Le Divorce

So my parents are divorced. The demise of their marriage occurred about 13 years ago, so in one year they will have been divorced as long as they were married, which was 14 years. Maybe I'll throw them some kind of anniversary party... or not. Anyway, it's all over and done with and they have both moved on... or so I thought.

Every few years a phone call is made, obscenities are screamed, and a court date is set. Why? To discuss child support. My brother and I are older now, 18 and 21, so child-support may sound to you, like a an odd concept. HOWEVER, now that I live in my own apartment, and NOT in my mother's house, it was arranged that the child-support my dad pays, would go directly to me in order to pay for most of my rent. Sweet deal, right? Well, it has it's ups and downs.

For one thing, I usually can't have a conversation with my dad without him referencing the fact that a large portion of his paycheck goes to me. It was funny for a while, but after a year it made me uncomfortable. So I confronted him about it, and put an end to the awkward joke.

Most recently, my dad came into the city to visit me. He brought me a new pair of snazzy Armani glasses, and took me to dinner. In return, I took him to a show at Improv Asylum, which he LOVED ! We had the great fortune of pleasant, warm, spring weather, so we took a walk around the water-front. As we walked, my dad asked me, "So did your mother call you?" To which I responded, "UM...yeah, wasn't gonna bring that up, but ok". Yada yada yada, we need a new arrangement.

Aside from the divorce hodge podge that goes on between my parents, I love them unconditionally. I am beyond fortunate to have them in my life. They do nothing but support my brother and I, and want nothing but the best for us. At one point during the show at Improv Asylum, I turned to look at my dad, and his eyes were sort of teary. During intermission we went outside, and he said how he can absolutely see me doing what they do some day, and how proud he is of me. Then I got teary eyed, but like 2 "men" the teariness went undiscussed. Not that my dad is a macho man, he's maybe the biggest sack of emotions I know. Mr. Sensitive. My mom visits a lot more often than my dad, and I've had great moments with her too, but they happened too long ago to blog about! So yeah... my parents are great.

I hope you have the fortune of at least moderately tolerable parents, and if you don't, maybe try to see some good in them, or at least look at their many faults and use that as a way to format your personality and life. Just be aware, no matter how hard you try, you WILL, in some fashion, no matter how subtle, end up... like your folks!

Oh, and I saw boobs at Suffolk's production of Hair.

From Point A to Plan B

The all powerful and creative minds in Seriously Bent are currently preparing for their series of final shows for the 07-08 season. These shows will be in a 2-act revue format. What the F does that mean??? Well I'll tell you. It's a show in 2 acts, which means there will be a 1st act, an intermission, and then a 2nd act. The show will also feature written sketches as well as improvised monologues, scenes, and hodge podge.

For the first time, our show will have a theme strung throughtout the performance. The show is based on embarassing, comedic, mortification. When I was asked, today, what our theme was, Nick Wilson decided to answer for me because he loves to say big words.

The process to create a show like this is very intense. Normally, we don't have to worry abour lighting and stage direction, but certain sketches and structures are ELABORATE ! I'm personally very excited for this show since one of my sketches is a front runner for being cast.

Here's a little schedule for the shows:

DATES: Friday, April 18 (6* & 8 PM)
Saturday, April 19 (6 & 8 PM)
TENTATIVE: Friday, April 25 (MIDNIGHT at Improv Asylum)
The 6PM show FRIDAY night will NOT include our sketches. It will
strictly be an improvised show.

LOCATION: Studio Theatre; 4th Floor Donahue
This is a very small space so be sure to either reserve your
ticket early, OR get there early ! ! !

COST: FREEEEEEEEEE

This will be one of the best shows we have EVER done, so if you love Seriously Bent, or you've never seen us before, THIS is the show to see.

blah blah blah

Wow!  So yeah, it has been a while since I posted.  I guess I need new episodes of Sex and the City to come On Demand to give me some motivation.  Or perhaps I just need to do more things worth talking about online.  Oh wait, I HAVE!  So, I am about to wrap up my Junior year Spring Break, and it began with quite a bang.  I went to New York City with my dear friend Patty, who of course NEVER writes about me in her blog, no matter how adorable and interesting I am.  So here, is how that adventure went:

Luckeist Star Bus:

We travelled down together on a Lucky Star bus, and boy, did I feel like the luckiest star in the sky.  We carried on witty and amusing banter.  Stopped for lunch, I wanted to cross the street to McDonald's however the driver would not allow it.  I don't know if that's legal, but I just shrugged my nose, and proceeded into the Burger King.  I hate eating on buses.  There's no tray table, you have to eat on your lap, and where do you put your drink?? ON THE FLOOR! That's where!  So with a tummy full of processed, deep fried chicken, and a strawberry milkshake, we then proceeded to bust out some sketches.  

Arrival in New York City:

Now I hadn't been to the city since high school, and of course when with a large immature group, you're herded around, and don't really need to worry about how to get where.  Of course, this was different.  Luckily, I had Patty, who eventually got her bearings, and got us from downtown, to midtown.  We checked into the hotel that Patty's dad paid for, and then met up with my old friend Glenn.  See Glenn:

Glenn's great.  We're bffs... gross.  Sorry.  No, but really, we grew up together, and have remained close friends.  Hopefully, someday, he will be my Max Weinberg on my late night talk show.  He plays piano though, so I guess he'd be more of a Paul Schaffer.  Regardless, he's talented, and a goofball, and we have great chemistry and banter, so he's perfect.  Maybe I'd let him hire his douche-twat brother to play sax.

Ok, so that's Glenn.  More with him later.  

We met up with Glenn, and then we headed over to Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre, where we saw a show called ASSCAT.  We were wildly lucky, because that night's cast of players included Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Seth Meyers (who had great jeans on, really nice ass), and Jack MacBrayer (30 Rock).  Do I get star-struck??... You bet your ASS I do!  I was so giddy, it was really exciting.  After the show we went to Glenn's favorite watering hole, The Corner Bistro, with his buddy from The New School and The Brubeck Institute. We proceeded to get moderately intoxicated, and Patty and I just talked about ourselves pretty much the whole time.  Oh!  Patty also decided to text Jeremy and tell him how I felt like he didn't really like me, and that I never make him laugh.  And when we sent him simultaneous text messages, I discovered that she told him that.  Who does that?!  So then he sort of mocked me and my insecurities.  

Blah blah blah, this is a long post.  I hope you stopped reading by now, and if you haven't you probably really really want to.  So I'll stop here, and continue the saga of Spring Break in a later blog.  

And I PROMISE to post more often!... because I know SO many people are reading this...

so-yeah...

I Am

Please see the following:

I first heard about this a week ago in a very passive manner.  After finally seeing this video today, I read the articles.  I cried for 30 minutes.  This is tragic, and must stop, however, we as a society, I feel, are very far from the ability to treat each other with the respect and decency that EVERY human citizen deserves.  

Please, whether you know someone that is gay or not, speak out against stupid and ignorant comments and jokes.  Learn about the Human Rights Campaign, and understand why it's called HUMAN, and not specifically gay rights.  

The Tale of Two Emotions

So I was walking down Clarendon Street on Sunday morning on my way to work, when a care free man, with a whistle on his lips looked at me and said, "Looking very sharp today young man".  I responded with a flattered, "thank you!"  I only thought that things like that happened to Christina... cuz she's kind of  pretty-ish.  So for someone to just compliment me on my appearance completely shocked me, in a good way.  

Then, 10 seconds later, with an uncontrolled grin on my face, an old woman, her face wrapped with a scarf, extended her hands towards me begging for change.  I went from sublimely flattered to pitifully disheartened in a just a couple of eye lid blinks.  

When I arrived at work, I told my manager the story, and he just didn't seem to care.  I think you had to experience this drastic shift in emotion to understand it.  I was so excited to be endowed with the same spring in my step as the man that complimented me, but then reality was spit right back into my face.  It was as if I wasn't allowed to experience joy for myself for any longer than 10 seconds.  I dress well.  I eat well.  I sleep on a pillow top mattress.  And other people are suffering, and I am never allowed to forget that.

A Happy Bubble

I have slipped inside a happy little bubble*.  January was, by far, the most difficult month of my life, I'll explain that later, when I can comprehend.  February turned one of the biggest frowns of my life, back into a grin... for now.  For starters, I discovered a 2 week photojournalism course in the Tuscany region of Italy!  I have applied, well Patty physically handed in my application while looking like a woman of the night, and I am waiting to find out if I actually get to go.  Maybe I should try this as a list!?

1. 2 week photojournalism course in Tuscany
2. intensified relationships with 2 new friends of 07-08 academic year
3. a new love and appreciation for cupcakes
4. stronger appreciation for the people in my life that genuinely love me
5. greater understanding regarding the healing power of laughter

In regards to the preceding list.  Item #2 deals with the strong connections that have formed between these 2 people:

                                                               

Who they?!  The gentleman with the straw stuck on his tooth, is Alex.  The female, caught in a candid moment of genuine laughter, is Patty.  They're both looking to their right, just noticed that.  

(read the following sentence to the tune of Amy Crackhouse's "Rehab"): 

I tried to take Alex on dates, but he said nooooo nooo no... clever? ok, so, instead of romance blossoming, a friendship that I truly cherish sprouted.  Alex is innocent, charming, uninhibited, and hilarious without intention.  Also a very good singer, which I found out a few hours ago.  I only hope that our relationship will continue to grow, like the bean we all grew when we were 8... right?  I always end up in a better mood when I'm with him, and those are the friends I appreciate, so yeah.  I actually went to a new cupcake joint with Alex tonight, and the most exciting thing of the bakery was that they sold milk in old timey glass bottles.  I bought one, with no intention of bringing the bottle back to receive my $.90 deposit.  I will recycle the bottle by using it as a vase for my favorite flower, daisies.  Did I mention I was gay?  Ok great

Patty, is great.  I should call her.  Patty is a brilliant comedienne, writer, and overall human, and despite her sometimes intimidating wit, is very shy around people she doesn't know.  shocking.  Seriously, people love her.  Especially this guy (I'm pointing both of my thumbs at myself)  There is a very positive chance that we will be sharing an apartment next year, and I cannot tell you the excitement I feel when I think of that.  Like the excitement is borderline obscene, sort of like our relationship.  Patty and I like to improvise everywhere.  Restaurants, walking down the street, in public bathrooms, in bars, and hopefully, in a couple weeks, in Times Square.  She gave me one of the kindest compliments, "I just feel like I can tell you anything, and you won't judge me".  This melted me a little.  She also told me she would still dry hump me if I ever got fat.  Patty and I can say pretty much anything to each other without fear of judgment.  More with Patty later.

*So in further regards to this bubble.  While I'm very happy right now, the bubble is sure to burst at some point.  When that happens, I'll deal with it then.

(May I also point out that this blog is in no way an attempt at being pretentious.  I hope to polish and hone my writing skills.  Maybe delve into some more insightful concepts from inside my mind grapes.  But for now, enjoy this fluff of me recapping my days!)

What else happened to me today?... 

... I watched a full episode of American Idol for the first time since season 1

so-yeah...  

 

So IT Begins

I used to keep a journal, but upon making an attempt at reading my old thoughts, I had difficulty figuring out my hand writing.  So, I'll type a journal, and publish it online for anyone to read.  

My name's Nick.  That's me on the left.                     

... I'm older now 

The title of my blog describes me... ish.  I am, below the average male height.  No, I am not a "little person", which in my opinion is a more degrading term than "midget", I am just a little vertically challenged.  I'm 5'3".  What I lack in feet, I make up for in inches... HAH!... am I right?!... anyway.

I believe that the first thing people notice about me is my small stature.  The next trait noticed, hopefully, is my sense of humor.  I believe that my sense of humor was God's way of saying, "Hey, listen, sorry you won't ever meet eyes with someone from across a crowded room, maybe you can charm people by making a clever poop joke." Thanks big guy.

So I improvise!  I've brought my humor to a stage in the last 2 years as a member of Seriously Bent, an improvisational theatre troupe.  Yes, I have been recognized on the train.  Do you know what an uncontrollable grin feels like?  Well, that's what happens when you're recognized, uncontrollable satisfaction.  Anyway, I have never felt more comfortable and connected to a group of people than when I became a member of SB.  We have an unspoken bond, and although I've only known these people for a year or 2, it's as if I've known them my entire life.  In FACT, I told them I liked boys and not girls before my friends from home... friends that I learned how to read with.  I love my friends from home, but it's just easier to start a new chapter in life with new people.  I digress... SB, under the direction of Improv Asylum, creates theatre immediately.  What?  We create scenes based on a single suggestion from an audience, and innately they garner laughter... is garner the right word?  It's my blog, so yes.  We have performed in comedy festivals (local and national), competitions (victorious and not so much), and in bars with Chinese lanterns.  

We're great, come see us sometime 

I use humor for more than entertainment, however.  Humor has become my medium for genuine connections with people.  I find that what makes people laugh, not fake laugh, to be incredibly insightful.  Do I have to really work to be clever and witty just to get a grin?  or can I just say an ordinary sentence with a goofy expression and an odd voice to get a 5 minute barrel of laughter?  both can be brilliant and rewarding.  Even in the darkest and disparaging of times, I can pull a smile through a sob.  Am I bragging?  You bet.  I'm very proud and honored to have this ability, because I consciously use it to help people feel better, to forget about the sometimes harsh realities. 

so-yeah...