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  1. Another December

    Sunday, December 25, 2022


     







    On 12/21, I turned a new age.  I went out with two friends who gave me generous gifts, their company, good food, and many drinks.  Maybe because it was a weeknight (no re-routing; no track work), my train trip home was fast and easy. 

     

    Though I bought two boxes of Christmas cards, I never wrote them out or sent them. 

     

    I spent Christmas Eve awake all night watching Forensic Files’ “Twelve Crimes of Christmas.” 

     

    I spent all Christmas Day asleep.  When I went to the store, I was grateful it wasn’t windy.  The freezing temperatures are bad enough.



     

    This year, the last night of Hanukkah is on Christmas night.  So tomorrow, both are behind us.

     

    My holidays did not include any of this:




    or this:




    I remain grateful. 

     




    Much love to CGG-M  ❤❤❤

    Mindy Matijasevic

    Christmas Night 2022

     


  2.  

                        No POC Allowed!

    2023 is NOT the year for People of Color. Do not use POC or BIPOC around me. Save it for Asian, Latino, Afghan, Pacific Islander, Native American, or Semetic associates! Worse than Benign Neglect, these evil terms intentionally erase the continued systemic oppression of Descendants of America's Enslaved. BIPOC and POC sprinkled in conversation is virtue signaling confetti. Forget me with it! TikTok * Twitter Facebook * Instagram * #NinaSimoneOfComedy #HansomeMonday #Ploitoonitics #Politipod  #RealNewz 


  3. Update on Friday 12/9/2022 COMEDY Show!

    Thursday, December 8, 2022


     






    Hello, my dedicated readers!  I want to update you on Friday’s show.

    The line-up changed a bit.  Here’s the new flier. 

     

    I am so glad about this line-up.  All are very funny.  One was the winner of

    the Ladies’ Room Comedy Festival.  I saw another playing a badass defense

    attorney on Law and Order.  One was the winner of this year’s Funniest

    Jewish Comedian in NYC contest.  Then there’s me, Mindy Matijasevic,

    whose comedy – with just a few bleeps – was aired on Fran Luck’s feminist

    radio show on WBAI-FM, “Joy of Resistance."

     

    Laughter guaranteed.

    Friday, December 9, 2022

    The Artist

    249 City Island Avenue

    (#29 bus stops a half block away)

    7:45 seating 8pm Showtime

    Only $15 cover/ NO minimum!

    Pay at the show or in advance:

    https://starvingartistci.square.site/product/friday-12-9-22-8-pm-almost-winter-comedy-show/56?cs=true&cst=custom&fbclid=IwAR2rT1HE5yV1Ilmx0k2j2ACdsU8HLL0T2j6mLyI2VgdfqaGnpoH7Ikhf2P0

     


    Much love and good wishes to CGG-M ❤❤❤

    Mindy Matijasevic  12/8/2022


  4. "Almost Winter Comedy Show" coming up!

    Saturday, November 26, 2022


     






        I did some background work on an HBO show recently.  Needed the money.  But the circumstances were beyond what I could endure.  Outdoor shoot on a cold day and night without our coats.  Won’t do that again.  It felt like torture to me.  Can’t handle it.

     

        Will definitely love the checks as they roll in.  Received the one for wardrobe fitting.  Waiting for the others.

     

        The news:  I’m having a comedy show that will help us all laugh off those Thanksgiving calories!


     https://fb.me/e/3bqjpRuoO


    Mark your calendar!

    Friday, December 9, 2022

    Showtime: 8pm

    7:45pm for seating and settling in

    You are welcome to BYOB

    $15 cover

    No minimum

    Light fare and delicious desserts available for purchase

    I’d love to see you and hear your laughter!

    The Artist

    249 City Island Avenue

    Bronx, NY

     

    You can pay at the place or in advance:

    starvingartistci.square.site/product/friday-12-9-22-8-pm-almost-winter-comedy-show/56

     

    💛






     

     

    So much love to CGG-M ❤ 💗 ❤

     

    Mindy Matijasevic

    November 26, 2022

     

     


  5. My Comedy Process

    Monday, October 10, 2022

     








    Some comics seem to always think funny.  Some have talked to me and I thought it was a conversation, but they were working comedy material.  I told one man that I couldn’t tell when he was being serious or doing material.  He said, “That’s the way it should be.”  I thought, not if you want to truly communicate.  I got so turned off.  We were having a meal together, and I, disappointed, just ate in silence.


    Another time, I shared a troubling story from my childhood with another comic.  I thought we were having a conversation, but instead of having empathy, she was laughing.  It wasn’t a funny story (though one could get comedy material from it).  I felt very uncomfortable.  “You think that’s funny?”  She said, “Yes.  If you don’t do something with it, I will.”  I couldn’t understand why someone with a life of her own would want to use a piece of my life as if it were hers.  I told her I will be writing that story but maybe not as comedy.  I haven’t shared much with her since.  I suspect she did use my story in her comedy, but I wouldn’t know that for sure.  I presented the story in a storytelling event at Lehman Stages.  I did include a bit of humor in it, but, overall, it was a serious and troubling story.


    So, I am grateful to be part of a memoir workshop and also a poetry workshop, both meeting weekly.  I need to get through the seriousness and pain of much of my life stories before I can begin to find the funny.  It’s a longer journey, but that seems to be my process.  I’m not a joke machine.


    I’ve also had the pleasure of talking with comics who get what I’m saying.  One shared that she took a long time before including comedy about her mom.  Another shared in a serious conversation about his upbringing.  There were no jokes in the conversation.  When I saw him perform on stage, he turned some of that into hilarity.  I knew the back story which made me appreciate it even more.  Most of my comedy material did not begin as funny experiences. 


     


    https://youtu.be/8ZDMtue_0Z8

     

     

    Love to CGG-M  ❤ ❤ ❤


    Mindy Matijasevic

    October 2022

     


  6. Laughter, Angels, & T-shirts

    Sunday, October 2, 2022


     







    For those who attended the Almost Fall Comedy Show at The Artist on City Island, I’m glad you enjoyed.  For those who wanted to but couldn’t, plan now for December 9th, 8pm.  It’s a very fun time. 

     


     

    Health and financial issues are still happening, but so are blessings.  A long-time friend made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.  It’s a loan with no deadline other than when I can.  It got me out of a hole I was sinking into.  It also has given me a chance to get acting work again.  I wouldn’t even apply for things since the pandemic, but now that the situation is more under control (aside from West Nile, Polio, Monkey Pox, new strains of Covid), I HAVE to earn money again.  My friend saw that it couldn’t happen if my internet and phones would be shut off.  That motivated her to offer me a life vest.  I was not happy to need it, but so grateful to her.

     



     

    A couple of months ago, my tv set lost the picture.  So I’ve been listening to tv sometimes the way we listened to the radio.  Some shows are still good enough without the picture.  Family Feud and 25 Words or Less are still enjoyable to me.  Sometimes I listen to reruns of shows I’ve seen and characters whose voices I know.  Since I have bigger problems, I haven’t done anything about it.  It didn’t make the top five list.  Well, the same angel who gave me a loan has a niece who was getting rid of a working tv.  My friend took it home and when we get together, I’ll have it.  There are many ways I feel blessed.

     

    The idea of a tv with the picture seems luxurious at this moment.  I look forward to it.

     

    The apartment building where I live has had no gas for a couple of months now.  It may not for a few more months.  Having a flame from my stove would feel like luxury also.  When you don’t have something you want or need for a while, it’s a real good feeling to have it again.

     

    Speaking of good feelings, the next comedy show I’m having at The Artist on City Island is Friday, December 9th.  If at that time, you are still holiday shopping, there are lovely shops on City Island with unique gift items.  Plus I’ll be bringing some of my remaining inventory of this unique, unisex, gift item:

     



     

    If this appeals to you, I’ll be sharing poetry and/or short prose at Evie Ivy’s “Dance of the Word” event on Sunday, October 30th, 6-8pm.  This event offers poetry, prose, music, and belly dancing.  353 West 48th. 

     

    Hope to be in touch again next week.  😊 😁 😃 😄

     

     

    Love to CGG-M ❤ 💕 ❤

    Mindy Matijasevic

    October 2022

     

     

     

     

     

     


  7. Somewhat Behind the Scenes

    Monday, September 12, 2022

     












    Last Friday night’s comedy show at The Artist on City Island ended up being a very, very good show, but the road getting there was so bumpy that I started to question why I do this.  Before the show, I shared that with the man who runs the place.  He said, “You do this because you’re a producer.”  Elliot Glick is so supportive.  He and Monica Glick run The Artist and make it such a welcoming place.  He also gives guitar lessons, and his students love him.  I’m not surprised.








    As usual, I was proud of the line-up.  I love being audience as much as performing, so I had a good time.



    Elliot Glick, me, Alex Fossella, Rachael Parenta


    I’m glad to say that audience is building back up.  We aren’t yet at pre-pandemic numbers, but we are heading in that direction. 

     

    The next comedy show there will probably be in December.  I will keep you posted.

     

    This week I finally get to see an orthopedist for my knee.  The 21 physical therapy sessions helped a lot.  I can step on and off the comedy stage.  However, I can still feel the original injury deep inside where I don’t believe the x-ray saw.  So hopefully, the orthopedist will order an MRI.

     

    My next performing challenge is making sure I have 5 solid comedy minutes on teaching/school.  Before that, I’m in a poetry festival in Brooklyn, but the poems are already written.  I only have to make a selection of what I’d like to share for ten minutes.  The Back to School Comedy Show on September 26th is what I really need to prepare for.  It’s been marinating in my mind for a few weeks.  I want to deliver.  The poetry is free.  The comedy costs.

     

    https://wordpress.boogcity.com/2022/09/11/welcome-to-boog-city-16-arts-festival-illustrated-schedule/

     

    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/back-to-school-comedy-night-funny-stories-from-teachers-tickets-390669993467?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

     



    So much love to CGG-M ❤❤❤

     



    Mindy Matijasevic

    September 12, 2022

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


  8. On With the Show

    Tuesday, August 23, 2022

     








    On With the Show

     

    September has me doing things that might be of interest to many of you – comedy lovers, poetry appreciators, friends, and supporters.

     

    Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, 8pm (7:45pm seating) Almost Fall Comedy Show at The Artist (formerly The Starving Artist Café), 249 City Island Avenue, Bronx, NY.  Only $15 cover & no minimum (though you might be tempted by the light fare and Jenny’s Sweets’ delicious desserts).  You are welcome to BYOB.  This is a warm and welcoming place. 





    Our wonderful and hilarious line-up:


                   
                              Mindy Matijasevic (that's me)         

         



    Alex Fossella

    LaTice Mitchell





    Sigmund Zygy Susser

    (Recent winner of the Funniest Jew Contest at Broadway Comedy Club)




    This is a sample of Jenny’s Sweets:








    City Island is a lovely place to explore, enjoy seafood (though other options exist), support the shops, etc. before the nice weather changes.  Make a day of it!  Then come and laugh with us!


     

    Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, I will be part of the BOOG City Festival reading my poetry at Freddy’s Bar and Backroom, 627 Fifth Ave., between 17 and 18 Streets, Brooklyn, NY.  6pm – 9pm.  My slot is 8:10pm.  https://wordpress.boogcity.com/2022/08/05/welcome-to-boog-city-16-arts-festival-sat-sept-17-tues-sept-20-2022/


     

    Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, I am on the line-up for the Back to School Comedy Show at Greenwich Village Comedy Club, 99 McDougal St.                     7–9pm.     

    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/back-to-school-comedy-night-funny-stories-from-teachers-tickets-390669993467       

     


    Constant love to CGG-M. ❤ 💗 ❤

     

    Mindy Matijasevic, August 2022

     

              


  9. Two Shows; One Knee

    Sunday, August 7, 2022

     



     







    To fill you in, some months ago, I was coming home from a different part of the Bronx.  It requires taking the 6 train downtown to Manhattan to the catch the 4 train back up to the Bronx.  I was there for a photo session with another comic.  I wasn’t told that the photographer wasn’t going to be able to be there.

     

    A little background:  In late 2019, I had Legionnaires disease and it took months to get through it.  But though I was finally declared free of it, I never got my full breathing back.  Walking anywhere felt very strenuous, both in terms of breathing and in muscular pain.  I had been pushing myself anyway to build up my endurance.  I also have been making more effort to reduce my cigarette smoking.  I’ve been in an on-line group.  It is helpful, but this is very hard.  Then in the spring of 2020 (pre-vaccine), I had a relatively mild case of Covid.  So, after all that, climbing stairs is not easy, and I try to avoid it mostly.  However, in recent months, I made myself climb to the 2nd floor once a day to continue to build up. 

     

    Okay, now I climbed up to the 6 train which is 2 long flights.  I, huffing and puffing, think I’m going to sit on a bench when an announcement comes on saying that the downtown 6 train won’t be stopping there due to a stalled train somewhere.  We were told to go to the uptown side and take the train to Parkchester and then get the downtown 6.  I didn’t want to believe it.  I went down the flights and up the flights to the uptown side.  I couldn’t believe that this was going to take about 2 hours to get the F--K home.  At this point, my legs were feeling wobbly.  I hadn’t put them through this for a long time.  It was too much.  I was trying to make peace with the fact that I was going to have to go farther uptown in order to go downtown and then back uptown to get home.  The train came.  I went in and sat, grateful for that.  The train stayed there.  The doors remained open.  Then there was another announcement.  The problem was resolved and those needing to go downtown should go back to the downtown side.  I wanted to cry.  I couldn’t handle this, given everything.  But I did it.  I had not yet built up to this.  My legs really couldn’t handle it.  The next day, I had Charlie Horse which is fine, and even welcome, but my leg bones felt not okay.  Two days later, when walking down steps to throw out the garbage, something happened in the side of my right knee.  It felt like something crushed in there.  I was grateful I was holding the banister. 

     

    I was in lots of pain the day this happened but still had to go to stores.  It was a day I wished I could send someone else to the stores for me.  It took a very long time, but I got there and back.  The next day, there was progress.  Each day after, it felt better than the day before.  I was so hopeful I’d be okay enough to perform in 2 shows I was booked in for the weekend (4/8 and 4/9). 

     

    At some point it took a turn for the worse.  I felt badly about this, but I told the booker for the April 8th show what happened and couldn’t be there.  She was so understanding and invited me to let her know when I’m okay to perform.  That was a show at a comedy club with many comics.

     

    The next night’s show was not a comedy show at a club.  It was a performance party at ARTS ON SITE.  Most of the performers were modern dancers.  I was the only comic performing.  I really didn’t want to let them down.  It was probably a terrible medical decision to drag myself to the East Village, but it turned out to be great for my head.  The audience was ready to laugh before I began.  Here’s a clip of that performance.

     

    https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxuNdxsPSwp94EPd_f9-oAV2YBqfbE5a5P


    I’ve been going to physical therapy since May for my knee. 

     

    Save the date – September 9th – Comedy Show on City Island at The Artist.  Great line-up:  Alex Fossella, LaTice Mitchell, Sigmund Zygy Susser, and me of course.

     

     

    So much love to CGG-M ❤❤❤


    Mindy Matijasevic, August 2022