Oh Hot Damn, This is My Jam

This has been a big week for me, I started a new job, a new improv class, and a new yoga routine (ok... so I haven't started it yet). Thankfully all of this happened just in time for me, I was getting very antsy hanging around my house for hours on end.

From now on 35-40 hours of my week now consists of playing with a 3 year old who loves art and yelling. It feels great to be working again... My days are now filled with smelly markers, "sgetty O's," and baby dolls... and there is nothing wrong with that! Come on, be honest, you would love to get paid to color with smelly markers and build sand castles with magic sand. And who wouldn't love that?

I enrolled in Scenic Improv 2 this term at Second City and I can already tell this is going to be the best class I have taken. The teacher, Rachael Mason, is so good at explaining concepts and putting the complexity of improv very simply. I have already learned so much in only 3 hours of class. My favorite thing she talked about is actually something I have been working on for a while which is just being able to shed my inhibitions. Viola Spolin, fondly considered the mother of improvisational theatre, invented improv games to help non-english speaking children in the arts. Her son Paul Sills, founder of The Second City, thought, well if kids can do it then surely adults can. And hence the history of Second City in 10 seconds or less. Scenic Improv 2 is going to be about getting us to play like kids, to stop worrying about if we are messing up, doing it wrong, or being judged and just give 110% to the scenes. This is going to be great for me since the feedback I got after not being accepted to continue in the Conservatory was to commit to my character and scenes and not back down.

One thing in particular that Rachael said that has become my new mantra for improv, "Decide now that this is your 3rd drink jam!" Essentially just decide that you are going to lose your inhibitions and dance as though your 3 drinks in even if you don't know the song. I LOVE THIS! Because I am also that person at the club that will just sit on the sideline while other people dance claiming "Oh...I don't know the song..." and "Oh... well... I am soo not drunk enough yet..." So I guess I have a little bit of work to do on both my improvising and socializing skills.

Oh... yeah... and my "new yoga routine." I guess it's not a routine if I haven't started yet. I have taken the first steps to a new yoga routine though. From the comfort of my bed I can see my brand new yoga mat and yoga DVD, I have a brand new Contigo water bottle that coincidentally matches my yoga mat, and I have plenty of pairs of yoga pants that would love to (for once) be used for their actual purpose. If you're in the market for a new water bottle don't get a Camelbak they (Suck!) leak... Contigo is so much better (Sponsor? **hint hint Contigo**). In my defense it is very cold in my house... is wrong to do yoga in a sleeping bag? Okay... ok... I will do some yoga... eventually....

The Shivering

It's hard enough coming home from vacation and being unemployed, but Chicago made it so much harder with it's -12º feels like -40º temperatures. Did anyone really expect me to leave the comfort and warmth of my bed? 

Sunday was cold, snowy, gray, and windy

Monday was so cold it actually hurt to be outside. It felt like someone with a million little frozen razor blades was having a party on my thighs! 

But hey Chicago! At least it was sunny, you win some and you lose some! 

I did leave my house, but only to go to the bank, my brief venture out into the world persuaded me to set aside all other responsibilities and set up camp in my room, under three blankets, with my computer, iPad, and phone. I am not sure exactly how many hours of television I watched, but I watched the entire season of Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and half of the season of The Sing Off. I also played an exorbitant amount of Candy Crush and Tiny Wings. 

Today I will get out of my warm and cozy cocoon of happiness and attempt to face the world. I have a To Do list a mile long and a case of cabin fever that could rival Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson from The Shining).

I mean look at the resemblance: 

But all joking aside I am going to get out of bed, make myself some buttered noodles (because I am an adult and I can), and find something to do with myself today. The Rail has all you can eat Spaghetti and $5 glasses of wine tonight, if anyone wants to join me... 

Stay warm everyone! 

A Serendipitous Encounter

Before I head back to the frozen wasteland of Chicago I got to have a bit of fun with my family and some unexpected old friends.
Due to missing the big family Christmas get together my mom invited my aunts, uncles, and cousins over on New Year's Day for Chili. The day before my mom and sister and I spent all day cutting and preparing a triple batch of Chili. This included pounds of sausage, 6 onions, and a ton of canned tomatoes!

Mary making Lemonade

It was so wonderful getting to catch up with and see my whole extended family. It was so nice to have the opportunity to see them as well as get to know my brother's girlfriend.

Thursday ended up being a day of running around and doing errands with my mom and sister. But in the middle of the errands we were able to find time to have a nice brunch and also go and see Catching Fire at the theater. Then last night my brother took us all out for dinner and drinks (since he is living at home he gets to take the family out since my parents aren't charging him rent). We had delicious burgers and martinis all on my brother's dime. 

Other highlights of the past couple days was getting to try my dad's homemade salted caramel sauce. My dad and older brother spent a lot of time working on and perfecting a caramel recipe to can and gift to all the neighbors. 

Apples and homemade caramel

In a true serendipitous moment two of my best friends from college were in Colorado on a ski trip, and with only a two hour distance to trek to see them it seemed silly not to. We met halfway between Breckenridge and Denver in Idaho Springs to have the famous Colorado style Mile High Mountain Pie at Beau Jo's Pizza.

It was such a treat to get to see Taylor and Jordan at such an unexpected time and place. It felt just like old times hanging out, gossiping, and catching up on life adventures. 

Derpin' just like old times! 

I missed these crazy kids as if they were my own family. It was so great to hear about all the cool things they have been doing since last May. But to be honest I am already counting down the days until they move to Chicago (I don't even care that is a year and a half away). 

Check out that hair! And yes... that is a frozen waterfall in the background! 

This trip home was a much needed break from work, cold, and the city. I got to relax, sleep in, and eat lots of free food.

One more night of my favorite meal (Puttanesca Spaghetti) before heading home (my new home) to the Windy City.

New Year: New You?

Happy New Year! I wish I could report that I had a crazy blowout celebration to ring in 2014, but I sat on the couch with my parents, aunt and uncle drinking wine and watching only the boring parts of Country Strong, due to a scratched disc, and The Italian Job. Compared to last year, reading Harry Potter alone on the couch while babysitting, I have to say this year seemed like a crazy blowout celebration.

Brace yourself for the onset of the avalanche of  high and mighty resolutions about how people are going to better their lives. People vowing to exercise more, eat better, and other such aspirations for a healthier more fulfilling life. I don't know if I reject all attempts at New Year's resolutions because I don't want to be cliche and "mainstream" or if really I am just jealous of every person who is able to make a significant resolution and actually stick with it.

In reality I should definitely eat healthier and I think I would feel better if I could motivate myself to get off my butt and exercise a bit. But I don't make resolutions that I know I wont stick with even to January 2nd.

So instead of a New Year's "resolution" I am going to officially put out into the universe my 2014 New Year's Projects. I only have two but they should keep me busy enough!

1. My Actually-Blog-on-a-Consistent-Basis Project: I started a blog in 2013 but I am going to utilize it better and more frequently in 2014. While a blog should really be used incredibly frequently (daily, or at least every business day). I am giving myself the (possibly outlandish) goal of writing a blog at least once a week, EVERY WEEK! My reasons for this are 3 fold.
          1. If I want to continue in the comedy field I need to learn how to write, write often, and be        
              totally fine with people reading or watching anything that I have written.
          2. There is only one way to break myself of the monotonous writing style that I find so    
              easy to fall into.
          3. There are some things that I can't ever seem to wrap my head around or truly understand until I               put it down on paper. Call it therapeutic, call it crazy, I don't care after it's down on
              paper it's off my mind and nothing feels better than an empty mind.

2. My Improvised Paint Project: I love painting, but I hate how much time it takes me and how caught up I get in the little details of the painting being perfect. Which leads to me being frustrated by the imperfections and either spending far too many hours being dissatisfied with my painting or setting aside the project altogether to be forgotten in my closet. So I recently bought a bunch of canvases on sale at Michael's to start what I am calling my Improvised Paint Project. The premise of this being that much like in improv I will take a suggestion of something, anything really, and using that as inspiration for a painting. What I have decided is that I will give myself time limits. From getting the suggestion I will have 5 minutes to free associate the suggestion, decide what I want to do, and sketch my idea. Then I am only giving myself 30 minutes to paint. After 30 minutes whatever I have is it, it's done and it can't be revisited (just like improv!!!!).

I am actually super excited about both of these things. I have had both "projects" in the back of my mind for a few months now, which means that I fell to the New Year: New You draw by putting off these projects. Just call me one giant cliche! "I have this really great idea... I guess I will start it in the new year!"

Wishing all of you a happy, healthy, and prosperous year!

A Colorado Christmas

After A Christmas Carol closed on Saturday I flew home Sunday morning to get to spend some time with my family and have a belated Christmas and gift exchange.

Sunday night when I arrived we had a gift exchange with my immediate family!

It was a Second City/Wyoming University sort of Christmas! 

I thankfully received the luggage that I asked for, because otherwise I would not have had enough space to take everything back to Chicago with me. I was also lucky enough to receive so many things to keep me warm this winter in Chicago (gloves, scarves, sweatshirts, and blankets). 

It was so great to be home with family, it finally really felt like Christmas. My parents made my favorite meal for dinner (spaghetti, greek salad, and of course wine!). It was the first time in weeks that I felt like I could really relax and unwind. I had nothing to worry about doing, cleaning, or being late to. 

After dinner I met up with a couple of old friends from childhood. Maria and Christine are some of my oldest friends and no matter how long it has been since we have talked we always pick right back up from where we left off. We headed to Starbucks after dinner but were kicked out at 10:00 when they closed and in an attempt to continue talking to each other and catching up we ended up just sitting in the car for 2 hours in front of their houses. 

As far as the rest of the week I look forward to sleeping in, relaxing, and eating a lot of home cooked meals. 

A Different Kind of Stage Manager

Working at the Goodman Theatre as the Young Performer Supervisor was an incredible experience. It was definitely one of the more exhausting jobs I have ever had but I had so much fun!

A different kind of stage manager's kit.
Coloring books, colored pencils, activity books, games, cards, books, the whole nine yards. 

I felt so official when I had to flash my ID to the Security Guards so I could walk back stage. It's the small things in life that make you feel like a total bad ass. 

"Oh Hey... Yeah I work here!"

A lot of days we had two shows, which was exhausting for everyone but doubly exhausting for the children who were confined to their tiny dressing rooms for endless hours. The kids would get very snippy and easily get on each other's nerves. Many days they would get picked up by their parents for dinner but sometimes I would have to take them to get dinner. So one day I started an Emily mandated quiet time between shows when they had to hang around the theatre. They were opposed to the idea from the beginning and fought me on it for a while, but eventually they conceded anyway (they didn't have much of a choice). We went up to the actor's lounge and they all sat quietly doing their own thing for about 45 minutes and whether or not it helped them all calm down and relax doesn't even matter because it was so glorious for me!

Ahhh peace and quiet! 

Throughout the process of this show the kids had brought to the theatre and also received as gifts a plethora of stuff. Between the dressing decorating contest, Secret Santa, and wanting to show off their new Christmas gifts their dressing rooms were full to the brim with unnecessary stuff. We needed to get all that stuff out by closing night and if it wasn't already hard enough to get them to focus on getting dressed it was even harder to get them to focus on cleaning up all their stuff and throwing everything away. So I wrote up a To Do list for both the boys dressing room and girls. 

Despite how rowdy, loud, and crazy these kids were I had so much fun hanging out with them and being a part of their experience in the theatre. I love to see kids who have been introduced to and appreciate the arts. If given the opportunity to do this again I would love to give it a try from the beginning and be a part of the whole process and not just thrown into the last two weeks of a production. 

I learned so much! Made connections with professionals in the "biz" and I think I did a pretty good job. Hopefully people even noticed that I did a good job and will keep me in mind in the future for this position or similar ones. 

"Say Scrooge!"

Chicago Christmas Part III

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas celebration!

As for me I had a great, relaxing non-Christmasy Christmas day and it was glorious!
I started out by sleeping in. After weeks of working two jobs and not having a day off in 3 or so weeks knowing that my alarm clock was not going to go off this morning was the best christmas gift to myself.

After I woke up I made myself a lovely breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, and a bowl of chopped mango and orange. While eating, I opened up the package from my parents that had the contents of my stocking.

The stocking stuffers that Santa puts into my stocking as of late are all the things I need but never want to spend the money on (bobby pins, mascara, hair bands, chocolate, chapstick) and I love it. This year Santa also scored a sweet glasses repair kit at the Container Store that consists of extra screws, hinges, nose pads, and a teeny tiny screwdriver in case I ever need to fix my glasses. 

After I finished breakfast I opened the rest of the packages that have been waiting so patiently to be opened. Two packages my mom ordered from Athleta had thick Smartwool socks and my aunt sent a package full of candy, treats, and some extra cold weather accessories! 

My mother was concerned that I wouldn't have enough to open on Christmas... But thanks to my amazing Aunt I had more than enough to open! 

Ahh... post Christmas wrapping paper messes! 

In a true "orphaned" Christmas style I met up with some friends from college, Lucy and AJ, and went to see Saving Mr. Banks. When I arrived at the movie theatre I got an extra Christmas surprise, I have had a Regal Cinema free movie ticket in my wallet for 4 years and I finally used it today! So Merry Christmas Emily (and Happy 19th Birthday!) The movie was wonderful! It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me really want to read the original book by P.L. Travers. I would recommend seeing the movie, I mean it has Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks in it! 

While I was traveling home from the movie my family in Colorado was convening and beginning celebrations at my parent's house so it was about time for me to utilize modern technology and say a quick Merry Christmas to extended family. 

My Sister

Cousins, Aunt, and Grandma's forehead (My family struggled with getting into the view of the camera.)

Oh... What was that? My Christmas dinner you ask... well of course I had to have Italian. It just would not be Christmas if I had anything else! So of course I made spaghetti. Not quite my Father's spaghetti but I have to work with what I've got. 

I even prepared myself some appetizers to tide me over while I waited for the pot to boil. A whole plate of raw vegetables with ranch dip and cheese and crackers for sporadic munching throughout dinner. All in all a rather delicious and filling meal. 

After dinner I snuggled up with some blankets and hulu.com to catch up on some TV shows. Specifically the Holiday episode of SNL, which I have been saving for today. I also watched the holiday episodes of Modern Family and Glee. It was a thoroughly perfect was to spend my first Christmas away from my family. 

While I was all cozied up on the couch it snowed just enough to blanket the dirty old snow with a soft, pure, white coat making the view of the street emanate with Holiday spirit. 

5 more shows of A Christmas Carol before I get to hop a plane to Denver and spend some quality time with my family... and hopefully we can relive some Christmas traditions for my benefit. 

But for now all I have to say is Merry Christmas from Beauty the Turkey and Me: