The Return Of Project Seven

This Friday, I'll be doing an improv show in Wisconsin with my very first improv team, Project Seven. I'm really excited. I don't think I've been this excited to do a show in a long time.

Project Seven formed from during my very first improv class at Comedy Sportz in Milwaukee six years ago. Our instructor at the time, Brian Allman, told us he and his friends used to do to shows outside of bars with his friends years earlier. Casually, he suggested we do same. I don't think he expected us to take him up on it, but we did. However, we decided to move the show inside.

Our first show featured Nicole Devin, now Nicole Devin-Angel, Nic Schmidt and Chase Stoeger, myself and featured Brian and we called our selves "The Butt Fungi's." We performed in a cramp corner in Games bar. From what I remember of the show, it was horrible. But, we decided to do another one. Brian said the couldn't commit to the show and don't blame him. It was an hour drive and he was playing with people well below his talent level.

So, we were in search of someone new. Then came Harz. At the time, Harz worked at Comedy Sportz. We asked to play with us and he happily agreed. So, for our second show it was Nicole, Nic, Chase, Harz and myself. We also changed our name to "Project Seven." A name created from a combination from Fight Club's "Project Mayhem" reference and an improv warm up game named "Yah 7". This second show was not so great, but better than our first. We decided to keep Harz and the name. We did a couple more shows at Games, but decided to find a bigger space. We were getting better and began to get a little bit of a following. Also, it was a pain in the ass to do shows next to a dart board.

So, then we moved down the street to Muddy's restaurant. Mike Christian and Greg (who I forget his last name) let us perform in an empty room above their restaurant. The space was great. We couldn't have asked for anything better and we performed there for a couple months.

However, one day I received a phone call saying that Muddy's closed and we needed to find a new place to perform by tomorrow night. So, I called a good friend, Matt Uelmen, who worked at Weiland's Bowling Alley, and begged him if we could perform there. Matt happily agreed. At the last minute, we switched our performance across town. He let us perform in one of the conference rooms reserved for parties. After the show we asked Matt if we could do a show every other week and he "yes." So, there we were performed for a little over 3 years ago. I remember before every show moving tables and adjusting track lights to give us more of a stage feel.

We had many special guests including our good friend Tony Teofilo, Deanna, AJ and more that I'm forgetting and Brian returned to do one more show. We had good shows and bad shows. We ended up getting a good following and we even sold T-shirts. One fan, "Hollywood," came to almost every show. He also got us our first paid improv gig for the Boys And Girls Club.

But, as most improv groups, we took a short break which lead to big break. We thought we'd take a couple months off, but it lead to a lot more than that. It seemed as if we'd never reunite until this Friday. So, if you get a chance, check us out.

Wisconsin!

So, once again, it's been a while. But I have a good reason: I forgot my camera in Wisconsin. But, before I left I took a bunch of pictures. Over this last weekend, I got it back.

Here's Jenny and I after leaving the Art Bar in Milwaukee. As you can see, I look like an idiot. But, this is the best picture of us. Seriously, we took 5 pictures and in everyone, I look stupid. Whatever.

Every Memorial Day weekend my friends and I go to the "Jam For Kids." It's become a little reunion for all my Wisconsin friends. "Jam For Kids" is a festival with music, food and beer where all the proceeds go to the kids or at least I think so. After all these years, I've never actually took the time to find out. One of the highlights was a band playing the worst version of Kanye West's Golddigger. It was so bad. I wish I could remember the bands name.
Here's a picture of Jessy. I really needed to include a picture of her because there's about 25 pictures of me on her myspace page.
Stacy and Jaydee are just being adorable.
And ladies, it only counts if it's below the waist.

Louie vs Scott

Last weekend, I went to Dan's place to enjoy a nice BBQ. However, things got a little messy when Louie and Scott decided to get into a slap fight. Luckily I had my camera with me to tape everything. Here's my first youtube video.

2 Birthdays, 2 Shows

Once again, I've fallen behind with my blog.

Two Saturdays ago (I'm posting this far back because I don't have any new pictures), I was quite the busy bee. I first went to Leo and Matt's place to celebrate Leo's Birthday. It was super fun. We play Super Smash Bros and Rock Band. Here's Leo looking as if I just told him something interesting. I didn't.


Afterwards, I went to celebrate another birthday. Min-Aha had her birthday at Jin Ju.


Then I went to do a show with Cornwallis at The CIF Preview and then I did another Cornwallis show at the CIC Theater. Here's an actually picture from the show (wink, wink). I believe this is scene were I'm talking to Elisabeth and Lina about the downfalls of drug use. I'm a pharmacist, hence the counter.

Whip It Out: The Game

Last night, Anthony and I went to see Karissa perform MacBeth at the Athenaeum. The show was good, but the real show started afterwards at the Lincoln Tap.

It started with Anthony tell us of a game him and his friends made up and played a couple of years ago that they called "Whip It Out."

All that is needed to play is a tape measure. The object of the game is to whip the tape out and see how long you can get it to extended with it staying straight. By that, I mean it doesn't fold over. You're also allowed to cradle the tape measure with your hand.

Anthony claimed that he, at his prime, could get 10 feet and his friend had the record of 14 feet of the tape measure out while keeping it straight. Personally, I believe this to be impossible. Needless to say, a debate started between the two of us and we argued for while. It was decided that the only way to come to a conclusion was for him to prove me wrong. So, I asked the bartender for a tape measure and luckily he had one. Now, to give Anthony credit, the tape measure was old and Anthony hasn't played the game in a couple of years. But, I still expected him to get at least 8 feet without while keeping it straight. Below is Anthony playing.



After a couple of attempts, Anthony could not accomplish it. You can see below him trying to getting about 7 feet. Which is pretty good, but it folded over.


However, even after trying and failing, Anthony still believes that 14 feet can be done. So, this arguement is far from over. Please post your thoughts on whether or not you think he can do it. This will be settled at the Home Depot.

Southport Brown Line Reopens!

Hallelujah!
On Sunday, the Brown Line El Train Station reopened. Thank God. For the past year, I've had to walk to the Addison Red Line. Now I can get to work faster, go to more places easier and not have to worry about drunken Cub Fans.

It's a little cleaner, more spacious and it has those blue strips on the edges. Oh, and there's a wheelchair elevator. If you're asking "was it worth a year wait?" No, it was not.

Return of the Blog

Alrighty, so I've neglected this a little. I'm going to make a point to update this more.

Here's some quick things:

I'm on a new CIC team called Counter Productive Lover. Jorin made us a sweet logo.

Also, after a show, we paired up and wrestled. I wrestled Dan. It was a split decision as to who one. According to Bryan he beat me in points, but according to everyone else, I won. Here's a picture of Ticha and Karissa and wrestling. Yes, the ladies wrestled too.

Louie and I after getting our haircut. As you can see, Louie is very happy with is haircut.

Jill and Louie after Chrissy and Mike's War Dove show. Again, Louie is very happy.

Two weekends ago, my cousin Kaela married Luke. Here's a picture of my cousin Julie, Alivia and myself.