(a little) blue, red and (a lot of) grey

It's that magical time of year again. I'm of course referring to the time of year when it's just so cold i want to vomit-pop. My first winter in Chicago. Not sure if I want to see another, and it has only just begun. I knew it'd be rough, but it's mid december and it's already been seven degrees fahrenheit, negative fifteen with windchill. The sun sets around four-thirty. Must be wary of vitamin D deficiency. Anyway, it's cold and dark a lot. Never knew 20F could feel balmy.

I'm having a pretty good time, weather notwithstanding. Improv Level One has been a blast, the last class is two days from now. Level two starts at the beginning of the year. My new instructor will be Susan Messing. She's held in pretty high esteem in the Chicago improv scene. She helped found the Annoyance Theater, and she created the curriculum for iO's Level Two class. I think I've made wise teacher-decisions thus far, my current teacher Seth is hilarious, good at what he does, and debuted the brand new level one curriculum for my class this session. An ideal start for me at the school, JiBlets.


Went to a white elephant party last night, filled largely with people I've never met. Felt a little weird participating in the exchange, but it was all good fun. Someone's contribution to the elephant was a Crave Case-24 White Castle sliders. Needless to say, when it was my turn I grabbed 'em. My burger victory was short-lived, as it was taken from me a few turns later. Not before I ate one, I'm happy to report. The rest of the party was fun, good food, and some friendly folks. The vodka I ended up with was put to good use, although vodka is a cruel mistress. I haven't had any in a long while (JiBlets know, I'm a whiskey man) and it's important to remember when to stop. But vodka's cumulative effect doesn't really seem to hit you until it's bedtime. It's four thirty now, or dusk, in Chicago terms, and I'm still a bit bleary-eyed.


Hair still falling out. Maybe it's what I eat. A steady diet of hot Ding Dongs, cashews and Mr Pibb seems like it should be fine.