The Past Two

The past two days have been unique.

Wed. 12 noon:

I met with TH to help him do some shopping. I had told him that TO thought I dressed cool, and I guess he thinks if a hot chick can reject you and still think you're cool, you are.

He mentioned needing to do some shopping while we were swing not-dancing, and I knew exactly what he needed. I told him too. Also, there was a cool guy there wearing what I thought T should have, and I pointed him out. T agreed.

So, Wed. we found ourselves shopping. It was fun to look at clothes for someone else. Funny even how you look at an item and think, Oh, yeah, but when you think of it on the other person, it doesn't work.

We went to three stores, and got him the items I said he needed. I saw a ton that I wish I could buy. He said someday soon, we were going to have the kind of lives that would allow us to do this shopping spree right.

What girls.

Wed. 3PM

Sitting around his apartment, I told him of my night of comedy, and what some of the feedback was.

He just kept nodding with a wince on his face.

Then he said he hated me.

I laughed. I told him it was about time. I had been the one hating for too long.

That joke goes to Homer Simpson, who said that people feel better around others who fail, and that he (Homer) was tired of making others feel better.

So, I was tired of being the one who hates everyone else. I want to be hated.

I told him how I was offered the TA position at the studio, and he got even worse. He said you are always the TA!

That made me think.

In college, I was the TA to the movement teacher. I would teach his class if he was sick. I also helped him choreograph any fights needed for mainstage shows. He and I would just fuck around in his studio, him making a move and asking me what I would do next. Then, we would get the fight up to speed, and come in and do it for the others, and then teach them it.

TH also pointed out that my director of the improv show offered me the position to be his assistant. That didn't work out because his old assistant, who wasn't doing much, got word that he wanted to replace her, and started to do stuff. I think he would still rather have me, but he isn't the type to fire anyone.

Now, assisting at the acting studio is another step in a long line of doing this already.

TH also said, as we were talking about girls, that I am going to do really well, because I am so confident.

I stopped to think, and realized I was. I am confident. I told him that. He said he had never, ever seen me this confident before.

That felt good. Also, because I knew it. Not just because he told me it.

We bantered some sketch ideas around. He has to start writing for his show, and bounced some ideas off of me, and we talked them out. We were cracking ourselves up. He said we needed some one in the room typing fast as we did this.

I told him it should be KK.

I said that he types fast, and could contribute to the jokes. TH agreed.

I said that I thought the three of us should write something. It would be fucking funny.

TH said he thought it was a great idea. Now I just need to tell KK. Oops. I think I just did.

Wed. 5PM

Looking at my phone, I realize nobody has called.

The word on the street after the last comedy show was four people had calls the next day.

I really need a call. I tell myself not to worry. They will come. However, I do worry. Just a bit.

Wed. 7PM

Acting class. SS talks about the show. He says he has heard from many of the industry types, and they loved it. A friend of his at Paramount thinks it could be its own TV show.

He points out in the class who he thought did well. He tells me I rocked.

Some one makes the point that the scene she did was one she had done before in the show.

He says choosing the scenes are tough. He wants to challenge us, but also wants to highlight out talents, so that we look good to the industry, and in turn his studio looks good.

He said that the scene doesn't matter. It's what you do with it. To make his case, he points to me. He said that after the show, one of the actors came up to him and asked why they couldn't get my scene.

That's when I realize that I should be careful. We are not a family. We are actors in a studio, and one might sabotage the other if they think it will serve them.

SS said though that the scene wasn't what made it so funny. He said he was reluctant to give that scene, because he didn't think there were any jokes in it. He still thinks that the scene itself isn't what was funny about the result. He said it was all me.

Again, that's nice to hear.

Then, during class, we did dramatic improv. He gave us a scenario, and a secret, and we had to act it out. It was intense, and made me realize my drama chops are a bit rusty. I did well, and he liked what I did, but I know I could have dug deeper.

Wed. 12 midnight.

I watch The Constant Gardener.

Great movie. Great acting. Made me realize something.

****Spoiler Alert Spoiler Alert*****

In the movie, when they are married, they hide things from each other. Partly out of protection, and partly out of fear.

This is true of relationships.

When the wife is killed and he discoveries her secrets, he loves her that much more. He also realizes that he might not have responded like that if she were still alive. He would have been scared for her.

The thing is, we find these loves, and we want to keep them forever. So, like a nice suit, or a delicate vase, we treat them with too much care so that we won't break them.

We shouldn't. Relationships should be like your favorite pair of jeans. Always worn with comfort, and taken everywhere you are.

Sure, you could say that eventually everyone buys new jeans, but what if you just think of it as you evolve or grow into new jeans. The way some of us are getting fatter, that is more true than not.

Then, your relationship could be evolving or growing into something unlike what it was at the start, but still be totally serving your needs now, and still be what you would rather be in.

Thurs. 12 noon.

I can't get onto blogger to share all of that, so I decide to wait. I watch the movie Layer Cake.

Great movie. No realizations though.

SS calls. He is serious about me being a TA. He wants to know if I am too. I tell him absolutely. I say with emphasis so he knows I ain't fucking around. He laughs and says I should have said abso-fucking-lutely.

He wants me to start next week. I tell him I have to switch around my work schedule, and can I start the week after. He says yes.

He asks me what I thought of the drama improv class. I tell him. He thinks I could have challenged myself more too, but he liked what I did. He says we will do more of that.

Thurs. 4PM

I have a meeting at the restaurant. All the people there have heard how funny I was, and they start calling me Mr. Comedy. I love them. We all care about each other so much. That is the family feeling I wish my acting studio had.

I tell them about the TA position, and I say that my plan is to slowly move into TA for all classes, and then in a year from now not be at the restaurant anymore.

If thoughts are actions yet to be acted on, then that thought is out there now. Lets make it come true.

Thurs. 7:30 PM

The two improv companies come together for a meeting with the owner of the theatre. He is giving a "state of the union" speech.

He says how ACME had a tough year last year. He tried to make $2000 a week in the box office, because that was standard, and he did. It's just he spent more in ads then any other year, so we lost money.

He said that was one of the reasons for combining our two shows into one.

He said that move paid off. We now are getting a solid audience that comes for both. In fact, our night is the biggest night of the week.

We burst into applause at that. Hell, back in August he was thinking of eliminating us.

He says lots of agents are calling about ACME people, because we are getting a good word on the street.

He says his goal is $3000 a week, and so far this year, we've done that.

He hands out papers. He says they are the ACME awards. He is going to start this, and they will be held the Sunday before the Oscars.

My name is on there.

The categories are best male actor in Yankee, best in Zebra, best female actor in Yankee, best in Zebra, and best quote from Yankee, and best from Zebra.

They are from your status in 2005, so for best male actor in Yankee, I am up against my friends HW and PT. Tough.

I was also nominated for best quote, also against HW and PT. Funny, but my quote comes from my jazz guy, the character I hated.

Early in the run, the jazz guy went out drinking with the virgin airline stewardess, and they got drunk. They were caught at his apartment by his girlfriend,the newspaper lady, and he said:

"It's not what you think! I got her drunk, and she got dizzy, so I thought I would lift her legs and take her clothes off."

So, you never know.

After the meeting, the owner came to me and asked if I was union, and if I had representation. I told him yes, and no. He said he was going to submit my name to some of the agents.

So, even if none call from the comedy show (and none have yet), I'm still looking good.

Thurs. 10PM

I left rehearsal early to go to The Viper Room.

That's right. Johnny Depp's The Viper Room. The place where River Phoenix died.

A friend of mine from the murdermystery was playing there, and I was going to support his band.

I have never been there. Seriously, it is not my scene.

When I got in, I found my other friends and we hung out while waiting for the band to start.

There were hot chicks EVERYWHERE.

One girl in my group said, Do you see any prospects?

From my POV, yes, I said, but from their's, no.

After the band played, the DJ put on music, and three girls came out and danced on the side booths. They had skimpy outfits on, and after three songs, they took their tops off!

Why isn't The Viper Room my scene!?!

One of the girls dancing didn't take her top off, and the girl from my group said it was because she was saving herself for me.

I said, Wrong tactic.

Fri. 11 AM

Can't wait for the show tonight. It's been such a good week. Who would have thought I would be saying that after last weekend.

Life.