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    Showing posts with label birthdays. Show all posts
    Showing posts with label birthdays. Show all posts

  1.







    I am grateful to those who made my birthday special.  Thank you to Jessica and David for taking me out to dinner the night before my birthday.  Delicious Thai food and a glass of wine.  So yummy.

    The day of my birthday was paperwork day at my job, so I was able to go 
    in later.  When I arrived, there was a gift on my desk from Mindy Levokove and a birthday bottle of wine from Frida.  Then in the back room, there was much food. 

    That evening, though two friends wanted to be with me, I asked if we 
    could do it the next evening because I was still working on the slice of memoir I would be sharing in a show the next night – “What Were the ‘60s Really Like?” 


    The show was really good, and I was proud of my contribution.  My creative process seems to include driving myself crazy, high stress, painting myself into a corner.  And somehow, I birth a piece of writing I like.  Whew.

    So Judy and Bob came to the show at Cornelia Street Café the evening 
    after my birthday.  Afterwards, we went out to celebrate my birthday.  I didn’t have to get up early the next day.  That is another gift.  Judy gave me a book that seems quite unique and interesting.  The card came with a picture frame.  Very unique and pretty.  Bob gave me a toaster oven! 


    The next day was my son’s birthday.  I went over to where he is living with his father and delivered a gift and expressions of my love.  It was cold and raining.  So grateful that Bob and Illona did me the favor of driving me there and back.  Otherwise it would be 4 buses round-trip.


    I’m not in financial shape to celebrate the other holidays much.  I hung a decoration on my door that I made last year with pine cones, glitter, and ribbon.  I plugged in some lights that I had never taken down from the window since last year.  I guess you can assume I won’t be winning any good housekeeping award.


    If you would like to check out things I am doing and come surprise me:



    • ·        Thursday, 1/18/2018  8:30pm Funny Underground Comedy Krew at Broadway Comedy Club, NYC

    • ·        Friday, 1/26/2018  6pm 4 Horse Poetry Reading at Cornelia Street Café, NYC  $10 includes a drink 




    • ·        Friday, 2/2/2018  6pm Laughin’ Matterz TV at Manhattan Neighborhood Network, NYC



    • ·        Saturday, 2/17/2018  8pm Days of Wild at Starving Artist Café on City Island, Bronx, NY  This is a magnificent music show where I will be doing a comedy set during a music break.  No cover; $10 food minimum (delicious food)


    Have a safe new year's, people.  Hope to tickle you in 2018!


    Posted by Mindy Matijasevic at 12:00 AM | Labels: , , , , , , , , , | 1 comments | |

  2. Birthdays, Books, and Flaccidity

    Tuesday, June 6, 2017











    I just found out on May 25th, which is my late mother's birthday, that it is also Eve Ensler's birthday.  Both are pioneers in their own right.  



    When I was in a production of Ensler's Vagina Monologues, I remember saying to a co-actress, "I hope my mother can see this."  She answered, "Your mother probably has the best seat in the house."

    My mother certainly deserved the best seat in the house.



    At my job, staff is being encouraged to read 


    which I am enjoying so much.  

    My reading/writing class and I are reading  
     
         
    which we are enjoying together.  I love ending the school cycle on a high note.




    My buddy and I concluded that I should consider this a special skill to add to my resume:  I can talk most men out of their hard-on within sixty seconds.   It is a useful skill.



    Posted by Mindy Matijasevic at 12:00 AM | Labels: , , , , , , , | 46 comments | |

  3. So Many Holidays -- Enough, I Say, Enough!

    Tuesday, December 24, 2013

    Thanksgiving Hanukkah My Birthday My Son's Birthday Christmas New Years sprinkled with birthdays of loved ones who have passed and anniversaries of the passing of loved ones --- enough!  Enough I say.  I wrote to reconnect with an aunt who then called me, and her tone of voice reminded me of why there had to be distance to begin with.  Ugh.
     
    One of the nice parts of my birthday was the break from winter weather.  That felt like a gift.  The best part of my birthday was my best friend.  I am very grateful.  We both chuckled at this.
     

     
    Honestly, I have so much digging out to do still -- in many ways -- and I don't really have any readiness for all this.  The only evidence of holiday in my apartment this year is a display of the cards I received and a couple of rolls of wrapping paper for my son's gifts.  I am glad I have been able to cover my bills without borrowing money so far.  My evening job stops for a few weeks, so while I welcome the time to do other things, I am on less income for the month.  I am glad my son is doing some purposeful things with himself.  My old and wonderful dog is hanging in there.  In the fall, I was upgraded on my day job.  Earlier in the year, another poet whose work I like a lot asked me to collaborate on a chapbook of poems set in the Bronx.  There are very good things happening that matter to me. But in many ways, I still feel like I am dragging bricks inside.  As a result, I'm not as far along in some areas as I expected to be (the apartment is a big example).  End of year time and birthdays and holidays just seem to highlight all of that because of the expectations that come with those special times.
     
    Along with all of it all, I truly enjoyed performing stand-up at the Grisly Pear on 12/19.  One of the show's producers is someone whose warmth has from time to time made me want to treat him as my pillow.  But he is not available for pillowing.  He is married, and by that I mean he is a husband.  By comparison, I realize I had been married to the anti-husband.  The show was on a Thursday and wasn't as well attended as I'd have liked.  A co-worker/friend came to the show.  The audience that was there was attentive.  The other comics were attentive as well.  In that sense, it was a supportive atmosphere.  Plus it was special because one of the original producers of the show, who left to live in California, was visiting and performing.  It had been a while since I was in a show doing stand-up.  It meant a lot to me to do well not only because my co-worker was there, but I wanted the man who booked me to not regret it.  He makes me feel accepted and appreciated.  That helps me relax in a way where I can make off the cuff comments from stage, and they work.  I feel proud that I finally have a bit about teaching.  And it went well. 
     
    I was the only female comic that evening.  It was a decent bunch of people, and at no point did I have to say "Eeeeuuwww."  I appreciated the gay comic, Nick Haby, who helped open things up by asking the audience who takes it up the ass.  I love the courage -- both to take it up the ass and to ask the audience who among them does. 
     
    The day before the show, I had to remind myself that no one is making me do this.  I do this because I want to.  The day after the show, I felt the experience was confidence building.  I knew I would continue with this.  I wish I had measured each life step that accurately.
     
    For my birthday, my best buddy offered to do whatever might make me feel good.  We worked on a part of my apartment mess, I donated two bags of clothes and shoes to a nearby shelter for women and children, and I finally opened a package containing a coat I had ordered for myself but never took out of the package.  I tried it on and was pleased.  Forty-five minutes after my birthday was technically over, I received a birthday text from someone I love dearly.  However, I didn't see it until the next day.  Still good.  It's quite complicated and involves my son, his dad, and a whole lotta stuff.  Not for blogging... at least not under my real name.
     
    The day after my birthday, I was part of Dance of the Word, an Evie Ivy production at the Cornelia Street Cafe. 
     

    Sunday,  Dec 22 - 6:00PM  DANCE OF THE WORD, HOLIDAY EVENT
    Alan Baxter, MC
    Evie Ivy;  Austin Alexis;  Gordon Gilbert;  Mindy Matijasevic;  Robert Gibbons;  Peggy Fitzgerald;  Fred Arcoleo;  Hau C Le     		Dance of the Word, Holiday Event image
    Ringing in the HOLIDAY Fun! with special poetry, music, comedy, and dance Performances by: Evie Ivy, Austin Alexis Gordon Gilbert, Mindy Matijasevic Robert Gibbons, Peggy Fitzgerald Fred Arcoleo, with guitar and song & Hau C Le on classical guitar in a special dance number with Evie
     $15.00 includes a drink    http://www.gander.tv/event/cornelia-street-cafe-dance-word-holiday-event-1222-6pm-8pm

    It was fun.  Fred Arcoleo involved the audience in music-making.  He gave out all kinds of percussion instruments and rocked it.  He teaches high school, so he is more than qualified to get some audience participation going.  Robert Gibbons delivered his poem part speak/part song.  I love when he does that. There were a number of performers, poets and otherwise.  I was scheduled to read poetry.  One that I shared is a sonnet I was once asked to write where each line was to be one syllable. 
     
    Women Do Tell

    She
    said
    he
    pled
    for
    some
    more
    from
    'tween
    her
    mean
    fur.

    Got
    hot!



    (c) Mindy Matijasevic 1996,2013

    Though I made my selection that morning, I thought that since it was a holiday show, I should have something holiday related.  So not in the spirit this year, I had to start from there.  This is what I read.
     

     

     

    I will try to spin my sense of loss
    into garland
    roll my regrets into unique shapes
    sprinkle them with glitter
    hang them from the holes
    in my heart
    my aloneness spread out
    beneath the tree
    my life
    wrapped in loss
    anchored with mistakes
    decorated with memoir
    lit with hope
    the star pointing
    in all directions of possibility

    so...   Merry Freakin' Christmas
    and a Better New Year


    (c) Mindy Matijasevic 2013

    Posted by Mindy Matijasevic at 11:01 AM | Labels: , , , , , , | 7 comments | |

  4. Oh. Right. It's Monday.

    Monday, August 5, 2013

    By Samantha DeRose








    What is it about Mondays that makes me forget it's Monday?  And more importantly, my blog day?

    Firstly, I want to mention that I was e-speaking to co-blogstress, Lisa Harmon and she mentioned how difficult it is to find a new blog topic every week.  I get it Lisa.  I get it.  See below.



    I wrestle with that whole notion every Monday without fail.

    One of the search results suggested to make lists.  Been there, done that.  But here's another:

    Things I've done in the last 24 hours:
    1)  Bought mom gift for 75th birthday and made (& wrapped) a handcrafted (see a few blogs ago) gift.
    1a) Ironed clothes for boys and myself for celebration.
    2)  Celebrated mom's 75th birthday with family.
    3)  Performed stand-up at Tierney's immediately following Mom's party with some really fabulous people.
    4) Tried to sleep.
    5) Couldn't sleep.
    6)  Woke for work, showered, ironed, coffeed, bolted.
    7) Worked.
    8)  Took Ethan to cello/piano lessons (and signed Ryan up for piano lessons)
    9)  Made two meatloaves (they're cooking now).
    10) Typed (typing) blog.

    Another suggestion on the list was to write a review.  Here are a few:
    1) Restaurant:  Palazzo, Montclair, NJ.  Nice, affordable (I didn't pay), some gluten free menu options.
    2)  Movie:  Gone:  Girl claims to be kidnapped, no one believes her.  Her sister goes missing, girl asks for help, cops think she's psychotic.   I'm usually good at figuring movies out before the ending, but this one threw me for a loop.  Not the best movie, not the worst for a psychological thriller.  I had nightmares.
    3)  Book(s):
    Dan Brown's Inferno, Robert Langdon can't understand how a history professor always gets into tight spots.  This time he goes through hell.  Review: Eh.
    Piper Kerman's Orange is the New Black WASP goes to prison for a year and becomes more compassionate.  Review:  Worth the read.
    Snowflower and the Secret Fan:  Chinese foot binding and BFFs.  Review:  Great

    Well, that's about it, folks.  I don't want to use up all of the suggestions for next week's blog.

    What I DO want to elaborate on are these two things:
    A)  I had a great time celebrating my beautiful mother's 75th birthday.  We had a great day honoring a smart, beautiful, kind-hearted woman.  I am truly blessed.
    B)  Though I was exhausted by the time I got there, the show at Tierney's was great.  I met new people and thoroughly enjoyed performing, watching the others perform, and the wonderfully receptive audience.  Three of my dear friends showed up as well as two former colleagues who I hadn't seen in years.

    I think the reason I couldn't sleep last night was that I was on a high from all of the goodness that surrounds me.

    Oh, and Happy real Birthday, Mom.  I love you.


    Posted by She So Funny at 4:49 PM | Labels: , , , , , , | 2 comments | |

  5. Moon Child It's Your Time!

    Thursday, July 11, 2013

    What’s your sign?

           Mine is...

     “Slippery when wet!” conjures a possible pratfall and sexual titillation.  My kind of stuff.

    Between June 21st and July 22nd falls the astrological sign

    Cancer

    I’ve never liked having what sounds like a life threatening illness as my astrological sign. To add insult to injury my birth sign symbol is a crustacean, the crab. 


    I prefer the term “Moon Child”, based on the moon being Cancer’s ruling planet.  
    It’s far more romantic and does not conjure up a debilitating battle with chemo.

    From the highly reputable (?) online source, Athena Starwoman (Starwoman?) at the Universal Psychic Guild (Psychic Guild?)  I learned the following:

    Those born under the sign of Cancer, ruled by the mysterious Moon, are one of the zodiac's enigmas. It is fair to say that most Cancers are a bundle of contradictions. Compassionate and caring with friends, family and lovers, yet they can cut to the bone with their jealous remarks and ever-changing moods. Endearingly eccentric on one hand, and on the other, insecure about how others see them. Like their astrological symbol - the Crab - Cancers can appear hard and insensitive on the outside. However, for those of us who know and love a "Moon Child", we understand that deep below lies a softness and sensitivity that makes them so very special...
    Just as the Moon goes through many changes as it moves from its new to full phases, Cancers too go through many new and full phases of experience. Life doesn't stand still for this sign, even if they remain in one place, because they live so much in their internal oceans of emotions. Their link with the Moon often makes it impossible for them to operate on an even keel from day to day. Up and down like the proverbial yo-yo, most Cancerians feel one way one minute, then sometimes totally different the next. But this characteristic is part of their charm.

    Love and romance matter more than anything else to this sign (but this occasionally shares first place with having lots of money in the bank). No other sign romances better, equally though, no sign takes it so badly when romance turns sour either. But with their changeable natures Cancerians are fascinating, mysterious, stimulating and extremely alluring. This sign is one of the most magic of all and once their magic has reached you, they are the most beguiling companions. After all, isn't the Moon the most talked about and romantic galactic identity?

    Dear Reader, even though on the rare occasion I can be a 
    crabby

     bitch,
    I do possess ALL of the fabulous magical, mysterious qualities Athena Starwoman attributes to my “endearingly eccentric” sign. 


    I'm having a ball this year
    as I wish to every fellow and sister Moon Child.


    Rhonda Hansome is a stand-up comic, writer, director and actress.  See her live on stage playing the Bar Owner in the touring rock musical, Date Me Do Me Dump Me.
     

    Posted by RHC at 7:00 AM | Labels: , , , , , | 141 comments | |

  6. I know.  I know.  Weird blog title.  All unrelated things that I'm going to talk about today.

    Yesterday was the first Mother's Day / Ryan's Birthday (my oldest son) in which we broke tradition.  My family normally gathers at my aunt and uncle's house for Mother's Day / Birthday festivities, but as they were vacationing in Italy and my parents had tickets to a show on Broadway, we were left to our own devices.

    A few weeks ago, Lee and I sat around contemplating how we would spend our day, when she suggested that we all go to Lips for brunch in NYC.  We had been to Lips about 3 years ago and had a FABULOUS time at the show.  For those unfamiliar, it's a drag show/brunch... a phenomenal drag show/brunch. OF COURSE!  Why didn't I think of that????  What teenage kid wouldn't want to go with their moms to a drag brunch??

    And off we went.  Two adults, four children.  My youngest, Ethan, was clueless.  I made fun of Lee for her choice of sensible footwear... which couldn't hold a candle to my high heeled boots*.  When we walked in, the hostess, in all her bitchy glory, barked orders at the customers.  "What's your name?  How do you spell it?  Christ!  Doesn't anyone have normal names like Susan Jones anymore?  Go stand over there, and if you have any questions, I don't give a sh!t."

    Getting ready for the first round of mimosas

    and the second round of mimosas


    Our Hostess!


    Ethan came over to me and said, "Mom!  At first I thought that person at the counter was a guy.  Then I realized it was a lady."  That's when I had to explain the dynamic of the ENTIRE staff to my young blonde.

    As the glamorous gals strutted their stuff, taking our orders and sassing the patrons, I took a gander at Ethan's facebook page: "Oh god already having a stressful day."  "OMFG!" "Oh, Damn what a big city this really is."

    OMFG!


    I decided to call him out on the stressful bullshit by pulling him aside and explaining that this day is a lesson in not taking oneself too seriously...to have a good time, to stop trying to be the "kid who's too cool for everything."  I also told him that it was MY day (ok, his brother's, too) and that he was making me sad by behaving in such a negative way.  After that, he had a blast.  GUILT.  Works every time.

    As it was Ryan's birthday, he was brought to the stage with a line of other folks celebrating special events... by a charming fellow dressed as Little Orphan Annie.  He hammed it up like a champ.  Of course, there was chocolate cake drizzled with caramel syrup at the finish line.

    It's a Hard Knock Life

    The Sun'll Come Out TOMORROW!


    The show was hilarious.  We all had a great brunch... the unlimited mimosas (for the adults) and the added bonus that Mommy Dearest was playing on the screen prior to the show!!!  My FAVORITE!

    Funny how a bunch of gay guys are applauded for being rude and insulting to the patrons... AND people PAY for it!  If it had been a bunch of lesbians, they'd have been socked in the gut!

    Following the show we had to hit a street fair for gifts since Lee is heading to Australia on business next month and needs to take .99 scarves to all of her pals down under.  As soon as we hit the streets in search of bargains, I was reminded of why wearing high heeled boots was a bad idea.  Every step was agony and the only cure was to purchase (for myself...F$%* the Aussies) 3 handbags, a pair of sunglasses AND THE MOST FABULOUS MOMMY DEAREST T-SHIRT E.V.E.R.!!!!!   No lie.  I met this adorable street vendor, Tom Sharp, who had a fantastic line of t-shirts (www.tomsharpnyc.com).  I told him that I do comedy and intend to wear it on stage (and to school) and he threw in an adorable NYC t-shirt.  Really.  Check him out.

    Corny?

    She insists she's not a hat person

    No scarves here.

    Coup de Grace


    By the time we reached the parking garage (sans scarves... wasn't a cheap-o street fair) I felt like I was wearing boots made of razor blades, broken glass, needles, and nails on the inside (see Steve Martin's book, Cruel Shoes).  Now I was the one being mocked for my exquisite fashion sense.  HOW DARE THEY!

    All in all it was a phenomenal day.

    Of course, it's Monday and I had to rise at 5 to walk the Nunz at 5:30.  Suffice it to say, my feet have not recovered.   As we paused so that I could pick up his (3rd) morning constitutional, I felt as if I had somehow been condemned to the 8th Circle of Hell, Second Pouch...Malebolge.  Coincidentally, I am teaching that very CIRCLE in my English IV section TODAY... If you don't know what the punishment is in Malebolge, Google it.

    The More You Know!


    Have a great day everyone!!




    Posted by She So Funny at 12:59 PM | Labels: , , , , , | 3 comments | |