So! I know I haven't been talking about this, but my SO & I are starting our own nonprofit to do the work we've been doing under an umbrella organization. We're splitting off from them as of January, and it's been very nervewracking and confusing and filled with copious amounts of paper. For those who don't know, we do a traveling music school -- we go from place to place on the Navajo & Apache reservations here in the American southwest and teach music to kids who might not have access to music programs in their schools and communities.

Anyway, that's not the news. The news is that last night we got a phone call, and we have been awarded a major grant that will cover all the program expenses for next year! Our first one! Whohoo! We're so glad and relieved that we hardly know what to do with ourselves. We weren't even supposed to find out until December, which pushed it pretty close to our January changeover date, but our friends at the granting foundation were all excited and got permission to let us know early.

We are happy.

Good News!

Chicago City Limits will be staying in its current space until the end of the year. After that point we will be moving to a new theater or performing in a variety of venues for some period of time until acquiring a new space.

In order to generate some momentum for the big move we'll be having a benefit performance in the middle of December.

Somehow, I volunteered to organize it...

Any advice, vibes, or contacts with industry people who would hate to see a comedy institution die would be much appreciated.

Can I please have some Buffista Jobma(TM)? They're laying people off on Wednesday, here. I'm not sure whether I should ask for "good severance package and a new job quickly", or "having a job still", but either way...something good please!

Third time proved to be the charm.

I am now a licensed driver in the state of California.

Due to the wonkiness of the board, I would like to request an ass load of -ma, in the silent form. Just a deep thought perhaps, as you read this, with hopes for the best outcome.

My sister (the one that just lost her husband on Father's Day) has been told that she has one cluster in her left breast and three clusters in her right breast.

She has opted to have the clusters removed asap and will find out when sometime this week after speaking with the surgeon.

Benign -ma, coping -ma, fast healing -ma, etc. Any or all would be more than appreciated.

My father has surgery this afternoon. If all goes well, he'll be getting a pacemaker, and I'll start referring to him as Robodad.

They are currently making determinations for a job I applied for. Pros: Good pay, with regular and generous increases; fantastic benefits; better management than the crap I have to deal with now; the workplace is not only closer to my house, but I can take public transportation there; it's about 2 blocks from both my brother's work and my sister-in-law's (which mean I could go visit them on lunch) and it's right across the street from an indian restaurant. Cons: I'd be dealing with people again. No big whoop. So, mucho jobma requested.

Any jobma that can be flung NYCwards in the next few minutes would be much appreciated.

The flaky job has reappeared and it looks as though they are making an acutal, imminent, offer.

Christmas came early this year!

I'm going to the Bay Area to see BUFFISTAS!!!

Right now it looks like I'll be out there the week of Vetern's Day (Nov 11th). I realize that's rather soon, but it's sort of a surprise early Christmas thing.

I haven't gotten the exact dates and times pinned down but email me at:

alilz AT msn.com

so I can figure out things.

Edited to make the date clearer.

I'll be mostly black for the next few days - out of town on a business trip. I always check email, if anyone needs to reach me.