We had a show last Friday that was awesome. We've been doing pretty well with our improv. Our troupe is small, which can be difficult sometimes, but it has the advantage of more stage time with each other. This means that we're getting more and more in sync (Get it! Cause we're Kitsch In Sync!) with each other.
This is extremely important in improv - group mind. In fact, it's one of my favorite things about performing ensemble improv. It's an atmosphere of support and teamwork that is unparalleled in the real world, and yet totally possible. This can sometimes make the real world rather frustrating, but I console myself with the fact that I have improv to fall back on. Which is ironic because if I didn't have improv to show me how easy it can be, I probably wouldn't get frustrated. Hmmm ...
This may be arrogant of me too, but I also feel that I'm having a particularly good streak of performances lately too. And that always makes me feel good.
But don't worry. I'm running a 5K this Thursday. That'll bring me back down to earth.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Heat Wave of a Totally Different Kind
I skipped my run this morning. I may still go for a run after work, but it's raining heavily now. This means that I won't be going outdoors. So it must be the gym. Except that I hate going to the gym AFTER work. I much prefer going when it's not so busy. It would be ok if I didn't do my run at all today. I think so.
Meanwhile I went to my doctor last week. My health is fine overall. Of course I'm overweight, but everything else is fine. Except my HDL (my good cholesterol) is too low. They recommend fish and other foods high in Omega-3s. My favorite, preferred, and chosen course of remedy is ...
It's true. Never has a medical treatment been so welcome.
Actually my combined cholesterol is higher than it was, which could be due to the 2-egg omelettes I've been eating practically every morning for the last 6 months. Oops. And the exercise didn't have any effect on my weight at all. I haven't lost any weight even though I feel like I'm running quite a bit these days. I really do need to start regulating my diet again.
Other things going on in my life:
Meanwhile I went to my doctor last week. My health is fine overall. Of course I'm overweight, but everything else is fine. Except my HDL (my good cholesterol) is too low. They recommend fish and other foods high in Omega-3s. My favorite, preferred, and chosen course of remedy is ...
... drinking alcohol.
It's true. Never has a medical treatment been so welcome.
Actually my combined cholesterol is higher than it was, which could be due to the 2-egg omelettes I've been eating practically every morning for the last 6 months. Oops. And the exercise didn't have any effect on my weight at all. I haven't lost any weight even though I feel like I'm running quite a bit these days. I really do need to start regulating my diet again.
Other things going on in my life:
- Kitsch In Sync had a fantastic show last Saturday. I was high from it all weekend.
- The heat wave was killer. And I don't have AC.
- I applied for a job that I think is perfect for me (somewhere else) but I haven't heard from them, not even a notification that they received my application. Hmm.
- I seem to have some kind of romantic obsession. Anything with a really sexy love story has me completely spellbound, from True Blood to the Hunger Games trilogy to Anne of Green Gables. Seriously, these could not be more different. I really got to get back into the dating game.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Coconut milk is a natural laxative. That's something Gilligan never told us.
How did I do on the 5K? Well, I finished it. But I don't care about that. What I care about is the fact that 31 people "liked" my status about it on FB. It said, I crushed my 5K tonight! And by "crushed," I mean "finished."
Either they are excited that I can finish 3.1 miles, or they are impressed by my truly pithy* statement. No other status update has ever gotten so many likes. Eeeeee!
The other notable fact about the 5K is the Zico coconut water that I had at the finish. Somehow the rep at the tent convinced me of its healthful qualities, so I opened up a cool bottle to quench my 5K thirst.
Blech.
When I told my sister about it, she asked, "does it taste like coconut?" I told her that I'm sure that it does, but it requires it to be in my mouth for longer than I am willing to tolerate. They also had Perfect Fuel Chocolate, which is dark chocolate meant to "refuel" you, like an energy bar or something. This rep also pontificated on and on about its healthful benefits, and I nodded appreciatively, wondering when it was going to sink in that I'm helping myself to their free chocolate.
I did not go out afterwards. It was starting to rain and it occurred to me that I just don't want to. BUT I did sign up for another 5K. They're not so hard. And with 31 people to cheer me on, how could I not?
*"Pithy" is the wrong word. But I like it better than "funny."
Either they are excited that I can finish 3.1 miles, or they are impressed by my truly pithy* statement. No other status update has ever gotten so many likes. Eeeeee!
The other notable fact about the 5K is the Zico coconut water that I had at the finish. Somehow the rep at the tent convinced me of its healthful qualities, so I opened up a cool bottle to quench my 5K thirst.
Blech.
When I told my sister about it, she asked, "does it taste like coconut?" I told her that I'm sure that it does, but it requires it to be in my mouth for longer than I am willing to tolerate. They also had Perfect Fuel Chocolate, which is dark chocolate meant to "refuel" you, like an energy bar or something. This rep also pontificated on and on about its healthful benefits, and I nodded appreciatively, wondering when it was going to sink in that I'm helping myself to their free chocolate.
I did not go out afterwards. It was starting to rain and it occurred to me that I just don't want to. BUT I did sign up for another 5K. They're not so hard. And with 31 people to cheer me on, how could I not?
*"Pithy" is the wrong word. But I like it better than "funny."
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Running Down a Dream
So I'm running a 5k today.
What?!?!?!?
Yeah, I know. That's not like me at all. I mean, I've run that distance before. I'm using the word "run" loosely here.* But I was motivated by my sister, Kim, who has really taken it up. She whupped my butt in our last 5k. Not only was it her best time, but she RAN the whole thing. Like ... continuously. I'm overwhelmingly impressed by that.
This one is along the river between Watertown and Harvard Square. There's a women's only start time at 7pm, and then the open/coed start time at 7:30. I'm debating which one to do. I think I'll be less intimidated by the women only group, but one of my goals this year was to try to meet new people through new activities, which should really motivate me to go with the open time. Also, there's a mixer afterwards at a pub in Harvard Sq at 8:30pm. If I run at 7pm, I might have time to rush home, shower, change, and go to the mixer. But if I run at 7:30, then I can go straight there, possibly hanging with other people who I've met on the way.
And what if no one else showers and changes? I'll look like an idiot - hygienic, dry, and sweet-smelling, but idiot nonetheless. Who wants that?
The truth is that I didn't really think this one through. Who wants to meet new people when I've just completed an activity that is not going to let me look my best?
OMG! I suddenly get why girls wear makeup to the gym.
*By run, I mean that my feet move one in front of the other, in a pace slightly faster than what I would use to walk from the living room to the kitchen. Or rather, occasionally my feet will move at that pace, followed by intermittent periods of my feet moving at a pace pretty close to what I would use if I had been sitting in my car for a half hour** and really had to use the bathroom, and just arrived home.
**Originally, I was going to say 1 hour, but then I realized, in that situation, I would move very fast, possibly faster than I "run."
What?!?!?!?
Yeah, I know. That's not like me at all. I mean, I've run that distance before. I'm using the word "run" loosely here.* But I was motivated by my sister, Kim, who has really taken it up. She whupped my butt in our last 5k. Not only was it her best time, but she RAN the whole thing. Like ... continuously. I'm overwhelmingly impressed by that.
This one is along the river between Watertown and Harvard Square. There's a women's only start time at 7pm, and then the open/coed start time at 7:30. I'm debating which one to do. I think I'll be less intimidated by the women only group, but one of my goals this year was to try to meet new people through new activities, which should really motivate me to go with the open time. Also, there's a mixer afterwards at a pub in Harvard Sq at 8:30pm. If I run at 7pm, I might have time to rush home, shower, change, and go to the mixer. But if I run at 7:30, then I can go straight there, possibly hanging with other people who I've met on the way.
And what if no one else showers and changes? I'll look like an idiot - hygienic, dry, and sweet-smelling, but idiot nonetheless. Who wants that?
 |
| Them. |
The truth is that I didn't really think this one through. Who wants to meet new people when I've just completed an activity that is not going to let me look my best?
 |
| Me. |
*By run, I mean that my feet move one in front of the other, in a pace slightly faster than what I would use to walk from the living room to the kitchen. Or rather, occasionally my feet will move at that pace, followed by intermittent periods of my feet moving at a pace pretty close to what I would use if I had been sitting in my car for a half hour** and really had to use the bathroom, and just arrived home.
**Originally, I was going to say 1 hour, but then I realized, in that situation, I would move very fast, possibly faster than I "run."
Monday, July 8, 2013
The World-Famous West Orange Fireworks Display
Last Wednesday, I decided on a whim to get the heck out of town. I just needed to get out. My friend, Jen, who lives in New Jersey, kindly offered a place to stay for a brief visit. AND, in a great confluence of events, it turns out my family was going to be in Pennsylvania on Friday. So I spent the 4th of July with Jen and her beautiful family, then I drove down to PA on Friday to eat lunch with my family at the Shady Maple Smorgasbigasafootballfieldbord. I spent Friday night with Jen again and drove back to Massachusetts on Saturday. I shoulda stayed an additional night since I don't have air conditioning!
For a last minute plan, it turned out beautifully. Firstly it was great fun to hang out with Jen, her family, and her friends on Independence Day. We went to a bbq; I ate an inordinate amount of deviled eggs
(the secret is Italian dressing);
and then we went to the WORLD FAMOUS WEST ORANGE FIREWORKS. I asked why they are world famous, and apparently the answer is that people in other parts of the world know about them. Which both answered my question and ... well ... did not. I tell you now that it is an INTERACTIVE experience because you can actually FEEL the fireworks exploding! And by that I mean, that little bits of exploded fireworks casings with fall on you while you watch. That's how close we were!!!
Actually as fireworks displays go, it's pretty darn good. They had heart-shaped ones.
Hanging out with Jen (and/or Leanne for that matter) is always fun. It's not only great to catch up on each other's lives, but somehow reassuring. It's like this feeling that the passage of time is happening equally and to all of us, and there's a kind of camaraderie to it. Maybe it's because Jen, Leanne, and I have made a tradition of doing something annually for our birthdays, which would really drive the point of aging home. It's nice to see that I'm not growing old alone (even though it's happening to me against my will).
On Friday, I saw my family. The Shady Maple SmorgasbigasRhodeIslandbord is a buffet style restaurant that my father discovered on a trip to/from Ohio. It's near Amish country. The seating area is huge and the buffet runs the entire length of the building. The line to get in is long, but the advantage of such a big place is that it doesn't take long at all. The food isn't really that great. It's your standard buffet-style food. (Although they did have these rolls made from pretzel dough - yum!) Anyway, my father calls it his "happy place." Something to remember if ever my father is in pain and not long for this life.
The gift shop was outrageous! Filled to the brim with bric-a-brac and runs underneath the entire length of the restaurant portion! Figurines, toys, tshirts, merchandising from every major franchise and film in the last 50 years. Disney, comics, animals, and AMISH. That's right. There was merchandising for the AMISH. Tshirts, figurines, food, lunchboxes, you know, that sort of thing. Including costumes and hats. Which brought about one of the funniest things that I'd seen in a long time.
Upon being given a traditional Amish men's straw hat to try on, my brother placed it on his head, put his hands on his hips, paused, and then with a disdainful look in his eye whispered, "This barn ain't going up fast enough." I began to laugh hysterically because suddenly I had a vision of an Amish man watching a barn-raising and thinking to himself, "This no-technology crap sucks!"
I laughed so hard that I cried.
It's always good to see my family. And my mother and sister, Kim, didn't know I was coming so it was a surprise to them! Good times. By the time we were done at Shady Maple Smorgasbigasacontinentbord, I decided that I shouldn't try to head straight for MA. So back to Jen's for another night. Hung out a little more; played some games. And then a leisurely start on Saturday.
It was a great weekend, and I'm grateful for friends and family and, most of all, the freedom to be able to get up and get out whenever I want. Because sometimes, you really just need to go see some world famous fireworks.
P.S. Jen and Giovanna, you just lost the game.
For a last minute plan, it turned out beautifully. Firstly it was great fun to hang out with Jen, her family, and her friends on Independence Day. We went to a bbq; I ate an inordinate amount of deviled eggs
(the secret is Italian dressing);
and then we went to the WORLD FAMOUS WEST ORANGE FIREWORKS. I asked why they are world famous, and apparently the answer is that people in other parts of the world know about them. Which both answered my question and ... well ... did not. I tell you now that it is an INTERACTIVE experience because you can actually FEEL the fireworks exploding! And by that I mean, that little bits of exploded fireworks casings with fall on you while you watch. That's how close we were!!!
Actually as fireworks displays go, it's pretty darn good. They had heart-shaped ones.
Hanging out with Jen (and/or Leanne for that matter) is always fun. It's not only great to catch up on each other's lives, but somehow reassuring. It's like this feeling that the passage of time is happening equally and to all of us, and there's a kind of camaraderie to it. Maybe it's because Jen, Leanne, and I have made a tradition of doing something annually for our birthdays, which would really drive the point of aging home. It's nice to see that I'm not growing old alone (even though it's happening to me against my will).
On Friday, I saw my family. The Shady Maple SmorgasbigasRhodeIslandbord is a buffet style restaurant that my father discovered on a trip to/from Ohio. It's near Amish country. The seating area is huge and the buffet runs the entire length of the building. The line to get in is long, but the advantage of such a big place is that it doesn't take long at all. The food isn't really that great. It's your standard buffet-style food. (Although they did have these rolls made from pretzel dough - yum!) Anyway, my father calls it his "happy place." Something to remember if ever my father is in pain and not long for this life.
The gift shop was outrageous! Filled to the brim with bric-a-brac and runs underneath the entire length of the restaurant portion! Figurines, toys, tshirts, merchandising from every major franchise and film in the last 50 years. Disney, comics, animals, and AMISH. That's right. There was merchandising for the AMISH. Tshirts, figurines, food, lunchboxes, you know, that sort of thing. Including costumes and hats. Which brought about one of the funniest things that I'd seen in a long time.
Upon being given a traditional Amish men's straw hat to try on, my brother placed it on his head, put his hands on his hips, paused, and then with a disdainful look in his eye whispered, "This barn ain't going up fast enough." I began to laugh hysterically because suddenly I had a vision of an Amish man watching a barn-raising and thinking to himself, "This no-technology crap sucks!"
I laughed so hard that I cried.
It's always good to see my family. And my mother and sister, Kim, didn't know I was coming so it was a surprise to them! Good times. By the time we were done at Shady Maple Smorgasbigasacontinentbord, I decided that I shouldn't try to head straight for MA. So back to Jen's for another night. Hung out a little more; played some games. And then a leisurely start on Saturday.
It was a great weekend, and I'm grateful for friends and family and, most of all, the freedom to be able to get up and get out whenever I want. Because sometimes, you really just need to go see some world famous fireworks.
P.S. Jen and Giovanna, you just lost the game.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Miss Popularity
Ach! Nothing came of that last date. We talked and texted a few times, and then we were supposed to go out and suddenly, to use a movie term, he "went dark." No contact, nothing, nada!
It might have been because I was supposed to text back on a Monday night after practice and didn't because I went out with a friend after practice, had a couple of beers, went home, and fell asleep right away. But I had forgiven him for not contacting me for months! He can't forgive one night?
Hmmmm ...
Last night I went out with some friends for a girls' night and one of them asked me how often I go out; "what, like, once a week?"
I was agog!
My friends think I'm popular!!!
That's the nicest compliment I've gotten in a long time. Seriously.
Then I immediately had low self-esteem. It suddenly seemed like this was an expectation of me, and I was letting my friends down. When I had to tell her, "No, it's more like once a year," it dawned on me that I've probably gone down in their estimation. They thought I was cool enough to have a date a week, and I'm not. So now, I'm not only letting my friends down, but I'm unattractive enough to get that many dates! My only comforting thought was perhaps this makes them feel better about themselves. You know, like Schadenfreude.*
I'm always happy to help others with their self-esteem.
Still I felt like I got a glimpse of what it must have been like to be one of those popular girls who give in to peer pressure. I mean, the weight of having to meet your friends' expectations is daunting.
*Wikipedia it!
It might have been because I was supposed to text back on a Monday night after practice and didn't because I went out with a friend after practice, had a couple of beers, went home, and fell asleep right away. But I had forgiven him for not contacting me for months! He can't forgive one night?
Hmmmm ...
Last night I went out with some friends for a girls' night and one of them asked me how often I go out; "what, like, once a week?"
I was agog!
My friends think I'm popular!!!
That's the nicest compliment I've gotten in a long time. Seriously.
Then I immediately had low self-esteem. It suddenly seemed like this was an expectation of me, and I was letting my friends down. When I had to tell her, "No, it's more like once a year," it dawned on me that I've probably gone down in their estimation. They thought I was cool enough to have a date a week, and I'm not. So now, I'm not only letting my friends down, but I'm unattractive enough to get that many dates! My only comforting thought was perhaps this makes them feel better about themselves. You know, like Schadenfreude.*
I'm always happy to help others with their self-esteem.
Still I felt like I got a glimpse of what it must have been like to be one of those popular girls who give in to peer pressure. I mean, the weight of having to meet your friends' expectations is daunting.
*Wikipedia it!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Are you listening?
I had a date last night and it was awesome! Do you know how long it's been since I've been on an AWESOME date? Continents were still drifting.
He looks like my ideal - blond and blue-eyed. And he asked me so many questions. At one point, he apologized for asking so many questions, and I had to tell him that I love it! So different from the last date I was on.*
At the end of the date, he was such a gentleman. So much in fact, that I thought he might not be interested.
But he just called! and he definitely wants to talk.
Fingers crossed!
*did I tell you about that? Ugh, it was awful. I LITERALLY never thought I would say this but I got sick of him being interested in me only physically. Not that I don't want someone to be interested in me physically, but come on! I'm a smart person, I can tell that you're just asking the perfunctory obligatory conversational questions and that you're not really interested in listening to me. Conversation went something like this:
Me: Aren't you going to ask me any questions? (I LITERALLY had to ask him to ask me questions).
Him: What historical period do you most like?
Me: (stunned) What? Oh, uuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Victorian, I guess.
Him: Really?
Me: Well, I think the scientific advances of the time really influenced the art of the time.
Him: What scientific advances?
Me: Oh, like the study of anatomy, it reallyHIM: I'd like to study your anatomy!
Of course, this is the first guy I meet after I dated a guy who asked me 4 times within the span of two hours, "Which one is your parking space?" We were standing IN IT for the first three times he asked. On the 4th, I snapped back, and he took it personally. He sulked for about an hour and then tried to instigate a fight. I apologized, saying that I don't like feeling like I'm not being listened to. He ignored that and kept trying to fight. I stopped the fight and said, "This is what I'm talking about." He backed down, but I LITERALLY lost interest in him at that moment.
He looks like my ideal - blond and blue-eyed. And he asked me so many questions. At one point, he apologized for asking so many questions, and I had to tell him that I love it! So different from the last date I was on.*
At the end of the date, he was such a gentleman. So much in fact, that I thought he might not be interested.
But he just called! and he definitely wants to talk.
Fingers crossed!
*did I tell you about that? Ugh, it was awful. I LITERALLY never thought I would say this but I got sick of him being interested in me only physically. Not that I don't want someone to be interested in me physically, but come on! I'm a smart person, I can tell that you're just asking the perfunctory obligatory conversational questions and that you're not really interested in listening to me. Conversation went something like this:
Me: Aren't you going to ask me any questions? (I LITERALLY had to ask him to ask me questions).
Him: What historical period do you most like?
Me: (stunned) What? Oh, uuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Victorian, I guess.
Him: Really?
Me: Well, I think the scientific advances of the time really influenced the art of the time.
Him: What scientific advances?
Me: Oh, like the study of anatomy, it reallyHIM: I'd like to study your anatomy!
Of course, this is the first guy I meet after I dated a guy who asked me 4 times within the span of two hours, "Which one is your parking space?" We were standing IN IT for the first three times he asked. On the 4th, I snapped back, and he took it personally. He sulked for about an hour and then tried to instigate a fight. I apologized, saying that I don't like feeling like I'm not being listened to. He ignored that and kept trying to fight. I stopped the fight and said, "This is what I'm talking about." He backed down, but I LITERALLY lost interest in him at that moment.
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