Cleanup, aisle 8

I just had a couple of things I wanted to clean up, one from the trip to Reno, and one on a more personal note. Sorry, I had notes written down and I missed some things.

Reno, cont.
Well, this is more like Denver and the tarmac while waiting to takeoff. After the 5th or 6th announcement that this was a full flight, a very nice young lady sat in the middle seat, and she was WAY too dressed up for a plane. Granted, she wasn't wearing the customary 'Juicy' sweatpants, which is a nice touch. So I asked why she was so proper...she was going to meet her boyfriend's parents and family for the first time. She may have been 21, barely. But she seemed nervous (seriously, after getting patted down and my bag checked, I think this beard makes me look suspicious-whatever, I'm keeping it). I told her she looked presentable and would be fine, just impress his Mom. I don't make the rules. The only other question I had was how long they were dating-3 months. And they were planning their next vacation together later in the summer. Sorry, maybe I'm terrified and jaded at this whole dating process, so my face belied my surprise. I asked her if she thought that was too early in a relationship.
Her response floored me. "You never know unless you jump in with both feet." Confident, and I only could think 'from the mouths of babes......' and I think she's right. We talked more about that, well, she talked more about it. I learned quite a bit about someone's spirit. Like I stated before, I think she's right. Why half-ass something? I have no idea, but I see it everyday.

What does this mean?
This got me thinking about some of the things that have been happening around me in the last few days-The t-shirt purchase from a band known in Queens being shipped from Worcester, MA, the interview that never happened last Monday-where the guy never showed up and has yet to call me back to reschedule, to the guy from my alumni website who answered my request to talk about the role he has posted almost immediately (this does not happen, at least not to me), to the text messages from friends telling me they miss me, to my Mom telling me she misses me and 'how I handle things'. Signs? Fate? Someone from above talking to me? I have no idea, but I'm listening.

I've been in Denver for almost 13 years, and I've done a great many things. I've met awesome people, even made a few friends. Hell, got one of my best friends to move out here, and now he's married, bought a house and will be a proud Papa come November. I don't know if I have much else to do here. I think, at least right now, that I've grown personally as much as I can here. I miss my family. I miss the miserableness that is New England. Their bitterness is a trademark I can't quite speak of eloquently. We're a tried and true type people. People in Denver are laid back and polite, people from Minnesota are nice, people in California are even more laid back than here in Denver. I wear where I'm from like a badge of honor. Yet ask anyone, and they think I'm a walking contradiction. I'm a conservative, on quite a few issues. People think I'm liberal because I love hip hop and those seeking medical marijuana licenses. My most conservative value is 'leave me alone' and boot-strapping your life. I still believe it isn't how many times you can get knocked down, but if you're getting back up. Denver allowed me to get rid of some baggage. Some was left in Morrison, some in Golden, some in Boulder, and some at various places I've lived. I've let go of some things that won't ever come back.
The question is-where to now? What's the next chapter? Are you sure you're done with this one? How? What about work? It'll all get handled.

My 'Comedy'
there are some that think everything they say to me will get used in my comedy routine. First, please allow me to let you in on a little secret-I haven't done comedy since 10 days before my Pops passed away. I have talked about doing it, but at this point in time, I have no desire. I've done it, got some chuckles, know pretty much all the avenues it could take me. While I'm pretty happy with my life (I know, even while jobless), I don't know if that's an avenue I want to pursue. Sure, I still write stuff down if it hits me, but I don't see me on stage anytime soon.
Second, anything you say or do could be used. Just the nature of the beast. But I have creative license. I doubt I would use anything in a text message, like 99.7% sure it's not usable. You can't see facial expressions or tone thru a text message or email. And, this guy has the best joke about it. Sebastian, take it away:

Sebastian Maniscalco - "Email Protocol" - DVD in Stores Soon - The funniest home videos are here

Third, I will never-NEVER say something on stage that I wouldn't say to your face. If I think you're a nutjob and we didn't end so well as a dating option type thing, I will have told you flat out I think you're crazy. If I don't like the way your lazy stares at me, I will tell you. So, for some out there who think I would talk shit about them, well, I have a blog, where I'd say it, and I would tell you over the phone if we weren't in close proximity or to your face if we were.
Last, I usually don't hide from my feelings, because they are our own version of truth. Sometimes they get the best of us, but if you've got a good gut, you follow it. And whatever happens, happens. Some jokes are great, some are okay, and some are terrible. Just the way it goes, on stage and in life. The latest bit I'm working on is merit badges for dating. I can expound upon that at some other time.

Real quick, I want to take a note and tell Fakers fans to be careful what you wish for. That, and this idea of redemption is bunk. Teams change year over year, I don't care if the 'core' stays, each year is different. Oh, and those championships that George Mikan won in Minneapolis have nothing to do with Los Angeles, so stop tacking it on. Enough of that mess already.

I'm off for the night. Good night to all.