Tonight I went out to dinner with Stacey and Natalie, an old tradition of catching up over pork chops at Salt n Pepper. Two years ago we met in an improv class and decided to start and independent improv group titled 'Sonofabitchgoddamnwerethreefunnyassbitches.'

Since then we have done many improv shows, put up a sketch show, birthed an Amish chick band, and changed to a less confusing name; Firecracker. My move will not stop us from performing together so we talked about some upcoming projects. It's not ideal but we love performing together so we'll make it work.

Stacey: Moving is hard. I've moved every five years...it usually coincided with the end of a relationship. Give yourself six months. You'll feel better.

Me: Are you going to move again?

Stacey: I don't know. I love Chicago...and I'm tired.

Went to the suburbs today to visit my Uncle Mike, his wife Missy, and Mickey who was born last Saturday.

Unfortunately he was sleeping the whole time so I didn't get to hold him, but it was nice to see him. I like the idea that you can meet another person, not because you haven't gotten around to it, but because they didn't exist a week ago.

Their two girls, Mimi (3 years old) and Liza (1 1/2 years old) are learning to adjust to the baby.

Mike: Mimi just wants to help but Liza is a little fussy. If Missy is holding the baby Liza will tell me to hold the baby to Mommy can hold her.

I refrained from making the same Brady Bunch jokes Mike used to make about Julie when we were younger.

Back in Chicago for a few days.

Arnie: What are you doing?

Me: Taking pictures of our fortune cookies.

Arnie: Are you stealing my blog idea?

Me: Umm...no, was it your idea?

Arnie: I took a picture of them first.

It's good to be home.

Tonight I did my first long form improv show in 7 weeks, at ImprovBoston. It was nice change and fun to play with Micah and Will (artistic director of ImprovBoston, die hard White Sox fan, pictured).

7 days ago Will decided to participate in a study at a local medical center. He has taken pills to remove all of the estrogen and testosterone in his body, and then he applies a topical gel of pure testosterone every morning. So, basically he's all man right now, and he's got a slightly crazy look in his eyes.

Will: After I put on the gel in the morning I get really angry and irritated with everyone. At night all I want to do is cry. It's really strange cause I feel like something is always about to happen...at every moment.

Micah: So it 'fuck or fight' all day.

Will: Yeah, basically.

Me: So now your like a 13 year old boy. You should go run around the block a few times, get it all out, and then maybe you'll feel like a normal person.

Will: ....(stunned look, eyes start to well up)...

Me: Oh no! I'm sorry?

Will has 15 more weeks to go.

Boston has a lot of graveyards throughout the city. They are very small, extremley old, and well preserved. Today I took a long walk through Copp's Cemetary around the corner from my house.

My grandpa has a fascination with graveyards that he passed down to me. There is a cemetary, not unlike this one, across the street from the church we attended in my hometown. It was smaller then, say, a baseball diamond so I got to know it pretty well.

As a kid I liked to walk through the cemetary and make up stories about the people lives and how they died; one in particular being my favorite. Under a tree was a headstone for a girl who died at the age of four. No one was buried close to her. My original attraction was to the headstone itself. It was tiny, and I liked all things small cause they fit in my world. My second attraction was the idea that she knew something many adults did not; she had a secret. This struck me as sweet and I thought of her as happy, even if she was dead. Eventually she became an angel of sorts watching over me and all other kids.

As an adult the idea of angels watching over people seems childish but I sometimes wish I could regain that feeling of comfort. It's wierd, I remember being so definitive about her story and don't remember a time when I decided it was not true. It just sort of slipped away. I've thought about going back getting the name and doing some research but haven't found the time.

Today the White Sox were eliminated from the post season race. No titles will be defended this year.

Despite this, it has been a fun baseball season with a lot of firsts. Scott (the one pointing to himself) caught his first baseball, eight people got to see their first Sox game cause I dragged them, and I saw my first game outside of Chicago.

My favorite memory from this season was the night Cowlick went to watch the Sox play the (sigh) Minnesota Twins a week before I moved. I've never heckled a player, but the White Sox were doing really poorly so we started yelling at Brian Anderson at the top of the 9th. Not wanting to heckle my own team I decided to yell things like:

"Hey Brian! I like your new haircut!"

"Brian! I know the tone of my voice is condescending but I really enjoy you as a player!"

Here's to spring.

This is Greenough Street. Nope, not an alley. A real live street. I googled it to make sure.

Arnie and I send a picture to eachother daily. This started cause I was bothered by the fact that I didn't know what shirt he wore everyday. I never took much interest in his choice of shirts while I lived in Chicago. Apparently 1000 miles distance turns me into a controlling fashion critic.

After about a week of this Arnie just started me sending me pictures from the neck up. His eye, or forehead, or hair. I don't know why he does this cause his face doesn't change everyday. Maybe in my absence he's decided to wear the same shirt for days at a time.

Tonight the Theater hosted a 'College Party' after the show. People we're invited to stay and play flip cup, watch 'Old School,' and do keg stands.

Before the shows Stacey P. brought the cast to the greenroom which she remodeled today. It looks beautiful but I wondered why she did it all by herself. I thought she might be nesting, which may hold truth, but I remembered what she said during football.

"I'm pregnant, not handicapped!"

In all fairness...she did not drink this beer, it was a bit. The best bit I've ever seen.

And a few hours before this, my Uncle Mike and Aunt Missy gave birth to their third child...their first boy. His name is Michael Jr and they will call him Mickey. I am so proud and looking forward to seeing them soon.

Had a show tonight and was suprised by a high school friend, Vito, who came to the show. We haven't seen eachother in about 6 years. He lives in Boston.

Vito: I really hate improv. When done well it's usually better than a scripted play, but that's so rare. But I really enjoyed your show...and I hate to sound like a dad...but ...ahhh...I'm really proud of you. (and later) I hate blogs but I've seen yours. It doesn't matter if someone is a good writer as long as you have something to tell. People just want a good story.

When we were in high school Vito and I spent a lot of time together. We caddyed together in the summers, talked on the phone constantly, I taught him how to smoke, he gave me a copy of a book which is still my favorite to this day. But it was one of those things...he moved to Rhode Island for college and we just lost touch.

So we played catch up but that didn't last long. It was like no time had passed and we just ended up talking about whatever came up.

I'm not sure how much time we will end up spending together but just knowing he's here gives me a certain familial comfort. I forget how different conversations are when the person has known you for so long. I have no good way to describe it.

Me: You haven't really changed much.

Vito: Well I'm much less robotic.

Rachel: Have you and Arnie ever done that thing where you try to kiss as horribly as you can? My favorite is the 'toddler kiss.' Here...like this.

Rachel has been dodging me taking pictures for fear of being on the blog. It's incredibly endearing to me that she won't let me take a picture of her, but the minute she kisses her boyfriend she's giddy with excitement.

Rachel: Awww...that's going to be our wedding invitation.

For a segment in the show we have the audience write down lines of dialogue which we incorporate in scenes.

At a recent fundrasier show for a summer camp, we had to censor the audience a little and not use every suggestion.

Another day of flag football yesterday.

Norm's wife and his two adorable daughters have come to both games.

Me: Ooo...I like the girls' chairs.

Norm: We got these at the dollar store. Patriots chairs are much more expensive.

One of his girls is potty training so we clap when our team scores and we clap just as hard when someone makes a number one or a number two.

Score Yesterday: Blue Team 34 The Theater 19
Pee in the Potty 1 Unwanted Accidents 0

A conversation before my first show at the Theater:

Jeremy: Do you know Leah _______? She performed here for a few years and then moved to Chicago.

Me: Not really. I used to see her around the Playground but we don't really know eachother.

Jeremy: You two are totally alike. Like everything you say and do. It's really scary.

My first reaction was defensive. 'So I have an improv doppelganger? Great. Am I not very original? They're probably wrong. Sure we might be alike, but I bet we're not really.'

Since then the cast can't get enough of pointing this out. Everyday. I say something and people will respond with 'Really Leah?' 'Oh, that's so Leah,' 'Shut up Leah.' It never ends.

So Leah visited this week for the Boston Comedy Festival. I saw her two woman show(of course she has a two woman show...I had a three woman show in Chicago) 'Somebody's in the Dog House.' It was really great...and I did see similarities.

Last night she sat in with The Midnight Show so we got to perform together and then had some drinks at Micah's house.

Me: So...has anyone here told you that we're alike?

Leah: Oh yeah. Constantly. But I'll admit I was going to go out in one scene and do this character but you got up and did it first.

Me: I noticed we matched characters in every seen we were in together, did you notice that?

Leah: Yeah...I did. Huh.

Yay! Yay Yay Yay!

Got my first package from Chicago since the move. Bob, who is crazy up to date with new music, sent me a mixed CD. He has single handedly expanded my collection and kept me in the know with new musicians for the last couple of years. He keeps me hip. And I just love getting mail, so feel free to send me something. Yes...you.

Thanks Bob, this was my favorite part of today.

The Big Dig still isn't done yet. This enormous ovehauling to put the highway underground should have been done years ago.

This construction is also the dividing line between the North End and Downtown. Within one minute it feels like you go from a bustling dense European town, to a bustling dense American city.

I've been intrigued by this 'sign' for about two weeks and pass it everyday. I was told it was related to the Big Dig but I'm still not so sure.

Cowlick had a show at The Playground last night.

Whenever we have a show a series of emails will go out that day about what time we are going on, who will be there, and if we are meeting for dinner before, which we frequently do.

BJ started the email chain yesterday and accidentally put me on the list. Accidentally. Maybe he did this cause he was on autopilot, and when he is just following his quick judgement, I still have a place on the team. The fact that I'm not there takes a little extra thought. Like a ghost of me is still performing with them.

I knew it would take time to get used to performing with new people but I was still blind sided at my first show at the Theater. I remember walking out on stage and looking at my cast mates and thinking 'Your not Tim, and your not Shelby...oh shit. I don't know your nuances...when is Mary Beth going to come out and play my daughter?' It made me feel very alone.

I like to think that everyone on Cowlick still considers me as a part of the team...and I obviously think so, since I still talk about them in the present tense. I have to I guess, it keeps me a little more balanced. And sometimes the truth is not as important as the lie you tell to make yourself feel better.

Me: (via email) I'm going to be late...but I'll be there. When do we go on again?

Jason: (via email) You go to hell Sarah!

It's a good thing I'm keeping up on rag magazines, because the news changes fast.

One more picture from the White Sox game last Wednesday.

Doug: I had to come another game. I needed another reason to wear this hat. It's the best $30 drunk purchase I've ever made. I like it.

Doug likes to take pictures of himself with my camera. I am 99% sure that the the girl behind him played Lucy in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. It's kind of freaking me out.

I, like many other people, and EVERY news station in America have had a reflective day. Five years ago today I was a waitress who recently dropped out of college and had just moved into the city to rekindle some sort of performing career.

Today I wrote for a show, worked out, and co-taught a level two improv class. I'm very lucky.

Last Sunday I took a walk looking for a Saint's Festival, but never found one. Today while I was walking to the coffee shop I heard the faint sound of a marching band. I walked two blocks north trying to find it, like a festival detective, but never did.

But today begins another Sunday tradition: Flag Football.

The theater has a team in the Boston Social League. It's a rule that there must be at least two women playing on each team and when on offense, every third play must have a woman involved.

Only three women showed up for the theater. A girl I did not know, Stacey P. (a co-owner of the theater who is six months pregnant), and myself.

Norm: Well it looks like you two are playing the whole game.

Stacey P. : What? I'm here!

Norm: You're playing?

So Stacey P. played, very well in fact. During the game we decided that Stacey's unborn baby is the MVP of our team. The ref just looked at us in disbelief.

Score Today: The Theater 33 Capital One 8

Performed in my first "Midnight Show" tonight.

The Midnight Show is back from a summer hiatus. Basically the actors are drinking on stage and the bartender sets up a mini bar in the theater so the audience drinks with the actors and...basically is a drinky drink, drink fest for all involved....and we do improv.

It's also the type of show where an actor can run off stage, get there camera, and take a picture of their fellow performers with wedgies.

What was my favorite part of today?

Taking a walk.

Like Chicago, Boston has a bunch of these painted cows all over the city. I took this picture when I first moved here, while Arnie and I were on a walk.

Arnie: I feel like if you made one of these cows, this one would be it.

Me: Why?

Arnie: Cause you like colors.

Me: Which one would be your cow?

Arnie: Definitely the Robot Cow.

Went the the White Sox v Red Sox game tonight. Again.

My life has changed, I get that. Things are different, I understand. This doesn't take away from the fact that it hard is to see the White Sox play in a place where people want them to lose. It's not ideal but I love the White Sox, so I go to the games.

And the same is true for a long distance relationship. This situation is not ideal, but I'm in love so we change our lives to make it work. Lots of phone conversations, sending pictures, IM-ing, texting, etc.

Before I moved people would ask if Arnie and I were going to stay together after the move. I said "yes, of course." Oddly enough I found many responses to be negative, even from close friends. The worst was the sigh, eye roll, and "good luck with that." It made me want to tell those people "I hope your dog gets hit by a car tomorrow" cause it would have the same sentiment.

I suppose if you love something, you'll make it work. If the White Sox go to the playoffs I'll make a road trip to New York. My team might be booed, it might be hard to be the underdog. I also know that the next game I go to in US Cellular Field will be that much sweeter, and in the end, I will love them more.

Score Today: White Sox 8 Red Sox 1

As I said, I haven't travelled much. I can count on one hand how many times I've seen the ocean. I mentioned this to Rachel and Harry (not pictured, that's Jeremy and his fantastic drip castle) while we were walking down to the water yesterday.

Rachel: Really?

Me: Yep. AHHHH! A Crab!

Rachel: WHERE!?

Me: Oh, wait. That's just a dismembered claw. AHHHH! A shrimp!

Rachel: WHERE!?

Me: Uh...it's a rock.

Rachel: (to Harry) Why are we listening to Chicago? AHHH! A shark! AHHH! A mermaid! Quiet Chicago.

Me: ok.

Fun Labor Day, but ultimately disappointing in the end.

Norm had the cast over to his new house in Duxbury. We went to beach, grilled back at his new place, and played badmitton.

Then Doug and I went to the White Sox game at Fenway. For some reason this year I found myself going to games with people who did not really follow baseball...including tonight. Doug bought that hat in the 6th inning.

I take losses much harder with company like this.

Score Today: White Sox 2 Red Sox 3

Like Ryan, I have not left the North End much since I have been in Boston. But tonight I ventured out to Harvard Square for much needed mexican food. All I've been eating is Italian.

There was an ad for the theater on the train and it made me feel like I was part of something important. But if this is the litmus test of importance, I should probably think about learning a second language at the nearby community college and find out what teen pregnancy means to me.

Brian W: This is my first slurpee.

Me: In your entire life?

Brian W: Yep.

Me: How old are you?

Brian W: Thirty One.

Me: ...(stunned look)...

Score Today: Brian W 1 Slurpee 11,314

The lake is always east. This is how I learned directions as a kid, and the way it has been my whole life.

95% of my large family is in Chicago and a long time ago Gram decided if there was some kind of catastrophic event (nuclear attack, fire, or war were the examples) we would all meet at the Wilmette beach, on the water, so we would be together.

Now...on a (sort of) penninsula...the water is not necessarily east. In fact it is also north and south. But I'm sure if something happens I'll instinctivley walk east.