She So Funny

A good, healthy 2020 to us.  

December 18, 2019 was the premiere showing of the first two episodes of 

Mob Mentality.  It was shown as one feature film.  I’m in two scenes.  Media was there.  Open bar, food, much of the cast. 

The premiere was a first for me.  I was more glammed up than most of you have seen me.  Here’s a one-minute capture of the event.  I’m in for about 2 seconds while being interviewed.

https://www.facebook.com/mobmentalitytheseries/videos/822668244843254/?t=26

During the interview, I was asked about the most exciting thing I did in 

the film.  In Mob Mentality, I play a mob wife.  So in quickly thinking about what my character has done so far, I said, “Lusting over the lead.”  I believe he misunderstood what I meant (or I wasn’t clear enough).  I think, based on his facial expression, that he thought I gave a ‘dumb broad’ kind of answer.  I think he thought that I, Mindy, was lusting over the lead.  No, my character was, and it was a first for me to do on camera.  But there was no time to clear that up.  So the reporter may have thought I was a dingbat.  To be clear, the lead, Jack Spiegs, is a very handsome man.  But I don’t usually feel lust over younger men.  I don’t think I ever have. 

I am glad I went.  In some ways, it was a struggle.  I had found out one of 

my aunts had passed away.  I was having other troubles that I won’t share here.  Plus I’m so broke that even carfare is a strain at times.  So there I was all fancy shmancy, and I wanted to look and feel happy and celebratory.  My insides made it a challenge.  On the train ride, I kept trying to will happy times in my head.  I’m not good at faking; it’s not my aim to be good at faking.  So I really tried hard to connect with good feelings deep inside.  By the time I arrived, I had succeeded enough to enjoy myself while I was there. 

I also want to share that my 12/28/2019 Winter Comedy Show at The 

Artist on City Island went very well.  All the comics brought it.  I hadn’t been worried about that.  I like my taste and had faith in the comics.  My concerns were more about getting audience to come out to City Island in the winter.  Not only did they attend the show, they were very generous when the hat was passed around.  I felt so grateful. 

The next day I was paid for a proofreading job I did for a friend.  By 

12/31, I was able to pay December’s rent.  Whew.

***

On the 1^st day of the new year, I was so glad to be part of the Alternative New Year’s Day Spoken Word Extravaganza.  It’s an annual tradition in its 26^th year.  Nine hours, many readers, 3 minutes each.  I so enjoyed reading to such an attentive and appreciative audience.  I was only able to stay for two hours this time.  We get to hear some new people and some people we’ve enjoyed hearing at these events over time.  I am glad when I start the year off this way. 

Apparently, I missed a poet who shared his new year poem that someone 

felt so excited about that she shared it via email to other poets she knows.  I was one she sent it to, and it was just what I needed.  The main message was to make this year better than last year.  That has been helping me each day.  He discouraged huge unrealistic goals; just better than last year.  That seemed approachable to me.  So far, it’s been helpful.  The poet’s name is Jee Leong Koh.  He’s on Facebook.

A comedy pal of mine recommended me to be booked in a show.  That felt 

so good.  Plus she and I seem to have gotten to know each other better recently.  I value that. 

The price is right.  The line-up is great.  Come on over.

Love to CGG-M always.

Rest in peace, Aunt Lorraine. 

Posted by Mindy Matijasevic at 1:31 AM | Labels: comedy show, Jee Leong Koh, Lois Thompson, Mindy Matijasevic, Mob Mentality the series, New Year's Day, poetry, Red Carpet Premiere, Winter Comedy Show | 4 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |

I got a nuisance call (this one actually in English) promising me it was my last alert that my car warranty is soon to expire.  I’m glad I didn’t get up to take the call.  I heard the message as it came in.  I don’t have a car warranty or a car.  I don’t have a driver’s license and I don’t know how to drive.  So I hope they keep their promise.

If you remember, earlier this year I landed a role (Gina Ferrari) in a new series, Mob Mentality.  There will be a red carpet premiere with media in attendance on December 18^th from 6 to 10pm.  A ticket entitles you to an open bar, appetizers, the screening of the first two episodes, opportunities to mingle and network.  If this sounds like something you’d like and can afford to attend, here’s the link.

https://www.facebook.com/events/720333441808781/

On a more affordable note, I’m having a Winter Comedy Show on Saturday, December 28^th.  Arrive at 7:45.  Showtime is 8pm.  The hilarity 

will be provided by me, Jillian Thomas, Shelly Colman, and Ken Watter.  Only $10 cover.  No minimum though you’ll likely feel tempted.  It’s at The Artist, formerly the Starving Artist Café.  Jar passed around for much appreciated contributions for the performers.

https://www.facebook.com/StarvingArtistCityIsland/

Event page -- https://www.facebook.com/events/1388864281275053/?active_tab=about

These are the lovely faces of the funny folks who will entertain you.  Laughter is guaranteed.

Warm up with laughter!  Let’s close out the year with great humor, good cheer, and some yummy desserts.  (And it’s so affordable!)

So much all-the-time love to CGG-M 

Posted by Mindy Matijasevic at 12:45 AM | Labels: City Island, comedy show, Jillian Thomas, Ken Watter, Mindy Matijasevic, Mob Mentality the series, Red Carpet Premiere, Shelly Colman, Starving Artist Café, The Artist, Winter Comedy Show | 4 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |

One of the things that struck me on both debate nights was who on stage had been a soldier in the armed forces.  On night one, it was a woman.  On night two, it was gay man.  Both of these groups were not allowed to fight for their country in the armed forces for so long and is still an issue for people.  I hope it is an eye-opener.  A country turning away its people who want to serve is self-defeating.

Like with any other ism, we all lose out.

The sickness I had is still with me.  No fever, but so much coughing and 

congestion.  My sleep schedule is topsy turvy.  I’m concerned because I have early plans on Sunday with a friend who I miss.  I don’t want to fuck it up.

The Mob Mentality show I was cast in is still on hold.  L  When it resumes, I think I’m going to enjoy the experience a lot.  Really looking forward to it.

In the meantime, our Pussy Grabber in Chief thinks Megan Rapinoe’s 

protest during the anthem is "inappropriate."  I think grabbing ladies by their pussy is beyond inappropriate.  But who’s asking me?

The humidity is so high today.  The sweat from under my breasts on my t-

shirt looks like I’m leaking milk.

July 14, 2019 -- I’ll be performing comedy at the Jazz on the Park 

Hostel, 36 West 106^th St.  8:30pm  FREE!  BYOB if you want (and probably a cup too).

September 13, 2019 – Comedy show at The Starving Artists Café (now 

The Artist) 8pm.  $10 to enter.  Jar passed around later for the comics.  

This is a show I’m booking and can guarantee a good time.  249 City Island 

Avenue, City Island (the Bronx), New York.  Line-up:  Lisa Harmon!  Mark Larsen!  Melissa Diaz!  Joanna Briley!  I will host.  Laughter is guaranteed.  

The weather should still be pleasant, and everyone should visit City Island especially if they live in NYC.  It’s a lovely experience.  Come early, walk around, and explore.  Then get your butt to The Artist before 8pm and laugh with us! 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Island,_Bronx

love to CGG-M 

Posted by Mindy Matijasevic at 6:39 PM | Labels: Debates, Jazz on the Park Hostel, Mindy Matijasevic, Mob Mentality the series, Starving Artists Café | 15 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |

Hi all.  I was led to believe that this past week I’d be working on set of a 

project in its final stages that began last summer.  However, the director never scheduled it, and that worked out just fine.  I was sick half the week and am finally feeling on the mend.  Thank God.  At this point in my life, when I get sick, I worry that it’s indicative of something awful.  But I think I’ll be okay.  I am grateful.

A number of you have asked me about the “Mob Mentality” show and 

where you can see it, etc.  I will share info as I get it.  Right now there’s a hold on that because the cinematographer had to leave town.  Not sure if they are replacing him or waiting for his return.  If you’d like to see their Facebook page, here it is:  https://www.facebook.com/mobmentalitytheseries/?ref=br_tf&epa=SEARCH_BOX

Next Friday, June 21^st, the Bronx Council on the Arts is having a celebratory event for the Bronx Memoir Project vol.3.  I have a thin slice of memoir in there.  I may be asked to read it aloud.  I was welcomed to bring one guest.  I asked my darling Frida, who I miss. 

We used to work at a job together.  She was a very caring and helpful counselor where I taught.  The “passionate” and “sincere” attract each other.  (See last blog http://www.shesofunny.org/2019/06/do-it-with-passion.html)  She said yes!  Yay.

My memoir material is not usually funny, and for sure, the slice in this anthology is not funny.  For those who think a comic can make anything funny, I doubt I’ll live long enough to be able to do that.  The only family members who ever made it into my comedy so far is my ex-husband and my Grandma’s plans to get me married off.  I don’t have the ability at this time to use my childhood traumas as comedy.  If it’s still hurting, it’s not funny.

I’ve seen aspiring comics try to use things as material when it was not ready.  Not funny.  I’ve seen aspiring comics get angry at the audience for not finding their unsatisfied hard-on funny.  I was in a show with someone who yelled at the audience, “I’m horny.”  I saw the women look concerned.  I felt disappointed that the person who booked the show had this guy up there.  I have a good friend who doesn’t take the stage but is so funny.  When he’d have an unsatisfied hard-on, he’d tell me about the conversation he had with his penis.  THAT was hilarious.  It showed he took responsibility for his own arousal, no one in an audience would’ve felt uncomfortable, and it was fuckin’ funny.

If you appear as "Unknown" in the comments, please include your name in the comment.  Thanks.

Can't seem to fix the font problems a few paragraphs up.

Love to CGG-M 

Posted by Mindy Matijasevic at 10:47 PM | Labels: Bronx Memoir Project volume 3, Frida, funny, Mindy Matijasevic, Mob Mentality the series, not funny, sick, unsatisfied hard-ons | 5 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |

Did a ten-hour day doing background work for “In the Heights.”  I’m glad I did it, but man, it’s hard on the body.  Arrived before 11am.  Went to wardrobe, hair, and make-up.  Hair people liked my hair the way it was.  Make-up people too.  That felt good that I do some things right on my own.  The wardrobe people gave me a t-shirt more suitable for the scene.  I was a protester at the way refugees are being treated upon arrival in this country.  But after hair, make-up, and wardrobe, I waited all day in a cold, air-conditioned auditorium, in seats that were hard to sleep in, before we finally shot the scene in the early evening.  It is known as “hurry up and wait.”  They fed us breakfast and snacks (we went out for our lunch).  But this went on for about eight hours before shooting.  I felt it.  I need the money and like the film and the people I interacted with, but dayam, it was hard on my body.  I ain’t twenty no mo’.

The director was a nice man.  He seemed very fair and a people person.  

When we were shooting and doing run-throughs, he and all the assistants were good to work with.

The mob show I’m cast in lost their cinematographer due to a personal 

emergency requiring him to leave NYC, and things are on hold for the moment.  I believe he was the camera man at the audition, and the vibes were really good.  Sorry he won’t be the one I’d be working with.  I am looking forward to playing Gina Ferrari when things are rolling again.  A Brooklyn Italian who probably voted for the orange one.  I love an acting challenge.  Plus the truth is that the things she says are things most of us have unfortunately heard in our youth.  Someone’s got to play that character, and I’m glad to be cast.  I hope things get rolling again soon.  It’s so much more interesting to be a character than to be background, but I do what I have to. 

That photo shoot I had two weeks ago was pleasant to do, but I don’t love 

the results.  I think she does, but her needs were different.  In photos, I don’t love my hair.  In person, it looks silvery.  In photos, it looks white.  Maybe if it didn’t have other meaning, I’d feel differently.  This one is one of the better ones and is acceptable while small.  I received it larger and saw every single flaw.  She didn’t want me to wear much make-up and she wanted my hair the way it is because she was going for mature.  I guess I have an image in my mind of how I look and don’t easily accept the effects of aging. 

It’s not just the hair; it’s the weight gain and extra chins and warts…  At 

this point my best buddy would say something like, “Great personal ad.”  And I’d say, “Call me,” and we’d both crack up.  

love to CGG-M <3 

Posted by Mindy Matijasevic at 11:49 PM | Labels: "In the Heights", Aging, background work, best friend, Mindy Matijasevic, Mob Mentality the series, photo shoot | 13 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |

Many of you know my good news, but for those of you who don’t …

https://www.facebook.com/mobmentalitytheseries/videos/1217495188420221/

My role is a recurring one.  I feel encouraged.  I also feel blessed because 

the director is definitely a special person.  When auditioning, her presence allowed me to do my best.  From the moment she said hello, I felt her spirit like sunshine warming me. 

The last time I had a director whose presence made me feel like that was 

at a teaching job.  I was lucky to have her for four years.  I may have done some of my best work at that job when she was there.  It’s something about feeling appreciated.  It makes a huge difference.

Last night I had an interesting interaction with someone I’m connected 

with on Facebook but never met in real life.  He lives down South but grew up in Manhattan (NYC).  He does comedy.  I do comedy.  I didn’t know he does comedy when I saw his post that he wanted to do a documentary on a topic I believe is crucial.  I was reminded of a book from many years ago.  I responded to his post about the book.  He very excitedly responded back that he had loved that book, forgot about it, and thanked me for reminding him.  Later he private messaged me. 

Well, he has friends in Manhattan, and he heard my name numerous times 

as a comic.  So when I commented on his post, he had recognized my name, and I am flabbergasted!!!  He wants to coordinate something down South and wants me to be a part of it. 

I feel so validated.  When I started out in comedy -- maybe I just 

connected with folks who I’m not in sync with, but I felt like an outsider.  I felt like I’d landed in a male locker room.  One talented woman chose not to work with me because she “didn’t want to upset the guys.”  If Richard Pryor allowed upsetting the whites stop him, we’d never have heard him.  Others backed off without being so honest.  Another would introduce me at a mic as a “feminist” in a tone that sounded like a warning.  Some young guys were threatened and unkind.  Several mature men told me that as you rise up, that shit doesn’t go on as much.  I was grateful to hear that and thrilled to feel supported.

Some uptight people  didn’t like my language.  I’m rated R.  Maybe R+.  Other folks (audience members) told me they liked how I talked to them and not at them.  My adult students liked that about me as well.

My experience doing comedy was different than some others.  I had been 

a teacher of adult students when I began, I had already been a poet, writer, and actress, and comedy was an avenue of free expression to me.  I wasn’t in need of laughs as much as in need of expressing certain things.  Of course I made it funny.  Laughs happened. 

I'm not in comedy to do knock-knock jokes.  I have shit to say.  I don't pick on people who society has already squashed -- that doesn't make me laugh.  If it doesn't make me laugh, I don't use it.  Shedding light on the oppressors is where my material lies.

Hearing that I’m being spoken of in other parts of the country is exhilarating!!!  

(love to CGG-M)

Posted by Mindy Matijasevic at 12:53 AM | Labels: acting gig, actress, appreciation, comic, feminist, Mindy Matijasevic, Mob Mentality the series | 4 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |