Men in ShirtsApril 21, 2005
PIF Recap
So I sit. A hot girl walks in, mocks me for a minute, and I sit. I think about the festival, but I get easily distracted. Watch a movie. Do some laundry. Ear kisses by a hot girl. Easy distractions, easy to forget about tomorrow’s trip. There’s a lot to think about too; job loss, college, closing out a hot Saturday night at the fest. So I sit. Grab the closest wireless internet, find some porn, and distract myself again. Comments from a hot girl, but no more ear kisses, I guess her interest is only temporary. My mind is racing 100mph, like a metaphor that I can’t come up with right now. Tomorrow is the trip. Improv is the winner. I hope I live up to expectations. I will, because I’m lucky. I’m a rock star, surrounded by rock stars. Why else would you be reading this, for the hot girl?
The agenda for a festival is simple. No death. No incarceration. If those two things have to happen do them after the show. This time the agenda has some family thrown in, and some teaching….yeah teaching improv, ladies & gents it can be done, and anyone can learn, so seek out a little education (www.improvolympic.com) (www.improvinferno.com). Not sure how much drinking is going to fit in, but I’m sure I’ll squeeze it in somewhere. Tic….tok…7pm in Phoenix, 18 hrs, I’ll be there too.
Traveling to Phoenix has been a treat in the past. Once I got stuck in Denver overnight going to Phoenix, and Chicago overnight, coming back. That was the last time I flew stand-bye without a previously purchased ticket.
Since, I’ve always flown America West (www.americawest.com) good price, good service, on-time, overall an excellent airline, I was surprised when I waited in line for 45 minutes to actually speak to a ticket agent. I got off easy though, the person behind me, just wanted to pay cash for her previously reserved tickets. She also stood for 45 minutes, I heard the agent as I was walking away tell her.
”I’m sorry, you can’t arrive an hour before flight time and expect to get on a flight, your going to have to go stand-bye on later flight.”
Damn….competition for the flight. Stop. Get some airport food, a coffee. Smoke.
I’m excited, this is my 3rd trip to PIF, and I miss those catz. Tonight is the premiere of Hemi and the Buzz, an idea that was born in Phoenix, hit puberty in Chicago, and had its first beer in Miami.
Ocean’s Twelve is the in-flight movie, on the 11 am flight. Woot! I’ll arrive in Phoenix a full 7 hours earlier than I originally booked. Unfortunately, the lady who was behind me in line missed her 8am flight, did not get on this one either. Well, at least she can have my flight, at 7pm.
Things will go by quickly after I arrive. I’ll write more later.
Tommy Cannon – our den mother, picks me up right on time, a quick picture with him with a puppet, and we are on our way to the hotel. No baggage, no waiting, the only delay is me stopping to enjoy a smoke after the plane ride. Tommy is the coolest, he writes for some Chinese cartoon (in English, they translate for him), and he just finished a screenplay for the same folks. He does this all while puppeteering, which is like racketeering only with puppets.
Theatre – The theatre is in walking distance from the hotel, rock. Tommy points it out on the way to the hotel. It looks like a skateboard, and is imprinted glow-in-the-dark style on my fancy new PIF t-shirt.
Walk through the doors, quick hello’s, acquire my room key, and settle in. Where’s Chuck? He’s 15 minutes from his next class, and hungry. I am too. Burger King, Joe Bills class, not much is better than eating & learning at the same time.
I struggled through class, but it was sooo true. Quick bits of genius, followed by simple and excellent excersizes. This class was my second introduction into the “cross-fade” style edits, I struggled, but it was different, and great.
Spend time with family. Eat. Shower. Walk to theatre. See shows. I missed COG twice. Fuck. Cool. Neutrino is just beginning. It’s been a long time, I’m excited. Rock. They’ve started. Damn. Every time I see them, I’m amazed. The whole concept blows me away. This time was no different. From the skinny naked man in the bathroom, to the gimp crossing the street, to actually chewing smokeless tobacco for the better of the show, it was extremely cool. My favorite moment....Park. PARK! Hiiiiliarious.
Baby was outstanding as usual. It was during their show that I started watching the audience, it was filled with old ladies, some improvisors, and the occasional "hipster". The reactions throughout the fest were mixed, but during Baby Wants Candy everyone was stuck eyes forward. It was quite amusing.
To Circle K for some Red Bull. God love ya Tommy.
The Hemi show was fun. I love Jokyr & Jesster, and it was great to be able to work with them. I hope we do it again soon. There were so many fun moments. Thanks guys.
Lose at poker, drink tequila, drink whiskey, sleep. Wake. Continental breakfast with the fam. Discuss the lesson plan. Time to get to class.
The class was great. I think we had 18 students. We spilled a little into a tech rehearsal, but only 5 minutes, and they were very understanding. Then we stood outside and answered some questions and ran a discussion. Everybody was so good, some stars shone for sure, but overall they all committed the entire class. They were tired and trying and working and it was tits.
There were many friendly faces. Hung out with old friends (you know who you are) and made new ones to hang with (far to briefly). Got to see my original teachers from what seems so long ago. Lectured and got lectured, and rightfully so.
Hotel. Nap. Dinner. Red Bull. Warm-up. Show. I love working with Chuck. Nuff said.
Pam, it was nice to put a face to the name, and I hope to see you sometime on your home turf. Speaking of Seattle, I must mention The Election Show catz. Those fellas crack me up, and are always a blast to hang with. I’ll see you catz soon, that’s for sure.
Beers. Bullshit. Continental breakfast with the fam. School planning. Plane ride home.
The in-flight movie was “National Treasure”. Home, sleep. Hot girl.
I am so proud of all of those Phoenix folks. This year boasted biggest crowds to date, quality shows, and excellent workshops, and that doesn’t even begin to touch on all the amazing staff. You guys kick ass. Stacy, chin-up. Jose, you rule. Mark lights & sound = good, thank you. Shane, poker shark fucker ass. All those I didn’t mention, I’m sorry, so much in 3 days. Tommy, I have you to thank for every where I got to on time, and I couldn’t ask for better company on the tour. Bill – Remember “Nothing much” You are the best. Thanks for a great time for the third time. Next year should be even better.
Hatz off PIF catz.
Posted by Clifton at April 21, 2005 06:28 PM