BPC

Today I helped Ryan, our new teamate at Forefront move in over at Stuyvesantown and tried to start a snowball fight with a group of teenagers. Everyone hates moving but I thought things went pretty smooth. Didn't seem too tough. Tonight I helped set up at Mosaic and then walked over to Picassos Pizza afterwards to grab a slice. I miss Picassos. I haven't really been over there since I moved in August. I took a walk afterwards around Battery Park City. It was a nice night and it was very peaceful, not many people around. I feel like it's a lot easier to pray and walk when it is that quiet. I need that quiet once in a while being in this city so it is nice to get down there and walk around. This picture is right about where I was walking. I lived about a block from that for two years. I enjoy where I live now in the East Village but it was fun living in BPC as well and I had two great years there. It will always be the first place I lived in New York and the first place I moved to be completely on my own. What a great starting point.

On a similar note, it's starting to feel a little more like spring everyday. It's still cold but there's something you can just feel that lets you know that spring is coming. I CAN'T WAIT. I'm so excited for spring. The city really comes alive again! WOOHOO.

Oscars in perspective

The Emmy-winning comedian has taken some heat for an Entertainment Weekly interview in which he called the notion of giving awards for art "idiotic" and added: "what straight black man sits there and watches the Oscars?"

But he offered Leno some toned-down criticism of Oscar hype.

"The awards don't really affect anybody's lives in the crowd," Rock said. "Meanwhile, the Nobel Peace Prize, there's no one there. Nobody cares what the scientists are wearing. What are you wearing Professor Allen? 'Pants!'"

Rock, asked if he was rooting for anyone to win, said he would favor Don Cheadle, who is up for best actor for his role in "Hotel Rwanda."

"I like it if the award will affect the person's life," Rock said. "If he wins, he's gonna get better scripts, he's gonna work with better directors."

And he had some advice for acceptance speeches.
"Don't thank God," Rock said. "God's busy working on the tsunami, so leave him alone."

Good point Chris. I'm thankful that someone has the courage to point out the vanity of these fashion nights where people walk down a red carpet and reporters pretend like they care about what someone is wearing. How tiring.

A Brush With a Furry Death

A few moments ago, I just got back from working out and was sitting typing on my computer. All of the sudden I heard this horrible noise to the right of me. I looked over and saw a black squirrel inside my apartment. I have no screen on my window so he was inside sitting on my window ledge. My immediate response was obviously to swear and then after that I sat completely still as he looked me over judging my size and quickness. I have to admit that I was afraid but did not want to show my fear. I could only pray this squirrel would not see me shaking or he might feel free to attack. Fortunately for me he took one last look and then ran away and right at that moment I ran as fast as I could to my window and slammed it shut. My heart is still pounding. Who knows what could have happened had he jumped down and hit the floor. It could have all been over for me.

On The Road

This weekend Kelli and I drove down toward Philadelphia (our first road trip) because I was invited to open up for Phil Di Tomasso, a comic from Brooklyn at the Collegeville Inn. The turnout was certainly a great surprise, there ended up being 250 people show up for the show. I emceed the event, gave out some door prizes and then had a 15 minute set to open for Phil.

The show went ok, the last 7 minutes were better than the first. There was some weak material in the first half but the audience wasn't necessarily what I am used to either. It was people mostly in their 30's - 50's. Normally I perform to people in their 20's to early 30's so it's hard to adjust to that. Why did I think they would know who 50 Cent would be? I made a few pretty obvious mistakes but pulled it together for the last half. I felt like I ended strong and that's the most important thing. Overall it was a good night but very tiring. It just wore me out for some reason. I'm not sure why.

Talking with Phil was good, he's been doing comedy for 15 years and started out doing the same type of shows I'm doing at Gotham Comedy Club and Carolines and stuff so he gave me some good critique and encouragement.

I went to Christ's Church of the Valley the next day. I have wanted to visit for a while. They meet in a movie theatre so right away as you walk in you feel comfortable because it's a familiar atmosphere. I have visited some churches lately that I haven't been real fond of or felt like it was just way too fake and because of that I'm always a little cynical visiting a new church but I have to say, I really enjoyed CCV. For the first time in a while visiting a church I felt like they helped me to worship God. I was able to sing because you could tell the worship leader wasn't trying to put on a show. There band was good but they weren't trying to be flashly or put on a production which I found refreshing. Brian Jones' message was helpful and proved that he really knew the people in his community very well. Sunday was a great experience. When I left I told Kelli, "if i lived here, i would definitely be involved here." Thank God for good churches where anyone can come and belong.

Music Pick of the Week

I have been listening to Clem Snide's EP "Moment in the Sun." I didn't realize that was last seasons theme song to the TV Show ED. Weird.

Clem's new CD comes out on Feb. 22nd and is entitled End of Love. Kelli and I are going to see them at Bowery Ballroom in the beginning of March so I'm pumped about that. I really like their music, it's hard to put them in a category. The title track of this EP is playing on my music player so check it out. Well, do you like it? Do you not like it? Really?

Tonight Kelli is coming in town. I've got Theology Pub at 7:30 for happy hour and then I am going to come home to cook Chili for when she gets here so she doesn't starve. The last time I made chili i forgot to drain the meat and it was all greasy and made me sick. Oops.

Today Brian and I went to a place by Tompkins Square Park called Coffee and Computers or Alt.Coffee or something. It has some couches and tables and free wireless. It was cool but everyone in there are hippies. They are way cooler than we are. I think I heard a record scratch when I walked in. They played Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and Weezer - Pinkerton while I was sitting there so i think i have found a new place to hang out. Beats the crap music at Starbucks and the Frappucino's that are 5 dollars although i still love you caramel frappucino. Don't think I've forgotten all we've had together if you are reading this.

Super Bowls and Birthdays

The Super Bowl was a much better game than I thought it would be last night. I couldn't believe it was that close. I was glad to see NE win however. I'm not a big T.O. fan and definitely not a Freddie Mitchell fan after the dumb things he said. "I've got something for you on Sunday Harrison." I guess he was talking about that one 11 yard catch he had. I'm not for sure.

Today is my birthday. I'm the big 25 today. Wow, 30 is right around the corner. That's sad. I almost forgot about my birthday until Kelli reminded me in the early morning hours. Not really doing anything special. Woke up late, went and worked out, picked up a package at the post office and have just been doing some work at home. Exciting birthday. Just another day I guess. Can we celebrate it when you get here Kelli? What about Thursday? What should we do?

I've got this new poll thing on my sidebar. It's a cool free thing but I think when you visit my blog now you get some pop ups. That's dumb. After reading Kirk's blog today I took his suggestion and have been having a Counting Crows marathon. Man, i almost forgot how good August and Everything After and Recovering the Satellites were. I hope they create a record like that again. I think it's really gone downhill since Satellites.

Easy Prediction - Illinois is going to run the table. Only four more games to win. Wisconsin being the toughest one but it's at Illinois. They should pull it out unless something crazy happens.

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