Still bad enough that I almost threw up my oatmeal that morning, but I kept drinking water and managed to keep down my breakfast. Then I had a half pound cheese burger on a bomb ass pretzel bun. BOMB ass pretzel bun. Bomb ASS. Pretzel BUN.
I love that Chicago is all about pretzel buns.
I also love that Chicago is all about getting drunk. I enjoy drinking. Not in the sense that "Man, I love alcohol so I'm going to sit at home and finish this handle of vodka ALL BY MYSELF." More like "I love getting drunk when everyone around me is getting drunk too." It can lead to really, really bad situations (I mean, that's the whole premise behind Jersey Shore, right?), but in the right conditions, it's fun because everyone just acts like a kid again and they're singing and dancing and don't give no shits. Like improv.
Improv people are the most fun to get drunk with because they're already like "YES, AND!" to everything so you suggest grabbing another beer and they say "YES, AND THEN WE CAN DO SHOTS OF 151!" Unfortunately, improv parties also lead to the worst hangovers.
Once, back when I was teaching Algebra in Sacramento back in '08, I had to leave my class real quick to get some more supplies from the classroom across the hall. When I walked in, the teacher was blasting Darude's "Sandstorm" from his MacBook, one of his kids was rapidly flicking the lights on and off and every other student was going nuts and pumping their fists and spazzing out. They stopped for a second when I walked into the room. Then I joined in and they kept at it. It was the most fun I had that summer. That impromptu minute-long dance party.
I started classes at the Chicago Portfolio School a couple of weeks ago and it's been pretty baller. I'm in the advertising copywriting program and I'm digging' it. The teachers are all really knowledgable and personable AND they all currently hold jobs in their respective fields.
Immediately upon arriving for orientation, I felt at ease. That building just has this comforting aura about it and I've been talking to everyone (everyone's super friendly) and I actually speak up in classes (something I've never done). And I'm doing a lot of work. Most of it is pretty bad work, but the idea behind all of the work right now is that the more work you do, the better chance you have of actually producing good work. Let's hope that's true.
And the work is actually fun! Last week I had to come up with 35 ad headlines for Vibram Five Finger Shoes. This week it's Rainforest Cafe. I also have to come up with 30 mark-ups for an InCase iPhone case, 10 concept ideas and a SWOT chart for some juice (I'm leaning towards Capri Sun) and 10 more concept ideas for something else (???). Not too difficult right now, but I'm sure the workload is going to increase the further along we go. The idea behind the program is that after a year of non-stop work, you end up with a decent portfolio that'll land you a job. Let's hope that's true too.
I love it so much because I don't think I've ever had so much fun with any assignment. I'm loving this, man. I start by coming up with the worst headlines for the product ("GET FUCKED UP AT RAINFOREST CAFE.") or with headlines/ideas that personally make me laugh or that I would enjoy. Everyone at CPS has that playfulness about them as well and it makes for a surprisingly productive/fun environment.
Man, I just want to have fun. With whatever I do. If it's not fun, why do it? I was getting really frustrated with improv a few weeks ago. One of the groups I'm in had a coach do a workshop for us and the guy was super abrasive. I'm not a big fan of side coaching during scenes and this dude was all about it so I ended up real frustrated and getting in my head and just not enjoying it. I also just didn't agree with what he was saying, but whatever.
When I had rehearsal for the other group, it was a blast because we were just having fun. That's why the best improv troupes are always comprised of close friends. They don't give a shit. They just want to have a real good time and if there's an audience there to experience that, cool.
Fun. That's all I'm trying to say, I guess. Get you some.
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