It's been a busy week.

On top of birthdays, goodbyes, and readings, I also had an audition and callback for ComedySportz, another theater in Chicago. It's slightly similar to the Theater in Boston, in that, they do corporate work as well as regular weekend shows, they pay their actors, and consistently bring in large audiences.

On Tuesday I was offered a position and happily accepted.

What's that? I'll be performing at a theater that's similar to the Theater in Boston? But it's in Chicago?

[Cue Aladdin Music]

Just about a year ago, after finding out I was moving to Boston, my Mom (not Grandma, Mom) gave me this double sided locket. She took a wallet sized family photo from my Aunt Beth's wedding, cut out the heads of herself, my Grandma, my Grandpa, Jesse, and myself, and used masking tape to carefully place each head in the tiny frames.

Mom: So we'll be with you all time in Boston. Around you're neck! You can't get rid of us!

Dear Butt,

You win.

Sincerely,

Sarah

See this? It's my nervous smile. I'm about to go up and read for Mortified at the Green Mill. If you look closely you can see the veins popping out of my neck. If you were there you would have heard my shallow breathing and nervous laughter.

The show is called Mortified so I guess that's the point. Watching people sweat and squirm while they read private musings they NEVER thought they would share. I had to hold my diary against my stomach to steady my very shaky hands.

It went very well, and in the end, I'm glad I did it. I've revealed more than I expected I would on this blog, but unfortunatly I'm not going to share any of my readings here. You'll just have to come see the show if/when I do it again.

Last night was a joint party. The other half was the annual celebration of Knauf's half birthday. His real birthday is the day after another well know birthday, but this more than makes up for his inability to celebrate with friends.

He's gives everyone half birthday gifts, gets drunk, and dances erratically. This year was no exception.

But what was MY gift? The Bible on CD. New Testament, Mark 1-7.

Collect Them All!

Scott's going away party.

Scott has decided to move to New York. It's been a bit of a whirlwind move. He decided it was something he wanted to do, then he went to New York for job interviews a week later, and was offered a position at one of the first companies he met with; who asked him to start right away. His girlfriend has decided to stay in Chicago for another year, so he'll be starting a long distance relationship as well. The parallels write themselves.

Mary Beth: Scott I want you to go around the table and tell each of us what you are going to miss most about us. Start with Sarah.

Scott: Ok, Sarah you are the most compassionate person on the team. You know exactly how I'm feeling, or if I'm having a bad day, and you ask me about it. You're just sweet.

Mary Beth: Ok, now me.

Scott: Mary Beth you are the most compassionate person on the team...

I'm going to miss you very much Scott. Good luck.

Uh oh. I'm doing it again; Mortified that is.

I'll be reading the same piece from my teenage diary, that I read in Boston. Only instead of reading to a crowd of total strangers, I'll be reading in front of a crowd that'll include Arnie and a few friends. It'll be this Wednesday.

Crap. Crapcrapcrap.

Kara and Kevin's Engagement Party.

Kara's Mom and Sister Kelly flew in from Erie, Pennsylvania for the festivities.

Kelly: Once I'm done with school, I'm going to move, but I don't know where yet; maybe to Chicago. I asked Kara how she gets around when there is four feet of snow. She just wrapped a scarf completely around her head and said, “Like this."

Jana: You can stay with me!

Me: Actually, you have to stay with Jana. She's the funnel everyone has to go through before starting a new life in Chicago; it's a halfway house of sorts.

An recent email:

Arrived and first class is great AND SO ARE DRUGS--LOTS OF THEM-NO BOOZE. Finally figured out how to fly.

love, GRANDMA

What was the highlight of my day? This phone conversation at work:

Woman with High Squeaky Voice: May I speak to accounts payable?

Me: What company are you calling from?

Woman with High Squeaky Voice: I...um...I'm a clown.

And yes, my cousins ARE adorable, thank you.

Drinks after our Stottlemeyer show at i.O.

Jeremy S., a member of Stottlemeyer, had his last show with the team. He'll be moving to L.A. next week, so we talked a lot about his move, and then about traveling in general.

Stonelake: I went to India for a wedding a couple years back. Driving there is crazy. Everyone has a car, they are constantly honking, the streets are small, and there is no way to police traffic. If there is a car accident, the person with the bigger car is at fault. If the cars are the same size the person who is larger is at fault. If the people are the same size, they settle it with a fist fight.

Stottlemeyer has been invited to perform at the Del Close Marathon in New York City, in July, so we'll be doing some traveling together soon.

Boston was a three hour bus ride away from New York, and visiting (since I never had) was on my list of things to do. When I moved back my 'list of things to do' quickly turned into my 'list of failed accomplishments' with a trip to NYC being at the top. It's a short list. I'll be happy to cross something off, but I suspect I'd be happier if I just let go of the list.

Look at what I found during Stottlemeyer rehearsal.

This book makes me feel old, but not as old as the time I taught improv to 6th graders, and got blank stares when I mentioned Bill Murray.

Ahhh!!! Cicadas!!!

Yesterday, Jesse tried to pick one one up by the wings, but when it started buzzing, he screamed, whipped it on the ground, and ran.

He was braver at the age of nine.

Father's Day BBQ in the burbs.

After playing with these monsters outside, I went in to watch the US Open with my Grandpa. I found out that he, and my Grandma, are leaving for a month long trip through Europe, this Wednesday.

My grandparents have lived in Chicago and surrounding suburbs their whole life, but have made an effort to travel as much as they can. Every year they go on a 'big trip' (a cruise or Europe) and one or two other trips (Savannah or somewhere in Wisconsin). I believe this has satiated any urges to move and start a new life.

After retiring three years ago, they immediately sold the house we grew up in, bought a place in Arizona, and made their first cross country move at the ages of 70. They couldn't be happier.

I think it takes a lot of guts to know what you want but know your limits, and find things to make you happy within those limits, and when those are lifted; doing what you wanted to do in the first place.

For Tim's birthday, Cowlick decided to pack up some picnic baskets and head to Ravinia and see Prairie Home Companion perform their live show.

After setting up our blankets on the lawn, eating too much cheese and crackers, and listening to the cicadas sing back up for Garrison Keillor, most of us fell asleep.

Knauf was feeling squirrelier than usual, so most naps were interrupted by quick jabs to the side. A few of these attempts just ended with him spilling wine on his white shirt.

Fun day.

Arnie: How's The Glass Castle?

Me: Good. There's some spousal abuse.

Arnie: I knew it.

Jana cut my hair today. We had a lot of catching up to do which left no time for pictures, but I do have this old one, that I like very much.

Do I sometimes post pictures that may seem unflattering? Sure. Is Jana having fun in this picture? Yes. Do I think people are cutest when they are geuinely happy? Of course. Am I going to get a half angry, half joking call from Jana about using this picture? Absolutely.

Another Cubs Game.

BJ: Are you going to burst into flames?

Me: I've made my peace.

Just for fun, after every Cubs-scoring hive five, I pretended my hand was melting into a horribly mangled stump.

Tonight I went to Vidiocy, a short film contest, at the Lakeshore Theater. Vidiocy has been around for a while, and I've always been meaning to go. Bob and Stacey made a short film and made it to the top nine, which served as a good reason to finally attend. I had a great time.

Chicago is a wonderful city with a lot to offer, and at times I feel like I take it for granted. This mostly comes from a naive thought that since I grew up here I know all there is to know; seen all there is to see.

As said before, I fell in love with Boston, pretty hard. Statue plaques were read, leaves were photographed, overheard conversations about anything Boston related were mentally noted; and I could just be on my way to work a daily temp job.

If I sound like I lived in a Disney movie it's because it felt that way sometimes, and I wasn't averse to it. Sure, there were hardships (the VonTrapp kids had to run from Nazi's, right?) but I was ready for an adventure. I needed it.

Some of that fairy dust has followed me home, and I'm glad for it. It's time to see new things, or old things with new eyes. I want to love Chicago; the way you love someone when your ready for it instead of loving someone just because they are convenient.

[Cue Mary Poppins overture]

Guess who I ran into on my way to work? Jesse. My brother Jesse. My brother Jesse wearing a dress shirt and tie, carrying a newspaper. My brother Jesse wearing a dress shirt and tie, carrying a newspaper, and getting on a train at 7:30am.

Me: Where are you going?

Jesse: Work. Oh yeah, I have a new job.

Crazy Homeless Man (to Jesse): I like your TIE!

Jesse: Thanks.

Crazy Homeless Man: Are you a lawyer?

Jesse: No.

Crazy Homeless Man: Then you can't get me off.

We chatted quietly on the packed train car for a few minutes, and then spent the rest of the time reading our newspapers. We're not morning people. We're also forgetful. I forgot my Ipod this morning and he forgot his phone.

Usually I am against this sort of thing. Usually.

Old Town Art Fair.

The last time I saw the Jesse White Tumblers perform I was 10 years old.

As my elementary school class gathered on the black top I noticed that half of the performers were my age. My first thought was 'They get to miss school for this?' And, after watching, my second was 'They are famous.'

The crowd at the Art Fair seemed more entertained by the performance. It could have been that, as kids, we were in silent awe of peer's raw talent, or it could be the fact that the crowd at the Art Fair was pumped full of 44 ounce vodka lemonades.

Lunch.

I'm convinced that weddings come in three heats.

A few more friends have recently gotten engaged . I'm officially calling it closed. No more swimmers please. I would like one Saturday evening in 2008 to myself.

White Sox v Yankees Game.

It was 'Cicada Night' at the ballpark, so instead of a 'Fan Cam' displaying sleeping fans or overexcited children on the jumbotron, they cleverly renamed it a 'Cicada Cam.' The manufactured buzzing noise and attempted wall eye lens effect made all the difference.

Arnie: Are they trying to show people in the stands who look like cicadas?

Me: I think the camera is supposed to be from the perspective of the cicada.

Arnie: What faces would you make if you were on the Cicada Cam?

The seats were free so it didn't take much convincing to get Arnie and Tim to come, but I did experience some sharp shooting chest pains during the second inning.

Aside from Doug, I've had little contact with anyone from the Theater since returning home. My time in Boston was great for a lot of reasons, but, as you can most likely guess, my friendships are much stronger and healthier in Chicago.

Ryan told me that Rachel is having her last show at the theater this month. She'll be moving to New Jersey and getting married very soon.

Had my plans...well...gone according to plan, I would have been there for the cake, and the speeches, and the gag gifts.

I've recently found myself wondering frequently "What would I be doing right now, if I was in Boston?"

I may not know exactly what I'd be doing at a given moment, but I would be finishing up my year at the Theater, and excitedly preparing for my move back to Chicago.

For someone who just biked to work in the rain, Ryan seems pretty chipper.

It would be an understatement to say that I'm very excited about being a new member of the i.O. team, Stottlemeyer. I mentioned this, right?

I had to look through the blog to see if I had mentioned it. I did, briefly. This blog feels like a "new friend" that is slowly entering the realm into "good friend." I'm beginning to tell the same stories over and over.

The irony of all of this is that I only have a couple of months before this blog ends; it may never get to "old friend" status. Did I mention this blog is only lasting a year? Maybe I didn't. I should check.... nope, not really mentioned. I'm forgetful...or just getting old.

Stonelake (a member of Stottlemeyer, pictured) and his girlfriend Aileen hosted a party Friday night. A couple people from the team showed up and we talked, drank, and got to know each other a little better.

Later I emailed Stonelake to see if it was ok to post a picture of him on my blog. You know, as a "new friend" precaution.

Stonelake(via email): Only if I can be credited as Excited McChincrease.

Like the blog, I hope to get to the point where I'm telling them the same stories over and over again. Unlike the blog, I hope this relationship lasts longer than a (predetermined) year.

An old friend of mine used to believe that 'All the crazies come out the first warm weekend of the year.'

While eating dinner Arnie and I saw the Hulk, the Flash, and Wonder Woman walking down the street.

While walking down Halsted tonight I saw a man sauntering down the street covered in blood.

While walking down Clark Street a man in a bar tapped on the window, and when he got my attention, smiled, and gave me the finger.

I could say my friend is right, but I was in Wrigleyville, so the crazies are out seven months of the year...well, six months...it's Wrigleyville.

Arnie: Who is in your book club?

Me: I don't know, but I do know it's all women.

Arnie: What are you reading?

Me: The Glass Castle.

Arnie: I bet it's about spousal abuse.

Me: Because of the title or because it's an all women book club?

Arnie: Both.