Puss Bag

It snowed like crazy yesterday. Walking to Columbia from the "L" in the morning was like walking into a snow blower. Except instead of blowing snow, it was blowing stinging crushed ice. By lunchtime, the ice pellets turned to big fluffy flakes and it looked like Chicago was in a snow globe set to vibrate. Columbia canceled their evening classes. Julie's work shortened their day and sent people home. Looked like it was going to be a snow day. Everyone was closing up shop, except for Second City.

I cut my Columbia classes early and headed home where I could watch the tundra forming outside from the comfort of my sofa. I had a seven o'clock class at Second City that I was sure would be canceled. Many of our students drive in from the suburbs. It's just too risky to hold classes. I kept checking the website and the outgoing message of the training center. Classes were NOT canceled, both reassured. This made me bitchy. I did not want to schlep back outside and make my cold, slushy way to Second City via a bus and an "L" just to have two or three students show up.

In Detroit, I was in charge of the Second City training center there. While at ComedySportz-Chicago, I was in charge of the training center here. The last thing I ever wanted to do was cancel classes. Aside from screwing with the momentum of a class, it fucks up the schedule. A year-long schedule can be packed tight with little margin for rescheduling. It's a headache. One part of me understood why Second City wasn't canceling classes. But the people not canceling the classes are not the people who have to teach them. And if only half the class or less shows up, you may as well have canceled it, because you'll have to go over the material again later. So, another part of me was very bitter and resentful about having to leave my sofa.

Second City has apparently made a deal with God, the devil or some Norse diety that controls the weather. The snow stopped shortly after 6pm and it all cleared up. Out of thirteen students, I had nine. Nine very dependable students who are really digging into their work. It was fun and inspiring. I'm glad I went. I'm glad those assholes didn't cancel classes.


ONE MESSAGE. LOUD AND CLEAR.

On Tuesday, March 4th bloggers and fans of bloggers around the world are invited to do a Cyber Shout - "Impeach Bush Now!" Post it wherever you can. Still not sure if you should hop on this bandwagon? For Democracy has already written up articles of impeachment. Check it out and then make some noise with us, won't you?



THE BS NEWS QUIZ OF THE DAY

Yesterday, I asked...

"Police in St. Augustine, Fla arrested a woman who had an unrestrained toddler in her back seat and seat belted in her front passenger seat was what?"

66% said "A dog"
- Even though Fido does love to ride shot gun, no.

16% said "A birthday cake"
- No, but I have seat belted a cake before. The toddler can fend for himself. That cake was expensive.

Nobody said "A blow-up doll"
-They only need to be seat belted when filled with helium.

18% nailed it with "A 24-pack of beer"

According to the AP , police arrested a motorist they say had a 24-pack of beer strapped in with a seat belt but had a 16-month-old girl unrestrained in the back seat with the toddler's mother. Tina D. Williams was pulled over in St. Augustine on Sunday for allegedly running a red light. A 24-pack of Busch beer was strapped in with the passenger-side seat belt, according to an arrest report. Williams was charged with driving under the influence, child abuse, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a license. Normally, I wouldn't have an issue with her choices here. But I do question the need to be so careful with Busch beer. Guinness I could understand. Busch beer? May as well drink carbonated formaldehyde.