...my pockets full of lovely worms...

The weekend is finally coming to a close as I am slowly but surely making my way back to North Carolina; it is now Tuesday afternoon. The following is a recollection to the best of my ability of my adventure to New York City for the Del Close Marathon 9, and my third year in attendance.

I'd like to say, first of all, that this trip was rather bittersweet, as three more of my close friends have made the leap to make that city their home, and I will truly miss them. More on this later.
Proceed!

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Part 1 - Thursday, July 26th -
Scott picks me up from my apartment around 9:30 AM so we can go get some breakfast at Weaver Street before hitting the road. Scott is relaxed, but aloof. I have a bagel and cream cheese, because where would I ever find one of those in NYC? We go pick up his cats, lock up Scott's place and get on 95 @ exactly 11AM. >We proceed to haul ass until Maryland where we stop at Burger King. Whoppers are surprisingly better than most other fast food burgers, but they still suck. Their fries, however, are the worst in the biz. Scott and I talk a while and listen to his Sirius Radio, which is a pretty handy distraction since Scott won't let me drive. Scott loves Morrissey. I get excited about the bridges & I also pay a lot of toll money because Scott doesn't have cash (SJ, you still owe me $11 and I expect a check in the mail before Friday). We stop once more on the NJ turnpike to whiz. Then, in what might be record time, we arrive in the Upper West Side at approximately 7pm. We are greeted by Nick, Jason, and Corey and we begin to unload the rest of Scott's things from the car. Dave arrives home shortly thereafter.

The boys' new place is great for the price and the area. With the exception of a smallish living room and only one bathroom, I'll say those guys will be quite comfortable-- especially due to the large prison yard style deck. Their neighbor has a dog, bad teeth, and plays bass. He may very well be the model for The Simpsons' Otto. We have a beer, and go grab some real NYC pizza around the block. Scott teases Nick about getting a pepperoni slice and eating it like a southerner. We eat and go to the nearby bar O'Connell's. The pitchers are $8, and I have a couple of beers before heading further downtown to meet Brian, Chris, and Dean at Triple Crown. I take a couple of shots of Jameson with them, which reminds me why I try not to take shots any more. Nonetheless, its good to catch up with those guys, but I feel myself fading fast from the grueling car ride, so I take off and jump on the 1 train to head back uptown. I have a little trouble sleeping, as it's a little hot and I am having nightmares.

Well, here we go

I leave for NYC / DCM in the morning.

Look into my nipples of the future.

During the drive home from Connecticut this past weekend, Callie and I played some fun car guessing games. One game led to us talking about Nickelodeon shows like Clarissa Explains It All and Doug, amongst others.

I remembered specifically loving the show Rocko's Modern Life, and how much I loved it. Rocko was voiced by the talented and hilarious Carlos Alazraqui (whom you probably know better for his role as Dpty. James Garcia on Reno 911!), and his pal Hef, who was voiced by the very funny Tom Kenny (whom you probably know better as the voice of Spongebob Squarepants and from Mr. Show). Anyway, I really loved the show, and the more I thought about it, I really love cartoons. Then, Callie said something that I was thinking and feeling, but did not verbalize:

Callie:"You know, you could do that."
Me: "What?"
Callie: "Cartoon voices. I've always thought that you have the perfect voice for that sort of thing."
Me: "You know, me too..."

Truth be told, and for those of you who know me, I really do believe that I have a pretty fantastic voice; additionally, I am constantly doing character voices in any situation I can. To some, I'm sure its annoying, and maybe its a defense mechanism, but I like to think of it as something that I do well.

So, it is my newest goal to focus my efforts of acting and comedy into the world of voice acting. I know, I know. Shut up.

The good news is this: I already have experience doing cartoon voice acting. In fact, I voiced some Anime films while in Wilmington, including several characters in the very popular Urusei Yatsura series. Most notably, I played Rei-- a handsome, yet stupid Oni who is able to change shape to the form of a giant alien Sea-Cow.


The bad news is this: According to some sources I have looked into, this is a difficult business to break into. But then again, a lot of businesses are not easy to break into, and if they were, then a lot of things would suck.

SO, those are my new long term goals. While I'm still in NC, I plan to get as much work as I can. I'm currently working on developing my performance resume', just got done choosing some headshots, and I'm going to begin the process of putting together a kick ass website.

Meanwhile...

I've been a little hotheaded lately, and I apologize if you are the recipient of any of my venom-spitting or irritability. Truth be told, I am a little on edge because I am about to lose some more of my very best friends to the great city of New York. Scott, Jason, and Nick are all on their way up to the city next weekend, to live together and immerse themselves in all that place has to offer. I'll admit, I'm a little jealous and disheartened because those guys are really important to me, and I want to be around their respective talents and creativity. Mind you, I'm really proud of these dudes for making the move and going to where the action is.



Now, the thing is that I am running out of pals that I hang out with on a normal basis. This is nothing new, mind you as the list of my friends who have gone seeking the wonders of the Big Apple is massive. It looks a little something like this:

• Chris Ryan


• Lloyd Galyon


• Dewey Banks


• Heather Kroll


• Sarah Kinlaw


• Dean James


• Kevin Scanlon


• Julie Stump


• Ingrid Jungermann


• Brian Prince


• Kim Steinhagen


• CoreyBrown


• Dave Siegel


• Erik Martin


• Diana Chang


• Olivia Henderson


• Morgan Jarrett


• Leigh Jones


• Bryan Putnam


• Greg Rippin


• Olivia Marbert


• Todd Thomas


• John Bundy


• Scott Jennings


• Jason Curtis


• Nick Faber

I'm sure there are a few folks missing from this list, but its impressive enough already.

Luckily, I am going there in 9 days, maybe I will get to see some of these folks if I am able. I'm getting really excited, as I am riding up there with Scott. In many ways, I feel kind of like a junior in high school, and I'm helping my recently graduated friends move into their new dorm at NYCollege. My senior year might be a long one, but I am going to make the best of it. I'll need your help, Triangle.

The distance you'll go; the travel it takes.

This weekend was a long one. Callie and I travelled to Connecticut for our friend Joe Jones's wedding. To spare the bulk of it, here is basically the rundown:

• We spent an excrutiating 14+ hours in the car on Friday, the 13th.


• We ended up spending the night in fabulous Park Slope, Brooklyn, with friends Corey Brown and Lauren Strieb that night. The floor was hard, but accomodating.


• Drove from NYC to Groton, CT in hellacious traffic the next morning with CB and LS in tow. Missed the ceremony, but arrived in time to play 5 short form games and watch people dance at the reception.


• Retired to America's Best Value Inn for naps before going to Foxwoods casino, where Corey would win about $150, and I would lose my last $25.


• Slept on highly uncomfortable rubber sheets and squishy mattresses before getting back in the car at 9AM Sunday morning and driving a solid 13+ hours before arriving back in Chapel Hill close to 11PM.


• Slept.

More revelations and thoughts to come very soon, but that's the long (drive) and short of it.

Shits & Giggles (Pun Intended)

Game designer Cliffy B, who designed Gears of War, was our monologist last week. Tonight, Mark Kennedy will be regaling us with some janky stories of getting fired and dating older trailer park women. FUN!

Part 1:
Part 2:
Part3:

I know, right?

JUNE?



JULY!