kevin barnett

Taking classes at Improv Olympic (or Second City) has been something Dev and I have wanted to do for a LONG time - certainly longer than we’ve known each other. I know my friends from the Welshcrew can attest to this.

So, I’m happy to say that Devin and I started Level 1 classes today at IO. Our instructor is the very funny, very talented and very supportive Jet Eveleth.

Oddly, I had met a fella during a job interview last year who told me he was involved with IO and that Jet was the one to take Level 1 classes from. I had already been considering this as a gift for Dev so it was an even stronger sign when the only classes available on Saturdays were led by Jet.

Our class is large - 12 people or so. We do a lot of fun exercises with everyone involved but for the most part, it’s two people on stage improving a scene. And the whole process is very educational - and theraputic. After being a corporate dog for the week, it’s nice to kick back and have “diarrhea of the brain” where you can say and do just about anything you want - so long as you are 110% committed to your decision.

I appreciate the minimalist aspects of this art form - and the theory we are using is that improv is the art form. Apparently, those “commies” at Second City use improv as a tool to develop a scene. Ha! Actually, I didn’t really know what the difference between the two were other than IO focuses on a lot of long form improv where as Second City is more about sketch comedy. But it’s nice to not have to bring anything to the stage except yourself and some ideas. Stark contrast from my experiences in theater and film.

Dev and I have the bug though…we are enjoying ourselves as much in this environment as we did when we first started our filmmaking classes…maybe more. With a pass to get us into any IO show we want to, this is one of the best gifts I’ve ever given (and for that matter, received).

When will Dev and I have a public performance? I have no idea and don’t know if it will come to that…but I’m sure if it does, it will be heavily promoted right here on welshcrew.com.

I was just listening to Love Jones - Paid For Loving

Directions:

1. Empty 1, preferably 2 packets of instant hot chocolate into your glass/mug/cup of choice.

2. Instead of hot water, use the same amount of coffee in your glass/mug/cup. Use a fork to stir and help dilute the hot chocolate mix into the coffee.

3. Sip carefully, beverage is HOT.

I was just listening to Pink Floyd - Young Lust

This isn’t a reactionary post but more of a reflectionary post. What happened in South Asia with the tsunami…it’s a terrible, terrible thing. I feel compelled to do something - more than just donate a little money to The American Red Cross. This event - in addition to Travis’ current adventures in (East) Thailand - has inspired me to travel overseas to do volunteer work. I think it would be a great way to see another country, to get to know the cultures and people and to feel good about doing a good thing.

I’m not sure when this will happen…and I hope my interest in this idea continues after the media is tired with stories of suffering from this terrible tragedy.

I was just listening to Paul Simon - Proof

At some point during our stay in Maryland, I left a window open overnight in the bedroom where Dev and I were sleeping. I didn’t even notice because the heater works VERY efficiently in that room, compensating for the mildly cold air outside that night. But I weakened Dev’s sinuses which then caused her to catch Aidan’s sinus infection. Following tradition of the past 2-3 years, Devin would be sick for New Year’s Eve.

But not that sick - she was getting over it. And I was getting it. So we decided to take this NYE easy. I had made reservations at The Melting Pot for the early evening and then we planned on seeing a movie if possible but either way returning home to see the ball drop.

On the way to the Melting Pot, we were driving Ivan’s new 4Runner. Some idiot completely blows a red light on Ohio and State and nearly broadsides us - that it is my quick, cat-like reflexes hadn’t saved the evening and our lives.

Dinner was terrific although I was told we would have access to the whole menu, our menu was prix-fix. Our server compensated for the mostly-red meat dinner by hooking us up with a lot of ahi tuna for Dev to enjoy with the veggies. This would be the first time I’ve had fondue other than cheese and chocolate. It was tasty and romantic. We had a great time.

And oreo-cookie covered marshmellows dipped in chocolate are pure sin.

We came home, realizing it was too late for a movie, with our champagne glasses and the white wine + garlic seasoning from the Melting Pot. We got in our jammies and turned on Dick Clark’s Rocking New Year’s Eve only to realize that Dick Clark had been replaced by Regis and that Dick Clark had suffered from a stroke. Yes, the holidays have been a blur because we had heard nothing of this.

Then out on the lawn, there arose such a clatter. I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash. Thankfully, I didn’t have to tear open shutters or a sash. But the full moon on the breast of the ground without snow, gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear…nothing.

This confused me into the following day until I walked past the end of the street and saw a tow-zone sign bent back all the way to the ground, surrounded by tire-skid marks and dirt everywhere. This spot, where a car had obviously came crashing into after trying to take a turn too fast or just driving drunk, was a spot where we will commonly park Ivan’s car.

But we didn’t park it there that evening. 4-Runner saved, crisis averted, yet again. And after hearing the story of the friend of Umphrey’s McGee getting killed by a drunk driver - Dev and I agreed we’re done with using automobiles on New Year’s Eve.

Drunk drivers can suck it.

I was just listening to Gorillaz - 19-2000