mikefotis.com

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?

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

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

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

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