Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Dirty Southern Monkey Business

I haven't lived in Madison, Wisconsin since 2009, but I was so excited to see that I am still a part of the Monkey Business Institute family! As you can see from the facebook snapshot below, I am in the picture! I like to think this is because everyone wants me to come back and just thinks of me as being on a long vacation....but it is probably because they haven't gotten around to a new photo shoot. WHATEVER the reason, I think it is cool to still be connected.

Monkey Business is where my improv life started and I have the BEST memories of all our classes, our practices, our shows, and of course all of wonderful improvisers I got to work with.

This was where I found my favorite thing in the world! I do improv to mentally escape, to challenge myself, to learn, to live in the moment, and most importantly to play and have fun.




Now I live in Carrboro, NC and I have a new family at Dirty South Improv (DSI). I adore my new community and get to play in lots of shows. This summer I've been especially immersed, being at the theater 3-5 nights a week. It's awesome; not just because I PASSED MY QUALIFIER (did I mention that?) and don't have classes this summer, but because I'm working with new people and different combinations of people all the time. Everyday is a new experience and I've been having those A-HA moments pretty regularly. (Also there are lots of WTF moments which are exciting too).

My next challenge is to MC a show. I haven't done this before and it makes me super nervous. More nerves than a regular show. I don't know why this makes me more nervous than when I am a player in a show, but I actually cried in practice the other day because I felt so overwhelmed! I've watched people MC shows a thousand times yet I still get tongue tied. However, even though I am scared out of my mind, I am excited to do it. The nerves and adrenaline keep me from becoming complacent and keep me in the moment, good or bad. I really really really hope it's not bad!

Friday, June 15, 2012

I PASSED.... and other scintillating news

This is month old news but I PASSED my doctoral methods qualifying exam!!!

In other exciting news, my parents are at their 35th college reunion at Carleton College and stopped by St. Olaf College since it is just across the railroad tracks in the little town of Northfield.

My mom bought me something I have wanted ever since I cursed the old people clogging up and slowing down the cafeteria line at Winterfest when I was a young college student. What is it??

A 100% Real, 100% Wool, made in Norway specifically for St. Olaf College, Norwegian Sweater! 



Oh. My. God. I can't wait until I'm 80 and my grandchild scores me tickets to Winterfest and I can wander around the cafeteria wearing my sweater, purposefully getting in those punk college kids' way along with hundreds of other alumni doing the same thing.

She also got this for Baby Blade: