tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46446423118202336922024-03-23T03:14:13.507-07:00Thumbs Up State Improv FestivalBring together the Upstate Improv Community in order to learn from each other and most importantly to have fun since 2011.Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-56255033372719916532015-04-19T18:50:00.000-07:002015-04-19T18:50:53.741-07:00Thumbs UPstate Improv Festival - 2015This year's festival will be at Jazz Central - 441 E. Washington Street, Syracuse, on May 1st and 2nd from 7 - 11 PM.<br />
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Tickets are FREE this year, and we expect a packed house both nights. We are excited to have a variety of awesome teams coming, including some from out-of-state. <br />
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Please visit <a href="http://syracuseimprovcollective.com/">http://syracuseimprovcollective.com/</a> for more info about the improv festival and future local shows.<br />
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We apologize for not properly maintaining this site. Life without Joe is hard.mistergrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09122186652734321439noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-87012342312841803672014-03-27T17:20:00.001-07:002014-03-27T17:20:02.766-07:00Register to perform during the Super Fun Time Variety Hour!Want to try out some new material? Want to perform some improv with someone you've never met before? Want to meet some cool people and perform something new in a low-pressure, anything-goes environment?<br />
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Then come on out to the Super Fun Time Variety Hour on Thursday, April 3 from 8pm - 10pm.<br />
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In order to accommodate as many performers as possible, please register your act <a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/p/super-fun-time-variety-registration.html">here</a>.Joe Blumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982387972993794953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-59114798478888068062014-03-27T17:00:00.003-07:002014-03-27T17:00:54.554-07:00Register for Workshops!We have an amazing lineup of workshops for you on Saturday, April 5. The workshops will be led by veteran improvisors from the Central New York improv community and beyond.<br />
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All of the workshops cost only $10! That will also give you access to all of the sets on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. So for only 10 bucks you'll get to see 19 improv groups, one sketch group, two workshops and a bunch of crazy and fun experimental sets.<br />
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So check out the workshops and register <a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/p/loading.html">here</a>.Joe Blumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982387972993794953noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-84411282275869967482014-03-03T16:10:00.000-08:002014-03-03T16:10:00.646-08:00The Application Window is Now Closed!The Thumbs UPstate lineup is set for 2014! Keep an eye out in the next couple of days for details and schedules for the 2014 festival!Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-41903671419430665642014-01-23T06:51:00.000-08:002014-01-28T06:06:59.931-08:00The Application Window Is Open<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/p/2013-registration.html" target="_blank">Apply now for the 2014 Thumbs UPstate Improv Festival</a>. The Festival is coming back to the CNY Playhouse from April 3 -5 and if you're not there it will be less awesome than if you were. The application process is LIVE. Do it now! The deadline to apply is Friday, March 1... which is disturbingly close.Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-27972045688330166412013-04-07T18:38:00.000-07:002013-04-07T18:38:03.200-07:00Thumbs UP to All of YouThumbs UPstate 2103 is in the books and there are just so many people that helped make it possible, it's hard to know where to begin.<br />
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Well, first we have to thank Dustin Czarny and the <a href="http://cnyplayhouse.com/" target="_blank">Central New York Playhouse</a>. They've been incredibly supportive of the SIC this year, but three nights and one very full Saturday are just above and beyond. Thank you. Thanks also to Justin Polly, Jenn DeCook, Kasey Marie for staffing the place. And Cathy's Corner Cafe for keeping the crowd lubricated.</div>
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To all of our "official" volunteers: Mike Borden, Emily Lawson, Paul Bailey, Alexis Pierce, Briana Kohlbrenner, Ron Sweet, Phil Brady, Stephen Peters, and Christopher Malone. You all kept us sane. It's nice to know that sometimes you don't need to be every place at once because you have awesome people helping you. Thank You. </div>
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To all of our "unofficial" volunteers: If you stacked a chair, held a door, retweeted a plug, told a friend, liked a status, picked up a pen off the floor... those little increments added up to awesome. Thank you.</div>
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If you ever need an emcee, a stand up, or a potato rapping cultural concierge, start with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ROCAnnaHall?fref=ts" target="_blank">Anna Hall</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnnaPhillipsComedy?fref=ts" target="_blank">Anna Phillips</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NOexcusesSYR?fref=ts" target="_blank">Michael Jo</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/totsandmash?fref=ts" target="_blank">hn Heagerty</a>. They're beautiful. Thank you all. </div>
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Stefanie Noble did a great job designing the flier, which we then reappropriated into festival and staff badges. Thank you, Stefanie!</div>
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Our workshop leaders Scott Austin and Lou Leonardo came in from New York City and Chicago to bring back a fraction of what they've learned to share it with their students. Ken Keech came from the Westcott Nation to do the same thing.</div>
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To each and every stand up and team that came to the festival:</div>
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<b>Thursday</b></div>
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Pamela Werts</div>
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Uncle Trent</div>
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T. Blunt</div>
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Corey Smithson</div>
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Kevin Ricotta</div>
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<b>Friday</b></div>
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Left for Dead</div>
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Dumb Kids in the Back</div>
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Mary Tyler Mortlaity</div>
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Sidewinders</div>
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Gentlemen, To Bed!</div>
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1matchfire</div>
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Uncle Lina</div>
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Satan's Closet</div>
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Search Engine Improv</div>
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<b>Saturday</b></div>
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Planned Pandahood</div>
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Comedy FLOPs</div>
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Balls Forever</div>
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Identity Crisis</div>
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New Kids on the Block</div>
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Don't Feed the Actors</div>
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D & D</div>
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Sheer Idiocy</div>
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John Mayer Bloomberg</div>
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Flower City Improv</div>
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RonDeLou</div>
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Clearly, without you, this festival would be very boring. Thank you.</div>
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Last, but certainly not least, thanks to everyone that came out to support these independent artists and entertainers. Like Anna said, you could have stayed home and watched episodes of Lost on Netflix, but you came out. You showed up. Hopefully you enjoyed yourselves. And hopefully we'll see you again. Thank you.</div>
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Let's do it again next year, ok?</div>
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Joe, Ken, Vanessa, and Mike</div>
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The Thumbs UPstate Team</div>
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Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-32544372793895360492013-04-02T20:41:00.000-07:002013-04-02T20:41:35.234-07:00Search Engine Improv<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtTdo1f4nJTGw6Zl3s90QO1Dlb9fNVExvukoaeSRC4XNandwBHsBMu7acEJ8mIYNf7ZkScOPCv3I7k6_2peyDFpncMuB8M0SkZ3KU7eBqAOMdBg5xWfpJmDGg5TUjhA40u2jkbDB6wVs/s1600/SEI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtTdo1f4nJTGw6Zl3s90QO1Dlb9fNVExvukoaeSRC4XNandwBHsBMu7acEJ8mIYNf7ZkScOPCv3I7k6_2peyDFpncMuB8M0SkZ3KU7eBqAOMdBg5xWfpJmDGg5TUjhA40u2jkbDB6wVs/s200/SEI.jpg" width="74"></a><i>Search Engine Improv is too busy being awesome to have time to fill out a profile. They did add a question though.</i><br>
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<b>1) What makes your team unique?</b><br>
The fact that one guy from Chicago, one from NYC and one from Boston get along<br>
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<b>2) Do you know what games / forms you plan on doing for the festival? </b><br>
These days, we never know until we step out on stage.<br>
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<b>3) How long has your team been working together?</b><br>
Since late 2010<br>
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<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/04/search-engine-improv.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com104tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-78018596935156171602013-04-02T06:02:00.000-07:002013-04-02T06:02:01.665-07:00Planned Pandahood<br>
<i>Geneseo's Planned Pandahood received honorable mention for cutest team name.</i><br>
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<b>1) What makes your team unique?</b><br>
Our whimsy coupled with our disproportionately high number of scenes about black tar heroin.<br>
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<b>2) Do you know what games / forms you plan on doing for the festival?</b><br>
We’ll be doing a La Ronde. Maybe it will be modified, maybe it won’t. Who knows? We WON’T be tamed.<br>
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<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/04/planned-pandahood.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-1980382797030163252013-04-01T17:04:00.002-07:002013-04-01T17:04:40.479-07:00Identity Crisis<i>Meet the SIC Student Team, Identity Crisis</i><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81f4HIlkOMvVIM6sEot89V7kfujrB1bXUNcIM5Z2QhHP_AedJYDYsmhZA_LisD46L63lPNtsAbpGhpqYuXMuuedIRHMyiRc5fgwXVwlx399ENLngZ36Z_tanvsq-Ql0-H7e0safgpUDU/s1600/IdentityCrisis_Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81f4HIlkOMvVIM6sEot89V7kfujrB1bXUNcIM5Z2QhHP_AedJYDYsmhZA_LisD46L63lPNtsAbpGhpqYuXMuuedIRHMyiRc5fgwXVwlx399ENLngZ36Z_tanvsq-Ql0-H7e0safgpUDU/s200/IdentityCrisis_Photo.jpg" width="200"></a></div>
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<b>1) What makes your team unique?</b><br>
We are the proud graduates of Syracuse Improv Collective's Level One Improv Workshop. Instead of getting diplomas, we got each other. We are three girls and a guy who simply clicked and wanted to keep doing improv together. We like each other so much, we even wear each other's faces on our shirts.<br>
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<b>2) Do you know what games / forms you plan on doing for the festival?</b><br>
Short form games are our forte.<b> </b><br>
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<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/04/identity-crisis.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-24318221895761338382013-03-26T15:02:00.006-07:002013-03-26T15:43:13.481-07:00Don't Feed the Actors<i>Make it stop. Make the litany of profiles stop.</i><br>
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<b>What makes your team unique?</b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o1gtbVUxe_7LnmolGetpRnduiQyeWv0Q2gXF6rme_qGGswKREyHYUvIt-ekM1gqhRO42YPKq98cCcXA7gM3uQaeQQxbaWBAqr49i72h35gzk1YR7AHIEnKuSNbawClLdkmHxOc7KIQc/s1600/DFtA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o1gtbVUxe_7LnmolGetpRnduiQyeWv0Q2gXF6rme_qGGswKREyHYUvIt-ekM1gqhRO42YPKq98cCcXA7gM3uQaeQQxbaWBAqr49i72h35gzk1YR7AHIEnKuSNbawClLdkmHxOc7KIQc/s200/DFtA.jpg" width="150"></a><br>
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DFtA was founded by mostly Syracuse area community theater actors. Since its initial beginnings we have had a large group ranging anywhere from 10-14 area actors. Our large size has also allowed us to keep up a very active schedule as we bring 5 actors to every gig while also keeping it fresh. Our focus is on short form improv and audience participation. We strive to have shout outs, written suggestions, or direct audience participation in every game and we have altered many traditional short form games to achieve that. It also makes it easier for preparation for each gig since we are lazy and don't like to think ahead.</div>
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<b>What games will you bring?</b></div>
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We have a couple of musical games in mind as well as some audience participation games and some guessing games, some shout out games, perhaps some games about the meaning of life, but probably not. </div>
<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/03/dontfeedtheactors.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-29548147677449944492013-03-25T16:01:00.000-07:002013-03-25T16:01:04.253-07:00ComedyFLOPs<i>This seems like more than 20 right? So tired. So very tired.</i><br>
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<b>What makes your team unique?</b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsJsUIpgOrsFaspeoaLcBf3iMXKKT90v0zgsbrPcUUW4ZlvJwXfmtrzytlbbtCZGgsDKWc0DMNoUWR2txxCJPPjy1Er_i722FMWqLL9zxMXF9bl7hpOeP6R7Xk7MUNl7MJIhUun0Pj2s/s1600/FLOPs+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsJsUIpgOrsFaspeoaLcBf3iMXKKT90v0zgsbrPcUUW4ZlvJwXfmtrzytlbbtCZGgsDKWc0DMNoUWR2txxCJPPjy1Er_i722FMWqLL9zxMXF9bl7hpOeP6R7Xk7MUNl7MJIhUun0Pj2s/s200/FLOPs+Logo.jpg" width="200"></a><br>
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ComedyFLOPs, Finger Lakes Original Pranksters started out as a local group of barely-talented, liquored-up wise-asses pranking obnoxious college kids downtown. We've developed into Ithaca's only community improv performance troupe, and have a had a weekend residency at a pleasant downtown boozery for over a year. Music is one of our strengths....three of us can play at least three instruments and we infuse it into our shows whenever possible. We are also the originators of No Form - a raw and open style that involves authentic interaction between audience members and the cast.</div>
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<b>Do you know what games / forms you plan on doing for the festival?</b></div>
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Expect something along the lines of either our Rock Opera or a Nano/Macro/Micro/one-minute musical. We'll probably end up doing Helping Hands for 25 minutes due to a nagging case of GR.</div>
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<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/03/comedyflops.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-66049021123729147712013-03-25T06:23:00.000-07:002013-03-25T06:23:06.236-07:00Thumbs UPstate video!We're excited for the festival coming up in less than two weeks. So raise a thumb (or two), clap your hands and get ready for some comedy action.
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/62519533?byline=0&portrait=0" width="425" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/62519533">2013 Thumbs UPstate Improv Festival</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/joeblum">Joe Blum</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Joe Blumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07982387972993794953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-60905430417971410392013-03-22T10:07:00.001-07:002013-03-22T10:07:44.990-07:001matchfire<i>1matchfire has been a favorite guest of the SIC Bank Shows. Learn more about them here.</i><br>
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<b>What makes your team unique? </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3-w5s46nHq-7Z5TV7gqoRHzAKiBvq4YWoaqDC8pJDTr4u0fB8u1XScuBJN-I1TC02Yf7Kfp60ne-U5FIanVSVxpgZj9y8fJNMiV_5nIIbOieNnP31vjtVK0RwpygVk4RkSRae-Szmks/s1600/square+logo+final.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3-w5s46nHq-7Z5TV7gqoRHzAKiBvq4YWoaqDC8pJDTr4u0fB8u1XScuBJN-I1TC02Yf7Kfp60ne-U5FIanVSVxpgZj9y8fJNMiV_5nIIbOieNnP31vjtVK0RwpygVk4RkSRae-Szmks/s200/square+logo+final.png" width="200"></a></div>
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We have more than 30 years of common history from which to draw. We met when we both worked for the same department in IBM Tucson. In the early days of a somewhat rocky courtship, the games we played with each other had nothing to do with improv. But eventually we learned to love and live happily together. We’ve been married since December 1, 1985. </div>
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<b>Do you know what games / forms you plan on doing for the festival?</b></div>
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The format we chose for Thumbs Up is called Letters from Alan. Roger plays Quill and Jeri, Quinn, a couple of beatniks and close friends of Alan Ginsburg. A randomly selected line out of a book of Ginsburg letters kicks off the scene. </div>
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<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/03/1matchfire.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-51759508986320827802013-03-21T16:55:00.002-07:002013-03-23T14:28:28.950-07:00Sheer Idiocy<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirk3_7pjTzc3NBi5Ed86w3LBvhBpFDB0GbViQ2KyqgDBT_xiu6aRqMHhTQlv8CfvKuxjnlpjhkcno7ZIDQMaJEALhzrzm-2_YH6Qgg4q7Z9dJfqzPLTiZnyPDtNBvf4RWLrTf_bjKqOHg/s1600/sheer+idiocy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirk3_7pjTzc3NBi5Ed86w3LBvhBpFDB0GbViQ2KyqgDBT_xiu6aRqMHhTQlv8CfvKuxjnlpjhkcno7ZIDQMaJEALhzrzm-2_YH6Qgg4q7Z9dJfqzPLTiZnyPDtNBvf4RWLrTf_bjKqOHg/s200/sheer+idiocy.jpg" width="154" /></a><i>Did you know that Troy is a city in New York with a population of 50,000 people and also Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute? We didn't. Sheer Idiocy may have.</i><br />
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<b>What makes your team unique?</b><br />
We're a college troupe and we're younger than most other teams at the festival. We can provide a different style to our comedy.<br />
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<b>Do you know what games / forms you plan on doing for the festival?</b><br />
We have a very large selection of short and long form games and always love mixing<br />
it up.<br />
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<b>How long has your team been working together?</b><br />
We have been performing together for four years, but the troupe has been around for much longer.<br />
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<b>What life lessons do you think there are to be learned from improv?</b><br />
Improv has taught us quick-thinking, thinking outside the box, and to laugh at ourselves.<br />
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<i>Sheer Idiocy will perform on Saturday, April 6. Check em out on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sheeridiocy?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</i>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-31303794021562974522013-03-21T16:14:00.001-07:002013-03-21T16:14:24.874-07:00Zamboni Revolution<br>
<i>The profiles... they keep coming. Up next is Syracuse Univeristy's Zamboni Revolution.</i><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVz_zMcIyIAwrCiXSmLaV4xQgX7AKC3elZ6KPkcIf5une2hMiYSOtsdLr9g252PQUa9XaHOIPG6irWu6kf_lbt6ZuxaIDTeweCt4DS5HakTR1dbS22FkEZZ7Uo9HpEG5Qvq9DopokvrW0/s1600/Zamboni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVz_zMcIyIAwrCiXSmLaV4xQgX7AKC3elZ6KPkcIf5une2hMiYSOtsdLr9g252PQUa9XaHOIPG6irWu6kf_lbt6ZuxaIDTeweCt4DS5HakTR1dbS22FkEZZ7Uo9HpEG5Qvq9DopokvrW0/s200/Zamboni.jpg" width="200"></a></div>
<b>What makes your team unique?</b><br>
Zamboni Revolution is unique because we're a college improv team. This means that we always have people graduating and new people coming on. Our group changes every semester which is both challenging and exciting.<br>
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<b>Do you know what games / forms you plan on doing for the festival?</b><br>
We will be doing long form improv.<br>
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<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/03/zamboni-revolution.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-26884198702531913892013-03-21T09:09:00.002-07:002013-03-21T09:29:04.900-07:00Meet the MC - Michael John Heagerty<br>
<i>Meet our emcee for the Friday improv performances, Michael John Heagerty. Make sure to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thumbsupstate" target="_blank">Like us on Facebook</a> to keep up with the profiles on all of our performers.</i><br>
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<b>Michael John Heagerty</b><br>
"ToTs" aka crispyonthemic<br>
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Michael John Heagerty is a man about town who splits his time between various projects while also working at Kitty Hoynes. As a highly social dude with a wide network of contacts, Mike has found himself planning underground events, curating art shows, collaborating musically and now he's working on a project that is the culmination of all these things. <a href="http://www.noexcusessyr.com/" target="_blank">NOexcusesSYR</a> is a unique project and business in which Michael John becomes the ultimate tour guide, bringing locals and visitors alike along on distinctive tours that will focus on the exciting new developments and great people that make Syracuse tick.</div>
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Oh yeah, he also raps about potatoes.<br>
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<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/03/meet-mc-michael-john-heagerty.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-7921046223840272282013-03-20T17:34:00.002-07:002013-03-20T17:34:28.015-07:00D & D<br>
<i>This is the 567th in a twenty part series highlighting the improv teams performing in the 2013 Festival. Keep checking here or follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thumbsupstate" target="_blank">Facebook </a>or <a href="http://twitter.com/thumbsupstate" target="_blank">Twitter </a>to learn all about our intrepid performers.</i><br>
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<b>What makes your team unique?</b><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEf98N-u5PVzVP2jzJfdcBhNV2v7IGe0FOWbT8cJMpEyOeHY0JAc_v_yhfvMQaKf7anB5Up72XgjCnz5ZNg_5o2LEiAajGQiRfOCkMwMIqI59ZOi-N2YBtY2zz0z1dEyHbjW8MgJWIAJc/s1600/DDImprov.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEf98N-u5PVzVP2jzJfdcBhNV2v7IGe0FOWbT8cJMpEyOeHY0JAc_v_yhfvMQaKf7anB5Up72XgjCnz5ZNg_5o2LEiAajGQiRfOCkMwMIqI59ZOi-N2YBtY2zz0z1dEyHbjW8MgJWIAJc/s200/DDImprov.png" width="200"></a></div>
We are two different guys coming from two different nerdy origins…Derrick is well rounded in D&D, Comics, and Role Playing whereas Dan knows much in the realm of Video Games, specifically Nintendo. With both of us combined, interesting formats, references, and ideas are created.<br>
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<b>Do you know what games / forms you plan on doing for the festival?</b><br>
We have 2 different forms that we could do depending on how long of a set we get..one i.es entitled "Scene Genie" in which it is a "stream of consciousness" kind of scene flurries… while the other is an Adventure Story Arch that carries over attributes from each performance.<br>
<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/03/d-d.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-28281712090196958472013-03-19T15:45:00.000-07:002013-03-19T15:46:31.644-07:00Satan's Closet<i>This is part of a series highlighting the improv teams performing in the 2013 Festival. Keep checking here or follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thumbsupstate">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/thumbsupstate">Twitter</a> to learn all about our intrepid performers.</i><br>
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<b>1) What makes your team unique?</b><br>
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We don't know what we're doing until the minute we walk on stage and some times not until about five minutes after. We don't recognize boundaries of stage or time or decorum. We don't break the fourth wall because we don't even acknowledge its existence. We barely acknowledge physical walls, why would we make time for metaphorical ones?<br>
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<b>2) Do you know what games / forms you plan on doing for the festival?</b><br>
See above. You'll find out when we figure it out.<br>
<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/03/satans-closet.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-90462139319978969182013-03-18T08:04:00.001-07:002013-03-18T08:04:12.100-07:00Left For Dead<i>Learn more about the only all-senior based team at this year's festival: Left for Dead.</i><br>
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<b>What makes your team unique? </b><br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1qAVFi0WA7CXc8_4ryLASp5akKzeNyqsef1Kq52bNoDHZvo9ti1H8TQqww4kZq0WvhOsfrUE3hFt8UJMRR-Vh034cmeOmbwdJVM_ZxfcvzmO6YOjQnJpolB3hZB2z0vSNhzn_kvqxCc/s1600/LfDlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1qAVFi0WA7CXc8_4ryLASp5akKzeNyqsef1Kq52bNoDHZvo9ti1H8TQqww4kZq0WvhOsfrUE3hFt8UJMRR-Vh034cmeOmbwdJVM_ZxfcvzmO6YOjQnJpolB3hZB2z0vSNhzn_kvqxCc/s200/LfDlogo.jpg" width="200"></a>Left for Dead is a Rochester-based comedy group of seven performers, ages 50 and up. We are believed to be one of the only improv troupes for seniors in America. We are all stunningly good-looking and extremely hip. We were all alive when Elvis was drafted into the army, the Beatles were guests on the Ed Sullivan Show, and Neal Armstrong walked on the moon. These common life experiences give us a unique perspective, and we draw from them in our scene work. Our group performs at assisted living centers, cafes, and theaters around Upstate New York.<br>
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<b>Do you know what games / forms you plan on doing for the festival?</b><br>
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We will be debuting our new long form format, which has a lot to do with dead people!<br>
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<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/03/left-for-dead.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-28874656282699358452013-03-17T10:08:00.000-07:002013-03-17T10:09:06.508-07:00Dumb Kids in the Back<i>This is part of a series highlighting the improv teams performing in the 2013 Festival. Keep checking here or follow us on <a href="http://facebook.com/thumbsupstate" target="_blank">Facebook </a>or <a href="http://twitter.com/thumbsupstate" target="_blank">Twitter </a>to learn all about our upcoming performers.</i><br>
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<b>What makes your team unique?</b><br>
The Dumb Kids In The Back are unique because of their non-stop energy and their fearless approach to improv. The Dumb Kids are comprised of 4 mutli-talented performers who also perform stand-up comedy, act and write. The Dumb Kids pride themselves on their ability to create an interactive experience using the audience's suggestions...and sometimes using the audience themselves!<br>
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<b>Do you know what games / forms you plan on doing for the festival?</b><br>
The Dumb Kids plan on playing some of their staple games: Sportscasters; the Dating Game; Sound Effects; and a DKITB original game Foreign Love Letter.<br>
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<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/03/dumb-kids-in-back.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-40113570559539458422013-03-16T20:47:00.000-07:002013-03-16T16:34:39.052-07:00Gentlemen, to Bed!<br>
<i>This is the part of an increasingly interminable series highlighting the improv teams performing in the 2013 Festival. Keep checking here or follow us on <a href="http://facebook.com/thumbsupstate" target="_blank">Facebook </a>or <a href="http://twitter.com/thumbsupstate" target="_blank">Twitter </a>to learn all about our intrepid performers.</i><br>
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</b><b>What makes your team unique?</b><br>
We have no problem with sleeping with each other. Any time, any bed. And 1/3 of our group is a published author (Jeremy DeBottis, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-More-ebook/dp/B0081WW8YA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363059394&sr=8-1&keywords=jeremy+debottis" target="_blank">One More</a>").<br>
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<b>Do you know what games / forms you plan on doing for the festival?</b><br>
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<img alt="" class="ajz" data-tooltip="Show details" id=":178" role="button" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif" tabindex="0"></div>
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We
will be performing a form called Twitterprov, in which we have the
audience pick a trending topic on Twitter and then randomly choose a
tweet from that topic. We then make up a story based off of that tweet.</div>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4644642311820233692" name="more"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/03/gentlemen-to-bed.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-90336577679712278952013-03-15T13:49:00.001-07:002013-03-15T13:49:27.468-07:00Mary Tyler Mortality<i>Mary Tyler Mortality made their debut at the Syracuse Improv Collective Bank Show in January. They return, triumphantly, to the Festival in April.</i><br>
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<b>What makes your team unique?</b><br>
We're just two best friends who like to play pretend on stage sometimes.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uuqeN90eIiKmHZctvEkI69zAGTidYqrc9NYaKIV_adpl6n2El5AkIDIYj9vTVZMmUAMW1BcGBEJI0N9PIhuIE74V4kZ5y5ZJwf-UxCfc4ZIvxYGidE6rU_NAxn7_lRBQM2AN3wES-Uc/s1600/MTM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uuqeN90eIiKmHZctvEkI69zAGTidYqrc9NYaKIV_adpl6n2El5AkIDIYj9vTVZMmUAMW1BcGBEJI0N9PIhuIE74V4kZ5y5ZJwf-UxCfc4ZIvxYGidE6rU_NAxn7_lRBQM2AN3wES-Uc/s200/MTM.jpeg" width="200"></a><b>Do you know what games / forms you plan on doing for the festival?</b>It's been described (by us) as "free form" or "armando on chill pills" but when it comes down to it we kind of just end up doing whatever works for the set.<br>
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<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/03/mary-tyler-mortality.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-59856945928266128932013-03-14T10:48:00.000-07:002013-03-14T10:48:46.377-07:00Meet the MC - Anna Hall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXBwbJ8BqKDupqyQicqOcWhrM5IItKW3GStiS_fLeKxSmXRur3BwNgPblheb_nlwb3Q9uzodmDHNpL7VuYjn0Qp_p6XaWCK5H3okWjIt76VN7QyJ7WxPERKwQApasmfNhokeGAA0k8gk/s1600/Anna+Hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXBwbJ8BqKDupqyQicqOcWhrM5IItKW3GStiS_fLeKxSmXRur3BwNgPblheb_nlwb3Q9uzodmDHNpL7VuYjn0Qp_p6XaWCK5H3okWjIt76VN7QyJ7WxPERKwQApasmfNhokeGAA0k8gk/s200/Anna+Hall.jpg" width="133" /></a>This year, each evening of the Festival will be hosted by a special, very talented, guest. The Mistress of Ceremonies for the full slate of improv performance on Saturday, April 6 is the hysterical Anna Hall.<br />
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Anna Hall is Rochester's own funny lady. She is a comic and emcee based in Rochester, NY. She is the host and producer of Rochester’s only variety show, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BigVaudevilleHookComedyHour?fref=ts" target="_blank">Big Vaudeville Hook Comedy Hour</a> and the host of the Fall Back Comedy Festival. She’s performed sketch with Armistice Day Sketch Comedy and Long-Form Improv with SEI presents: MONSSSSTROCITY. In Chicago she performed stand-up at the Lincoln Lodge, Feminine Comique, and Entertaining Julia. Anna is exclusively responsible for the Barbury Castle crop circles.<br />
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You really should <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ROCAnnaHall?fref=ts" target="_blank">like her page on Facebook</a>. Or check out what she's up to at <a href="http://www.annahallcomedy.com/" target="_blank">Anna Hall Comedy</a>. Or heck, <a href="https://twitter.com/BVHook" target="_blank">follow her on Twitter</a>.Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-64087942319009438452013-03-13T11:00:00.000-07:002013-03-13T11:00:46.181-07:00Uncle Lina<i>This is part of a series highlighting the improv teams performing in the 2013 Festival. Keep checking here or follow us on <a href="http://facebook.com/thumbsupstate" target="_blank">Facebook </a>or <a href="http://twitter.com/thumbsupstate" target="_blank">Twitter </a>to learn all about our upcoming performers.</i><br>
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<b>What makes your team unique?</b><br>
Uncle Lina is an all-female sketch and improv troupe whose comedy is a unique blend of satire, sincerity, and silliness. We explore the hilarity of the everyday through versatile characters that span the test of time.<br>
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<b>Do you know what games / forms you plan on doing for the festival?</b><br>
We will perform sketches, ask the audience for suggestions loosely-based off of those sketches, and then do long form scenes.<br>
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<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/03/uncle-lina.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644642311820233692.post-48643021924551924262013-03-12T15:38:00.000-07:002013-03-12T15:38:00.109-07:00John Mayer Bloomberg<br>
<i>This is part of a series highlighting the improv teams performing in the 2013 Festival. Keep checking here or follow us on <a href="http://facebook.com/thumbsupstate" target="_blank">Facebook </a>or <a href="http://twitter.com/thumbsupstate" target="_blank">Twitter </a>to learn all about our upcoming performers.</i><br>
<b><br></b>
<b>1) What makes your team unique?</b><br>
Our founding fathers, John Mayer and Michael Bloomberg, had a vision for an improv group that would bring together cool vibes and a fierce, kinetic spirit, and then regulate both so as to limit the amount that the general populace could intake at one time—with the idea that, in the grand scheme of things, this would be better for everyone involved. In sum, we would like to think that we draw on a rich tradition of big city governance and playful, no-nonsense riffs—soothing and familiar, while at the same time off-putting and unsettling. But, honestly, we’re just here to have fun and make this world a better place for our children and our children’s children. Beyond that, we would say that the next round of children should probably start figuring stuff out for themselves. After all, we can only reasonably be asked to be responsible for two generations of self-entitled, do-nothing teenagers.<br>
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<b> 2) Do you know what games / forms you plan on doing for the festival?</b><br>
Long form based on your musical tastes. Mocking of your iPod playlists will be minimal, but only due to a time constraint.<br>
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<a href="http://www.thumbsupstate.com/2013/03/john-mayer-bloomberg.html#more">Read more »</a>Mike I.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08168218735538225955noreply@blogger.com0