I’ll let you decide. Here is a picture from our clown outing last Tuesday night. What a good looking bunch of clowns, if I do say so myself!
Which one am I? Well…okay….you talked me into it - Pink hat, red vest, far left.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
DMG goes WIRELESS!…and I’m not talking undergarments…
Major milestone in the DMG household this week! After years of suffering with dial up, we’ve finally taken the plunge and upgraded to DSL and a wireless modem.
I don’t really know what that means….it’s all magic to me. There’s a new box on the computer downstairs that blinks a lot. Pretty lights…good! It’s great not to be tied down with cables and the new connection is screaming-mimi fast! Checking my e-mail is a five minute operation instead of 10-15.
We have a few bugs to work out – still having issues with the phone lines. One thing we’ve noticed is when people call the house, the phone rings twice and then drops the call without going to the answering machine. Hmmm…not necessarily a bad thing given the political season but don’t want to get a reputation of being antisocial with our friends. Hopefully we’ll have all of our wireless issues solved in a few more days.
Picture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Gluehbirne_2_db.jpg
Thursday, October 26, 2006
I love the smell of grease paint in the morning!
Actually, as near as I can tell grease paint doesn't smell...but I digress.
I know you are all giddy with anticipation to find out how my very first clown outing went Tuesday night. I had this post all typed up and ready to go Wednesday but Blogger was uncooperative. I am happy to report that clowning went very well and I had an absolute blast! (I think I might just have to try this again....)
Attack of the clowns
Our class made arrangements to clown at a local party goods story. With Halloween a week away, we were guaranteed plenty of victims...uh...I mean..."clowning opportunities!"
True to form, I was running early and was the first one there (Dang it!). Being the big chicken I am, I took a few laps around the parking lot and then found a space close (but not too close) to the door so I could watch for the other clowns. I had just made up my mind to walk (slooooowly walk) towards the door when our instructor pulled into the parking lot (huge sigh of relief!). As sure as God made little green apples, I was NOT going to walk into the store and run the risk of being the only clown there!
So we walked in and scoped the place out. Took a bit for the rest of our class to assemble and then it was show time! At first, we were all in one big clown cluster (nut cluster?) and it was difficult to clown. I needed to find my place in the sun so I wandered away and looked for an opportunity to do my schtick.
Yes - I have schtick now and I'm actually pretty excited about it, thank you very much!
I found a few customers and did my thing. Did my "thumb bunny" gag for a baby and while the baby was unimpressed (at least he didn't cry) I did get a sincere, "Awwww! Isn't that cute!" from the parents.
Then my instructor (Dude! If you're reading this we've got to think of a blog nickname for you!) came over and encouraged me to make some balloons.
Side Note: Our instructor is great! He’s like the Obi Wan Kanobi of clowning, “Use the Farce!”
Mommy, look at the clowns!
The balloons went fairly well - had to ad lib on a flower but eh!...what do they know! By then I was starting to get more comfortable and into the swing of things. I did my disappearing scarf trick a few times and general silliness.
The hardest part of the night was the initial approach. Tried handing out stickers at first as an opening but figured out it was more of a hindrance than a help. Once I knew people were receptive and eager to see me do my thing, it was a lot easier. It was also really helpful when the clowns could play off of each other.
Ran into my pastor's wife...
PW: (laughing) So what's new?
DMG: Oh….not much!
She liked my clown and laughed at my cowboy joke. Okay – so it was more of a chuckle than a laugh but I’ll take it!
Happy happy – joy joy!
The hour flew by and I really didn’t want to leave when we were done but we had one more stop to make. The local clown alley, Korn Patch Klowns, was having its monthly meeting and the whole class was invited to attend. Lots of very friendly and funny people who were as excited to see us as we were to be there! It was a great night!
I am still just a one trick clown but my instructor (Dude! Maybe I should just call you "Dude"…or “Obi Wan”…?) said he will teach me some more magic. I guarantee more clowney adventures to come!
Oh - and for those asking for a picture. Yes - pictures were taken Tuesday night and yes I will post one as soon as I can get a copy!
Stay tuned!
Actually, as near as I can tell grease paint doesn't smell...but I digress.
I know you are all giddy with anticipation to find out how my very first clown outing went Tuesday night. I had this post all typed up and ready to go Wednesday but Blogger was uncooperative. I am happy to report that clowning went very well and I had an absolute blast! (I think I might just have to try this again....)
Attack of the clowns
Our class made arrangements to clown at a local party goods story. With Halloween a week away, we were guaranteed plenty of victims...uh...I mean..."clowning opportunities!"
True to form, I was running early and was the first one there (Dang it!). Being the big chicken I am, I took a few laps around the parking lot and then found a space close (but not too close) to the door so I could watch for the other clowns. I had just made up my mind to walk (slooooowly walk) towards the door when our instructor pulled into the parking lot (huge sigh of relief!). As sure as God made little green apples, I was NOT going to walk into the store and run the risk of being the only clown there!
So we walked in and scoped the place out. Took a bit for the rest of our class to assemble and then it was show time! At first, we were all in one big clown cluster (nut cluster?) and it was difficult to clown. I needed to find my place in the sun so I wandered away and looked for an opportunity to do my schtick.
Yes - I have schtick now and I'm actually pretty excited about it, thank you very much!
I found a few customers and did my thing. Did my "thumb bunny" gag for a baby and while the baby was unimpressed (at least he didn't cry) I did get a sincere, "Awwww! Isn't that cute!" from the parents.
Then my instructor (Dude! If you're reading this we've got to think of a blog nickname for you!) came over and encouraged me to make some balloons.
Side Note: Our instructor is great! He’s like the Obi Wan Kanobi of clowning, “Use the Farce!”
Mommy, look at the clowns!
The balloons went fairly well - had to ad lib on a flower but eh!...what do they know! By then I was starting to get more comfortable and into the swing of things. I did my disappearing scarf trick a few times and general silliness.
The hardest part of the night was the initial approach. Tried handing out stickers at first as an opening but figured out it was more of a hindrance than a help. Once I knew people were receptive and eager to see me do my thing, it was a lot easier. It was also really helpful when the clowns could play off of each other.
Ran into my pastor's wife...
PW: (laughing) So what's new?
DMG: Oh….not much!
She liked my clown and laughed at my cowboy joke. Okay – so it was more of a chuckle than a laugh but I’ll take it!
Happy happy – joy joy!
The hour flew by and I really didn’t want to leave when we were done but we had one more stop to make. The local clown alley, Korn Patch Klowns, was having its monthly meeting and the whole class was invited to attend. Lots of very friendly and funny people who were as excited to see us as we were to be there! It was a great night!
I am still just a one trick clown but my instructor (Dude! Maybe I should just call you "Dude"…or “Obi Wan”…?) said he will teach me some more magic. I guarantee more clowney adventures to come!
Oh - and for those asking for a picture. Yes - pictures were taken Tuesday night and yes I will post one as soon as I can get a copy!
Stay tuned!
Sunday, October 22, 2006
The fears of a clown
We have one final clown class on Tuesday night. This is the class when we all go out for some real world clowning – a road test of sorts.
No, we are not all going in the same car although that would be pretty funny.
My costume and makeup are ready. I can do the disappearing scarf trick and I'm working on a bouncing hankie gag. If I can put together a couple more gags or jokes I think I’ll be ready… physically ready anyway, mentally I could use some work. I’m not quaking in my clown shoes yet but I am starting to get a little nervous.
What if I freeze up (a clown in headlights)? What if the kids don’t laugh? Or worse, what if I make the kids cry and the parents angry?!?!? Maybe someone should notify the local child psychologists….
Anyway, these are the things currently keeping me up at night. It’s one thing to be funny when no one sees it coming…it’s quite another when everyone expects you to be funny.
Iowa homecoming pics
Hubby got a little carried away snapping pics of the Iowa Hawkeye’s newly remodled Kinnick stadium. These pics will probably only be of interest to other Hawkeye fans or college football aficionados. Enjoy!
We have one final clown class on Tuesday night. This is the class when we all go out for some real world clowning – a road test of sorts.
No, we are not all going in the same car although that would be pretty funny.
My costume and makeup are ready. I can do the disappearing scarf trick and I'm working on a bouncing hankie gag. If I can put together a couple more gags or jokes I think I’ll be ready… physically ready anyway, mentally I could use some work. I’m not quaking in my clown shoes yet but I am starting to get a little nervous.
What if I freeze up (a clown in headlights)? What if the kids don’t laugh? Or worse, what if I make the kids cry and the parents angry?!?!? Maybe someone should notify the local child psychologists….
Anyway, these are the things currently keeping me up at night. It’s one thing to be funny when no one sees it coming…it’s quite another when everyone expects you to be funny.
Iowa homecoming pics
Hubby got a little carried away snapping pics of the Iowa Hawkeye’s newly remodled Kinnick stadium. These pics will probably only be of interest to other Hawkeye fans or college football aficionados. Enjoy!
This is a statue of Nile Kinnick - the football player the stadium was named after.
Even the outside of the stadium got a facelift.
The new press box is huge!!!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Out of pocket…No phone, no lights, no motor cars….
Okay – it wasn’t that bad but I was without internet access this week. I had to go to a conference in beautiful Banff, Canada and I didn’t take my lap top with me. The last time I flew, Homeland Security wasn’t the most accommodating and I didn’t want to give them any reason to hold me up (e.g. body cavity search) so I tried to travel light. I had hoped to post while on the road but I couldn’t get the hotel’s internet television to work.
The conference was very good, the scenery fabulous and the hotel reminiscent of Hogwarts castle from Harry Potter (will try to post pictures at some point). The trip home, however, was a total a$$ pain.
Travel trauma
One delayed flight turned into a canceled flight, which meant I had to fly standby for another flight, which of course was delayed…yadda yadda yadda… So long story short, my flight was so late I was suppose to get home 8pm last night but didn’t get home until 3:15am this morning. Yes folks – 9 hours of travel trauma in the Chicago airport will make you a wee cranky.
I have many funny stories to post about my trip but I am a walking zombie today so I will only tell you one.
MOOSE!
While taking the airport shuttle from Banff to Calgary I chatted with a young woman from Japan who was vacationing with her family. We talked about the weather and the mountains and traveling – as much as her English would allow her seeing as how my Japanese is limited to domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.
I commented about the wild life and said I had wanted to see a moose but had not. She said, “Ah!” and held her hands up to both sides of her head, fingers spread, “Moose?” I repeated the gesture - the international sign for moose - and said, “Yes…moose!” This of course set us off giggling for several minutes. I am very happy I could do my part as a goodwill ambassador.
I am at home today recovering and catching up on my work e-mail. I still have some pics from the University of Iowa homecoming. I will post those later.
DMG over and out…
Pictures: www.wikipedia.com
Thursday, October 05, 2006
The sound of one hand clapping...
At present, that would be me. I am at the midway point of a particularly nasty headcold, which means I have laryngitis. Yesterday, I felt like death on a hot plate. I feel much better today but inexplicably sound worse. My colds always go this route. There are some benefits - particular for those who have to deal with me in person because I am forced to talk less and listen more. My dear blog readers, however, will continue to suffer as my present condition does not prevent me from typing.
BUH-WAH-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!
Things that sound dirty in clown class but really aren't
Hoo-boy! I could really go to town on this one but I think I will follow This Pastor's Wife's lead and let my more genteel and demure side shine through...Stop laughing! I do so have a genteel and demure side!!!
Okay - maybe just one...
"Now I'm going to show you some pocket magic!"
(*snicker!*)
So much for genteel and demure...
Me and the new guy
An emergency communication, you say? Take a number. We are already short staffed due to resignations and then this week we had a person out on vacation, another on maternity leave, one out for professional development and another guy out for two days with pnemonia. At one point, it was down to me and the new guy. Even without my cube window I was ranking senior editor...(*gasp!*)
The new guy is pretty cool even if he doesn't get my pop culture references. Not sure how much longer I'll be able to call him the new guy. He's been here since the end of July so maybe I need to make up a new blog nickname for him. Any suggestions?
Hawkeye Land
We're off to Iowa City tomorrow for the University of Iowa homecoming. Hubby used to play trombone in the marching band and we go back every year so he can play with the alumni band (Fossil Band). They're televising the game so you might actually see him. Watch for the trombone player with the yellow and black striped trombone.
Later days!
At present, that would be me. I am at the midway point of a particularly nasty headcold, which means I have laryngitis. Yesterday, I felt like death on a hot plate. I feel much better today but inexplicably sound worse. My colds always go this route. There are some benefits - particular for those who have to deal with me in person because I am forced to talk less and listen more. My dear blog readers, however, will continue to suffer as my present condition does not prevent me from typing.
BUH-WAH-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!
Things that sound dirty in clown class but really aren't
Hoo-boy! I could really go to town on this one but I think I will follow This Pastor's Wife's lead and let my more genteel and demure side shine through...Stop laughing! I do so have a genteel and demure side!!!
Okay - maybe just one...
"Now I'm going to show you some pocket magic!"
(*snicker!*)
So much for genteel and demure...
Me and the new guy
An emergency communication, you say? Take a number. We are already short staffed due to resignations and then this week we had a person out on vacation, another on maternity leave, one out for professional development and another guy out for two days with pnemonia. At one point, it was down to me and the new guy. Even without my cube window I was ranking senior editor...(*gasp!*)
The new guy is pretty cool even if he doesn't get my pop culture references. Not sure how much longer I'll be able to call him the new guy. He's been here since the end of July so maybe I need to make up a new blog nickname for him. Any suggestions?
Hawkeye Land
We're off to Iowa City tomorrow for the University of Iowa homecoming. Hubby used to play trombone in the marching band and we go back every year so he can play with the alumni band (Fossil Band). They're televising the game so you might actually see him. Watch for the trombone player with the yellow and black striped trombone.
Later days!
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