December 2012 Archives

Christmas Spirit

I've been having a hard time getting into the Christmas Spirit this year, even with singing in the church choir. I dunno, Memaw is sick, I miss my bro, there's still no snow in Chicago...

Turns out, though, that all I really needed was some Olde Timey Christmas songs sung by different choral groups. Apparently, my Madrigal and Chamber Choir time at WCHS ingrained in me what Christmas music should be. And I've been singing them at the top of my lungs today (yeah Altos!).  I even listened to Nutcracker music today and loved it.

Thanks Sirius XM Holiday Pops!

Where's Parker?

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A minute ago, I started to freak out, cause I couldn't find Parker. She wasn't in the bathroom, on the couch, or in any of her 3 catbeds. I called her and tried to remain calm. Then I checked around the tree.

Where's Parker?

Looks like that one's for me!!

Merry Christmas, Everyone

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Last week, while at the Bulls game that we saw for free cause we won tickets at a wine tasting party (long story), we got an email from Kristen inviting us to join her and Shaun to an event where you play flag football with some members of the Chicago Bears at their training field. Fuzzy and I are fans of sport and sport games, and were already at a sport event, and we love doing once-in-a-lifetime things, so of course we instantly said yes!

Shaun and Kristen play flag football on a league every Saturday, so they were ready for the challenge. Fuzzy and I like to watch football on tv. On the way over, I asked some questions such as "how do you play?" and if it would be possible to avoid what I call the "Whirleyball Effect" wherein you have to have a certain number of players on the court and that's how many people are playing, when you really hate it and want out cause it hurts but there is no one to switch out with you, so you have to just suffer through it and watch the clock til the game is over. They assured me that 1) it would be easy 2) I could stop whenever I wanted and 3) there is no touching in flag football, so it will be ok. Score!

We headed over Monday late afternoon and arrived at the Walter Payton training facility at Halas Field at about 5:30.  There were some guys on the field kicking and throwing and goofing off. We signed waivers that we would be responsible for any "wrongful death" that might occur.

The event was sponsored by Mastercard, as one of those "Priceless" promotions. Playing flag football with some members of the Chicago Bears? Priceless. However the tickets cost money. But whatever, let's have fun and throw the ball!

Erica throws
I play the football.

Kristen shows that dummy who's boss
Kristen gets aggressively huggy.

Just warming up with some high kicks
"Can't can-can if your shoes Toulouse." (this is a weird reference that prob only me, Carrie and mom will get.)
(photos by Fuzzy)

Fuzzy and Shaun run like footballs
The "pride and joy of Illinois."

Fuzzy makes some footballs running
My fantasy football league.

Then someone blew a whistle, and we were divided into teams. Two Bears players were our coaches, and we put on our jerseys so we'd know what team was what. I kept hilariously saying that it was time to "Bear Down." We did some introductions, and talked about some rules, which included "no touching."

Our coaches: Jonathan Scott and Brandon Hardin
Our coaches Jonathan Scott and Brandon Hardin. Note Bobby the Medic next to Jonathan. He plays an important part of this story later.

You know how you think that football players are giant, huge, and muscley? Well, that is a true fact, my friend. Not like this weiner:

Erica bears down
"Hey guys, let's Bear Down!"

Our coach Brandon talked us through some plays. He gave us different positions to play. He was all "football football football" and I was all "nod head and smile" and then when he asked if everyone knew their position, I asked him how to play. Hooray! I was a lineman! I didn't have to run a lot, and I just had to stand in the middle and block the other team! Yay! Let's all have fun and run around a bit and have a Priceless experience together! Friendly Fun!

Unfortunately, almost everyone else there that wasn't Fuzzy or I was there to PLAY. To relive their football glory days. To show em. There were 22 of us, so 11 and 11. All play!!  There were 4 girls playing (3 on our team) and 18 men. No worries! It's flag football! What fun! Our team scored! Our team is good! Fuzzy grabbed a flag! Oh no, that girl on our team was knocked down! Good thing I won't have to worry about that! I'm a lineman! Tra la la. Defense! Offense! Yippee football!

Halftime! Gatorade Break! Let me pose for the photographer by looking extremely parched. Good hustle, white team!

The second half started. Time for more running!  And then I was knocked down by this guy who tried to run through me. I landed hard on my ass. Shaun and I yelled at him. He was remorseless and was not reprimanded by the coaches or the referee. Oh well, let me go to this side of the field so that I can avoid that guy. Yeah, it hurts, but I am tough, I can just walk it off. Yeah! Football! Whee!!

And then suddenly, I found myself getting knocked the the ground by TWO men, who both sort of landed on me/ ran over me. I landed on my tailbone. I hit my ass. I hit my face on the ground. One guy apologized for being pushed into me. People helped me up. I burst into tears. I was mad. I was embarrassed. I felt like an idiot. I just wanted to have fun, not get knocked to the ground repeatedly. Yeah, that's football, but we weren't wearing in protective gear, nor were we PLAYING REAL FOOTBALL.  Bobby the Medic came to my aid and walked me off the field. He asked me a series of questions, very calmly, about where my pain was, if I could see, etc etc. He asked if I was crying cause I was hurting or because of the stress of what happened. NO BOBBY, I AM CRYING CAUSE IT HURTS. (also yes, cause I feel stupid). He gave me an ice pack to sit on, and I washed my face. I then watched my team pulverize the other team. Take that, dummies. (Turns out Shaun and Kristen are really good players.)

Please note that this would have been a great time for me to take photos of everyone else playing football, but my cheek was in so much pain, I didn't want to hold a camera up against it.

I tried to avoid eye-contact with everyone when the game was over. I tried to avoid crying again. I hated getting the attention, and I hated that I got injured playing a friendly game of run-arounds-and-throw-the-balls. I didn't want to be a poor sport, but I couldn't help it--I was in pain.  But I didn't want to ruin anyone else's Priceless experience. Some guys came over to check on me, including the coach, the ref, and members of the other team. That one guy didn't. Jerk.

The next part of the event involved dinner and Monday Night Football, but first there was an autograph and photo session with the members of the Bears. Sensing an opportunity to add this to my collection of "odd photos of me with professional football players," I decided I wanted to commemorate the evening's events by posing with my icebag and ailment. I did.  The Bears didn't know what to do with me. The photographer asked me to take a second photo normally, in case I didn't like the first one. I don't remember saying it, but Fuzzy said my response was "Oh, I am going to like it. That's my style."

Today I am HELLA sore. My tailbone! It hurts to sit. I bet I am going to have a gnarly bruise on my right ass-cheek. But it was a blast and I am so happy we went. It was all worth it, for this:

Me and the Chicago Bears

Priceless.

It Keeps Getting Better

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parker in monkey coat.jpg

Thanks to Fuzzy for the pic!

Upcoming Drunk Monkeys Live Shows!!!!!!!

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EXCITING NEWS!

Drunk Monkeys has two live shows coming up in January 2013!!!!

On Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 8pm we'll be appearing at Stage 773 (1225 W Belmont, Chicago, IL) as part of Chicago Sketch Fest. Tickets are $14 and can be purchased online.

On Tuesday, January 8, 2013 from 5-7pm we're having a party at one of our favorite bars, Watershed (601 N State, Chicago, IL -- under Pops for Champagne). We'll be celebrating the release of our 50th episode and filming a few new ones as well. We'll have some liquors to share, but it'll be a cash bar for getting your own (excellent) cocktails. Admission is free.

Let these 2 (under the weather) ladies tell you all about it!

Daily Inspiration

My love for Big Freedia and Sissy Bounce is no secret. Oh man, I love this so much.

(NSF those who dont like bouncing booties.)

Ikea Monkey

I just learned about the Ikea Monkey, a little monkey who was found in an Ikea parking lot in Toronto wearing a very stylish coat. The story is adorable enough on its own, but Fuzzy took it to the next level with this photo of these "best friends."

best friends.jpg

Upbringing

So after not letting myself be sick this last week, and Katie's comment about my bro being in denial about being sick this week, too, it got me to thinking. Our dad, who I recall was rarely sick while we were growing up, used to tell us to never admit to being sick, cause then we were giving in. He would tell us to keep pushing and deny that we felt bad, and that "the only way to treat a cold is with contempt." He'd hate for us to miss school, and since I was the token sick kid in my class, I always felt bad when I had to miss, like I was doing something wrong. So now, as an adult, I think I have this same mentality. That if I give in and let myself be sick, I am a failure and admitting defeat. I feel stupid when I am sick, like I am letting everyone I know down. When really, giving in and sleeping and letting yourself be sick is a way to get over it faster.

It's interesting, is all.

Love

While we still have a ways to go in the US, we are getting closer to the widespread legalization of gay marriage in the US. Everyone has the right to love another person, and everyone should have the right to legally marry that person, discrimination free. Gay rights are Civil rights, and we have to keep pushing forward and supporting the rights of all with love and acceptance. With Washington added this past weekend to the number of legal same-sex marriage states, Fuzzy and I have been blubbery and weepy looking at photos of happy couples finally able to marry the ones they love. I encourage you to do the same.

I hope Illinois is coming soon, and you better believe I will be down at City Hall, camera and box of tissues in hand.

I also made

This

It's neat and yummy!

Cabbage

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This cabbage recipe I am making jsut called for 6 tablespoons of sugar.


I feel dirty.

UPDATE! It was delish. The best cabbage I ever made.

New Drunk Monkeys!

Brain Dump

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I'm sick.
I'm in denial of being sick.
But I feel like crap.
I'm cold.
I can't eat.
I drank a bunch of coffee and now I can't nap.
There's too much to do.
Too much on my mind.
It's hard to let myself relax or take a sick day now that I work for myself.
I need to let myself chill out.
But what about all this stuff on my mind?
What about my to do list?
What about self-promoting?
I like my cats.
I wish I was asleep.
It's freezing in my house.
Remember this week when it was 70? That was awesome.
I want to decorate for Christmas, but have no energy.
My left hand has been hurting for days. In my fingers. Like I have new arthritis there or something.
Oh no! What if I have fifth's disease! That is joint pain and flu-like symptoms?
Or maybe it's just a cold.
Am I still typing?
I need to design new business cards.
I should pet the cat.

What I Love about Burlesque

Today, a friend of mine asked me what it is that I like so much about working in the burlesque world, and it got me to thinking.

When Burlesque is done properly*:

*It celebrates the beauty of women**, no matter your shape, size, color, or age.
*It comes from a place of empowerment of the performer. The woman is in control.
*It is not built around the male gaze.
*It isn't about one person's opinion of what is attractive.
*It can be funny, playful, serious, scary, sexy, shocking, fluffy, messy, dirty, dancey, not-dancey. It can be anything. There is no wrong in burlesque/ neo-burlesque.
*It is beautiful, glittery, sparkly.
*It challenges you to think about theatrics, and how clothes are put on and taken off.
*It encourages the performer to love herself. It courages the viewer to love herself.
*It creates illusion.
*It celebrates the burlesque of old, while pushing the envelope of burlesque of the future.
*There is a place for all personalities, characters, genres.
*So much can be said with a wink and a smile.
*It creates an unspoken conversation between the performer and the audience. It is interactive.

Other things I love about it:
*I love working with the women who perform it.
*I love making people look good.
*I love meeting new people.
*I love the movement of burlesque, both the sensual side and the bump-and-grind.
*I like challenging myself.
*I love doing group numbers, and I love working on solos.
*I am good at it.
*I am passionate about it.

I am proud of my contributions to the Chicago Burlesque scene. I look forward for more adventures ahead.

*And by "properly" I mean, my opinion of properly.
**I know men perform burlesque dance also, but up to now I have only worked with women.

Time and Life and Things and Thoughts

Life is beautiful, isn't it?

Ups and downs, lefts and rights. Just when I am feeling gloomy and hopeless, something comes along to counter balance it. Good things. Highs and Lows. Happy Things. Sad things. It's part of it. We're humans, if we are lucky, we have emotions. We feel when things are good and we enjoy the moment when it is. When it isn't, it is good to mourn, it is ok to let yourself be sad and down. But no matter what we have to keep moving. How we navigate the hard times is what defines who we are.

If we are lucky, we get old. Getting old isn't easy, though. Things get harder and more painful and slower and sadder and more lonely. We're all going to die. But life will keep going and others will continue on and remember us.  It's the only certain thing in the world. We just have to make the most of what we have when we have it.

It's been a tough week and a tough time in my head lately. Dad's death anniversary, 2 new deaths in the family in the last week, the continuing decline of my remaining grandparent's health, the continuing decline of our old lady cats' healths, an unfortunate and unexpected creative connundrum. But on the other side of it, there's been new opportunities presented to me, new friends, new experiences. And there's the balance.

This time of year is full of emotions and time to reflect. I am so grateful for all the wonderful experiences I've had in my life and all the amazing people I've had the honor of having in my life. I am so so so blessed. And everything tough that I have been through and am dealing with are only making me stronger and better.

We just have to keep going.

5 Years

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In the past 5 years (in no particular order):

I've performed on the Comedy Central stage in Los Angeles.
I've performed 7 wedding ceremonies.
Christopher and Katie moved to Africa.
I have completed 4 triathlons.
I had a major accident and recovered.
I've choreographed a number of shows.
I created a fun drinking podcast.
I started going back to church.
I've done a number of Blewt! projects.
One of my cats died.
We cleaned out the house in Vicksburg in a week and found home/places for all the animals. This is one of the hardest things I've ever lived through.
My grandmother died.
All of Mom's medical issues.
Christopher got his masters degree.
I got visable tattoos.
I worked through my issues about The Nutcracker, through a show, no less.
I started dancing again.
And so much more.

And Dad has been gone for all of them. I really miss him and wish I could talk to him and share these things with him. People always say that it gets easier the more time has past, but I don't know if I agree with them. I mean, we've made it work and we've kept moving forward, but it just makes the absence even more pronounced. And I get weepy every time I talk about him.


My dad was so cool.
He was so funny.
He was so positive.
He found the joy in everything.

I hope I can keep that memory alive.

David at Highway 61 Coffee

Gregg Allman and David Reid

Mississippi Nov 2012

G. David Reid
March 23, 1954- December 2, 2007
We miss you, Daddy.

This one's for you: