mikefotis.com

My Hatred Grows, A Big Thanks and Some Miscellaneous Stuff

Friday, October 17th, 2008 | Oleo, Plugs, Podcasts | 4 Comments

Happy Friday!

1. Day three of no access via MPLS Wi-Fi.  I’m sure that others are having a lovely time with it, but not me. So I am stuck with two other options. Get comcast and be ok with a company that 5 years ago told me over the phone that I didn’t exist. That’s of course, assuming that 5 years later they’d accept my physical being. Their plan is kind of expensive, it took me 20 minutes to find out what internet would actually cost* after my first 3 months, and there’s a buttload of set up fees.

Then there’s Qwest. Their deal is the best until I tried to order the service and was nailed with set up fees 3x’s more expensive than my monthly rate would be.

Ugh.

2. Thanks to everybody who attended Creature Feature last night. It was the second most attended CF in history! The Survivors of the Undead Plague-with whom I’m playing-have had, in my opinion, three really solid sets. It’s been really fun playing with those guys (and working with Fred), although I feel like I’ve been in my head for most of it. What a fun experience it has been to be able to play with 3 talented improvisers in a format that I’m not super comfortable playing in.  I’ve been really impressed at Troy, Damian and Tim’s ability to keep the form going forward while they carry my heavy ass behind them.

As for Creature Feature, what can I say? Those guys are amazing. Last night’s set was a testament to that.

3. Hey! New two BNW podcasts are up! One episode is dedicated solely to The Beatles.  The other is a funny look at our economic woes. Enjoy!

4. Jenny Lewis’ new album, Acid Tongue is pretty great. If you like Neko Case, then you’ll like this. Maybe. I don’t know what you like, even after all these years, which is probably why we didn’t work.  Look, Elvis Costello is on a track. What else do you need?

Have a lovely weekend!

Mike

*Fuck you and your introductory rates. Just give me the price, k?

Creature Feature Starts Tonight! (and other stuff)

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008 | Oleo, Plugs, Sports | 7 Comments

Happy Thursday!

1. Holy crap! The creepiest improv show in the Twin Cities starts tonight! 10pm! BNW! But wait, did you know this show is a double bill, also featuring the talents of Survivors Of The Undead Plague? And wait, did you know that I’m playing with the Survivors throughout the run of Creature Feature? Holy smokes! Hope to see you there.

2. In order to mentally prepare for tonight’s show, I’ll be watching the Cubs in game 2 of the NLDS. If you watched last night (Anyone?) you fully understand how watching a Cubs game is great prep for horror comedy. Come on Zambrano! We need you, you crazy crazy motherfucker.

3. I’m watching the final season of The Wire and I am an emotional wreck. So much death. So little-but poignant when it happens-redemption. So much newsroom/street/cop drama. I’m just going to say it, The Wire is my favorite show ever.  What’s your favorite show? Let’s argue!

Mike

Thursday, September 4th, 2008 | Oleo, home projects | 2 Comments

Happy Thursday!

1. As I type this, The Traveling Wilbury’s song, Handle Me With Care, is pumping through the sound system of my local coffee shop. AWESOME, and a huge step up from the bone snapping country music that used to be played.

2. According to Dominic Papatola, the TC theater scene is shamefully “dark” during the RNC, missing a chance to highlight our vibrant art scene for a bunch of people who couldn’t care less about such things. He went out of his way to mention all the theaters that are “dark” this weekend, and touted the virtues of Penumbra’s, Fences. Of course, Dominic failed to mention in his article the ONE show playing right now that directly addresses the RNC and the upcoming election.

So I’ll do it for you, Dominic. It’s called The Lion, The Witch and The War Hero. It’s playing at the BNW on Fridays and Saturdays.  Let me be clear. I’m not asking for free advertising from you. Ok, in a way I am, but that’s not my intention with this little diatribe. You’ve already given us a nice review, so really what else could I ask for?  I’m not sure to be honest, but my muddled point is, of course you’re going to write about whatever shows you like in your columns, but given the context of what you were writing about, your omission seems almost glaring.  That is all. Have a nice day.

3.  There’s a woman outside the coffee shop that looks EXACTLY like Al Franken.  Don’t be surprised if Norm Coleman uses her in a commercial very soon.  A commercial about how Al Franken might actually be a woman, with a tag line saying, “What else are you hiding, Al?”

4. The projects are coming along very slowly. The major thing I’ve learned is that things take much longer without the appropriate tools. You see, I am always convinced I can do things my way. Floor work has taught me a harsh, harsh lesson in that I am unable to will solid materials into the shape I want them to be.

Despite the fact I’m doing no work in my living room, it has turned into a war zone. Tools, plates, screws and Dolphin bones litter the room. It’s crazy. One day it’ll all be done. That’ll be a good day.

Mike

Earthquakes, Punchouts, and Love Actually’s…

Friday, April 18th, 2008 | Movie Reviews, Oleo, Plugs | 4 Comments

Happy Friday!

1. 5.2 magnitude earthquakes in Illinois? It happened this morning!  If you’re a dork and into such things, here’s a link to most of the recorded/significant earthquakes in Illinois history.

2. If you’re looking for fun this this evening, check out the BNW mainstage show at 8, then stick around for Improv Punch Out! This week it’s Adorable vs. Drum Machine.  $10. BNW. 11pm. Woot!

3. After weeks and weeks of seasons 1 and 2 of The Wire, I made sure that I didn’t fill my Netflix queue with season 3.  I needed a break and not to offend any Wire junkies out there but season 2 wasn’t nearly as good as the first.  In short, I need a few weeks to watch something else before I go back to the show America loves.  Actually, I’m not sure America loves it. I think they feel like they should love it since so many people have told them how awesome it is, but deep down, I think everyone knows it’s no Sopranos. Anyway, diatribe aside, I had forgotten what  non Wire stuff was in my queue and was surprised when Love Actually arrived at my door. After nearly two weeks of not being in the mood, I popped it in to the old dvd player last night.  It’s pretty darn great. It’s gooey and shmooey and all of that stuff, but it’s not like the I didn’t know that going in, so it’s hard for me to fault the movie for something it set out to do.  In the end I learned that being alone at Christmas is the worst possible thing that could ever happen to anyone. EVER.  This holds true for everyone. Even non-Christians. Anyway, blah, blah, blah FOTI.

Mike

2 Things 4/11/2008

Friday, April 11th, 2008 | Oleo, Sports | No Comments

Happy Friday!

1. Fuck this weather.  The snow on my car was so thick last night that I had to use a scraper to get it off my windshield. It was too thick for the brush. Happy April!

2.  Speaking of birds, budding flowers and 60 degree temps, the BNW has entered into the world of recreational softball.  That’s right, your favorite band of comedians, teachers, staffers and all around good guys and gals are oiling their mitts, taking the donuts off their bats and dusting off their favorite caps all in the name of sportsmanship… and maybe beer. By this time next week, The Skirt Turtles (has there ever been a tougher name? Nope.) will be nursing pulled groins, sprained ankles and possibly broken egos.  The broken ego, will surely belong to me.  In my dreams I’m still able to hit and field like I did when I was 16. But in reality, I haven’t swung a bat since I went to a batting cage while in Tokyo nearly 3 years ago.  Lets just say that after a few hours in the cage, the Yomiuri Giants weren’t exactly chasing me down with contract offers to play first base.   Anyhoo, this whole thing should be pretty fun.  I’ll keep you updated. Or will I? Yes. I will.

Until Monday.

Mike

3 Things 4/7/2008

Monday, April 7th, 2008 | Oleo, Plugs, Site News | 3 Comments

Happy Monday!

1. Let’s begin this blog by wishing the lovely Lauren Anderson a happy birthday! She’s a delightful woman and someone whom I’m honored to call a friend. Seriously, she’s the bees knees wrapped in honey. She knows everyone in the Twin Cities which is a feat in and of itself, but the fact that all of the people she knows love her unconditionally is even more impressive. Admit it, if you’re friends with Lauren, you’re a better person because of it. Happy B-day, young lady.

2. Well, mikefotis.com is finally where I want it to be. You may not know this about me, but I can be a bit of a stubborn mule. Because of this lovely/annoying trait of mine, I spent hours and hours and hours and hours learning about code and screaming and berating myself and threatening my cat* until I finally arrived at something I liked. No fooling, when images finally started appearing where I wanted them to appear, I nearly started to cry. Oh who am I trying to impress, I totally started sobbing. I blame the tears on it being 430 in the morning and on my being a vagina disguised as a man. Anyhoo, enjoy.

3. Last night, The Moustache Rangers performed the best improv set that I have seen anyone do this year. It wasn’t line for line the funniest set I’ve seen, but the sheer number of levels that they were playing on made the whole thing an absolute sight to see. In short, they managed to shit on improv, celebrate improv, shit on the teaching of improv, celebrate the teaching of improv, delight veteran cranky improvisers with their “meta-ness” and still wholly include the entire audience in their fun all while each only playing one character throughout. Seriously. It was fantastic. Check out their website if you so desire.

Well, that’s all for today. Tomorrow we will discuss solo show stuff and maybe Dinner With Fotis. And probably the Cubs, but in a way that non sports fans will sort of (maybe) like.

Mike

* This may very well have been a hallucination, but at one point I swear my cat called me retarded in a very menacing tone. Hence, my idle and shameful threats of food deprivation. For all those concerned, he is sitting next to me as I write this. Apparently, we are back to being the best of friends.

Improv Writing?

Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 | Oleo, Plugs, Uncategorized | No Comments

Happy Thursday!

In today’s blog and in keeping with the spirit of my improv training I am going to write the first thing that pops into my head. For the next five minutes, I’m just going to write. The subjects will seem random, but hopefully we will all get a nice glimpse into how my brain works.

1. I promise you this, kind readers. I will always, ALWAYS, have a boner for Norah Jones.
2. Sometimes when I do the dishes, I am blown away by the number of utensils I own. They are always either all dirty or all clean. It’s never half and half.
3. I’m not ashamed to admit that last night, I googled myself. I did it and so do you. Come to terms with your vanity.
4. I am starting to prefer Craig Ferguson to Conan. Conan will always have a place in my heart, but Craig is pretty darn good.
5. I still can’t believe I own a home. Going on three years now. You’d think it would have sunk in by now.
6. I’m going to buy and build a gazeebo. That shit is punk.
7. My roommate is stocking up on soup. He has a lot of it. Maybe he’s opening a soup restraunt.
8. I have spent way too much time doing computer-y things the past 3 days.
9. My nephew is RIDICULOUSLY cute. COME ON! That’s just too much! Look at his hands!TOO MUCH! TOO MUCH!

10. After watching Craig’s monologue, it appears I may have jumped the gun a bit.
11. I am up to 150 jumping jacks a day. I’m a machine. A machine.
12. The Cubs are 0-2. I’m not panicking, but I’m not thrilled.
13. I need to play some GUitar Hero. I can make this happen. My playstation is less than 6 feet from me. All I have to do is stand, walk and hit power.

Ok, I’m done. This was fun, huh?

Mike

plugs:

Vist my website mikefotis.com. Seriously people, the blog’s heading over there very soon.

After checking out the BNW’s latest offering, Old Enough To Know Better. Head over to the BLB to catch the Rockstar Storytellers* at 10pm. Then at 11pm, head back to the workshop to watch Fingergun whup ass at Improv Punchout!

That’s 3 things in one day. Yikes!

*At one point in time, I was scheduled to co-host this show. Due to scheduling conflicts, I am not going to be able to be there. But you should go. These guys are great.

2 Things 4/2/2008

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008 | Oleo, Solo Show Stuff, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Happy Wednesday! Just a reminder that this blog and many other neat things can be found at mikefotis.com.

1. Well, well, well. The insomnia is back. It’s not insomnia I suppose, because I do sleep. It’s more of a “can’t sleep at night when normal people do” kind of thing. It doesn’t matter if I wake up early in the morning or turn in at a reasonable hour at night, for the next week or so I won’t be able to sleep when I want to. Yay. What does this mean for you, the gentle reader? Well, If you’re a fan of early morning blogs, consider your ticket punched. Maybe I’ll use this time to be constructive and write my fringe show! Maybe. Or maybe I’ll do online crosswords, watch multiple episodes of The Wire (or some other HBO Original Programming) and think about writing my Fringe show, all the while my stomach churning like crazy for no reason whatsoever. I know, I know it’s not even 2am yet. Maybe the sleepy train will make a stop at my bed. That would be sweeter than a freeze pop.

2. I caught only the 2nd hour of The Biggest Loser last night, erm, 6 hours ago, but one thing is for sure. Mark, the older brother from Boston, can’t not cry. He essentially cried the entire episode. Someone sneezes and this guy cries. Someone mentions home or their family and this guy cries. Someone brings up the sky, grass, a car, a gas station, a quarter, wheat, the constitution, the internet, VH1, concepts, geometry, apples, applebutter, Joe Bozic or whatever and this guy cries. It got to the point that while crying on the phone to his wife, she told him to suck it up and get a hold of himself. If the rest of the viewing public is like me, they stood and slow clapped, which had Mark known what we were doing, would have made him cry.

Okay, time to stare at some wall.

Mike

3 Things 3/31/2008

Monday, March 31st, 2008 | Oleo | 2 Comments

Happy Monday!

1. Seriously, more snow? Is mother nature trying to ensure that there’s a giant spike in suicides heading into April? Ok, I am done talking about the weather, although I have to say that it bugs me that talking about the weather is considered taboo when it comes to small talk. It just so happens that I enjoy talking about the weather. It is fascinating.

2. It’s the Cubs home opener today! Man, I know that there’s 161 games after this one, but consdiering The Cubs 100 year quest of ineptitude (that sounds better than 100 years of failure), they probably would be doing themselves a favor by getting off to a quick start.

3. If you’re considering ordering Mpls WiFi…don’t. It’s a piece of shit product. Last week my internet service was down for about 3 hours at a time. That trend continues today. During those 3 hours of down time, I did constructive things including screaming into pillows and then punching those pillows. I hate to say this, because the Cable companies in this town have at certain points in time refused to acknowledge that I exist, but they offer a much better service. All MPLS WiFi is good for is increasing the chances of me having a heart attack.
mike