The Age of Misinformation

I'm sitting here at home watching MSNBC's coverage of United Flight 923's emergency landing at Logan Airport due to an altercation onboard. In the span of 30 minutes, they have continually reported the "facts" about the incident. Granted, the "facts" have changed 40-50 times each time they report them!

At the beginning, it was an altercation between crew members on the flight. I was assured it was not related to terrorism. Then it was 3 passengers getting into fisticuffs. I was assured it was not related to terrorism. Then it was one lady going crazy and two other passengers trying to restrain her. Terrorism? Nope. Then the lady was drunk and psychotic and acted "suspiciously" (whatever that really means). Whew...excellent! Glad it was just a drunk person geeting crazy with the Cheeze Whiz on the plane...then we find out that she had a screwdriver, matches, mascara, and Heaven-forbid - VASELINE! Terrorism? I'm being told no. Uh oh. Then she mystically has a note that reads "Al Quaeda!". THE SMOKING GUN! Is it terrorism? Uh...well, let's go to our analyst Joe Blow for some analysis. Joe Blow analyzer says, "Yep...that's kinda weird. We don't know what size of the screwdriver she had, how the vaseline was brought on board, and what the note she has really said. It's too early for us to make any real assumptions."

*Cut to someone who will continue the story the anchor just gave*

"Yes! None of those items should've made it past screening! What are they doing there in London!?"

Then as I continue to watch and fight the urge to change the channel, I "find out" the lady is now claustrophobic! Holy smokes! If you are a clinical claustrophobe, why the hell would you put yourself on a plane?!

"Ooooh! Today is the day I decide to challenge and conquer my claustrophobia!"

WTF?! OK, so a drunk, agitated, psychotic claustrophobe with an affinity for Vaseline, matches, make-up, and Home Depot accessories gets herself on an enclosed plane, and wigs out 20 minutes before landing at their destination, thus, causing the plane to land early at another airport. Sounds like the end of the story there. I don't see a big deal. OH! WAIT! The note they reported earlier was actually some literature written in Arabic. Oh...and she wasn't drunk! She had a panic attack. Also, no one confirms that she had any of the things they said she did (apparently her Home Depot credit application got rejected). And the lady is 60 years old.

Terrorism? Well, no but yes but no and now maybe! The anchor now asks another new team, "What's the connection between this incident and what happened a few days ago?" The news person replies, "Essentially, nothing". The anchor then asks, "Yes, but isn't it strange that two incidents originating in the UK and planes happen within a week of each other?!" ARGH!

Nice to know there is no media bias. That's why I watch Fox News.

What's scarier? Snakes or seniles on a plane?

Currently listening : No. 4 By Stone Temple Pilots Release date: By 26 October, 1999

Note: This was originally posted on MySpace with comments at:
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Improvisation Olympics

So, yesterday I detailed my weekend of theatre. Due to the fact that I was doing stuff all weekend, I came fired up for my Conservatory class. I had good scenes the entire time! It was awesome! They were all funny and a bit crazy. I connected emitonally with my characters and made the scenes about the realationships between the characters. I brought it!

I then headed to my Salsation gig in the park. We got asked to perform at the Pilsen Art Fair on 18th and Damen. We were the closing act so we got to check out quite a few musicians singing everything from Spanish rockabilly to mariachi music. We asked the sound guys to mic the stage as best they could since it was an outdoor event and the stage consisted of two flatbed trailers put together with a buttload of mic cables strewn across the floor. We spent a lot of time warming up off to the side and reminding ourselves of how we wanted to conduct the show.

We hit the stage and watched the magic unfurl. We enacted scenes behind each one of us performing a monologue based on audience suggestion. A monologue would occur then 3-4 scenes based upon information in that monologue would be performed. Then another mologue would be given. As the 45 minute set went on, we all decided to act like monkeys (literally) on stage and end the show. After a warm reception from the crowd that sat 15-20 feet in front of the stage, we headed out to a Mexican restraunt (yes, I know...finding a Mexican restrant in Pilsen?!) and celebrated. As we walked around, kids would tell us "good yob" and act members to act like monkeys. It was a good time!

So, now I'm home and waiting for the casting director for the movie I'm on to call me up and change my shooting schedule around. Ahh, I believe I've medalled gold this weekend (I would normally want platinum...but you know how the Committee only give gold, silver, and bronze ).

Currently listening : Fundamental By Puya Release date: By 26 January, 1999

The Closest Thing to Being Hung-over

Yesterday was a whirlwind of activity. I had musical improv class from 1-4 PM which went really well. I'm having a good time singing with my buds and applying as many of the techniques from both acting side and the singing side as possible.

Then immediately after that, I went to a rehearsal for The PeepHole that started at 4:30 PM somewhere around Addision and Lincoln.. I had barely enough time to order food , eat it, and drive over there. We rehearsed the entire show there. I got the chance to talk about stand-up comedy with another comedian, learn the beginning of Respect by Erasure on guitar, and really connect with my character while doing my scene! Yeah! Once that was done, it was 6:30 PM.

I then had call time for the show at 8:00 PM. Since I already had a large lunch/dinner, eating more solids was out. So, I rolled over the Webster Place and hit up the Cold Stone Creamery for a little bit of an Oreo shake and then hit the Barnes & Nobles to check out the latest on recording magazines. After a short time, I got back into the car and got to Second City by 7:30 PM.

I sat in our holding area in the traning center for a while figuring out Respect in it's entirety while castmembers started showing up and prepping for the show. 8:00 rolled around and I finally suited up into my show clothes. The guitar was tuned up and the change of clothes in the show were prepped as well. I ran lines with my partner a few times and practiced our musical number as well. We hit the stage at 9 PM.

The show went REALLY quickly. We had a sold out house so that was fantastic! We had all kinds of crowd reactions from bewilderment to shock to awe to anger to laughter to admonishment. It's definitely a thinking person's show so I am confident that there is stuff that went on in the play where people wake up 2 days later at 2:34 AM going, "NOW I GET IT!". I received a lot of nice compliments from both the cast and various audience members on my performances which totally catered to my ego Granted, I felt the honesty in their feedback because I felt the things they said while I was up on stage.

We decided to have an opening night celebration at the director's house which went over well. I got to know many of my castmates in a much more personal way, thus, making the experience with them on stage more memorable. As the hours went, themore and more tired I became, thus, the more my inhibitions started slipping. I was talking mad, crazy stuff and being completely candid with a lot of people while avoiding putting my foot in my mouth . Everybody was cool! I ha da good time. 1 AM rolled around so I left and I drove home before the magic sand put me to sleep for good and I wreck my car.

I woke up early this morning (yes, 9 AM is early!) to claim my timesheet at work. LOL. I hope I got it in before they ran the reports . I've got class in 2.5 hours. My muscles are tight and my head is a sore. It was a good night.

Currently listening : POP! - 20 Hits By Erasure Release date: By 24 November, 1992

Night Before the Show

I've been rehearsing almost every night for my upcoming show this weekend. Good news is that opening night is sold out! Whoo hoo! I feel I should be sleeping and resting up for my big day. I have musical improv in the early afternoon followed by a tops & bottoms rehearsal (yes, I truly do hope we get to just wear the tops and bottoms of our skivies!) followed by the actual show followed by a celebration party at someones house! Yet, I'm on Myspace writing to everyone willing to read about my exploits :) Oh well. At least I will be having a lot of fun!

For those of you coming out opening night, merci! For those of you still wanting to come and check it out, read the following flyer:

Click on flyer for larger image

Currently listening : Year of the Dog...Again By DMX Release date: By 01 August, 2006

Note: This was originally posted on MySpace with comments at:
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Come See Nelson In The PeepHole!

Hello all:

Please come see me in The PeepHole at Second City Chicago! I guarantee you will be brought to smiles and laughs with this crazy production!

Click on flyer for larger image

Currently listening : Barbra Streisand - Greatest Hits By Barbra Streisand Release date: By 25 October, 1990