Creating Art in the Midst of a Storm?

Below is a blog that I wrote several days after Hurricane Sandy, but never got around to posting. So, here it is. Posted:

As New York works to regain some sense of normalcy after Hurricane Sandy, I've found myself consistently thinking about one particular thing—artistic sensitivity (and artistic necessity?) in the midst of a disaster. I've been thinking about this so much that I'm not exactly sure where to start, so I'll just delve into it.

On November 2^nd, several days after Sandy hit, my husband was scheduled to appear at KGB Bar in the East Village to celebrate the release of his first book of poetry, Enduro's Lament. This was years of writing and months of preparation in the making. Despite the storm and its affects, the books found their way safely to Brooklyn in time. And thus popped up the big question: Do we still hold the reading when so many people are still suffering and dealing with the hurricane's after-effects? Enter internal debate.

Enduro's Lament chilling at the KGB Bar

Are we being insensitive if we hold the reading? Could this actually be a significant and beautiful thing if we proceed as planned? Does the venue even have electricity? Will we be safe?

Dear Lord, Please Send Me A Mr. McGibblets Costume!

The League is a TV show that can pretty much crack me up any time I watch it. I wish I could watch it more but I don't own a TV and the last time I tried to download an episode of it online I got a computer virus that crashed my entire hard drive and made life miserable for a while.

Anywho...

My all-time favorite character on the show isn't one of the lead actors. It isn't an occasional featured performer. It's a fictitious character known as Mr. McGibblets, and he gets me every time.

Just look:



Okay, so you may not be able to grasp the entire breadth and depth of Mr. McGibblets' awesomeness from that clip (you really need to watch the whole episode). But you can imagine how stoked I was when I saw THIS:

  

IT'S A MR. MCGIBBLETS HALLOWEEN COSTUME!

I don't normally get into Halloween. I don't even really care about wearing costumes. But you know what? I care about THIS costume! I would wear this effing costume every single day! Can you imagine the possibilities? Mr. McGibblets walks around Central Park. Mr. McGibblets buys a Metro Card. Mr. McGibblets tries speed dating and then hits rock bottom and gets a sponsor. This is my calling! I was meant to inhabit Mr. McGibblets!

I write this in hopes that my husband, okieinthecity, will see this post and think, "My wife deserves a Mr. McGibblets costume" and then buy it for me. I might also make mention that it is currently 50% off right now (That's right! HALF off!) We can have Christmas Mr. McGibblets. Hanukkah Mr. McGibblets. Flag Day Mr. McGibblets. The options are endless!!!

So, okieinthecity. How much do you love your wife? Sure, you could buy me an expensive bottle of perfume. OR...you could pocket the difference and buy me this kick-ass costume that I would wear every single day. Yes, you'd then officially be married to an explicitly mentally unstable person. But look at that polyestor face. Isn't it worth it?

PS--I'm totally serious that I want this.

Good AfterGoon!

Today, my Monday afternoon was brightened by co-hosting the very fun live show Good Aftergoon with the fabulous Glennis McMurray! Every day at 3pm, Glennis invites a new co-host from the comedy world to join her and talk about all things...well, all things! And in case you missed us, don't worry! You can watch us here and now by just clicking on our cute little faces below:

In this episode, we talk about owls scooping up mice, dead bodies, anniversaries, and our mutual love of Kendra. It's a good one, trust me.

Okie in the City at the Nuyorican? Success!

In case you weren't able to make it to the Okie in the City Artists Collective at the Nuyorican, here's the 1 1/2 hr show distilled down to :40 seconds. Also, we had a blast! Thank you to everyone who performed and came out. The most fun we've had at a reading yet.

the collective (L to R) Michelle-Leona Godin, Christian Ericson, Colin Dempsey, Leslie Goshko, Kyle Erickson, Andy Christie, Daniela Schiller, Steven Leyva)

We Did Indeed Kick Assonance!

Last week I got to host the much-anticipated, Kick Assonance Poetry Reading. Now, you may say, "Poetry? Laaaaaaaaame." But believe me, with a packed house, Jack Daniels drink specials, and some really funny yet moving stuff, it was a blast. Thanks to Kyle Erickson (the brain child behind the event) for asking me to host and share in an amazing evening. Me and four good-looking, talented young men? Not a bad gig.

(L to R) Kyle Erickson, Christian Ericson, Leslie Goshko, Steven Leyva, Sei Shiroma)

And as proof that I was correctly cast as host and not poet, I present to you a reading from my high school poetry journal. My apologies in advance.

Photo by Maryanne Ventrice. Full gallery HERE!

I wouldn't have believed it if you told me.

This past weekend, I participated in and completed the NYRR Women's Mini 10K (that's 6.2 miles for all you who are like, "What the heck is a 10k?" I was one of those people).

photo courtesy Brightroom Photgraphy

I'm Hosting a Poetry Reading. WHAT?!

And it's gonna Kick Assonance! okieinthecity: Kicking Wednesday Interviews

photo courtesy Maryanne Ventrice

Cruel to be Kind

*Blogger is stupid and deleted my original post, so this is going to be a lamer, shorter version. 

I don't understand intentionally cruel people, I never have. That might sound odd coming from a comedian where there are so few topics off-limits, but it's true.

The other night while performing with the BTK Band, some guy went backstage, ransacked everyone's personal items, and made off with a bunch of cash and several cell phones. Once I got back there, I saw that my purse was open and my wallet was gone. Great! I immediately went into crisis mode thinking of all the things I had to do (and thank goodness my husband was there). "Okay, need to cancel my card, make a trip to the DMV for a new I.D. (blech), call my bank, what else am I forgetting..." A girl then came up to me and said that someone found some of their things strewn about the back hallway. I ran back to the greenroom, looked around, and luckily found my wallet with all its innards intact (apparently, the thief only wanted cash, and since I'm a comedian, I'm perpetually broke). I was so grateful! Especially since I despise the DMV!

Attack of the Killer Sunflower Seeds!

Husband grabs book off bookshelf and quickly tosses it to the floor.

Me: Ew! Was there a bug on that?

Husband stares at the floor without answering.

Me: Hey! Was there a bug on that book?!?!

Him: Yes! But I can't find it.

Wife gets up and joins the search.

Me: Is this it? This sunflower seed?

Husband looks at sunflower seed lying on the floor.

Him: Well, that's what the body looked like. But it had antennae and long legs.

Me: Are you suuuuure?

Him: No. It's probably that sunflower seed.

"Works well with children"

After purchasing my metro card, I turn to my husband and say,

"Who puts their stroller right in front of the metro machine?!?"

He replies,

"Who kicks a baby stroller?"

*guilty as charged*