Behind Every Beautiful Eye Detrรกs De Cada Ojo Hermoso a kate west recommendation
If you're wondering how to reach inner city youth, introduce them to themselves. Encourage them to read and to write down what they feel. The students of the Los Angeles School of Global Studies (class of 2012) have done just that by completing another inspirational writing project. One hundred high schoolers from downtown LA wrote essays, poems and bios in both English and Spanish about their personal lives and emotions and set it all down in a book for the world to see. Laura Cometa is the teacher responsible for once again collecting teenager's stories into a literary bilingual anthology in a continuing and very successful writing project. And quite a program it is - these stories are in turn, amusing, heartrending, poignant and very real.
And it's a win-win situation. The children had a chance recently to present their work at the Latino Book Festival and proudly read excerpts. At the Q&A, the students admitted the project had changed their lives, empowered their self-esteem and even improved family dynamics. They got a kick out of staying to sign books for enchanted fans too. Not only that, but Filmmaker Tracy Mazuer is documenting it all on film so her camera crew follows the kids around, giving the whole experience that Angeleno real-world feeling we've all come to know and love.
So there you have it. The best way to spread the word is by telling a friend, so please support this project. And encourage your kids to write!
Buy The Book Here: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/behind-every-beautiful-eye/7486706
Latino Book Festival Info: http://lbff.us/ http://www.reynagrande.com/LBFF%20page.htm Read more!
Sizzle - a global warming comedy a kate west review directed by Randy Olson written by Randy Olson & Ifeanyi Njoku World Premiere - Los Angeles Outfest at Fairfax Theater 7907 Beverly Blvd. L.A. www.sizzlethemovie.com
The movie "Sizzle" is a cinematic hodgepodge of styles: comedy, documentary and science, all in an attempt to illuminate global warming. Director/writer Randy Olson is a bonafide scientist (Marine Biologist) who chose to leave science for film school at USC. His previous films include "Rediagnosing the Oceans" and "Flock of Dodos" (about evolution). In "Sizzle" he counters Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" with a mix of fantasy and a dose of skepticism.
The premise is that he, Olson as a scientist, wants to make a different type of movie about global warming and recruits (pretend) producers Mitch Silpa and Brian Clark who bring him argumentative crew members (Alex Thomas and Ifeanyi Njoku). Using real scientists and fake actors, his mix of fantasy and fact-driven reality can be confusing. For instance, Clark, Silpa and Thomas are the actors playing actors and film crew. Some of them use their real names and some do not. Real creators Olson and Njoku play themselves (Olson) and fake crew members (Njoku). He even enlists his own mother, Muffy Moose, to play his mother. Make sense yet?
The scientists are real, covering the spectrum of both the pro and the con regarding the severity of environmental impact. The alarmists include Dr. Jerry Meehl, Dr. Richard Somerville, Dr. Megan Owen, Julia Bovey and Dr. Naomi Oreskes (who was featured in Al Gore's documentary) and the skeptics include Dr. Pat Michaels, Dr. Steve Hayward, Dr. Fred Singer, Dr. Bill Gray, Dr. Marc Morano and Dr. George Chillingarian. The latter skeptic, Dr. Chilli let's call him, is such a character himself that it further blurs the fantasy/reality line. With a flamboyant mustache and attitude, his outrageousness rivals that of the fake producers.
In addition, Olson has an editing problem. So many scenes are needlessly repetitive. For instance, he interviews a scientist and his pretend cameraman (Thomas) disputes the facts; Olson shows frustration and follows up with several interviews in the exact same manner. Then about two-thirds into the film, Olson presumably finally listens to his sound man (Njoku) who tells him to put a human face on global warming, inspiring them to visit New Orleans and show the still-visible carnage of Hurricane Katrina. While obviously moving, this happens a little too far into the movie and again, goes on a little too long.
The scenes with Brian Clark and Mitch Silpa as flaky novice Hollywood producers are hilarious as the real Silpa and Clark are professional improvisers (www.groundlings.com) and darn good at it too. However, Olson is unfortunately not as talented, and thus is not a strong enough presence to keep viewer interest for an entire feature. His science is interesting, but even after a stint at USC, he is not the consummate filmmaker, having produced a film riddled with editing and believability problems. As a general audience, we appreciate the attempt at fun, but Olson does not quite understand how to maintain a coherent story line, choosing instead to throw everything in but the kitchen sink.
The overall impression is one of chaos, with Olson constantly seeming to wrestle with how to convey his confusion (he does present both pro and con, after all). One ill-directed dream sequence of a literal wrestle (with a polar bear) adds little to the film. His dramatic arguments are written to be funny and are amusing, but the reality/fantasy transitions are just not sharp enough to make a well polished film. In the editing room scene, where Olson is getting advice on focus, one wishes this had really happened behind the scenes in order to be translated into a gratifying whole.
In spite of some spots of entertainment and thought-provoking facts, the film plays as a work-in-progress. It just isn't there. Kudos for the attempt at enlightenment, and if it shifts someones global perspective, that would be great. But sadly, it is just not cinematically logical. And why it premiered at theme-structured Los Angeles Outfest is yet another mysterious facet of the experience.
Read more!
30 Days - FX created & narrated by Morgan Spurlock a kate west reflection
The ground-breaking documentary "Super Size Me" turned the fast food industry upside down when Director/Creator Morgan Spurlock devoted 30 days of eating nothing but McDonald's food. The resulting alarming and terrible health problems shocked audiences into giving up their Big Macs (at least temporarily) and cut short the month-long dare. His doctors forbade him to continue.
Not only did Spurlock get his message through loud and clear, but he was inspired to start a spin-off television series, "30 Days", in which someone spends 30 days doing something contrary to their nature or beliefs in an effort to walk in someone else's shoes or just sharing a life experience like working as a coal miner or a living as a disabled person for a whole month. Past shows also include a Christian living in a Muslim household and a Pro-Lifer living with gay parents and even a month in the life of a heartbreaking immigrant family. Regular people are the new protagonists, although Spurlock still does the occasional month and all shows end up showing us an aspect of our society we never thought about before.
The most poignant episode to date has to be Morgan Spurlock's 30 days on a Native American reservation. We're all familiar with America's sordid history: slavery, WWII interments and of course Native American genocide. But to most of us, all that exists in the past and present day atrocities are more along the international lines of Middle East turbulence, African genocides and the September 11 attacks that may or may not have anything to do with the Middle East turbulence (go ahead and guess). But what we don't think about is the fact that there are still left over reservations in this country in dire straits and even when we do think about them, it's usually not out of concern for the people's welfare.
Morgan Spurlock spends 30 days with the Navajo Nation on a reservation with no running water and very few jobs. In Gallup, New Mexico, he lives with a family heavily involved in the rodeo circuit whose endearing grandmother speaks no English and still lives in the traditional way. The entire population (over 20,000 in 2000) has only 25 available jobs compared to the hundreds of jobs in similar neighboring Texan cities. The young people are fast losing the language and as Spurlock tries to learn the native tongue from a local teacher, she tears up telling him she doubts her children would carry on that tradition.
Although gambling is against their spiritual beliefs, the Navajo have little choice but to cave in to the allure of Indian Gaming. Casinos will bring in much needed money to this desperately cash-poor section of Americans. It's not ideal, but the reservations just do not provide a proper standard of living. After hundreds of years of abuse, we are still neglecting our indigenous people, the most forgotten segment of our nation. So many Native Americans suffer from poverty, drug abuse and alcoholism, that there does not seem to be an easy way out of such a long period of neglect. In spite of all this, amazingly enough, Spurlock also found that (at least within the host family) there still exists deep respect for our environment and a universal spiritualism promoting peace with our surroundings. He experiences a profound vision in a sweat lodge and is revived in both spirit and soul. After a tough transition back to the concrete cities, he resolves to keep part of that adventure intact and continues to practice earthly prayers.
A simplistically short viewpoint, to be sure, but the show reaches a vast audience as quite the devastating look at our society. And Morgan Spurlock's obvious affection and emotional ties to the people he meets are particularly effective. No one should be able to watch without a subtle shift in perception. Hopefully, we'll all be properly shamed into finally trying to be part of the solution. It's out there somewhere. By the way, if you are moved to help out, be sure to contact a reputable organization, as there are a few unscrupulous outfits preying on bleeding hearts. Do your research first. Peace.
Watch video segments of all seasons/episodes here: http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/30days
What IS it with our modern generation and everyone's constant need to over share? I know I sound old when I say this, but back in my day, we never told each other every single detail of our lives. None of this minute-to-minute update of life's minutia, sexual exploits, bathroom habits, every single damn thing each of us is thinking every single second. I don't need to know all that and neither does the rest of the world. What happened to privacy, decorum, tact and just plain class? Kids these days demand screaming attention in order to validate their existence and are uncomfortable with the more reserved. Isn't one of life's mysteries the actual mystery? And do I even have to complain about people on their cellphones? Private is now public apparently. Maybe this is an American problem and Europeans are grown ups and Americans are children. I often think so.
In any case, no wonder we exalt celebrities and people get famous simply for being famous and not for contributing significantly to society. We are fascinated with the fishbowl culture of needing to know everything about their private lives. Is it because it makes us feel better or are we just nosy? Believe it or not, I know next to nothing about several nameless super celebs apparently in the news lately - I don't watch FOX News or read PEOPLE and am told that I can't help knowing about it since that knowledge is everywhere, but honest to God, since I'm not looking for it or talking about it, I've missed it. Hooray for me.
Granted I watch too much television (but at least not the commercials). So I need to get back to reading. And avoiding the fishbowl. Yes, I will keep blogging (oh hush)!
p.s. And while I'm in the mood, can I once again complain about television characters mentioning other television characters from shows on the same network? Tacky boo. Oh and is it just me, or is it enough already with self-congratulating, self-absorbed Hollywooders and their insider everything (Oscars especially)? Ugh.
"Quarterlife" is the latest offering by Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick (of the poignantly talky shows "thirtysomething", "Once and Again" and "My So-Called Life"). But rather than premiere it on television, they're taking the modern route by posting it on the Internet and more specifically, everyone's main source of networking, MySpace.com. A natural incarnation of the blog frenzy among our youth, "Quarterlife" depicts the angst we all experienced fresh out of college, when we were liberally over-educated but working in a coffee shop. It should speak volumes to anyone of a certain generation.
As in their other projects, Herskovitz/Zwick gives us lots of dialogue, little action and mucho reflection. It can be a little boring (and certainly whiny) in parts, although you may also find it hits all too close to home. To paraphrase cast member Laura Carson, "Quarterlife is the twenty-something's identity crisis. In other words, Life."
Series Directed by: Marshall Herskovitz (2 episodes, 2007)
Series Writing Credits: Devon Gummersall (2 episodes, 2007) Marshall Herskovitz (2 episodes, 2007) Edward Zwick (unknown episodes)
Series Cast: Bitsie Tulloch ... Dylan / ... (5 episodes, 2007) Mike Faiola ... Eric (4 episodes, 2007) Scott M. Foster (1 episode, 2007) David Walton ... Danny (unknown episodes) Michelle Lombardo ... Debra (unknown episodes) Maite Schwartz ... Lisa (unknown episodes) Barret Swatek ... Brittany (unknown episodes) Kevin Christy ... Andy (unknown episodes) Barbara Williams ... Maggie (unknown episodes) Jill E. Alexander ... Mary (unknown episodes, 2007) Adam Bobrow ... Young Man (unknown episodes, 2007) Lolita Davidovich ... Mindy Krieger (unknown episodes, 2007) Emily Happe ... Intern (unknown episodes, 2007) George Ketsios ... Richard (unknown episodes, 2007) James Kiriyama-Lem ... Husband (unknown episodes, 2007) Rodrigo Lopresti ... Claude Sabbatier (unknown episodes, 2007) Bree Turner ... Carly (unknown episodes, 2007) Laura Carson ... Editor (unknown episodes) Will Tiao ... Editor (unknown episodes)
I have Latina hair. Meaning it's thick and curly, yeah I know, lucky me, right, but ALSO very susceptible to frizz. It's a dumb thing to complain about, especially in this day and age, and of course people with straight hair want curly, and people with curly want straight, blah, blah, blah. But what people with straight hair don't understand is that the price of curly hair is FRIZZ. There is nothing simple you can do about it either, so I resort to lots and lots of Frizz Ease gel and to wearing my hair in a ponytail and hat for several hours after I wash it. We'd all like to look like we just stepped out of a salon, but either we rush home and fix it back to the way we like it or we don't wash our hair for days, trying to keep it professional. We're never happy. But it is just hair, after all, and not Hurricane Katrina. Still it's nice to find someone who really understands curly hair.
Speaking of salons, Sweet 9 on Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles offers pretty reasonable rates on haircuts and manicures, plus they have a day spa and a tearoom. It's eclectic design and very mod cozy. So if your hair is driving you crazy at least you'll have a fun place to escape to. Visit them the next time you're in the area. Need something to read there? Check out Latina Magazine, a hot and trendy look at being a modern Latina. Fun recipes, musical artists, dating advice, inspirational stories and more. Latina chica style, of course. And for some Food Network Hispanic chica insights, watch sassy Miami foodie Ingrid Hoffmann on "Simply Delicioso" (www.delicioso.com). We are a minority fast becoming a majority in Los Angeles, so you may want to brush up on the cultura.
And with those plugs, now you can be thankful that if all you have to worry about is hair, you're probably in a pretty good place. I know, it's Los Angeles, we are all fashion conscious here from time to time and we'd all like to be skinny flappers from the twenties. If wishes were horses. Happy Thanksgiving.
Sweet 9 info at www.sweet9.com or look them up on My Space.
Oh and try the Chantell Boutique at 7309 Melrose. Cutest little outfits for a non-Melrose price. Store owner Ashley also sells across the street at Paper Doll. She's a doll herself.
(Celebrities spotted here: Adam Sandler, Mya, Gwen Stefani and Lindsay Lohan).
Latina Magazine www.latina.com
(Julie Andrews being a fashionable flapper in "Thoroughly Modern Millie")Read more!
It's a mystery as to this country's obsession with each other's outward happiness. Have you ever gotten the impossibly irritating "Smile!" admonition from a stranger? And how many of you are female - do men even get that question? Probably not as often as women, if ever, since we are sugar and spice and everything nice and supposed to be pleasantly innocuous.
So is it really any of your business what my inner state is? Are you that insecure that you need me to validate you that way - through a smile? I know you think it's a friendly gesture, but it has a more sinister intent, subconscious or no. You want me to make you feel comfortable. And that's not my job. Please, worry about yourself and your own inner state, no need to infringe on mine. I'm fine, or not, but either way, I'll handle it, thank you.
Read more!
An Inconvenient Truth a kate west reflection www.climatecrisis.net
If you haven't seen former Vice President Al Gore's movie by now, God help you when you're baking in the record-breaking heat each summer and freezing in unprecedented colder and colder winters. Our dependency on domestic and foreign oil will be our undoing as America consistently fails to be the environmental leader we know we should be. Other nations have adopted "green" standards and as the wealthiest superpower, we should have done so as well, a long time ago. Solar and wind power are only two options. More hybrid cars, more fuel alternatives - these are all no-brainers! To have to fight against corporate lobbyists who deny their countrymen the freedom to help the planet is criminal. Yes, global warming is real. The rest of the world is already well aware of it.
The movie is in documentary style, with charts and graphs and lectures by Al Gore and a team of scientists and it's all fascinating. And important. Hopefully, most of us already know most of this already - melting glaciers, disappearing species, more droughts, fires, heat waves, hurricanes and all kinds of other natural disasters coming our way. It's not too late to help the next generation though. Start today.
For more info, catch "The Green" on the Sundance Channel (www.sundancechannel.com) and "Planet Earth" on the Discovery Channel (dsc.discovery.com).
Listen to Al Gore - this time he really knows what he's talking about. You know that this, along with universal health care, will be the main political issues next election, right?
Directed by Davis Guggenheim
Produced by Lawrence Bender .... producer Scott Z. Burns .... producer Lesley Chilcott .... co-producer Lesley Chilcott .... line producer Davis Guggenheim .... executive producer Jeffrey D. Ivers .... executive producer (as Jeff Ivers) Laurie Lennard .... producer (as Laurie David) Jeff Skoll .... executive producer Ricky Strauss .... executive producer Diane Weyermann .... executive producer
Read more!
I'm sure everyone else agrees and that this issue has been talked about to death, but can I just say again that flying really sucks? Less and less leg room, more and more delays, longer and longer security lines and rude and harried staff. Talk about lousy customer service. They overbook to make money and then they lose your luggage? Is anyone old enough to remember when flying was a grand experience and people dressed up to make the journey, just like on a long ocean voyage? Those days are gone and no romantic travel is left, except maybe railway and that's just another commuter line. How did we let this happen? No business regulation? Airlines know we have to fly so they can pretty much treat us any way they want. Seems like we're pretty much trapped.
Although Virgin Atlantic now offers more space, plus a way to IM the cute guy in Row D. At least that way, you're distracted from everything else that's such a pain. Seems the coolest way to go. If you have to go at all, I suppose.
The Year of Yes by Maria Dahvana Headley a kate west favorite
Maria Dahvana Headley wrote "The Year of Yes" after literally living entirely for the moment for exactly one year. Because she no longer trusted her judgement in dating and her taste in men, she decided on a experiment. She would say yes to every single person who asked her out. This resulted in some bizarre entanglements, but she was willing to be open to the universe which also makes for a highly entertaining book. It's not something everyone can do, of course, but it's fun to read about someone else going through such trials and tribulations. The end result is that she finds her true love, someone she would not have considered normally and someone she now had access to due to her year of affirmation. Good to know.
It would be nice to be able to just wait and see what the universe has in store, but not all of us gets asked out as much. Headley's approach is seemingly proactive in more of a passive way, which is fine for her. That being said, you will love this book if you are at all in the mood for cheering on risk-takers, something we should all probably exercise. Since it's a memoir, her amusing anecdotes are all about her own experiences from her own perspective, which is as it should be. Be happy that it worked out for her.
TIVO is a wonderful technological gift. A gift and a curse. On the one hand, it gets rid of all those pesky commercials you'll never have to watch again, but on the other, it's extremely addictive. I thought I would end up spending less time in front of the t.v. but now I actually end up spending more, because you can watch a recorded program while you're taping another and then watch that one after. It never ends. And since my genes are prone to addiction, this is exactly the kind of modern escapism I would indeed succumb to.
For those cave dwellers amongst you, TIVO is a DVR system you hook up to your cable box allowing you to record programs which you can fast forward through later. It's a fun toy for sure. But are we now becoming even more disconnected, especially car dwelling Angelenos? Especially for certain people (who, me?) who subscribe to cable, TIVO and Netflix (a brilliant mail-in DVD rental program). Who ever needs to leave the house then?
Remember reading? Sigh. And we wonder why I'm still single ....
Change your life too! www.tivo.com www.netflix.comRead more!
This group, created by Charlie Todd in August 2001, brings chaotic joy to New Yorkers by creating "missions" of improv where they fake and trick their way around the city. For instance, giving a perfect stranger an impromptu birthday party, faking a suicide jump off a three-foot ledge and storming a BEST BUY store with everyone dressed in blue and tan, just like the employees. At best, they make people smile and at worst they humiliate, depending on your perspective, I suppose.
Their ultimate coup was becoming a screaming mob of fans for an unknown band called Ghosts of Pasha. Timed exactly, they filtered into a virtually empty performance space and gave the band "their best gig ever", dancing and quoting lyrics and begging for cds. Of course the musicians were overwhelmed and later confused and rather hurt. But time goes by and based on the band responses below, no harm was done so although it may initially have seemed rather cruel, everyone had a good time. So memorable an evening, Ira Glass picked it up for "This American Life" on NPR.
This type of guerilla theater is fun and funny when you're in your twenties, but a little more annoying the older you get. But then again, I'm irritated by a lot of things, from Burning Man (www.burningman.com) to SUVs, so it's definitely not my thing. Still they're not (seriously) harming anyone and even if people get upset, they either get over or they don't, but at the very least they will never forget their encounter with a brief bizarre left turn in life. We've obviously got bigger problems in the world.
www.improveverywhere.com
Band Responses: Best Gig Ever: Band Response Published on November 1, 2004 in Missions.
“I don’t know about you, but I feel like I have one life to live, and I choose to forever believe in what I felt that night. It’s my memory, and just because I was told it wasn’t real, doesn’t mean it didn’t feel real TO ME. What do I care just as long as I had a GREAT TIME?”
-Chris Partyka, GOP
It didn’t take long for Ghosts of Pasha (GOP) to figure out what had happened to them. We figured GOP would find the site sooner or later. A simple Google search of their own name would surely lead them to it eventually.
As it turns out, they found the site only a few hours after it was posted. Someone on our mailing list must have forwarded the link on to the band. It seems some of the members of GOP are from the New York / New Jersey area originally, and a few friends of IE are also friends of GOP. Small world.
A few days later GOP frontman Milo Finch emailed us a complete mission report from all four band members. Enjoy!
AGENT MILO FINCH (Vocals, Keys, Guitar) As I drove home from the “best gig ever” the night was so aptly summed up by our guitar player when he said, “that was as creepy and unsettling as watching someone get hit in the back of the head with a pool cue and their eye popping out and rolling into the corner pocket.”
So you could imagine our relief from the strange felling when we found out what had really happened.
I was very hung over when I showed up to that show that night and really didn’t even feel like playing. But once we got into the swing of things is was business as usual for the band.
I couldn’t really see the crowd because of the lights in my eyes, so I never had a chance to see the fake tattoos and t-shirts. That would have been a big tip off to something being extremely wrong with the scene.
I have since been sent reeling into a paranoia questioning every person that I see. I even wrestled my waitress to the ground the other day because she seemed to be a little over zealous while taking my order.
I just want to say one thing to the “fans” that showed up that night: You know and I know that when the onstage tea bag happened you all rushed the stage out of pure rock and roll frenzy.
We rocked the place that night and you know it.
Thanks for a great night. I hope by the end of it all we really won you over as some true fans. Hope to see you again at one of our upcoming NYC shows.
This whole thing proves that all you need to do is put a few screaming fans in front of the Ghosts of Pasha and it won’t be long before we whip our cocks out and rock out.
Thanks -mf-
AGENT E-ZMONEY (AKAthecop) FROM THE GOP SQUAD (Drums) I thought it was great, just when we needed people to come out to a show, you guys came through.
I knew something was up right away I wasn’t “caught unawares”.
I could tell there was some acting going on.
Chicken fighting? Fake tattoo? Come on! It was our second gig in NYC :}
Plus, have you ever been to a rock show in NYC? From the simple fact that you weren’t standing there staring with your arms folded raised a red flag.
I just moved out of the city a couple of months ago.
Who knows, maybe we know some of the same people!!! (wink,wink) Spread the word–we are. Check out this week’s issue of STEPPING OUT, I think you will find it interesting
See you all at Sin-’e For the GLASTA OF PASHA show 8:00pm
over and out agent E-z-money, GOP
Congrats to Improv Everywhere!
AGENT BRAD (Bass) I don’t really care. I play the bass. Ghosts of Pasha/Rock Beat!!!! I go into the club.
Thanks B
AGENT PARTYKA (Guitar) First of all let me say that I had a great time and I have no negative feelings about this. This is also not the first time this has happened…We played a show a few months ago in Vermont where there were 100+ people chanting pasha,(really! it was so much fun..) and they were just as rowdy as you guys…you weren’t half as drunk as they were though…at least that I know of.. We just love to play and get really into it always…it just seemed unlikely that people in nyc, even though were from there(and our website at one point was #14 on gosites.com)..would know lyrics to songs that aren’t on the net…fortunately we were in the spirit of things and we aren’t jaded enough yet that we would stop the show and ask if it was a joke…we didn’t do it at our first 100+ show in Vermont and we would never stop a show anyway…its just too much fun.. Second, let me assure anyone reading the guestbook for improv everywhere that no one from this band would ever write in and be angry about this. Milo and I have backgrounds in theatre…you’d probably find if you hung out with us that we’re alot alike..*(except for that guy agent V, whom I heard really loves the band PHISH)
So any negative stuff you read there is not from us. Everyone seemed very nice. Its too bad that I’m very stage shy normally and never look at the crowd. Eho knows how excited I would have been if I saw makeshift ghosts of pasha tees. I might have even made eye contact with someone.
I read that someone posting in your guestbook was upset at you guys. That’s kind of stupid. We will take any exposure willingly given to us and we are very grateful to have been punk’d by the likes of you cats. Like I’ve already mentioned, we are all solid people and were strong enough to see this for what it is, which is a rocking good time had by all that just happened to start as a joke. We don’t care. I play because I love to, and we were feeding off of it and it made for a great show. So, everyone wins! I’ll close by saying this: Wouldn’t be great if there really were an outlet for Indie rockers and Hipsters to scream out their suppressed rage…football game style? Wouldn’t it be great if Indie rockers and hipsters could forget feeling self-conscious and just go “bat-shit?” I motion that we voluntarily vent our quiet Indie rock angst when we go see our favorite bands…fuck what everyone around thinks…just yell! Just dance! I don’t know about you, but I feel like I have one life to live, and I choose to forever believe in what I felt that night…it’s my memory, and just because I was told it wasn’t real, doesn’t mean it didn’t feel real TO ME. What do I care just as long as I had a GREAT TIME, and thanks to your improv troupe, I really did…Because honestly even though I would have pounded those songs out and still put my heart into it to 3 people like I always do. It was nice to trade energy with an adoring crowd, albeit a “fake” one…
Thanks, Chris
THANKS AGAIN TO IMPROVEVERYWHERE FOR THE GREAT CROWD!!!! -FROM ALL THE MEMBERS OF GOP-
Agent Chris Partyka also posted the following in the Improv Everywhere guestbook:
You guys should make t-shirts and other memorabilia. I’d really like a t-shirt or a sticker that says something like “I’ve been punk’d by Improv Everywhere”. You guys are talented. I wish I wasn’t so shy when I play and that I looked up more. I don’t really have any memories to share with my band mates about it. I just played off of Milo’s reactions to you guys and stuck to that the whole time. Milo definitely has alot of specific moments he’s talked about. I think you guys helped show me that I shouldn’t shoe gaze so much. The point is though, our fire and energy originally comes from us, and then added in is whatever is going on around us filtered through Milo and our perceptions. What happened at Merc was perfect, intrinsically.
Ghosts of Pasha updated their website with a link to our report:
Improv Everywhere wishes Ghosts of Pasha the best of luck in all of their upcoming gigs. Be sure to visit their website to download their newest mp3’s and find out about their upcoming gigs. Long live GOP!
EPILOGUE:
The remaining two members of Ghosts of Pasha play the IE 5th Anniversary Show nearly two years after this mission.
Read more!
You never know who's going to end up together. It's not something you have any business sorting out, either. Chemistry and timing play a part, as well as a general outlook on life, love and dating. Life is unexpected. And love can change. Who knew?
The year 2001 changed my entire life, in so many ways. September 11 happened and then the whole world changed, so what did my small life have to do with anything? Well, I still had to live it, when all was said and done. After our national shock, we all had to get back to living our lives. Comedians started being funny again and Hollywood celebrities came out of hiding. And I started online dating. And perceptions and perspectives got small again.
On to major trivialities. Can I work out my own insecurities, while still caring about the state of the planet? Like I said, I had to start living my life again and if the whole country could do it, so could I. It all ties in - for me, at least. O.K. so forgive me. Please. Moment of self-indulgence. But who knows, maybe we'll all learn something together.
Here's the thing about online dating. Profiles don't match. Guys, it's not your fault - I don't match my profile either. Everything on there is true, but you're right this moment building a fantasy in your head, which I just can't live up to - no one can. And I'm doing the same to you. Cyber reality isn't reality at all - it's what we want to have happen and then we're disappointed when it doesn't come true. So I've given up online dating. I know, I know, a lot of you married people you met online, but it's pretty unusual to meet someone perfect from a photo gallery of strangers. What are the odds? And if you've been out of circulation, for oh, say decades, the rules may have changed and it's kind of like starting out all over again. But straight from high school. And who wants to do that? Ugh. Better for real friendships to develop into something else. But who has the time for that in this day and age?
There must be a better way. So we join fun organizations and fitness clubs and try to stick with people we have something in common with. Maybe. The old fashioned way. It may take a longer, but it's a lot less stressful. And all of those how-to dating books don't really help either. It either happens or it doesn't. When we try to force nature, it backfires. Hence, global warming. And bad dates.
So back to the drawing board! And better perceptions and perspectives. And a more serious version of life. Like joining the Peace Corps. Anything to help others and get out of your own head at the same time. Because without a peaceful world, how can we find happiness with each other?
p.s. Firemen are still the best superheroes, in my book (and totally datable). We haven't forgotten you. Believe me. Peace.
Kate West has an extensive theatrical background and has been reviewing plays, musicals, one-acts, improv, comedy sketch and much more since 2003. Surrounded by mansplainers since forever. Cursed Muse.
