Bhad Mhood.

Yesterday, the weather was perfect! The bright sun warmed the city to a nice 67 degrees! I wore a new dress! I slept well! I had an iced coffee! Nothing could go wrong! But... for whatever reason, everything. I was having the ultimate off-day. I was being terrible and was taking everything the wrong way and I wanted to curl up in a ball and NAP. {Not die. Just nap.}

Then, my wonderful friend Mat, sent me that picture and it cheered me right up. He's good at that. Then I walked outside and met a friend for coffee and decided to stop being a bitch and stop taking things the wrong way. So I did. Then every conversation turned around for the better. Like, way way better.

Life's much easier when you stop giving a shit.  Giving a shit is for the birds.

Happy Friday. I hope you have a friend in your life who may or may not know how to spell your name correctly and sometimes adds extra h's to things... and sends you comic book style pictures threatening to kidnap you and put you in a jar.  And I hope you have friends who reward you wonderfully (superawesomewonderfully) even when you're the worst.  THE WORST!

Keep Movin' On.

this week had a lot of ups! a few downs.

for there is one thing that i know,

what you reap is what you sew.

 

and that listening to sam cooke... 

nearly always makes everything better.

happy friday!

And so we've come, to the end of the week.

I don't want to brag or anything, but I had a pretty good week. At least it started out really great and I rode that high for a loooooooong time. I was just lucky enough that other good things happened while I was riding that high! Plus, can you believe Thanksgiving is next week? I have so many viewings of The Muppets to attend!

Here are some things I found that I enjoyed. There's too many things I love to dedicate one post a week to it:

My friends Matt and Richie met their goal on Kickstarter and got their web series fully funded! Excited for them! (P.s. I'm going to be in it!)

This Otis Redding song is killer. I just love him.

Conan O'Brien's version of Polk Salad Annie. I saw it live when he came to Boston... I've had it in my head all week.

Lauren Conrad just gets me.

Just typing "Christmas" on Pinterest makes me stupidly giddy.

One of the students in the classes I intern for/new friend of mine, Andy, blew up on the internet last week for live tweeting a break up in a Burger King!

Ettiquette of a Lady.

Whatever, I love Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake.  Silly.

"What if..."

I wonder, how many times in our lives do we say, "What if?" or "Man, that'd be awesome if that could happen!" I bet we say it a shitload of times. A SHITLOAD. And I wonder how many times we've said that and how many times we've ever actually tried to make it happen.

I'm inspired lately by my friends who are making things happen. For one, my friend Kirsten is creating a full-length album! She raised her goal of $5,000 and then some! And my friends Richie and Matt are currently raising money for a web series they want to produce. {Donate! To both! Everyone is talented!}  So, I thought about what's going on in my life that I can make happen. And there are a lot of things that I don't do because, frankly, I'm afraid.

Like start that style blog with Cavan. And write that spec script I have outlined. Or that sitcom pilot. Or that book. Or another play. Or direct an improv group. Or... the list is endless. Literally. It's on a scroll.

I don't know. Let's get out there and do something, everyone.

P.s. I had a show with Awkward Compliment last night that was one of the best I've ever been a part of. We were all on a high after that show. Sometimes, you just need little reminders that you have the best job in the world.

Happy weekend!

Photo from Photoboother. My new favorite site.

Peeves.

photo.

Peeves is a poltergeist. In the Harry Potter world. Peeves are also annoying things. I think that's the technical definition.

Today is one of those days where everyone and everything is getting on my nerves. Nobody's particularly doing anything, but it's annoying nonetheless. And I'm not the only one. Everyone I've talked to is seemingly in a horrific mood. So, instead of beating it, I'm going to join it.

Things I hate:

- Loud chewing.

- Blisters.

- People who walk slow... specifically up stairs.

- The sound of high heels on a hardwood floor.

- Wanting attention but not getting it but not wanting to seek it, either. (This one is oddly specific.)

- Passive aggression.

- The response "yea" or "yeah" or "ye," although I have to admit I don't know many people who say "ye."

- Small talk with people I barely know.

- Dirty glasses and being too lazy to reach into your bag to get your cloth to clean them. (Again, specific.)

- Stomach aches.

- It being Friday at 2 and not Friday at 5:30.

- No Christmas trees year round.

- People who chew gum while improvising.

- The phrase, "This might be a stupid question..."

- Low battery iPod or phone battery.

- Overly defensive or argumentative people.

We are a Family!

In Splitsider this week, there was this amazing post from the former Art Director of UCB.. It's super informative and SO true. You should read it. If you're a comedy nerd, especially. Here's my favorite part:

That intern taking out the garbage may be on SNL one day. And that guy in your improv class who you don’t think is funny may end up working in development at a studio. But more importantly this business is filled with rejection and it’s a lot less lonely if you’ve got a community of like-minded, supportive people around you who understand what you’re going through. Another person’s success is not your failure...

So I’ll just leave you with this: No one really knows what they’re talking about. No one really knows what they want. Make what you think is funny, do everything you can to find an audience that also thinks it’s funny, and never stop. The rest will take care of itself.

If there's any "lesson" I took away from this week {because I like to live my life like Mr. Rogers and constantly make lessons out of everything} it's that I'm lucky to perform, and hang out with, the talented people that I do. I was watching my friends perform the other night and I thought, "Where could I go and see this kind of stuff happening?" "Where else am I going to see someone with as many laughs per minute as Mark O'Connell?" NOWHERE. And since I won't be here forever, I might as well enjoy them while I can.

Also, off-stage, I'm really lucky. And I often take that for granted. I have seen my friends defend me {with both words and violence} and protect me {in advance or after the terribleness occurs}. I love them!!!! They're hilarious and great people. If you're a good person, you attract good people. And I've attracted the BEST people. So that means... I'M THE BEST PERSON IN THE WORLD.

Funny how I can turn this nice post about liking my friends into LOVING MYSELF THE MOST!!!!!!

Uh.... read that SplitSider thing. And... I'm going to go on the Codzilla now. BYE.

Slice of Fame Cake

Photo by Melissa Ostrich.

This week, I was in Stuff Magazine, which is a Boston-based magazine. It used to be called "Stuff at Night," but now it sounds like a gay porn magazine. Am I right? Anyway, I'm in it! It was for a launch party we had at IA. Those are my friends Vicki, Michelle and Bryan McFarland! {Just kidding, it's Ryan! Ryan doesn't have a twin brother! But they got his name wrong in it!}

So, I'm recovering from that tiny bit of fame. So many people coming up to me in the streets. Now it's time to celebrate the fact that I'm on motherfuckingvacation, y'all. 9.5 days of PURE BLISS. Have a good weekend!

Oprah Story

I read Splitsider a lot. You should, too! If you like comedy! I do! Here's a story from Rob Riggle about writing down that he was going to get on SNL.

I wrote down in this book, and to me at the time, quitting flight school was so hard for me, again I’d never quit anything in my life, it wasn’t sitting well with me to quit, so if I’m going to quit, it has to count. The first thing I wrote down in this book was that I’m going to get on Saturday Night Live. I wrote that down in 1994, in September of 1994’. Then in September of 2004, ten years later, I got on Saturday Night Live. It was almost to the day that I had written that down. And it took ten years. When I wrote that, I was a First Lieutenant living in Corpus Christi, TX, who had never done anything on stage aside from in college, and had never done any comedy on stage, and I just thought I’m gonna find a way, and then ten years later it happened. So that’s my Oprah story.

The same thing happened to me! On a much smaller scale. I went to my first show at IA in June of 2001. I knew that's what I wanted to do with my life and that I wanted to be on that stage. Now, here I am. 10 years later (it's 2011) and I'm on the mainstage. Kind of. In a way. I mean, I'm an understudy. But regardless, I'm doing shows! And I'm making my dreams come true!

I'm going to go back to being a miserable and ungrateful now. Thank you very much.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

keep it simple.

i've been stressing out lately a whole lot. i feel like there's a giant elephant (as opposed to a normal-sized elephant) sitting on my chest. i feel guilty and terrible and i can't sleep. it's the worst. so, this weekend i'm going to keep it simple & go with the flow. i don't want to make plans or set expectations or get my hopes up. i just want have fun and actually relax.

in other news, these things are keeping me happy right now.

and not, y'know, killing people.

sartorial shots of kids.

The Sartorialist.

this 1920's style dress. (i am a greedy girl)

and this gryffindor influenced outfit from Modcloth.

i hope you're all going to see harry potter this weekend.

i saw it on monday and it was awesome.

have a good (simple) weekend!

Happys Fridays.

Yesterday sucked, huh? I mean, it really sucked. It was the worst. From start to finish, there was nothing to like about yesterday at all. Except maybe lunch with Mary on the porch. Everything else? Terrible. I got into a huge fight (which I haven't done in YEARS), my internet wasn't working so I couldn't watch Cheers, I had a bad show, I received unfortunate news... I mean, really. It was awful.

So, here's a list of happy things:

*fake tanner making my legs look suuuuper tan

*early release fridays.

*the awesome father's day gifts i got my dad from Pinhole Press.

*cute guys.

*dying my hair ombre on my own.

*stevie wonder's "if you really love me"

*that picture of Casey. it's not his birthday. it's just a funny pic i found.

happy friday y'all!

Summery Goals.

I stalked Kelly.

I have a very busy summer ahead of me. I can just feel it. If the past few weeks are any indication, then I know that I'm going to need a lot of planned additional activities to keep my head on straight. Because right now! Let me tell ya! It's twist-turned-upside-down. I woke up today and almost cried because we're 10 days into June and I didn't realize. OK, calm down Patty, you didn't almost cry.

I also want to do other things. Last night I was talking to my director's wife {who's not from Boston} and she asked me about the cape and Martha's Vineyard and I was like, "Uh...". I've been to the cape. But only to Trevor's hometown as an adult." I feel STUPID for not going to places in my own state. My family always went to New Hampshire or Disney World. Basically the same things. Although, technically, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are islands. But there are things I want to do, and god damnit, Imma get them done.

1. Visit Savage in D.C. and not watch Kardashian marathons {i.e. stay out past 10pm.}

2. Take Kelly {see above} on a Codzilla ride.

3. Go to an outdoor party {some people call them barbeques, I call them "I live in the city and don't know anyone with a grill aside from a George Foreman"}

4. Trip to somewhere warm with water to swim in and no work to do and relaxing to relax and margaritas made in my mouth.

5. Or... a trip to NYC.

6. Visit a Boston Harbor Island.

7. Eat 1 Blue Vanilla Richie's slush.

OK. THAT'S ENOUGH.

I'm getting my hair done today. And I really love this outfit. I'm sorry... did I say love? I am obsessed. It was created by Fancy Fine. OK. Bye. Happy Friday. I get out of work at 12:30.

Summer Fridays!

 GUYS.

Today marks the beginning of Summer Fridays at my work.

Every Friday we get out at 12:30!

You know what that means? 

Lazy afternoons on the porch!

Long lunches with sangria!

No tights and tanning my franks!

Plus, it's a long weekend.

So goodbye!

Art Friday.

My company has decided to give us Patriots' Day off now, because it's a Boston holiday. That means I get an unexpected long weekend {except, I was kind've the leader in making this holiday become a thing, so I've been expecting it all along.}

Last night was my first mainstage show at IA. I got called in at the last minute, so I wasn't planning on it, which made it easier to do for some reason. I knew I was stepping in next week, so I've been thinking about it. But then when I was thrown in right away, I was less nervous. It went really well. I'm excited to be a part of it!

Anyways, the weekend's here. I plan on doing something that involves having money, taking pictures, seeing my friends do their sketch and improv revue with Seriously Bent {remember when I did that, like three years ago} and sleeping a whole lot. Now, I'm imagining my dream home. So here's some art from 20x200 {which you should check out, if you have any interest in affordable independent artists.}

 

Ferry from Ardrossan Harbor  by  Laura Bell.

i love the water.

 

the overachievers by claire grill.  

 las vegas, nevada november 2000 by mike sinclair.

jacks by katie baum.

 

overheard on the titanic by austin kleon.

Cheers to the Freakin Weekend.

On Monday, I got so stressed out that I almost cried and then I stopped myself (by yelling at myself in the mirror… then breaking said mirror and beating my face up with shards of glass.) But then my palms started sweating. Does that count as crying? When your hands leak sweat? I worked out for two hours hoping it would de-stress me. I’m not sure if it did because I fell asleep immediately after I was done. (I have my yoga mat on my bed because it makes life easier. Also, because I'm dating my yoga mat.)

The problem is that I like being good at things. Dare I say, better than good. And there are certain things that I think I’m talented at – like writing. So when I have a hard time with it, then I’m really hard on myself. Like, “You should know this!” But, I’m also neurotic. This is a case of me thinking I’m not good enough at something while simultaneously doing a great job at being crazy.

I’m not complaining about anything, because at the end of the day I still think I’m awesome. And the weird thing is that I thought this week would be absolutely terrible and it turned out to be a really great week. Like, significantly greater than most weeks.

And luckily, I have great friends… named Sam, Carly and Freddie. Yes, that is the cast of iCarly. Yes, I’m streaming it on Netflix. Yes, it’s awesome and I don’t feel bad about it. Not that my boring real-life friends aren't good, too. But all of them are at an age where being friends with them isn't weird - and that takes all the fun out of it.

have a good weekend!

Jetsetting Friday



It's snowing outside. Again.

I woke up and excitedly checked my email to realize it wasn't cancelled.

But hey, at least I love my snow boots!

I'm going to pretend I'm going away!
And if I were, I'd go to Rome.

I'd see all the art I've wanted to see.

I'd walk down the Via Sacra.

Most of all, I'd want to walk inside the Pantheon and then see the Mausoleum of Augustus and the Ara Pacis because I'm a nerd and I have a weird fascination with the Augustan Empire.

And that's what I'd wear while doing those things!

In other news, here are some Friday facts:

1. Last night I hung out with some friends I hadn't hung out with in a while. I was zapped right back to 2007/2008 and we had a lot of fun making fun of each other.

2. I'm bored and have no energy, so I just flirted with a delivery man to pass the time/boost my mood. Does anyone else do that? Am I whorish?

3. Last night someone yelled "RAPE" {capitol letters to emphasize the volume it was yelled at} as a suggestion at our AC show. The most surprising thing? It was a woman. Here's the thing, ladies. Rape is never a good suggestion. As a lady, it's even less of a good suggestion. It's just not funny and it's too common and terrible {trust me.} And you don't want to see us "R" each other.
4. Speaking of AC, I'm lucky to perform with them. I love them.

5. My roommate's leaving again this weekend. She'll be performing on a cruise ship in like Mexico and stuff with The Second City for four months. Good for her! Bad for me! :(

Have a good weekend!

Frame Wall.

I'm on vacation this week and next. I had a ton of PTO days left to use, so I just used 'em. Why not? One of the projects I'd like to put together this week is a frame wall. Here's some inspiration:

a framed chalkboard.

i like how they use regular photos.

i could do something like that with my new polaroids.

doesn't have to just be frames!

mirrors, too. and stripes!

Let's see if this actually happens.

If so, I'll take pictures. 

Have a good weekend!

Why I'm Happy Today

Awkward Compliment had THE BEST SHOW last night.

I hadn't done the show in a month due to Thanksgiving and other obligations, so getting back up on that stage last night (and having Gudernatch be back with us!) was really awesome and fun. Plus, we had a packed house and my friend Carp opened for us. All in all, a good night.

I got this gift from my friend & co-worker, Matt.

His name is MJ and he got me a book about MJ.

What a world! He's the best.

Yes, those are Krabby Patties and a small rubber chicken.

... and we had an afternoon party at work today that I called

The Big AMP Snowman Reveal Party Potluck and Ugly Sweater Day

It was great. There was SO much random food. Plates were stacked with chinese food, McDonald's, brownies, cookies, sandwiches, etc. I love seeing people giving gifts and being genuinely nice to each other. Even if it's only for one day. {Not that people at my work are generally rude to each other. Generally.}

It's the weekend, now.

Let's be gods.

Lil' Letters

screen cap from j.crew... and their stupid over-priced clothes and their cute models!

Dear brain, I wish you would stop thinking when I'm trying to go to sleep. Even if it's good, creative ideas! Give me those during the day when I'm depleated of creativity.

Dear Disneyland documentary streaming on Netflix, thanks for giving me fifty of the most magical minutes of my life.

Dear gross nightmare, you're gross. Stop it.

Dear Tina Fey, thanks for existing. I wish I could skip my show on Sunday night to watch you receive your Mark Twain award, but that would defeat the purpose of being inspired by you, huh?

Dear old-school Mariah Carey, you are so good! Your voice is pretty, your songs are fun and you remind me of my childhood.

Dear 112, where did you go? I like your songs. If you're out there and you know it clap your hands. Clap, clap, clap?

Dear AC show we had last night, you were AWESOME and so much fun to do. I wish I could do you every Thursday - but we have other shows to do and love!

Dear J.Crew, there is no reason for this shirt to be $70 or this one to be $72! Do your shirts have magic pockets filled with fun?!? No?!? Then why are they so expensive? --> :( {While we're on it, $98?, $128?  $298? } ugh.... you're KILLING me.

Dear you, have a good weekend! I love you... more than you'll never know.

Hurricane Friday

I know there's a hurricane coming. I get it. It's going to be terrible. I know this. But is it bad that I'm kind of looking forward to it? It has been so hot and gross, I'm looking for a small break from that. And I want to sleep... forever.

Here's a pick-me-up... because it always picks me up.