Whatever Wednesday - ImpovEverywhere, Hockey Fans and Automatic Improv

It's another potpourri for Hump Day!

I love the silliness of ImprovEverywhere. While it's not true improv, it still captures the fun that improv strives for in its performances. Usually by using volunteers, they create a unique public "mission" meant to surprise and delight the unknowing. Here's a simple one:

Other favorites of mine include the Best Buy Uniform Prank, Meet a Black Person (in Aspen, Colorado), Pro Wrestler Wedding and the one I originally discovered, Frozen Grand Central. There are over 100 fun missions available to view, including all of the annual No Pants Subway Rides, at the ImprovEverywhere site.


It looks like Budweiser took a page from ImprovEverywhere's book when they created this ad. It's self-explanatory. I think the look on the face of the guy sitting on the ice at the end tells it all.

And speaking of improv, here's a fun video titled "Lines From A Play," featuring Andy and Sarah from Automatic Improv's main cast. Andy taught my Level 1 improv workshop (which I got a ton out of) and Sarah acts as the dean of Relapse University, the collection of workshops and classes offered at Relapse Theater in Atlanta. Both are great performers, as evident by this scene.

Tuesday Top Ten - Top Ten Things I Wish I Could Tell My 21-Year-Old Self

And with ten minutes to spare before the end of the day!

This isn't meant to preach to anyone. This is specific advice I'd give myself even though it may apply to you too.

Take care of your skin

It's important. If you don't, it will lead to regrets and scares later on.

It doesn't have to be perfect

Know the time to let it go and know it's okay to fail.

Figure it out sooner

Don't shy away from what drives your passion. The sooner you arrive at this, the more time you have for it.

Drink less

Most of the things I regret in life I've done after drinking too much.

Go out more

Most of the things I've enjoyed in life are experiences that wouldn't have happened if I'd stayed home that night.

Follow your dreams

You know what that is; give yourself the time to get good at it.

If it seems like an opportunity, jump on it

I can think of half a dozen chances I've been given that could have made a lot of difference.

You aren't as weird as you think you are

Everyone is just as scared, confused, joyful and excited about things as you are.

Go ahead, ask her

If you don't ask, you'll never know and probably always wonder.

Spinach isn't that bad

Just don't put all that vinegar in it.

Music Monday - Songs about Hope

I picked a theme after seeing the first video here - the theme is hope.

Daniel Lloyd, also known as Taihg, was a busker (street performer) in Canterbury, England. He was found drowned in Reed Pond in Canterbury January 23, 2012, under suspicious circumstances. He was well liked and admired by the community. The video that follows is an original inspirational song of his called "Guiding Stars" that speaks of what anyone can do when they try hard enough. The song is available on iTunes with proceeds benefiting his daughter.

"If you want to be an angel, you already are..." - 'Guiding Stars,' Taihg

Mumford & Sons' "After the Storm" shows the hope a person holds after life-altering turbulent times. It's melancholy but it's moving and forward-thinking.

Matisyahu is a Jewish singer/rapper who sings about peace, both for the world and in Israel. "One Day" has a great sound and a great message.

I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. 

I do not judge the universe. - Dalai Lama

Funny Friday - Sheep, Sheep, Sheep

Don't normally do this but a theme arose this week. Welcome to the world of funny sheep!

What makes actual sheep funny? They are not smart...

I imagine these sheep thinking, "Where are all these cars coming from... and why do they look exactly the same?!"

And credit to YouTube user LankyDrummer for thinking of this Python quote:

"Follow. But. Follow only if ye be men of valour, for the entrance to this cave is guarded by a creature so foul, so cruel that no man yet has fought with it and lived. Bones of full fifty men lie strewn about its lair. So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth!"

And what makes animated sheep funny? They are smarter than humans... A favorite character from Aardman Studios.

Have a great day... not a BAAAAAA-D one!

(yup, I went there)

Thursday Tweets in Review - 2/5/12

Here's Thursday's feature where I present some of my (and other people's) funniest or most relevant tweets from the past week. Let the fun begin!

(Admittedly, I didn't tweet too much original material this week so this may be a little heavy with other people's tweets.)

No need for an explanation on this one.

If you've ever seen a David Blaine special, you know what he means.

It's funny because it's true.

My improv friend Amy is darn funny and worth the follow.

This stupidity arose this week. I know they do good work so I'm extremely disappointed that the organization folded in this regard to religious zealots.

Again, it's funny because it's true... but in this case, the truth isn't so funny.

If you haven't been to Morgan's Markerpiece Theater, go now. I'll wait. *taps fingers a while* Was I right? Hilarious stuff!

Whatever Wednesday - Improvisation, Funny Dog Videos and Franny's Last Ride

It's a free-for-all on the blog every Hump Day!

Here's a great TEDx talk about Improvising and how it relates to everyone, not just performers. Good life lessons! (shout out to fellow Level 2 Automatic Improve student Surriya Colleen for posting this on Facebook)

A couple of short, entertaining dog videos. One puppy looks smart; the other, not so much.

This is one of the most moving stories I've ever heard. Unfortunately, comedian Mike DeStefano passed way too early. But he left us a great legacy of honest, raw comedy and incredible life narratives. Give yourself a few minutes to listen to this.

Tuesday Top Ten - Favorite Horror Movies

Here they are... my favorite pure horror movies. I left out movies (like "Jaws") which I consider to be more drama, even though they are terrifying.

10. Saw (2004)

So completely original at the time. A great twist. Horrific deaths. Tension throughout.

9. The Wicker Man (1973)

Unlike the 2006 remake, the creep vibe grows and grows throughout this film. Led by Edward Woodward as the police sergeant searching for a missing girl, the film culminates in pure helpless terror.

 

8. Let The Right One In (2008)

The right balance of horror and story, this Swedish movie of a bullied boy and his strange neighbor has everything - bloody deaths, strong characters and tight plot.

7. The Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

When I was a kid, this classic scared the living crap out of me. Obviously, it wasn't the effects or acting. It was theme - the loss of identity (which will pop-up later in this list.) Love the final scene.

6. 28 Days Later... (2002)

This film is dark and horrifying but still manages to make a turn toward its end that makes us see who the real monsters are.

5. The Shining (1980)

This Stanley Kubrick film relies on a strange visuals, great acting and eerie mood to tell the story of a man who slowly goes insane while the caretaker of a remote resort. The pacing of the film is methodical, drawing you in to a dream-like state. 

4. Alien (1979)

This horror tale in outer space burst onto the scene (no pun intended) in 1979. It's use of the dark and isolation showed what a true filmmaker could do with the genre.

3. Halloween (1978)

The movie which launched a genre, Halloween set the standard for what horror was for 20 years or more. Great pacing and an expressionless killer with no obvious agenda makes this movie hold up.

2. The Devil's Rejects (2005)

As sick as this movie is, it's actually a road movie wrapped in the horror genre. A sequel to the lesser "House of 1000 Corpses," this film starts with the most depraved main characters you've ever seen and makes you like them by the end. This is one of my favorite scenes, if nothing else for the humor.

1. The Thing (1982)

Do we really know the people around us? Loss of identity of ourselves and our comrades. That's what drives this John Carpenter classic. Great special effects, another isolated location and a solid story make this my favorite horror movie of all time.