I should be writing more on the internet, but I’ve been busy.
In the month of June, Second Stories bid farewell to Steve, Toiling in Obscurity made the paper, Beverly shared her favorite lowfat recipes in the Gayborhood, and I joined the Dumpsta Players, learned a dance part, and performed in “Mrs. Miller’s Coffee, Tea, or Me Party.” I also went to a reading that I wasn’t in charge of for the first time in a while, attended a baby shower (uncharacteristic!), forced Jeremy to celebrate his birthday, caught up with a few friends, and a lot of banana bread.
I think I covered Second Stories adequately, so on to the rest of it:
June 18th’s Toiling in Obscurity was one of our best. I say this after almost every show, but I would like to think it speaks more to the quality of the shows I put on, and of the material and performers involved than it does to anything else. It was delightfully crowded, though I’m not sure if it was on the legs of that Philly Weekly mention or the fact that Lee Klein was performing. 
We had some notables in the audience, which would have made me feel a lot cooler if I hadn’t been their barista/counter girl for several years in college. At least, I would have felt cooler if I hadn’t brought that up.
Each performer was introduced by a speech. Before Jeremy read, he rose from the dead, the “’Nova!” cries of Tim’s frat-boy eulogy lifting him from the tables he’d been lying upon. He read the new, improved (and still thrilling, after all these years) opening to Last of The Blue Blazers, which he originally read at our first show in 2008. It was different enough that those of us who were familiar were still surprised.
Sarah’s flustered bridesmaid stalled for time before Becca Trabin read her hilarious West Philly allegory.
Jeremy introduced Lee, our political candidate, who read a story written especially for the show about certain events occurring after the March show, and party at my house. I can’t pass 10th and Federal now without calling it “Cheesesteak Gardens.”
Jan and Micah, some of the best friends a show could ask for, proudly introduced their son, Tinmouth, on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah. Then, he played some songs.
After the break, I demonstrated my knowledge of high school-level Spanish by reading a speech in French, commemorating Bastille Day. Then, Doogie Horner explained, using Final Four style brackets, which U.S. President was best, determined by physical altercations. The winner? James Madison.
Then, Doogie introduced Steve with a poem on the occasion of his retirement, and Steve told a story about soldiers stationed abroad and some “weapons grade LSD.” If you caught that both he and Lee used that phrase, you won!
Christian warned the otherworldly visitor that her life was at risk, and then, I read. I usually put myself last for a couple of reasons:
1. I am kind of a bummer. Who wants to follow the misery train?
2. It seems only fair that, as organizer, I get the least sober audience.
The downside of that is that if my friends can only stop in for a little while, or if the smoke is too much, they don’t end up sticking around for my actual story. Someday, friends! Someday!
After Toiling, my attention went toward the Dumpstas. I had a very small, non-speaking role in their show that turned out to be really fun. It was a very interesting experience walking into an already-formed group, given instructions, and told to go for it. I’m not used to working “for” anyone these days. I’m either doing my own shows, or I’m doing comedy in shows where I’m expected to show up with my material, perform it, and hang out. It was a little weird, but not in a bad way. It’s good to branch out.
And everything else? I got to spend lots of time with people I like, managed not to ruin a baby shower for my friends whose future child I promise I will try very hard not to fear, got in the paper, no matter how backhanded, and, oh, yeah, someone’s going to put a story I wrote online sometime soon. A good month, all-around.