Astor Place
Meet at the Cube
Please bring bubble toys, bubble solution & AA Batteries

FRIDAY NIGHT
I don't know. I was invited to a bar, but it is a bunch of folks I don't know at all.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17th @ 2:00pm
TRAILER PARK LOUNGE
23rd & 8th
Hangin' with my improv peeps to get a little loose for the next item on the menu.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17th @ 4:00pm
UCB Theater
26th & 8th
My Level One Class Graduation Performance!
Come one, come all. Just 5 bucks. I give no promises, except that I like all of my improv peeps and we are all sincere.

SATURDAY NIGHT
Don't know yet. I'm going to play it by ear.

SUNDAY
Mellow day. House stuff.

SUNDAY EVE
I get to toss the ol' plastic polyhedrals again! Sweet! It's been so so long. We'll see how it goes. I hope I like the group and they like me and it will last a long time. Yes, it's a bity like a first date.

My graduation performance for my Level One Improv class.

5-year old DDR Master

Cute, cute, cute. Uber-cute. Cute cubed. I think this can make the argument that video games can have be active, engauging and physical.

(via Kotaku)

My poor tribute to Snakes on a Plane

Apologies to Theodor Geisel, Samuel Jackson, the makers of Soap, every poet ever, okay, apologies to everyone. My only excuse is that I spent very little time on this.

I do not like when snakes attack
I do not like them
Samual Jack(son)

I do not like them here or there
I do not like them in the air
I do not like them in a plane
I would not, could not, in the the cabin main

I will shoot them back in coach
I will shhot them when on approach
I do not like them in first class
I will shot them in their ass

I do not like them in the cockpit
I would not, could not, ever mock it
I do not like when snakes attack
I do not like them
Samual Jack(son)

Project Improviser: Ep. 1 - The Phantom SixSider

The first episode of Project Improviser is up. This will be the only episode with me and there of course is not a lot of me.

I'm in the last group. "Gay gay." (At least my scene partner (Nick) got in). I am also the one who says, "And you're the coach?"

Make sure you stay to the end to see my "bitter sweet" comments. It looks lke I am about to cry.

If you are in NYC, go to the UCB Theater Wednesday night at 11pm to see the first live performance. Come early (9:30) to Video Gaga and you can see me as an extra in a rap video... maybe.

When you come to the theater tell the man with the clipboard you are there to see "Beth." He won't ask, but tell him anyway.

Boy Scouts of America Memorial Fountain

Be prepared.
This came to me way of Papa SixSider. This seems, um, inappropriate, at least in the context of the Boy Scouts stance on homosexuality.

Not that there is anything weird about a naked man standing over a Boy Scout.

The Patriots at P.S. 122

I want to write a review of this show, but I am not sure were to start. But in case anyone is planning to go see it tonight, I thought it was my duty to post something. So here is the letter I sent to P.S. 122 about the show The Patriots.

After seeing Schoolhouse Roxx's The Patriot on Friday night, I myself fill with questions. That is of course what great theater does. I am hoping perhaps you can help me with them or at least forward them to Adam Dugas.


-What sort of criteria does P.S. 122 use to book shows? I can imagine that The Patriots looked interesting when it was a one sentence idea scribbled on a cocktail napkin.

-How much lead time did this show have before opening? Three days? A week? I am assuming it was not more than that. But I am very curious how the company puts together a show so quickly.

-How much money (if any) did P.S. 122 spend on this production? It appears to have gone to flag purchase, which is wise as the flags can be used in the future. 4th of July is coming up!

-How do you set prices for performances? $15 for 45 minutes seems a little steep, but since I was relieved when it was over, I understand that these things are hard to balance.

-I absolutely loved the idea of drawing the entire text from historical documents and records (honestly, I do). I am curious as to the decision to use so few sources. It seemed to me that the Gettysburg Address, Washington's inaugural speech, the Day of Infamy speech, our declaration of war into World War 1, any of a hundred Vietnam era speeches, etc etc, would have fit well in with that idea. But as it appears that it was difficult to creatively use the pieces that were used, perhaps other less obvious choices would be too much to ask. It also would have made the show longer which might have caused the audience discomfort.

-I have no questions about the band as they were quite talented.

-Were the songs drawn from historical documents? I mean beyond the ones that were old chestnuts. It was hard to tell as the lyrics were so simplistic that they may have come from just about anything. Say like a cocktail napkin.

-Was the show supposed to be campy? Or serious? Or both? I am unclear as it didn't seem to achieve either. For example, I couldn't decide if the smoke machine was being used in jest or because it just happened to be lying around.

-I like that the show's message was about as deep as an inflatable kiddie pool. This made the show easy to digest as its viewpoint has been stated simpler and clearer in a thousand other places. Once I got the show's point (after about five minute) I didn't have to pay attention anymore. Bravo!

-The idea to "borrow" the Rumsfeld poetry... ( http://www.slate.com/id/2081042/ ) ...was that a commentary on America's consumer culture where ideas are perpetually repackaged... or was the show running short (at 35 minutes) and was used to fill the show to a robust 45 minutes?


I still have a hundred other questions. Thank you for putting on a show that made me think so much in so little time for $1.66 for every 5 minutes. Looking forward to a response,
SixSider

I want to restate that the band was very good.

UPDATE: P.S. 122 sent me a very nice response. They are good people.

Diorama-o-rama!

On Tuesday I hit another one of Freddy's Bar & Backroom's fantastic nights: Diorama Lodge! And it was, as is to be expected, fantastic. My friend Emily (who could be heard of This American Life a few weeks back... how much does that rock? a lot, is how much). She has a diorama team. Very intimidating. But I was pleased with my first time efforts. Sadly I didn't bring a camera. I thought about it, but couldn't find my flashcard as I was trying to get out the door. I did leave my diorama at Freddy's, so if no one has taken it home yet it should still be there. The Fall of Lucifer (the theme was of course 666). I had good composition, but I realize the was to make a trully great diorama is to think outside the box... as it were.

Anywhozits, I have a big ol' blister from the glue gun. No jokes about me and glue guns, please. I am still traumatized.

Mentos & Diet Coke

Mentos and Diet Coke react strongly with each other. Not sure of the science. Probably involves pH balances and half-lives and elves. But that isn't important. What is important is that you get a crap load of it and two guys in lab coats, you can create art. Or at least of backyard version of the Bellagio fountain.

Yes and Stephen Colbert

Colbert gave the commencement address at Knox College. Good all around but he ends will a bit of life lesson that I am trying to live by lately. And, yes, it relates to improv.

"But you seem nice enough, so I’ll try to give you some advice. First of all, when you go to apply for your first job, don’t wear these robes. Medieval garb does not instill confidence in future employers—unless you’re applying to be a scrivener. And if someone does offer you a job, say yes. You can always quit later. Then at least you’ll be one of the unemployed as opposed to one of the never-employed. Nothing looks worse on a resume than nothing.

So, say “yes.” In fact, say “yes” as often as you can. When I was starting out in Chicago, doing improvisational theatre with Second City and other places, there was really only one rule I was taught about improv. That was, “yes-and.” In this case, “yes-and” is a verb. To “yes-and.” I yes-and, you yes-and, he, she or it yes-ands. And yes-anding means that when you go onstage to improvise a scene with no script, you have no idea what’s going to happen, maybe with someone you’ve never met before. To build a scene, you have to accept. To build anything onstage, you have to accept what the other improviser initiates on stage. They say you’re doctors—you’re doctors. And then, you add to that: We’re doctors and we’re trapped in an ice cave. That’s the “-and.” And then hopefully they “yes-and” you back. You have to keep your eyes open when you do this. You have to be aware of what the other performer is offering you, so that you can agree and add to it. And through these agreements, you can improvise a scene or a one-act play. And because, by following each other’s lead, neither of you are really in control. It’s more of a mutual discovery than a solo adventure. What happens in a scene is often as much a surprise to you as it is to the audience.

Well, you are about to start the greatest improvisation of all. With no script. No idea what’s going to happen, often with people and places you have never seen before. And you are not in control. So say “yes.” And if you’re lucky, you’ll find people who will say “yes” back.

Now will saying “yes” get you in trouble at times? Will saying “yes” lead you to doing some foolish things? Yes it will. But don’t be afraid to be a fool. Remember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don’t learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying “yes” begins things. Saying “yes” is how things grow. Saying “yes” leads to knowledge. “Yes” is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say “yes.”

And that’s The Word."

(Originally pointed out by bourbonsoul)

Project Improviser: The Last Update

Well, I didn't make the cut, but that was no surprise seeing the talent that was there. I was definitely out of my league. But it was good fun. It should be an entertaining show. The first episode should be up sometime between the 12th and 16th (they are aiming for the 12th). There may be some of me in there (although there were 22 people trying out so I probably won't get a lot of air time.

Anyway, I thought my scenes went well, but our games were a little lost. We weren't really going anywhere.

It was all good, but I do have that post audition exhaustion right now.

LOST FanFic

I am not a fan of FanFiction. I do enjoy mocking it. But on a dare, I wrote a short piece based on LOST. It is called "Love Song."
___________


"Hey! Hey! I'm here! Here I am!"

He called out into the jungle, again and again. But yet again there was no response. He was truly alone.

When was the last time I saw some? he thought. How long has it been? He ached so bad to see someone, to feel the touch of another living soul. It was hopeless, but he kept yelling none the less.

"Yo! Anyone!? Anyone there!?"

What if I am the last one alive? This thought had crossed his mind quite a bit over the last few days as he got closer to the beach, in hopes that maybe he would find survivors there. What if there is no one left on the island? Hell, what if there is no one left in the world? Wouldn't that be just my luck? Actually being the last one in the world, and not even have someone to be with? Not even have the option to repopulate the earth?

"Come on! Here I am! Anyone!?"

Suddenly he was in shadow. He looked up and realized that he was dwarfed by two huge figures. At first he though they must be statues of ancient gods, but then he realized they moved! They're alive. Their voices bellow at him, deep like sounds from the earth. Gripped with fear but also desperate for any sort of communication with a living being, he called out to them.

"Hey! Down here! Here! I'm alive! Help!"

One reached down and lifted him up. Its appendage was fleshy and dry, but warm. The mixture of gratitude of not being alone and the paralyzing fear of these strange pale creatures cascaded through him. They continued to speak to each other in their rumbling in comprehensible language.

"Fellows! Or ladies! Thank god you found me! I've been so alone. Have you seen any of my kind? Are there any left? Can you understand me?!"

The one holding him gently passed him into the hand of the other one, who was taller and longer. This second one had rougher flesh. He tried to interpret its language and its facial expression. He wasn't sure, but he was pretty sure from its tone that it was angry.

"Hey! Let's be friends! Really! I'm just so damn alone! Please! Take me with you! Maybe I can help you."

The great being holding him became silent and glared down at him. Is it slowly smiling? Yes, maybe it understands. Maybe they will befriend me! Perhaps now I will finally be safe.

Suddenly the creature closed its fingers around him and he felt his bones snap and his muscles rip and his organs crush. In an instant he was dead.



Saywer dropped the frog to the jungle floor and walker away to Hurley's horror.

Project Improvider Update

So tomorrow night is the big first day. I will be thrown in with 7 other (more experieced) improvisers and we shall perform a harold (a long form of improv). I have no idea how many of these groups there will be. I am over my pettiness about not understanding the process and am over any nervousness, although I am sure that wil kick back in tomorrow around 3pm.

Check the Project Improviser site next week. I still have no idea when the site wil actually go live.

Another note: Their is NO Project Improviser performance this Wednesday.

Extraordinary Machine

First off, I have the best most wonderful loving greatest parents EVER. Yes, ever. Bar none. I hardly ever say it (or probably realize it), but it is the absolute truth. I trully love them to the depth of my heart.

Now, on to business. My current song of power. Extraordinary Machine sung by Fioana Apple. Yes, Fiona Apple. You would have thunk it?

I certainly haven't been shopping for any new shoes
And I certainly haven't been spreading myself around
I still only travel by foot and by foot it's a slow climb
But I'm good at being uncomfortable
so I can't stop changing all the time

I noticed that my opponent is always on the go
And won't go slow so as not to focus and I notice
He'll hitch a ride with any guide as long as
they go fast from whence he came
But he's no good at being uncomfortable
so he can't stop staying exactly the same

If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can't help it the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it
I'm an extraordinary machine

I seem to you to seek a new disaster every day
You deem me due to clean my view
and be at peace and lay
I mean to prove I mean to
move in my own way
And say I've been getting
along for long
before you came into the play

I am the baby of the family
It happens so everybody cares
And wears the sheeps clothes while they chaperone
Furious you're looking down your nose at me while you appease
Courteous to try and help but let me set your mind at ease

If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can't help it the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it - I'm an extraordinary machine

Do I so worry you
No need to hurry to my side, it's very kind
But it's to no avail
I don't want the pill
I promise you everything will be just fine

If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can't help it the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it - I'm an extraordinary machine

If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can't help it the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it - I'm an extraordinary machine


On the other hand the singer I would give my heart and body to right now? Liz Phair. Man, am I ever a wuss.

Project Improviser Update - Humph.

Well, this is just great. I now feel like a total ass... and a little duped. I just have to learn to keep my frackin' mouth shut.

Turns out I was not selected as one of 8 people. I was selected as one of who knows how many people who get to audition on Sunday. From THAT they will select 8 people who will go onto the rest of the contest.

Doh! Now it makes a lot more sense why I was picked with such little experienece... what the hell to they care? They can cut me on Sunday! So my minor cool news has become just a whatever news that might turn into minor cool news after Sunday.

Not a big deal EXCEPT that I told a bunch of folks so that they could plan ahead and show up next Wednesday. Including my entire improv class. I told them today and won't see them until next Thursday. So some of them may very well show up on Wednesday and go "Where the hell is he? What a liar!"

I must just keep my mouth shut.

So now the deal is: I may or may not be in Project Improvisor of Wednesday.

Humph.

Will we ever recapture the magic that was 1984?

The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai, Beverly Hills Cop, Blood Simple, Ghostbusters, The Killing Fields, Repo Man, Stranger Than Paradise, The Terminator, Amadeus, The Karate Kid, A Nightmare On Elm Street, once Upon A Time In America, Romancing The Stone, Starman, Birdy, All of Me, The Brother From Another Planet, Gremlins, The Muppets Take Manhattan, Splash, Top Secret!, The Ice Pirates, Night Of The Comet, The Ewok Adventure, The Last Starfighter, Police Academy, Revenge Of The Nerds, Sixteen Candles, Star Trek III: The Search For Spock, Swing Shift, Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, Dune, The Flamingo Kid, Footloose, Red Dawn, Bachelor Party, C.H.U.D., Hardbodies, Purple Rain, Stop Making Sense

BE MORE FUNNY!

That last post was just sad and self-indulgent and reeked of self-pity.

Listening to NPR yesterday and learned that in Papau New Guinea one of the biggest sex filled day is the celebration of the Yam Festival. I guess it is okay to have sex with anyone, regardless of martial status. That is how they celebrate the yam. How do we American's celebrate the yam? We don't! It MAYBE gets sideshow billin' on Thanksgiving. Do we have any tubers that we celebrate with sex with strangers? NO!

On the other hand, the radio report was about the rampant spread of AIDS in Papau New Guinea. Win some, lose some.

What else have I learned recently? Red Envelope is selling leather beer holsters. However they're all sold out.

I had something up on Overheard in New York, and of course I had a typo.

Saw X-Men 3 (oops. Sorry. X-Men: The Last Stand). Heh. It was loud, poorly written, but servicible. But explain to me this: If you are just planning on killing the kid, and can lift the Golden Gate Bridge, why not just drop it on him? Or at least ram in into his room?

Ghost Rider trailer. I enjoy watching Nicky Cage hit his head or catch on fire... but beyond that it sure looks like Spawn on a Motorcycle. And that is no Snakes on a Plane.

I went to Trader Joe's in Manhattan. It was wrong. Not the same as on the West Coast. Not at all. It looks right... but it feels just wrong. It's like Zaibar's on Mel Rose. It made me very sad.

But I bought same very tasty rice crackers. Love their rice crackers.

TV season is in hiatus and the summer movies are looking bleak. Lookin'forward to Superman Returns and Pirates 2. And I am sure I will relish The Break Up. Unless it has a happy ending. No happy ending for you!

Causing damage

Sigh.

Even when one tries your best to not continue to damage those close to you, the littlest thing can do it. It's very frusterating. My very existance stretches across the internetawebthingy and I either have to become invisible or just stop worrying about it.

I like to share my interests with people, I want to have them share them with me. I want to build a circle of friends that is based off of:
•A Shared Joy of the Ridiculous
•An Appreciation of Pop-Culture and High-Culture
•Humor
•Not Sex
•Food
•Respect
•Creativity in all it's forms

I spend all day calling myself out for crap, it is tiring being called out for something silly.

Okay, rant over. Sunday is the first taping of Project Improviser. The book is being edited in a frenzy (although I have a mid-chapter that I'm holding off on until June 24th and the Mermaid Day Parade). I am slowly building a community... but I am getting tired of drama.

Project Improviser!

PROJECT IMPROVISER is a new internet video show that is a reality competition for long form improv. A group of eight performers will be chosen and each week they will work on a different form, which they will perform at School Night. They will then get evaluated by a panel of judges and each week one person will be eliminated. And along the way, they will have various other fun challenges that they will participate in.

I just found out I will one of the eight. I have a feeling I will be the greenhorn, the diamond in the rough, the darkhorse, the outsider, the unknown. I am very excited and just a tad scared.

I don't know when the webisodes will be going up (but our first taping is Sunday the 4th). The first live performances/contests will be Wednesdays at 11pm at The Upright Citizens Brigade starting June 7th.

Here is the site: PROJECT IMPROVISER. (Yes, nothing is there yet.)

Sita Sings the Blues

As you know I just love mash ups. This isn't really a mash up. More of a great mixing of genres. I find this extremely charming. So I present to you...

Sita Sings the Blue