tiny lil' update

Whoa, again, long time. Sorry about that. I can't say I've been too busy...I just haven't had the patience to blog. I don't know, not a good excuse.
Not too much has been happening...I was SO glad to go home for Thanksgiving, I really needed that break from the city. I'm also hardcore ready for my long winter break action. I'm coming home Dec. 13 and I'll be in the fabulous state that is Minnesota until Jan. 21. Since I've been back in New York, I've just been keepin' on keepin' on. I went to Georgetown last weekend with Dangerbox for an improv "festival". It was quite the road trip, which resulted in us driving back to New York in our rental car at 5 in the morning. It was fun, though. The other improv groups weren't that impressive to watch, and we didn't have the best set in the world, but it was still fun. I've been doing some Christmas shopping here, which is always fun (even if it is ridiculously expensive). I finished my one-act play, I just have to finish revising and then I'm considering submitting it to a festival. We'll see, it depends on how good my edits are. It needs a lot of work as of right now.
I guess that's about it. It's not that exciting, I'm sorry, I just figured I should probably do a little bit of updating. I'm long overdo.

Hey hey! Ho ho! Management, you can't write that show!

Yeah...so I've been helping out with the strike. I handed out fliers three days last week for a few hours each day. It gives me something productive to do with my afternoons and it does ultimately affect me a lot. Granted, I am not immediately affected in that I don't get to go to my job or make the money I've relied on. But still...no internship in the spring (basically) and what gets decided over this strike will change how I am paid once I am part of the guild and get a job (hopefully). The daily, 9-5 picketing seems to be done for now, but there are a few rallies this week I might try to catch. It feels good to be passionate about something for a legitimate reason. It's not just a random cause to which I've attached myself. Yeah. It's a good thing.

You should help out by signing these online petitions: http://www.petitiononline.com/WGA/petition.html OR www.unitedhollywood.com (select "What can I do to help?" on the right side of the screen).

Frankly, the networks don't really feel like negotiating with the writers at this point. The only way anything is going to get done is if the viewers refuse to watch their online programming and whatever shows they try to replace the sitcoms with (like new game/reality shows that will probably be seriously awful anyway) or if they lose their sponsorship from major companies (like Coca Cola, McDonald's, Johnson & Johnson, etc.). I'm going to write letters to these companies on their websites saying I won't purchase their products because I don't want to indirectly support the networks, and I'm also probably going to write to the networks directly. I guess they feel like the strike ultimately won't really affect them for awhile since they will put on shows that don't require writers, an unless the public refuses to support it, they have no reason to end the strike.

Halloween n' Strikes n' Things

So...that was MY Halloween. :)
I ended up going to the Village parade with some Dangerbox-ers. I guess I was a...devil-thing? Right. I just liked the wig. That's my good friend (and fellow Dangerbox member) Andrew Farmer. He went as...Liz Taylor as a werewolf. Duh! It was thoroughly amusing. The parade was really out of control, and we couldn't really see anything. It's the largest Halloween parade in the world...so you add about a million drunk, costumed people to that...and you get mass chaos. After the parade madness, we watched Poltergeist and ordered pizza. I'm glad I wasn't out in the crazyness, because...yeah, people got shot and stabbed in Union Square that night, apparently. I didn't hear the gunshots because my room faces into the courtyard, but I guess a few people even died. That's terrifying. It was gang-related, but there were SO many people in that park on Halloween (there are every night), just sitting and people-watching and whatnot. Not good.
I'm going to SNL tonight...hopefully. The last time I tried, I didn't get in. Not a good record so far for this season. But, I'm number 10 for tonight, and the host is not really famous (Brian Williams, host of NBC Nightly News). So let's keep our fingers crossed.
You know what's NOT cool? This writer's strike. I mean, I 100% support the writers (obviously), and the whole situation is just sort of awful. I talked to Brian Stack (Conan writer) last night when he came out of 30 Rock, and it was interesting to get an inside perspective on the strike. The last one lasted 5 months apparently, and he said this one could be longer. I just think it's awful that these people are pursuing their passion, doing something that I'm sure many would have done for free when they were my age, but now they are having to support families on their income. Which is really cool...if they're getting appropriately paid to do so. And it's just not fair. So, when these writers go on strike, they basically HAVE to stop doing what they love and also not be able to support their family until the Writer's Guild's demands are met. And the demands make sense...from what I understand, they're not getting royalties from online screenings of tv shows, etc. I don't fully get what's going on, but I know it's related to internet access and just not getting properly compensated for the work they do. This probably means no SNL next week...and after that? Who knows. I'm trying to apply for internships and stuff, and I feel selfish wondering how it all affects me...but I guess we'll just see.
Speaking of writing...I've been doing quite a lot of that lately, and I should have a decent portfolio at the end of the semester. I'm writing a 30 minute play by the end, and I've also completed a 10 minute play as well as several scenes. I really enjoy getting critiqued. As far as my films go, I've screened 2 of them, and I'm in the midst of planning the third and final one. I should have them all on a dvd for Thanksgiving! :)
Speaking of Thanksgiving...18 days until I see many of your shining faces. I just hope I can feel like I really accomplished something before I come home.

Happy Halloween!

Wow, it's hard to believe it's almost November already. Time has gone by quickly...but at the same time, incredibly slow. I'm experiencing the sophomore slump that most everyone I know is also feeling. So far, this basically just means loads of homesickness. Getting together with friends often means reminiscing about our homes and how much we are frustrated by New York. Not 100% productive all the time, but it feels good to know I'm not the only one in this boat. And now that it's almost November, I'm coming home so soon! :)

I've got a Halloween-y Dangerbox tonight, plus a Halloween party in Brooklyn tomorrow night. I'm really not a fan of Williamsburg, Brooklyn...too many hipsters for me. I can't deal with hipsters. BUT my friend Ben has a new apartment there, so Anna and I (and the rest of Dangerbox, I think) are heading out there in costume. I'm rather proud of my costume (Anna gave me the idea), and I hope I can find all the parts to put it together. If any of you remember the Nickelodeon show "Doug", I'm going as Doug's older, sort of beatnik-y sister Judy. I'm going on a mission today to find some black leggings, a purple beret and a purple sweater vest. Haha. We'll see how THAT goes...

I'll try to update more often. Not a whole lot is going on in my life, though.

Yes, yes, I'm still alive!

Gah!! Sorry, sorry, SORRY it has been so long since I've posted anything. It seems like not a whole lot is going on, but it's good to just check in on here every once in awhile. More than I have been, at least.
So...things are going well. My classes are interesting in that I really do feel like I'm not going to a real school. I feel like I'm cheating the system or something. Unlike many of the freshmen in my dramatic writing classes, I don't have any other liberal arts electives, so therefore, I never have any "real" homework or papers or anything like that. Basically, I just have to occasionally write a scene or monologue, and read some Shakespeare. It's SO MUCH better than having to do a lab for History of the Universe or write a philosophical paper on Aquinas...but I also feel like that academic part of my life, for the first time since KINDERGARTEN, is gone. It's liberating but also a bit disconcerting.
The plus side is that I'm actually producing some quality material, and soon I should be able to create some semblance of a portfolio.
I've been to both episodes of SNL so far, and that is fun to get back into, obviously. I was worried I wouldn't have as much with that this year, but it's always exciting and hasn't gotten old yet. I've started going with some new friends, which makes it fun.
I do miss Minnesota quite a bit, surprisingly. I am really craving some Midwestern autumn. I think that there's a combination of the city losing some of its magic (because I've already lived here for 9 months) and the fact that over the summer, I was able to realize that I don't have to pick one place over the other. Also, since I live with someone who is from Long Island, I see how many college students get to go home A LOT more than I do. So...college doesn't have to be this big deal, permanent move. I don't know if that makes a whole lot of sense, it's just something I'm slowly discovering. Don't get me wrong, New York is FABULOUS, but I wish I could be home a bit more, too.
Hmm...what else? My birthday was really great. My high school friend Alex visited from Boston University again and we did the whole SNL/ASSSSCAT thing. Also, my wonderful roommates surprised me with a little party late on Sunday night. It was really nice and pretty much the ideal way to celebrate my birthday.
I think that's it! It's rainy and cold, so...ideally, I'll get lost in a book, but I might just watch some trashy TV. :)

Quickie...

- I just found out my favorite Chinese place in Chelsea will deliver their delicious chicken fried rice to me. This may sound obvious, but I never thought of actually ordering it -- I go there with the girls occasionally when we're at the UCB. But now, tonight, I'll get to eat it from my little dorm.

- My roommate Anna and I are the proud parents of two goldfish. Bernadette and Sivi. Bernadette is slightly evil and spotted with black and orange and tries to eat Sivi. Sivi is mostly white with a little orange. She's got to learn how to stick up for herself. They're probably both going to die soon.

- Classes are going well except for the fact that my filmmaking class scares the crap out of me. I don't really know how to make films, nor do I think I really have a "filmmaker's eye". Too bad! But, it's a good learning experience, I'll probably come out of it fairly proficient in the Final Cut Pro editing program. That's good. On the plus side, I'm beginning to write a 10-minute play. Yay!

- We're in the middle of Dangerbox auditions, and it's cool to be on the other side of auditions for once in my life. Also...rather stressful. We had about 60 people try out last night, and I actually had to judge them and determine who I wanted to improvise with. Crazy.

- That is all for now. :)

So I guess it looks like I'm going to be a writer after all

Well, my first "week" of classes is over, and it went sloooowwwwly. I actually have to get up at a normal time and spend my entire day doing stuff. This makes my days last longer. I suppose it's a good thing, since my fall productivity has begun and I'm spending less time...sleeping...but I still get to miss summer laziness a little bit.
While I ultimately did NOT get into the Screenwriting class I really needed to take, my schedule worked itself out, and I'm taking a different requirement instead. My schedule isn't TOO bad...more demanding than last year, but that's because I'm actually taking classes that matter and pertain to my major. Basically:

MONDAY : Craft of Visual and Dramatic Writing, 9:45-noon ; Shakespeare for Writers, 6:10-7:40pm
TUESDAY : Fundamentals of Digital Filmmaking Workshop, 9:30am-4:45pm ; Craft of Visual and Dramatic Writing, 7:30-9:45pm
WEDNESDAY : Forms of Drama, noon-2:45 ; Shakespeare for Writers, 6:10-7:40pm
THURSDAY : Craft of Visual and Dramatic Writing, 10-12:40.

Lots of writing. Lots of workshopping my writing. A little bit of film/drama analysis. Some Shakespeare. A pinch of actual filmmaking (yikes). Not too shabby.

I am going to try to fit in UCB classes soon. I want to keep on keepin' on through those levels. Between all of that plus Dangerbox improv at NYU, I should have my hands full.

I plan on buying a few fish tomorrow. I'm very excited for this, plus the challenge of smuggling them into my no-pets dorm. I still have to think of awkward names for them. That shouldn't be too hard.

Manhattan is purdy...

I have been busy the past few days, even though I feel like I just lay around in my dorm until half of the afternoon is gone. It's okay, I just really enjoy being in my room because it's so comfy and homey. I suppose that's a good thing.
Well, my first exciting event was yesterday afternoon. I was NOT in a good mood at all, but I dragged myself to the hell that is Bed, Bath and Beyond for a stupid shower caddy. I stopped in the Starbucks on my corner and proceeded to stuff my face with a rice krispy treat. Literally stuff, as I walked down the sidewalk. All of a sudden, I heard a little voice that sounded familiar. I looked to my left, and it was Amy Poehler! I looked even closer and realized she was with Miriam Tolan and her daughters! It was such a weird coincidence! I stopped and awkwardly said hello, and they of course (in a friendly manner, but still legitimately) asked what I was doing there. It was very fun to point half a block down and say that I just moved into that dorm a few days ago. They were very nice and remembered my name and all that fun jazz. That definitely put me in a better mood!
Last night, I ventured to the UCB to see the house team the Stepfathers. Their shows are literally almost beautiful to watch because of the smart improv they are capable of. There was literally a scene towards the end of the first half in which they brought back every other scene they had done so far. It's really inspiring and, of course, hilarious. They are definitely the best UCB house team. I loitered around the theater until midnight and met up with a couple of Dangerboxers to perform in the free improv jam. It went as expected. Jams are never really the place to showcase talent or do/see really fresh improv. It was still fun, though.
Today, after I finally decided to get up, the roommates and I went back to the hell that is Bed, Bath and Beyond and Kmart for kitchenware. That was stressful, but needed to be done, and now I can cook my macaroni and cheese. :) We someone get mugged, unsuccessfully. The mugger did not get the lady's purse, although it was a scary situation to witness.
Then for dinner, I met up with my friends Dominique and Chelsea and headed to extremely hip Williamsburg, Brooklyn for dinner. We ate at this cool restaurant with sand for the floor. We then were priveleged enough to witness the sunset over the Manhattan skyline. It was gorgeous, and a very nice and refreshing night in general.
Tomorrow I get to see some quality ASSSSCAT action. What could be better?

Here we go again...

So...I'm back in New York! The summer flew by at an absolutely ridculous speed and it was wonderful in every way. I know, I know, I wondered how I could ever tolerate being in Minneapolis for THREE WHOLE MONTHS, but I did, and I miss it now (figures) and it's going to take awhile to adjust to New York again. I guess my life is filled with culture shock, no matter where I am.
After a horrendous car ride with Dad (he was so great and put up with a depressed and exhausted Emily plus four hour traffic jams and dead truck batteries, then drove all through the night...someone has the best dad...that someone is me), we finally made it to Manhattan and more specifically, my new dorm right on Union Square. I was skeptical about the dorm because I had never visited it and had also heard negative feedback. I assumed it would somewhat resemble a jail cell. Well, I was wrong! It's pretty adorable, actually. It's smaller than last year, but it's sort of cute and I still have room for all of my stuff. I'm rooming with my two roommates from last year (Mallory and Alinane), plus my fellow female Dangerbox-er, Anna. The setup is sort of confusing...Anna and I sleep in the actual bedroom while Mallory and Alinane share the common room as a bedroom. This isn't terrible, except for the fact that Mallory and Alinane don't have a bedroom door and they are sort of exposed to both the front door and the kitchen. I'm sure we'll eventually remedy this with a room divider or curtain or something. There is a lot of natural light, and the view is great. My dorm is actually three towers connected on the bottom floor with a courtyard in the middle. We live on the top floor (12), and it's sort of awkward that we directly face the other tower and therefore can see very clearly into EVERYONE'S rooms. This means they can also see into our room. This has already posed a problem a couple of times. Alinane put on some Beyonce earlier today and we started dancing obnoxiously, only to look up to see the guy in the room across from us waving to us. Awkward. I'm sure I will have many more of these special moments.

I haven't gone out much even though the weather has been great. So far...I don't have any textbooks to buy (I don't think I go to a real school). I walked down to the bookstore to make sure, and on the way, enjoyed some Tasti-d-Lite and a bagel from Bagel Bob's. Yummm. There was a crazy man in Tasti-d-Lite, so I feel like I got my full New York experience. Alinane, Anna and I planned on going to see Superbad tonight, but of course once we got to the theater, we discovered it was sold out. Even though it's playing on 2 screens. And there are 10,000 movie theaters in a mile radius. And it's a Wednesday night. Stupid New York. Instead, we rented some Sex and the City (because it's exactly how our lives are, duh) and ordered Chinese. Yeah, yeah, even though I have a kitchen this year, I still needed some sodium goodness. Tomorrow, I have Tisch orientation for 5 hours and I'll have to fight for a spot in the Screenwriting class. Boo! I need to make that work out somehow...

Sometimes it's just nice to stay in, and that's okay, even when you're in Manhattan.

Here are the much-anticipated pictures of my dorm. Enjoy!

Back in the Minne-apple!

I'm home! More specifically, I'm currently at Hennepin and 26th in Minneapolis. At the Tea Garden. And it feels very, very weird. It is good to be home, of course, because I'm a pretty big fan of more personal space and a real mattress. It's also nice to see everyone again -- family, friends, strangers that I used to see on a regular basis yet don't really know. It's going to take some time to adjust, though. Where my subway at? Where my delis and Nuts 4 Nuts kiosks? I miss everyone in New York -- no family, but friends, and homeless people I used to see on a regular basis yet don't really know. I will have to get used to living in the best of both worlds. I get to have a nice and relaxing summer away from the hot and disgusting city with my family and a cabin and a job I know I'll love and stress-free improv. In the fall, I'll get right back into doing what I love in New York; SNL, improv, just BEING in a fabulous city, sweet UCB (ASSSSCAT) action...
Now I should just work on soaking up the Tea Garden, Lake Calhoun, Stevie Ray's, the Brave New Workshop, St. Louis Park and HOME in general. Because you know what? By the end of the summer, I bet I'll be at that point of apprehension for leaving again. That's the way things go. It won't be as bad or unknown and scary as last August, but it will be yet another bittersweet time I'll have to deal with.
Maybe I should really work on just living in the present. The future will come soon enough.

WOO HOO!

Jason and Kay.
Miriam and Brian.
Emily's favorite people.

I laugh more often now

I had a very fabulous weekend. It was weird, though, because it did feel like it was my last weekend in the city for various reasons.

First of all, I successfully moved out of my dorm and into my friend's apartment in Stuyvesant Town. It's a really great apartment, but it's definitely different to be this far east. I'm all the way on 16th and Avenue C, right on the East River. Luckily, the L train is fairly close so I can still get around easily.

So, Friday: I got to the SNL line around 11am, because I knew it was going to be a crazy line. The weather was really nice, and it was definitely a good lineup for the show (Molly Shannon/Linkin Park). Even though it was so early, I was something like 15th in line! The day went really quickly, though, especially after more of my friends got there. There was some line drama...so petty and ridiculous. I think a lot of times some of the regulars can forget that it is really only a tv show...and they get too caught up in it. I think I can safely say I will never be like that. It was so warm at night, I actually overheated in my sleeping bag! Who would have thought, back in January when I woke up with snow on me, that I'd be saying I was TOO warm now? Crazy. I talked to a few cast members when they came out (Jason and Bill). I got number 5 for the live show!

I got to see Let's Have a Ball at the UCB on Saturday before SNL...it was one of the most ridiculously hilarious shows I've ever seen. The cast was very clearly enjoying themselves, which made it even more fun for the audience. Peter Gwinn, Anthony King, Laura Krafft, Christina Gausas, Kay Cannon, Becky Drysdale...I got to talk to some of my favorite people in the world after the show. It was sad when I told Christina I probably wouldn't see her again before I left for Minneapolis. :(

SNL was an amazing show. Molly Shannon did a fabulous job hosting, which I knew would be the case...I got to sit up in front of the musical guest stage, which is a pretty decent seat. After the show, I stayed to talk to the cast, and it felt very final even though it's not the last episode yet. For the last episode they have the after party in Rockefeller Center, so the cast doesn't come down after the show. I got my picture with Kay and Jason...this made me very, very happy. I also told Kay about the 30 Rock script I wrote...and told her I'd have room in my schedule to intern next spring.

Sunday was glorious ASSSSCAT time. I met up with Heather, Natalie and Dominique for a late lunch before we headed to the line. It was the last show that the four of us will be together... :( We got to the line super early, but we were first, and it was another gorgeous day. The show was AMAZING! The past few weeks, the cast has been a bit spotty...but last night, pretty much all of the expected regulars showed up, and the cast was huge! Chris Gethard (first half only), Liz Cackowski (first half only), Lennon Parham (second half only), Peter Grosz (second half only), Peter Gwinn, Jason Mantzoukas, John Lutz, Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler, BRIAN STACK AND MIRIAM TOLAN. My favorite people. :) The monologuist was Rashida Jones, from the Office (she plays Karen). It was a crazy, hilarious show. AND! Best part! After the show, I got my pic with Brian and Miriam! I seriously love those people. It was sort of awkward, though, because I think it sounded like it was my last ASSSSCAT...so if Brian or Miriam is there next week...I don't know. That might be sort of weird.

So, I'm in a good mood today. I don't have anything I have to do...I might just walk around or go to a movie. I'm going to try to go to Conan on Tuesday and Thursday. I love New York.

Makin' Lists

First of all, I wanted to thank all of you who wrote such nice comments. I'm still in an everlasting good mood from everything that's been going on. Chicago was fabulous...I really got a lot out of the workshops I took and the shows I saw. It was fun (and weird) to fly back to an even bigger city.

I move out of my dorm on Tuesday, which is sort of sad for me. I really love this location, the building, my room...granted, next year, I'm only four blocks north (and directly ON Union Square, which is a pretty cool location) and I have the same roommates (Mallory and Alinane, plus my friend Anna from Dangerbox), but it's still weird to pack everything up and say goodbye to Brittany Hall. Well, every new beginnning comes from some other beginning's end...so says Semisonic.

As I contemplate leaving NYC in a few weeks, I thought I'd make a tangible list to document what's going on in my head right now. Things I'm sad about leaving in New York...and things I'm really excited to see/experience again in Minneapolis!

NEW YORK LOVE
- taking the subway everywhere (hopstop.com, never knowing when N is running local or express because I'm an idiot, people-watching, "standclearotheclosindoors")
- hearing music randomly nearly everywhere (parks, subways, trains, the street -- especially now that it's warmer out)
- the crazy, accidental dog fights and the embarrassed, rich, old owners on 10th street
- NUTS 4 NUTS! $1! Bag of nuts!
- seeing what color the Empire State Building is lit up every night
- Tasti-d-Lite. Whoa, will I ever miss Tasti-d-Lite...
- Chelsea Cottage for chicken fried rice with the girls (one time, we had it delivered to the line outside UCB...that was fun)
- Sunday brunch at Palladium and basically having eating competitions with the roommates
- Bagel Bob's
- sunsets outside my dorm window
- Rockefeller Center and the hilarious times when I sleep outside it
- Gourmet Market on Broadway and 10th (I'll miss having every weird drink selection available to me 24/7)
- my NYU friends
- Natalie, Dominique, Chelsea and Heather ... when will I see them again?!? Natalie goes back to New Zealand in June and Dom is moving who-knows-where....
- Awkward sirens and car horns all night...this makes me laugh
- Random street fairs
- Washington Square Park filled to the brim -- especially now that it's warmer out
- Waving to the double decker tourist buses when they point out a "real, live NYU student"
- Sharing my city with random celebrities
- THE UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE!! The shows, the FABULOUS people, the music and my seat in the front and the Basement Sprinkler System sign and the adventures we have in the Gristedes/McDonalds...

MINNESOTA LOVE
- Family and friends who I haven't seen in a million years!
- Max and Millie
- MY CAR (driving around forever, windows down, radio up...I have DREAMS about this)
- The Tea Garden and my iced raspberry chai with pearls
- A big room to myself
- Having a kitchen
- The lower price of nearly any item
- Uptown! Especially at dusk!
- The lakes. All of 'em.
- Cities 97
- Noodles and Punch
- Improv in the Park! Hanging out in the Rose Garden!
- Stevie Ray's and all the lovelies associated
- Brave New Workshop...and all the lovelies associated
- Silent nights with actual darkness and actual stars and insects
- Sunday brunch at the Minneapolis Golf Club (what can I say? I like brunch!)
- the Minneapolis skyline
- STATE FAIR!
- TARGET!!!
- Suburban neighborhoods -- the smell of the grills at night, kids playing outside
- Catching up with everyone about my crazy New York adventures
- Basilica Block Party
- Just...BEING.

I know I've been sad about leaving New York because I've gotten to do and see all these incredible things. It's pretty safe to say that I have several ecstatic moments each week. But you know what? It's going to be good to just be away from all the excitement and just BE. It's only for a few months...plus, I've gotten used to being away from a lot of wonderful people and things, and I forget that I get to see them again! I don't have to "adjust" to being away from home anymore. I can now safely allow myself to think about things like my bedroom and Lake Calhoun and the Sheraton in Bloomington. I truly have two homes. I love them both dearly, and am very fortunate to have two places where I feel comfortable, safe, loved and HAPPY. :)
I'll SEE all of you soon!

Do NOT pinch me...

Unfortunately, I am very tired, so this will be a short, recapitulatory (maybe not a real word) update. Basically, my weekend, carrying over into today, has been some of the best days of my life so far. I could not possibly be happier than I am RIGHT NOW!
In summation:

- I have been contacting some of my all-time favorite improvisers here in New York for a project on subcultures for my Writing class. They are super nice and helpful. I freak out a lot about this.
- It was a gorgeous day out today -- 82 degrees, sunny, beautiful day to sit in Washington Square Park with lunch. Which is exactly what I did.
- I'm leaving for the Chicago Improv Festival on Thursday...enough said. We know how excited Emily is about that.
- I saw SNL this weekend and had some fun conversations after the show with cast members regarding said improv festival.
- Um...what else...oh yeah!

I GOT INTO TISCH! I GOT INTO TISCH! I'M A TISCH STUDENT!!! I GET TO MAJOR IN DRAMATIC WRITING!!!

Awaiting a reply has been on of the most stressful and frustrating situations of my life, but it's ALL OVER, I'm essentially DONE with GSP, and I totally get to write for TV. I'm going to my dream school and studying my dream major. My weekends are essentially my dream weekends.

Please don't wake me up.

I guess we have a new roommate...

This story is from a week ago, but I just haven't had time to write. And really, I don't have time right now, but since procrastinating is my number one hobby...here we go.

So, last week, Annie, my mom and really good friend from home, Kaitlin, came to visit. Kaitlin stayed in my dorm, on the floor, and it was really fun. Except for this situation.
Last Saturday, I had to go pick Mom and Annie up from the subway. I put on my shoe, and there is this OBJECT squished under my laces and on top of the tongue of my shoe. Naturally, I poke it, thinking it's...a leaf? I don't know. AND IT MOVES. Naturally, I scream, and throw my shoe off. It runs across the floor. IT IS A COCKROACH. And it's a big'un. My wonderfully aggressive (this trait came in handy this time) roommate Mallory hit it about 20 times with an umbrella, which I believe snapped it's ridiculously strong neck. We then scooped it into a ziploc and stuck it in the freezer. Because we don't know what else to do with it, and housing won't take a notice seriously unless we have more than one incident. So we're waiting.

It was incredibly disgusting. YAY FOR NEW YORK!

On a lighter note...I hope everyone had a nice Easter. My morning was spent in a Lutheran church on Central Park West (SOMEONE felt out of place!) and my evening was spent at ASSSSCAT. Appropriate.

Well THAT was an interesting night...

I never thought I'd have to write about something like this. My Saturday night ended up ultimately being enjoyable, but only after some pretty crappy stuff happenend. Anyway...
I sort of felt sick all day yesterday. Sleeping on the street on Friday was actually really nice, I got there sort of late because I had a Dangerbox show, and it was warm and dry. No tent needed! But, for some reason, I slept really late on Saturday and woke up feeling a little bit nauseous. I chose to ignore it, though, and eat regular food, etc. I got number 11 for the show, but Louis and Jamie were very nice and gave me their number 3 ticket and I chose to give number 11 to Heather. So, basically, I was getting really excited to go to the show. I met Heather, Natalie and Dominique at the California Pizza Kitchen to celebrate Nat and Dom's birthdays. I ordered garlic cheese pasta alfredo with chicken. Not the BEST meal for someone not feeling well.
Heather and I took the train down to Rockefeller Center, and by then, I was really not feeling well...I threw up in the bathroom in the NBC concourse. Pretty classy. Then, though, I assumed I was better (and I did feel a BIT better) so I got in line and everything to get into the show. Time passed. We went through the metal detectors. The next step is actually getting on the elevators and going to the show, so we have to wait behind this rope in a small area until they know how full the studio is. It was really warm. I started to feel really queasy again. Finally, I decided I couldn't take it, and I just ducked out of the rope and started for the door, and while this is happening, I'm starting to get sick in my hand...so I run outside and just throw up all over the street RIGHT in front of the entrance to 30 Rock. Woohoo! Right in front of a limo! It was one of the worst and humiliating experiences of my life. It was absolutely awful. Plus, I threw up on my hand, which was terrible. I walked back in the building, though, and someone gave me some kleenexes and gum, and I marched back to my spot in line and right after I got back they let a group of us into the show. I probably smelled like vomit the entire show, and I feel bad for whoever was sitting next to me, but I sort of don't care because then I legitmately did feel 100% better, and I enjoyed the show. It was a good one! I had fun. It felt good to go home and clean up. A lot of people might wonder why I even tried to go to the show if I was feeling sick, but I slept on the street...and that's not very fun, and I didn't want to do it in vain if I had the choice. Everything ended up being okay. I'm just glad I didn't throw up IN NBC, or worse, in the studio...I don't think I'd be allowed to come back.
I'm going to ASSSSCAT today. I don't think I'm sick anymore. :)

Worth it? Sure.

Well, I'm back on the horse...in that I slept on the street Friday night and actually GOT INTO SNL once again. I feel that the universe is back in order. Friday night was not the best street-sleeping conditions (it was a little bit of an ice storm), but I really didn't mind and felt that it showed my evolutionary skills. Plus...I got the number 1 ticket! I just wanted to get that once in my life. To out-crazy all the crazies. I don't really ever need to do that again. Also, while in line for a million hours, I met Ivanka Trump and Jeff Goldblum! Ridiculous. I think they were on Conan.
The show was decent. I really loved both the host and musical guest (Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Snow Patrol), so that made the show better. Even though I was in the "standby section", my seat wasn't too bad. I had a pretty good view of some of the sketches.
After the show, I had a really good time talking with the cast members. It was a bit chaotic, but they were all friendly and Jason might be going to the Chicago Improv Festival! Woohoo! I, by the way, COULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED for that. I'm in the process of signing up for the workshops right now (Paypal is a CENSORED). It was fun to talk about the workshops (albeit it briefly) with Jason.
I also got this picture taken with Kristen Wiig. She sort of never comes out, or at least I never get to see her, but last night she was sort of ambushed...I felt bad, and tried to hang back. I did get this pic, though...it was funny, she was like "We have met before, right?" and I was like "Yeah...the picture didn't turn out..." It was weird. She's basically my favorite cast member, though.
I can't believe how much homework I have today. Not cool at all. ASSSSCAT tonight, though. Yay! I hope Miriam is there, she wasn't last week.
I'm also upset that the dining halls STILL aren't open, and thus I must continue my ramen diet. Ick ick ick. Actually, to be perfectly honest, I'm eating gummy worms right now. If NYU Dining Services aren't around to help me make appropriate eating decisions, this is what happens. Whatever. I'm still sleepy...I might start Voltaire's "Candide"...or fall back asleep. :)

I Like My Neighborhood

So, apparently, they were filming 30 Rock yesterday right outside my favorite breakfast spot. One block away from my dorm. I go to this place nearly every morning for a plain bagel and hazelnut coffee. In fact, I'm enjoying that breakfast right now. Bagel Bob's! Amazing homemade bagels that are always warm and really soft and essentially are the tastiest bagels in the world. And while I didn't see it myself, my favorite tv show was filmed at my favorite bagel place a block away from where I live. That's so ridiculous! Look for it in upcoming episodes!

This ALMOST makes up for this (http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/15/nyc.shootout/index.html) which happened a mere four blocks from my dorm. Almost. :/

Hey! Wasn't it just 65 degrees?!

...and now it's snowing. We're supposed to get two inches tonight. I guess this is the official "Emily, wake up, spring break is almost over" warning from mother nature. I'll take it. I enjoyed the break, and I'm trying to savor my last few days. I tried to go to Conan today, but alas, I was turned away. They hand out standby tickets at 9am, so I got there at 7 and pretty much just sat there for 2 hours, receiving ticket number 21. I had to go back to 30 Rock at 3:45 and I waited around for a few hours, waiting to get in...they let 17 people in, so I was close, but not close enough. Oh well. They play it on TV. It would have been fun to go (Julia Louis-Dreyfuss was the main guest), but there will be other times, I'm sure.

I'm planning on going to SNL this weekend. I've missed it! I haven't been to a show since the beginning of February (Drew Barrymore/Lilly Allen). I'm pretty psyched about the line-up this week, too; Julia Louis-Dreyfuss/Snow Patrol. I might try to get there really early, since I'm not really doing anything...but then again, it is supposed to snow. :( I'll have to play this one by ear.

My improv class on Tuesday was really fun! I like the other students and I really love my teacher. There are 15 people in the class, mostly 20-somethings, and I sort of get the feel that most people are familiar with improv but have not done it extensively, especially not longform. We didn't do any exercises that I was unfamiliar with, but I had a good time and I know I'm going to obviously look forward to this class. Plus, I got a student pass that will let me into any improv show at UCB on weeknights for free! Basically...I'll be spending even MORE time at that theater. There's nothing wrong with that, right?! :)

Since my summer plans are coming together (paid internship at Stevie Ray's), I feel like I can relax a little bit and start to plan for the Chicago Improv Festival. I don't feel so bad spending money for that now that I know I'll have a good, solid, enjoyable and informative job for the summer.

I need to take a nap. I was up WAY to early this morning for Conan and I'm going to a show later tonight (UCB, obviously). I can do stuff like this because it's still spring break for a few more days.

Spring break!!! Finally!

Wow, sorry, it has been a really long time since I last posted. I try not to bore people with my improv adventures, and for the most part, other than that, I go to class and sleep. Don't get me wrong...this makes me extremely happy. However, it is not always blog-worthy.
I can't believe I've finished 3/4 of my first year of college. It's definitely hard to believe, especially since the first half of the second semester has completely flown by. It seems like I was just getting on the plane to come home for Christmas.
The weather here still feels like Christmas...a few days ago, we experienced some 58 degree weather that I enjoyed immensely, but now it's back down to a windy 15 degrees, and I'm not pleased. I wore a skirt and no coat last weekend! What happened?!?
I've been doing a lot of babysitting, but I really don't mind since I'm getting a nice amount of cash every week, which means I get to avoid crazy ATM charges. Yay! I think it's good experience, too, and I really do like the girls I watch. The past few days I worked really long hours, and on top of mid-term crap, it was a bit much. Now, though, it's officially SPRING BREAK and I get to enjoy over a week of no adademic responsibility, a dorm to myself, and I still get to spend my time in the most fabulous city. I'm actually okay with not going home, this break is pretty short anyway, so I don't think it would be worth it. Plus, on Tuesday, I'm starting my improv class at the Upright Citizens Brigade, and I couldn't be more excited! I went to 2 shows there tonight (I basically live there), and I actually saw my future improv teacher. She's so nice, and I think she's a fantastic improviser. Her team won the improv cage match tonight, and they are so fun to watch! They work really well together.
Aaaaand there I go again, off on an improv tangent. My apologies.
I need to go to bed, because while it may be spring break, I've got to get up early to babysit. :/ Night!

Well, folks, it had to happen SOMETIME

That's right, ladies and gentlemen. This weekend, I experienced the darker side of my weekly SNL agenda that is far more realistic and far more upsetting than previous weeks. I spent 14 hours on the street Friday night. I braved the wind and freezing temperatures. I cleared all my plans for Saturday night, got dressed up, and took the subway up to Rockefeller Center to wait in line to be let in the studio. Number 12! That's a great, low number, right?! Not low enough, my friends, not low enough. I didn't get into the show. They let FIVE people into the live show. Five. I was turned away. It was a sad, sad night for Emily. I actually handled it quite well...I mean, I had a great streak (that was already broken when I went out of town), and it's not like I'll never see the show again. I'll be back next live episode, this didn't ruin it all for me. I WAS sad. But I'm okay now. I stuck around and hung out in a Starbucks until the end of the show so I could say hi to the cast. I almost like that more than seeing the actual show live, anyway.

Other than that...the weekend went by quickly and I am not looking forward to this week. I have my Tisch portfolio due by Thursday, and I'm only starting to stress about that NOW...oops. I have GOT to make myself do it! I'm just really stressed and nervous that what I write won't be good enough and I'll feel like a huge failure. But by not doing it at all...I become less of a failure?! NO. I also have to just remember to put everything I've got on the line, but know that it's not the END of the world if I don't get into that program. It would be extremely perfect in every way, though.

Can it please stop snowing?! I can't handle walking to class with this accumulating snow. It's a blizzard right now. Gross.

I am going to write some sketches and hope that I can deem them worthy enough for the portfolio. And I really, really want to go to bed. :)

Looong weekends = short weeks :)

My weeks are so short. I absolutely love it. Especially this week, when I didn't have classes on Monday, only two classes today, only one class on Thursday...and, as usual, no class on Friday. It's fantastic. Yay for presidents and their nationally-recognized day!

I spent the first part of my long weekend in Saratoga Springs, NY (specifically Skidmore College) participating in the National College Comedy Festival. It was one ridiculous weekend. There were about 15 college groups there, improv and sketch, and a few profesisonal groups. All in all, it was a good weekend, despite the unnecessary college parties...it just made me realize how much I love NYU. I don't have to go to some random house and be crazy because there's nothing else to do...I go to shows, I experience the city. I love it. I love the non-traditional community of NYU. Not to undermine my experience at Skidmore...it was a change, and I had fun seeing the other groups and performing. We didn't have the best set in the world, but it was still better than most of the other groups, so that felt good. We got good feedback from the professional groups...there were three there, 2 of which are composed entirely of NYU grads...and the other was NYC's Upright Citizens Brigade. New York was really representing, it was cool.

I got back to New York EXHAUSTED on Sunday, in time to take a shower and pick up my friend Alex at the port authorty. She goes to BU, and came into the city for some catching up and ASSSSCAT indulging. I loved seeing her again :). Thankfully, despite the God-awful cold, ASSSSCAT was amazing; Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers, John Lutz, Jack McBrayer...MIRIAM TOLAN AND BRIAN STACK! I adore improv couples. I was very excited, and the show was fabulous. Is it ever not?

I think I'm going to try to go to Conan on Thursday. Might as well, right? I need to go eventually, and I think Jimmy Fallon's on the show on Thursday, and I only have one class...I'll probably be going alone, but I'm still hopeful and excited.

This weekend, I'll actually get to just relax in the city, which will be nice. I liked Dirty South and Skidmore, but that's a lot of traveling to do. Some of my troupe is going to a Harvard comedy festival this weekend, but I think it's okay that I'm going to take it easy and not go. Two out of three weekends is a lot.

I have a History of the Universe (gah!!!) exam tomorrow...too bad I never listen to the lectures because I HATE it and find the information generally irrelevent...oh well. That's college for ya! ;)

Valentine's Day!

Ahh, the day of love...and, more importantly, chocolate. I woke up not necessarily in the best mood, seeing as I was up very late finishing a paper (the ironic motif of animals in "King Lear" that increases as Lear comes closer to discovering/defining himself as a man rather than a king). Not only was I absolutely exhausted, but I experienced firsthand the downside to having a wonderfully old building...the windows can be shut, but that really means nothing, seeing as the numerous cracks allow for cold wind to seep in. Not pleasant. So, I decide to brave the day and get up to shower...only to find that, for like the sixth time this year, we do not have ANY hot water. So...for like the sixth time this year, I brave an ice cold shower, crying the whole time, cursing the residence hall employees...even though they have nothing to do with it...I suppose I have to blame someone. I step outside to make the four block trek to my 9:30 class...and...SNOW. LEGITIMATE SNOW. I guess it's nice to experience something of a real winter, but this would've been appreciated back when I romantized the idea of a city winter...in DECEMBER. The precipitaton from the sky was something like freezing ice pellets that were PAINFUL. But, I lived. I did my afternoon pick-up-girls-at-school-and-take-to-gymnastics-and-home. THEY loved the idea of snow. A LOT. A.k.a. they were picking up chunks of snow and eating it. That hardcore grossed me out. I told them, "If it were raining, would you drink the puddles in the street? Because eating that snow is the same thing..." but they didn't seem to understand. Not really my issue, I guess.

Day three of my diet. Yeah, I slipped a little bit. But that's because it's VALENTINE'S DAY, and I could've been a lot worse...I avoided the dorm when my roommates made vanilla frosting sandwiches. Instead, I went to the gym. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, Emily is working out! Three days in a row! Thirty minutes a day! Three miles on the elliptical! I'm very proud of myself, it definitely feels good. Besides, NYU has really nice gym facilities, and I get to use them for free...so I might as well!

I spent last weekend in the wonderful town of Carrboro (and Chapel Hill, I guess), North Carolina for the Dirty South Improv Festival. I drove down Friday morning with part of my improv troupe, performed, did some workshops, and then drove back on Sunday. That's a total of 20 hours in a car in one weekend. That's a lot. It was a positive experience, though...our show went well and we got some good feedback. Plus, we got to see some of the absolute worst improv groups I've ever seen. Yep, worse than the Christian improv at the Minnesota State Fair...which I NEVER thought I'd say. Haha. This weekend? I'm heading four hours north to the Skidmore campus near Saratoga Springs, NY for the National College Comedy Fest. I'm only staying until Sunday morning, because my friend Alex is coming down from Boston University to spend some quality time in NYC. No school on Monday! Yay presidents!

I need to stop avoiding an essay. It's time to write it. :)

Brr...

It. Is. Cold. It's the kind of cold where your nose runs and you don't notice. I spilled scalding hot coffee on my hand and didn't even feel it. This kind of cold in New York makes me laugh because people are still trying to look stylish. Skinny, skinny women with next to no body fat wrap themselves in hip scarves and tuck their leggings into riding boots. Their gaunt faces reveal looks of sheer pain as they struggle to walk on avenues that have become wind tunnels. While my situation is not as pathetic as their's, I must say that I have never missed my car more. Transportation without any walking is glorious.

I had a pretty good weekend; Dangerbox show (it was a weird one) followed by sleeping cozily (ha) on the sidewalk on Friday night, Tiny Spectacular (Jason Mantzoukas, Rachel Hamilton, Miriam Tolan and others) at the Magnet Theatre for $5 and SNL (Drew Barrymore/Lily Allen...very good show) on Saturday. ASSSSCAT on Sunday, in the freezing cold. They actualy cancelled the 9:30 show, and everyone in the line got to go to the 7:30 show for free...but we ended up with really bad seats as a result...and I had already been waiting 2 1/2 hours to ensure our regular seats up front. Oh well, what can ya do. It was still hilarious (Jack McBrayer, Jason Mantzoukas, Rachel Hamilton, Miriam Tolan and Amy Poehler). And I got to get home before midnight! Always a plus when I'm taking the L train, which almost always sits on the track for 20 minutes, full of people, not moving, with no explanation.

So..I'm leaving for North Carolina at 5:30am on Friday morning. Woohoo! 10 hour road trip through states I've never been to! I'm going with some Dangerbox members to the Dirty South Improv Festival, and I'm very excited about this, because I've never been to this festival and it's a pretty big one. It's very cool that we're performing...it should be a fun weekend.

I need to take a nap before babysitting. I'm exhausted and I don't feel well. :/

Weekends come to an end...

It has been a very busy week for me, and unfortunately, the weekend has gone by faster that I hoped it would. The craziness started on Wednesday, actually, because I started a new babysitting job that (while it is only three hours) seemes to consume my afternoon. I have to pick two little girls up at school, get them a snack, take them to the library for homework, and then get on the subway to take them to gymnastics, sit there during their gymnastics, and then walk them home. This absolutely exhausts me, although it really shouldn't, but the timing can be difficult to manage and it can be hard to shuffle two little girls from place to place on time. It's good, though, I enjoy the extra cash, and I figure I'm building a good reputation in case I want to nanny later on. Also, my Friday morning job has gotten a bit longer and more extensive because now in addition to walking the one girl to school, I'm also going to go to these girls' apartment and get them ready for school. All three girls get along and are friends, so that's good, and I just have to get up a half hour earlier. Again...more cash. It's helpful.

Since SNL was not a live episode this weekend, I was very excited to have a normal night on the town on Friday, like any other NYC college student. Right now, many fancy restaurants are participating in Restaurant Week, where they create a 3-course menu at a cheaper price. So, a few NYU people I know decided to check out one of the restaurants...there was some time issue or something, and basically it didn't work out. We ended up eating in Rockefeller Center, because it was cheap, warm and close. So, depsite my goal to avoid 30 Rock. for the weekend, I apparently couldn't. We had then planned to do rush tickets for a Wicked, which means you show up during a specific half hour and put your name in a lottery to win front row tickets for $25. Despite the horrendous cold, there were 200 people waiting for Wicked tickets...needless to say, we did not get them. So...my fancy (but discounted) night on the town failed, and where did I wind up? Seeing an improv show at the Upright Citizens Brigade. Tickets were guaranteed, only $8, and I knew the show would be fabulous. No one can say I didn't try to do something different with my weekends, but this just proves once again that I know what makes me happy and I have a good time even if I am always going to the same places. I then found out that one of UCB's house teams was going to be hosting a free midnight improv jam where people from the audience would get to come onstage to improvise. I obvioulsy got really excited and loitered around until that show started. Everyone who wanted to participate got to put their names in a bucket and they would draw 8 names out at a time to do basically a montage onstage with 2 members of the house team. I got called up for the first set, which made me a little bit nervous, but I was very excited and initiated the first scene. I ended up being in like 2 scenes during the 10 minute set, which was pretty good, and I definitely had a lot of fun. However, a lot of the time I was just thinking about how excited I was to be on that stage...it was so much fun, and I guess they're going to do it every month now, so I'll definitely be going back to that. I was proud of myself for a few reasons: 1. I was definitely the youngest person there. 2. I hadn't had anything to drink, unlike most of the people there. 3. I went by myself and therefore didn't really have anyone in the audience cheering for me. 4. Pretty much everyone who particpated were improvisers, and some I had seen perform there before. So...yay! I've performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade! :)

Saturday was a fun day as well. Natalie and I met at a movie theater on the Upper East Side and I paid $11 (AHH!! SO EXPENSIVE!) to see The Queen. I really enjoyed the movie, and I think I'm going to use it to write a paper for my Social Foundations class, comparing the queen to Machiavelli's Prince. Real life + education! Application! Woo hoo! After, we went back to Natalie's to cook a yummy pasta dinner for Heather, Dominique and Chelsea. We had a great time catching up with the big group of us and hysterically laughing (as usual). Then, it was Upright Citizens Brigade time (again)! We took the train down to the theater to see the last show of Let's Have A Ball, a show that has been going on every Saturday in January. I love this cast because of Kay Cannon, Brian Stack (Miriam's husband, Conan writer) and Scott Adsit (30 Rock). It was a hilarious show, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and I talked to Kay after! She came up and gave me a hug and we briefly talked about the show and how fortunate it was that I didn't sleep on the street the previous night. I was very happy.

So what am I doing tonight? Going back to the Upright Citizens Brigade again, of course, for some quality Asssscat. I'm very excited, my weekend went by quickly but it was filled with good times. I just have to finish up a bit of King Lear action before I can enjoy myself...oh well, it's what I'm here for.

Mondays... :(

Well, another fabulous and fun-filled weekend has come to a close. Back to work. Back to actually having to sleep. Back to cups of coffee permanently attached to my hand. It's fine, I'll have next weekend to look forward to, and weekdays aren't as bad as people make them out to be anyway.

Friday night, I had an improv show with Dangerbox that went very well. We had a fairly large and very receptive audience, and the structures we finally decided on doing really worked. After the show, I hopped in a cab and headed up to the SNL line. It was so cold, and this was the second time doing standby that I actually felt like a crazy person (the first time was when Dad and I spent the whole night in pouring rain). I thought I would get a bad number because I had to show up later than usual, but since it was so freaking cold, I ended up getting number 4 for live! Natalie and I slept in between the collapsed tent, which was really weird but warm. I slept for a total of 6 hours, but I DID wake up with a lovely blanket of SNOW covering me...SO not okay. I decided that the only reason I slept for so long was because I slipped into a momentary hypothermic coma. Whatever, sleep is sleep.

Natalie and I met Dominique at our little Chinese restaurant, the Chelsea Cottage, on Saturday night and then went the Upright Citizens Brigade for the "Let's Have A Ball" show. Despite the fact that Kay was not there, it was a hilarious show (Brian Stack from Conan was there, and he is so intellectual and random, it's great). Natalie and I continued our night of comedy by taking the subway up to 30 Rock for SNL. I thought that since the host and musical guest weren't extremely well-known (Jeremy Piven/AFI), a lot of people would get into the show. Well, 55 got into to dress...but only SIX got into the live show!!! I'm so glad I got in, I would have been seriously angry if I had gotten snowed on for nothing. I also had the best seat I think I will ever have at SNL...dead center, second row of the balcony. It was a decent show...I got to talk to Kay and Jason and Lutz after the show, and Fred gave me a hug...it was a fun night.

Of course, Sunday....Asssscat. Hilarious show, it was even longer than usual, too. I took the subway home at 12:30 a very happy girl. And then, 9:30am class this morning...oh well, I was prepared, we discussed (to death) the first act of King Lear. I have my first Creative Writing class in a half hour, so I better get ready for that. I have to completely bundle myself up to endure the windy walk to the Silver building.

I'll update more. I've been very busy....but I'll update more.

Minnesota? What?

Yeah...I've re-adjusted. I knew it wouldn't take long. I still think fondly of Minnesota and it will always be nice to go home...but I'm back in New York and legitimately loving it. The t-shirts don't lie, folks, I do heart NY. A lot.
So after doing laundry and unpacking, I made it to the SNL standby line at like 2:30 or so...way earlier than I wanted. But since people had been in line for so long already, I sort of just needed to bite the bullet and spend the 14.5 hours there. Luckily, Heather got there shortly after me, so she was right behind me in line. Not long after I set up my little area, I noticed everyone was taking pictures of someone. It was Cheryl Hines, from Curb Your Enthusiasm! I'm actually a really big fan of that show and I think she is hilarious, and I managed to get a picture with her. She was incredibly friendly...she sort of felt bad for all of us, I guess, so she went to this sort of fancy chocolate store and bought chocolate for the line! I got to talk to the guys she was with for awhile...I don't know, we talked a little bit about improv, it was weird. So that was the big celebrity moment...Natalie didn't get to the line until like 7, and by that time, the line was super long. She hung out with Heather and me, though, for the whole night, and we set up what sort of resembled a bed for the three of us...actually pretty comfortable. We're just chilling out and laughing and catching up, when all of a sudden I look up behind the barricade, and there's Jason Sudeikis' wife, Kay. She was saying how she wanted to come over and say hi, and she introduced me to a couple of writers from 30 Rock. She is so adorable and way nice to me. We told her we were going to her improv show at the Upright Citizens Brigade before SNL, and she was excited that people actually were coming. Haha. It was definitely the highlight of the night...plus hearing Natalie's stories from her New Year's in Vegas. I got to sleep around 12:45 and I was actually really warm...I woke up at 5:30 to stinging rain on my exposed face...not pleased with that. It drizzled until 7am when the tickets were handed out...I got number 6 for the live show. Not too bad.
Saturday night I met up with Heather and Natalie and Dominique (our Asssscat friend) at this pretty cheap and fast Chinese restaurant near UCB. Yummy chicken fried rice...we assumed the line for the improv show Kay was in (Let's Have a Ball) wouldn't be too long, but when we got there, it was already super long. We were really surprised, and upset because we wanted front row seats. Still, though, the show was very good, I love that I finally got to see Kay improvise, plus there were a few other familiar faces on the stage. After the show, I got a chance to talk to Kay for a few seconds...she's so cute, she's like "I'll see you in a few hours at SNL!!!" :)
I feel SO lucky that I got into the show...because not that many people did. Heather and I got in, and were split up into some random seats...I was right in front of the music stage, which is actually a pretty good seat. Unfortunately, Natalie, who was number 14, did not get in...it was really depressing and definitely put a damper on the evening. Plus, Kay had told me she was going to wave at me from the floor and that I better see her, and I didn't. It was a funny show, though, and The Shins are a really sweet and sort of charming band.
I stood outside in the rain for a bit, just to see who all was coming out. It was really crowded and gross, though. I did get to wave at Kay as she was leaving...she yelled that once again she had waved but I didn't see her...I think she's lying. Haha.
Well, that was sort of a boring and not creatively written post, so I apologize for that. I guess that's a sign that I need to go to bed. Night!

I've landed

Who would've thought that three weeks could have passed by so quickly? Although after getting back to Minnesota, I asked myself "did I ever leave?", I now find myself asking the same question, only now it feels like I never went home. My dorm is the same (actually, that's a lie, it's significantly dustier and I think there's something wrong with the heat system). And now I'm sitting at my desk, looking at all my post-it notes from last semester that hang menacingly from the second shelf. "FINALS! STUDY!" ; "Call so-and-so!!!" ; "NYU bill due Jan. 3!". They're all pretty intense. On Tuesday, I start semester two, and I'll have to jump right back into it all. I think I'll be okay. This weekend, though, I get to miss home if I want to. And I do. I decided that I'm not going home for spring break now, just for logistical and economic reasons, mostly; so I won't be back in Minnesota until May. And while I made it from late August to the end of December, it wasn't my favorite thing in the world to be away from home for THAT long. Luckily, I feel like time really passes quickly here because I'm doing so much, so that's good. And...I love New York...so I think I'll re-adjust again in fairly good time.

So, after a ridiculously early flight and an hour of sleep last night (at most), I now find myself packing up my sleeping bag and getting ready to head up to Rockefeller Center for some SNL standby time. Ugh. I'd go later tonight, but I guess a lot of people got in line last night....so to make it worth my while at all, I've got to get there pretty soon. I'm finishing up laundry. Trying to clean up all the lotion that exploded in my suitcase. Dusting, dusting, dusting. And then it's another cab ride to West 49th Street. It's good, though, it will give me something to do instead of think about the fact that I'm not home.

I sound like I'm complaining. I'm not, really. I'm just still in transition mode, and that's a difficult place to be. I'll be happier in a few hours or so. Sorry I didn't wait to post until I cheered up a bit...oh well.

Still here...

Despite all my free time right now in Minnesota, I haven't been writing on this blog because something about it feels wrong...like I'm cheating, like I shouldn't be allowed to write on my NYC blog from MN. But I figured it's about time that I do some updating, because even though I'm not in New York, stuff is still going on.
First of all...Christmas was very fun and relaxing. I think everyone liked the gifts I gave, which always feels really good. Either that, or they're very good at faking it. I'll take it. I got the one gift I asked for, improv classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade theater in NY (http://www.ucbtheatre.com/ny)!!! I'm so incredibly excited for this. It's the main improv company in New York (although there are a few more that are up-and-coming), and it's where I've been going every weekend for Asssscat and other shows. I'm looking forward to these classes for a few reasons:
1. I'll get a chance to do improv outside of NYU, which is just a different perspective and good experience.
2. I'll get a chance to start over at level 1 with improv, which I haven't done in a looong time.
3. I'll get to go into a class knowing NO ONE (yay!! I love this!) and make a bunch of new friends outside of NYU, which I get really excited about.
4. Hopefully, some of the SNL/Asssscat people will take me more seriously once they know I'm taking classes at UCB.
5. I'll get to eventually perform at UCB, gaining more recognition in the improv community.
In general, I'm psyched. Very psyched. Christmas was good for me.
New Year's was also rather eventful, as I was asked by Stevie Ray's (the troupe I was in here in Minneapolis) to perform at their annual New Year's Eve show at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. It's a pretty big deal...I got to do improv in front of 700+ people up until midnight, ring in the new year, sing some Auld Lang Syne, and then do improv for another hour or so. I have such a good time just being around those people again, and I had a genuinely good time, even if it wasn't my best show ever (it was decent...Matthew really stole the show, the rest of us were just sort of up there supporting him). The past few weekends I've also gotten a chance to perform at the regular shows at the Sheraton, and this weekend, I'm actually going to dress to perform and be in the whole shows. I miss that. I miss hanging out with the troupe, too.
Heather, my friend from NYC whom I met in the SNL line, has been here since the 27th and is leaving when I leave on the 12th. We've been bumming around Minneapolis, obviously going to a lot of improv and actually we've been baking quite a bit. I don't know what inspired that, but we've made cakes and cookies and bars and I've never felt more domestic in my entire life. It's been very fun, and productive, too, I guess.
And that's really all that's been going on. Not too terribly exciting, but it doesn't need to be. I really did miss this city, and everything that comes along with it. Being home has been fabulous.