Our son is currently Four and half years old. Old enough to form full sentences, but young enough to not know the limits of the world around him. In short, he makes us laugh....a lot!
Two things happened this past week which come to mind... One morning, my wife is drinking coffee at the breakfast table while our son is having his cereal before heading off to school. My wife dashes to pick up the phone in the other room, reminding our son NOT to touch her coffee because it's hot.
She's back in the kitchen not 20 seconds later and there's our boy - pouring a cup of water INTO his mom's coffee mug. "What are you doing? I asked you not to touch my coffee." He looks up and smiles, pointing to the steam that is now disappearing from the coffe cup. "I'm putting out the fire!", he says proudly. "I'm playing fireman!"
Pretty cute stuff.
Story number TWO: While in a restaurant (Chili's, if you must know) I take my son to the bathroom. Inside the stall, he sits down and dutifully pees. All done - or so I think. He then stands up, and turns around to face the toilet. Why? Because he wants to now pee STANDING UP. (Just like Daddy does!) Of course, being Four, he doesn't quite understand that his bladder is already empty from peeing sitting down just seconds before. He looks down, frustrated and confused. No pee. Nothing.
He looks up at me, rather sadly, and says, "Oh....My penis died!"
I laughed so hard, that I could barely stand up. So unexpected what comes out of kids' mouths! So the next couple minutes was spent trying to explain to a little boy how the body functions when it comes to Pee-Pee & Poo-Poo. What fun!
These stories are just the tip of the iceberg, with many more to come I'm sure. For those of you out there raising your own, enjoy those moments. They are funny, and precious, and fleeting.
God love 'em!
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Renaisance Faire-To-So-So...
Today the cast of FUSION 2 (Our show at the Horizon in Lake Tahoe) took a trip to the Renaisance Faire which takes place here in South Tahoe once a year. I must admit, the setting is beautiful. The grounds are generously sprinkled with pine trees towering over the tents, booths, stages, and crowds. There are zero sightlines of present-day civilization anywhere to be seen, so at times one can truly get the feeling of being in a period-piece or documentary special on PBS.
But then you actually meet the Faire people.
Now it's an easy thing to make fun of this unusual group, and come to think of it, many have. And I'll admit that there are those among them who 'get it' - they don't drown themselves in delusions of the time, hoping it will whisk them away from contemporary life. They are the real, down to earth merchants & performers who work the Ren Faire 'circuit' from coast to coast. Selling their wares and wardropes for good money, offering fencing lessons for a few dollars and singing, dancing, juggling, and cajoling for hard-earned tips.
No, I'm talking about the other ones that come out of the woodwork - Ren Faire termites you might call them. They've worked on their costumes just as much as a Star Wars fan might painstakenly stitch hair after hair onto their Wookie outfit. They're the ones who make a point of chatting up with unsuspecting strangers in "Old English", like Japanese tourists longing to converse with Americans when they visit the states. They feel a strange sense of superiority because most of us can't answer back in the same old dialect. We stutter and stamper, as we're "Lord & Lady'd" to death.
But they're harmless. And truthfully, most of us go to a Ren Faire to people-watch. We'd be extremely bummed if it were as clean and pristine as Disneyland. Where the theme park costuming reeks of simplicity, bordering on almost cartoonish design. Where the name-tagged employees may be working a bavarian themed restaurant, but their accent is all american through and through.
The long and the short of it? We were, as my friend Eric put it, "Just here for a big ol' turkey leg" - Throw back some grog in pewter cups, and watch an endlesss bevy of bossoms flutter about. Ren Faires ARE definitely cleavage-heaven.
Some women push their boobs up so high, that I swear they could rest their chin on them if they wanted. Or have a nice place to carry their lunch. Their dresses are full and I imagine the detailed machinery involved underneath it all that permits the...well, let's call it upliftment. I'm sure structural engineers would be in awe.
All in all, a good day. We got in free, and left with everything intact. The crowds were friendly, the Ren Faire people as a whole were nice and generous. Many were willing to take pictures with us, even though we secretly only wanted proof of their outrageous costumes. Some never quite hit the mark, nor the time period. We discovered several Xena-type women warriors, huns, and quite a few fairies. People who decided that Ren Faires meant strapping a pair of fairy or angel wings to their shoulders. Oh well, not everyone is going to get the concept spot on.
Lords & Ladies? No, I'd much rather stick with the guys & gals of today. But where else are you gonna get a big ol' turkey leg?
But then you actually meet the Faire people.
Now it's an easy thing to make fun of this unusual group, and come to think of it, many have. And I'll admit that there are those among them who 'get it' - they don't drown themselves in delusions of the time, hoping it will whisk them away from contemporary life. They are the real, down to earth merchants & performers who work the Ren Faire 'circuit' from coast to coast. Selling their wares and wardropes for good money, offering fencing lessons for a few dollars and singing, dancing, juggling, and cajoling for hard-earned tips.
No, I'm talking about the other ones that come out of the woodwork - Ren Faire termites you might call them. They've worked on their costumes just as much as a Star Wars fan might painstakenly stitch hair after hair onto their Wookie outfit. They're the ones who make a point of chatting up with unsuspecting strangers in "Old English", like Japanese tourists longing to converse with Americans when they visit the states. They feel a strange sense of superiority because most of us can't answer back in the same old dialect. We stutter and stamper, as we're "Lord & Lady'd" to death.
But they're harmless. And truthfully, most of us go to a Ren Faire to people-watch. We'd be extremely bummed if it were as clean and pristine as Disneyland. Where the theme park costuming reeks of simplicity, bordering on almost cartoonish design. Where the name-tagged employees may be working a bavarian themed restaurant, but their accent is all american through and through.
The long and the short of it? We were, as my friend Eric put it, "Just here for a big ol' turkey leg" - Throw back some grog in pewter cups, and watch an endlesss bevy of bossoms flutter about. Ren Faires ARE definitely cleavage-heaven.
Some women push their boobs up so high, that I swear they could rest their chin on them if they wanted. Or have a nice place to carry their lunch. Their dresses are full and I imagine the detailed machinery involved underneath it all that permits the...well, let's call it upliftment. I'm sure structural engineers would be in awe.
All in all, a good day. We got in free, and left with everything intact. The crowds were friendly, the Ren Faire people as a whole were nice and generous. Many were willing to take pictures with us, even though we secretly only wanted proof of their outrageous costumes. Some never quite hit the mark, nor the time period. We discovered several Xena-type women warriors, huns, and quite a few fairies. People who decided that Ren Faires meant strapping a pair of fairy or angel wings to their shoulders. Oh well, not everyone is going to get the concept spot on.
Lords & Ladies? No, I'd much rather stick with the guys & gals of today. But where else are you gonna get a big ol' turkey leg?
Friday, June 10, 2005
Theater Multi-Tasking?!?!
I know - what's with the title? Well, it'll make sense in a minute. I'm performing a few nights ago and low and behold there's a lady KNITTING in the front row! Now it's not that she was bored, quite the contrary. She was laughing and smiling and applauding and having a great time, but I guess she felt she could 'kill two birds with one stone' so to speak.
She must have thought that theater was the same as watching television back in the fifties....The family gathers around the picture tube and the kids lay on the floor with softdrinks. Father gets to sit in his 'official' Dad's chair and smoke his pipe, while mother knits or does embroidery....Armed with menial tasks, they then sit back and enjoy the nightly television programming.
So by the time our LIVE stage show finished, she was a happy camper, having enjoyed our performance and having finished an entire wool SOCK. Now I know she probably thinks nothing of it, but doesn't she realize there really is something rather rude about knitting in the front row of a theater during a show? I mean, come on, why not vacuum as well? Or soak your feet for that matter?
The sad state of affairs is this....Gone is the respectability of going to the Theater, giving the performers their proper due (or 'props' nowadays) and simply paying 'undivided' attention to what is happening on stage.
Having attended shows and musicals, broadway and off-broadway (and experimental, alternative way-off-off-off-broadway) in New York over the past 20+ years, as a theater-goer I've seen this decline first-hand. Many of us have. A lot of it has to do with everything becoming more and more casual in today's society...and there's nothing wrong with that in and of itself. I'm sure women are glad that the age of corsets are over, and that swimwear can now be as skimpy as a couple of rubberbands and two Post-It notes. Men aren't required to be strangled by ties as much as they used to be. Many companies don't seem to mind people wearing a nice pair of jeans and sneakers, as long as they're clean.
But the casual trend has also brought about a dirge of laziness when it comes to a night on the town. "Hey, I get off work at Six, so I'll swing by and pick you up at 6:30. We'll get a bite to eat at 7:00 and then we'll head straight over to the theater since the show starts promptly at 8:00!" - no time to dress up. No time to impress each other (except for checking your breath and adding another coat of deodorant to your armpits.) Besides, EVERYONE is wearing jeans and sneakers - all of them strolling into major shows on broadway as if they were simply window shopping at the local mall - only difference is, they're clutching a pair of tickets at $125.00 each.
And maybe that's the problem as well. Tickets pices rising so sky high that one feels entitled to dress down because at least they (the theater) can't control that particular aspect of our lives. People thinking to themselves, "I paid almost a week's salary for tonight's dinner and show for the two of us - I'll dress any damn way I want, thank you very much!"
I'm sure theater's dress codes have diminshed as well, since everyone's looking to make more money. Why limit the 'type' of person who goes to the theater if they're willing to plunk down good hard cold cash to come inside? Besides, by getting rid of the dress code, aren't we allowing everyone to enjoy the theater experience? For art is something that.... lofty idealistic ideas of bringing "theater to the masses!".
Which brings me to yet another point. I've joked about this before, but as I get older, I tend to seriously wonder. Since we performers have to 'pay our dues' and have a litany of past experience listed on our resumes, why doesn't an audience member need to show THEIR resume? Would be great, wouldn't it? "Ah yes, I see you've attended several operas and quite a few musicals of some of the top touring companies. And you've been approved by quite a few ushers who have praised you on your silence, attentiveness and positive audience participation during each performance. Well done! Please, PLEASE be our guests!"
Well, my show was over and the crowds were leaving the theater. The rest of the cast and I were standing out in the casino lobby for 'de-greet' or as others call it 'meet-&-greet'. And sure enough, the knitting monster in the front row pulled her family out of the theater; all with big smiles on their faces. They vigerously shook my hand and talked endlessly about how much they enjoyed the show.
I had so much to say to her, but threw on a quiet smile and an almost inaudible 'thank you' for their kind words. As they trotted away onto their next adventure, I couldn't help but wish that a strand of yarn might have slipped from her purse so I could nonchalantly step on it....The knitted sock, slowly, secretly unraveling inside as they walked further and further away. Sometimes a simple daydream will solve things and make everything right with the world.
I walked back into the theater and realized we'd soon have to change our opening announcement to the show: "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Horizon Casino Cabaret Theatre. During this performance we do ask that you refrain from smoking and the use of all cellphones, pagers, beepers...and knitting needles. Thank you, and enjoy the show!"
She must have thought that theater was the same as watching television back in the fifties....The family gathers around the picture tube and the kids lay on the floor with softdrinks. Father gets to sit in his 'official' Dad's chair and smoke his pipe, while mother knits or does embroidery....Armed with menial tasks, they then sit back and enjoy the nightly television programming.
So by the time our LIVE stage show finished, she was a happy camper, having enjoyed our performance and having finished an entire wool SOCK. Now I know she probably thinks nothing of it, but doesn't she realize there really is something rather rude about knitting in the front row of a theater during a show? I mean, come on, why not vacuum as well? Or soak your feet for that matter?
The sad state of affairs is this....Gone is the respectability of going to the Theater, giving the performers their proper due (or 'props' nowadays) and simply paying 'undivided' attention to what is happening on stage.
Having attended shows and musicals, broadway and off-broadway (and experimental, alternative way-off-off-off-broadway) in New York over the past 20+ years, as a theater-goer I've seen this decline first-hand. Many of us have. A lot of it has to do with everything becoming more and more casual in today's society...and there's nothing wrong with that in and of itself. I'm sure women are glad that the age of corsets are over, and that swimwear can now be as skimpy as a couple of rubberbands and two Post-It notes. Men aren't required to be strangled by ties as much as they used to be. Many companies don't seem to mind people wearing a nice pair of jeans and sneakers, as long as they're clean.
But the casual trend has also brought about a dirge of laziness when it comes to a night on the town. "Hey, I get off work at Six, so I'll swing by and pick you up at 6:30. We'll get a bite to eat at 7:00 and then we'll head straight over to the theater since the show starts promptly at 8:00!" - no time to dress up. No time to impress each other (except for checking your breath and adding another coat of deodorant to your armpits.) Besides, EVERYONE is wearing jeans and sneakers - all of them strolling into major shows on broadway as if they were simply window shopping at the local mall - only difference is, they're clutching a pair of tickets at $125.00 each.
And maybe that's the problem as well. Tickets pices rising so sky high that one feels entitled to dress down because at least they (the theater) can't control that particular aspect of our lives. People thinking to themselves, "I paid almost a week's salary for tonight's dinner and show for the two of us - I'll dress any damn way I want, thank you very much!"
I'm sure theater's dress codes have diminshed as well, since everyone's looking to make more money. Why limit the 'type' of person who goes to the theater if they're willing to plunk down good hard cold cash to come inside? Besides, by getting rid of the dress code, aren't we allowing everyone to enjoy the theater experience? For art is something that.... lofty idealistic ideas of bringing "theater to the masses!".
Which brings me to yet another point. I've joked about this before, but as I get older, I tend to seriously wonder. Since we performers have to 'pay our dues' and have a litany of past experience listed on our resumes, why doesn't an audience member need to show THEIR resume? Would be great, wouldn't it? "Ah yes, I see you've attended several operas and quite a few musicals of some of the top touring companies. And you've been approved by quite a few ushers who have praised you on your silence, attentiveness and positive audience participation during each performance. Well done! Please, PLEASE be our guests!"
Well, my show was over and the crowds were leaving the theater. The rest of the cast and I were standing out in the casino lobby for 'de-greet' or as others call it 'meet-&-greet'. And sure enough, the knitting monster in the front row pulled her family out of the theater; all with big smiles on their faces. They vigerously shook my hand and talked endlessly about how much they enjoyed the show.
I had so much to say to her, but threw on a quiet smile and an almost inaudible 'thank you' for their kind words. As they trotted away onto their next adventure, I couldn't help but wish that a strand of yarn might have slipped from her purse so I could nonchalantly step on it....The knitted sock, slowly, secretly unraveling inside as they walked further and further away. Sometimes a simple daydream will solve things and make everything right with the world.
I walked back into the theater and realized we'd soon have to change our opening announcement to the show: "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Horizon Casino Cabaret Theatre. During this performance we do ask that you refrain from smoking and the use of all cellphones, pagers, beepers...and knitting needles. Thank you, and enjoy the show!"
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Snow?!!! In JUNE?!!! In TAHOE?!!!!
During our shows last night we opened the back door of the hallway which leads to the dressingrooms. It gets rather hot backstage, so opening an outside doorr a crack usually helps. Except, instead of cold, we got SNOW! I swore we were being 'Punk'd" - But there it was, white fluffy snowflakes falling and sticking to the ground, actually covering the sidewalks, trees and grass!
Reminded me of two Xmas's ago when I was performing in Vegas and my 4 year old son ran into our bedroom in the morning to announce that it had snowed outside. Yeah, right kid. But sure enough, the ENTIRE VEGAS AREA was blanketed with the white stuff. Very cool - Vegas never looked better. But it did feel like looking at a bride who shouldn't be wearing white. Vegas isn't exactly the clean, wholesome suburbs. (Even though the locals would love to tout it as such.)
Today is our 'dark' day - The show's 'day off'. I'm running around Reno, picking up things that you just can't find in Tahoe...supplies for the shows, etc...So, nothing much exciting - and the snow has now disappeared thanks to the sunny skies. But it was cool while it lasted.
More to come!
Chipper
Reminded me of two Xmas's ago when I was performing in Vegas and my 4 year old son ran into our bedroom in the morning to announce that it had snowed outside. Yeah, right kid. But sure enough, the ENTIRE VEGAS AREA was blanketed with the white stuff. Very cool - Vegas never looked better. But it did feel like looking at a bride who shouldn't be wearing white. Vegas isn't exactly the clean, wholesome suburbs. (Even though the locals would love to tout it as such.)
Today is our 'dark' day - The show's 'day off'. I'm running around Reno, picking up things that you just can't find in Tahoe...supplies for the shows, etc...So, nothing much exciting - and the snow has now disappeared thanks to the sunny skies. But it was cool while it lasted.
More to come!
Chipper
Friday, June 03, 2005
Let the PR begin! Gentlemen, start your mediums!
Our show has been running now for over a month, and it's been getting great reviews. Crowds are growing nicely as we head towards the busy summer season. We've had great write-ups in the local mags, and I even got drafted as a celebrity film reviewer for the local tv station, as I came out of the STAR WARS movie. (the Wednesday midnight showing of course, since I'm a complete Sci-fi geek....granted, no costume or lightsaber accessories. That for others, so we can enjoy the 'people watching' or is that 'alien watching'? They certainly stand-out, as they're the ones who DIDN'T bring a date to the film.)
I've got a TV interview tomorrow with host, Howie Nave. Great guy, who also appears at the IMPROV over at Harvey's/Harrah's casino resort here in Tahoe. I've worked that particular IMPROV 3-4 times now, and it's always a blast. Another great room for comedy and the audiences are there to have a good time.
More to come.
Chipper
I've got a TV interview tomorrow with host, Howie Nave. Great guy, who also appears at the IMPROV over at Harvey's/Harrah's casino resort here in Tahoe. I've worked that particular IMPROV 3-4 times now, and it's always a blast. Another great room for comedy and the audiences are there to have a good time.
More to come.
Chipper
Tahoe! Just smell the air! Aaaaaaaaah....
Hello there! Well, this is Chipper once again, coming to you from beautiful Lake Tahoe - where the air is clear, the lake is crystal blue and the sky is filled with nothing but rainbows. Well, okay, maybe not filled with rainbows, but I swear I saw one just last week and it appeared on cue as if I was living a real-life version of the Truman Show.
I'm currently starring in a great show called "FUSION II" here at the Horizon Casino. I've worked here twice before about 8+ years ago, and the theater still has such a wonderful intimate feel about it. Perfect size for comedy and interacting with the audience. The show also stars illusionist Alexander, and comedy magician Eric Buss. Must also mention Alexander's incredible assistant, Pamela. Great cast and crew! Not to mention the hotel employees are so supportive and nice! You don't find that everywhere you work, and so you become quite thankful for fun gigs like this!
There are a couple links people have requested, so here they are:
http://www.chipper.tv
This is my official website containing everything you'd want to know about little ol' me, including schedule, news, reviews, quotes, pix, etc... Hope you enjoy it! The other one is currently being built at:
http://www.chippershow.com OR http://www.thechippershow.com
This is the soon-to-be home of our full evening show which tours from time to time. Show includes original comedy magic, music and variety arts skills. It's done very well, breaking a few box office records and requests for repeat bookings almost immediately. There are some cool tours we'll be doing soon, and they will be posted in the weeks to come. Stop by often to see what the website looks like after the construction dust settles a bit.
I hope to jot down some fun tidbits from time to time while I'm here in the show. Although I can't commit to a daily dirge of ditties, I will try to slap something together every 4-5 days. As always, if you have any comments or questions, please don't hesitate to email me, either through any of the above websites, or simply use: lowellprod@adelphia.net
Take care my friends, and accept no wooden nickels!
signing off,
Chipper
I'm currently starring in a great show called "FUSION II" here at the Horizon Casino. I've worked here twice before about 8+ years ago, and the theater still has such a wonderful intimate feel about it. Perfect size for comedy and interacting with the audience. The show also stars illusionist Alexander, and comedy magician Eric Buss. Must also mention Alexander's incredible assistant, Pamela. Great cast and crew! Not to mention the hotel employees are so supportive and nice! You don't find that everywhere you work, and so you become quite thankful for fun gigs like this!
There are a couple links people have requested, so here they are:
http://www.chipper.tv
This is my official website containing everything you'd want to know about little ol' me, including schedule, news, reviews, quotes, pix, etc... Hope you enjoy it! The other one is currently being built at:
http://www.chippershow.com OR http://www.thechippershow.com
This is the soon-to-be home of our full evening show which tours from time to time. Show includes original comedy magic, music and variety arts skills. It's done very well, breaking a few box office records and requests for repeat bookings almost immediately. There are some cool tours we'll be doing soon, and they will be posted in the weeks to come. Stop by often to see what the website looks like after the construction dust settles a bit.
I hope to jot down some fun tidbits from time to time while I'm here in the show. Although I can't commit to a daily dirge of ditties, I will try to slap something together every 4-5 days. As always, if you have any comments or questions, please don't hesitate to email me, either through any of the above websites, or simply use: lowellprod@adelphia.net
Take care my friends, and accept no wooden nickels!
signing off,
Chipper
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
