Called my parents a couple days ago, because I'm a good daughter. My dad had asked for some ideas as to what Jason would like for Christmas. I gave him a couple lame ideas and then said, "Ooh....but what would be REALLY cool would be THIS!" My dad took it into consideration, then called me at eight this morning to say, "Wow, you're awake?" (he forgets that there's a two hour time difference and it's totally not six in the morning here) before saying, " You know that special thing you told me about? Well don't buy one for Jason." Sweet. So Jason, I know something you don't know. And it's really cool. And when I know something somebody doesn't know and it's something really cool, I do this:

I really need to tell Brianna to stop slurping, it's really loud over on her side of the table.

I never thought I'd see the day.....

Here's a dilemma I've never had before....I don't know if I want to try out for a musical this summer or focus more on improv. Crap! Theater in the Park is doing Beauty and the Beast, which I would just love to do...but that would take away a LOT of time from improv and my family. Improv is much less of a commitment than a play or musical because you only rehearse one night a week and perform a couple times a month. Yeah, it's ongoing, but most people who do plays and musicals do a few a year, and they rehearse five nights a week. So yeah, B&B is one musical I seriously consider taking the time to do, but how much would that take away from my improving? I'm torn! The good news is I have a few months to decide.

Post happy

I know I've posted a lot today, but I just have to share with you this awesome tidbit of news....NIFER IS AN IMP!!!!! Woo hoo! She auditioned tonight and is now officially a part of the Roving Imps! I hope she's ready to see a ton of me because we're now in 2 troupes together! :-D

Once, twice, three times a ladybug

As some of you know, Kansas City has been infested by ladybugs recently. I walked into my kitchen and saw this spider getting revenge. Too cool, had to snap a picture:

Note to self....

Just a friendly little reminder. Don't park your coffeemaker too close to the edge of the counter, especially after filling the tank with water. It will become imbalanced and fall, the carafe will break, and you will not be able to enjoy your Guatemalan coffee beans from The Roasterie. Now if you will excuse me, I'm off to Starbucks.

I can has improv?

Went to antiprov rehearsal tonight. Things are really starting to come together! I'm having a lot of fun with Scott and Joe, and we've come up with some pretty cool new games. I have to admit I'm getting pretty proud of what we're doing. :-) I'm also in the process of writing my very first sketch, something I've never even attempted to do before. We'll see how this goes. I'm supposed to have it done by tomorrow, heh heh...we'll see. If it ever gets filmed I'll totally post the video. Rehearsal tomorrow night, rehearsal Wednesday night, Performance Saturday. Mmm....improv heaven. It's nice up here.

I'm a luck dragon!

We did manage to make a little magic last night....decorating the house for Christmas! I made a huge dinner with all sorts of yummy things then Jason pulled the decorations up from the basement and we took down the fall stuff, set up the tree, and went nuts. I don't know if it's because we don't have as many ornaments or if it's because I'm an adult, but it seems like it used to take a lot longer when I was a kid. Before long, though, the tree was decorated and we turned off the lights and drank egg nog in the soft multicolored glow. The girls looked so beautiful with their little faces all lit up by the tree and I was reminded of when I was a kid and we'd sit on the couch with the fire going and Manheim Steamroller in the background (a lot more peaceful than it sounds) drinking hot chocolate. I used to stare at the ceiling because we had lights that would periodically turn on and off and I liked to see the shadow of the pine needles on the ceiling as it changed with each blink. Leigha wrapped up a bunch of things from her room and drew all over the paper with sharpies, then wrote to and from. There are four of us and she put about six presents under the tree. She's so sweet.

Modern day faerie tale

I'm re-reading The Princess Bride, it's such a fantastic story. A great page-turning adventure with wildly outrageous vivid characters, and incredibly funny. It's relatively recent literature, in the grand scheme of things, and yet it's set back in an undetermined medieval/rennaisance-esque period. Almost all fantasy novels are set in the past in that undetermined point in non-history. I wonder if it's because there have been so many in that "time" that a precedence was set, or if we just fail to believe such things as magic and adventure are conceivable in this day and age? Perhaps that's why Harry Potter is such a sensation (beyond the fact that it's very well written and has a great story line) I'd like to see more modern day fantasy.

Super duper

Yesterday it snowed, first snow of the season! I called Leigha downstairs and told her to look out the window and she flipped out for a good five minutes. Later Tiffany came over and we ran out and did a spot 'o shopping together, including Starbucks. We were walking toward the building and Brianna said, "It's Christmas!!" Leigha said, "No it's not, Bri." Bri said (in the meanest, most forceful voice a three year old can muster, "Yes it is! It's Snowing and that means it's Christmas!" Awesome. We came back to my place and talked of life, love, and improv before she left for her mom's house. I fixed dinner, we ate, then it was off to rehearsal. We're going to do a "smackdown" and earn points to see who will win the soon to be coveted "golden bindle." It's so going to be me. *tries and fails to look fierce* We'll see. I think this will be fun. We also performed a brand new longform style, "Superheros." We had a blast. Well, happy Thanksgiving, all. I didn't forget, it's just that nothing has happened so far beyond the compiling of an apple pie and a few Macy's floats. Hope you're all enjoying your families. *lonely*

The subject line that is more awesome than Godzilla hi-fiving Chuck Norris

I had an extremely productive improv evening. First was "that which must not be mentioned," and the H7 came for the first time, which rocked. We all jumped in and had fun. Then Scott, Joe and I met for the second time for our improv thunderdome group, Antiprov! We ran some games we had thought up, broke some rules, learned via trial and error, and became more comfortable with one another, which was fun. Scott had somewhere to be at nine and we accidentally ran a little over and he practically sprinted out of the coffeehouse. Poor guy, I hope we didn't make him late for something. Joe drove me home because my car is being worked on and Jason had dropped me off. We talked about our little group and what's next for Hype7. We also discussed talk radio personalities. Nice. Big week of improv for me, and when I'm not doing improv...I'll be eating turkey. Sweeeeeet. (Oh yeah, and more yoga and stuff)

Breaking the rules can be fun!

Last night was one of the most exhilarating shows I've ever been priveleged enough to be a part of. Nifer and Joe showed up to support me, and our 7pm show was great! I talked with them between shows then sequestered myself to the backstage area to await the 9pm show. Several people from the cast failed to show up and we were in trouble for the late show...luckilly John had called James who showed up just in time, and the show went on. The first half was all games and everything went well. The second half longform, however....wow. We did a "soap opera" themed longform. It started out with a basic love triangle...which then expanded gradually into more of a love dodecahedron. Then somebody subtly broke the fourth wall....then it happened again...then somebody made a reference to the fourth wall...and eventually we were killed off one at a time via crossbow and resurrected as our real life selves. All except John. "I'm sweeping the scene because I'm the only character still in this thing and you all have to go away now!" (nice.) He started into this monologue eventually saying something to the effect of "and I'm the only one still alive!" Which is when I said, "CrossBOOOOOW!!" Shot him, he cursed and fell to the ground. Blackout. Absolutely priceless! Yesterday was also Leigha's play, Cinderella. It was adorable and she was the best pumpkin ever. FYI, that was her fifth play and she's not even eight!

Mor funneez plz? kthxbai

I'm addicted to lolcatz.


moar funny pictures


moar funny pictures


moar funny pictures


moar funny pictures


moar funny pictures


moar funny pictures

Pi-youch!!!!

Jennifer used to have a Y membership, and she highly recommended pilates to me. "Seriously, Jess, I'm fatter than you and if I can do it, you can do it." She certainly has a way of making a point. :-) So I decided to check out the pi-yo class at the Y. Pi-yo is a combination of pilates and yoga, if you didn't get that. The class was this morning, and it was a very new experience for me. I've never taken a class of the fitness variety since PE and we all know what a lovely experience that was. So I show up in my dumpy gym getup and follow the lead of one of the other girls by grabbing a few mats and spreading them in a plus sign on the floor. Slowly but surely a bunch of skinny-mini people show up, including the instructor, and wouldn't you know it? In a room full of mirrors I just happen to pick the front of the classroom so while everyone is looking at the instructor they'll be able to see me. Greeeaaat. I put on my bravest "onstage" attitude and suck it up, and we begin going through the positions together. First was warmups, then upper body strength, lower body strength, core workout, and cooldown. It was much more entertaining than the eliptical, but I distinctly felt like I was going to quite literally die in at least three separate and distinct moments. I was also excessively wobbly which did not help with the whole, "everyone's looking this way" thing. But I got through it with my arms only giving out on me a couple times and only having to rest a couple times, and I left feeling fantastic. Endorphines rock, btw. I will totally go back, but holy crap that is a WORKOUT. I got home and showered then immediately headed to Westport for some Jerusalem Cafe deliciousness, followed by a brief stop at World Market before hitting Country Club Plaza for some Christmas shopping. It was all very rush rush because I had a lot of stuff to do and very little time in which to do it, and really fantastic coupons that expire Sunday (and no time except today) so what's a girl to do? :-D I also managed to snag myself a cute undershirt at the Gap that will keep me snuggly warm and fashionable at the same time this winter, all for only $9. Mmmm. Got back, picked Leigha up from school and dropped her off at her rehearsal, and finally came home at 4:30. *Whew!* I have no clue what's for dinner. Meh, we'll figure something out. And this evening, I'm going to the opera to see Julie and Elsbeth in La Boheme! I feel very cosmopolitan at this moment. I'm also very tired. :-D

OINK!!!

This is the Chi-Pig. He is very very hungry.

Manana? We don't know what that means!

I had such a fantastic night at rehearsal it was as if the improv gods were saying, "we're sorry you were dissapointed last week, here, please accept this gift. Oh, and btw, you're pretty." (Fine, I added the last bit. Shaddup.) It was a blast. I feel I did a pretty good job, too. I'm super stoked for this coming week's show, and two H7'ers (that I know of) are coming! Yay! Cheering section! This has been a great week thus far, and yes, I'm knocking on particle board hoping to not get bad luck now, but I'm really happy being me at this present moment.

San Diego

In-n-freakin-out burger, baby!!!!

My mom and Leigha switch places on the playground near my grandma's house

Janina, my younger sister, shows Jason exactly who's boss. (BTW, she's wrong.)

Brianna....yeah, just be afraid.

The scant amount of rain that we got...Grandma came out on the porch and said, "Oh, it's pouring!" My dad said, "Well, yeah, for San Diego, it is...."

Party on, Garth

Jason and I took the girls to a circus tonight. It was their, and my, first. Pretty cool, actually. Driving downtown was crazy, though, as tonight was also one of the many Garth Brooks concerts going on at the Sprint Center. Jason asked, "What's going on tonight?" I replied, "Garth Brooks concert. Isn't it obvious? (I pointed to a cowboy) That's clearly one of his fans....in fact, for all I know, that's him!" We found a legal, free parking space within walking distance of the municipal auditorium, and made our way to some seats. They had some really cool acts. At the end they had a bunch of things going on on the auditorium floor, including pony and elephant rides, people dressed up like Spider Man and Sponge Bob, some inflatable bounce houses, and all the clowns lined up for meet and greets. As we walked back to our parking space Leigha was chattering about how she'd like to join the circus someday. I asked her what she'd like to do. "Um....I liked the trapezes...but the hula hoop lady with the fire was cool. Oh! I know, I'd be one of the bear trainers!" "Wow, that would be cool! How about you, Brianna, out of all the people at the circus tonight, who would you be?" "Sponge Bob!"

Look, it's me!

My cousin found an old home movie of me from high school, wasn't I cute back then?

I couldn't be happier

I was so excited for rehearsal this evening, but it didn't turn out to be as fun as I'd hoped. I'm bummed out. I hoped to end this rehearsal week on a high note. Oh well.

Heads up

Just a few scattered pieces of my life I'd like to share. I'm plotting and planning like a madwoman right now. Not going to say what for until a few things line up just right and it looks like this is doable in the near future....but I'm excited. It's a big fat honkin' deal if I manage to pull it off! So my efforts are pretty intense and ambitious. It's the kind of fever that leads to me doing something semi-crazy, but this time with a purpose! I've begun going to the gym on a more regular basis than I have been...I slacked off a bit at the beginning of September (tee hee!) and was just picking up steam when my car blew up, so it's been a while since I've been really good about going. I'd really like to drop another size before the January rush because I don't want to spend much time in a crowded gym full of wishy washy "it's my resolution this year...kind of an annual tradition with me" people. Very few people actually mean it, you know. After all, nothing magical happens in January that automatically makes everything that could possibly make you into an overall "better person" any easier. You have to work to change the world, you have to work to change yourself. There's never been an easy button or magic pill, and there never will be. It's life, so suck it up and deal with it. /soapbox My car had a part that was recalled so we took it to the dealership and got it fixed free. A couple more little bits fixed and we'll be good to go! I just got plates for it this week, though, cost more than anticipated which sucks. Eh, no more Starbucks for Jessica until next Friday! I'm so glad it's that easy nowadays, though....I recall a time when that would have had Jason and I in a huge panic over how to pay for crap. We've come so far. Must go now, back to plotting scheming and dreaming!

A blonde moment so severe you'd think I dyed my hair again....

Okay, here's how big of an idiot I can be sometimes. I took my car to the gas station to fill it up for the first time. Naturally, I parked so the driver's side was closest to the pump, since that's where it was on the van. Guess what? Not on the Intrepid! (I've decided to name it "Betty.") No, it's on the passenger side! So I turn the car back on, pop it into drive, and go around. I parked at the pump, ready to put some gas in, only to find that I had, AGAIN, instinctively parked so the driver's side was closest to the pump! Gaaah! So I turned the car on yet again, put it in drive, drove around the circle, paused at a pump.....realized it was close to the driver's side again (ah!) but hadn't put it in park yet, so I crossed to the other side and parked (FINALLY!) with the correct side of the car facing the pump. Wow. I wonder what the other people filling up where thinking when they saw me?

Helloooo? I'm freaking dying here!

Oh man...Saturday morning I woke up in excruciating pain. I literally could not move without getting stabbing pains in my stomach. I called Jason then went to Urgent Care. I was so out of it it was actually kind of funny. Well they told me to get an x-ray and I was walking to the other building to get one when I ran into a friend of mine, who saw the state I was in and took the kids off my hands for the day. (how sweet!) So I went to the x-ray place and they didn't take my insurance so I went back to the Urgent Care place to see what else could be done, and while I was there, I puked. Yay. But it made me feel better....not all the way, but better. So I decided to just go home and sleep and see what that did for me. I woke up in the afternoon, feeling pretty good, so I ate something, decided it was, in fact, staying down, took a shower, got dressed, and called my friend, who dropped the girls off. At that point it was about five o clock, so I decided since I was feeling so much better (even though my tummy still hurt a bit) I'd go ahead and get ready to do some improv! I got to the theater, warmed up, and got ready for the show. The 7pm show was a little laggy....until Julie picked up John P., and then everyone was laughing so hard that we picked up some steam and finished on a high note. It was a pretty great show. In between shows we played a game where we all lay down on the stage and pretended we were hot dogs on a roller thingy (John was a veggie dog!) and we all rolled across the stage in unison, giggling like idiots! Every so often you'd hear someone cry, "I've got a credit card!" "Ooh, car keys!" After a while we were laughing so hard that the "unison" thing ceased to exist and some people sped up and we were rolling on top of each other like some kind of crazed laying down crowd surfing! An audience member entered at that point and we jumped up and scattered to sequester ourselves backstage. Luckily it was John and Julie's brother, so I'm sure he understood. The nine o clock show was pretty great, we were very tuned in to one another, and we went out with a bang! We were all feeling so great at that point that we went to the bar next door and hung out, playing bar games and eating greasy food. It was great. I went to Julie's house for a bit after that, and she showed me a couple chords on the guitar for kicks. I came home a little after midnight and chatted with Jason for a bit before falling into a deep sleep. I can't believe I could be so sick and still have a fantastic day.

FYI, I woke up this morning and my stomach still hurts. If it's still hurting tomorrow, I'm going to my doctor.

THE LAWS OF INERTIA HAVE BEEN REPEALED!!!

The term "inertia" is more properly understood as a shorthand for "the principle of inertia as described by Newton in his First Law."

In simple terms we can say that "In an isolated system, a body at rest will remain at rest and a body moving with constant velocity will continue to do so, unless disturbed by an unbalanced force"

That is a snippet from a wikipedia article on the subject of inertia. Unfortunately, inertia is now a theory and no longer a myth. Why you might ask? Well...today I cleaned out my kitchen quite thouroughly. This means I opened cabinets a lot, particularly the spice cabinet. I opened it like six times. There is a can of baking powder (can't say the name brand, so let's just call it "Clobber Girl") Sitting on the edge of the cabinet, but still fully inside the cupboard. It didn't budge once while I cleaned the kitchen. HOWEVER, all that changed when I decided to make some egg drop soup this evening. Apparently, the second you put an egg on the counter....



Wha-BAM! The laws of inertia just don't apply in this instance. They just can't help it! The joke must be had! I'm on to them....

FYI, I took it in stride and went ahead with my cooking. The resulting soup was, in fact, delicious.

Say hello to the light in your eyes

Jason and I took the girls to a dollar theater to see Hairspray. They loved it! Brianna was dancing crazedly the whole time, it looked like she was literally trying to get on the Corny Collins show! Leigha was so into it that she was rivited the whole time. I was struck again by the fact that segregation was real and it was only 40 years ago that people had to fight to be treated like human beings in a country that prides itself on the "basic human rights" and "all men are created equal" stuff. Makes you wonder how anyone could have ever been so blind. Only 40 years ago, and in this day and age I can't even imagine why people would have ever thought that was okay. We have come so far. Every time I go to a dollar movie theater I think about the time Jason, Lynette and I went to Pueblo and saw "10 things I hate about you" at a dollar theater and the row of 12 year old girls who kept squealing every time Heath Ledger smiled. It was quite amusing this time too, when some people in the front row held up their cell phones and waved them like lighters at a concert during the candle light protest song. Seeing it the second time around was so much fun! I can't wait to buy the DVD!

Friday Letdown

Since I only have shows Saturday nights (until we do some for H7) Fridays are a bit of a letdown for me. Everyone else is celebrating the start of the weekend, but in our family, it doesn't start 'till Saturday night. Therefore Leigha is out of school for the weekend, perfect time to do something cool as a family, and Jason has to get up at 5:30 the next morning. That rather sucks. Oh well, at least we can still grab a bite and a movie as a family. Last night we had a great rehearsal at RI. One of our new guys who has only come to rehearsal once showed up (yay!) and Crystil brought a friend who is thinking about auditioning but wanted to see what it was like first. (here's a thought...come to a show! Eh, it's cool. Maybe she'll come now that she's seen us) So there were like eight of us there at one time, which is a lot for a smaller troupe like ours, we'd been averaging about five or six for the past couple months. Anywho, we did some GREAT work, played a loooot of new games and just had a blast. I still feel priveleged to be part of the improv world, it's so cool! I can't wait to see where next year will take me.