She So Funny

A Mustache Mystery & a Comedy Show

Four days after the incident in my last blog entry, Jose (the man who takes care of Mustache the cat) saw me in the deli.  I nodded to him, trying to keep our new status of ‘not enemies’ alive.  He came over, referred to me respectfully as Miss, and told me, as he struggled through English, that Mustache left and hasn’t been back for a whole day.  He told me that he saw on the camera where she headed, but she didn’t return.  He said that in the past year, she once left for two days and did return.  That felt hopeful. 

Mustache is very smart and skillful.  She’s an indoor/outdoor cat.  For years, she has navigated the world outside – people, dogs, other cats, cars, weather, etc. – and always knew when to wait by the door of the store until someone opened it and she’d run inside.  A real survivor.  I’m remaining hopeful. 

Those of you who know and those of you who want to find out how hilarious women comics can be, come to my Almost Spring Comedy Show at The Artist, 249 City Island Avenue, on Friday, March 14th at 8pm (7:50 for seating of your choice).  In honor of Women’s History Month, the wonderful comics are:

Lisa Harmon

Linda Marcus Smith

Rachael Parenta

And me, Mindy Matijasevic

      I hope so much you get there, enjoy the island and the comedy.  You may get your tickets in advance or pay at the show.

Almost Spring Comedy Show

UPDATE: Mustache returned after two days and nights.  Thank God/dess.  Jose said that Mustache came back all dirty.  Where she’d been remains a mystery.  

Constant love to CGG-M ❤ ❤ ❤

Mindy Matijasevic

March 10, 2025

Those of you who are regular readers know I have a strong friendship with Mustache who lives in a nearby discount store. 

Well tonight (Monday), I went out at about 9:30 to go to a couple of stores.  From up the block, I saw a cat outside of that discount store trying to get in, but the gate was down and the store was closed.  The markings looked like Mustache, but in the street, she looked smaller than how she looks in the store.  As I got closer, I saw it was her.  She was meowing to me as if I could get her inside. 

I wondered if I should take her home for the night.  It felt cold out there.  But she’s not a house cat as much as she’s a 198^th Street cat.  As much as she loves me, I don’t feel sure she’d let me carry her for a few blocks.  Then it occurred to me to go into the 24-hour deli and see if they could do anything.  It’s one family that runs both stores, and I thought they may have the keys and be able to solve this.  I went in and told the man behind the counter that Mustache the cat was locked out of the store across the street.  He asked if she was outside the store right now.  I told him yes and that she was meowing for help.  He yelled, “Jose!” and I felt so relieved. 

Jose is the man who feeds her and deals with her physical needs.  He’s also the man who once made enemies with me some years ago (I think for loving the cat – go figure).  Apparently tonight, after locking up, he went to the deli.  But when he heard that Mustache was locked out of the store, he hurried to fix that.  I told him that I was going with him so she knows I got help.  He told me she’s done this twice before.  He unlocked the gate and lifted it up.  I petted her.  I told Jose that I was glad he was still here.  Jose thanked me sincerely.  Maybe he realized that other people loving his cat is not a bad thing.  I think that moment may have changed our status from enemies to not enemies.

Whether it is God, Goddess, the Universe, or something else, I am so glad I was out there when I was.

Now, March 14^th at 8pm is my Almost Spring Comedy Show at The Artist, 249 City Island Avenue.  Only $15 cover and NO minimum.  You may even BYOB!  There is a menu of light fare and delicious desserts available for purchase -- quite tempting but not required.  For Women's History Month, it is an all-female line-up.  Lisa Harmon, Linda Marcus Smith, Rachael Parenta, and me!  Laughter guaranteed.

City Island is a lovely village-like atmosphere, filled with seafood restaurants and other options as well.  Spend the day, enjoy the shops, the foods, and then come to The Artist by 8pm for comedy and dessert.

Hope to see you there and hear you laughing.

Huge love to CGG-M  ❤ 💕 ❤

Mindy Matijasevic

March 4, 2025

Glad to say I’ve had several affection sessions recently with my feline girlfriend, Mustache.  When it’s been a few days without a visit, I miss her.  I miss pure, four-legged, furry love.  So when we see each other, it’s intense.  She’s talking up a storm (in cat talk), and I tell her, “I know.  I missed you too.  I come here and wonder where’s Mustache?”  The worker who doesn’t like me probably feels nauseous when he hears us.  LOL  The owner and son of the owner appreciate my loving relationship with Mustache, so the negative guy can go … be with himself. 

When I performed in Paul Hallasy’s fundraiser for Kamala comedy show at Pangea last month, I was so fortunate that more people, who I invited, attended than I expected, and one of them, Cicely Brooks, shared a bit of video she took.  Here it is:

        Between several poetry pals and the Bronx Council on the Arts, my evenings have been enriched with zoom workshops and classes (memoir and poetry).  And it is thanks to friends that I have a mic and camera which allows me to participate.  It is so uplifting to my spirit. 

Upcoming events:

        Saturday, Oct. 26^th at 7pm – Dance of the Word – produced by Evie Ivy.  There will be poetry, music, belly dancing, wine, light fare.  353 Studios, Studio 1, 353 W. 48thSt., 2nd fl. A train to 42nd St., 44th St. exit, or E to 50th St. Join us for a fun evening. $15 at the door. Refreshments, wine and cheese, etc. I'll be sharing poetry.

        Sunday, Oct. 27^th at 1pm – Artemis – produced by Diana Gitesha Hernandez. Reading series at One + One, Nexus Lounge, 76 1^st Street (off 1^st Avenue), NYC.  I’ll be one of the features sharing poetry.  $5 donation and 1 drink minimum.

    Saturday, Nov. 2^nd at 9pm – Eat Drink Laugh – another fundraiser for Kamala’s campaign comedy show!  Produced by Paul Hallasy.  Ticket sales for this show go to Act Blue.  Pangea, 178 2nd Avenue, NYC. 

Much love to CGG-M ❤❤❤

Mindy Matijasevic

October 2024

        It’s May.  Wow.  If you, New Yorkers, are looking for things to do locally, here’s some stuff I’m involved in to varying degrees.

·        May 6^th -- Poetry and Prose – I’m one of three featured readers for the Phoenix Reading Series at Shades of Green, 125 E. 15^th Street, NYC. 6:30pm. Sign up for the open mic if you are so inclined.

·        May 8^th -- Comedy – Comedy Dungeon show at HOWM at the Selina Chelsea  Hotel, 518 W. 27th Street, NYC. Randy Epley’s show. FREE! 8:30pm.

Just come on over for laughs

·        May 9^th – small acting role in “BRING THEM BACK!” (a dark comedy by David Willinger) at the Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue near 10^th Street, NYC. 8pm.  There are 8 performances, but May 9^th is opening night for this play that includes video. I’m in the video part.  

·       June 14^th – Comedy – my Almost Summer Comedy Show on City Island at The Artist (formerly the Starving Artist Café) run by Elliot and Monica Glick, 249 City Island Avenue, Bronx, NY.  $15 cover; NO minimum.  You can even BYOB.  Menu of light fare and delicious desserts by Jenny's Sweets available for separate purchase but not required. The hilarious line-up will be Tom Brennan, Paul Hallasy, Joe Fulton, and me, of course.  8pm (7:45 recommended) Laughter guaranteed!

For those familiar with my feline friend, Mustache, she and I are still going strong.  She and I had our affection session today and yesterday.  I admit that sometimes my main motivation to go into the store where she lives is to see her.  So when I don’t have anything I need to buy there or no money to buy it, I go in to check my pathetic checking account balance on the ATM.  She finds me and begins our love session while being very verbal about it.  She continues to be a loving part of my life, and me, hers.

So much love to CGG-M ❤❤❤

Mindy Matijasevic, May 2024 🍷

Happy Birthday to my wonderful friend Judy!  Looking forward to celebrating next week.  ❤

I went into the discount store to use the ATM, and who was sitting on top of the ATM but Mustache (my feline friend)!  Made my morning.  We had our little love session.  Did us good.

I need to find a place to get my booster shot.  Then I should re-subscribe to Backstage to get acting job listings.  I have been so on-the-fence about working on a set with others during this COVID time.  I’m fully vaccinated but need the booster.  I also need to make money.  I am glad that bosses are required to see that everyone is vaccinated.  Yes, I need money, but I also need to and want to be alive. 

I’m still struggling with the f’in’ cigarettes.  Geez, I hope I win this battle.

Those of you who enjoy comedy shows, I’m having a show on Friday, 12/17/2021 at 8pm (7:45 seating) at The Artist, 249 City Island Avenue, City Island, Bronx, NY.  So put on your laughing shoes!  The hilarious line-up will be:

The Artist is a warm, welcoming place.  Parking should be easy in December.  Only $10 cover, no minimum (though the light fare -- vegetarian-friendly –-from The Artist, and the delicious desserts from Jenny’s Sweets will tempt you), and contributions are requested for the very entertaining comics.  The Artist does have beer and wine, but still, you are welcome to BYOB.  They are that cool.  BRING YOUR VAX CARD!  They also care that we live, and they have to follow the guidelines. ❤

My love to CGG-M ❤❤❤

Mindy Matijasevic

November 16, 2021

P.S.  There’s a mouse in my apartment, and I’m trying to not be hysterical.  Oh my, oh my, oh my.  Shit!

Days went by without seeing my little feline girlfriend, Mustache.  I wondered if they’d tell me if she had died.  I had gone in that store daily either to use the ATM (best priced in the area) or get toilet paper or something I needed in hopes of seeing her.  Then one day I was just walking past the store and saw her in there.  I went in just to visit with her.  She came right over and meowed telling me stuff.  I told her I missed her and was hoping to see her.  Her expression of love was more intense than usual.  I assumed she missed me too, and we were both saying (in different languages), “Where you been?!!?”  As I was leaving without her approval, she smacked my ankle with both paws.  I understood and bent down to give her more petting. 

In a previous blog, I mentioned that there was more to the situation with me and Mustache.  Apparently the worker who cares for her – litter box cleaning, food, water – resents very much that she loves me.  Other customers often point out how she may like others but she loves me.  Some have said I should take her home.  I remind them that she lives and works there and isn’t up for adoption.  The man who takes care of her needs is also someone she is cautious of.  I have seen him pull her by her tail, toss empty boxes in her direction, and other stuff like that.  I then wonder why anyone is shocked at how much she loves me.  She can trust me!  He also used to let her go out and be impregnated over and over again so he could sell the kittens.  It took pressure from the customers for him to hear that she must be spayed.  Finally she is spayed.  About two years ago, I asked the man where the baby was, and that turned into an ugly interaction.  I was amazed.  He’s a worker there.  The other worker is nice, and the owner knows me for years, so I wasn’t going to end my relationship with Mustache because of the a-hole.  She deserves love and apparently needs it.  And loving her is a real pick-me-up in my day.  So fuck him.

I have, since childhood, struggled with why some people dislike nice people.  I saw it in my extended family, and it didn’t make sense to me.  I experienced it at a job, and it didn’t make sense to me, especially because it was a field in the helping professions.  One day I saw this meme, and that made sense to me.

On a happier note, mark your calendars – COMEDY SHOW! Friday, October 22, 8pm, The Artist, 249 City Island Avenue, City Island, The Bronx. $10 cover; no minimum; yes, contributions for the hilarious comics.  The line-up: Mindy Matijasevic, Pudge Fernandez, Jean Kim, and Linda San Lucas.  Laughter guaranteed!

So much love to CGG-M 💕💕💕

Mindy Matijasevic

October 2021