I hate the bitter cold.
I am so glad I didn’t let it stop me from getting to “Laffin’ Matterz”
TV taping at MNN on Friday.I enjoyed
the show so much.The line-up,
producers, director, DJ, host, and audience made it a really nice evening.I spent so much of the time laughing.I was in a good head while doing my set. I felt connected to the audience during my performance and supported by the other comics when I stepped off stage. The natural high stayed with me, a nice and needed buzz.
Several people who were in the show are not in these post-show
photos.
I needed to keep my hat on.
My tolerance for the cold has become less
and less.The “Laffin’ Matterz” experience, however,
was very warming. I saw Pudge Fernandez after a long time, I met several comics who I only had known by name -- Peaches Rodriguez being one -- and I received warm hugs. That is a human contact that I treasure. That chest to chest, heartbeat to heartbeat contact.
The next night, I dreamt of my son and I when he was about
4. It was a
very affectionate scene and
we were playing what we called “Mama Rough” which was a mellower version of
playing rough with Papa.“Mama Rough”
had more kissing, tickling, and laughing involved.
The next two Saturday nights, February 10th and
February 17th, I will be
adding comedy to a wonderful live music
show, “Days of Wild,” at the Starving Artist Café on City Island in the Bronx
where people feel free to dance in the aisles. No cover charge! Enjoy menu items (and you are free to bring your own alcohol).
I am glad to be part of both. And they are both free!
Hector’s show is a TV taping at MNN Studio in Manhattan. So you are the
live studio audience and very
appreciated.
Papa Guyo’s show is the live music of “Days of Wild.” I’m the guest
comedian who will perform
during the musicians’ break.The music
is truly fantastic.They always play my
favorite Sly and the Family Stone songs.People tend to get up and dance in the aisles.It’s a City Island happening.
There are two Mondays off from the job in February. I appreciate that.
I need it.
And yes, there is Valentine’s Day.
My first Valentine was my darling mother. She brought home fun colorful
papers and
white lacy doily paper, and we sat down to make cards as she explained the
holiday to me.I don’t recall any date
ever measuring up to the wonderful feeling of making crafts with my mother.
As an adult, the best Valentine’s Day I had was in my early
twenties when
my Valentine date was me.I dressed up and took myself to the Village.I stopped and looked in store windows and in
stores without having to consult with or be controlled or judged by
anyone.That stood out to me as
something to treasure about being single.I went to a place where performers took the stage.I sat at the bar.The bartender was a tall handsome gay
man.He smiled at me and he said, “Oooh,
you look so Valentine-y!”His comment
felt so pure and made me smile.Several
decades later, I still remember.
My most hurtful Valentine’s Day was, well, it is for another
blog. I don’t
A writing friend hustles to survive like I do, so if you or
someone you know can use her services (I hear she’s good at what she does),
please contact her and tell her Mindy sent you.No, I don’t get a commission, but would just like her to know if you
heard of her from me.She does offices,
homes, computer clutter, etc.
In recent years, I’ve been very happy working with Richard
Hart for
photos. He’s never made me feel
uncomfortable. Sometimes, we’ve met in a
park in Manhattan, and the last time was in his studio in Queens. Many of you have liked my pics, so I’d like
to share his info. And again, I’d
appreciate if you let him know you heard of him from me. Again, no commission, just a show of my
gratitude. His email: shootnyc@me.com
Some of the pics he’s taken of me (some are touched up, some
not):
Not his fault that I gained weight. LOL
My friend Ken Machlin has two fun books out. He’s actually the son of a
woman I worked
with, Sue Machlin, who was one of the angels in my life.Ken’s books:
One way or another, we made it through the holidays and
survived 2017.
Grateful to be here.
I am happy to be part of the Twisted Lipstick Comedy Show in
Brooklyn on January 12, 2018.It’s a
very, very, funny line-up.Now would be
a good time to order your tickets on Eventbrite which means a bargain
price.Please mention my name when you
do.
I’m off from work for this week. It is nice to sleep as much as I want and
not
wake to an alarm.I had a bunch of
dreams, or one long one -- can’t tell.
My
darling Luigi (my canine son who is in Heaven) appeared several times.
There were many scenes and people that are
fuzzy in my memory.I’m pretty sure my
son and ex appeared.What I remember
more clearly was a scene where I was sitting on a step somewhere sort of
outdoors and sort of indoors like a train station or something.A man, who I may have not known at all or was
slightly familiar with, sat down also and was trying to get with me.It was all about him and his desires and how
beautiful he found me, etc., etc.It
didn’t feel good.Just as I often have
felt in awake life, I began to feel punished by his desire.He turned to face me and kept on talking
without even trying to gauge if I wanted to be spoken to.I responded to my discomfort/fear by getting
up, saying, “I’m not comfortable.You
are too aggressive.I don’t like
this.”And, I walked away.He shouted out an apology as I left.
As many of you know, I have been proud of my twelve and a half
years of
being in my penis-free zone (3 of those years were while the ex was
still in my apartment giving me little choice but to totally cut him off).The dream gave me some confidence that I will
walk away from bad.I’ve known men who
say, “I’m not a bad guy.”What a selling
point.I can’t remember ever describing
myself by saying, “I’m not a bad woman.”If the best thing one can say about himself is that he isn’t bad, that’s
bad.And since there is soooo much bad
out there, some disguised as good for a while as I’ve learned the hard way, it
has just felt much safer and saner to stay away.Since I’ve divorced, the few men I’ve felt
attracted to over the years are married.After my initial disappointment, I’d eventually thank God for not
letting me have what I had thought I wanted.What I needed was a lot of
recovery and learning time.That is what
I got.
You
can't always get what you want You can't always get what you want You can't always get what you want But if you try sometimes, yeah You might find you get what you need!
Speaking of the era of the Rolling Stones, the videos of the
last episode
of the What Were the ‘60s Really Like? show is on you tube.Below is part 2 where I read my 3-minute
slice of memoir from that time of my life.I set it to start right at my part if you aren’t into seeing more.
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:
·Friday, 1/12/2018 8pm Twisted Lipstick Comedy Show at Sir
D’s Lounge, Brooklyn, NY Tickets are cheaper in advance, so click here for all
the info https://www.facebook.com/events/1587560694616338/
·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)
As an actress, I've played a "hooker" in a few films. Before you get all excited, I am not a hooker; I just play one in some films. These are not porn films, just stories where a character (or several) is a hooker. When I was asked to be in Hectic Knife, I was glad because it was a paid acting gig and I worked with nice people. The most uncomfortable thing I had to do was wear high heels. The film is getting attention which is encouraging. Below is a short teaser where I appear twice for a few seconds. The only hooker-ish thing I'm doing is standing outside and trying to make some a-hole feel like I'm impressed with him. One doesn't have to be a hooker to have had that experience.
This Friday, December 22, 2017 (the day after my birthday) at 6pm, I will be part of a happening at Cornelia Street Cafe on Cornelia Street in the Village. Only $10 which includes a drink. It is the final episode of a series of shows called, "What Were the '60s Really Like?" produced by Kathryn Adisman. I'll be sharing a slice of memoir. Come experience poetry, prose, and songs from that time. If you want to make it a dinner date, the food is very good.
It's been a challenging couple of weeks -- internally and externally. However, in the midst of it all, good things go on as well. Thank God.
I am newly in the role of being on a professional development committee. The committee consists of three. We were all coming from different places. However, we knew how to share. Together, we conducted a successful professional development session that teachers enjoyed (not just tolerated for the two hours of pay). There was something for everyone (that includes reading and writing teachers, math teachers, and ESOL teachers). Teachers left with smiles and thanking us. I love when my students leave class that way, and I was happy that teachers left that way as well, feeling nourished in some way(s). I felt proud of myself and the committee and how we functioned without necessarily being like-minded on every point. In the end, we all felt pleased.
I took my class and myself on a guided tour of the current exhibit at the Lehman College Art Gallery. It is free and such a treat.
The woman who gave the tour was very informed and passionate, so it was great. The gallery tends to have exhibits that are really exciting. I know most of my students have never had such an experience, so it's exciting to see their reactions. And for myself, if it weren't for class trips, there are many places I may have not gotten to yet. I felt that way as a parent as well. My son and I went to many places that I may not have gotten to otherwise. That includes Radio City Music Hall. My son and I saw Pokemon Live.
Anyone who might feel enticed by this, I will be part of this wonderful happening. (Not a comedy show.) I will read a slice of memoir. There will be poets, prose writers, songwriters, musical segues, and good vibes all around. This will take place at the Cornelia Street Cafe on Cornelia Street in the Village on 12/22/2017 at 6pm. Train to West 4th Street, and you are around the corner from the place. $10 includes a drink. Great food if you are having dinner. It will be the night after my birthday.
Produced by Kathryn Adisman; hosted by Ellen Mandel; poster above by Su Polo.
