Me

  • There’s No Business Like Show Business

    “Let’s start from the very beginning A very good place to start…” I grew up on musical comedies.  Songs from “Cabaret” to “A Chorus Line” to “All That Jazz” resonated throughout our house. The voices of Marni Nixon, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews and Paul Robeson poured from the speakers along with those awesome overtures that…

  • The Show!

    As you may have heard, I was in my first improv show on Friday.  It was FANTASTIC!  (Yes, an all caps worthy kind of performance.)  I must admit, I am in complete and total awe of my classmates who got up there and created an amazingly fun and entertaining show along with the help of some super…

  • The Rehearsal

    We had our first run through of our 301 Improv show yesterday.  (Did I mention there’s a show coming up?  March 11th, 10pm? Get your tickets now before they sell out (and they will sell out).  The place only seats about 50 and I want you there versus some crazy co-worker who got wind of…

  • I Am a Mighty Maker of Things!

    Simple Pleasures Originally uploaded by Big Blue Mess My grandmother sewed, my father sewed (and does carpentry and codes and is a professor and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and gardens and has a bee hive (with actual bees, not the hairstyle – well, not around mixed company) and studies Permaculture), my step-mother sews/draws/paints/takes photographs, and…

  • Geeks Hate Gold Farmers

    I’m a geek.  This is neither exciting nor particularly news.  It’s just a statement of fact and almost all of you who read this site are completely unphased by this revelation.  Here’s my story: I’m one of those socially retarded (oh, I’m sorry if that’s offensive, it was clearly an attack on some woman’s child in Alaska,…

  • The Laborious Birth of a Tribute

    Post the family’s Thanksgiving get together, I was driving down Mopac listening to KGSR wrapped in the afterglow of all the well wishes, good conversation and great food.  I had 40 minutes of music and in-my-head time and I started thinking about how great my friends and family are. While under the influence of a…

  • Sam’s Week: I’m Insane(er)

    Sam Originally uploaded by Big Blue Mess It finally happened, Sam’s knee went out again and my stomach landed around my ankles. I called the surgeon’s office, had Jay drop her off the next day and then waited and waited to find out what happened. My work day ended with no news so I ended…

  • A Nice Long Weekend

    Evan Smith & P.J. O’Rourke Originally uploaded by Big Blue Mess Normally, I really don’t like imposing on my friends or asking for favors, but when a friend of mine started reading a blurb for an upcoming taping of “Overheard with Evan Smith” at KLRU, our local PBS station and my former employer, I was…

  • Say “Cheese”

    I have a great smile.  You may be shocked at the immodesty of that statement, but of all the things I believe about myself it is that one thing – I have a great smile.  I have high cheekbones, full lips, straight teeth and dimples.  When I smile, my eyes crinkle up and I can…

  • What is Improv? A 101er’s Perspective

    Lori’s Has Some Questions: Lori, author of the Dotopotamus, friend and former colleague from my PBS days, recently commented on my post titled BRAINZZZ! – a post where I asked my friends for blog suggestions/ideas for ways to improve The Big Blue Mess (it’s still not too late to send those my way).  Lori asked…