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.