Year in Review (2010)
Posted: December 31, 2010 Filed under: friends, humor | Tags: 2010, adi blotman, alyssa breneman, ballet, baltimore, california, coffee, comedy, destin, fireworks, florida, fulton opera house, fulton theatre, gettysburg, ghost, ghosts, ghosts of gettysburg, improv, inner harbor, jt arbogast, Lancaster, lancaster barnstormers, lancaster catholic carnival, lost, lost season finale, ls idol, max films, midsummer night's dream, noises off, nutcracker, spamalot, square one, vacation, willow street mennonite, year in review, zumba Leave a comment »Another year has come and gone and before 2010 becomes as easily-forgotten as 1996, let’s look back and re-visit the highlights in The Year of Ed before we jump into 2011…
JANUARY
- January 19 – I was hired to record the voiceover for a commercial at MAX Films here in the area. This is only notable because of how hilariously long it took me to get paid for it.
- January 23 – Improv night at the Landis household! Our friends John and Lisa invited a bunch of people over for some fun parlor games, including some Whose Line-style improv games.
In one of the games ("Party Quirks"), Sarah was a turtle. This is her doing her turtle thing.
FEBRUARY
- February 2 – Our regular Tuesday night Lost viewing parties continue as the final season premieres. We celebrate with a pinata. Naturally.
- February 5 – Our friend Alyssa debuts her month-long art show at our favorite coffee shop, Square One.
- February 10 – A massive snowstorm hits Lancaster. As Sarah and I are walking down to warm ourselves at Square One, we have this conversation:
- February 13 – Sarah and I traveled to Pittsburgh to catch our friend JT in a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- February 19 – Sarah and I head to Philadelphia so Sarah can attend a Zumba conference and I can hear weird noises coming out of the rooms of strangers staying down the hall.
MARCH
- March 20 – I judge a local singing competition, LS Idol. William Hung does not make an appearance.
- March 27 – Sarah and I catch the hilarious production of Noises Off at the Fulton Theatre.
APRIL
- April 3 – Sarah gets to meet the Beals, Jeff and Nik, dear friends from my days in Nashville. A barbecue on a great spring day in York. Hard to beat it.
- April 12 – Sarah and I travel to Destin, Florida to visit some of her family for a week.
Just because we're visiting relatives doesn't mean we don't stop acting like this.
MAY
- May 23 – The Lost season finale. We all freak out.
- May 27 – Sarah and I go to a Lancaster Barnstormers game. It gets rained out.
JUNE
- June 3 – Sarah is chosen to lead the crowd at a Barnstormers game in some Zumba during the 7th inning stretch. The game gets rained out in the 5th.
- June 25 – Sarah and I go to the Lancaster Catholic Carnival and then walk over to our friends’ house to watch the fireworks.
During the fireworks display, some fallout landed on the Ruoffs' roof and firemen had to climb on top to make sure it wouldn't burn down. Fortunately, it didn't.
JULY
- July 31 – Sarah and I traveled to Gettysburg to do a little amateur ghost hunting.
AUGUST
- August 15 – Hey, remember that voice over job I mentioned back in January? I finally got paid for it!
- August 21 – Sarah and I enjoyed ghost hunting so much the first time around, we decided to head back to Gettysburg for our first ghost hunting session with actual ghost hunters. It kinda blew.
SEPTEMBER
- September 9 – Sarah and I, along with the Breneman siblings Ryan, Alyssa, and Ashlea, head west for a California vacation.
- September 18 – Our church, Willow Street Mennonite Church, celebrates 300 years!
- September 19 – Sarah and I return to the Fulton Theatre for their performance of Spamalot!
OCTOBER
- October 15 – My old college pal Ed comes into town for a few days. We spend some time at Inner Harbor in Baltimore and have a blast.
At this point in our visit to Inner Harbor, we are totally clueless as to how amazing the tapas are going to be that we have just ordered.
NOVEMBER
- November 4 – I debut my brand new comedy-album-review site, Comedy Reviews. Feel free to “Like” it.
- November 6 – Sarah and I move into our new apartment!
- November 14 – Sarah turns a year older.
- November 17 – I do, too.
DECEMBER
- December 5 – Sarah and I attend a performance of The Nutcracker. It’s the first time seeing it for both of us and we both agree once is enough.
- December 16 – Sarah and I go to the Fulton to see The Sound of Music with our good friends Dustin and Janelle. We all enjoy the show and then wonder what they do with all of the huge Nazi flags. Ebay?
- December 17 – Sarah and I head to New York to take in the city during Christmas, improv at National Comedy Theatre, stand up comedy from Jim Gaffigan and our pal Adi, and film our annual Christmas video.
- December 23 – Farewell party for our friends Alyssa and Ashlea Breneman as they gear up for their trips to Arizona and Hawaii (respectively).
- December 24 – We attend church for the Christmas Eve service and then spend the rest of the night at Dustin and Janelle’s playing games.
- December 26 – Sarah’s sister and her family comes into town to stay with us for their annual Christmas holiday celebration of playing games all day long. For the first time, my brother and his family come out and join in on the celebrating. We play games, film the final (?) installment of Terocus, and drink lots of coffee.
Things I learned in 2010? I don’t know if I learned anything new, but I did re-affirm what I already knew. I love Sarah a lot, she’s my best friend in the world. We love to travel. And all of our other friends…we love them a lot too. And want them to travel with us.
So pack your bags everyone and make sure your travel documents are in order. 2011 is here and we want you to see it with us.
Happy New Year, everyone.
30 Day Photo Challenge – Day 22
Posted: December 23, 2010 Filed under: humor | Tags: 30 day photo challenge, comedy, improv, stand up Leave a comment »Day 22 – A picture of something you wish you were better at
Actually, I don't wish I was better at it per se, but I sometimes wish I'd had the motivation and drive to put in the years and years of work it takes to get a sort-of toe hold in the stand-up world and that just sounds like way too much work and way too much time on the road for someone who's probably funnier on a one-on-one basis with my friends than I ever have been on stage. But at least I recognize my limitations, right?
The Top 10 Comedy Albums of 2009
Posted: December 22, 2009 Filed under: humor | Tags: christopher titus, comedy, dane cook, greg giraldo, jim gaffigan, jon lajoie, lonely island, nick swardson, patton oswalt, stephen lynch, top 10, weird al yankovic 1 Comment »(*You can find my Comedy Reviews blog here.)
Top 10 Album lists are pretty popular but I’ll be honest: I didn’t listen to enough full albums this year to feel like I really knew what I was talking about. Being a radio guy, I guess I mostly listen to singles. If you want someone who is a real music head, then check out Brad’s year-end best-of list. On the other hand, I did listen to my fair share of comedy albums. I didn’t listen to everything that came out (as of this writing I still haven’t heard the new George Lopez album and I avoid any CD by a member of the Blue Comedy Collar Tour like a Blue Collar Comedy Tour audience member avoids evolution) but I think I caught most everything else that came by. I’ll include clips from the album when I can find them, so just in case you have kids…or office mates…nearby, you may wanna keep an eye on the volume. Most of them contain words that will get your mouth washed out with soap.
10. Stephen Lynch, 3 Balloons
Not my favorite Lynch album, but still worth a mention. I especially enjoyed “Fishin Hole” (Where everyone is a butthole) and “Dear Diary,” a collection of “he didn’t just say that, did he?” tributes to dead celebrities.
9. Greg Giraldo, Midlife Vices
Like most people, I became acquainted with Giraldo through his work on Comedy Central’s Roasts. He’s always teased as “the comic no one has heard of.” Although this is funny because it’s true, it shouldn’t be the case.
8. Jon Lajoie, You Want Some of This
One of four comedians on this list that are comedic songwriters. I used to abhor musical comedians (besides Weird Al) but when they’re funny, they’re funny. LaJoie’s CD not only celebrates the joy of just being a regular guy, but does it to a beat that would get spins on any Top 40 station.
7. Nick Swardson, Seriously, Who Farted?
Swardson, the guy who appears in every Comedy Central show ever, returns to what (I think) he does best. Goofy voices and uncomfortable situations.
6. Christopher Titus, Love is Evol
Released three days after Valentine’s Day, the album is one long rant about someone facing the D-Word: Divorce. As someone who’s been in each phase of this journey, it’s as if someone took everything I didn’t know how to say and said it better. And funnier. I don’t know. Maybe I can just relate because I too once spent some time splitting up with a psycho.
5. Dane Cook, Isolated Incident
Dane Cook got so big so fast, it wasn’t long before the backlash set in. At first he was the cool underground sensation and suddenly he became cool to hate. I don’t get it. If someone’s good, then they’re good. I mean come on, how does he keep coming up with great material…and so much of it! Another double disc. This new collection shows he isn’t just a jokey jokester, but he’s an amazing storyteller.
4. “Weird Al” Yankovic, Internet Leaks
Someone who’s been doing this as long as Al has shouldn’t be on this list. Compared to everyone else on the list, Al’s an old-timer. But his song “CNR” done in the style of the White Stripes and heralding the most surprising of heroes shows he’s still got it.
3. The Lonely Island, Incredibad
My favorite songs on this CD are the ones I hadn’t already seen on SNL. And this CD boasts the best line-up of guest vocalists on any album this year: T-Pain, Jack Black, Norah Jones, Justin Timberlake, Natalie Portman, and Julian Casablancas.
2. Patton Oswalt, My Weakness is Strong
There are some people that are just funny when they’re angry, and Oswalt is one of them. His album starts off with this “I Hate” bit and only gets better.
1. Jim Gaffigan, King Baby
Just when you thought he’d never be able to top his own catch phrase (“Hot Pocket!”) he does it with just one word: bacon.
Can We Get A Volunteer From the Audience….
Posted: July 24, 2009 Filed under: friends, humor | Tags: comedy, improv, national comedy theatre, new york 1 Comment »This is what I love about the internets. Sometimes you come across things you had no idea were there, and sometimes it’s actually something that you’re pleasantly surprised to stumble across (unlike the horrible midget dressed as Michael Jackson dancing in the subway fiasco).
This weekend I’m heading back up to New York to do some improv comedy at the National Comedy Theatre. I was there performing in May and in one of the games we asked for a volunteer from the audience. A bachelorette party had come to the show and the bride-to-be came up on stage to join in the fun. After we had thoroughly exhausted every hilarious opportunity, we thanked her, took a picture with her, and the show went on.
Today I was surfing NCT’s website and came across their show blog, where they have been posting pictures of the volunteers who come on stage during the shows.I started laughing as soon as I saw the picture from that show and memories of me playing her airplane-pilot fiance came flooding back. So enjoy this little blast from the past I didn’t even know was out there.
Live Taped Comedy
Posted: May 21, 2008 Filed under: humor | Tags: comedian, comedy, stand up comedy, standup 1 Comment »Well, if you missed my cool stand-up routine at the Sertoma Chicken BBQ this past weekend, no worries. Video was rolling and I’ll be putting up some clips on YouTube, maybe like 1 clip a week. Instead of harassing my pals here every time I put one up, you may just wanna subscribe to my videos. My YouTube page is right here.
I put the first clip up earlier today. You can watch it by clicking here. And yes, that’s right. I started off my set with an ad lib (always a sign of the greatness that is to follow).
Try not to let the fact that no one is in the audience distract you. Instead focus on the awesome comedy happening before your eyes.
:)
Prove It
Posted: May 10, 2008 Filed under: humor | Tags: comedian, comedy, doctor, funny, proof 1 Comment »It’s weird when people ask what I do and I tell them I do comedy. I think it’s the only profession you can have that actually requires proof from other people.
“You’re a comedian? Say something funny.”
I highly doubt they do this with everyone they meet.
“So, you’re a doctor, huh? Take out my appendix.”
No fair.
Let’s (Not) Sleep On It
Posted: April 14, 2008 Filed under: friends, humor | Tags: comedy, idea, idiot, lazy, national comedy theatre, notebook, sleep Leave a comment »I’ve approached some of my buddies from the National Comedy Theatre about an idea currently bouncing around in my head. Last night as I was falling asleep I had three great ideas for my idea. I was going to get up, grab my “comedy notebook”, and scribble the notions down but I couldn’t get motivated to do more than just think about doing it.
I wasn’t too stressed about it, though, as they were such good ideas I knew I would remember them this morning.
But I didn’t.
I hate being an idiot.
What is Improv?
Posted: April 10, 2008 Filed under: humor | Tags: comedy, improv, manhattan, national comedy theatre, new york, rule of three Leave a comment »What is comedy? What makes something funny? What the heck is the “rule of three?” These are just some of the topics scholars have discussed – and debated – since the dawn of time.
And when improv was discovered (right around the dusk of time) it spurred on deeper queries. My pals up in Manhattan at the National Comedy Theatre shed some light on the topic. Enjoy.
And discuss.
I’ll get you, Jim Gaffigan
Posted: February 6, 2008 Filed under: humor | Tags: bit, comedy, funny, jim gaffigan, material, stand up 2 Comments »About two and a half years ago I wrote a blog about a funny idea I had for my stand-up comedy. I refused to mention what it was about lest one of you online freaks steal my idea.
Well, it happened. I squandered it and sat on it and did nothing with it and wouldn’t you know it, someone else came up with the idea and put it on their last CD and did it well.
Granted, he didn’t do it exactly how I had it in mind — we both go in different directions — but they start off similarly enough that people will probably now think I’m stealing from Jim Gaffigan. I’m not. And I didn’t.
But doggonit anyhow. Oh well. That’s what I get for hiding it under a bushel.
Hello. Care if I bring you down?
Posted: January 9, 2008 Filed under: friends, humor | Tags: comedy, depression, drama, fair weather friend, foul, gossip, rumor 2 Comments »Foul-weather friends. Can’t stand ‘em.
We’re all familiar with the more-popular “fair weather friend,” the people you never ever hear from until something goes well for you. Just ask people who have a lake cottage if they hear from their buddies more often in June or December. You just got a big-screen plasma TV? Great. Guess who’s going to get drop-in visits from his long-lost buddies Sunday afternoon while the game is on? You won the lottery? Super. Your 4th cousin thrice-removed has been trying to get in touch with you.
But I guess I’d rather have a fair-weather friend than a foul-weather friend. At least with fair-weather friends it means something good happened to you.
Not so with the dreaded “fouler.” These are people who consider you a friend (no comment on how you may actually feel about them) who only contact you when they want to stir up some drama. You never get a “how you doing” or a “for the heck of it” call. Nah. What’s the use in that? Can’t use it.
But if someone hurts their feelings or does something they don’t agree with or looks at them the wrong way, then let’s go to the phone lines.
Don’t get me wrong. If my pals are going through a genuinely rough time I’m the first to lend an ear. I want to be there and I want to help. If, however, your diet consists of gossip, rumor, complaining, and drama then please lose my number. Life is wayyyy too short to let the little things get you down.
A couple of weeks ago in church the preacher was talking about a bad day he had. In the morning he was shortchanged $7.00 in a transaction and was unable to get it back. It kind of set things into motion and ruined his day from that point on. We’ve all been there; get the day started on the wrong foot and sometimes it’s hard to get back into rhythm. By the end of the day this guy had thought about this and stewed and pondered over it and then it hit him: He sold his joy for seven bucks.
What kind of state are we in when losing seven dollars or stepping in a puddle or something equally minute can rob us of happiness for an entire day? And if that’s not bad enough, why do we insist on bringing others into our depressing state of mind over nothing?
I’m talking to myself here, not just pointing the finger at others. Misery does indeed love company. But that doesn’t mean company loves misery.
There’s too much in life to laugh at and not enough time to laugh at it all. Instead of getting involved in the drama, why not take time to check out the comedy?
